The Kindness Extremist with Shola Richards

Is chronic complaining quietly draining your energy, damaging your relationships, and blocking your joy? In this episode, Shola Richards, your favorite Kindness Extremist, pulls back the curtain on one of the most toxic habits we all fall into: the endless complaint cycle.   From the crucial difference between venting and complaining to how to protect your peace from other people's negativity...

Can you lead with both heart and authority? In this episode of The Kindness Extremist , Shola Richards breaks down the myth that kindness is weakness in leadership — and reveals how compassion can become your greatest leadership superpower.    Drawing from personal stories, research, and decades of leadership insight, Shola shares 3 transformative strategies to lead with authenticity, build trust,...

Struggling with a toxic coworker, a passive-aggressive teammate, or a boss who takes credit for your work? You’re not alone. In this episode, host Shola Richards shares 3 practical strategies to help you handle difficult colleagues without sacrificing your peace of mind or professionalism.   Shola offers practical, compassionate tools to protect your energy while staying true to your values. Learn...

Is your mind constantly under attack from negativity, outrage, and emotional overload? In this episode, Shola Richards breaks down exactly how cable news, toxic social media, and draining relationships can sabotage your peace — and what you can do to take your power back.   In the episode, you'll discover: Why your brain treats cable news like a threat, and how to break the cycle How to stop...

If we’re serious about building a kinder, more inclusive world, we need to start with an honest look inward. In this episode, Shola Richards shares three powerful, research-backed strategies to identify and reduce our unconscious biases, and explains how doing so can transform how we lead, love, and live.   In this episode: Why isolation strengthens stereotypes, and how to break the cycle What Har...

Feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of the world? You’re not alone. But what if the power to make a difference isn’t “out there”… but instead staring back at you in the mirror?  In this empowering episode, Shola Richards reveals how you can reclaim your agency by focusing on the only three things truly within your control: your actions, your effort, and your attitude. Through personal stories, powerf...

Fake news is everywhere — and it’s dividing us more than ever. In this episode, Shola Richards shares three powerful strategies to beat misinformation and disinformation without becoming cynical or overwhelmed.   From false social media posts to AI-generated fakes, the line between fact and fiction has never been blurrier. But you’re not powerless. Shola reveals how to cut through the noise, ask s...

In this powerful milestone 10th episode, Shola Richards opens up about a heartbreaking conversation that sparked an essential reminder: your mental health is not optional—it’s non-negotiable.   What you’ll learn in this episode: Why caring for your mental health is an act of strength, not selfishness The concept of tough love self-care and how to apply it daily How to build a personal "suppor...

Is your job quietly (or loudly) eroding your wellbeing? In Part 2 of this powerful two-part series, host Shola Richards shares three more red flags that could mean it's time to make a change.    If you’ve ever felt completely alone at work, trapped under a toxic boss, or caught in an endless cycle of rehashing work drama during your free time — this episode is your wake-up call.    You’ll als...

Have you ever asked yourself, “Is this job costing me too much?” In Part 1 of this powerful two-part series, Shola Richards dives into three critical warning signs that your job may be harming you more than helping you.   Drawing from personal stories, expert research, and real-life listener experiences, Shola explores how toxic work environments can: Wreck your physical and mental health Erode yo...

In this episode of The Kindness Extremist Podcast , Shola Richards explores one of the most misunderstood acts of emotional courage: forgiveness. Whether you’re struggling to forgive someone who hurt you, trying to heal without an apology, or facing the hardest task of all — forgiving yourself — this episode offers a path forward.   Shola shares the 5 biggest myths that keep people trapped in rese...

Workplace bullying is more common—and more damaging—than many people realize. In this eye-opening episode of The Kindness Extremist Podcast , host Shola Richards dives deep into one of the most toxic threats to organizational health: bullying on the job. Drawing insights from his book Making Work Work , Shola reveals the often-hidden signs of bullying and shares real-world stories like Whitney’s a...

This week on The Kindness Extremist Podcast , Shola Richards takes you inside the art (and science) of emotional regulation. If you've ever felt hijacked by stress or triggered into reactions you later regret, this conversation is your blueprint for staying calm, clear, and in control. Shola breaks down powerful techniques like box breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, and cognitive reframing —...

In this thought-provoking episode of The Kindness Extremist Podcast , host Shola Richards dives deep into the art of navigating difficult and polarizing conversations with respect, compassion, and emotional intelligence. Using a relatable (and hilarious) example involving “Auntie Brenda,” Shola unpacks essential strategies to keep challenging discussions from turning toxic. From establishing groun...

In the first episode of The Kindness Extremist , host Shola Richards sets the stage for a powerful journey toward creating a kinder, more compassionate world. Expressing his deep disillusionment with society's growing meanness, Shola shares the personal experiences that led him to this mission—and the urgent need for collective action . He draws a critical distinction between being “nice” and...

In the second episode of The Kindness Extremist Podcast , host Shola Richards explores the often-unspoken truth that kindness requires courage —especially when it means stepping into uncomfortable situations. Sharing a vulnerable story about a moment of inaction in a department store, Shola reflects on the powerful lesson he learned: neutrality can unintentionally support unkindness . He invites l...

In this powerful episode of The Kindness Extremist , host Shola Richards —renowned keynote speaker and workplace civility expert—dives deep into a challenge we all face: dealing with ignorant and unkind comments. Whether at work, online, or in daily life, Shola shares three transformational kindness strategies to respond with grace, strength, and self-respect. Through real-life stories and actiona...

Welcome to The Kindness Extremist — the podcast that proves kindness isn’t soft... it’s strong. Hosted by Shola Richards , bestselling author, keynote speaker, and workplace civility expert, this show is your go-to source for practical strategies to lead, live, and communicate with radical kindness—even in the face of ignorance, incivility, and everyday challenges. In this short trailer episode, S...