Raising Kind Minds

THE INTERVIEW Parenting rarely goes exactly to plan, but finding the beauty in the unexpected is where the magic happens. We sit down with the author of Kind to explore what raising a child with a unique chromosomal disorder has taught him about true connection. We unpack why the ultimate goal for children is not independence, but interdependence, and how to set firm boundaries while meeting resis...

THE MEDITATION Give your mind a moment to rest and discover a softer way to speak to yourself. Today's guided meditation offers a gentle space to pause, breathe, and meet your inner critic with unexpected compassion. We often try to fight the harsh voice inside - the one we might call the "Crusher" - but this practice invites you to simply set it down. Guided by Kathryn Lovewell, you will explore...

THE CONVERSATION What do you need right now? It sounds like the simplest question in the world, yet it might be the hardest one to answer. We’re constantly looking out for our children, partners, and colleagues, running on empty while ignoring our most basic human needs. Exploring the profound insights of mindful self-compassion from Dr Cynthia Phelps, we unpack why stepping away from the daily ru...

THE INTERVIEW What did you say to yourself the last time you made a mistake in front of your child? If your inner critic is harsh, critical or downright mean, you’re far from alone. Dr Cynthia Phelps joins Kathryn Lovewell and Liz Walker to talk about where that inner critic comes from, why it’s trying to keep you safe in all the wrong ways, and how you can gently teach it a kinder way to speak. C...

THE MEDITATION Ever been in the room with your child while your mind is three rooms ahead? In this guided meditation, Kathryn Lovewell welcomes you in and Lovely Liz takes you through a gentle practice of coming home to yourself. It’s inspired by this week’s interview with Aysha Jamall, who reminded us that the greatest gift you can give your child is your loving, connected presence. And that star...

THE CONVERSATION Parenting can often feel like clinging to a runaway banana boat — exhilarating, terrifying, and completely out of control. We explore what it really means to show up with a calm, non-anxious presence for our children in the middle of everyday stress and chaos. We tackle the loud inner critic in our heads, unpack the heavy burden of parental guilt, and reject the unrealistic myth o...

THE INTERVIEW Children aren’t just listening to what we tell them - they are constantly absorbing how we speak to ourselves, manage stress, and show up when life gets overwhelming. Psychotherapist and inclusion pioneer Aysha Jamall shares profound reflections on moving families from isolation to connection and performance to presence. Drawing on over 25 years of supporting vulnerable children, Ays...

THE MEDITATION When did you last speak to yourself as gently as you speak to your child? In this short guided meditation, Lovely Liz welcomes you in and Kathryn Lovewell takes you through a few quiet minutes, just for you. It’s inspired by this week’s interview with Mindful Self-Compassion teacher Victoria Brattini, who reminded us that your brain hears what you say to yourself. You don’t need to...

THE CONVERSATION What does your child hear in their head when life gets hard? Kathryn Lovewell and Liz Walker look back on their conversation with Victoria Brattini. She is a certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher, a home educator and the founder of Laguna Meditation. They talk about why being kind to yourself isn’t self-indulgent. It’s what keeps you steady. A hand on your heart or a soft, war...

THE INTERVIEW What does your child say to themselves when things don’t go their way? Victoria Brattini joins Kathryn Lovewell and Liz Walker for a warm, honest conversation about why being kind to yourself isn’t self-indulgent. Victoria is a certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher and a mum and grandmother, and she has been meditating for more than 40 years. She shares small things you can do ev...

THE MEDITATION When did you last put down everything you’re carrying, even for a moment? In this 16-minute guided meditation, Lovely Liz takes you through what Amy Smythe, The Worry Wizard, calls an exhale moment. It’s the moment you finally set down something you’ve been carrying for far too long. You don’t need to have heard this week’s interview with Amy first. Find somewhere comfortable, sitti...

THE CONVERSATION Do you feel like you’re constantly rushing your child towards the next milestone, only to miss the magic happening right in front of you? This week, Liz and Kathryn sit down for a warm, open-hearted reflection on their recent chat with Amy Smythe. Together, they explore the quiet power of presence, why our nervous system’s energy speaks before we say a word, and how to shrink the...

THE INTERVIEW Children carry so much inside long before they find the words to speak. In this comforting conversation with Amy Smythe, accredited psychotherapist and founder of The Worry Wizard, Kathryn and Liz explore how small, everyday moments of connection can ease a child's invisible burdens. Discover why emotional availability matters far more than perfection, how gentle curiosity opens up c...

In this meditation practice episode, Lovely Liz introduces a calming session led by Kathryn, inspired by recent guest Viv Grant. Viv is a former head teacher, author, artist, and executive coach who has navigated life's demanding terrain with remarkable openness and grace. Drawing from Viv's insights on standing in the "tragic gap"- the space between current hardships and what remains possible - t...

THE CONVERSATION Have you ever wondered how a single comment from decades ago can still quietly dictate how you feel about yourself today? In this warm, reflective lounge chat, Liz Walker and Kathryn Lovewell unpack their recent World Teachers Day interview with education leader Viv Grant. Diving deep into the lingering weight of childhood labels and the pressure of holding it all together, they e...

THE INTERVIEW When life demands everything at once, stepping into leadership can feel like carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Viv Grant knows that feeling all too well - from taking on a challenging school turnaround at 31 while pregnant to navigating a life-altering health diagnosis. In this episode, Viv Grant candidly reflects on how early words shaped her inner critic, what hap...

In this episode, Kathryn Lovewell introduces a gentle guided meditation practice led by Lovely Liz, inspired by an insightful conversation with psychologist Gozde Pelivan. The practice centers on nurturing the person at the very heart of the family: you. By turning inward without judgment, acknowledging the quiet struggles of parenting, and practicing physical and verbal self-kindness, parents lea...

THE CONVERSATION Do you feel the crushing pressure to get everything right as a parent? In this heartfelt conversation, we explore what it really means to create an emotionally safe home - and why letting go of perfectionism is the greatest gift we can give our children. From navigating the silent rulebooks passed down through generations to managing co-parenting dynamics and fatigue, we discuss h...

THE INTERVIEW When did we start believing that being a good parent meant being a perfect one? Parenting has a sneaky way of bringing out our harshest inner critics, leaving us exhausted and convinced we are somehow falling short. In this episode of Raising Kind Minds, hosts Liz Walker and Kathryn Lovewell sit down with psychologist and Mindful Self-Compassion teacher Gözde Pehlivan. Together, they...

In this practice episode, Liz Walker introduces a gentle guided meditation led by Kathryn Lovewell. Inspired by the interview with guest Haley Cameron, who has dedicated over two decades to holding space for vulnerable children and educators, this practice invites listeners to step away from daily demands, slow down, and offer themselves compassion.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Pausing is an Act of Care: C...

THE CONVERSATION Join us for a deeply moving conversation on what it truly costs to care for others. Safeguarding lead Hayley Cameron shares her personal trajectory, from stepping up to care for an infant at ten years old following family trauma, to navigating devastating loss as a school leader. Together, we explore the emotional weight carried by parents, teachers, and caregivers who spend their...

THE INTERVIEW Do you know what it really takes to stand on the front line of child protection? Hayley Cameron shares a deeply personal look into the world of safeguarding, drawing from both childhood trauma and over two decades of experience supporting schools and families. From navigating tragic loss to supporting frontline educators, this conversation uncovers why protecting children isn't just...

In this meditation episode, Lovely Liz introduces a gentle guided meditation led by Kathryn Lovewell, designed to help you reconnect with your intrinsic value. So often, self-doubt, harsh judgment, and social comparison cloud our perception of who we are.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Your Worth Is Inherent: You do not need to achieve, prove, or change anything to be valuable; your true essence is already w...

THE CONVERSATION Have you ever caught sight of a photograph and felt your joy instantly vanish? That sudden jolt when the mean voice inside your head - the one we call Crusher - starts whispering that you aren't enough? We’ve all been there.  In this deeply personal conversation, we explore how photo anxiety, body image pressures, and decades of comparison can steal our happiest moments. From...

THE INTERVIEW Do you default to self-criticism when you look in the mirror? In part two of this heartfelt conversation, host Liz Walker sits down with co-host and author Kathryn Lovewell to explore what it truly means to greet ourselves with kindness. Diving deep into her upcoming book, Loving the Me I See, Kathryn shares insights from her work in schools, prisons, and adult self-compassion progra...