The Kindness Extremist with Shola Richards

Raising kind kids has never felt harder. In a world that rewards cruelty, outrage, and attention-seeking behavior, kindness can feel completely out of reach for the next generation. In this episode, Shola Richards challenges the idea that “nice” is enough and makes the case that we need to be raising kindness extremists instead. 

Drawing from his experience as a father of two daughters, Shola breaks down why modeling kindness matter...

This episode of The Kindness Extremist Podcast drops on January 19, during MLK Day weekend, and just ahead of the one year mark since the executive orders targeting DEI programs and policies were passed. That timing matters.

DEI has been framed as divisive, unfair, and anti-merit - but that could not be further from the truth. In this episode, Shola Richards exposes how DEI actually supports meritocracy, why everyone benefits from ...

Is the algorithm pulling you into a spiral of anger and reactivity while you scroll? In this episode, Shola is sharing three specific ways that social media is likely sabotaging your capacity for kindness, and what we can do to limit the doom scrolling and take a more intentional approach to our social media consumption.

Shola covers three Kindness Strategies to change your relationship to social media:

• The 5-4-3-2-1 Reset
• The Ce...

Is fear holding you back? In this episode, Shola Richards breaks down why fear feels so powerful, why comfort can quietly limit your life, and how to move forward without ignoring fear or letting it control you.

This is not motivational hype or hustle culture advice. It is a grounded, psychology-informed conversation about how fear actually works and how to build a better relationship with it. You'll learn three uncom...

As a new year approaches, it is tempting to believe that the calendar flip will magically transform your life. In this episode, Shola Richards challenges that idea and shares a powerful truth: Real change does not come just because the year changes. It comes from building daily practices that rewire your brain for confidence, resilience, and self-kindness.

Using neuroscience, real-life stories, and practical tools, Shola shares thr...

What does real empathy actually look like in a world that feels more divided, reactive, and disconnected than ever? In this episode, Shola Richards is addressing the empathy recession we're facing and why our inability to truly understand one another is quietly tearing at the fabric of our relationships, workplaces, and communities.

In the episode, Shola shares three powerful empathy practices that will help you move from judg...

Most of us think we know who we are, until a moment of unexpected behavior, defensiveness, or discomfort reveals that something deeper is happening beneath the surface. In this episode, Shola Richards explores why so many of us move through life on autopilot and how a lack of self-awareness quietly shapes our reactions, relationships, and sense of authenticity. 

This episode gets into:

• Why you show up as different versions of your...

The holiday rush can unfortunately bring out the worst in people, especially in stores, airports, and restaurants. In this episode, Shola Richards shares a powerful reminder about what retail and service workers actually experience during the busiest time of the year, and what we can do to create more humanity in the chaos.

Shola shares insights from his years as a customer service worker and trainer to help you show up with presen...

The holidays are often presented as the “most wonderful time of the year,” but for many people, this season brings pressure, exhaustion, and complicated emotions. In this episode, Shola Richards opens up about why the holidays can feel so heavy and offers grounded, compassionate strategies to help you move through the season with intention and self-respect.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by expectations, worn out by family dynamic...

Holiday gatherings can be beautiful, but they can also be incredibly overwhelming when conversations turn tense or polarizing. Never to fear, Shola Richards is sharing practical strategies to help you stay grounded, communicate with intention, and maintain your sense of peace even when discussions start to heat up this holiday season. 

 In the episode, Shola breaks down:

• How to set the rules for engagement prior to entering into...

Do certain people always push past your limits or constantly leave chaos in their wake? In this second half of his two-part series, Shola Richards continues his deep dive into recognizing toxic relationships, and how to protect your peace without apology.

Through the episode, Shola reveals:

 🚫 What it really means when someone disrespects your boundaries, and how to respond with clarity instead of guilt.

 🔥 The hidden patterns of “...

Are you constantly tired after certain interactions? Feel like someone in your life never apologizes or always turns things around on you? In this first episode of a powerful two-part series, Shola Richards breaks down the first three warning signs of a toxic relationship, and what you can do to protect your peace without losing your compassion.

Through real stories, honest reflection, and practical strategies, Shola explores:

❌ The...

Can our world survive if we don’t figure out how to be kinder to each other? In this episode, Shola Richards is unveiling something he’s been quietly building for years: A new mission and framework called Strong Enough to Be Kind. This model challenges the myth that kindness is weakness and reveals why true kindness actually takes incredible strength.

Shola breaks down the three pillars of his new framework - Start Within, Just Tod...

We’ve all done it: Delayed the project, avoided the conversation, or pushed off the doctor’s appointment. But what if procrastination isn’t about laziness at all? In this episode, host Shola Richards breaks down the surprising science behind why we put things off and how kindness can become the ultimate cure.

You’ll learn:

• Why procrastination is really an emotion regulation problem, not a time management one
• The four emotional tr...

In this episode of The Kindness Extremist, host Shola Richards shares three simple, science-backed practices that will transform the way you show up in the world. Shola reveals how meditation, journaling, and sleep aren’t just self-care trends but daily disciplines that rewire your brain for empathy, patience, and compassion.

This episode shows how small consistent actions can make you calmer under pressure, more present with loved...

What if the very things you think you “need” are the same things holding you back? In this episode of The Kindness Extremist Podcast, Shola Richards breaks down the three toxic needs that quietly sabotage your peace, your relationships, and your ability to live authentically.

You’ll discover:

• Why the need to be liked can turn kindness into self-betrayal.
• How the need to be right destroys connection and keeps you from growing.
• Why ...

Would you berate your friend every time they made mistake? Probably not. So why do we allow that kind of treatment from the voice in our own heads? In this episode of The Kindness Extremist Podcast, Shola Richards tackles one of the toughest challenges we all face: negative self-talk. 

Shola shares 3 practical strategies to quiet the inner critic: 

• Notice & Name It
• Question the Evidence 
• The Loved One Test

Through the epi...

Most people think kindness means being polite, smiling more, or holding the door open. But what if real kindness required you to step into discomfort, flip gossip on its head, and choose to care deeply about issues that don’t affect you personally?

In this episode, Shola Richards shares 3 uncommon, courage-filled strategies to become a true Kindness Extremist:

1. Seek Purposeful Discomfort – why leaning into the uncomfortable momen...

Critical thinking isn’t just smart — it’s kind. In this episode of The Kindness Extremist Podcast, Shola Richards reveals why sharpening your critical thinking skills is one of the most powerful ways to create connection and compassion, and eventually, a kinder world.

You’ll discover:

• Why intellectual humility is the foundation of better conversations and relationships
• How to perform an “Assumption Audit” and uncover the hidden b...