The Kindness Podcast

The Kindness Podcast with Nicole Phillips Episode: What Does Kindness Look Like When Strangers Share a Name? Guest: Phil CampbellIn 1994, a college student in the Midwest was watching Hee Haw when he learned there was a tiny town in Alabama that shared his name: Phil Campbell. He went mostly because the coincidence made him laugh, and partly because he had a girlfriend nearby. He figured it was a one-time lark. Thirty years later, it has become one of the longest emotional relationships of his life.This week I sit down with Phil Campbell, a former journalist, memoirist, and nonprofit fundraiser whose writing has appeared in The New Yorker, Harvard Review, and Columbia Journalism Review. But his résumé is not why he is here. He is here because of what happened when he started gathering up unrelated Phil Campbells from all over the world and bringing them to one small Southern town that none of them came from.What started as a joke, a loose collection of strangers half hoping to land on Letterman, slowly turned into something none of them saw coming. In 2011, six weeks before the town's centennial reunion, a tornado tore through Phil Campbell and took twenty-six lives. The Phil Campbells came anyway, and the reason for the trip changed completely. So did everything after it.It is a story about how kindness becomes friendship, how friendship becomes responsibility, and how a person can come to love a community he has never lived in. If you have ever felt disconnected, or wondered where on earth you would ever find your people, this conversation is for you.Connect with Phil: Learn more about Phil and his work at philcampbellconsulting.com. His memoir, "I Come From a Family That Won't Talk About It," tells the deeper story behind what we talked about today. You can also find him on Instagram @philcampbellnyc.If this episode moved you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.And remember, what you look for is what you see.

Episode DescriptionWhat does kindness look like when we treat it as the foundation of the future, and not just a nice thing to do today? This week, Nicole sits down with futurist, keynote speaker, and international best-selling author Michael Neece to find out. After delivering more than 750 presentations inside planetariums, Michael has developed a signature way of thinking about kindness through a cosmic lens, and he believes that lens changes everything about how we build teams, lead organizations, and imagine what comes next. From psychological safety at work to bridge-building across disparate communities, this conversation is a hopeful reminder that the future we end up with is the one we choose to build.About MichaelMichael G. Neece is a futurist, keynote speaker, and international best-selling author who believes kindness is essential to building the future we want to live in. His experience spans leadership and educational roles in traditional corporate settings as well as planetariums, where he has delivered hundreds of presentations about team building, kindness, and the wonders of the universe. He is the author of In Kind: Consciously Craft a Meaningful Life and Career and co-author of Joy Unleashed: The Ultimate Guide to Living Your Best Life, and he hosts the podcast Our Future is Kind. Michael is also a co-founder of The Human Summit, which brings together people working to drive more connection among disparate communities.In This EpisodeHow standing under the vastness of a planetarium dome reshapes the way we think about kindness on the groundWhat it means to be a futurist who sees kindness as a strategic advantage, not a soft skillWhy psychological safety is the real engine of innovative, productive teams, and how kindness creates itThe conviction that every person is worthy of a seat at the table, and how being a father to members of the LGBT community has shaped Michael's workThe story behind The Human Summit and why bridge-building across disparate communities matters nowWhat the kindest possible future actually looks like, and one small act any listener can offer the world todayA Question to Sit WithWhat should the future be like? Who will be there? How can we craft it carefully into what we want and deserve?Connect with MichaelWebsite: ourfutureiskind.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yournextkeynotespeaker Instagram: @michaelgneece YouTube: @YourNextKeynoteSpeaker Facebook: facebook.com/meteormikeBooks: In Kind: Consciously Craft a Meaningful Life and Career and Joy Unleashed: The Ultimate Guide to Living Your Best Life Podcast: Our Future is KindIf This Episode Moved YouShare it with a friend who is dreaming about a better future, or who needs a reminder that the world we end up with is the one we choose to build. And remember, what you look for is what you see.

Episode DescriptionIn this episode of The Kindness Podcast, Nicole Phillips sits down with Jessica Moyer, TEDx speaker, best-selling author, and creator of the R.E.A.L. Wellness Framework, for a conversation that goes far beyond healthy habits. Jessica opens up about how grief, burnout, illness, and loss reshaped her understanding of strength and what it truly means to care for the whole self. Together, Nicole and Jessica explore what kindness looks like when your body, heart, and life all need care at the same time, why self-advocacy is its own form of kindness, and how transformation is still possible even in the hardest seasons. Jessica also offers a practical, hope-filled invitation for anyone who is feeling exhausted or discouraged and wondering where to begin.About our guest: Jessica MoyerJessica Moyer is a TEDx speaker, Amazon best-selling author, host of The R.E.A.L. Wellness Podcast, and a certified leadership, wellness, nutrition, and hormone coach with over 25 years of experience. She helps individuals and organizations build health as the foundation for purposeful, high-impact living.A former gym owner and multi-certified fitness professional, Jessica specializes in sustainable habit formation, strength-based wellness, metabolic health, and hormone balance, particularly for high-achieving women and leaders.She is the creator of the R.E.A.L. Wellness Framework, a holistic approach centered on realistic changes, energy creation, aligned action, and self-love. Through her coaching programs, books, and keynote presentations, Jessica equips audiences with practical, science-informed tools to optimize health, regulate stress, and achieve lasting results without burnout.Jessica is also a passionate community advocate, helping raise over $2 million for Cure SMA and serving in multiple nonprofit leadership roles. As a reality show competitor and international model, she brings both grit and creativity to every organization she partners with to drive meaningful transformation.She is the proud wife of Jason of 28 years and mom to four beautiful children, including her angel Steven. Her message is simple yet powerful: when you steward your health well, you expand your capacity to lead, impact, and live with intention.Links and ResourcesJessica's website https://www.jessica-moyer.com Get R.E.A.L. Health (book) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1963294394The R.E.A.L. Wellness Podcast https://open.spotify.com/episode/641le6K6xAnXAuaiXAPgkP LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-moyer-290bb0b/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Purposefullifewellnesscoach/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jessmoyer/ Email jessmoyercoach@gmail.com

What does kindness look like when we learn to train our minds instead of being controlled by them?In this thoughtful conversation, Nicole sits down with Shashin Surkund, a technology leader who has spent his career building data and AI systems that shape how people experience products and services. But after a deeply personal life event, Shashin turned that same curiosity inward and began asking a different question: what if we trained our minds the way we train AI?That question became the foundation for a powerful new way of thinking.Shashin has spent the last decade raising awareness around mental health and helping people build lives rooted in gratitude, trust, and a more supportive inner voice. In his TEDx talk, he introduced the world to the idea of “inner ChatGPT,” a way of befriending the mind by being more intentional about what we feed it. In his world, GPT means something a little different: Gratitude and Positive Thoughts.Together, Nicole and Shashin talk about mental spirals, self-talk, positivity, and the quiet but powerful practice of being kinder to ourselves. They explore what it means to interrupt negative patterns, why small consistent messages matter, and how we can begin building an inner voice we actually trust.This episode is a reminder that kindness is not only something we offer to others. It is also something we practice in the way we speak to ourselves.About Shashin Surkund:Shashin Surkund is a seasoned technology professional who works for a leading financial organization and has spent much of his career enabling data platforms where analytics and AI are used at scale to create better products, services, and customer experiences.A personal life event led him to discover a deeper purpose: raising awareness around mental health. For the past decade, he has dedicated himself to fostering a culture of gratitude, trust, and positivity in both his personal and professional life.In November, Shashin introduced his best friend, POSH, short for Positive Shashin, on the TEDx stage. Through vulnerability and insight, he shared an innovative approach to mental wellness by encouraging people to treat their minds like AI language models and train them like their own inner ChatGPT. In his framework, GPT stands for Gratitude and Positive Thoughts.To kickstart each day, Shashin sends a simple email with a few uplifting thoughts to thousands of people in his organization. He calls it Daily Dose of Positivity, or DDOP.His story and openness have deeply resonated with others, earning him an unofficial but meaningful title from colleagues: Chief Happiness Officer.Connect with Shashin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shashin-surkund-4288a7 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innerchatgpt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18SshKoJu3/?mibextid=wwXIfrWatch or read more: TEDx: Harness Your Inner ChatGPT https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/harness-your-inner-chatgpt-shashin-surkund-cdake https://youtu.be/BsZg2y9XCQ4?si=hn8tdHVBhXtyDcfu

Episode Summary What if getting older didn’t mean fading into the background… but stepping more fully into who you are?In this episode, Nicole sits down with Gaylynn Baker, actor, director, writer, and the vibrant force behind Mabel from Retirement House. With over 30 years in the industry, Gaylynn is not slowing down. She is expanding, creating, and showing up in bold, joyful ways that challenge everything we’ve been taught about aging.Together, they explore what it means to stay visible, embrace reinvention, and practice kindness toward yourself in every season of life.At the center of the conversation is a powerful question: What does kindness look like when you refuse to disappear as you age?What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeWhy aging does not have to mean becoming lessWhat it really looks like to “embrace aging without getting old”How Gaylynn continues to show up creatively and visibly in this seasonLessons from playing Mabel in Retirement House and why humor mattersA powerful reminder for anyone who feels invisible or unsure of their placeAbout Gaylynn Baker: Gaylynn Baker is an actor, director, writer, and storyteller with more than three decades of experience across film, television, and stage. She is widely known for her role as Mabel in the viral comedy Retirement House, which has built a global audience of over 10 million followers and more than 5 billion views.She is also the creator of three award winning documentaries, including We Know Not What We Do, The Trail of Painted Ponies (PBS), and When Buffalo Roam. Her work has earned multiple honors, including the Accolade Humanitarian Award and Best Woman Director at the White Sands Film Festival.Gaylynn is the author of Gifts of Gratitude and continues to create content centered on joy, spirituality, and living a daring, visible life. She currently connects with audiences through livestreams and social media, where she encourages people to embrace aging with humor, depth, and presence.Connect with GaylynnWebsite: https://gaylynnbakerofficial.comTikTok: @gaylynnbakerofficialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaylynnbakerofficial/Retirement House IG: https://www.instagram.com/retirementhouse/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethgaylynn.bakerFinal Thought Aging is not about shrinking. It is about expanding into who you really are.If you’ve been feeling invisible, consider this your reminder. You still get to show up. You still get to create. You still get to be seen.And remember, what you look for is what you’ll see.

Finding the Eye of the Storm with Richard GreeneIn this episode of The Kindness Podcast, I’m joined by Richard Greene, author of Finding the Eye of the Storm. After a near death experience, Richard returned with a new way of seeing the world. Less separation. Less urgency to be right. More awareness of how we treat each other in ordinary moments.We talk about what it means to live from the “eye of the storm.” A place of calm, clarity, and presence even when life feels chaotic. Richard shares how this experience shaped the five pillars he now lives by and how curiosity and humility can completely change the tone of hard conversations.This is a conversation about kindness that goes deeper than being nice. It is about being awake. Paying attention. Choosing connection.Big question this episode explores: What does kindness look like when you have seen the end and come back more awake to the beginning?In this episode, we talk about: • Growing up feeling both the biggest and the smallest • Richard’s near death experience and how it changed his life • What “the eye of the storm” really means • The five pillars he now lives by • How curiosity and humility shift difficult conversations • Kindness as awareness, not performance • One small shift that can change how you move through the world • A favorite kindness storyAbout Richard Greene (He/Him)Richard Greene is an author, speaker, and seasoned business leader who helps organizations create lasting success with a strong human foundation. He is CEO of Clarus Advisors, where he supports mission driven organizations through mindful leadership, cultural alignment, and clear strategy.He has held executive roles at Bank of America, the U.S. Soybean Export Council, and served as Executive Director of the NC Craft Brewers Guild. His work blends strategy, emotional intelligence, and presence.Richard is the author of Building Value: The 5 Keys for Achieving Success and Finding the Eye of the Storm, a memoir and reflection on life, loss, and resilience.He grew up in New Jersey, earned his BA from the University of Florida, and has lived in several states across the country.Get the book: Finding the Eye of the StormPurchase at a discounted price here: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=PTvA0Y4X5dz5ti9cHTlVYYdxi16zi3am4V7ZpW4KGv4Thank you for listening to The Kindness Podcast.If this episode made you think of someone who could use a little encouragement, share it with them.And remember, what we look for is what we will see.

***A quick heads up. The audio quality in this episode isn’t perfect. We’ve corrected the issue moving forward and chose to share this conversation anyway because Jess’s perspective is too valuable to miss.Season 7, Episode 5• Mic Drop Bootcamp Registration is open now. Bootcamp begins January 16. • New book coming May 2026 Making It Without Losing It How to Stay Motivated in a World Where We Are Never Done https://a.co/d/0CeFDJg• Free weekly Hype Text Text HYPE to 704-228-9495Question: What does kindness look like when women encourage women?Nicole Phillips sits down with Jess Ekstrom for a real conversation about women supporting women without competition, comparison, or performative cheerleading. This episode is about what encouragement actually looks like in practice and why it matters.What we talk about• Encouragement that builds confidence instead of pressure • Turning frustration into meaningful ideas • Why optimism is a strategy, not a mood • Helping more women step onto stages • Staying motivated when the work never feels finishedAbout JessJess is the founder of Headbands of Hope and Mic Drop Workshop. She is a two time bestselling author, Forbes Top Rated Speaker, investor in women owned businesses, and mom.She launched Headbands of Hope with a $300 grant and has since donated millions of headbands to children facing illness, reaching every children’s hospital in the U.S. and 22 countries. The brand is now the official headband provider for the NBA and WNBA and is sold in Kohl’s nationwide.Jess founded Mic Drop Workshop to help more women share their message as public speakers and authors. Her work has been featured on the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, CNN, Forbes, Vanity Fair, and People Magazine.Books• Chasing the Bright Side • Create Your Bright Ideas • Making It Without Losing It coming May 2026Ways to connect with Jess• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jess_ekstrom • Facebook: www.facebook.com/jessekstrom • X: www.twitter.com/jess_ekstrom • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessekstrom • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-ekstrom-59160342/Key takeaways• Women lift each other by being specific and generous • Relatability builds trust faster than polish • Purpose grows when your work connects to others • Kindness shows up in action, not just intentionListen to The Kindness Podcast wherever you get your podcasts or watch on YouTube.

In Season 7, Episode 3 of The Kindness Podcast, Nicole talks with Adam Schluter. Together, they answer the questions: What does kindness look like when we're talking to strangers? and What does kindness look like when we're trying to connect in a world that feels disconnected? Our guest, Adam Schluter has spent over eight years independently exploring the dying art of genuine human connection – unfunded. It’s not a trick or special skill—he’s an artist, not a psychologist—driven by the intrinsic value of something he believes the world is losing. He’s been published multiple times in National Geographic and given a TEDx talk on it (below) so his spontaneous and intuitive approach belies the emotional intelligence required to actually do what he does so naturally. Adam’s lens on life is both curious and compelling. However, it’s his ability to hold space for others in a way that enables people to candidly share their own perspectives with us that is so powerful. In listening radically to each other in a respectful and undivided space people are able to share their beautiful, humanising vulnerability and wisdom with us. In capturing this seemingly dying art of genuine connection, we aim to celebrate something we all need as humans – real, face-to-face community.Be sure to check out these links: To the whole project: hellofromastranger.comFor the Monday Night Dinners: https://www.hellofromastranger.com/monday-night-dinnerThe trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPT4qlo-PZ0The documentary on the whole project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W72niMR2Dwo&t=4s

What does kindness look like when we can't fix what's wrong in someone's life? In this moving kickoff to Season 7 of The Kindness Podcast, host Nicole Phillips sits down with trauma chaplain Robyn Hare, who spends her days walking into the hardest moments imaginable — emergency rooms, trauma bays, and hospital waiting areas where lives change in an instant.Nicole and Robyn talk about what it really means to show up for people when their world has fallen apart, how to offer comfort instead of control, and the smallest gestures that bring light to unbearable situations. If you’ve ever wondered what to do when someone you love is hurting — or how to stay kind and grounded in a world that feels heavy — this conversation is for you.Be warned -- Nicole and Robyn are good friends and find humor in almost everything.

Josh Neumann is on a mission to end bullying and teach the world to speak through kind lips. He’s created his own lip balm company -- kind lips -- to spread the message, and it’s working! Kind Lips has been featured by Ellen, Forbes, and Reader’s Digest just to name a few. Learn more about his mission to end bullying at www.kindlips.com.

Kevin Williams has been Chick-fil-A franchisee for 28 years. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a Management Information Systems degree. Kevin began his career in banking prior to his career with Chick-fil-A. He was first introduced to the Chick-fil-A brand by the founder Truett Cathy as a teenager when he spoke to his church. Kevin operates three Chick-fil-A Restaurants in Canton, GA. Kevin recently released his first book, “Irrational Kindness: A Crazy Pursuit of an Extraordinary Life” written as part-operating manual for life and part-employee handbook. He and his wife Gwen have 4 children and they love a good walk, cheering on UGA and exploring creative places & spaces. Connect with Kevin at www.irrationalkindness.com.

Kim and Penn Holderness have been married for 16 years. For seven of those years, they have chronicled their marriage and their family with funny music videos, vlogs, skits, and a podcast. Their videos have garnered over a billion views worldwide. Penn and Kim honed their storytelling skills with 25 combined years in the TV news business. When the wonderful worlds of YouTube and Facebook appeared, Kim had the idea to ditch the traditional broadcast world and start making content in the digital space. When they aren’t dancing around like crazy people on the internet, Penn and Kim help international companies make videos of their own. Penn and Kim live in Raleigh with their two children and dog. Check out their new book, Everybody Fights and connect at https://theholdernessfamily.com/.

It’s hard to imagine how many times Micah Tyler spent his days wondering ‘what’s next,’ while driving a sausage delivery truck across southeast Texas. Surely he was questioning his own discernment to quit his youth pastor gig, sell half of what he owned to move his family into a single-wide trailer, and start traveling the region performing songs he’d written. It’s seems to all have worked out pretty well -- Fast-forward down that long road and the same guy behind the delivery truck wheel now has a record deal, multiple Dove Award & KLOVE Award nominations, two BMI Top 25 Christian Songs, and three #1 songs. His new album, “New Today” is out now. Learn more about the man and music at micahtyler.com.