In this episode, Nicole talks to Lara Heacock. Lara distinguishes the difference between "Kindness" and "niceness," emphasizing that true Kindness is active—it involves having tough conversations, advocating for others, and providing genuine feedback. She emphasizes the foundational role of self-kindness, explaining how personal care enables leaders to better support their teams. With over a decade of experience as a Leadership & Executive Coach, Lara has dedicated her career to shifting the culture of corporate America towards Kindness. She has an MBA, is an ICF-certified coach, and has worked with firms ranging from small businesses to multinational organizations like WebMD and ADP. Lara LinkedIn Lara Website On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.   LinkedInInstagram⁠

In this episode, Nicole talks to Stina Borth. Stina shares her unique perspective on Kindness, defining it as the ability to see and honor the complexities within individuals. She emphasizes the significance of friendly interactions, generosity, and inclusivity. Stina encourages individuals to practice active listening through phrases such as "tell me more," which fosters deeper connections. Stina Borth is the CEO of Keymaker Services Inc., renowned for her expertise in boosting productivity and fostering innovation in the workplace. With a strong focus on neurodiversity and inclusivity, she empowers professionals to unlock their potential and thrive in diverse teams. Stina’s transformative coaching has led to a reported 48% increase in productivity and revenue for executives. Her accolades, including the prestigious 2023 “Brilliance in Education” award, highlight her commitment to enhancing corporate dynamics. Stina LinkedIn On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.   LinkedIn Instagram⁠

In this episode, Nicole talks to Alan Whitman. Alan discusses his perspective on Kindness, defining it as a genuine interest in another person's perspective and agency. He emphasizes that Kindness doesn't always mean being nice; sometimes it involves delivering hard truths that facilitate growth. Alan Whitman is an accomplished executive and influential leader renowned for his ability to inspire others and guide them through bold initiatives and challenging transformations. As the former CEO of Baker Tilly US, he oversaw remarkable growth, tripling the firm's size and expanding into 15 new markets while successfully managing over 20 mergers and acquisitions. Alan's dedication to cultivating effective teams and prioritizing people is at the heart of his leadership philosophy. Currently, as the CEO of ADW Advisory, he provides strategic guidance on areas such as growth strategies, mergers and acquisitions, and innovative people practices. His commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders reflects his belief in intentional development and mentorship. Alan LinkedIn Alan's X Profile Alan's Newsletter On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.   LinkedInInstagram⁠

In this episode, Nicole talks to Josh McCumber. Josh delves into his unique perspective on Kindness, shaped by his early experiences and extensive career in the golf world. He explores the definition of Kindness through the lens of compassion and respect, emphasizing the importance of treating oneself and others with empathy. Josh McCumber is a professional golfer and coach with a notable background, including roles as the Assistant Golf Coach at the University of Florida, where he worked with PGA TOUR members Camilo Villegas and Matt Every. He has also competed on the Korn Ferry Tour and the U.S. Open. Additionally, he is the General Manager and Marketing Director at Hollywood Beach Golf Club, and the founder of McCumber Golf Academy and McCumber Golf Experience. His comprehensive experience in coaching and playing informs his Kind approach to cultivating passion and performance in the game of golf. Josh LinkedIn On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.   LinkedIn Instagram⁠

In this episode, Nicole talks to Joyce Shen who highlights the importance of incorporating Kindness into our busy, digital lives, and explores the role it plays in the realm of technology and AI. Joyce defines Kindness as being generous, offering help, and lifting others up without judgment. Joyce Shen is a venture capital and private equity investor and business builder with deep expertise in emerging technologies, machine learning, and AI. As the Investment and Operating Partner at Tenfore Holdings, Joyce sources, invests in, and manages technology ventures. Her extensive experience spans from leading IBM Cloud Platform to advising on technology strategy at Thomson Reuters. Joyce also contributes to academia as an adjunct data science faculty member at UC Berkeley and serves on various technology and philanthropic boards. Joyce LinkedIn On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.   LinkedInInstagram⁠

Nicole speaks with Darrah about her perspective on Kindness and how it’s evolved throughout her life and career.   Darrah explores the multifaceted nature of Kindness and its essential role in communication and personal growth. She emphasizes that Kindness goes beyond mere niceness, embodying clarity, directness, and sincere intention. Darrah is a 5x founder, author, and coach dedicated to helping business owners achieve freedom and impact while avoiding burnout. With a notable career that includes building and selling successful ventures, Darrah has worked with influential figures and brands, including Shaq, Deepak Chopra, Chase, and FedEx. Her motto, “Design your life, build a career to fund it, and a network to support it,” reflects her commitment to empowering others to reach their highest potential. Darrah LinkedIn Darrah Website On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.   LinkedInInstagram⁠

In this episode, Nicole talks to Quincy Castro. Quincy delves into his definition of Kindness, emphasizing its core as doing what is ethically and morally right, even when it involves difficult choices or hard truths. He underscores the importance of considering the broader impact of our actions on others and society at large. Quincy Castro is the Chief Information Security Officer at Redis, a leading provider of high-performance in-memory databases. With over a decade of experience in both offensive and defensive cyber operations, Quincy has previously held CISO roles at Wabtec Corporation and GE Transportation and has contributed his expertise in various capacities within General Electric and the US government. He also serves as an advisor and investor for venture startups, including KindWorks.AI. Quincy LinkedIn Redis LinkedIn On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.   LinkedInInstagram⁠

In this episode, Nicole talks to Danielle Gopen who discusses her perspective on Kindness as a spectrum and discusses the importance of internal resources in fostering Kindness. She highlights how recognizing and addressing one’s own saboteurs is crucial for self-kindness and underscores the role of clear and direct communication in leadership as an expression of Kindness. Danielle Gopen is a dynamic entrepreneur and leadership expert with a rich, 20-year background in finance and entrepreneurship. She is the Founder of DG Executive Advisors, where she leads high-caliber leadership counseling and executive coaching services. In addition to her coaching endeavors, Danielle co-hosts the "The AI Coach" podcast and is a Founding Partner at Next Stage Trajectory, specializing in driving growth for post-revenue startups. Danielle LinkedIn DG Advisors LinkedIn On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.   LinkedIn Instagram⁠

In this episode, Nicole talks to Matt Christopherson, who shares his perspective on Kindness, emphasizing the importance of compassion and empathy as fundamental tools of life. He shares inspiring instances from his journey, including the origin and goals of his latest initiative, Project 125, a project aimed at supporting athletes facing health adversities post-sport. He emphasizes the importance of community support and the need for a legacy that continues to support athletes beyond their sporting careers. Matt Christopherson is the Co-Founder of Opscotch, a modern health company known for providing cutting-edge tools, premium products, and unparalleled knowledge to improve overall health. With a background in Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University and experience as an international athlete with Canada's National Water Polo Team, Matt leverages his academic and athletic expertise to drive health innovation. He is recognized for his leadership on various boards in the health, finance, and business sectors and is committed to supporting athletes facing health adversities, as demonstrated by his upcoming 125 km run. Matt LinkedIn Matt Instagram Project 125 Website Project 125 LinkedIn Project 125 Instagram On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.   LinkedInInstagram⁠

In this episode, Nicole talks to Amanda Felt. Amanda discusses her perspective on Kindness, linking it to emotional intelligence and describing it as the application of compassionate and considerate actions toward others and oneself. She delves into the framework of emotional intelligence, emphasizing self-knowledge and social knowledge, and the importance of understanding others' needs. Amanda Felt is the president and executive coach of The Center for Advanced Emotional Intelligence. She is also an organizational consultant, specializing in leadership development and positive psychology. With over 20 years of experience, Amanda works with professionals, teams, and organizations to enhance sustainable performance. Her career includes serving as an executive coach for clients globally and across various industries. She has held significant roles such as the Senior Associate Director of Executive Education at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Director at Chicago Booth’s London campus, and an executive coach for the same institution. Amanda LinkedIn On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.   LinkedInInstagram⁠