KIND CURIOSITY

In this follow up episode to my interview with Javel Watt of the United Kingdom, I speak to how do we have the audacity to move beyond the narrative of our past and become the person who we know we can be. I speak to studies that show how certain childhood traumas can impact how we move forward in our lives.

But if we practice kind curiosity with ourselves we can write our future in spite of our past.

In this episode, I speak with Javel Watt of the United Kingdom. Javel has lived a life most people only see in movies. However, in spite of his circumstances he had the AUDACITY to be kind to himself by saying "My past does not define who I am". 
Javel's company "Behind the Narrative" was founded to encourage people who's story does not follow a fairy tale script to move beyond their past, and embrace what they can be.

In this episode of Kind Curiosity, I tackle questions I hadafter my conversation with Melissa Scholfield. That conversation reminded me why I chose to pursue human resources in undergrad, but it also reminded me ofwhy I did not do the same in graduate school.

I speak to the numbers that prove civility, compassion, kindness and inclusivity contribute to a company’s profitability.

Studies prove that when those characteristics arepresent in an organization, turnover is low, employees are engaged and profits are higher.

So why are leaders ditching diversity, kindness andinclusion? Why are leaders telling employees to come back to the office or lose their job? What happens when everyone loses their job to AI? I tackle the data on most of these questions in this episode.

If you have been listening to me for a while, please leave acomment and let me know what is your favorite episode.

Thank you for allowing me to occupy space in your day andplease have the AUDACITY to be KIND! 

In this episode of Kind Curiosity(TM) I sat down with

Culture and Change Champion (CCC) Melissa Scholfield, MAOM to talk about how bringing kindness back to the field of Human Resources can move us back to civility. Her C.A.R.E (TM) model guides HR professionals to a place of where they focus on the "human" in the field.

My conversation with Melissa brought back my love of Human Resources and why I chose it as my major in undergrad. Her motto of..."Let me introduce myself...My name is Civility", moves to place courtesy and politeness back in the professional environment so that people can feel confident in their role as an HR Professional and others can feel comfortable speaking with them.

Tune into the conversation and leave a comment. Now airing on Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Podcast and Substack.

You can also contact Melissa on LinkedIn or via her website: https://www.theanchoredidentity.com/

Thank for you for allowing me to occupy space in your day(TM) and please;

Have the AUDACITY to be KIND! (R)

In this follow-up episode to my conversation with Nicole Callander. I speak to the research I conducted on parents/caregivers like Nicole with differently abled children. I wanted to know what the numbers revealed about the emotional, physical and financial toll of these caregivers.

The research is sobering. A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis found that 31% of parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities meet the clinical threshold for moderate depression, compared to just 7% of other parents (Scherer, Verhey & Kuper, PLOS ONE, 2019). Roughly 4 million Americans currently care for a child under 18 with an illness or who are differently abled. (Caregiving in the U.S. 2025,

Beyond mental health, only 44% of mothers of children with special health care needs report excellent or very good physical and mental health, compared to 63% of other mothers (Annie E. Casey Foundation), and families frequently lose an average of $18,000 a year in income due to reduced work hours (Disability Scoop, reporting on Yu et al., Pediatrics, 2021).

During my research, I uncovered a term called chronic sorrow. Which is a recurring grief triggered by developmental milestones a child will never reach.

As always when I do follow up episodes to my shows, I receive a new set of eyes to see things that were in front of me all along, and I see people differently than before.

Nicole and millions of parents/caregivers like her are quietly doing what so many of us will never have to face. So the next time you see a person with a differently abled child, ask yourself how you can have the AUDACTITY to be KIND. Can you provide a 30-minute break, can you run a much-needed errand? Or maybe, just maybe you can provide a comforting environment, so they know you see them.

In this episode I spoke with Nicole Callander. She is a parent and provider of a child with William's Syndrome. I spoke with Nicole about what it means to have dual roles for the entirety of her child's life.

We spoke about the diagnosis, the heartache and the joy that comes with a diagnosis such as her daughters. Nicole founded Friends 4 Kindness, as a result of her daughter's diagnosis and because of the compassion a mother has for her child.

Nicole spoke on how filled her heart has become over the 25 years of having her daughter and the challenges that she and others with a child that is differently-abled endures.

As this episode airs, Nicole is now a candidate for Ward 4 City Councillor, in the province of Bradford, Ontario, Canada.

In this episode, I speak to artist who blazed their own trail in the art world. As a follow up to my episode with Internationally known Detroit artist Tyree Guyton who's work is now trademarked as Heidelbergology, I wanted to explore other artist that have used or discarded objects as sources for their creations. This type of work is called Assemblage art and it is more common than I thought.

It also lead me to ask what I considered as art and why I held that belief. As Kind Curiosity took over, I dived into the world of Assemblage art to help with removing my biases and expand my view of what I thought art to be.

In other words, I had the Audacity to challenge what I was taught and the courage to question my beliefs.

I hope this episodes moves you to do the same.

• The Heidelberg Project
• Tyree Guyton Art for Sale
• Noah Purifoy Foundation
• Noah Purifoy: Junk DADA at LACMA

• New York Public Library Digital Art Collection-Something from Nothing
• The Brooklyn Rail -The Radical Art of Nellie Mae Rowe
• Simon Rodia State Historic Park
• Homage to Same: A Tribute to Simon Rodia

In this conversation, I sit down with Internationally recognized Detroit artist Tyree Guyton, founder of the Heidelberg Project, and Jenenne Whitfield, his wife and longtime creative and organizational partner, to explore art, legacy, community, and the power of transformation. I am honored to call them both long time friends.

Tyree reflects on the meaning of the Heidelberg Project over four decades, turning a forgotten Detroit street into one of the city’s most recognizable outdoor art environments. Jenenne shares insights into the project’s evolution, its future, and the work of carrying forward a vision rooted in community, resilience, and creative freedom. She also shares the meaning of HEIDELBERGOLOGY. (Which is trademarked)

Together, we talk about our relationship and what it means to create art that confronts urban neglect, how the Heidelberg Project has changed over time, and why the work remains vital after 40 years. This episode also touches on the physical archive of the project for future generations.

In this follow-up episode to my conversation with Kyle Cronk, I present studies and facts on why diversity matters. The data shows and proves the points Kyle made in episode 18.

When you diversify your board, meaning you include women, people of different racial and/or ethic backgrounds and LBGTQ+ members, you bring a new perspective to your leadership will increasing profits.

Kind Curiosity speaks to antiracism work not being liner, because it asks the tough questions and demands proof when the answer is given.

Those who have the AUDACITY to be KIND, know the road to equality is not easy, but its worth it.

• Diversity Comes to Corporate Boards, but Slowly
• Trends and Insights: Board Leadership Diversity and Organizational Performance
• Diversity matters even more: The case for holistic impact
• Director Heterogeneity and its Impact on Board Effectiveness
• South Sound YMCA Fact Sheet
• Kyle Cronk LinkedIn profile

• White Supremacy Culture

In this episode, I sit down with Kyle Cronk. He is the President of the South Sound YMCA in Olympia, WA.

Kyle is a sis-gender white man who uses his privilege to provide a platform for marginalized people. He speaks to how advocacy is not a linear journey and why the real work makes you uncomfortable at times. We also discuss his B.A.R framework and how he used it to transform the South Sound YMCA into one that welcomes diversity and inclusion. Not just for members, but also for his staff and volunteers.

I reached out to Kyle because his posts would appear in my LinkedIn feed with content that was always uplifting and informative. This episode is our second conversation.

Feel free to reach out to Kyle if you would like to touch base about the work he does and his B.A.R framework.

And please have the AUDACITY to be KIND! (R)

• White Supremacy Culture