Kind

When author Cathy Rentzenbrink realised that her and alcohol needed to break up for good, someone arrived to help her side step those glasses of wine on silver platters.

In this episode, we salute the beauty of staying hydrated, in a strictly non-alcohol sense.

On one occasion, Cathy looked down at the table to see her water glass empty. Just as she wondered how to avoid the catch in her throat turning into a full blown cough and splutter to the room, someone wordlessly handed her their full glass to drink from. Another time, a fellow author invited her to join them at AA. This, plus the kindness bestowed from the grave by Agatha Christie and the gift strangers can give to those travelling with kids

You can read and listen to Cathy's book The Agatha Christie Cure now.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

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Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Gemma Cairney broke her leg on her partner's birthday, he responded many acts of kindness…

Broadcaster Gemma Cairney launched a book with a newborn (it's called The Immortal Sisterhood - the book, not the baby). This is not something many people try to do and it’s not easy, thankfully her partner is on the case.

Also on the case to support Gemma's wellbeing: a stranger at Glastonbury in 2023, Betty Davis every year, and lots of brilliant women from throughout history. All of that and more in this episode of Kind!

You can read and listen to Gemma's book The Immortal Sisterhood now.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Follow us on Instagram @kind_podcast

Follow us on TikTok @kindpodcast

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Vicki Anstey set out to row across the Pacific Ocean, her friends gave her a gift that became an emotional lifeline.

Vicki is an adventurer, entrepreneur and coach, and in this episode she shares how, when life got rough, it was the kindness of others that helped her feel like herself again.

A food shop from a best friend at the perfect moment, some tough business love from a mentor, and the most thoughtful bunch of letters… These kind acts demonstrate the love people have for Vicki, and this episode shows all of us that when we need some help, people can be so ready to give it.

You can read Vicki's book Other People Are Like The Weather now.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Follow us on Instagram @kind_podcast

Follow us on TikTok @kindpodcast

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENT NOTE: This episode contains adult themes

Vex Ashley does the sort of work that not every parent would support. So when her mum turned up to watch her give a talk, it showed that not only did she have her mum's love, but that she might be on the way to having her understanding too…

Vex is an erotic performer, director and filmmaker, and in this episode she shares the people who surrounded her in kindness during grief and the people who helped create her very first film.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Follow us on Instagram @kind_podcast

Follow us on TikTok @kindpodcast

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a very tough start to the pandemic, ex-marine Paul Harris decided he wasn't just going to sit around. In fact, he set out to do the complete opposite…

Now known as The Warrior Walker, Paul has walked the UK coastline twice and received so much kindness along the way. 

Paul met a nameless old lady who gave time and money, wanting nothing in return; encountered a man on the internet who crafted a very unique gift; and was deeply inspired by his grandma - the very best cheerleader.

This episode shows how, when your thoughts get dark, talking about what's on your mind can help not only you, but so many others. 

You can read and listen to Paul's book The Warrior Walker now.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show. 

Follow us on Instagram @kind_podcast 

Follow us on TikTok @kindpodcast 

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson 

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Steph Yeboah found herself unexpectedly starting primary school in a different country with a dodgy stomach, things were looking bad… that was until a new friend stepped up.

Writer and content creator Steph Yeboah hasn't always been as outgoing as she is now, but that's only made the acts of kindness she's received stand out even more.

In this episode, a music teacher took the time to listen and give Steph a safe space; an awful first day at school turned into a new friendship; and when a hacker tried to leak Steph's photos, someone on the other side of the world stayed up into the night to keep her private images safe.

You can read and listen to Steph's book Doing it for the Plot now.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Follow us on Instagram @kind_podcast

Follow us on TikTok @kindpodcast

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Adam and his now wife were hitchhiking from London to India, one particular stranger went above and beyond what anyone would expect.

In this episode of Kind, author and social media creator Adam Lind, shares tales of kindness that meet him every day on his narrow boat, whether it be a passing couple driving out of their way to pick up some diesel or fellow boaters doubling back concerned about Adam's engine.

The care received on the waterways comes after the care he felt from friends when his dad passed away when Adam was just 17, and the boundless kindness he received from strangers while travelling the world.

If you enjoy the episode, do check out Adam's book Floating Home.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show. 

Follow us on Instagram @kind_podcast 

Follow us on TikTok @kindpodcast 

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson 

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Jess's mum, Tessa Jowell, was diagnosed with terminal cancer, the whole family made sure that one big occasion would happen before Tessa died.

Author, musician and charity founder Jess Mills, has written about the year she became a mother - which was also the year her mum got brain cancer… 

Two such huge life moments at once led to many acts of kindness. Not least a friend giving Jess a gift that helped her process the birth of her second child, and friends and family creating a wedding they would never forget.

Jess also speaks with heart and warmth about the female friendships that have shaped who she is today. 

You can read and listen to Jess's book We Are Each Other now.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show. 

Follow us on Instagram @kind_podcast 

Follow us on TikTok @kindpodcast 

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson 

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Simukai felt like he was drowning at a new school, a role model gave him a pep talk that changed everything.

Professor of African politics, Simukai Chigudu, grew up in Zimbabwe as the first generation after the end of colonial rule. This meant growing up against a backdrop of a lot of emotional and political baggage that his parents and his country were trying to process. Something he's still making sense of to this day…

In this episode, Simukai shares the stories of the boy he judged wrongly, who turned out to be a true friend; a university friend of his parent's who helped him understand his place in the world; and a role model from childhood who made an overwhelming school feel like a place he could belong.

Simukai's book Chasing Freedom is available now.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Follow us on Instagram @kind_podcast

Follow us on TikTok @kindpodcast

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Jennie was returning to work after time away with her kids, she had two friends who weren't afraid to hold her to account.

Jennifer Breheny Wallace has studied how and why we need to feel valued and to know that we matter, and in this conversation she shares the kind moments that have made her feel just that…

A woman called Robin swoops in after a devasting phone call, a forever friend shares a tough truth, and her readers send messages that let her know she's on the right track.

Jennie's book Mattering is available now.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Follow us on Instagram @kind_podcast

Follow us on TikTok @kindpodcast

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.