On Kindness

In a world that feels increasingly off-center, how do we findour footing? In this episode, global diversity and leadership expert Andrés Tapia joins us to explore the one thing we can always control, ourselves.

We dive into the role of character as an anchor in turbulenttimes and why grounding yourself isn’t just good for your well-being, but foundational to effective leadership. Andrés shares how leading with character deepens your roots, helping you withstand “100-mile-an-hour winds”, from rapidchange to uncertainty, and emerge more resilient.

We also unpack the evolving dynamics of today’s workplace,especially how to work with and lead Gen Z. Andrés offers practical insights into how and why this generation operates differently, and what it looks like to collaborate with people who see the world through a different lens.

If you’re looking to lead with steadiness, connect across differences, and cultivate resilience in a wobbly world, this episode is for you.

What does it mean to truly define kindness, not just asan action, but as a feeling?

In this episode of On Kindness, Julia Mize, a brand strategist and leadership advisor, joins Nicole to explore kindness as an essential feeling that cultivates welcome, clarity, and psychological safety in both personal and professional environments. Julia shares her insights from three decades in the corporate world, where she has managed large organizations and led with a philosophy that champions trust, consistency, and clear communication. She delves into the critical role of accountability in nurturing a kind culture, distinguishing it from mere "niceness" and highlighting how difficult conversations, approached with empathy and clarity, build respect and foster thriving teams. This conversation offers invaluable lessons on how leading with kindness can lead to better results, healthier relationships, and a profound sense of well-being, both at work and at home.

How can we move from understanding kindness to actually practicing it in our daily lives and work?

In this episode of On Kindness, Balaji Venkatraman, a product management and marketing leader known for driving innovation and transformation, joins to explore how the principles that guide great engineering can also guide more human leadership.

The conversation unpacks how respect, empathy, and gratitude form the groundwork for meaningful connection, and how translating those values into action builds stronger teams and communities. Balaji and Nicole also discuss why a foundation of trust is essential, and how kindness, when layered on that foundation, shows up as honest feedback, growth, and shared success.

This conversation is a thoughtful look at how structure, awareness, and heart can coexist and how we can all learn to engineer a little more kindness into our everyday lives.

In this episode of On Kindness, leadership coach and founder of The Human Summit, Kevin Huntting, joins to explore how kindness, curiosity, and confidence intersect to shape how we live and lead. The discussion dives into the idea that kindness begins with awareness, of ourselves, others, and the systems around us, and it thrives when it’s put into action.

Together, we examine how curiosity feeds confidence, allowing us to make better, more grounded decisions, and why true confidence stems from self-compassion, not perfection.

This episode offers a thoughtful look at the inner work of leadership and how awareness, courage, and care can transform not just organizations, but the way we move through the world.

And if this conversation resonates, don’t miss the inaugural Human Summit in 2025, a powerful virtual gathering focused on building deeper human connection beyond our perceived differences.
🔗 Learn more and register: https://thehumansummit.com/signup-2025

What if leadership wasn’t about titles, but about how we show up for one another? In this episode of On Kindness, we explore kindness as an essential element of leadership — not just as an act of care, but as a deliberate choice in how we engage, connect, and help others thrive.

We unpack what it means to activate the soul, heart, and mind of leadership, and how true leadership begins with the intention and attention we bring to creating environments where people feel seen, supported, and connected. Because if we’re not helping people thrive, our organizations won’t thrive either.

This conversation challenges the old paradigms of power and position, offering a more human-centered approach and one that makes kindness not a soft skill, but a core strength of modern leadership.

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What does it mean to redefine kindness in a fast-paced, performance-driven world?

In this episode of On Kindness, Alessandro, serial impact entrepreneur and founder of Wholegrain Wisdom, joins Nicole to explore the evolving definition of kindness, shifting from a logical, mind-centered approach to one rooted in the heart, love, and compassion. Alessandro shares his personal journey from the "hustle culture" mentality and severe breakdowns to embracing meditation, biohacking, and spirituality, highlighting the profound realization that true kindness begins with oneself.

They delve into how acknowledging our shared humanity and focusing on self-kindness builds resiliency, the power of rewiring our brains through habit, and why finding one's purpose is a unique journey that shouldn't be pressured by external expectations. Alessandro also offers a compelling vision for the future of work, emphasizing a shift towards more human-centered, intuitive approaches enabled by technology, where individuals collaborate on shared visions with fluidity and understanding. This conversation is an inspiring call to embrace tiny, consistent acts of kindness to create profound, lasting change within ourselves and the world.

On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI. Follow for weekly episodes filled with inspiration, stories, and ideas.

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What if kindness isn’t a soft skill — but a strategic one?

In this episode, Nicole is joined by educator and leadership researcher Jeff LeBlanc, who breaks down why true kindness in the workplace goes far beyond being nice. They explore Jeff’s Engaged Empathy Leadership model, which reframes kindness as a combination of emotional connection, structure, and fairness—especially relevant in today’s multigenerational workplaces.

Through personal stories and generational insights, Jeff explains why kindness isn’t about lowering expectations but raising them—with empathy, intention, and accountability. It’s a fresh, thoughtful look at how leadership can evolve without losing its edge.

On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.  Follow for weekly episodes filled with inspiration, stories, and ideas.  

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What if being “nice” wasn’t small - it was everything?

In this joyful and heartwarming episode of On Kindness, Nicole chats with Jane Canepa - publicist, event legend, teacher, tap dancer, and all-around force of kindness. From teaching thousands of students to planning city-wide events, Jane has built her life and legacy on the simple idea of showing up with a smile, remembering people’s names, and spreading kindness everywhere she goes.

They explore how kindness creates connection, how laughter builds community, and why every person - from a traffic cop to a coat check attendant - deserves to be seen. This episode is filled with stories, wisdom, and a reminder that kindness costs nothing, but means everything.

On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.  Follow for weekly episodes filled with inspiration, stories, and ideas.  

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What does true kindness look like when no one’s watching—and when nothing is owed in return?

In this episode of On Kindness, Pete Kadens, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and impact leader, joins Nicole to explore the difference between surface-level niceness and deep, authentic kindness. From paying off a mentor’s mortgage to sending hundreds of families to college, Pete shares why kindness is most powerful when it’s unexpected, mutual, and rooted in sacrifice.

They dive into how generosity can create real wealth, how empathy is a skill we can teach, and why being seen is one of the most human needs we can fulfill. This is a conversation about building legacy, leading with purpose, and doing the right thing - even when it’s hard

On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.  Follow for weekly episodes filled with inspiration, stories, and ideas.  

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What if kindness isn’t just a personal value - but a habit that shapes the legacy we leave behind?

In this episode of On Kindness, Michael Neece, keynote speaker and workplace culture advocate, joins Nicole to explore kindness on a cosmic scale - why it’s not just about niceness, but a daily practice rooted in awareness, courage, and our shared human experience.

They discuss why kindness at work matters more than ever, how to build a culture where people feel safe to speak up, and why the future we leave behind is shaped by how we show up today. From moments of grace to standing up for others, Michael reminds us that kindness isn’t always easy - but it’s always worth it.

On Kindness is an original podcast hosted by Nicole Yelsey, co-founder of KindWorks.AI.  Follow for weekly episodes filled with inspiration, stories, and ideas.  

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