THE INTERVIEW

What if the biggest challenge facing today's teens isn't exams or peer pressure, but the voice inside their own head? In this conversation, Kathryn Lovewell and Liz Walker sit down with Dr Karen Bluth, researcher, author, and creator of Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens, to explore why adolescence can feel so overwhelming and what actually helps. Drawing on nearly two decades in the classroom and years of research, Karen unpacks why teenage pushback is a natural part of individuation, how parents can model self-compassion instead of self-criticism, and why one simple message - you matter - can change a young person's trajectory. Listeners will learn how self-compassion is a trainable skill at any age, why noticing joy and gratitude counteracts the teenage negativity bias, and practical first steps for supporting a struggling teen without needing clinical training. Tune in for an honest, research-backed conversation every parent, carer, and educator needs to hear.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Recognise that teenage pushback and disagreement is a normal, healthy sign of individuation - not a problem to fix or take personally.

Model self-compassion openly in front of your teen, since kids internalise the behaviour they observe far more than what they're told.

Use the "doubt the doubt" reframe when self-criticism arises - question whether the critical voice is even accurate before believing it.

Build a daily habit of noticing small moments of joy and gratitude, since teens (and adults) default to a strong negativity bias.

Repeat one core message to your teen consistently: they matter, exactly as they are, even if they push the message away.

QUOTES

"What if the biggest challenge facing today's teens isn't exams or peer pressure? What if it's the voice inside their own head?"

"There's nothing wrong with you. This is the human experience, and we all go through this."

"In order to model self-compassion, you have to be actually doing it. You can't fake it."

"Doubt the doubt."

"They matter, that the world needs them, the world needs their unique voice."

TAKE THE SELF-TALK QUIZ

https://bit.ly/RKMSelfTalk

HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR HOSTS

https://RaisingKindMindsPodcast.com

https://KindMindAcademy.com

https://TheBoosterWay.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/KathrynLovewell

https://www.linkedin.com/in/LizWalker8

CONNECT WITH RKM ON SOCIALS

https://www.facebook.com/RaisingKindMindsPodcast

https://www.instagram.com/RaisingKindMindsPodcast

https://www.youtube.com/@RaisingKindMindsPodcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@RaisingKindMindsPodcast

HOST BIOS

Kathryn Lovewell is the founder of Kind Mind Academy, an award-winning international speaker and best-selling author specialising in Self-Compassion. A Senior Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher and creator of The Booster Way®, she has spent over a decade helping adults, families, and educators transform self-criticism into confidence and self-trust. Kathryn blends science, storytelling, and humour to make personal growth relatable, and accessible. She’s real, she’s been there, and she’s passionate about helping people stop beating themselves up and start living happier, kinder lives. Grounded, heartfelt, and a little mischievous, Kathryn believes laughter and compassion are equally powerful medicine.

Liz Walker is the co-founder of Kind Mind Academy and co-host of Raising Kind Minds. Known for her warmth, humour, and emotional intelligence, Liz brings genuine humanity to every conversation. With decades of experience in business, personal development and client care, she pairs practical wisdom with deep compassion. Liz doesn’t do hype; she believes real change begins with honesty, kindness, and a good laugh at ourselves now and then. She is passionate about helping people feel seen, safe, and supported as they learn to lead their lives with more self-belief and joy.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/ 

Raising Kind Minds asks: What sort of voice will your child grow up with?

Because every word they say to themselves begins with what they hear from you.

Hosted by Kathryn Lovewell and Liz Walker of Kind Mind Academy, this podcast helps parents, carers, and educators shape the inner voices of the next generation and strengthen their own along the way. When we nurture a child’s inner voice to be kind, we equip them with the skills to navigate and cope with friendship fires, playground dramas, teenage storms, exam pressures, social media influence, and all the challenges of modern life with confidence and calm.

Each episode blends expert insights, real‑life stories, and practical mindfulness and self‑compassion tools to help adults learn and model healthy self‑talk, soothe their inner critic, and guide children to do the same. Grounded in evidence‑based methods from Mindful Self‑Compassion, positive psychology, and neuroscience, Raising Kind Minds is your invitation to think kinder, feel stronger, and raise children who are happy in their own skin.

HOST BIOS

Kathryn Lovewell

Kathryn Lovewell is the founder of Kind Mind Academy, an award-winning international speaker and best-selling author specialising in Self-Compassion. A Senior Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher and creator of The Booster Way®, she has spent over a decade helping adults, families, and educators transform self-criticism into confidence and self-trust. Kathryn blends science, storytelling, and humour to make personal growth relatable, and accessible. She’s real, she’s been there, and she’s passionate about helping people stop beating themselves up and start living happier, kinder lives. Grounded, heartfelt, and a little mischievous, Kathryn believes laughter and compassion are equally powerful medicine.

Liz Walker

Liz Walker is the co-founder of Kind Mind Academy and co-host of The Inner Voice Lab. Known for her warmth, humour, and emotional intelligence, Liz brings genuine humanity to every conversation. With decades of experience in business, personal development and client care, she pairs practical wisdom with deep compassion. Liz doesn’t do hype; she believes real change begins with honesty, kindness, and a good laugh at ourselves now and then. She is passionate about helping people feel seen, safe, and supported as they learn to lead their lives with more self-belief and joy.

LINKS

https://kindmindacademy.com/

https://theboosterway.com/

www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynlovewell

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizwalker8/