As the Executive Director of Kansas City Corporate Challenge, Lacey Fisher is headed into her seventh season with the organization while the Games themselves are entering their 43rd year.

Although originally from western Kansas, Lacey has taken to becoming a KCMO transplant and enjoys all things Kansas City including BBQ, the Royals, and of course the Chiefs.

Lacey earned her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk!) and her Master's Degree of Leisure, Youth, & Human Services from the University of Northern Iowa.

At any given time, Lacey can be found involved in some type of competition or sporting endeavor whether it be pursuing her interest as an unlikely runner, organizing events, or watching her favorite sports teams.

Memorable Quotes:

• "If you've been, no explanation is necessary. If you haven't, none is adequate" – Lou Holtz
• "We know that no one goes it alone. And that's why it's important that people have friends that go for a walk with them or they take a podcast, and maybe we're on a walk with you today or a bike ride or on your Peloton. And however you're consuming this podcast today, we're delighted to be sharing that journey with you."
• "It's the people. It's always the people. And it's seeing the participants do things they've never done before, whether it's on the half marathon, one year there was a participant out there, and I'm not making this up, she was nine months pregnant!"

What You'll Learn:

The heart of the Kansas City Corporate Challenge and how to participate in the challenge.

This Episode Includes:

• This episode is dedicated to our good friend Mary Elmwick who was a big influence in Dr. Robin's life.
• Robin shares the acronym that she wrote for Mary's funeral service in 2021: SEEDS which stands for Sight, Encouragement, Enlightenment, and Dash.
• Robin encourages people to live in the "dash" between the year they are born and the year they die, to live life to the fullest.
• Lacey Fisher shares that the Kansas City Corporate Challenge started in response to the U.S. protesting the 1980's Moscow Olympics.
• The mission of the Kansas City Corporate Challenge is to promote health, wellness, and camaraderie within the business community.
• It is the oldest and largest corporate games in the country.
• The idea is that they present the participants with physical endeavors designed to challenge their bodies and minds through the spirit of corporate competition.
• The KCCC also includes a program called "Lunch and Learns" where participants are provided sessions on everything from stress management to nutrition and even self-defense.
• Lacey shares a few stories from the challenge, that her favorite challenges are the races, and how corporations can register.

Three Takeaways From Today's Episode:

1. Don't go it alone – take a friend with you on a walk or listen to a podcast episode on your drive to work.
2. Consider how you can build camaraderie in your community - maybe encourage your co-workers to sign up for a 5k together or invite a few friends over for a homemade dinner.
3. If you're in the area encourage your workplace to join the KCCC.

Mentioned In The Episode:

• Kansas City Corporate Challenge
• The Dash by Linda Ellis

Dr. Tereza Hubkova is board-certified in internal medicine, integrative and holistic medicine. Her breadth of experience allows her to see your health from many angles.

With additional training in functional medicine, lifestyle medicine and herbalism, she has many tools in her toolbox that equip her to look for the underlying root cause of disease.

She finds a natural approach to health and healing often more rewarding and safer than pharmaceuticals, but prescribes medications when necessary.

Dr. Hubkova takes time to listen to your story and works like a detective looking for clues and solutions where others have not.

Before relocating to Overland Park in 2019 to lead the AdventHealth Whole Health Institute, Dr. Hubkova served high-profile clients at the internationally known Canyon Ranch Spa in Lenox, Massachusetts, for ten years.

Memorable Quotes:

• "When diet is bad, medicine is of no use. But if your diet is good, then medicine is of no need."
• "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
• "I think we shouldn't postpone good decisions and just do it. I don't believe in too many resolutions. I think just when you remember that you fell off the track, just change that. Don't wait, change it the next morning or change it that same evening whenever you realize that you have made some bad choices."

What You'll Learn:

Encouragement to get back on track with your health resolutions and tips on how to stay healthy in the winter.

This Episode Includes:

• Getting back to the basics of health is critical to stay healthy during winter.
• Sleep, a good diet, and staying hydrated are important basics.
• The Whole Health Institute with AdventHealth truly supports a holistic approach to medicine.
• Most diseases are caused by imbalances in our lifestyle, like not getting enough sleep or letting stress get out of hand.
• Lifestyle medicine is about preventing disease and making lifestyle changes to support whole-person health.
• It's never too late to start changing your perspective on health and making good health decisions.
• Negative emotions can cause inflammation so your mindset is just as important to overall health as a good diet.
• Getting back on track with your health is as simple as deciding you are going to do it. Don't wait till the next holiday, change your habits when you notice them.
• Tune in to your body and listen to what it's telling you about your health.
• Through the Culinary Genomics program, individuals get to look at their genes and then cook food that supports those genes.

Three Takeaways From Today's Episode:

1. Considering joining the Culinary Genomics program with AdventHealth to get an in-depth look at your genes and learn how you can cook to support your overall health.
2. Make the decision right now to get back on track with your health resolutions.
3. Practice better sleep habits, drink enough water, and eat lots of vegetables to stay healthy this winter!

Mentioned In The Episode:

• Whole Health Institute
• AdventHealth
• Culinary Genomics
• William Davis
• Wheat Belly
• Super Gut

Dr. William Davis is a cardiologist and New York Times #1 bestselling author of the Wheat Belly book series, Undoctored, and of the new book Super Gut.

Dr. Davis believes that given the right information and tools, magnificent health is achievable without prescription drugs and without medical procedures.

Instead, what you need are the basic principles of nutrition. With those, you can address common nutrient deficiencies and a disrupted gut microbiome.

Dr. Davis is the Medical Director and founder of the Undoctored program including the Undoctored Inner Circle.

He is also a podcast host of the Defiant Health Radio podcast where he talks about the gut microbiome and other health topics.

Memorable Quotes:

• "In other words, we're exposed almost daily to things that disrupt the microbiome. And there's two major consequences. One is we've lost important species. We've lost some unimportant species, too. So that doesn't make a big difference, but we've lost very important species that are crucial for human health."
• "But I think you and I, your listeners, have the power to achieve astounding endpoints and health by putting the microbiome to work in ways that are unfolding now."
• "If you want this to be your year, don't sit on the couch and wait for it. Go out. Make a change. Smile more. Be excited. Do new things like grow some probiotics. Throw away clutter, unfollow negative people on social media. Go to bed early. Wake up early. Don't gossip. Show more gratitude. Do things that challenge you and be brave."

What You'll Learn:

The gut microbiome is critical to reversing chronic health problems and optimizing your overall health.

This Episode Includes:

• Robin shares how Dr. Davis healed her gallbladder issue nearly a decade ago.
• Davis reflects on his inspiration for his new book "Super Gut."
• According to Dr. Davis, people who followed his Wheat Belly program were healed most of the way, but not all the way.
• Super Gut is his response to lead people to optimal health.
• The gut microbiome is key to health but modern-day living has diminished many necessary microbes.
• Antibiotics, environmental toxins, and even unhealthy food cause a disruption in the gut microbiome.
• Fermented food has the ability to add beneficial microbes back into the gut.
• Davis talks about how most doctors will ignore SIBO (small intestinal bacteria overgrowth), even though it is treatable.
• Most modern chronic diseases have a root cause in the gut microbiome.
• Davis shares his opinion on formula versus breastmilk and encourages women to feed their baby breastmilk.
• Robin emphasizes the importance of optimizing your health one step at a time.

Three Takeaways From Today's Episode:

1. Get the new book "Super Gut" by Dr. William Davis.
2. Join Dr. Michelle Robin on her journey to a healthy gut by following the program laid out by Dr. Davis in Super Gut.
3. Add more fermented food to your diet like kimchi, sauerkraut, or kefir.

Mentioned In The Episode:

• Thryve
• Gutzoomer
• Super Gut
• Advent Health
• Community America Credit Union

Connect:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• YouTube

At nine-years old John O'Leary was burned on 100% of his body from an accident he caused while playing in the garage with matches and gasoline. He was given a 1% chance to live. After dozens of surgeries and years of physical therapy, he survived. For 20 years, the family didn't talk about what happened. John simply wanted his life to go on as normal.

That is until John's parents wrote a book titled "Overwhelming Odds" that told the story of the family's experience. That book, combined with a short presentation for a three-member girl scout group, ignited the rest of John's life work and calling.

John is now the president of Live Inspired, a keynote speaker, author, and podcast host. He shares his story with others and inspires them to live meaningful lives in spite of hardship and tragedy. John's is an agent of inspirational living and master at overcoming adversity.

Memorable Quotes:

• "If you are in the season of struggle or the season of loss, recognize first and foremost that you are not alone."
• "It's okay to mourn. It's okay to experience that grief, and it's okay in the midst of the season to also look forward to cast a vision of profound possibility because of faith. You know, God's not done with your story yet. I think the best is yet to come."
• "Take the setback for the setup and take the next right step forward."
• "One day you will be just a memory for some people, do your best to be a good one."

What You'll Learn:

How to overcome the challenges life throws at you and how to be there for someone else who is going through a hardship.

This Episode Includes:

• A brief introduction to John O'leary's story and how he persevered with the help of others.
• The red plate tradition that is special to John's family and the importance of celebration.
• You have talents you are blessed with – don't burry those talents, use them for yourself and for others.
• If you are in a season of hardship or loss, remember that you are not alone.
• John encourages the listeners to cast a vision for the future even in the midst of suffering.
• John shares the story about how his dad's love is what set up his journey towards healing emotionally and physically.
• Stop sleepwalking through life. Ignite it with hope, faith, and awe that you are alive.
• John shares his plans for the year 2022 and what he hopes to accomplish personally and professionally. His phrase for the year is "Seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God."
• Four things you can do to show up for someone who is suffering.
• Four ways you can create life time relationships with people.
• What is most personal is most universal. Your story is not unique just to you.
• You matter, you are loved, you have unique skill sets, and you are going to be used for a mighty purpose.
• You can use your story in a way that is of service to those around you.
• Ignite your life with the thrill of hope.

Three Takeaways From Today's Episode:

1. Read John's book, "On Fire," to start your new year feeling inspired and motivated.
2. Consider how you can show up for someone in pain and bring others to show up for them too.
3. Write this message on a sticky note, "In the thrill of hope." Place that sticky note on your desk or fridge and remind yourself that each day holds the thrill of hope.

Mentioned In The Episode:

• 31-day kindness campaign
• Matt Miller Interview
• Live Inspired
• Past John O'Leary Interview
• On Fire by John O'Leary
• Big Brothers, Big Sisters
• Just Be Held by Casting Crowns

Connect:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• YouTube

Jimmy Page and Dan Britton are both leaders of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Jimmy is a speaker, author, triathlete, fitness leader, and co-author of three books: Wisdom Walks, Wisdom Walks Sports, and Pray Fit. He also hosts a weekly radio show called Fit Fridays. Jimmy is an adventure seeker, he went skydiving with each of his kids for their 18th birthday, and he loves Country Music!

Dan is a speaker, author, and marathon runner. He is a former professional lacrosse player who has coauthored two books, Wisdom Walks and Wisdom Walks SPORTS. Dan is also the author and editor of eleven FCA books.

Memorable Quotes:

• "And I remember just having to say no to a lot of things, getting rid of a lot of things that were probably pretty good things. But they weren't helping me make progress towards the most important things. So it began that journey of, as you say, simple changes that made a big shift or, in this case, a big difference in our lives."
• "And that's part of the beauty of "One Word" is God will do things in your life. If you're open to it, you'll see things happen. You'll be like, man, I did not see that coming when I picked this word, and that's a beautiful part of it."
• "We all have barnacles on us from life, whether it's what we're eating, who we're around, the thoughts we're having."
• "Now some days are better than others. But when we count each day and there's no wasted days, we develop a heart of wisdom."

What You'll Learn:

How to implement the concept of choosing one word to permeate your year and give you purpose and direction.

This Episode Includes:

• The origin story of the One Word concept was born out of one challenging conversation with a friend.
• The first word Dan chose as his "One Word" in 2000 was "intimacy."
• Jimmy learned about the "One Word" concept from Dan during an accountability group session and it immediately clicked. Jimmy realized he needed to let go of the noise and focus.
• Jimmy and Dan share a few words their children have chosen in the past like "overflow" and "due."
• The duo shares how both of their families choose a word each year and make a painting of it on a canvas.
• Robin shares her word from 2021, which was surrender, and her new word for 2022.
• Dan and Jimmy coach Dr. Robin through the word she chose, "trust," and how to implement it in her life.
• Dan and Jimmy talk about the six dimensions: physical, mental, spiritual, relational, emotional, and financial. They relate it to Dr. Robin's four quadrants of wellbeing: mechanical, chemical, energetic, psychospiritual.
• It's important to remember your "One Word" throughout the year so it truly saturates your entire year, not just January 1st.
• Dan shares that his word for 2022 is "rattle." Jimmy is still praying about his word.
• Dan and Jimmy give several takeaways about choosing your "One Word" and how to implement it in your life.

Three Takeaways From Today's Episode:

1. Don't put too much pressure on choosing your "One Word" for 2022.
2. Go through the process. Go through the three steps of looking in, looking up, and looking out to choose your word.
3. Decide how you will ruminate on your word this year. Maybe it's painting the word on a canvas and hanging it in your bedroom or maybe it's buying a plaque with the word on it for your office. Whatever you choose, find a way to focus on your word throughout the year.

Mentioned In The Episode:

• "The Ten Rules for Resilience" by Joe De Sena
• The Four Quadrants of Wellbeing
• One Word by Dan Britton, Jimmy Page, and Jon Gordon
• Com
• Kari Jobe - Speak To Me
• Big Shifts Foundation

In this episode of Small Changes Big Shifts our very own Chief Operations Officer, Jamie Durner, comes on the show to interview Dr. Michelle Robin about the mission and vision of the podcast. Jamie is a whole person practitioner, wellbeing program developer and facilitator, and a health, life, and business mentor and coach. She started working with Small Changes Big Shifts in 2021.

Memorable Quotes:

• "I know that there's a lot of uncertainty in the world, but what I am certain about is if you will dial into your own inner-knowing, and you'll do more good stuff than bad stuff for your body on a daily basis, when you lay your head down on your pillow at night, that you will have your health."
• "I want to make sure I use all the talent that God or Creator gave me."
• "Jamie, I'm afraid every day. I'm a fear-based personality. So, you know, I'm afraid every day, but I do it anyway. I want to tell you I don't like getting on stage. I don't like being on camera. I do it anyway because I feel the calling of my spirit a little bit greater so I can go on and on.
• "Always pray to have eyes to see the best in yourself, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith."

What You'll Learn:

The mission of the Small Changes Big Shifts podcast, how to take advantage of what you learn by tunning in, and a little bit of Dr. Robin's heart and vision for 2022.

This Episode Includes:

• How Jamie Durner met Dr. Michelle Robin and became a member of the Small Changes Big Shifts Team.
• 2022 is Dr. Robin's 30th year in practice and instead of dialing down she is planning to continue bringing the community together by telling stories of wellbeing and inviting experts to the podcast.
• The Wellness Consortiums, which are a group of people in the Kansas City area, working around whole person health, are one of the key components of building community in the area.
• The goal of Small Changes Big Shifts is to be "seed planters" of wellness in the lives of those we come in contact with.
• Pursuing a healthier version of you allows you to be a "go-giver."
• We look a little into Dr. Robin's story of pursing her own health and the mentors who helped her along the way.
• Your vibe attracts your tribe.
• Choosing a word for the year helps you solidify your life's purpose and goals. Dr. Robin's word last year was "surrender." This year she thinks it might be "joy." Jamie's word for the year is "play."
• Robin's hope for the Small Changes Big Shifts podcast is for people to hear one idea, one thought, one connection, one word that will help them along on their journey.
• A few of the upcoming interviews and plans for the podcast for the year 2022.

Takeaways From Today's Episode:

1. Consider choosing a "WORD" for the upcoming year, or even just the first half of the year, that will resonate with your purpose and goals for 2022.
2. Write with your feedback on how the show has impacted you and how it's helped you be a go-giver for others and what you're interested in hearing more about!

Mentioned In The Episode:

• Advent Health
• You Matter Movement
• One Word
• Big Shifts Foundation
• Community America Credit Union
• William Davis Wheat Belly
• John O'Leary Live Inspired
• Kansas City Wellness Consortiums

Connect:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• YouTube

Join us as we welcome Barbara Unell and Tricia Rausch on this week's episode, where they share the story how ParentCare was founded in Kansas City. ParentCare was developed with guidance from Barbara Unell, a parent educator, author of Discipline with Love and Limits, and founder of the Raised with Love and Limits Foundation. Tricia is a Registered Nurse and Coordinator of Perinatal Bereavement at AdventHealth and has teamed up with Barbara to ensure this program gives parents everything they need to raise their little ones. ParentCare is the first free program of its kind in the United States, where parents and caregivers have a place to go with questions or concerns about yourself or your children and get free, trusted, personal answers from experts who will listen at AdventHealth.

Memorable Quotes:

• "A family becomes healthier when parents take care of themselves."
• "The foundation is based on resources all parents and caregivers deserve to know about."
• "There's no cost to the program, but there is a cost to your well-being if you don't find something like ParentCare."
• "We are not trying to 'get rid of' stress in life – that's impossible. What we're trying to do is mitigate stress, so it doesn't become toxic in the body."
• "The number one factor for kids to stress less begins with relational health. They need personal relationships with parents and their caregivers who know how to be emotionally engaged with them."
• "Our culture seems to be returning to a simple concept – which is working together in order to tackle things."

What You'll Learn:

Why ParentCare's mission is about transferring the science into people's hands, how relational health can change an entire family's health, and why parents and caregivers have a difficult time accepting the word "support".

This Episode Includes:

• The difference between the levels of stress our body experiences.
• Why parents feel overwhelmed raising kids these days, yet don't know where to turn for help.
• Tools for parents to build better relationships and communication patterns with their kids.
• Understanding every child and a family's need is different – and why it's less about a manual, but more about the communication and connection with each other.
• How parents even with adult children (who now have their own kids) are now able to build better relationships together through tools and resources found at ParentCare.
• Knowing what relational health really looks like in our life.
• Why this program's goal is to bring more peace, empowerment, and lower stress levels in parents' and caregivers' lives.

Three Takeaways from Today's Episode:

1. CARE is an acronym for Coaching, Advice, Resources, and Education.
2. It's critical parents and caregivers learn self-care, but also learn how to navigate the system and resources available to them.
3. This program helps build positive, nurturing, and safe relationships to reduce the toxic stress that leads to the Top 10 Health Issues in our culture today.

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Discipline Without Shouting or Spanking book by Barbara Unell
• Raised with Love and Limits Foundation
• American Academy of Pediatrics policy on spanking and shouting published in 2018
• AdventHealth in Kansas City
• ParentCare in Kansas City can be reached at (913) 632-4206
• ParentCare's Website
• Big Shifts Foundation

Connect:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• YouTube

Born in Ghana, West Africa, Kute is an inspirational speaker and transformational leader. He has been inspiring audiences around the world from the first time he spoke in front of 3,000 people at the age of 8, later speaking in over 300 venues by the time he was 18. He helps organizations develop authentic leadership and achieve extraordinary performance. He is the author of the bestselling book You. Are. The. One. and The Magic of Surrender. Today, he is highly sought out by major companies, seeking to redefine their paradigm for success, and inspire greatness. He is a next generation world leader out to awaken millions to "love" and "living" their inspired destiny.

Memorable Quotes:

• "I didn't think this was the book I was going to write, but I discovered this was the book seeking to be written."
• "I soon realized nothing I could do was going to cure my mother, and I had to go through this process of surrendering."
• "She wasn't attached to life, she wasn't attached to death, she was in a complete state of surrender."
• "Surrender is the passage to freedom."
• "Control is the master addiction, and it's also an illusion. If last year has taught us anything, it's taught us we are not as in control as we thought."
• "It's a shift from 'What do I want?' to 'What is it that life wants to express or create through me?'"
• "One of the reasons people are afraid of telling the truth is because they are afraid they will have to do something about it."
• "Take off the pressure of having to take action. Allow yourself to acknowledge the truth – no action needed. Just acknowledge it. Just be with it. You don't have to act. The willingness is all you need."
• "What is it costing you to lie to yourself?"
• "Pain is a messenger in our life. Pain is showing us where we're not aligned."

What You'll Learn:

How the word surrender came into Kute's life through his mother's story, why we have a difficult time accepting the word itself, and why this book changed Dr. Michelle Robin's life.

This Episode Includes:

• How this book surprised Kute.
• His last memories with his terminally ill mother and what he learned from her about the word surrender.
• The misconceptions about the word in our culture today – what it is, and what's not.
• What becomes of our life when we surrender to things happening around us – and how that brings us more joy in the end.
• What the word courage means to Kute.
• What Kute says to people when they ask, "How do I start to surrender?"
• Why playing a game of confusion allows us to avoid the act of surrendering.
• What Kute tells people when they ask how they will know if they are living their destiny.
• Why we must remember what life is really about.

Three Takeaways from Today's Episode:

1. Ego isn't a thing – it's a process. The challenge is not our ego. It's the overidentification with ourselves. When we learn to stop identifying ego as a "thing" to get rid of and start accepting it's something we need to "shift" – we experience more freedom.
2. As children, we are born free. Growing up, we fall into patterns – or become conditioned – to who we think we need to be so we can be loved. Is this really who you are or is this who you are conditioned?
3. Spiritual practice isn't about yoga, meditating, or other things like it. Spiritual practice is telling yourself the truth.

Mentioned In This Episode:

• The Magic of Surrender book by Kute Blackson
• Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway book by Susan Jeffers
• One Word That Will Change Your Life by Jon Gordon
• The Hoffman Process
• Big Shifts Foundation Scholarship

Connect:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• YouTube

We've had a great month celebrating kindness thanks to this year's sponsor, City Wide Facility Solutions. Today, Dr. Michelle Robin welcomes Andrea Allison-Putman and Lori Bennett on the show to share their experience participating in the 31-Day Kindness Campaign. Join us to hear about the power of kindness and what they have learned kindness really looks likes in our everyday lives. Sometimes kindness can be as simple as listening with an open heart.

Memorable Quotes:

• "You are not listening to what the answer is. You are listening for what's really going on in their lives."
• "Moments matter. Memories matter."
• "It's much easier to be kind when you feel good."
• "Everybody is fighting a battle. Either you are throwing gasoline on their situation, or you are throwing water on their situation."
• "Listen. Look people in the eye. Those things go a thousand miles. So many problems in our world could be solved if people step back and listen."
• "A simple smile goes a really long way."

What You'll Learn:

How the 31-Day Kindness Campaign makes it easier to learn about our community, what leaders should know about kindness and culture, and how self-care makes a difference in our ability to be kind to others.

This Episode Includes:

• How the Kindness Campaign helps companies and organizations bring \ their culture together.
• The importance of pausing and being present in our life.
• What leaders should know about kindness and culture.
• What future generations should know about kindness.
• How we can be better in corporate America – and what validation looks like for teams.
• How listening to the non-verbal things people say is different than what people are really saying with their words.
• Why connecting with yourself matters.

Three Takeaways from Today's Episode:

1. Everything in our world roots back to how we give and receive kindness.
2. We experience life better – the good and the tough – when we realize we are part of a bigger story going on behind the scenes.
3. A simple smile goes a long way.

Mentioned In This Episode:

• 31-Day Kindness Campaign
• 100 Rad Virtues by Lori Bennett
• Somewhere Over the Rainbow song by Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole
• Let It Go song by Idina Menzel
• Just Fine by Mary J. Blige
• Magic of Surrender book by Kute Blackson
• The Servant book by James C. Hunter
• Power vs. Force book by Dr. David R. Hawkins
• Maya Angelou quote
• Small Changes Big Shifts
• City Wide Facility Solutions

Connect:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• YouTube

Steve Gross is the Chief Playmaker at Life is Good Kids Foundation. The mission at Life is Good is to spread and harness the power of optimism to help kids heal from the impact of childhood trauma. The way that they do that is by partnering with the frontline men and women who dedicate their lives to building, healing, and creating life changing relationships with kids.

Memorable Quotes:

• "We have problems. We have challenges. There is suffering. But we can never lose sight of the opportunities that exist amidst the obstacles if we want to make things better."
• "But just being alive, we are going to suffer. And when we're suffering, nothing soothes that suffering more than somebody seeing us, valuing us, and treating us with love and kindness."
• "Our emotions are going to get the best of us from time to time, but when we become aware of it, we can take action to try to mitigate the response and to try to make things better."

What You'll Learn:

Why kindness is so important to cultivate, how to use kindness to impact those around you, and how kindness affects children specifically.

This Episode Includes:

• The origin and mission of the Life is Good Kids Foundation.
• Professionals who interact with children need to have a "kind human disposition" as much as their professional skill set.
• We will have suffering in this life but the power of optimism and kindness has the strength to get us through the suffering.
• Steve's father was the chief influencer in his life and continues to influence how he treats other people.
• Kind people are never unhappy people.
• Adverse childhood experiences, sometimes referred to as ACES, are overwhelming and frightening events that leave children feeling powerless. The most common are abuse, neglect, witness to violence, and severe household dysfunction.
• Almost every single human has some sort of childhood trauma.
• Childhood trauma can impact the way our brain develops.
• Kindness and love can soothe suffering.
• Getting to know others, seeing them, and truly valuing them means being curious and not judgemental.
• We can use the resources, privileges, and opportunities that we have to help others.

Three Takeaways From Today's Episode:

1. Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.
2. It's not about perfection. It's about connection.
3. Practice changing your "I have to's" into "I get to's."

Mentioned In The Episode:

• No Hard Feelings by the Avett Brothers
• Life is Good Kids Foundation
• 31-Day Kindness Campaign
• Small Changes Big Shifts
• CityWide Facilities Solutions

Connect:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• YouTube