The Support & Kindness Podcast

Episode 17: Gratitude

Hosts: Greg Shaw, Rich, Jay, Derek

In Episode 17, Greg and the co-hosts slow things down to talk about gratitude as a lived practice, not just good manners or positive thinking. The conversation explores how gratitude supports mental wellbeing, strengthens relationships, and helps people cope during hard seasons like grief, stress, addiction recovery, chronic pain, and isolation.

The episode blends research, real-life experiences, and honest reflection. Gratitude is framed as something that does not erase pain, but helps people meet life as it is, with more steadiness and awareness.

Listeners hear how practicing gratitude, even in very small ways, can reduce rumination, foster connection, and create meaningful emotional shifts over time.

• Gratitude is not denial or pretending things are okay

Greg frames gratitude as a tool for mental wellbeing, not a finish line after life improves.

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Rich focuses on how gratitude creates ripple effects that extend far beyond a single moment.

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Jay grounds gratitude in foundation-level awareness, especially when life feels overwhelming.

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Derek brings a reflective and observational approach, focusing on simple, often overlooked moments.

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• Gratitude increases effort and engagement (call center study showed a 50% effort increase after simple appreciation)

Three Good Things Exercise

For at least one week: • Write down three things that went well today

• Kindness RX – https://kindnessrx.org

• Brain Injury Support Group – Mondays at 1:00 PM

Details and links available at:

This episode reminds listeners that gratitude is not about ignoring pain or forcing positivity. It is about recognizing what is still present, still meaningful, even when life feels heavy.

Closing Message:

If this episode helped you, consider sharing it with someone who could use encouragement or leaving a review to help others find the show.

Chronic pain

Disability

Grief

Substance use

Books (at least 3)

Videos / Talks (at least 2)

Practical exercise / worksheet (at least 1)

A heartfelt conversation about holiday traditions around the world and the personal memories that shape them. The hosts share stories of family, food, grief, and joy, reminding listeners that traditions don’t have to be perfect or old to matter—sometimes the smallest rituals bring the most light.

A compassionate resource list focused on forgiveness, self‑forgiveness, kindness, and emotional healing—combining personal stories, research‑based tools, faith‑centered reflections, and crisis support. These links offer practical guidance for processing hurt, setting healthy boundaries, growing in self‑compassion, and finding support when emotions feel overwhelming.

The Support & Kindness Podcast, Episode 14: Understanding Chronic Pain

In this honest, empathetic conversation, host Greg and co‑hosts Rich, Jay, Derek, and Sam share personal stories about living with chronic pain — from migraines and traumatic brain injury to digestive disorders, joint damage, and addiction recovery. 

They explain how chronic pain affects the body, mind, relationships, work, and identity, and offer practical, compassionate strategies like pacing, tiny movement goals, grounding routines, symptom tracking, and peer support. The episode emphasizes validation, self‑advocacy, and community: your pain is real, you’re not alone, and small, consistent steps plus supportive people can make a meaningful difference.

Episode 13 – Holiday Stress!

The episode offers simple, practical tools: grounding and breathing exercises, planned exits and rescue text codes, safe words with a partner, bringing comfort items, and breaking the ice early with warmth and honesty. The core message: if you’re struggling this holiday season, you’re not broken, you’re not alone, and it’s okay to protect your mental health and ask for help.

In Episode 12 of The Support and Kindness Podcast, Greg and co-hosts Derek, Rich, Liam, and Jay unpack “substance use nostalgia” – the tendency to romanticize past drug or alcohol use and forget the consequences. They explain how internal and external triggers (like music, places, emotional upheaval, and old friends) can spark cravings, and they offer practical tools such as the 3 R’s (Recognize, Remind, Remove) and HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) to manage urges. Through candid personal stories, they show that nostalgic thoughts about using are normal, not a sign of failure, and that positive recovery-based nostalgia can become a powerful source of strength. The episode closes with resources like 988, findtreatment.gov, SMART Recovery, and SAMHSA, plus a reminder: you don’t have to face cravings or recovery alone.

A heartfelt conversation on how recovery looks different for everyone—addiction, mental health, eating disorders, and physical rehab. Greg shares a powerful family story and a call to seek help; Jay details his journey from early drinking, injury, and heroin to nearly 11 years sober; Rich highlights physical rehabilitation milestones and the importance of a supportive community. Key message: recovery isn’t linear, setbacks are feedback, and asking for help is brave. Resources included: 988, SAMHSA, findahelpline.com.

A practical, compassionate conversation about handling last-minute plan changes. Greg, Rich, and Jay share real stories—from canceled visits and travel postponements to managing anxiety—and offer simple strategies: communicate early, stay flexible, validate your feelings, use breathing to calm down, and reframe changes as opportunities. They emphasize dependability with friends, prioritizing health, and watching for avoidance patterns that lead to isolation.

A candid, research-backed conversation on why asking for and accepting help feels hard—and how to make it easier. Greg, Rich, Jay, and Liam explore gender and workplace dynamics, age-related fears about independence, and the common mistake of underestimating others’ willingness to help. Personal stories—from addiction recovery to mobility challenges—underscore practical tips: make specific, time-bound requests, show effort, be gracious, and keep support networks active.

Greg, Rich, and Jay explore how the inner critic forms and how to reshape your relationship with it, sharing practical tools like putting thoughts “on trial,” journaling from a wise adult or inner child, reframing black-and-white judgments, and practicing daily self-compassion. Jay offers a candid story about self-esteem after an accident, and the hosts emphasize love, the golden rule, and accessible support at 988. Listen and share your favorite episode at kindnessrx.org.