***A quick heads up. The audio quality in this episode isn’t perfect. We’ve corrected the issue moving forward and chose to share this conversation anyway because Jess’s perspective is too valuable to miss.

Season 7, Episode 5

• Mic Drop Bootcamp Registration is open now. Bootcamp begins January 16.

• New book coming May 2026 Making It Without Losing It How to Stay Motivated in a World Where We Are Never Done https://a.co/d/0CeFDJg

• Free weekly Hype Text Text HYPE to 704-228-9495

Question: What does kindness look like when women encourage women?

Nicole Phillips sits down with Jess Ekstrom for a real conversation about women supporting women without competition, comparison, or performative cheerleading. This episode is about what encouragement actually looks like in practice and why it matters.

What we talk about

• Encouragement that builds confidence instead of pressure • Turning frustration into meaningful ideas • Why optimism is a strategy, not a mood • Helping more women step onto stages • Staying motivated when the work never feels finished

About Jess

Jess is the founder of Headbands of Hope and Mic Drop Workshop. She is a two time bestselling author, Forbes Top Rated Speaker, investor in women owned businesses, and mom.

She launched Headbands of Hope with a $300 grant and has since donated millions of headbands to children facing illness, reaching every children’s hospital in the U.S. and 22 countries. The brand is now the official headband provider for the NBA and WNBA and is sold in Kohl’s nationwide.

Jess founded Mic Drop Workshop to help more women share their message as public speakers and authors. Her work has been featured on the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, CNN, Forbes, Vanity Fair, and People Magazine.

Books

• Chasing the Bright Side • Create Your Bright Ideas • Making It Without Losing It coming May 2026

Ways to connect with Jess

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jess_ekstrom • Facebook: www.facebook.com/jessekstrom • X: www.twitter.com/jess_ekstrom • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessekstrom • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-ekstrom-59160342/

Key takeaways

• Women lift each other by being specific and generous • Relatability builds trust faster than polish • Purpose grows when your work connects to others • Kindness shows up in action, not just intention

Listen to The Kindness Podcast wherever you get your podcasts or watch on YouTube.