Episode 40: The Cost of Kindness

Episode 40: The Cost of Kindness

Episode 40: The Cost of Kindness Content note: One segment includes a personal story of childhood family violence. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone: In the US call or text 988, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. We almost always hear “the cost of kindness” as a warning. This episode flips it: the real cost isn’t being kind — it’s holding kindness back. Greg and the panel make the case with research and a lot of honest, everyday stories. In this episode: * Why kindness lowers stress — and lifts productivity by about 12% * What unkindness really costs a workplace (the numbers are rough) * How to be kind without getting walked on — boundaries and advocacy * Kindness vs. people-pleasing — the honest difference * Why you have to save some kindness for yourself, too Chapters: 00:00 Why “kindness costs” is backwards 02:16 The research: cortisol, blood pressure, productivity 04:24 Is kindness a weakness at work? 05:15 Everyday kindness, the small stuff 06:10 What kindness does in the brain 07:43 Turning kindness inward 08:32 The cost of kindness at work 11:54 Getting taken advantage of + people-pleasing 24:26 Staying kind when you’re running on empty 39:40 Recap, challenge & support groups This episode featured Greg with co-hosts Rich, Derek, Liam, and Sarah. 💜 Free weekly peer support groups: Brain Injury (Mon 1PM ET), Chronic Pain (Tue 12PM ET), Mental Health (Wed 7:30PM ET). Sign up / RSVP: https://luma.com/calendar/cal-oyT0VPlVTKCPxBw [https://luma.com/calendar/cal-oyT0VPlVTKCPxBw] Keep the groups free: https://buymeacoffee.com/kindnessrx [https://buymeacoffee.com/kindnessrx] Web: https://kindnessrx.org  [https://kindnessrx.org ] Newsletter: https://kindnessrx.beehiiv.com/ [https://kindnessrx.beehiiv.com/]

Episode 39: Adult ADHD — What You Need to Know

You wrote the plan down. You even put it on your phone. By 10 a.m. you’d started four things and finished none — and that same old voice was asking what’s wrong with you. If that’s familiar, this one’s for you. In Episode 39, Greg and Rich have an honest, personal conversation about adult ADHD: what it actually is, why it’s so easily missed, and what real support looks like. ADHD isn’t the kid who can’t sit still, and it doesn’t disappear at eighteen. It’s a difference in how the brain manages attention, impulse, and follow-through — and for many adults it’s been there all along, just unrecognized. Both hosts share their own late-diagnosis stories and land where the show always does with hope. What we cover: * Why adult ADHD looks like internal restlessness and exhaustion, not hyperactivity * Why more than half of adults with ADHD aren’t diagnosed until adulthood — and why women are so often missed * Why “lazy” is almost always the wrong word (Rich’s duck-on-the-water metaphor) * Treatment that actually helps — medication, therapy, lifestyle, structure, community * The reframe: your brain isn’t working against you on purpose Chapters: * (00:00) Introduction & what adult ADHD really is * (03:00) By the numbers: who’s been missed * (04:18) Ferrari engine, bicycle brakes * (05:24) Why “lazy” gets it wrong: the duck on the water * (07:04) Childhood vs. adult ADHD & late diagnosis * (11:10) Symptoms: hyperfocus and 500 browser tabs * (14:11) Getting diagnosed as an adult * (15:54) Is ADHD real? Treatment options * (18:41) Rich & Greg’s stories + what’s on your heart * (24:04) Summary, challenge & closing This episode featured Greg Shaw and Rich. RESOURCES MENTIONED Books: * Driven to Distraction — Edward Hallowell & John Ratey [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/209384/driven-to-distraction-revised-by-edward-m-hallowell-md-and-john-j-ratey-md/] * ADHD 2.0 — Edward Hallowell & John Ratey [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/550868/adhd-20-by-edward-m-hallowell-md-and-john-j-ratey-md/] * Taking Charge of Adult ADHD — Russell Barkley [https://www.guilford.com/books/Taking-Charge-of-Adult-ADHD/Russell-Barkley/9781462546855] Organizations: * CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD) [https://chadd.org] * ADDitude Magazine [https://www.additudemag.com] Talks: * “Failing at Normal” — Jessica McCabe (How to ADHD) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdA9P0TUTpY] * “Recognizing ADHD in Adults” — Dr. Heather Brannon [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am-XbS0y0hE] 💜 Free weekly peer support groups: Brain Injury (Mon 1 PM ET) Chronic Pain (Tue 12 PM ET) Mental Health (Wed 7:30 PM ET). Details: https://kindnessrx.org [https://kindnessrx.org] Keep the groups free: https://buymeacoffee.com/kindnessrx [https://buymeacoffee.com/kindnessrx] | Website: https://kindnessrx.org [https://kindnessrx.org] | Newsletter: https://kindnessrx.beehiiv.com/ [https://kindnessrx.beehiiv.com/]

Episode 38: What You Can Actually Control

It’s late, you’re scrolling, and there’s a low hum under everything — the headlines, the economy, the things you can’t fix. You’re not upset about one thing; you’re just heavy, tired, and small. Episode 38 is about that feeling, and about finding where your power actually lives. Greg, Rich, Derek, and Sarah define agency (the felt belief that what you do shapes what happens next), name the difference between agency and controlling everything, and talk honestly about reclaiming the small, controllable corners of a life — because the brain that can learn helplessness can also learn controllability. In this episode: * Why “nothing I do matters” is so common right now — and what it actually is * The science: an internal sense of control, less depression and anxiety * Why “control” isn’t a dirty word — a noun and a verb * Where agency really lives: body, attention, time, relationships, the next small action Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Defining agency & locus of control 03:30 The numbers & the science 07:00 Roundtable: staying grounded 12:23 Is “control” a dirty word? 17:58 Common questions 41:20 Free-form sharing 44:42 What’s on your heart 47:32 Closing & weekly challenge 50:04 Support groups & resources This episode featured Greg with Rich, Derek, and Sarah. 💜 Free weekly peer support groups: Brain Injury (Mon 1PM ET), Chronic Pain (Tue 12PM ET), Mental Health (Wed 7:30PM ET). Details: https://kindnessrx.org [https://kindnessrx.org] Help keep the groups free: https://buymeacoffee.com/kindnessrx [https://buymeacoffee.com/kindnessrx] Connect: kindnessrx.org · YouTube @KindnessRX · Newsletter: https://kindnessrx.beehiiv.com/ [https://kindnessrx.beehiiv.com/] If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (US Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).

June 1st. 2026

Welcome back to the Support and Kindness Podcast, I'm your host, Greg Shaw, and I just wanted to let you know that we're not going to actually air a podcast this week. We've got some people who are sick this week, some people who are on vacation, and some people are just playing hooky. Rich and I did record an episode for you, but unfortunately, yours truly had the audio settings wrong, and the audio just did not turn out, and I didn't want to bring it to you with all distortion and everything else like that. You deserve better than that. So, take a break this week. Put your feet up and rest. But I did want to let you know about some really exciting things which are coming your way. The next podcast that we're doing is episode 38, and it's what you can actually control. We're going to talk about things that are within your control and things that are not within your control, what you can control, what you can't. So that's something to look forward to. We're looking forward to that. And then after that, the next week is going to be adult ADHD, what you need to know. And followed by that, we're going to talk about kindness at work or kindness with a theme of work, and how much is kindness actually worth, and we'll spell out the cost of being kind at work and not being kind at work. How much does it cost businesses in turnover, retention, and all of that good stuff. So we've got some really cool stuff coming your way. So, take it easy this week and be kind to somebody, and we'll see you soon on the Support and Kindness podcast. Have a great week.

Episode 37: Your Emotional First Aid Kit

Content note: This episode discusses mental health crisis, panic attacks, and suicidal thinking. If you're struggling, call or text 988 (US Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). International listeners: please use your local crisis line.When you cut your finger, you reach for the first aid kit. But what do you reach for when your heart is breaking, when anxiety floods you at 3 a.m., or when grief makes it impossible to get out of bed? Most of us were never taught.In Episode 37, Greg, Rich, Derek, Liam, and Sarah unpack what actually goes in an emotional first aid kit — and why you have to build it before the crisis, not during it. Liam reframes the whole thing as an emotional utility belt. Sarah shares how counting pulled her out of panic attacks. Rich realizes he's been using tools he never named. Derek leans on music as a full emotional journey. And Greg gets honest about the fact that he doesn't have a kit yet either.What you'll take away:The difference between an emotional first aid kit and therapyReal, specific tools — grounding, frozen water bottles, stuffed animals, music, counting, naps, beading * Why your kit needs to be quick to reach for, not just well-stocked * How to adapt your kit for pain, brain injury, or any chronic condition * The one thing Greg challenges you to build this weekChapters00:00 Introduction03:11 Surprising tools that helped07:31 Kit vs. therapy09:13 Where to start12:23 What actually goes in the kit18:42 Can the kit replace professional care?23:02 Using the kit when you can't think straight25:59 Adapting for pain and brain injury29:34 Freeform sharing34:27 What's on your heart43:29 Listener challenge & closingThis episode featured: Greg, Rich, Derek, Liam, Sarah 💜 Free weekly peer support groups: * Brain Injury (Mon 1PM ET) * Chronic Pain (Tue 12PM ET) * Mental Health (Wed 7:30PM ET). Details: https://kindnessrx.org [https://kindnessrx.org] Help keep the support groups free: https://buymeacoffee.com/kindnessrx [https://buymeacoffee.com/kindnessrx] Monthly newsletter: https://substack.com/@supportandkindness [https://substack.com/@supportandkindness] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kindnessRX [https://www.youtube.com/@kindnessRX]