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Raising Kind Minds

Raising Kind Minds

By: Kathryn Lovewell and Liz Walker
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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 others. 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. Parenting & Families Relationships
Episodes
  • #6.1 | Wendy O’Leary - Self-Compassion vs. Self-Esteem: What Children Really Need

    #6.1 | Wendy O’Leary - Self-Compassion vs. Self-Esteem: What Children Really Need
    Aug 16 2026
    THE INTERVIEW Ever wondered what happens when we stop trying to fix every meltdown and simply help our children ride the wave instead? In part one of this warm conversation, educator and author Wendy O’Leary joins Kathryn Lovewell and Liz Walker to consider why self-compassion might be the most vital protective factor we can offer young minds. Moving beyond traditional self-esteem, Wendy shares how shifting away from achievement-based praise creates space for authentic growth and emotional resilience. From simple gestures like placing a hand on the heart to comforting self-talk, discover practical ways to model self-kindness at home, even when parenting feels completely overwhelming. If you want to help your child replace their inner critic with a supportive best friend, this episode offers a gentle, transformative starting point. KEY TAKEAWAYS Self-Compassion Beats Self-Esteem: Self-esteem relies on external success or being better than others, whereas self-compassion grounds children in shared humanity. Crucial Early Skill: Introducing self-kindness in preschool years prevents self-critical habits from hardening as children grow. Mistakes Drive Growth: Approaching errors with warmth allows children to learn clearly rather than hiding out of fear. Parental Co-Regulation: Pausing to settle your own nervous system first enables more compassionate responses to tantrums. Simple Embodied Tools: Phrases like "Of course, honey" and placing a hand on the heart quickly soothe difficult emotions. Quotes "Part of being happy is being able to handle the hard stuff." "If we could give children those tools earlier, the benefit is just enormous." "Self-compassion is dependent on common humanity: all humans struggle sometimes." "We are being kind to ourselves with self-compassion simply because we're suffering." Chapter Timestamps 00:00 – Why Children Need Self-Compassion First 02:00 – Early Signs: Spotting Frustration in Young Kids 10:11 – The Three Pillars: Mindfulness, Humanity & Kindness 19:55 – Self-Compassion vs. Self-Esteem Explained 31:27 – Practical Daily Tools for Parents and Caregivers 43:33 – Looking Ahead to Part Two TAKE THE SELF-TALK QUIZ https://bit.ly/RKMSelfTalk HOW TO CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-oleary-76299b22/ https://www.instagram.com/wendy_oleary_mindfulmatters/ FIND WENDY’S BOOK HERE https://link.amazon/B0dsTPiMz 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/
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    49 mins
  • #5.3 | The Power of the In-Breath: A Guided Meditation with Kathryn Lovewell

    #5.3 | The Power of the In-Breath: A Guided Meditation with Kathryn Lovewell
    Aug 13 2026
    THE MEDITATION In this soothing practice episode, Liz introduces a gentle guided meditation led by Kathryn, inspired by Mindful Self-Compassion co-founder Dr. Christopher Germer. Centered around the fundamental act of the in-breath, the very first action we take upon entering this world, this practice invites listeners to reframe receiving nourishment as an essential act of self-care rather than a selfish luxury. KEY TAKEAWAYS Your First Act Was Receiving: The very first breath you took at birth was an in-breath, celebrated by everyone around you as a profound reminder that receiving is inherent to life. Nourishing Yourself Isn't Selfish: Society often conditions us to believe that giving to others is more important than receiving, but taking in energy and self-care is a vital necessity. The Breath Does Not Judge: Your breath flows naturally without asking whether you've earned it or deserve it; you are free to accept it unconditionally. BEST MOMENTS "The very first breath any of us ever took was an in-breath... and it was celebrated." "Somewhere along the way, many of us learned that breathing in for ourselves, taking in, receiving, nourishing ourselves was somehow less important than what we give out." "Your breath does not ask whether you have earned it. It simply flows." TAKE THE SELF-TALK QUIZ https://bit.ly/RKMSelfTalk LINK TO THE INTERVIEW Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1SAEVD66AD4j2gg6Ni9bUr?si=e2d010b265074db0 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/5-1-dr-christopher-germer-overcoming-shame-and/id6783327960?i=1000781301570 LINK TO THE CONVERSATION Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Bb7f8Ks4aBzg1Gbt8xObo?si=975791ee05db4672 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/5-2-inhaling-for-yourself-the-power-of-self/id6783327960?i=1000782830184 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/
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    17 mins
  • #5.2 | Inhaling for Yourself: The Power of Self-Compassion - Debrief on Dr Christopher Germer

    #5.2 | Inhaling for Yourself: The Power of Self-Compassion - Debrief on Dr Christopher Germer
    Aug 11 2026
    THE CONVERSATION Ever wonder if the way you speak to yourself is becoming the inner voice your children adopt? In this warm and reflective conversation, Kathryn Lovewell and Liz Walker unpack key insights from their discussion with Dr. Chris Germer, co-developer of Mindful Self-Compassion. Exploring the contrast between tender and fierce self-compassion, they share personal stories about reframing self-criticism and setting healthier boundaries. Discover how children internalise shame as young as two and a half, why taking a single in-breath for yourself can transform your day, and how modelling self-kindness creates a supportive environment for the whole family. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Power of the In-Breath: Taking a breath for yourself is just as vital as giving outward to others. Fierce vs. Tender Compassion: Self-compassion includes soothing comfort as well as strong, protective boundaries. Early Shame Internalisation: Children can absorb negative self-talk and experience shame as young as age two and a half. Modelling Self-Talk: Children learn how to respond to mistakes by observing how adults handle their own stumbles. Practicing Self-Friendliness: Developing an encouraging inner voice is an ongoing skill that can be built at any age. BEST MOMENTS "The moment that we're born, everyone in the room celebrates the fact that we take the first breath in for ourselves." "The way we talk to ourselves will impact our physiology, impact our internal chemistry, impact the way we feel." "When we feel guilt, we attack our behaviour... But when we feel shame, we attack ourselves." "Children can experience, get the full experience of shame by the age of two and a half." "Self-compassion isn't something we have to earn. It's something we can practice one small moment at a time." EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Raising Kind Minds 01:30 The Golden Gem: Inhaling for Yourself 07:43 Fierce vs. Tender Self-Compassion 12:14 Understanding Shame and Young Children 18:34 Modelling "Booster" over "Crusher" 21:35 Guilt vs. Shame: A Vital Distinction 25:34 Learning to Love Yourself Up 31:08 Final Reflections & Guided Practice TAKE THE SELF-TALK QUIZ https://bit.ly/RKMSelfTalk LINK TO THE INTERVIEW Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1SAEVD66AD4j2gg6Ni9bUr Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/5-1-dr-christopher-germer-overcoming-shame-and/id6783327960?i=1000781301570 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/
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    33 mins
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