Hosts: Greg, Rich, Jay, DerekPodcast: Support and Kindness Podcast

Episode Summary

In this episode, the team explores self‑talk—the inner voice that shapes how we handle stress, setbacks, and everyday life.

Greg opens with a clear explanation of what self‑talk is, why it matters, and how it affects the brain. The conversation then moves into personal reflections from Rich, Jay, and Derek, who share how self‑talk shows up in their own lives, what makes it harder, and what helps them soften their inner critic.

The episode balances science, lived experience, and practical tools. Listeners are reminded that negative self‑talk is common, not a personal failure, and that small, compassionate shifts can make a meaningful difference over time.

Key Themes & Takeaways

• Self‑talk runs mostly on autopilot but strongly influences emotions, decisions, and resilience

• Negative self‑talk increases stress and threat responses; supportive self‑talk improves focus and problem‑solving

• Common unhelpful patterns include catastrophizing, personalizing, filtering, and all‑or‑nothing thinking

• Supportive self‑talk is honest and kind, not forced positivity

• Awareness is the first step—change starts by noticing the inner voice

Host Reflections & Noteworthy Insights

Greg

• Quote: “Your relationship with yourself is the longest relationship that you will ever have.”

• Greg shares how his inner critic often echoes old messages of failure and self‑doubt. He describes “putting thoughts on trial” by asking where they come from and whether they are grounded in facts.

• Key point: Speaking to yourself the way you would support someone else creates stability and room for growth.

Rich

• Quote: “I need to treat myself a lot nicer. I need to give myself more compassion and grace.”

• Rich reflects on personalizing blame and filtering out successes, habits shaped partly by his career as a coach.

• Insight: Coaching taught him that feedback can be honest without being harsh—and that the same approach applies to self‑talk.

Jay

• Quote: “The person we fight the most with…is ourselves.”

• Jay emphasizes gratitude as a tool to quiet negative self‑talk, reminding himself of health, safety, and basic needs that are easy to overlook.

• Key takeaway: Staying busy, giving back, and volunteering can interrupt the inner critic and improve self‑esteem.

Derek

• Quote: “The best you can is good enough.”

• Derek describes how music and meaningful lyrics help him reset his mindset during stress or self‑doubt.

• Observation: Small moments—compliments, presence, simple comforts—add up and help ground supportive self‑talk.

Practical Tools Shared

• Catch and challenge harsh thoughts: “Is this true?” “Would I say this to someone I care about?”

• Reframe with realism and kindness, not denial

• Use your own name or “you” to create distance and compassion

• Ask gentle questions instead of judging

• Write thoughts down to notice patterns and progress

Peer‑Led Support Groups

• Monday at 1:00 PM: Brain Injury Support

• Tuesday at 12:00 PM: Chronic Pain Support

• Wednesday at 7:30 PM: Mental Health SupportFree, peer‑led, and open to anyone seeking a supportive space.

Details and Sign Up Here:

https://luma.com/calendar/cal-oyT0VPlVTKCPxBw

Additional Resources

• TED Talk — Ethan Kross (2024)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb0nLpdWttA

• Free CBT Worksheets — Therapist AidPractical, free, and easy to usehttps://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheets/cbt

• Immediate support (U.S.): Call or text 988 (24/7)

Closing Thought:The way you talk to yourself matters. Awareness comes first. Kindness follows. Be patient with the practice—and with yourself.

Hosts & Co‑Hosts: Greg Shaw, Rich, Jay, Derek, Sam

This episode centers on a freeing idea: if something truly matters, it’s worth starting even when you can’t do it well yet.

Greg and the team explore how perfectionism often masks fear, how imperfect action creates learning, and why courage matters more than competence at the beginning.

Through personal stories, coaching lessons, recovery experiences, and reflections on kindness and community, the conversation reminds listeners that growth is messy.

Showing up imperfectly is often the most human—and most effective—way forward.

Imperfect action beats perfect inaction.

Progress comes from starting, stumbling, learning, and returning—not from waiting until fear or doubt disappear.

🔑 Key Topics Covered

• How perfectionism shows up as procrastination

• Fear of failure and staying stuck

• Why beginner mistakes are essential

• Progress goals vs. outcome goals

• Kindness, grace, and community in hard seasons

• Growth through repetition, recovery, and support

🗒️ Episode Highlights & Takeaways

• Starting badly is not failure—it’s the start of skill and confidence

• Learning looks messy before it looks competent

• Support matters most when motivation fades

• Grace applies to ourselves as much as others

• Growth is rarely linear, and that’s normal

🗣️ Host & Co‑Host Reflections

Greg Shaw – Host

Greg grounds the episode with the idea that waiting to feel ready is often fear in disguise. He shares how the podcast itself began imperfectly and only improved through consistency.

Quotes:“Imperfect action is infinitely more valuable than perfect inaction.”“What worthy thing will you dare to do badly?”

Insight:Many meaningful things—kindness, creativity, justice, relationships—can’t be done perfectly, only sincerely and repeatedly.

Rich – Co‑Host

Drawing from years of coaching soccer, Rich focuses on repetition, resilience, and learning through failure.

Quotes:“You won’t be perfect the first time. Nobody is.”“Getting back up matters more than falling.”

Insight:Belief—given and received—often makes the difference. Growth needs permission to try again without shame.

Jay – Co‑Host

Jay highlights planning and positivity while sharing his recovery journey.

Quotes:“The base of completing a task is creating a plan.”

Insight:Nearly five months of sobriety began imperfectly, showing that progress requires effort, not flawlessness.

Derek – Co‑Host

Derek speaks about overthinking and lowering expectations to move forward calmly.

Quotes:“Less is more.”

Insight:Progress is experimentation—adjust, learn, and keep going.

Sam – Co‑Host

Sam shares honestly about setbacks, support, and grace.

Quotes:“I go flying off the track a lot.”

Insight:Community and patience keep people moving, even when progress feels chaotic.

📣 Final Message

Some of the most important things in life can’t be done perfectly. Waiting for perfection only guarantees they never begin.

Start. Stumble. Learn. Repeat.

📧 info@kindnessrx.org