Kind

He proposed before my mum died | Jess Mills

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

When Jess's mum, Tessa Jowell, was diagnosed with terminal cancer, the whole family made sure that one big occasion would happen before Tessa died.

Author, musician and charity founder Jess Mills, has written about the year she became a mother - which was also the year her mum got brain cancer…

Two such huge life moments at once led to many acts of kindness. Not least a friend giving Jess a gift that helped her process the birth of her second child, and friends and family creating a wedding they would never forget.

Jess also speaks with heart and warmth about the female friendships that have shaped who she is today.

You can read and listen to Jess's book We Are Each Other now.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He helped me survive high school | Simukai Chigudu

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

When Simukai felt like he was drowning at a new school, a role model gave him a pep talk that changed everything.

Professor of African politics, Simukai Chigudu, grew up in Zimbabwe as the first generation after the end of colonial rule. This meant growing up against a backdrop of a lot of emotional and political baggage that his parents and his country were trying to process. Something he's still making sense of to this day…

In this episode, Simukai shares the stories of the boy he judged wrongly, who turned out to be a true friend; a university friend of his parent's who helped him understand his place in the world; and a role model from childhood who made an overwhelming school feel like a place he could belong.

Simukai's book Chasing Freedom is available now.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She showed me I wasn't alone | Jennifer Wallace

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

When Jennie was returning to work after time away with her kids, she had two friends who weren't afraid to hold her to account.

Jennifer Breheny Wallace has studied how and why we need to feel valued and to know that we matter, and in this conversation she shares the kind moments that have made her feel just that…

A woman called Robin swoops in after a devasting phone call, a forever friend shares a tough truth, and her readers send messages that let her know she's on the right track.

Jennie's book Mattering is available now.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We shared a meal in a warzone | Shehan Hettiaratchy

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

On a humanitarian mission to Gaza, Shehan's driver gave him a thank you that he would never forget.

Leading trauma surgeon, Shehan Hettiaratchy, thinks a lot about kindness in healthcare, not least when he was admitted to his own A&E with kidney stones! In this episode, he also shares what it was like to have someone step in just in time to save his daughter and how, whilst on a surgical mission to Ukraine, he received a gift that will stay with him.

If you like the episode, or are interested in Shehan and his work, do go and read or listen to his memoir The Careful Surgeon which is out now. It's a beautiful book.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A dinner lady took me to the seaside | Naz Shah

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

When Naz was at primary school her family couldn't afford to go on holiday. Somehow, a dinner lady knew just what she needed…

Naz Shah MP has had a rollercoaster life. She lived in poverty after her dad ran off with their sixteen-year-old neighbour; Naz then left school at the age of twelve to be sent to Pakistan where she was pushed into an arranged marriage; and her mum was sent to prison after killing an abusive man.

Naz has used her experiences to campaign for others in need, but it was a very small "thank you" from a woman Naz had never met before that has stayed with her. Also in this episode: how her local Bishop Toby provided comfort at her hospital bed and how Mrs Brassley gave her the holiday she could never have imagined.

Share this episode far and wide and let's find Mrs Brassley!

Naz Shah's memoir Honoured is out now to read and listen to.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My sister gave me her savings | Jess Robinson

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

When Jess Robinson started announcing loudly that she was Jewish, she was scared… But a group of sequin-clad men showed her that she deserves to be included exactly as she is.

Comedian, singer, actor and author, Jess Robinson, shares how small acts of consistent kindness can add up to something massive, and we hear how someone had so much faith in her – and so much kindness – that they gave everything to make her Edinburgh Fringe show happen. Plus a sneak peak into the kindness of Jess's grandma, and into Jess's new book.

Jess Robinson's book My Life is Rosi is available now.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She celebrated my first snog | Jamie Windust

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

When Jamie Windust raced to Liverpool Street for a snog under the station clock, little did they know that a woman in Boots would become a crucial part of the story…

Writer and content creator Jamie Windust is the breath of fresh air your day needs, and in this episode you'll hear how you can be that in a little way to them too. Plus, how one person reached out when Jamie really needed it and became the phone contact just below 'Mum'.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You were here for Kind series 1

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 05:00:00 GMT

When Holly (me) set out to make Kind earlier this year, she never expected the stories from guests and listeners to be quite so beautiful, so profound, and so fascinating. You listened, you're there with her, and she (I) couldn't be more grateful.

I'm so proud of what we've made here and you're such a big part of that.

Kind will be back in 2026! Make sure you follow or subscribe so you're the first to know when Kind returns. Thank you for listening and speak soon!

Send in your voice notes to holly@kindpodcast.com or at kindpodcast.com.

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It is audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Tibetan lama swapped books with me | Eva Oh

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

CONTENT NOTE: This episode contains adult themes.

When Eva Oh arrived on her first ever shift as a dominatrix, most people ignored her, but not everyone…

Internationally renowned dominatrix and podcast host, Eva Oh, took years to tell her Mum about her job. Her Mum's eventual reaction was surprising. Was it as surprising as meeting a Tibetan Lama on a plane who gives you some very specific feedback on your saucy memoir…? You'll have to listen and decide for yourself.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I was stranded in feather pyjamas | Sophie Williams

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

When Sophie Williams was standing on a platform in feather pyjamas as the sleeper train pulled away, this man was ready to help her make it to her next-day speaking event on time.

Author and TED speaker, Sophie Williams, shares how, in her late teens, one woman's hair styling advice changed how much fun she was able to have; how her "Style Council" made her latest book, The Glass Cliff, better; and how one man took his transport job so seriously that even her phone got its own train ride back to London.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A local legend taught me to improvise | Giles Paley-Phillips

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

When Giles Paley-Phillips was in his late teens, a couple and their kids showed him what family could look like.

It is incredible how much community two people can create – in this episode you'll hear just what is possible. You'll also hear the importance of youth clubs(!!!), of improvisation, and of taking the time to understand rather than jumping to conclusions.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A stuffed envelope landed on the mat | Ruby Rare

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

When a bad break up, a car crash and food poisoning were making Ruby's summer resemble a series of unfortunate events, friends old and new stepped up to help.

Ruby Rare is a brilliant sex and relationships educator, author and broadcaster – in fact one of her stories of kindness in this episode relates to the feeling she has about her books once they're out in the world… And another is about the beautiful kindness from her Dad.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A rabbi walked me home | Kenny Ethan Jones

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

The wonderful energy of Kenny Ethan Jones filled up the room during this chat – always good for the soul.

He told me about a doctor who saw him as a full person, a mystery man who walked him home, and someone who had choice words to share about his past behaviour.

If you don't know Kenny, he's an activist, an author and an entrepreneur, and he's got a definition of kindness that might resonate with you. See what you think!

CONTENT NOTE: The second half of this episode contains discussion of suicidal thought.

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson.

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We bought ballistic underwear | Olia Hercules

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

While Olia's brother was getting ready to fight in Ukraine, strangers from all over the world stepped in.

Ukrainian chef, activist and author, Olia Hercules, shares what the generosity of strangers has done for her family, and what those closer to home have done for her sense of community. These are magical stories of collective good, and this episode is all about seeing that in others, and finding connection through kindness.

Thanks so much for being here!

Olia's latest book is called Strong Roots. I would strongly recommend you give it a read!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He was the best of men | Nikita Gill

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

A man in a suit approaches you in the station, a family member encourages you to just give it a go, and a friend stays on the phone with you all night. These all have something in common.

Writer, poet, and creator of things, Nikita Gill, came for a chat ten days after her grandfather had died – what a privilege for someone to join you for a conversation in that time – and shared beautiful stories of kindness.

In one such story, a young Nikita sits on a jhula swing, in a garden full of flowers, drinking her grandmother's lemonade. And she starts to become a writer…

Thanks so much for being here!

Go to kindpodcast.com to find out more about the show.

Nikita Gill's latest novel, Hekate, releases 16th Sept 2025.

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell

It was colour graded by Joel Sommazzi.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My teacher kept me safe | Raymond Antrobus

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

When Raymond sent an entitled, immature and overly earnest MySpace message, he wasn't expecting the response to shape his whole career.

Poet and writer, Raymond Antrobus, can't tell you every story of what happened on the W3 bus, the 236 bus, the W7 bus, or the 144 bus… Better than that, he can tell you about the time he became a castle dweller, why a simple roast would change a day, and how watching a man divide up his chocolate for the room moved him so much.

Thanks so much for being here!

You can find Raymond's book, The Quiet Ear, in all good bookshops and online.

Go to kindpodcast.com for transcripts and to find out more about the show.

Kind is created and hosted by Holly Newson.

It was audio mixed by Nigel Powell.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing Kind

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome to Kind! Subscribe for new episodes.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.