Explore every episode of the podcast Kinder Conversations hosted by A Kind Life

If you are looking to transform your relationships, leadership or team culture, this episode is a must-listen!

In this month’s episode of Kinder Conversations, Tim Keogh is joined by the brilliant Jenny Martin, a coach, facilitator and trainer who brings 25 years of leadership experience, a postgraduate degree in the Psychology of Kindness and Wellbeing, and a suitcase full of LEGO® to the table.

Jenny shares a thought-provoking conversation about how kindness can be a powerful driver of innovation and psychological safety, both of which are essential for building high-performing teams.

In this episode you’ll discover: ✅ Why listening in transformational for the speaker and the listener ✅ The link between kindness, innovation and psychologically safe workplaces ✅ How neurodiversity and inclusion unlock better collaboration ✅ Why being “nice” can hold teams back and how to be kind and clear ✅ What her master’s taught her about kindness

Calling all HR professionals – do you want to learn how to practically improve the culture of your organisation?

HPMA’s HR Director of the year 2023, Terry Roberts, shares exactly how - laying out the practical tools, leadership approach and knowledge you need to make this change happen.

In this month’s episode of Kinder Conversations, Tim Keogh speaks to Terry, Chief People Officer for Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust about how to create kinder, more inclusive cultures.

Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ Discover the practical tools Terry has introduced to his organisation and how they are being used to turn wishful thinking into intentional action. ✅ Why Terry prioritises equipping his staff and managers with the tools to be kind. ✅ How, through active listening, you can translate what you’ve heard into action. ✅ Why EDI benefits everyone in an organisation and how we need to hold ourselves accountable for the implementation of EDI initiatives.

How can you be an advocate for kindness in your organisation?

Well, we believe Regional Executive Officer Andy Phillips sets a great example…

In this month’s episode of the Kinder Conversations podcast, Tim Keogh had the opportunity to speak to Andy about the importance of being intentionally kind and why leaders must be mindful of their impact on the workplace and the psychological safety of their staff.

👏 As Regional Executive Officer for the South-West region of the Health Service Executive – the Irish NHS – Andy helps provide health, wellbeing and social care to 750,000 people across Cork and Kerry.

Tune in to hear:

✅ All about Andy’s coined term “Kind-fulness”

✅ How Andy puts himself in the shoes of those he is privileged to provide healthcare for

✅ The difference between kindness and niceness

✅ How Andy uses our BUILD feedback model (and what this stands for)

✅ Tim and Andy’s views on “blame culture”

Simon Cusden is someone who, from the moment you listen to him, makes you believe that a kinder world is possible – and that we all have the power to create it.

In this month’s Kinder Conversation episode Tim Keogh had the chance to speak to Simon Cusden, former professional cricketer, wellbeing and mental health coach and the Co-founder of Whole People Group.

From battling addiction and depression to guiding high achievers and leaders, Simon’s journey has given him profound insights into kindness, leadership and how embracing discomfort can lead to meaningful growth and sustainable success.

How do you build workplaces where people feel heard, valued and inspired?

For Phillip Marshall, Executive Director of Workforce and OD at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, it’s all about kindness.  A passionate advocate for staff engagement, Phillip leads by example, showing how small actions can make a big impact.

In our latest episode of the Kinder Conversations podcast, Phillip joins Tim Keogh to share his journey of culture transformation, outlining what we can all learn from simple yet powerful conversations and how kindness can shape better outcomes for both staff and patients.

What if a single question could change how you connect with others?

In our latest episode of the Kinder Conversations podcast, Paul Johnson reveals how curiosity can transform our interactions by helping us navigate difficult conversations, challenge preconceived notions and embrace perspectives different from our own.

Tim Keogh had the pleasure of sitting down with Paul, our wonderful Senior Facilitator at A Kind Life. Paul has over 30 years of experience in the NHS as Associate Director of Education and Organisational Development Lead. He is a member of the CIPD, a registered mental health nurse and a qualified group analytic psychotherapist.

How can you become a compassionate leader? 

Well, we think taking a leaf out of HPMA’s Chief Executive Officer Julie Rogers’s book is a great place to start.

In our latest episode of the Kinder Conversations podcast, Tim Keogh had the opportunity to speak to Julie about the unkind behaviours we see in the public sector, HMPA’s fantastic Avoiding Harm Movement and how being honest is sometimes the kindest we can be. 

Tune in to discover: 

🔵 The importance of connecting with those you work with, especially as a member of leadership 

🟣 A discussion around the harm employee investigations can cause 

🔵 How to respond, not react, to situations 

🟣 Why we need to give honest feedback to staff 

🔵 The hidden harms of agile and hybrid working 

🟣 The importance of holding a mirror up to yourself and your own behaviours  

🔵 How Julie continues to show up for her staff and lead with kindness 

In our latest episode of the Kinder Conversations podcast Tim Keogh had the opportunity to speak to Dan Winter-Bates, Head of Inclusion and Sustainability with NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, about vulnerability and mental health. This may just be our most open, raw conversation on the podcast so far..

Tune in to hear:

🔵 A great analogy about mindfulness and holding on to behaviour that does not serve us well

🟣 Where vulnerability and kindness coincide

🔵 The importance of stepping outside your echo chamber

🟣 Dan’s lived experience with suppressing emotions and masking

🔵 The importance of the journey and not seeking an end destination

🟣 How vulnerability can be an opportunity for healthcare leaders

🔵 What Dan has done to make his world kinder and how he balances working full-time in the NHS and touring worldwide in a metal band

Tanya Carter, HPMA’s HR Director of 2022, has done fantastic work over the course of her career. Exemplifying people-first leadership and championing change, compassion and inclusivity in our NHS.

As the Chief People Officer of the East London NHS Foundation Trust, Tanya helps provide healthcare to 1.8 million people across East London, Luton and Bedfordshire.

Tim Keogh had the opportunity to speak to Tanya about how we can inject compassion into our policies, what led to their Trust’s high NHS Staff Survey involvement scores and the first step all leaders can take to foster a more inclusive workplace.

This episode is packed with insights from start to finish. There is so much we can all learn from Tanya’s experience and knowledge around diversity and inclusion, staff wellbeing and compassionate leadership.

Tim is joined by Laura Skaife-Knight, who has over 20 years of experience as a leader in the NHS culminating in her current position as Chief Executive of NHS Orkney, to discuss all things kindness.

What's the secret to boosting happiness and wellbeing? 🥰 (Spoiler alert – it's simpler than you might expect)  

This episode features Dr. Andy Cope - author, speaker and renowned happiness specialist. 

Andy joins Tim Keogh for a lively and insightful conversation, exploring practical ways we can improve our happiness and wellbeing, as well as the happiness of those around us. 

Tune in to discover: 

💚 The power of presence: Discover how simply being present with others strengthens relationships and fuels happiness. 

💙 The ripple effect of kindness: Learn how your positive energy can uplift those around you, creating a chain reaction of wellbeing. 

💚 Self-care as kindness: Understand why taking care of yourself is a crucial first step towards greater kindness and happiness. 

💙 How to raise kind children: If you’re a parent, gain insights on how to role model kindness and raise compassionate individuals. 

💚 The "to-be" list: Shift your focus from endless tasks to cultivating the kind of person you want to become.

Join two experts in kindness, A Kind Life’s Amie Crews and Tim Keogh, as they share their personal tips for practicing a kinder life.

Together, Tim and Amie explore:

🤝 the impact of genuine connection

🌼 the importance of pausing and noticing the good in people and situations

🙏 the ABC of appreciation

🗨️ and the impact of positive feedback on workplace performance.

Amie and Tim also discuss finding the balance between optimism and acknowledging difficult emotions, and learning how to navigate life's challenges by setting boundaries with compassion and empathy.

Discover the simple steps you can take to cultivate kindness in your life and create a more positive and supportive environment for the people around you.

We're thrilled to launch the first episode of Kinder Conversations, the brand-new podcast hosted by Tim Keogh, Co-founder of A Kind Life. This inspiring episode features Daniel Elkeles, CEO of the London Ambulance Service (LAS).

In the 2022 NHS staff survey, LAS was rated the second lowest in the ambulance league table. After working with A Kind Life on their culture and EDI programmes, they saw a dramatic shift in staff satisfaction. Their recent NHS Staff Survey results show the most significant improvement LAS has ever seen, with positive changes across every element of the NHS People Promise. They’ve now risen to the second highest in the ambulance league table, and in 2023, they were nominated for “Trust of the Year” in the Health Service Journal awards.

Here, Daniel talks to Tim about his leadership journey, and the importance of making time for kindness in the NHS, especially in stressful times. He also describes the three key themes - caring, teamwork, and respect – that have helped transform LAS into a better, kinder place to work.