Embark on a transformative journey with us as Sha Sparks, a remarkable coach and author, shares her empowering tale of triumph over an abusive relationship and the strength found in reclaiming her voice. Her heartrending experiences and the subsequent blossoming of confidence set the stage for our deep conversation on the life-altering potential of kindness. Together, we bear witness to Shay's evolution and discuss the pivotal role of self-kindness in personal growth, a cornerstone of our podcast's philosophy that every little act of compassion ignites a beacon of hope amid life's storms.
Our episode also uncovers the unexpected solace found in journaling and writing, as Sha divulges her own path from resistance to revelation through the written word. From a reluctant writer to a published author, Sha recounts the cathartic process that not only provided healing during her own dark times but also became a vessel for others' empowerment. As we share our journey of amplifying kindness through our podcasting endeavors, you'll discover the joy and fulfillment that emerge from creating a sanctuary for positive narratives and fostering a sense of community and love during the most challenging moments. Tune in for an episode that promises to lift spirits and inspire a commitment to spreading kindness every day. Sha's Podcast. Sha's Kindness podcast. Sha's Book. Sha's Instagram. Sha's Facebook.
Do you dread Mondays? Does the thought of another Monday steal the joy of your weekend? Let me tell you about a product I have found and tried that can do away with the Sunday Scaries. Oddly enough, it’s from a company called Sunday Scaries. I have personally tried their products, gummies and tinctures and I can personally attest to their efficacy. If you go to their website and order any product, use the code Kindness20 to receive a 20% discount on your order.
Do you like good coffee? Are you like me and go to bed in anticipation of a great cup of coffee in the morning (and afternoon, maybe). Then let me introduce you to my newest sponsor, Coffee Bros. They have built their business on the cornerstones of sustainability, quality, consistency, and freshness. From coffee to brewing techniques to coffee and espresso machines, they should be your go-to for all things coffee. And if you order from them, use the code Kind10 to get a 10% discount on your order.
Did you find this episode uplifting, inspiring or motivating? Would you like to support more content like this? Check out our Support The Show Page here.
Embark on a transformative journey with us as Sha Sparks, a remarkable coach and author, shares her empowering tale of triumph over an abusive relationship and the strength found in reclaiming her voice. Her heartrending experiences and the subsequent blossoming of confidence set the stage for our deep conversation on the life-altering potential of kindness. Together, we bear witness to Shay's evolution and discuss the pivotal role of self-kindness in personal growth, a cornerstone of our podcast's philosophy that every little act of compassion ignites a beacon of hope amid life's storms.
Our episode also uncovers the unexpected solace found in journaling and writing, as Sha divulges her own path from resistance to revelation through the written word. From a reluctant writer to a published author, Sha recounts the cathartic process that not only provided healing during her own dark times but also became a vessel for others' empowerment. As we share our journey of amplifying kindness through our podcasting endeavors, you'll discover the joy and fulfillment that emerge from creating a sanctuary for positive narratives and fostering a sense of community and love during the most challenging moments. Tune in for an episode that promises to lift spirits and inspire a commitment to spreading kindness every day. Sha's Podcast. Sha's Kindness podcast. Sha's Book. Sha's Instagram. Sha's Facebook.
Do you dread Mondays? Does the thought of another Monday steal the joy of your weekend? Let me tell you about a product I have found and tried that can do away with the Sunday Scaries. Oddly enough, it’s from a company called Sunday Scaries. I have personally tried their products, gummies and tinctures and I can personally attest to their efficacy. If you go to their website and order any product, use the code Kindness20 to receive a 20% discount on your order.
Do you like good coffee? Are you like me and go to bed in anticipation of a great cup of coffee in the morning (and afternoon, maybe). Then let me introduce you to my newest sponsor, Coffee Bros. They have built their business on the cornerstones of sustainability, quality, consistency, and freshness. From coffee to brewing techniques to coffee and espresso machines, they should be your go-to for all things coffee. And if you order from them, use the code Kind10 to get a 10% discount on your order.
Did you find this episode uplifting, inspiring or motivating? Would you like to support more content like this? Check out our Support The Show Page here.
Speaker 1:
This podcast is part of the Deluxe Edition Network. To find other great shows on the network, head over to DeluxeEditionNetworkcom. That's DeluxeEditionNetworkcom.
Speaker 2:
Kindness. We see it all around us. We see it when someone pays for someone else's coffee or holds the door open for another person. We see it in the smallest of gestures, like a smile or a kind word. But it's different when we turn on the news or social media. Oftentimes what we hear about what outlets are pushing is the opposite of kind.
Speaker 2:
Welcome to the Kindness Matters Podcast. Our goal is to give you a place to relax, to revel in stories of people who have received or given kindness, a place to inspire and motivate each and every one of us to practice kindness every day. Hello and welcome to the Kindness Matters Podcast, everybody. I am your host, mike Rathbun. A couple of things before we get into our show. It's going to be a fantastic show, by the way. Spoiler alert. A couple of things before we get into our show. It's going to be a fantastic show, by the way. Spoiler alert.
Speaker 2:
As you heard in the intro, I am affiliated with the Deluxe Edition Network and they have two amazing podcasts on their Podcast of the Month this month. First up, barrel-aged Chicks. Are you a fan of the Barrel-Aged Flicks podcast? Are you into movies, pop culture, comedy? Are you curious about what the chicks think. If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you have to check out Barrel-Aged Chicks podcast. Come meet Sammy Snow, crystal, harley and Yen, as they give you the chick perspective on movies and so much more. Also this month, check out the Barstool Film School, a conversational comedy breakdown of some of your favorite flicks, old and new.
Speaker 2:
Each episode hosts Dylan Quarles and Cameron Roberts. Take on your favorite flicks to determine if they pass the bar and join the ranks of truly excellent bar movies. Lastly, make sure to check out the show notes, where you'll find links and discount codes for two companies I've partnered with Sunday Scaries, a company that makes broad-spectrum CBD gummies, and Coffee Bros that make well an amazing blend of coffees. I use both of these products and they are nothing short of amazing. And now let's get into the show. Hey, everybody, welcome to the show. My guest today is an energetic catalyst and fearless communicator who sparks leaders to find use and share their voice through coaching, podcasts and publications so they can go from fear to fired up about their life and business. She is the author of how to Get your Life Back, a certified fearless living coach and trainer, a master practitioner of NLP and the co-founder of the first Firestarters book project. Welcome to the show Shay Sparks.
Speaker 1:
Yay, hi. Hi Thanks for having me, Mike. I'm excited to be here.
Speaker 2:
And you know I'm glad you're excited. I'll say that that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of who you are. Thank you, you are involved in so much. I get worn out just thinking about all the things that you're into. Thank you, holy cow.
Speaker 1:
Well, that's why I'm the chief. I'm excited about life. I said that's why I'm the chief, right, I'm excited about life. I said, that's why I'm the chief excitement officer. I'm excited about my life.
Speaker 2:
I guess so, and I'm excited just because you're here, because it's fantastic. So what do we talk about first? First and foremost, you have your own coaching business, right? Yes, and that can be found at shaysparkscom.
Speaker 1:
Yes, thank you.
Speaker 2:
Everything we talk about here. If there's a website to it, it'll be linked in the show notes, so I'm not going to get too excited about mentioning com or wherever it might pop up. But what drives Shea Sparks?
Speaker 1:
Good question. How do I want to answer that? I would have to say it depends on the day for the most part. However, in this moment of time, what drives me is the deep down burning desire that I pay it forward, so to speak, in repaying God for taking me out of a traumatic relationship.
Speaker 2:
Oh, okay, all right, yeah, go ahead.
Speaker 1:
I was going to say so. If you want me to elaborate, I can um go ahead. I was gonna say so if you want me to elaborate I can?
Speaker 2:
yeah, you brought it up, so let's, yeah, let's what. What's going on there?
Speaker 1:
yeah, so I was in an abusive relationship for 12 years and it was a physical, emotional, mental, financial and I abuse and I found myself praying for him for most of the relationship and one day it clicked to pray for me and um, and you know, it wasn't like uh, uh, it's not like the movies all of a sudden everything's now in technicolor. But what ended up happening is things started to shift and I started to really lean into listening to God's voice for my direction, for my life. We'll put it that way. And he was actually in a car accident. That's how I was able to get away in a car accident. That's how I was able to get away. And then I started counseling immediately, literally within the first week, and then was able to.
Speaker 1:
He was still alive, he was in a coma with brain damage, and I was able to use my voice with even a whisper. You know how they say if you can't say it loud, just start with a whisper. That, even a whisper. You know how they say if you can't say it loud, just start with a whisper. That was my whisper, right, by being honest and authentic and saying the word abuse, and before that I had never used that and I was able to share that with his family and basically break up with his family and walk away.
Speaker 2:
Oh, wow, yeah, yeah. So do you credit the counseling with getting you to that point where you were able to do that?
Speaker 1:
Absolutely the counseling, with getting you to that point where you were able to do that Absolutely. My Christian counselor was really monumental in bringing to my awareness that I was abused in the first place. I'd kind of thought that, but I never saw myself as a quote-unquote victim and so I refused to say, say, to take ownership of that word, and to label myself as as quote, unquote, one of those women, right and right, and I fought back. You know, I wasn't um, it's not like the movies ever right at all, right, um, and there were days where it was just screaming and yelling and uh, spitting, because there was so much screaming, yelling. As I'm standing there receiving the hours long of all of the horrific things that he would call me and say to me, and all the things put me down and those hurt worse than the physical.
Speaker 1:
You know, those tear your soul apart more than the physical. And so here I am now with the counselor and when I was whispering in that first session what was happening, he said you were abused and I said abused. And he said yes, you were abused, it's okay to admit that out loud.
Speaker 1:
And I went huh Like that thought had never even come to me and over the course of time I started to heal.
Speaker 1:
Along this healing journey, I was with him every week, actually several times. First, several weeks was twice a week because I felt so lost and so confused and I had grief and relief because, even though he was abusive, he was also my best friend in the good times. So there was just a whole bag of emotions going on and I really needed, wanted support and clarity and a soft place to be, and that amazing counselor really created that for me and he gave me permission of things that I didn't realize I needed, like letting go, breaking up with this family saying what I experienced was abuse, you know things like that. And over the course of this several month period, I am professionally, I'm a hairstylist, so everyone tells me everything about their life, right, and I at this point started to realize that I didn't really say much about my own life because I was hiding right, I was wearing my mask and not letting anyone in um to know what was really going on.
Speaker 1:
So, as I started to heal and became more brave and courageous and being vulnerable and sharing what was happening with me, I was also sharing what I was learning about me. And so then they were like so it was like a conversation of normal, of so what's new, what's going on, what's happening in your life? And they would tell me. And then they would go okay, well, tell me about you. I've been on the edge of my seat for the last four to six weeks waiting for you to tell me about you and I'm like, oh, you're never going to believe what.
Speaker 2:
I said Buckle up buttercup yeah.
Speaker 1:
Let me tell you about myself. I am afraid to actually be honest and say what I mean, and mean what I say and not be sarcastic. And they were like what, what does that mean? And I said well, sarcasm is really anger in a clown suit. And I grew up in a house with all this anger and masking it, in trying to mask it in humor, and I realized that I didn't need to do that. I had been doing that and I don't need to do that. I can just say what's going on with me and how it lands with the person is up to them. It's not up to me to take ownership for them. And they were like wait, what? And they're like how did you come to this? And I'm like what do I do about it? And I'm like and they're like how did you come to this? Like, what do I do about it? And I'm like well, I learned that it takes just a tiny bit of courage to whisper and to be say it softly, even if you have to say it softly, you know you just have to say it and you have to be okay with being uncomfortable in being vulnerable yeah, being vulnerable.
Speaker 1:
And four to six weeks go by and they come back and they're like, oh my gosh, because of what you said, it shifted my relationship with my team, my boss, my spouse, my kids, my parents. And have you considered? Then they started to speak life into me. Have you considered writing a book, starting a podcast? And over time I got so much of this amazing encouragement that I never had before. I didn't have anyone speak life into me before, so it was really nice to be able to go.
Speaker 1:
I mean, I would like to do those things, but again, at the time I took some sage advice from someone who said what if you just borrowed their confidence in you and did it anyway? You went down that route and I thought you're right, cause what's the worst that can happen? I learned new skills down that route. And I thought you're right, because what's the worst that can happen? I learned new skills. I can always continue to do hair. It was just, you know, let me see what happens. And so here I am now, doing all the things and retired from doing hair.
Speaker 2:
Just briefly I want to ask a question. I have known women who have been in abusive relationships, and almost to a person. Either they knew they were in an abusive relationship but were afraid to call it out for what it was, or, like yourself, they just didn't even realize it was abuse. Is that typical in your experience?
Speaker 1:
Yes. So I read this book called Women who Love Too Much, which honestly, for your audience it could be called People who Love Too Hard, because it applies to men too. It's a fantastic book for everyone, and what that book taught me was that the reason we're in the relationships we are, whether they're abusive or not, is because it's familiar, oh, interesting. So from that I really got the phrase. One of my phrases that I use is that our childhood experiences shape our adult decisions. Have no idea that there might be beautiful parks and lakes and and things, forest, on the other side and in six mile or mile, 10 or 20, right, you only know that sure radius. So think about it from that point of view, if you only know the house that you grew up in exactly you don't know anything else.
Speaker 1:
I got the chills on that. You don't know different. You don't know that it's possible to have what is a different, what the different kind of love looks like like healthy, because you didn't know that your love that you lived in in your house was unhealthy.
Speaker 2:
Yep, yep, yeah, wow, that's really deep. Yeah, wow, that's really deep. So here you are and you're, you're sharing your experiences and what you've learned with your, your clients, and then somebody says you should write a book and he went, no, I can't. And then somebody talked you into writing it. Is that? Was that the book that we talked about?
Speaker 1:
Yeah, how to Get a Voice? Where is it? Yeah, thank you yeah.
Speaker 2:
Was that your first book?
Speaker 1:
Yes, okay, yes.
Speaker 2:
How did you find the writing experience? Did you enjoy it? The process?
Speaker 1:
Absolutely so. I have been journaling in middle school and high school. We had to do that for english class right journal, and I hated it, hated the exercise. And one day I'm in this abusive relationship and I was started um after many, many, many years of going, experiencing all these symptoms and going to different doctors I couldn't tell you. Umpteen doctors and never got any answers, I started going to acupuncture and I was going to acupuncture.
Speaker 1:
I kept getting this whisper, if you will, in my nudge that said you should journal, pick up a notebook and start writing. It doesn't matter what it is, just start writing. And so I started journaling and in that first journal I was literally I call it a brain dump. It was. I don't know what I'm doing. This is so stupid. I can't believe I'm doing this again. I hated this in school. Blah, blah, blah and just let it all out. Whatever my thoughts were is just letting it all out. What I didn't realize was that that's part of not only my healing process, but the healing journey for so many people. That's part of not only my healing process, but the healing journey for so many people.
Speaker 2:
And my first book is actually a prompt, a journal prompt book.
Speaker 1:
Oh, okay, and yeah. So it started as I would be at work in the salon, someone asked me a question and it would stir a story. And I'm like, oh my gosh, I got to go write this story. I would go home and write this chapter and as I'm writing these different chapters that people would ask me questions, I'm like, oh yeah, I forgot about that experience. Oh yeah, I forgot about that experience. All of a sudden I had again a whisper, a nudge, somebody for me it's an alignment with God, it said okay this isn't your first book.
Speaker 1:
And I said, okay, got it and I put it down and I walked away. What I didn't know what was happening next was it was time for me to take care of my mother.
Speaker 2:
We are going to be right back with more of my conversation with Shay Sparks, but first here's a message from another Deluxe Edition Network podcast. Are you looking for a place for all things horror and don't know where to go? Well, you've came to the right place, my friend.
Speaker 1:
We are the Graveyard Club podcast For all your horror needs visit us on YouTube and Spotify, and you can follow us over on instagram at the graveyard club.
Speaker 1:
pod see you there and she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and so I let go of writing a book, the thought of writing a book. And then one day and I think it was even maybe a year after she had passed away I had hired a coach to help me with my coaching business and he said well, what you need to do is you need to write what's going to be on your website. And I was like well, isn't that why I hired you? Because that's where.
Speaker 1:
I'm stuck is figuring out what to write on my website. And so one day after I work I think I was done early at noon or something one day, and again I got this whisper from above that said, grab your laptop and go to a coffee shop and write today. I went, okay, and I go, and the weather was gorgeous, and so I opted to sit outside and the internet did not reach outside. So I said, well, I'm not going to be able to pull up this Google doc that I've been working on, so I'm just going to pull up a Word document and go okay, here's my book, or not even here's my book. Okay, pull up a Word document. And I started writing, started the same kind of brain dump, journaling type of writing, and I said what do you want? I kind of looked up and said, okay, god, what do you want me to write today? And six hours later I sat back and I went holy cow, I think I just wrote a book.
Speaker 1:
I think I just wrote my first book, what really? And yeah, and prior to that, my accountant of all people like, so I think this was like August. So in January of that year, um, my accountant had asked me if I would be willing to do this event uh, this battered women's shelter where, um, she was putting on she was also a speaker as well and an entrepreneur and entrepreneur coach and show, so she was putting on this conference, but she wanted to do this event that tied into this event at the battered women's shelter, and she said we're doing a kind of a day of beauty. Would you be willing to do the white sister's hair at this battered women's shelter? And I said, absolutely. I said, did you?
Speaker 1:
Did I ever tell you that I was in an abusive relationship? And she's like what? No, oh, my God, you need to share your story. And I said okay. And so I shared my story. I literally wrote it down and what I wrote was about a paragraph of all the stuff that happened to me and the rest of it of why it's important to heal. And I spoke and she came up to me afterwards and she was like you have, uh, you just don't have a book in there, you have an entire series and you got a whole library in there.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, and so to just have people like that encouraging me when I, after that event, the next morning, I'm driving to work and I'm like I'm not even driving to work. Let me back up. I'm in the shower Cause, you know, sometimes you have the best ideas in the shower.
Speaker 2:
Best ideas come from the shower.
Speaker 1:
And I'm in the shower and all of a sudden, this phrase how to get your voice back came up and I was like I don't know what that is, I'm going to write that down. And I literally wrote it down on a sticky note and kept it in my drawer of my bathroom and had forgot again, forgot about it. And then once I sat back at this, this coffee shop, and was looking at this, all these words on this word, doc, and I was like I think I wrote a book and I was like, well, what would I call it? How to get your voice back? And I was like I think I wrote a book and I was like, well, what, what I call it? How to get your voice back? And I was like, how to get your voice back? Oh, got it. So it's journal prompts that God really helped me. That gave me, that really helped me wire my brain from all the negativity, from not just my ex but from my home, and how right able to help it help me.
Speaker 2:
It helped me propel me forward. That's amazing, that's so. So you basically went from hairstylist and doing the hair of the white women at this conference to being a speaker, almost accidentally.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, you're right, absolutely. I never looked at it that way, but you're right, yes.
Speaker 2:
And you never looked back yes, and you've gone forward. I mean, you're a successful coach, you're a successful author. Successful coach, you're a successful author and somehow you get involved with all of these kindness initiatives. So you have. How many podcasts do you have currently? So as of right now, I was trying to count them when I lost.
Speaker 1:
Yeah I only have two um, but at one time I had uh three um and was talking about starting a fourth. So right now two have gone kind of uh on hiatus for the time being and I have two at the moment okay so imagine kindness is one, kindness is one, yes, and then the Shea Spark Show is the other one, right, yes.
Speaker 2:
Okay, so I'm going to set aside the Kindness for a self-publishing coach, and he was amazing.
Speaker 1:
And he asked me if I well, we actually let me back up. It goes even further than that, but the quick version is another coach approached me about this co-author idea and I had so many ideas with it. I took it to weeks. We're collaborating with my self-publishing coach. He the other coach decided to back out and I said to the co-author or to the self-publishing coach, I'm like, well, that's your forte. So, you know, have at it. And he came out with the book called Visionistas and so he asked me to be a part of it.
Speaker 1:
And then this is in 2020 now, and within two months, of course. So I was there in Houston doing our book launch for Visiting Eastas and two months later, you know, shut down. And he's, him and I are on a call and he's like you're different. And I'm like I'm different. Well, my entire business is shut down because the hairstylists were all non-essential right, different. Well, my entire business is shut down because hairstylists were non-essential right and I'm like I kind of am not really sure what I'm doing and with my life right now. And he said well, have you considered facilitating your own co-author book?
Speaker 1:
And I was like oh well, if I do the first one, it'd be called Firestarters Book Project and the first one would be called how to Be a Spark of Hope in the Midst. Change done, there we go.
Speaker 1:
No, I hadn't thought of it at all no, but that's so funny, I literally hadn't thought of it just by him saying that it's like all this idea just came flowing through me and I got off that zoom call with him and I just it again just flowed out of me and I was just writing it down and it it's not just how to be a spark of hope in the midst of kindness, it's rekindling your kindness. What the world needs now is the next collection, the next book, along with 15 other titles, and it was like wow, like there's something here that I think that's really can be impactful on the world. And why not? Why not go with it and see what happens? And so, instead of focusing on, like, if you write a book, a lot of times they say focus on your target audience. And there's a book called Chicken Soup for the Souls, right? You might've heard of it.
Speaker 2:
Right, everybody's heard of that one.
Speaker 1:
And they have a round for their target market, their target audience chicken soup for the soul, for teachers, for military wives, for veterans. You know things like that. And I said, well, I know that's the norm and I want to do something a little different. I want to take people from all walks of life and talk about the same theme, and so how to Be a Spark of Hope has two chief master sergeants from the Air Force, life coaches, a Navy submarine veteran, and podcasters and marketing gurus and like the gamut of people what the world needs. Now we're actually looking for new co-authors who creative thought leaders, who want to be a part of this, who really have a, like I said before, a burning passion to really make an impact on the world, to be a better place. And it really is about sharing your personal story of kindness and how it inspired, or something that inspired you around that, and how to inspire someone in that, because I mean to think of what we've gone through as a globe right, the whole world.
Speaker 2:
Right, yeah, it wasn't limited to just the US.
Speaker 1:
In the last four years it's been a lot.
Speaker 2:
For sure.
Speaker 1:
And it's like let's dive into the compassion and the empathy and the love and the community and the kindness of what we all long for.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, yeah, for sure. I was talking with a friend the other day and the whole reason I wanted to start this podcast in the first place was if you look in the world and it's kind of the whole thing like you were talking about just. If you look in your general area and it's kind of the whole thing like you were talking about, just if you look in your general area. But if you look at the news and your social media feeds, you don't see that necessarily everyday kindness, right. But when you start to look for it, you see it everywhere, right? Yes, I was in a really dark place with my first podcast because I was doing current events, so I was talking about those things you know, right? Yes, I see it by the look on your face.
Speaker 2:
I was talking about mask mandates and Christian nationalism and policing in the era of George Floyd and all of those hot button topics, and I spent about a year doing that and I was always angry, I was always depressed, I was always sad. I said you can't do that anymore, right, yeah, but once I started focusing my attention on and I said to myself what this world needs is more kindness, and once I started focusing on that and looking specifically for kindness, and I found it everywhere. You're a good example of that, and it has made such an impact on my mental health yes, it has made such an impact on my mental health, yes. And so, yeah, you're right, it's the one thing that the world needs more than anything else today, I think, is just to be more aware of kindness in the world.
Speaker 1:
Yeah.
Speaker 2:
And talk to me about imagined kindness.
Speaker 1:
Well, I just want to hit on a point, what you just said. So you, you, we are a reflection of what we see right, and so if we're only consuming the current events, the negativity, then it consume us. So I'm so glad that you pointed out, that you really seeked out the positivity, the kindness, the love in the world, even when there are so many dark times that it seemed like there was no love in the world.
Speaker 1:
So kudos to you and kudos for your audience for really being a participant in that as well, because they seek out your amazing podcast on that topic Right. So that's fantastic. So Imagine Kindness. I met my co-host. I'm sorry, amplify Kindness. Let me back up. Amplify Sorry. Yeah, amplify Kindness is our kindness is.
Speaker 1:
I apologize no, it's all good. Amplify kindness is our podcast that my co-host and one of my very dear sister friends, um lindsey andriotti, and I started. We had met two years ago, or actually we met three years ago. A mutual friend introduced us over the phone and at the time I was living in Florida or in the time I was living in Kansas city, had the idea of moving to Florida but wasn't sure, and so she lived in Florida and Daytona beach and really, you know, got to know her and immediately we were kindred spirits from the start. And then I move here and we started hanging out and it was like, of course this is, we're going to create a show together around kindness. It makes sense. But before we did that we were on another show that there was two other co-hosts and we called. It was called Underwired and it was to uplift and support women everywhere and we loved that because we really talked about the positivity, right Like I know that there's a lot going on.
Speaker 1:
So let's give you the break in the world of the kindness, the love, the community and leaning into something positive to look forward to. And so we actually got picked up on an online network called United Network News and we were on that for I don't even know several seasons and then it just went on hiatus. Some things changed at the network and it's like, okay, we just have to take, we just have to pause on this right now. We'll revisit it in a at some point. We just don't know when. And this right now, we'll revisit it in a at some point. We just don't know when.
Speaker 1:
And and so Lindsay and I um see each other on a regular basis and and we were like you know, I really want to do a podcast. And I said I know me too, and and I love and she's like I love kindness. I'm like I love kindness. And she's like well, let's, let's talk about this. And and what? Yeah, it just kind of fell into place. But in the meantime, what also fell into place was this amazingness of things that she I cannot wait for her to tell you the whole entire story but she had the idea of creating some sort of like kindness jam sessions where musicians come together and play and we spread the message of kindness, kind of like live aid, but cool about kindness. And I said I love that.
Speaker 1:
And so then she got introduced to a person who makes amplifiers and playing off the words. She's like what if it's amplified kindness? I saidness, I said absolutely it's Amplify Kindness. And so what we actually one of the many things that we talk about on the podcast is how did music, like what song or what group really played a part in your kindness journey? Was there something that really impacted you? And it's just a different twist, something that really impacted you? And it's kind of, it's just a different twist, you know, bringing kindness and music together inside of the podcast, but really talking about what people, how people are putting kindness into the world.
Speaker 2:
That's amazing. That's fantastic we're. There's a group up by me called the Minnesota Kindness Alliance and they're doing well. The whole year is about kindness and every month there are certain goals and stuff. But on May 18th they're doing a Make a Difference Day. Yep, make a Difference Day, and that's going to be so much fun. I've never I've been invited to go. I'm not speaking, but Brian I can't remember his last name he's Be the Nice Kid. Are you familiar with Brian?
Speaker 1:
Anyway, I love that for you. That's exciting.
Speaker 2:
And you're not speaking.
Speaker 1:
but let me just say this You're not speaking yet.
Speaker 2:
Do you know something? I don't.
Speaker 1:
No but.
Speaker 2:
I just you know what, and they wanted me to do a podcast from the event. Yes, but I don't have any remote equipment. I was watching you and Lindsay in the coffee shop.
Speaker 1:
Yes.
Speaker 2:
On one of those.
Speaker 1:
And I'm like what is that they're using? Yeah, well, we had just our phone, but I will tell you, uh, when we get done recording, I can share all kinds of little tools with you about.
Speaker 2:
I looked. I found some, but the phone I have doesn't have a space for a SD card.
Speaker 1:
Okay, Now I have other tricks for you, oh, okay.
Speaker 2:
Anyway, it was so great. Thank you so much for coming on and talking about this because really, the more we can amplify kindness, I think the better the world is, and I'm going to have all of your links in the show notes, as I said earlier your podcast, your website, everything. I highly encourage anybody that wants a little kindness boost or just needs a little fearlessness to reach out and contact you, and thank you so much for coming on today, shay, I really appreciate it.
Speaker 1:
Well, thank you and Mike, I just want to say thank you for tapping into your divine calling and talking about kindness, because you could have continued down that path of current events and and the depression and then started drinking or something else, right, like so many people do, and instead you know what I need to take a step back and listen to what I'm being guided to, and you chose such a beautiful topic and your show shows it, so thank you for listening.
Speaker 2:
Thank you so much for saying that. I appreciate you and I appreciate what you're doing and we're going to stay in touch and let's make great things happen. Yeah, that was such an amazing conversation. I so appreciate Shay Sparks and what she brings to this world is just so uplifting and so amazing. I encourage you to check out the show notes. All of her links are there for her website and her podcasts website and her podcasts and yeah, it was, it was. That was fantastic. I feel better, I feel uplifted, I feel inspired, I feel motivated.
Speaker 2:
Just talking to her, I hope you take away something positive from this show too. I really, really appreciate Shea Sparks. That will do it for this episode of the Kindness Matters podcast. We will be back, of course, next week with a brand new episode, but in the meantime, be that person who roots for others, who tells a stranger they look amazing and encourages others to believe in themselves and their dreams. You have been listening to the Kindness Matters podcast. Please follow us on Instagram, youtube, everywhere you can find us. We're on Facebook. I am your host, mike Rathbun. Have a fantastic week.