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The Support & Kindness Podcast

The Support & Kindness Podcast

By: Greg Shaw
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 🌟 The Support & Kindness Podcast – With Greg and Rich Life with mental health challenges, brain injury, TBI, chronic pain, or simply the weight of everyday struggles can feel overwhelming. That’s why we created The Support & Kindness Podcast — a space where compassion, community, and real conversations come together. Each week, Greg and Rich share stories, insights, and practical tools that remind you you’re not alone. From personal experiences to uplifting interviews, we explore how kindness and support can transform lives — one story, one act, one conversation at a time. Expect heartfelt talks, simple steps you can take to spread kindness in your world, and encouragement to keep going, even on the hardest days. Whether you’re seeking hope, healing, or just a gentle reminder that what you do matters, this is your place. 👉 New episodes weekly. Subscribe and join us in building a kinder, more supportive world.
Episodes
  • Episode 6: Medical Gaslighting

    Episode 6: Medical Gaslighting
    Oct 12 2025
    The Support and Kindness Podcast with Greg and Rich Episode 6: Medical Gaslighting Hosts: Greg, Rich, Jay In this episode, Greg, Rich, and guest host Jay explore medical gaslighting - when healthcare providers dismiss, minimize, or invalidate legitimate medical concerns. They discuss how time pressures, insurance constraints, and systemic biases contribute to the problem, and share practical strategies to advocate for yourself in medical settings. Jay recounts a personal experience with cyclical vomiting syndrome and hospital care, Rich reflects on navigating traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the importance of self-advocacy, and Greg highlights his current struggle with chronic fatigue and the need for timely follow-ups. The conversation also examines the potential role of AI in diagnostics, the emotional toll of feeling unheard, and disparities affecting minority groups - particularly Black women in maternal care. Key Quotes and Noteworthy Observations: Greg: “Some of the common things that a provider might say… ‘It’s probably just stress,’ ‘You’re a bit young to have that problem,’ ‘You might just need to lose weight.’”“I’m chronically fatigued… I can’t live like this. It’s not working for me.”Observation: Greg underscores how dismissive language erodes trust and delays proper care, and he highlights a powerful statistic about maternal health disparities affecting Black women. He also emphasizes post-appointment actions like seeking second opinions, filing complaints when necessary, and connecting with patient advocacy groups. Rich: “You get so little time with the doctor… They don’t listen, they interrupt you, they diminish your symptoms before you’ve had an opportunity to really explain.”“I had to continually advocate for myself… Bringing somebody else along helps. Bringing a journal helped.”Observation: Rich connects medical gaslighting to insurance-driven time and testing constraints, noting providers often feel stuck between patients and insurers. He offers practical, concise communication strategies to make every minute count. Jay: “I have something called cyclical vomiting syndrome… It took a long time for them to diagnose it. They immediately went with assumptions because I was young.”“One of the best things I ever did… was to ask for a pain specialist… He understood I had a high tolerance and that he would take care of it.”Observation: Jay’s story shows how persistence and specific requests (like involving a pain specialist) can change the trajectory of care. He also points out the insurance cliff at age 26 and the value of bringing a trusted advocate—even a parent—to appointments. Main Points: What is medical gaslighting: A form of psychological manipulation where providers dismiss or minimize patients’ symptoms, leading to self-doubt, anxiety, and delayed care. Systemic factors: Insurance constraints limit visit length and tests, pressuring physicians and rushing appointments.Profit motives can conflict with patient outcomes.Bias disproportionately affects minority groups; Black women face significantly higher risks in maternal care. Lived experiences: Jay faced misdiagnoses and delayed imaging that revealed hernias; advocating for a pain specialist made a difference.Rich navigated TBI care with initial dismissal, improving outcomes through persistence, journaling, and bringing a supporter.Greg is dealing with chronic fatigue and administrative hurdles delaying care. AI in medicine: Potential benefits: faster pattern recognition, improved consistency in imaging and diagnostic support.Risks: overreliance, possible misdiagnoses, lack of emotional context; must complement—not replace—human clinical judgment. Emotional impact: Being dismissed can feel like questioning your sanity; self-care and support networks matter. Advocacy strategies: Prepare: Write down symptoms, timelines, and questions before appointments.Communicate clearly: Use specific, concise language; ask direct questions like “What else could be causing this?”Bring support: A trusted person can observe, remember, and speak up.Document: Keep a symptom journal and track tests, results, and dates.Request appropriate specialists when needed (e.g., pain management, neurology).Seek second opinions if you feel dismissed.Use patient portals thoughtfully; follow up if results are delayed.Consider patient advocacy groups; file complaints when care is inadequate.Balance continuity and change: Stick with good providers; don’t stay too long with dismissive ones. Top Takeaways: You are your best advocate: Preparation, documentation, and persistence can counter rushed visits and dismissal. Don’t go it alone: Bring someone who can observe and help communicate. Ask for the right expertise: Request specialists when pain or complex symptoms aren’t being addressed. Bias is real: Minority groups, women—especially Black women in maternal care—face ...
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    17 mins
  • Episode 5: What Do You Do When You Have Nobody to Talk To

    Episode 5: What Do You Do When You Have Nobody to Talk To
    Oct 5 2025
    The Support & Kindness Podcast with Greg and Rich Episode 5: What Do You Do When You Have Nobody to Talk To Summary: As the season shifts and people spend more time indoors, feelings of isolation can grow. Greg and Rich share practical ways to find connection when you don’t have anyone to talk to—from using AI tools and online communities, to city exploration, curated social media, gratitude practices, journaling with care, meetups, and crisis resources like 988 and warm lines. They emphasize safety, accessibility, and real-life strategies that help in the moment and build supportive routines over time. Key Topics Covered: Seasonal isolation and why connection gets harder in fall and winterUsing AI companions and custom chats for conversation and idea bouncingOnline communities: Discord, Reddit, GoBrunch groups, and city subredditsExploring your city like a tourist to rediscover local gemsSocial media curation for a positive feed experienceSafety and support: 988, international help directories, and warm linesHobbies and meetups (virtual and in-person) to find your peopleJournaling tips, gratitude jars, and “future self” emails for encouragement Notable Quotes: Greg: “You don’t have to be alone.”Rich: “It took a while to get rid of the toxic things on social media… but I’ve got a pretty positive feed now.”Greg: “If you respond to negative stuff, negative stuff will come at you.”Rich: “View your city from the eyes of somebody who’s never been there… and make you appreciate it.”Greg: “If you’re not suicidal and you call and say… ‘I really need to talk to somebody,’ you’ll be fine.” Highlights from Greg: AI companions and custom bots can remember context and be tailored for supportive conversation.988 is available even if you’re not in crisis; clearly state you’re not at risk if that’s the case.Warm lines and international directories can connect you to local, free resources.Gratitude practices: build a jar of notes you can revisit on tough days.Journaling can be helpful but use caution if you’re struggling—keep it focused on gratitude or prompts that support safety. Highlights from Rich: Online communities like Discord and Reddit can match specific interests.NotebookLM helped his wife simulate a “study group” discussion around her novel—solo, but social.City subreddits and tourist perspectives can refresh your appreciation for where you live.Curating social media feeds reduces negativity and increases uplifting content.Fun, niche content (e.g., music/video mashups) can offer light connection and entertainment. Main Takeaways: Connection can be built through tools, routines, and communities—even solo.Be intentional with technology: AI chats, curated feeds, and structured tools can help.Safety first: Crisis lines, warm lines, and clear communication about risk matter.Rediscover local life: Explore your city through tourist guides and community forums.Add supportive practices: gratitude jars, future-self emails, and meetups. Actionable Tips: Try an AI chat that remembers context; set boundaries and goals for conversations.Join interest-based communities: Reddit: hobby, city, and support subredditsDiscord: topic serversGoBrunch: Greg and Rich’s community groups (Brain Injury Mondays, Chronic Pain Tuesdays, Mental Health Wednesdays) Curate social media: Unfollow or mute accounts that raise anxietyInteract only with content that supports your mood and values Use support lines: 988 (USA): Call or text if you need someone to talk to; state if you’re not at riskWarm lines: non-crisis emotional support; search your state or regionInternational directories: find local free resources by country Build a gratitude jar: Add small notes daily; read them on hard days.Email your future self: Schedule encouraging messages to arrive later.Explore locally: Use city subreddits and travel sites to plan mini-adventures.Find meetups: Meetup.com for virtual or in-person hobby groups. Resources Mentioned: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (USA): Call or text 988Find a Helpline - Global Support at Your Fingertips 24/7 https://findahelpline.com/Warm lines: Search “[your state] warm line” for non-crisis supportInternational help directories: Use country-based mental health resource listsGoBrunch community groups by Greg and Rich: Monday: Brain Injury SupportTuesday: Chronic Pain SupportWednesday: Mental Health Support Meetup.com for interest groupsNotebookLM for document-based conversations and idea bouncingCity subreddits, TripAdvisor, and similar travel sites for local exploration Call to Action: Share your topic ideas or questions at kindnessrx.org using the contact form.Subscribe, rate, and comment to help others find the show.If you need someone to talk to right now, call or text 988 in the U.S. If you’re not in crisis, say so clearly and ask for someone to talk to.
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    17 mins
  • Episode 4: Pain Flare Days - How to Cope When Nothing Helps

    Episode 4: Pain Flare Days - How to Cope When Nothing Helps
    Sep 28 2025
    Episode 4: Pain Flare Days - How to Cope When Nothing Helps

    September 27

    In this episode, Greg and Rich tackle the difficult topic of "Pain Flare Days"—those challenging times when it feels like nothing works to alleviate chronic pain. They discuss personal strategies, the importance of mindset, and how to find relief when you feel like you're at the end of your rope.

    Key Themes & Strategies Discussed:

    • The Power of Language: Rich points out that the episode's title, "How to cope when nothing helps," can feel defeating from the start. The hosts agree that reframing our thoughts and words can make a significant difference in how we approach a difficult pain day.
    • Giving Yourself Grace: A central theme is the importance of being kind and patient with yourself. Rich shares insights from a conversation with his wife, emphasizing the need to "give yourself grace to hurt" and not get angry or self-critical for canceling plans due to pain. Greg adds that it's about being non-judgmental and not viewing yourself as a failure.
    • Distraction Therapy: Both hosts find value in distraction to take their minds off the pain.
      • Hobbies: Greg mentions enjoying adult coloring books and beading. Rich has found a great distraction in playing fantasy football with friends and family, which keeps him engaged and focused on something other than his pain.
      • Games: The hosts discuss video games, like Grand Theft Auto, and online jigsaw puzzles as potential coping tools.
      • Other Distractions: They also suggest audiobooks and taking naps as helpful strategies.
    • The Importance of Connection & Asking for Help:
      • Venting and Sharing: Expressing the pain, whether through venting or sharing with a loved one, is a key coping mechanism.
      • Don't Suffer in Silence: Greg and Rich stress that you don't have to go through it alone. Asking for help from a spouse, friend, doctor, or support group is crucial. They highlight that it's okay to ask for help and to be specific about your needs.

    Noteworthy Points & Quotes:

    • "When nothing seems to help, you know, what do you do? You vent." - Rich
    • "It's about giving yourself grace to take the time you need due to the pain that you're feeling, practicing patience with yourself." - Rich
    • "If you've never experienced pain, you don't get that experience of when you're not in pain... I think when we suffer from chronic pain, sometimes allowing ourselves to feel it, then when we're not in pain, we we really can appreciate the the gold in that." - Greg
    • "There's a lot of science [that] demonstrates that kindness and being kind to to other people helps us so much, if not more so than the other person." - Greg
    • "Ask for help and don't give up because it's really easy to to suffer in silence." - Rich

    Resources:

    • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: If you are struggling with emotional distress or in a crisis, you can call or text 988 anytime in the United States to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Greg notes, "Even if you're not suicidal, you can call and say, look, I'm not suicidal but I need someone to talk to, they'll have a conversation to you." https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://988lifeline.org/
    • U.S. Pain Foundation: A non-profit organization that provides resources, support, and advocacy for people living with chronic pain. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://uspainfoundation.org/
    • The Podcast Website: For more episodes and to suggest a topic for discussion, visit kindnessrx.org.
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    10 mins
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