KINDNESS WARRIORS

Regan Warner is an executive creative director, designer, yoga influencer and mum that takes care and listens to those in her charge rather than just being in charge.

She's a teller of meaningful stories. A creator of art. A student of life. And a true Midwestern Londoner Kindness Warrior.

In this episode we talk about the power of leading FOR others. Working WITH others. And making great work that lasts.

Whether you're in advertising or not, Regan's experience & drive & passion for life are awe inspiring. You're going to love this episode.

Emily Scott Robinson is one of my favorite people on the planet. Hands down. She's a storyteller's storyteller. A deep heart. A witchy woman. And, a giver.

With a quarter million miles under her belt and counting, she travels the dusty highways of America's wild country, capturing the stories of the people she meets and expertly crafting them into songs.

Robinson received critical acclaim for her debut album Traveling Mercies-- Rolling Stone named it one of the “40 Best Country and Americana Albums of 2019.”

In 2021, Robinson signed with Oh Boy records, the label founded by the legendary John Prine, and released her follow-up album American Siren.

It made numerous “Best of 2021” lists including NPR, Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, and No Depression.

In 2022, Robinson released a collaboration for theater called Built on Bones, a song cycle written for the Witches of Shakespeare's Macbeth, featuring artists Alisa Amador and Violet Bell.

Check out more on ESR here: https://www.emilyscottrobinson.com/

This week's episode is a dive into finding creativity after seasons of change, Disney Cruises at 42yrs old, & pondering on what the walls of my small studio apartment would say to me if they could talk.

In this week's episode I tackle talking through the grittiest part of "healing" that I've ever walked through in my entire life.

I like to call this season the "Honeymoon of Healing" because, after the darkest days there truly come sunnier ones. And these are reminders of love yet to be.

Like all honeymoons, they come to an end & move us into routines, daily growth, moving forward, falling back, ugly crying, happy dances, broken hearts, broken promises & grief.

Here's to the honeymoon of healing, it's a sweet season to be in.

This episode of KINDNESS WARRIORS: Creative Commons hoons around like a F1 car on a slick Vegas Strip. Aussie Reality TV Star Lachie Mansell sits down to talk about his life journey from car racing enthusiast to reality TV star to radio host.

I love stories like Lachie's & think you will, too.

Kindness Warriors, buckle up...

Take one part beating heart, one part creative mind, one part poet's soul, & add another part of deep compassion & you're getting close to the things that make up Madeline Finn.

In this episode of KINDNESS WARRIORS: Creative Commons we dig into Madeline's healing journey, their music, & the Buddhist practice that grounds them daily.

They are a breath of fresh air in, a melody on the out breath. And full to the gills with stories, hope, & inspiring energy.

As always, buckle up. You're going to love this episode.

Wadooah Wali is a thinking woman's crumpet. No, really. Hear me out here.

Not only is she a wildly creative & talented next-gen storyteller, she's also strategic minded digital-innovator of the purest sort with a background in both client & agency side roles.

Beyond her awards & recognition, she's one heckuva good human to boot.

She currently helps steer the ship at New Canvas & I can't wait for you to dig into this conversation!

Valentine's Day is coming up &, if you're like me, you may think that a made-up-day of consumerism is a weak link in a lifetime of loving daily.

I love love. All kinds of love. Giving love is like breathing... except I sometimes skimp on loving myself as well as I love others.

As such, this week's episode is on Love Languages.

Love languages are as ubiquitous as they are individual to us all.

From words of affirmation to acts of snacks, we all love in different ways.

This week's episode is a little toe-in-the-swirling-waters-of-self-love as I dive under the surface on how I grant myself grace - & how you can, too.

Autumn Nicholas is one of those artists who cuts deep. They make you think. They make you feel. They make you get up and dance. They make you stay in a moment - with them at the helm.

Autumn's musical career is a winding road of discovery, art, heart, & adventure. In this episode of Creative Commons Convos, I have the abject pleasure of nerding out with Autumn & diving deep into everything from artistry, over-sharing, how our childhoods shape us, & connecting with audiences.

Hop on in. Listen up. And, make sure you follow Autumn & stream their music!

Brodie Kane is a Wonder Woman, a thinking person's crumpet, a shot of human tequila, & sunshine in feminine form.

A storyteller's storyteller, there's literally nothing Brodie cannot do. From media hard-hitter to podcast producer to TV host & beyond, this gal is one fiiiiiiire!

What a pleasure it is to spend time with Brodie & to share our conversation ranging from Birkenstocks to travel to health to profession.

How wonderful life is while Brodie Kane is in the world.

Tami Neilson is one part firecracker, one part soothsayer, & many parts deep creative soul. She is also one of the most authentic, kind, & driven humans I've ever met.

This week we talk about music, equity, staying power when the powers that be might not want you to stay, & (of course) dill pickles.

Please enjoy this deep dive into the beautiful oceanic waters that are the mind & soul of Tami.

Her stories, art, & heart art the best!

Jimmy Smith is the dopest storyteller I know. No. Really. He is.

Founder of Amusement Park Entertainment (APE), he is an advertising legend who has been in the game since 1985.

Jimmy got his start working on the Nike ‘Just Do It’ campaign and his career has included stints at Wieden & Kennedy, where he created ‘Book of Dimes’, an ad starring LeBron James and Bernie Mac for Nike; BBDO, where he served as Executive Creative Director for Motorola; and TBWA/Chiat/Day L.A., where he was Group Creative Director for Gatorade.

In this episode of Kindness Warriors we talk about passions, sports, barriers to entry in adland, breaking down walls, playing the long-game with GREAT creative ideas, & origin stories.

How wonderful life is with hearts & minds like Jimmy's in this world.

I didn't mean to hyper-focus & deep-dive into Snoop Dogg's life wisdom & mega quotes this week, but I did. And, I am so glad for it.

Snoop is a brilliant artist, brand builder, cultural icon, & change-maker.

His ability to cross generational, socio-economic, & artistic lines makes him one of my favorite zeitgeist personalities ever.

So, here we go: some Snoop wisdom.

Because we all need a bit of it!

Alice Soper is one of my favourite humans. Her heart, mind, passion for life, & her ability to create community around women's sport inspires me daily.

I don't know many things for certain, but I am certain that anyone who knows Alice knows what it feels like to feel seen.

In this episode we talk about gender expression, sexuality, creativity in equity for sport, & about how growing older doesn't have to mean growing up.

Buckle up, this is a helluva conversation!!!

In this year's first episode of the Kindness Warriors Creative Commons series of conversations, I sit down with Dani & Mel - two American imports bringing NZ sports (women's sports, to be exact) to the fore in 2024.

Not only are these two some of the most amazing humans you'll ever meet, but they're building something BIG for New Zealand (& the world) with the launch of WomenzSports.

In this conversation we get nerdy, sporty, & dive into what inspired these two creative souls to bring more equity of coverage & more passion for women's sport across Aotearoa.

You're going to absolutely love their mahi & the mana behind what drives them. We also become the unofficial fan club for Alice Soper. Ha! Enjoy!

In this Kindness Warriors episode I tackle ye age olde question of "How can I get better at creativity?"

My clients from creative professions & those in more strategic/ numerical/ logical roles ask this.

We are all inherently creative.

Creativity is what connects us.

Here's my take on practicing to get better at creativity - just like you'd practice to get better at anything else you're keen to become an expert in.

Enjoy & thanks for listening.

YEEEOOOOOOWWWWW!

Death & change are the only two constants in life. Not being morbid, but it's true!

This week's podcast is a DEEP BREATH OUT of a conversation. Especially since it feels like this year has been a tough one for almost everyone I know. And, I'm included in that stat, too!

After having a superb chat to my wild therapist last night, I wanted to share some tools, tricks, tips, & stories to help YOU feel more grounded & steady on your proverbial feet.

Here's how to become someone you can rely on while you're busy being relied upon by others, & how you can start to tap into what your heart truly desires.

Kindness Warriors, LFG!

This week's episode of The Kindness Warriors Podcast leans waaaaaaaay deep into gratitude. I LOVE Thanksgiving for the ethos of the holiday (being thankful), for the sports (yay, the sports!), & for the reminder that without the grit - no pearl. Also featured in this episode: lesbian bars, dad jokes, & some homework for YOU! Kindness Warriors, lesssssh go.

Out of control. Control what controls you. At the controls. No control. Ground control to Major Tom...

This week we're talking about control: what you can, can't, & might be able to control in your life.

I dive into the simplest way yet I've found to control what controls me... my mindset, staying grounded, & gratitude all play a part in it.

Go well Kindness Warriors!

We're all going through *it*, or so it seems.

Hard times, hard stops, soft starts, & open hearts yearning for something just out of reach.

Recently I've been thinking a lot about the old cliche of "you have to go through it to get through it" & this week's episode of Kindness Warriors tackles the HOW IN THE WORLD DO I GET THROUGH question.

Well, kinda. Ha!

The good news? No tissues are needed for this episode (unless you cry at horribly bad Dad Jokes, there are a few in here!)

Be well, Kindness Warriors.

Keep going.

This weekend I had the abject pleasure of delivering a eulogy on behalf of the thousands of students that my soul-mate & father-figure, Pete, taught over his 30 year tenure as a small town high school photography teacher.

Pete's stories, open heart, creative soul, & curious mind helped so many people live more connected, happy lives.

He was different.

He knew Picasso.

He saw color in shades of black and white.

He read palms with a joyous sense of servitude.

And, he could outrun me on the local trails up until his 80th year.

In this episode I talk about the power of being DIFFERENT in a world hellbent on sameness & accolades & binaries. Different in business, in life, in community, & in relationships.

May we all find belonging in diversity.

This episode of Kindness Warriors might be one of the most special I've ever done because of the guest who joins me to open it. Pete Nelson was, is, always will be my hero. He passed away in early May 2023, but I've just started to unpack the recordings he & I made when we were together at the end of his life. He was my father & confidant & best friend by choice. I miss him daily, but know he's here. With me. With everyone. Still making the world a better place through his teachings. This one's for Pete. They all are, really.

In today's episode I talk bells n whistles (and how they sometimes suck - or, rather, don't), being weird, how titles are for wimps, going with the flow, and being BIG. Thank you, as always, for joining me, KINDNESS WARRIORS! You rock!

In today's episode of the Kindness Warriors Podcast, I tackle loss, lessons, & learning to see each moment as a gift.

Thank you for joining me, as always, I appreciate our time together.

Kindness Warriors, lesssssssh go!

Hey there, hi there, ho there!

I've missed y'all! Today we catch up on the past few weeks of travel and inspiration and creation and WERK. And, we talk about the importance of deep friendship, logging off of social media, shadowbans, and showing up for each other.

As always, thank you for showing up here.
I appreciate your time & engaged feedback.

Cass

February is #PrideMonth in the Southern Hemisphere and if anyone loves a rainbow-laden-world, it's me!
In this episode I touch on WHY I love PRIDE, but, more importantly how YOU can be a great ally.

We are family and love wins.
Happy Pride, fam.

Thank you for your love and allowing others to be their most authentic selves.

From the moment we’re brought squealing and naked into this world we’re told stories. Lessons and parables and fairy tales and ethics and religion are handed down to us from generations before and we’re spoon-fed the hopes and dreams of others an are told that they are our hopes and dreams

If we’re lucky we march to the beat of our own drum early. We wade through what we’re told and find nuggets of truth in made-up rules and then chase our own ideas of what happiness and fulfillment and success look like.

If we’re good little rule-followers it takes years or decades to realize what’s meant for others isn’t made for us. Which brings me to hugging your haters and other bullshit advice from the cultural aether.

Here are some of my favorite least-fave sayings that I reckon we could retire altogether. The more we interrogate the truth the more we realize there’s not much truth to anything. We just hear stuff and repeat it then our kids do the same and their kids after them… etc etc etc.

In no particular order, let’s rethink and re-imagine these sayings, starting with "Hug Your Haters..."

In this episode we talk a bit about FOMO, JOMO, & supporting a big 'ol HOMO agenda online. We also dive deep into empty tanks, leading with love, and how Jacinda Ardern is the embodiment of kindness in action as the now outgoing Prime Minister of New Zealand. Heartcounts over headcounts. And badass women who deserve a rest before starting the next chapter - it's all here in this ep.

TW: the sads 

Not every year-in-review article or podcast is equal. And, this one is pretty gritty. Yes, of course I cry. Yes, of course I make mistakes. And yes, of course I am stoked that you're here and engaged and listening. Here's to all of us, the ones who made it another trip around the sun. The ones who keep our chins up and our spirits light. THANK YOU for everything this year. I'll see you back in 2023.

Cass

It's been a HAWT MINUTE (AKA a very long time) since the last Kindness Warriors podcast & I'm so happy to have a short, sweet, & succinct look back at the year that's been as I move into a month of "tools down" here in the USA with friends & family alike.

For me, the past 365 sleeps have been wild.

If you’d asked me this time next year how I would envision my year panning out, I would never have guessed that the things that’ve happened would’ve happened.

I’ve learned how to pivot (a bit like a spinning top sometimes.
I’ve learned how to crumble.
To grow you have to crumble a bit.

The get stronger a muscle has to break.
I’ve learned how to break & rebuild time & time again.
In one of my favorite power songs, Wynonna Judd croons:

“When you hit rock bottom
You've got two ways to go
Straight up
And sideways
I have seen my share of hard times
And I'm letting you know
Straight up
Is my way”

Like Wynonna, I hope 2022 sees you going straight up.
Like a rocket to the stars of your dreams.
Go get it!

You deserve every happiness.
We all do.

Lara Chrystal is a human ray of sunshine & a can of alcohol-free brewski waiting to be chug-a-lugged.
Every time I speak to her I walk away from our conversation feeling smarter & more inspired than I was going into it.

It's been a year since we last recorded a podcast together & the timing for this conversation couldn't be better.
Lara has just released a book called "Make Your $hit Look Good" that has blown me away with its contributors (I am grateful to be amongst them) & its mana. Aimed at small brands, creators, artists, & people who give a damn - this conversation, much like the book, is powerhouse fun.

Enjoy! 

Brooke Berry is not only a walking ray of sunshine, she is one of the smartest, kindest, most badass humans on the planet. By day she is a "social media Swiss Army Knife" & works with VidCon global leading the brand's social media & community strategies & content iterations. To know Brooke is to know a true Kindness Warrior.

Enjoy this episode! I know I enjoyed recording it with her.

Every time I type in Libby Greatnews's name into my computer autocorrect changes it to "Libby Greatness" & I think the computer is onto something indeed! Libby has always been someone on my radar across the inter webs & across professional & personal friendship groups. To have her on the #KindnessWarriors podcast is an absolute treat! 

Enjoy this candid chat about everything from blue hair, pin-up looks, social media mastery, & drag kings. What a joy to know Libby! 

I met Sally Chan on my 21st birthday on a Contiki Tour Bus departing Russel Square in London for 17 days spent whirling around the mainland of Europe. At the time, Sal was a recent graduate of USC & I was finishing up my time at UCSB. 

From the moment we locked eyes (actually, from the moment Sal saved me from a rampaging bumblebee in Lucerne, Switzerland) we were soul-friends, sisters-in-arms, & the greatest of collaborators when it came to fun times & making memories together. 

Fast-forward almost 20 years & two last names (well, two for me, one for her) & we're all grown up. Kinda. 

This conversation gets at the heart of connection, of love, of understanding, & of understanding the power of visibility & access in society. I am so proud to call Sally my Chosen Family. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it with Sal.

In this conversation I have the extreme pleasure of talking to my friend, a fantastically talented multidisciplinary artist of Māori and Niue descent, Cora-Allan Wickliffe.

Cora is currently working to revive the art-form of Hiapo. She is the Curator and Exhibitions Manager at the Corban Estate Arts Centre, is a founding member of BC COLLECTIVE and is a maker of Hiapo (Niuean Barkcloth).

She has exhibited her work throughout Aotearoa and internationally including Australia, Niue, England and Canada.

Her work is a part of major collections including The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Auckland War Memorial Museum and the Wallace Arts Trust.
​
Join us for good chats & deep learning about creativity, bringing passions to life, & enjoying the wild ride that is life.

In this episode of Kindness Warriors, I am like a kid in a candy store talking to my good friend & amazing human - double-gold medallist Olympian, Eric Murray. As always, Eric is open & honest about every question I throw at him. We cover family, high-performance sport, resilience, DIY, & giving back to the community. A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to Eric for this banter session. Onya, friend. 

This episode is A RIPPER! Featuring radio DJ, creative mega-force, & media guru Astely Nathan - we get into the nitty gritty reality of lockdown life, of mental health, & of detoxing our digital lives. I learned so much from Ast in this beautiful conversation & am beyond proud of the work he is doing with his Kōrero 100 project. The world needs more people like Ast in it. Here's to strong, kind, compassionate men. So proud to share this conversation with you!

Under the influence.
Over the influence.
WHAT THE F*CK IS INFLUENCE ANYMORE?

This conversation with the amazing Sam Levi was one heckuva fun deep dive into brands (personal & business), marketing (personal & business), & the world of social media that is seemingly consuming every single one of us.

Sam talks openly & honestly about his life in the spotlight, starting anew in Melbourne, what his daily life is like behind the scenes, & how he finds silver linings in each day. Legend! Loved this chat so much. 

In this episode of #BenevolentBanter I am joined by Anna Dean & Angela Meyer of Double Denim, a kick-ass creative agency with women at the heart of what they do. In this episode we talk about everything from creative partnerships to home ownership to unpacking the "social" part of social media in a post-Covid19 world.

What a pleasure it was to speak with these mana wāhine.
And, how wonderful life is while they're in the world... 

For more about Double Denim, go here: https://www.doubledenim.nz 

Pia Steiner is a magical human being. One part ray of human sunshine & one part badass bringer of diversity & inclusion (as well as many other parts that make up a whole awesome human being), Pia is a force to be reckoned with. 

In this podcast we talk about all of the things people really aren't "supposed to talk about" in public. Things like equality, politics, corporate responsibility towards their people, & being pug mommies.

As the Inclusion and Diversity Manager at Kiwibank, Pia has dedicated her life & her profession to ensuring others are given not just a place at the proverbial table, but a voice to be heard there as well.

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do!