Episode 40: The Cost of Kindness

Content note:

One segment includes a personal story of childhood family violence. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone:

In the US call or text 988, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

We almost always hear “the cost of kindness” as a warning. This episode flips it: the real cost isn’t being kind — it’s holding kindness back.

Greg and the panel make the case with research and a lot of honest, everyday stories.

In this episode:

• Why kindness lowers stress — and lifts productivity by about 12%

• What unkindness really costs a workplace (the numbers are rough)

• How to be kind without getting walked on — boundaries and advocacy

• Kindness vs. people-pleasing — the honest difference

• Why you have to save some kindness for yourself, too

Chapters:

00:00 Why “kindness costs” is backwards

02:16 The research: cortisol, blood pressure, productivity

04:24 Is kindness a weakness at work?

05:15 Everyday kindness, the small stuff

06:10 What kindness does in the brain

07:43 Turning kindness inward

08:32 The cost of kindness at work

11:54 Getting taken advantage of + people-pleasing

24:26 Staying kind when you’re running on empty

39:40 Recap, challenge & support groups

This episode featured Greg with co-hosts Rich, Derek, Liam, and Sarah.

💜 Free weekly peer support groups: Brain Injury

(Mon 1PM ET), Chronic Pain

(Tue 12PM ET), Mental Health

(Wed 7:30PM ET). Sign up / RSVP:

https://luma.com/calendar/cal-oyT0VPlVTKCPxBw

Keep the groups free: https://buymeacoffee.com/kindnessrx

Web: https://kindnessrx.org

Newsletter: https://kindnessrx.beehiiv.com/