Let's Give A Damn — Episode 273
Guests: Lauren Paul & Molly Thompson (Kind Campaign)
Host: Nick Laparra
Date: December 10, 2024
Episode Overview
In this emotionally resonant episode, Nick Laparra hosts Lauren Paul and Molly Thompson, co-founders of the internationally recognized nonprofit Kind Campaign. Together, they dive deep into the origins and evolution of their organization, which combats girl-against-girl bullying through school tours, documentary filmmaking, and educational programs. Drawing on personal stories, recent experiences on their 26th Founders Tour, and the wider context of youth mental health, the conversation is frank, vulnerable, and inspiring. The episode is especially relevant for parents, educators, and anyone passionate about fostering kindness in a challenging world.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. How Are We Really Doing? (05:10–10:41)
- Discussion of Global and Personal Overwhelm
- The episode opens with the heaviness of the current global climate (wars, election stress, visible hate groups), evoking a sense of overwhelm but also emphasizing the grounding value of micro-moments with family.
- Molly: "When I, like, break it down to the micro, like, what can I focus on? What can bring me joy?... My answer is I'm doing great, I'm doing okay. When I think about it on, you know, just everything, it's, it's a lot." (05:10)
- Lauren: Echoes the sentiment, highlighting the joys and anxieties of parenting young children in turbulent times and sharing her strategy to step back from social media for her well-being.
2. The Impact (and Fatigue) of Social Media (08:44–10:41)
- Lauren shares her recent decision to delete Instagram to avoid anxiety and "doom scrolling."
- Lauren: "It's important to be informed and know what's going on, but I'm just, like, not going to take my news and my information from that place for a while... it's been really, really nice." (06:09)
- Nick agrees and details the toxicity and hope found on these platforms, but underscores how negativity overshadows positivity.
3. Truth-Telling in a Post-2016 Cultural Climate (11:01–15:04)
- Discussion acknowledges increased societal honesty—even when “everyone’s being a little more truthful” means ugliness is more visible.
- Nick: “I feel like we've got a better chance of... writing a more accurate playbook about how to move forward, because sort of the worst... parts of certain people on the left and right and in the Middle and everywhere totally sort of been like, again, for better or for worse, a lot more things have been exposed....” (11:01)
- Molly analogizes this to the origins of Kind Campaign—needing to "bring things to light" before healing can begin.
4. Personal Histories: The Foundations of Kind Campaign (16:05–30:41)
Lauren’s Story
- Grew up in Orange County, CA, close to her supportive parents.
- Severe bullying by a group of girls in middle school led to depression and an eating disorder. Friend Lacey and mentor Michelle were critical supports.
- Lauren: "Middle school was kind of this really big altering chapter for me. It was the first time in my life where I feel like I experienced severe trauma...." (16:21)
- Balanced interests in creative expression (music, poetry, film) and social causes, leading naturally to Kind Campaign’s creation.
Molly’s Story
- Raised in Dallas, TX, with a strong family and three brothers. Early caretaker instincts.
- Nostalgic for her safe, “go out and play” neighborhood; maintained lifelong friendships.
- Experienced bullying in high school, culminating in an apology that allowed some healing and motivates her advocacy.
- Molly: “But at that time during my junior year, you know, that was at the—my whole world. That was what I knew. And so I didn't see that my future self would go on to have all these beautiful, wonderful, amazing experiences. And so it's really because of what I went through junior year—that's why I'm so passionate about Kind Campaign....” (24:21)
5. The Birth of Kind Campaign: Mountain Film Festival Spark (30:41–37:30)
- Lauren credits her transformative experience at Mountain Film Festival as the moment she decided to make a documentary about girl-against-girl bullying, later teaming up with Molly at Pepperdine University.
- Lauren: “...sitting there, you know, in Telluride, I was like, oh, this is the perfect way to tackle that... I'm going to make a documentary film. And basically from that moment on was like, that's it. That's what's happening.” (33:46)
- Tom Shadyac supported the concept, greenlighting their first project—a moment they recall with gratitude and awe.
6. Kind Campaign’s Reach and Methodology (Founders Tour & Programming) (37:30–67:17)
Recent Tour & School Assemblies
- Just completed their 26th Founders Tour: 20 schools, 3,000+ students, coinciding with World Kindness Day.
- Molly: “...watching a girl, you know, write out an apology note and walk across the room and hand it to another student and apologize... that’s why we do what we do....” (38:37)
Universal Prevalence of Bullying
- Bullying impacts young people across all geographies, backgrounds, and school types; no region is immune.
- Lauren: “This is something that impacts people no matter where you live, no matter what your story is... those experiences... are my entire world....” (48:41)
- She shares, movingly, that she attempted suicide in middle school and stresses the importance for adults to show kids that this is just “one chapter” in their lives.
- Lauren: “Someone who is in that place—I am so happy that I am alive, that I am standing here today.... every single person on this planet, every person you see, has experienced trauma.” (49:16)
- Emphasizes the value of parents sharing their own low points to normalize seeking help.
Core Programs & Apology Cards (58:07–67:17)
- Kind Campaign Founders Assemblies: Lauren and Molly lead assemblies using film, interactive activities, public “kind pledges,” apology notes, and kind cards.
- Kind Campaign Assembly Program: Free, facilitator-scripted, video-enhanced curriculum for schools globally.
- Finding Kind Documentary: Streamlined to focus on relevance for today's attention spans.
- Kind Club Curriculum: 19-week, adaptable program for ongoing peer support and culture change.
- Kind Ambassador Program: Volunteers who spread the movement and facilitate programming in their communities.
Notable Moment / Quote
- Lauren: “One of my favorite moments is when we watch someone walk out of the room with a stack of 12 apology cards. And you know that that person, for whatever reason, was targeted and that you just hope that that story has been changed for them.” (53:16)
7. Parental Perspective and Call for Kindness (43:24–69:14)
- Nick vulnerably shares his own family's struggles with bullying, including discussions around gender, race, and veganism in a new community.
- Nick: “There have been some alarming at times... conversations about what they were going through and how it made them feel and what it made them want to do....” (46:51)
- Urges the need for hope and notes that, like cruelty, kindness can be contagious and transformative.
8. Self-Care and Personal Resilience (69:14–76:03)
- Both guests detail their personal self-care practices and how vital they are to sustain this emotionally intense work.
- Molly: Present-moment awareness and “having a tickle-fest on the floor” with her kids as her “current medicine.” (71:08)
- Lauren: Disconnecting from social media, investing in friendships and time outdoors, reading Mary Oliver, and encouraging parents to help kids find community and confidence outside school.
- Lauren: “Nature is the truth when it comes down to it. Get outside, take a walk, look at the trees, look at the stars.” (75:28)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Molly on Micro-Moment Resilience (05:10):
"When I, like, break it down to the micro, like, what can I focus on? What can bring me joy?... My answer is I'm doing great, I'm doing okay..."
- Lauren on Detaching from Social Media (06:09):
"I just need to clear my head and just take a breath..."
- Lauren on Surviving Bullying (16:21):
"Middle school was kind of this really big altering chapter for me... severe trauma... as a result of bullying."
- Molly on Purpose Driven by Pain (24:21):
"...it's really because of what I went through junior year—that's why I'm so passionate about Kind Campaign."
- Nick on Societal Fractures (11:01):
"...a lot more things have been exposed... now, where do we go now? How do we interact in our daily lives with our communities?"
- Lauren on the Power of Apology (53:16):
"...someone walk out of the room with a stack of 12 apology cards. And you know that that person, for whatever reason, was targeted and that you just hope that that story has been changed for them."
- Molly on Hope and Action (38:37):
"...watching a girl, you know, write out an apology note and walk across the room and hand it to another student and apologize... that’s why we do what we do...."
- Nick on The Reality of Parenting (44:28):
"Parenting is... the absolute hardest thing. Like my partner and I have been together for 17 years. Easy as cake. Like, compared to this..."
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Time | Segment | |------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 05:10–06:09 | Guests describe their emotional state in a tumultuous world | | 06:09–10:41 | Coping strategies; Lauren on social media hiatus | | 11:01–15:04 | Societal truth-telling post-2016; connections with Kind Campaign’s founding | | 16:05–22:24 | Lauren’s childhood, bullying trauma, and support system | | 23:31–28:40 | Molly’s upbringing, friendships, and her own bullying experience | | 30:41–37:30 | Mountain Film Festival and the spark for Kind Campaign; initial documentary grant | | 37:30–41:43 | Reflections on the 26th Founders Tour and real-time impact | | 43:24–46:53 | Nick shares his family’s struggles with bullying | | 48:41–53:16 | Lauren on bullying’s universality, her suicide attempt, and advice for parents | | 58:07–67:17 | Molly details Kind Campaign’s signature programs and ways to get involved | | 69:14–75:28 | Self-care routines and the importance of community for both guests |
Final Thoughts
Lauren and Molly embody the power of vulnerability, lived experience, and sustained advocacy. Through their storytelling and structured programming, they remind listeners that while cruelty and pain can be pervasive, so can kindness, empathy, and hope. Their invitation—to shift our focus, to connect, to apologize and uplift—is as urgent as ever in the lives of young people and the adults who guide them.
To learn more about Kind Campaign or bring their assembly to your school, visit kindcampaign.com.
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