Be Brave Enough to Be Kind with Mindy Corporon and Maeve Riley
Release Date: 01/26/2025
Healing Through Honesty: Frank Ferrante’s Journey from Addiction to Authenticity
Small Changes Big Shifts
Transformation doesn’t begin in a wellness plan—it starts with one honest moment of saying, “I want more for myself.” Frank Ferrante’s raw and remarkable story is a powerful reminder that healing is rarely linear and never perfect. Through addiction, regret, radical self-awareness, and rediscovery, Frank reveals that the heart of wellness is not about fixing what’s broken—it’s about reconnecting to love, service, and soul-level authenticity. His journey invites us to slow down, stop chasing illusions, and start showing up for ourselves and others with compassion, courage, and a...
info_outline
Breaking Generational Cycles with Love and Language: Vladimir Sainte’s Mission
Small Changes Big Shifts
Healing starts when we give kids the words to express what’s in their hearts. Vladimir Sainte’s journey—from a childhood where emotions were silenced to becoming a powerful voice for emotional literacy—is a testament to the impact of breaking generational cycles with compassion and intention. Through his work as a therapist and children’s book author, he’s helping families create space for real conversations, teaching young minds that their feelings are valid and their voices matter. His story is a moving reminder that when we lead with connection, community, and care, we not only...
info_outline
Slowing Down to Heal: Lessons from Dr. Douglas Burton’s Journey
Small Changes Big Shifts
Real strength shows up when life knocks you down and you choose to rise with gratitude, faith, and community. Dr. Douglas Burton shares how a life-altering diagnosis transformed not just his health journey, but his entire perspective on what it means to truly live well. From the operating room to the other side of the patient experience, he opens his heart about the emotional weight of caregiving, the spiritual awakening that came through illness, and the small, intentional shifts that have brought him greater peace than ever before. His story is a powerful reminder that joy is not found in...
info_outline
Andrea Nakayama on Why One-Size-Fits-All Health Solutions Don’t Work
Small Changes Big Shifts
The path to healing doesn’t begin with a protocol—it begins with a story. Andrea Nakayama’s powerful journey from caregiver to trailblazing functional nutritionist is a reminder that true wellness is personal, rooted, and deeply interconnected. Through loss, love, and resilience, she discovered that lasting health requires more than symptom management—it calls for curiosity, compassion, and the courage to slow down and truly listen to your body. Her message invites us to stop chasing quick fixes and instead embrace the transformational power of understanding our own biology, one small...
info_outline
Staying Grounded in Chaos: Tools for Mental and Emotional Wellness
Small Changes Big Shifts
Sometimes the most powerful shift you can make is simply choosing to show up—messy, overwhelmed, uncertain—and still commit to your own growth. As Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh navigate their own life transitions, they open up with honesty, humor, and heart about what it really takes to maintain mental and emotional wellness during chaotic seasons. Through reflection, grace, and intentionality, they remind us that well-being isn't about perfection—it's about alignment, commitment, and learning to nourish yourself from the inside out, one small change at a time. Key Takeaways: True mental...
info_outline
Kiona Sinks Returns: Small Shifts That Created a Lasting Impact
Small Changes Big Shifts
Lasting change begins when you decide that your well-being matters enough to prioritize. Kiona Sinks returns to share how the Shift Experience didn’t just influence her habits—it completely reframed her relationship with herself. From vitamin routines to food choices, energy levels to emotional presence, she’s living proof that when you start showing up with intention, everything changes. Her journey reminds us that healing isn’t just physical—it’s mental, spiritual, and emotional—and when those parts align, you unlock a version of yourself that’s not only healthier, but more...
info_outline
The Spark Behind the Scholarship: Kiona Sinks’ Path to Purpose and Healing
Small Changes Big Shifts
Transformation begins the moment you trust yourself enough to ask for help. When Kiona Sinks vulnerably reached out to Dr. Robin, unsure of what was wrong but certain she needed support, she unknowingly sparked the creation of what would become The Shift Experience – Scholarship Program. Her courage and curiosity laid the foundation for a movement that now helps others reclaim their well-being. Through honest reflection, faith, and a deep desire to grow, Kiona shares how embracing discomfort and building community led her into greater alignment with her purpose. Her journey is living proof...
info_outline
The Power of Bold Moves: How to Create the Life You Deserve with Brittany Connor
Small Changes Big Shifts
Success isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment—it’s about stepping into the unknown and building the confidence to make things happen. Bayleigh dives into an inspiring conversation with Brittany Connor, who shares her journey of embracing fear, taking bold action, and proving that the biggest breakthroughs happen outside of your comfort zone. From leaving behind limiting beliefs to redefining success on your own terms, this episode is a powerful reminder that the life you want is within reach—you just have to be willing to go after it. Key Takeaways: Confidence isn’t something...
info_outline
From Scholarship to Success: Veronica Caldwell’s Journey of Growth and Resilience
Small Changes Big Shifts
Success isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment—it’s about stepping up, even when doubt creeps in. Bayleigh and guest Veronica Caldwell dive deep into the mindset shifts that turn fear into fuel and setbacks into stepping stones. As a past recipient of the Small Changes Big Shifts scholarship program, Veronica shares how the support and resources she received helped her embrace discomfort and step into her potential. Her journey proves that growth comes from action, not just planning, and that confidence is built in the doing. The path to success isn’t about having it all figured...
info_outline
Embracing Change and Choosing Joy: Birthday Wisdom from Dr. Robin
Small Changes Big Shifts
Time moves fast, and every year brings new lessons, challenges, and opportunities to grow. Reflecting on the wisdom gained from different life experiences, Dr. Michelle Robin and Bayleigh Petty dive into the power of intentional living—how small, consistent shifts in mindset, habits, and self-care can create profound, lasting change. With birthdays as a reminder of evolution, they discuss nourishing the body, mind, and spirit, embracing life’s uncertainties with grace, and stacking habits that shape a vibrant future. Through kindness, community, and purpose, they inspire us to live with...
info_outlineThis episode of Small Changes, Big Shifts delivers a heart-stirring exploration of the transformative power of kindness. With guests Mindy Corporon, founder of the "Seven Days" initiative, and Maeve Riley, a passionate youth leader, the conversation delves into the ripple effects of empathy and small acts of goodwill. Together, they share personal stories of triumph over tragedy, the importance of cultivating kindness from a young age, and the profound ways it can heal individuals and communities alike. You'll walk away inspired to lead with kindness, knowing that even the smallest gestures can create lasting change.
Key Takeaways:
-
Kindness often requires bravery, especially when confronting adversity or standing up in challenging situations. Maeve's slogan, "Be brave enough to be kind," highlights how compassion combined with courage can change lives.
-
Simple acts like writing notes, using someone's name, or offering a kind word can significantly impact others, creating a ripple effect that fosters community healing and connection.
-
Programs like the Kindness Youth Leadership Team empower young leaders to take action, driving impactful initiatives in schools and communities that nurture empathy and understanding.
-
From suicide prevention to supporting families through tragedy, kindness offers a powerful path to resilience and hope, showing how compassion can rebuild lives.
-
Events like the Cultivate Kindness Breakfast provide a space to honor those making a difference and inspire collective action, proving that kindness truly has the power to transform communities.
About Maeve Riley:
Maeve Riley is a Junior at Notre Dame de Sion High School. She has been a part of the Kindness Youth Leadership Team for 2 years. As part of KYLT she speaks at schools about spreading kindness, she helped organize a kindness week at her school, she participated in the Kindness Festival at the Jewish Community Center, and she designed one of the 7 promotional 7 days of kindness buttons. She works at an ice cream shop and an art studio. She plays tennis at her high school. She honors her brother Aidan who passed away in 2021, by encouraging people to Be Brave Enough to Be Kind.
About Mindy Corporon:
As an entrepreneur, thought leader and now author, Mindy’s professional career spans from office assistant to the former CEO of a successful wealth management firm. Once a single mother dealing with divorce, Mindy has also experienced a life-threatening illness.
Reaching the pinnacle of her professional career, Mindy was in the middle of raising her talented boys when tragedy struck. Mindy’s father and oldest son were murdered by a white supremacist intent on killing Jews. In a split second, Mindy’s life purpose changed from guiding people financially to helping people find space to learn about their differences and discover commonalities. With compassion and forgiveness Mindy shares her experience of loss as a daughter and a mother, a wife and co-worker both nationally and internationally. She encourages and motivates audiences to overcome life’s challenges, one day at a time.
Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at:
https://smallchangesbigshifts.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts
https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts
https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco
Thanks for listening!
Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.
Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!
Subscribe to the podcast
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.
Leave us an Apple Podcasts review
Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.