In this episode, Ashana sits down with Melissa Swonger for a powerful and reflective conversation about radical kindness: not as a mood or a moment, but as a way of moving through the world without expectations of reciprocity.
Melissa shares her personal story of enduring profound physical suffering alongside psychological and spiritual adversity, and how her healing journey reshaped the way she understands leadership, connection, and grace. Drawing from her background as a qualitative researcher, leadership consultant, and trauma-informed coach, Melissa explores why radical kindness is not passive or naïve, but deeply transformative, especially in professional and leadership spaces.
Together, they discuss how kindness can coexist with boundaries, why vulnerability is essential (but must be honored wisely), and how choosing grace in even the most ordinary moments can quietly change systems, cultures, and lives. Melissa also shares her vision for The Sage Hill Project, an initiative rooted in mobilizing radical kindness as a movement, not a moment.
Takeaways:
Radical kindness goes beyond politeness and does not require reciprocity.
Personal stories of trauma can become catalysts for collective healing.
Connection and psychological safety are essential for transformation.
Vulnerability is powerful, but discernment and boundaries matter.
Healing is an ongoing process that requires support and self-honoring.
Leadership rooted in kindness fosters trust, belonging, and courage.
Small, intentional acts of grace can create meaningful cultural change.
Everyone has the capacity to choose kindness, regardless of circumstances.
Healing involves confronting the stories and lies we carry about ourselves.
It’s never too late to begin again.
Resources and Books We Mentioned:
Whom He Raised — Melissa Swonger(Available for pre-sale February 22)
Canoeing the Mountains — Tod Bolsinger
About Melissa:
Melissa Swonger is a trauma-informed coach, leadership consultant, author, and speaker whose work sits at the intersection of lived experience, faith, and academic rigor. She is a Ph.D. candidate in psychology, holds an M.A. in Leadership from Gordon-Conwell, an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Evidence-Based Coaching from Fielding Graduate University, and a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Kansas.
Melissa has led culture and belonging work with leaders across sectors, developed practical tools for teams, and speaks widely on psychological safety, radical kindness, and courageous leadership. Her heartbeat is helping people feel safe enough to be curious, connect, and act with courage.
Join the Community and Support the Show:
💛 Join my free weekly women’s call on Tuesdays for those who want to go deeper and experience community and live coaching while healing from emotional overwhelm and relational harm.
Rate, follow, and share The Reclamation Room with your friends.And always comment to let me know what resonated or what you’d love to hear more about!
Post-production editing by Rachel Easterly. Buy my editor a coffee here!
Thanks for listening. 💛
Be a Guest on the Show, or Invite Me Onto Yours
Message me on Podmatch!
