Ep. 213 - The Accidental Therapist

What if lowering your expectations could actually make you happier? Todd Smith has taken a pretty unconventional path. From forming the band Johnny Clueless with Steve Brown in the early ’90s, to stand-up comedy, becoming a licensed clinical therapist, and now sharing daily videos that blend humor, music and life lessons, Todd has spent a lifetime finding different ways to connect with people. In this episode of the Kindness Chronicles, Todd joins us from Austin, Texas, to talk about that journey—and what he’s learned along the way about happiness, kindness and being a little easier on ourselves. We dig into why expectations can make us chronically disappointed, the pressure we put on ourselves and our kids, the importance of letting go of perfectionism, comparison, fear and other emotional baggage, and why finding a creative outlet doesn’t require you to be Picasso—or even particularly good at it. Todd also shares the story behind his daily social media experiment, how his wife encouraged him to pursue a career in therapy, and how music has unexpectedly become an important part of his life again. And, of course, there’s plenty of nostalgia and laughs as Todd and Steve revisit their Johnny Clueless days—including some vintage footage from the band’s early years. Sometimes kindness starts with how we treat ourselves. And sometimes the best thing we can do is simply let go. 📺 🎧 Join the Kindness Nation by subscribing on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.