Purposeful Empathy with Anita Nowak

Gender-diverse and non-binary youth make headlines - often at a cost to those kids. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this insightful episode featuring Dr. Kimberley Manning, an advocate and parent ally, whose work challenges fear-based narratives and centers the lived realities of trans youth and their f...

Society underestimates people with Down’s. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this heart-warming episode featuring George Webster, the first person with Down Syndrome to become a BBC presenter. As a BAFTA-winning TV host of CBeebies, George has been an inclusion trailblazer who has inspired millions. He sh...

Family estrangement happens to half of American families, but it’s still shrouded in silence and stigma. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this important episode featuring Dr. Becca Bland, founder of Stand Alone, a UK-based non-profit dedicated to supporting adults who are estranged from their families. A...

The sandwich generation is feeling stretched to the limit. Especially if they’re caring for a loved one with dementia. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this insightful episode featuring Claire Webster, a Certified Dementia Care Consultant.  After her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Claire felt iso...

Childhood trauma can cast a long shadow. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this powerful episode featuring Nimali “Nimmu” Kumari, author of The Caged Girl: A Journey to Justice . After surviving years of physical and sexual abuse in her home starting at age seven and escaping family violence at eleven, Ni...

Perinatal loss is devastating for families. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this moving conversation featuring Désirée McGraw, Member of Quebec’s National Assembly, who turned personal tragedy into landmark legislation. After losing her daughter Catherine, days before her due date, Désirée led fundraisi...

Trauma is a heavy burden, but healing and transformation are possible. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this powerful episode featuring Amanda Carrasco, a survivor of homicide and sexual assault, author, and restorative justice advocate whose journey from unimaginable loss to empowerment has shaped her l...

In a special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy to include people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this episode to hear an anthropologist and lifelong activist share her insights about the rights of sex workers and the ongoing stigma they face. Dr. Francine Tremblay shares how her lived experience as a sex worker shaped her research and activism. She also argues th...

Addiction is a disease of isolation and despair. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this powerful episode featuring Dr. Robb Kelly, a world-renowned recovery expert whose journey from crippling alcoholism to healing has shaped his life’s mission and groundbreaking work in addiction recovery. Once a success...

Human trafficking is one of the world’s darkest injustices. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this powerful episode featuring María Juliana Prieto Gracía, a Colombian human rights lawyer and refugee advocate. As a survivor of sexual violence, María Juliana has transformed her trauma into a powerful force...

Suicide is shrouded in silence and stigma. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this unforgettable episode featuring Dese’Rae L. Stage, a suicidologist, therapist, artist, and founder of Live Through This . After multiple suicide attempts, Dese’Rae transformed her lived experience into a groundbreaking story...

Homelessness is solvable. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this inspiring episode featuring Mark Horvath, founder of Invisible People. Mark shares his firsthand experience being unhoused, and highlights how rising rents, broken policies, and public apathy fuel the homelessness crisis and why political ac...

Extremist ideologies are a social poison. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this powerful episode featuring Arno Michaelis, a former neo-Nazi and author of My Life After Hate. Once the frontman of a hate metal band, Arno shares how violence nearly destroyed his life. He describes how he walked away from w...

In the final episode of this special series devoted to empathy in education with leaders and fellows of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), watch this episode to discover how SEL (social and emotional learning) can transform classrooms into spaces of co-regulation, belonging, and joy—especially for students who need it most. Aija Simmons, Program Director at 21st Century California School...

In a special series devoted to empathy in education with leaders and fellows of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), watch this episode to learn why SEL (social emotional learning) practices are key to humanizing classrooms. Dr. Al Rabanera, an award-winning high school math educator in California, reflects on his mission to support At-Promise Students through identity-affirming teaching a...

In a special series devoted to empathy in education with leaders and fellows of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), watch this episode to learn how restorative justice and trauma-informed somatic practices lead to collective healing. Sima Savdharia, founder of Square Root Mediation & Facilitation, reflects on their work bridging conflict resolution, spirituality, and education. They a...

In a special series devoted to empathy in education, watch this episode to learn why SEL (social emotional learning) starts with the 10% minority; not the 90% majority.  Lex Rodriguez, an educator and PhD candidate at the University of Colorado, reflects on how culturally sustaining (not culturally sensitive) practices better support BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth. She also shares insights from her teachi...

In a special series devoted to empathy in education with leaders and fellows of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), watch this episode to learn how to help students “feel more to heal more.” Mychal Mills, co-founder of K.Y.D.S (Kids Conscious Youth Development and Service), shares how his personal journey of loss led him to founding a nonprofit that has impacted over 40,000 youth and educ...

In a special series devoted to empathy in education with leaders and fellows of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), watch this episode to learn how vulnerability and love can transform classrooms into spaces of belonging, healing, and hope. Kandace Stallings, a faith leader and SEL (social emotional learning) Specialist in Chicago, reflects on the power of mentorship and unconditional sup...

In a special series devoted to empathy in education with leaders and fellows of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), watch this episode to learn why mindfulness practices—especially breathwork—are transformational, especially within educational settings. Nichole Fuller, an art educator in New York who curates and facilitates wellness experiences for students, educators, families and commun...

In a special series devoted to empathy in education with leaders and fellows of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), watch this episode to hear how a queer, Cuban-born educator’s decision to come out at school has informed his pedagogy, leadership philosophy, and doctoral research.  José Jiménez, Deputy Superintendent of District 24 in Queens, NYC, shares how he moved from Miami to NYC to...

In a special series devoted to empathy in education with leaders and fellows of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), watch this episode to learn why “racial literacy” is key to fostering belonging and connection in schools. Jasmine Locke, a School Support Specialist at West View High School in Oregon, shares insights from her doctoral research about educational liberation and putting strat...

In a special series devoted to empathy in education with leaders and fellows of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), watch this episode to learn how to foster human flourishing in a variety of academic and organizational contexts. YooNa Kim, Director of Well-being and Culture for citiesRISE—a global platform focused on transforming mental health policy and practice—reflects on how academic...

In a special series devoted to empathy in education with leaders and fellows of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), watch this episode to learn why connection and belonging are game-changers for schools and classrooms. Marquin Parks, Academic Engagement and Social Emotional Learning Officer, shares how small acts of kindness like fist bumps, humor, and calming spaces can make or break a s...

In a special series devoted to empathy in education with leaders and fellows of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), watch this episode to learn more about the power of tenderness. Meena Srinivasan, Director of TEL, explores how tenderness fosters prosocial behavior, psychological safety, mental health, and gratitude. She also reflects on many of the challenges that educators face today, a...