Purposeful Empathy with Anita Nowak

Watch this episode to learn why Canada’s former Governor General believes that empathy combined with trust and action can transform society. The Right Honourable David Johnston is the author of Empathy: Turning Compassion into Action. In this episode, David shares personal anecdotes and insights from his life and leadership journey and explains how small acts of kindness and trust can transform wo...

Watch this episode to learn how a rocket scientist-turned-business consultant transforms workplaces through the power of empathy. Dr. Natalie Petouhoff is the author of Empathy in Action. In this episode, Natalie discusses her success working with companies like DoorDash to improve their customer service. She also describes her “House on Fire” approach which is used to steer call agents away from...

Watch this episode to hear how a Bolivian-born Pilates instructor overcame a crippling mental health crisis at the age of 47 thanks to the power of empathy and self-empathy. Alejandra Guevara is the author of The Little Book of Empathy. In this episode, she shares her personal story of recovery. She also argues that empathy is a superpower because it has the capacity to heal, and fosters resilienc...

Watch this episode to learn why a sustainability researcher believes sensitivity is a superpower for the future. Elena Amber is a doctoral researcher and the author of The Gift of Sensitivity. Her work is at the nexus of leadership, psychology, and neuroscience to promote sustainable consumption and business practices.  In this episode, Elena explores the role of emotions in decision-making and hi...

Watch this episode to discover how Karla McLaren delves into the power of empathy and emotional understanding, sharing practical tools for emotional regulation and insights from her revised book, The Language of Emotions.  Karla McLaren is an award-winning author, educator, workplace consultant, and social science researcher. She is the author of The Art of Empathy, a guide to understanding and ha...

Watch this episode to learn more about what empathy looks like in a fast-paced tech environment, and how it enhances collaboration in today’s workplace, especially in light of the challenges posed by technology and the "android paradox.” Jeremy Adamson is a leader in AI and analytic strategy, and an author of Geeks with Empathy . In this episode, Jeremy explores the perspective of technology worke...

Watch this episode to learn more about the role of empathy in transforming schools into meaningful spaces for learning. Dr. Debarshi Roy , is a behavioural scientist who has developed the world’s first AI/ML-driven diagnostic system for evaluating empathy in schools called SEAB - Empathy Diagnostic Systems . In this episode, he describes why psychological safety is as important as physical safety...

Watch this episode to learn how the “power of the pause" can transform our relationships - including with ourselves.  Misha Safran is the founder & CEO of the Center for Empathy and Emotional Intelligence. She is also the author of How to Center Empathy & Emotional Wellbeing for Yourself and Your Students . In this episode, she discusses how CAPE (Compassionate communication, Assuming posi...

Watch this episode to learn why empathy does not impede accountability or performance and how leaders can be empathic while respecting their boundaries and mental health.   Maria Ross is an empathy advocate who believes cash flow, creativity, and compassion are not mutually exclusive. She is also the author of The Empathy Dilemma. In this episode, she describes how leaders can leverage empathy in...

Watch this episode to hear a Harvard-educated psychologist explain why empathy is needed for healing and belonging. Dr. Arthur Ciaramicoli is a licensed clinical psychologist who has been treating clients for more than 45 years. He is also a prolific author whose books include The Power of Empathy. In this episode, he offers tools and strategies to counter biases that undermine our self-confidence...

Watch this episode to hear an introvert turned public speaking expert share tips and tricks to become a super communicator at work. Shola Kaye is the author of two books and an international speaker on Empathy at Work, Communication, and Inclusive Leadership. She’s passionate about helping organisations create an atmosphere of respect and kindness. In this episode, she discusses how kindness and i...

Watch this must-see episode to be inspired by one man’s journey to light and love, despite being bars as a “super-predator” for a crime he didn’t commit. Halim Flowers was 16 years old when he was charged with felony murder and sentenced to two life sentences. After more than two decades of incarceration, he is now a published author and artist, whose paintings have been on display in galleries ar...

Watch this episode to hear a UX designer explain why he’s committed to nurturing a society where empathy takes centre stage. Shelton Davis is the founder & CEO of The Empathy Lab and Empathy Decathlon.® In this episode, he explains why empathy is imperative to innovation, and describes his 10-step empathy framework designed to help individuals, teams, and organizations better utilize empathy t...

Watch this episode to learn about the evolution of empathy - spanning visual art to cutting-edge neuroscience. Dr. Susan Lanzoni is a writer and historian of psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience. She is also the author of Empathy: A History. In this episode, she unpacks one of the primary questions of empathy: How can the self understand the other? 00:00 Preview 00:37 Introduction  00:54 About...

Watch this episode to hear an ecofeminist philosopher explain why we should think in terms of “Entangled Empathy” for non-humans as opposed to "animal rights.” Lori Gruen is the William Griffin Professor of Philosophy at Wesleyan University and a leading voice in the multidisciplinary field of critical animal studies. She is also the founder of "The Last 1,000,” an initiative that docume...

Dr. Peter Sear is the author of Empathic Leadership: Lessons from Elite Sport and founder of The Empathic Minds Organization which offers leadership programs and team-building. In this episode, he shares why Empathic Coaching is on the rise and why it’s useful within business contexts as well. He also describes how empathy gets the best from players (and employees) and can be used to motivate team...

Watch this episode to hear two experts (and parents) describe how a deck of cards can help families connect on a deeper emotional level and strengthen social intelligence in kids, and parents alike. Julie Kavanagh is an author, FeelingsMaster, and co-founder of “The Feelings Deck for Kids.” Seth Shugar is a marital and family therapist, relationship coach, writer, and co-founder of “The Feelings D...

Watch this episode to learn how empathy can become a multi-generational trait and how to cultivate empathy in teenagers.   Dr. Jessica Stern is a developmental psychologist whose work explores parent-child social-emotional development. In this episode, she speaks about the findings of a 25-year study that examined empathy development across three generations. She also discusses how peer groups and...

Watch this episode to learn about “Empathy Dysfunction” (EMD) and how to increase relational empathy with someone on the EMD spectrum. Dr. Kathy Marshack is a licensed psychologist and author of several books that explore how to understand and improve relationships with people on the Autism spectrum. In this episode, she describes her EMD (Empathy Dysfunction) scale and how to become a “Radiant Em...

Watch this episode to learn about the empathy bell curve from one of the world’s leading empathy experts. Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen is a Professor of Developmental Psychopathology at the University of Cambridge. He is also the Director of their Autism Research Centre. In this episode, he discusses the importance of empathy in our relationships and society, how to overcome empathy deficits, and why att...

Watch this episode to learn how radical empathy can lead to healing, and how healing can lead to leadership effectiveness and organizational wellness. Kawtar El Alaoui is a leadership consultant and coach whose specializations include: Organizational wellness, conscious communication, cross-cultural understanding, diversity and inclusion, gender-balanced leadership and should purpose. She is also...

Watch this episode to hear how a Jewish man and a Muslim woman engage in "radical empathy" when discussing the war in Gaza. David Sauvage is the Founder of Culture of Healing, the designer of an online course called “The Way of the Empath,” and a performance artist best known for his “empathic readings.” In this episode, he shares what he learned about implicit bias and perspective-takin...

Watch this episode to contemplate a culture of healing and empathy vs. our current culture of toxic corporate capitalism. David Sauvage is the Founder of Culture of Healing, the designer of an online course called “The Way of the Empath,” and a performance artist best known for his “empathic readings.” In this episode (Part I of II), he describes his personal journey of healing, what it means to b...

Watch this episode to learn why giving others the benefit of the doubt can elevate us all. Dr. Carolyn Calloway-Thomas is a Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies at Indiana University. She is also the author of Empathy in the Global World. In this episode, she shares why the moral imperative for global empathy is also a gift f...

Watch this episode to learn how one social entrepreneur stopped 80,000+ bowls of shark fin soup from being served by educating her community with empathy. Claudia LT is a Global Ashoka Fellow and the Co-founder of Shark Truth. In this episode, she describes the challenges she faced when challenging a long-held and deeply entrenched social norm within her cultural community. She also describes how...