Purposeful Empathy with Anita Nowak

Watch this episode to learn about the neuroscience behind empathy, compassion, and sympathy. Dr. Lisa Aziz-Zadeh is a Professor at the Brain and Creativity Institute, the Department of Psychology, and the Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California (USC). Her current research includes understanding how the gut–brain axis modulates behavio...

Watch this episode to learn empathy-infused design. Kelvin Kung is a Project Architect at Gensler, a global architecture, design, and planning firm. His work is critically acclaimed for centering love, empathy and equity while unleashing the power of technology. In this episode, Kelvin shares the role of technology in design and leveraging empathy. He also shares how his lived experiences, such as...

Watch this episode to learn why storytelling is such a powerful way to develop empathy. Dr. Maria Keckler is the Director of International Affairs Strategy & Communications at San Diego State University. Her research is at the intersection of story, neuroscience, psychology, and education, and aims to improve empathy, leadership, human connection, and our collective ability to tackle complex c...

Watch this episode to learn how storytelling through AI can deepen workplace trust, belonging and empathy. Noah Godfrey is the Founder of The Real Human Project, a private podcast for teams to share personal stories and connect on a deeper level. In this episode, Noah describes why participants appreciate being interviewed by an AI chatbot. He also discusses how his work has improved his empathy s...

Watch this episode to learn why bringing feelings into the workplace can improve organizational culture. Renée Eaton is the Founder of Work + Joy and believes all workplaces should be filled with passion and excitement. In this episode, she discusses the importance of welcoming and prioritizing emotions at work, how organizations can promote emotional literacy, and describes how to foster a positi...

Watch this episode to learn about the simple - but powerful - benefits of touch. Dr. Michael Banissy is a social neuroscientist at the University of Bristol who studies affection, communication, sleep, empathy, and touch. He is also the author of Touch Matters: Handshakes, Hugs, and the New Science on How Touch Can Enhance Your Well-being. In this episode, he explains how humans experience empathy...

Watch this episode to learn how to close the empathy gap. Jen Marr is Founder and CEO of Inspiring Comfort, a social good company founded on the belief that today’s isolated, socially disconnected and hurting world demands that we do a better job of caring for one another. In this episode, Jen shares how powerful life experiences - including her work with the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting...

Watch this episode to learn how and why we should raise children who care about the common good.  Dr. Richard Weissbourd is a Senior Lecturer at Harvard and Director of the Making Caring Common Project, a national effort that helps educators, parents, and communities raise children who are caring, respectful and responsible toward others and their communities. In this episode, Richard explains why...

Watch this episode to learn about human-environment-interaction and how empathy can enhance urban health and wellbeing. Dr. Nimish Biloria is an Architect, emergent technologies and design specialist and Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). In this episode, he discusses equity in the urban environment, the importance of people-centred design, and how we can advocate fo...

Watch this episode to learn how we can centre empathy in end-of-life plans and become “death positive." Krittika Sharma is an End-of-Life Care Educator and Advocator and Founder of Maajhi, an organization committed to enhancing death literacy, and the former director of Death Over Dinner (in India). In this episode, Krittika discusses how to have compassionate conversations about death and pr...

Watch this episode to learn what flower essences can teach us about empathy.  Dr. Kyra Mesich is a clinical psychologist and author of The Strength of Sensitivity who has worked at the forefront of holistic emotional wellbeing for more than 2 years using flower essence therapy, yoga, hypnotherapy, and Indigenous healing traditions. In this episode, Kyra discusses how nature can nurture empathy, wh...

Watch this episode to learn how empathic leadership can help bridge ideological divides in the workplace. Dr. Nicole Price is the author of Spark The Heart: Engineering Empathy In Your Organization and CEO of Lively Paradox, a professional coaching business that focuses on practicing empathy in leadership. In this episode, she explains how people can learn empathy to bring humanity back into the w...

Watch this episode to learn why holistic medicine can be as powerful as allopathic medicine. Dr. Erica Steele is a board-certified naturopathic doctor. Her 20 years of experience in holistic medicine has taught her the importance of truly listening to her patients with empathy. In this episode, she shares the healing power of drugless medicine, why emotions are a big part of illness, and why she i...

Watch this episode to learn more about empathy from one of the world’s leading human emotion experts. Karla McLaren is an award-winning author, researcher, empathy expert, and founder of Emotion Dynamics and the Empathy Academy. In this episode, she walks us through her Six Essential Aspects of Empathy. She also describes why she has empathy for those who are often in “empathy exile” - including m...

Watch this episode to be inspired by a social entrepreneur who is dedicating her life to empowering women. Jennifer Lonergan is the Founder and Executive Director of Artistri Sud, a non-profit organization that provides micro-entrepreneurship and leadership training to women in low-income countries with the goal of empowering them to create sustainable livelihoods and effect social change. In this...

Watch this episode to hear how purpose turned a pack-a-day smoker into an ultra distance running champion. Ray Zahab is the Founder of impossible2Possible, a non-profit organization that aims to inspire and educate youth through adventure learning, inclusion and participation in expeditions. In this episode, he shares how he turned his life around at the age of 30, and how his expeditions prepared...

Watch this episode to learn how a social impact leader is leveraging technology to combat sexual violence across the world. ElsaMarie D’Silva is the Founder of the Red Dot Foundation and creator of SafeCity, a technology platform that crowdsources personal experiences of sexual violence and abuse in public and private spaces globally. She also describes how people in power can raise awareness abou...

Watch this episode to hear why a former Microsoft executive left his job to become a social entrepreneur. John Wood is the CEO and founder of U-Go, a non-profit organization that helps young women in low-income countries pursue higher education. He is also the founder of Room to Read, an award-winning NGO that has served over 23 million children in 43,000 communities in 20 low-income countries. In...

Watch this episode to learn how happiness creates a mindset for success - from the inside out. Beth Wuller is Founder and Chief Intention Officer of Neugroove, a platform that invites others to celebrate new ways of thinking, living, and being. In this episode, she discusses the importance of work-life balance, the contagion of our emotions, and the benefits we can reap from prioritizing happiness...

Watch this episode to learn about the Inner Development Goals and their role in promoting human connection.  Daniel Hires is the Director of Partnerships & Communications for the Inner Development Goals, a non-profit organization founded by Ekskäret Foundation to make research and knowledge about inner development accessible. In this episode, he discusses the importance of focusing on connecti...

Watch this episode to hear a children’s book author discuss the importance of being present with our children at story-time. Andrew Newman is an award-winning author and founder of ConsciousStories.com, a series of bedtime stories crafted to support the parent-child connection in the last 20 minutes of the day. In this episode, Andrew discusses the importance of engaging in restorative practices w...

Watch this episode to learn what horses can teach us about self-empathy and becoming better versions of ourselves. Losira Okelo is the founder of Bocheval, an equine coaching organization for personal and professional growth. In this episode, she shares stories about how horses can help people understand themselves better, heal from trauma, and prevent or recover from burnout. She also explains ho...

Watch this episode to learn what horses can teach us about leadership, team dynamics, and personal growth. Anouk Lorie is the Founder and President of Wásábi Coaching and Leadership, a training centre that provides equine facilitated learning and coaching. In this episode, she discusses the significance of biomimicry and what we can learn from nature, what brought her to equine coaching, and why t...

Watch this episode to learn why trauma-informed training is essential to fight the epidemic of workplace harassment and bullying. Linda Crockett is a social worker-turned workplace harassment and anti-bullying specialist. She is also the founder of the Canadian Institute Of Workplace Bullying Resources. In this episode, she shares her personal story as a victim of workplace bullying, and makes the...

Listen to this episode to learn about the therapeutic power of psychedelics. Dr. Alex Belser is a licensed psychologist who has devoted the past 20 years to psychedelic research with psilocybin, MDMA, Ketamine, and DMT, especially as a treatment for OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). In this episode, he discusses the renaissance of psychedelics, their treatment potential, and how they promote em...