Purposeful Empathy with Anita Nowak

Watch this episode to learn a powerful five-step method to address trauma in the workplace. Katharine Manning - author of The Empathetic Workplace - has 25 years’ experience training and consulting on trauma and victimization, including some of the most notorious cases including Bernie Maddoff, the Boston Marathon bombing, the Pulse nightclub and South Carolina church shootings, and the violence i...

Watch this episode to learn how non-Indigenous people can practice empathy as allies. Sandi Boucher is an Ojibwe leader, author of The Path and a motivational speaker whose work advances Reconciliation in Canada. In this episode, she shares how non-Indigenous people can be allies. She also describes Anishnaabe teachings on humility and empathy. 00:00 – Introduction 00:23 – About Sandi Boucher 01:3...

Watch this episode to learn what neuroscience reveals about empathy. In this far-reaching conversation with neuroscientist Dr. Christian Keysers (who served as part of the team that discovered mirror neurons), this episode explores how even though our brains are biologically predisposed to empathy, on a daily basis, we are responsible for responding empathically or not. The implications of this -...

Watch this episode to understand why empathy is so important to educators. Naomi Toland is the Head Teacher at Honeybees Preschool, a Google Innovator,  and the creator of Empathetic Educators. In this episode, she explains why empathy in teaching is so important—both for students and teachers. She also shares why in order to walk in someone else’s shoes, you have to look at your own shoes fi...

Watch this episode to learn how empathy inspired the creation of an AI-powered health startup. Charles Onu is Co-founder of Ubenwa Health, a start-up that uses AI for reliable, low-cost diagnosis of perinatal asphyxia - which impacts 2 million babies globally per year. In this episode, he shares his inspiring journey as a social entrepreneur passionate about saving babies’ lives. 00:00 Introductio...

Watch this episode to understand the business case for empathy. Maria Ross is the author of The Empathy Edge, a book that explores why businesses should cultivate empathy and how empathic leadership foster more productivity and loyalty. In this episode, she discusses the advantages of running an  empathic business and why organizations must avoid "empathy-washing." 00:00 Introduction 00:27 Ab...

Watch this episode to learn how empathy inspires people to find their voice as Changemakers. Toni Blumeris is a South African Empathy Coach who sees empathy as a tool for social change. In this episode, she discusses the butterfly effect of empathy and compassion, as well as the importance of shifting from a “scarcity mindset" to an "abundance mindset." 00:00 Introduction 00:27 About Toni Blumeris...

Watch this episode to learn how people systematically misunderstand each other, otherwise known as empathy gaps. Dr. Xuan Zhao is a research scientist at Stanford University, who studies how to help people connect, appreciate different perspectives, foster meaningful conversations and positive interactions, and create inclusive environments. In this episode, Xuan describes some of the research she...

Watch this episode to learn how empathy can help treat post-traumatic stress disorder and narcissism. Dr. Ashok Bhattacharya is a psychiatrist who specializes in treating people with PTSD. He is the Founder of The Empathy Clinic and the author of CAKE: A Guide to Reciprocal Empathy for Couples. In this episode, he describes why empathy requires that we get out of our own heads to really hear what...

Watch this episode to learn what prompted an organ donor and customer care expert in Toronto to stay on the line for an hour with a call centre rep. in Delhi. Sarah Bezanson is a seasoned professional in training, coaching and client care and believes that empathy must always be a part of any customer care conversation. In this episode, she shares how a story she wrote about a customer care agent...

Watch this episode to learn why demonizing masculinity hurts us all and what the parents of young boys can do to support their mental health and well-being. Paul is a trained "men’s work” facilitator and Founder of huMENity, an organization that invites “boys and men to discover and uncover their true selves, and to embrace what they find." In this tribute episode to Stéphane Leblanc, Paul de...

Watch this episode to learn a 5-step method to empathy that helps foster a sense of belonging and inclusion. Rob Volpe is the CEO of Ignite 360, a consumer insight and strategy firm, an empathy activist and author of Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation at a Time , a book that argues a decline in empathy is hurting our society. In this episode, he describes his five...

Watch this episode to understand why empathy is the essential work skill of the future. Ajit Dodani is the Founder and CEO of EmpathifyU. In this episode, he explains how empathic strategies are critical for organizational growth and prosperity – especially in the post-pandemic world. He also shares his experience using empathy to fuel innovation and productivity within organizations. 00:00 Introd...

Watch this episode to learn how arts-based practices and pedagogy cultivate empathy. Ijeoma Njaka is an artist, writer and educator specialized in equity-centred design and inclusive pedagogy, currently based at Georgetown University. In this episode, she describes an innovative program called “In Your Shoes” that builds empathy and community among students with different lived experiences and pol...

Watch this episode to learn about the power of empathy in politics. Dr. Claire Yorke is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow at the University of Southern Denmark whose research explores the role and limitations of empathy in international affairs, diplomacy, and policy-making. In this episode, she explains the increasing need for empathy in politics, and how politicians or diplomats can build their em...

Watch this episode to learn why empathy is critical to facing the climate crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and within all patient-physician relationships. Charles-Antoine Barbeau-Meunier, a resident physician and empathy scholar, believes the self-care conversation needs to shift. Instead of leaving the burden  of self-care to healthcare providers at the individual level, it should be become a s...

Watch this episode to hear an immigration attorney make the case for more empathy. Monica Khant has devoted her career to human rights, including wielding her legal skills to help immigrants and asylum seekers. In this episode, she explains why we shouldn’t judge or fear people seeking asylum. Instead, she makes a compelling case for why they deserve our empathy. She also shares leadership strateg...

Watch this episode to learn how communities can change the world. Brooke Lavelle, PhD is the Co-Founder and President of the Courage of Care Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to facilitating the co-creation of a more just, compassionate world. In this episode, she shares how we can’t meditate ourselves out of the multiple crises we face, nor can we legislate ourselves out of them. Instead, she make...

Watch this episode to learn from a neuropsychologist how to manage a meltdown using the method of "self-regulation." Nino Margvelashvili, a neuropsychologist and learning support specialist, is a proponent of the “self-reg” approach to parenting. In this episode, she unpacks the 5-step process, as well as the neuropsychology behind it (including the Triune Brain). She also shares how parents can s...

Watch this episode to learn why one tech professional is passionate about empathic workplaces. Kevin Shah is the Founder and CEO of Jaago - aka the Empathy Gym. In this episode, he shares why he gave up a multi-million compensation package with a tech company to pursue empathy work. He also explains how his start-up’s app cultivates empathy in organizations through authentic storytelling. 00:00 In...

Watch this episode to learn why empathy is a superpower in the face of the opioid crisis. Melissa Larkin-Skinner is CEO of Centerstone Florida, a leading a not-for-profit specializing in mental health and substance use disorder treatments. In this episode, she explains how to empathize with people battling addiction - even when their behaviour is destructive. She also shares self-care tools and pr...

Watch this episode if you believe empathy has an important role to play in business. Minter Dial is the author of Heartificial Empathy , a book that explores AI, business, and "empathic machines." In this episode, he describes four personal empathy practices and explains how to operationalize empathy in the workplace. He also shares a vivid story about empathic communication with his team in New Y...

Watch this episode to learn how to cultivate empathy in your kids by reading to them. Asha Dixit is the Executive Director of the Fraser-Hickson Institute and leader of their flagship mini-biblio-PLUS project, which aims to instil a life-long love of reading in children. In this episode, she explains why reading to children when they are young fosters Social Emotional Literacy (SEL) skills. She al...

Watch this episode to learn why empathy is a relational currency. Jackie Acho is the Founder and President of the Acho Group, a consulting firm focused on empathy-centered cultural transformation in unexpected places - including the Cleveland Police. In this episode, she explains what called her to empathy work after a career in management consulting. She also shares what her battle with cancer ha...

Watch this episode to learn how one mother transcended a family crisis by leveraging the power of compassion. Sara Jamil is the founder of Compassion First. A few years ago, she and her family endured significant hardship. That led to her taking charge of her wellbeing and mastering self-compassion. In this episode, she describes the crisis that changed her family’s life, as well as the lessons th...