What does it really mean to “hold space” for someone? It’s one of those buzzwords we hear everywhere—from therapy to social media—but few people truly understand how to do it. In this episode of Filter Optional, Chico and Shannon West unpack the deeper meaning of holding space: being fully present for someone without judgment, advice, or agenda.

Drawing from personal stories and real-life moments—from walking with aging parents to comforting a grieving friend—they explore what genuine empathy looks like in action and why it’s so rare today.

You’ll learn:

- The difference between empathy and sympathy, and why empathy doesn’t require shared experience

- What it means to hold space without “shoulding” on others (or yourself)

- Why most of us listen to respond instead of listening to understand—and how to change that habit

- How to prepare your heart and mind (“precondition,” as Shannon calls it) before stepping into hard conversations

- Why vulnerability and discomfort are the keys to connection, healing, and hope

Whether it’s walking beside someone with loss, illness, or conflict—or simply learning to be present in everyday relationships—this episode is a masterclass in compassion and emotional maturity.

Takeaway: Holding space isn’t about fixing people. It’s about making room for their humanity. When you can listen without judgment and love without control, you create the kind of connection that heals.