Watch this episode to hear how one man’s trauma was converted into a tool that sparks empathic conversations.

Michael Tennant is the Founder and CEO of Curiosity Lab. In this episode, he shares how he uncovered his true calling after suffering major losses in his life and is now committed to using empathy to help foster mental health. He describes how the card games created by Curiosity Lab are being used in a variety of contexts to build bridges of understanding and inspire greater vulnerability and psychological safety in the workplace.

00:00 Introduction

00:23 About Michael Tennant

01:43 Why Curiosity Lab was created

03:37 How the Curiosity Lab card games are played

08:03 Who stands to benefit from playing the game?

10:58 Michael’s "catalyst of change"

18:19 How the Curiosity Lab card games are tools for healing

22:35 Curiosity Lab’s workshops

24:22 Michael discusses his upcoming book

25:14 Michael describes the "five phases of empathy"

29:21 How Michael became an ‘Empathy Expert’

32:03 Michael Tennant’s Purposeful Empathy Story

CONNECT WITH MICHAEL TENNANT

✩Website https://www.actuallycurious.com/

✩ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/michaeltennantnyc

✩ Actually Curious Instagram https://www.instagram.com/actuallyc_rious/

✩ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-tennant/

✩ Curiosity Lab Website https://www.curiositylab.io/

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email [email protected]

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com/

✩ LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

✩ Twitter https://twitter.com/anitanowak21

✩ Facebook Page https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyFacebook

✩ Facebook Group https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyCommunity

✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast

This episode was brought to you by Grand Heron International

REACH THEM AT

✩ Website www.grandheroninternational.ca; www.ghi.coach

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/grand-heron-international/

✩ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/grandheroninternational/

✩ Instagram @Grand_Heron_International

✩ Twitter @GrandHeronIntl

✩ https://twitter.com/GrandHeronIntl

Video edited by David Tsvariani

Watch this episode to hear a passionate progressive political activist make the case for listening to "both sides."

Joan Blades is the co-founder of LivingRoomConversations.org, an open-sourced effort to build respectful connections across ideological, cultural, and party lines while embracing our core shared values. In this episode, she explains why she felt compelled to launch this latest start-up (she also co-founded MomsRising.org & MoveOn.org) and describes the power of dialogue. She also shares how she’s forged many surprising friendships across the divides.

00:00 Introduction

00:23 About Joan Blades

01:53 What is a "living room conversation”?

04:43 How to change people's minds?

06:31 Who participates in "living room conversations” and how does it work?

10:02 Joan’s backstory

14:00 Building bridges across the political left and right

15:45 The impact of social media on political polarization

17:47 Exploring “The Power of Empathy” as one topic for a "living room conversation"

21:31 How has Joan’s activism impacted her personally?

25:26 Differences and similarities of values among political divides

26:56 Potential applications of "living room conversations"

33:24 Joan Blades’ Purposeful Empathy story

CONNECT WITH JOAN BLADES

✩Website LivingRoomConversations.org

✩ TED Talk https://livingroomconversations.org/video/lrc-at-ted-free-yourself-from-your-filter-bubbles/

✩ Forgiveness conversation highlights https://livingroomconversations.org/video/forgiveness-living-room-conversations-highlights/

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email [email protected]

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com/

✩ LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

✩ Twitter https://twitter.com/anitanowak21

✩ Facebook Page https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyFacebook

✩ Facebook Group https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyCommunity

✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast

This episode was brought to you by Grand Heron International

REACH THEM AT

✩ Website www.grandheroninternational.ca; www.ghi.coach

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/grand-heron-international/

✩ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/grandheroninternational/

✩ Instagram @Grand_Heron_International

✩ Twitter @GrandHeronIntl

✩ https://twitter.com/GrandHeronIntl

Video edited by David Tsvariani

Watch this episode to learn how to practice “empathic discipline” with kids.

Dr. Davin Tan is a New Zealand based psychologist and founder of the Huddle Wisdom Podcast, a series that aims to help people optimize their mental health through the power of empathy. In this episode, he unpacks the concept of “empathy jamming” and why it’s an important feature of his clinical practice. He also shares some tips about how adults can build more empathic relationships with children to bolster their mental health and diminish their fears and anxiety.

00:00 Introduction

00:23 About Dr. Davin Tan

3:38  Davin explains what he means by “empathy jamming”

6:17 Davin describes how he “jams” with patients by being more perceptive

8:07 How magnets are a useful analogy for interactions between people

10:24 Can empathy be taught and learned?

12:50 Why self-awareness is key to empathy

14:02 What is the practice of "empathic discipline?"

17:55 An example of how to practice "empathic discipline"

23:10 How can parents practice empathy to help their anxious children?

27:11 The benefits of connection through storytelling

28:54 How can empaths use "rational empathy" to take better care for themselves

33:44 Davin Tan’s Purposeful Empathy story

CONNECT WITH DR. DAVIN TAN

✩ LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/huddlewisdom

✩ Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNE5QG2oYs2aZu7ldA0l78w

✩ Huddle Wisdom Website https://www.huddlewisdom.com/podcasts/the-huddle-wisdom-podcast

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email [email protected]

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com/

✩ LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

✩ Twitter https://twitter.com/anitanowak21

✩ Facebook Page https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyFacebook

✩ Facebook Group https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyCommunity

✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast

This episode was brought to you by Grand Heron International

REACH THEM AT

✩ Website www.grandheroninternational.ca; www.ghi.coach

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/grand-heron-international/

✩ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/grandheroninternational/

✩ Instagram @Grand_Heron_International

✩ Twitter @GrandHeronIntl

✩ https://twitter.com/GrandHeronIntl

Video edited by David Tsvariani

Watch this episode to challenge your beliefs about finding your purpose.

Nihal Ahmed is the Founder of Limitless Institute, a social enterprise that uses workshops, games, and apps to help people lead healthier, happier, and more impactful lives. In this episode, he describes his journey from engineering to social innovation, why we should “collect biases,” and why empathy fuels purpose.

00:00 Introduction

00:23 About Nihal Ahmed

02:02 Why is “collecting biases” a good thing?

04:32 How travel creates bridges of understanding

07:59 Nihal’s backstory growing up in India

10:50 What is the “Ikiguide” and how is it used?

15:14 How to identify the unmet needs in your life

17:36 Teaching empathy through games

19:30 The Game of Tomorrow

24:40 Empathy as the driver of decisions

26:10 Lessons after playing Nihal’s game

29:10 The importance of subtly ushering change

30:47 How does purpose fuel empathy?

34:10 Nihal Ahmed’s Purposeful Empathy story

CONNECT WITH NIHAL AHMED

✩ LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/nihal1

✩ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nih.al/

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email [email protected]

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com/

✩ LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

✩ Twitter https://twitter.com/anitanowak21

✩ Facebook Page https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyFacebook

✩ Facebook Group https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyCommunity

✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast

This episode was brought to you by Grand Heron International

REACH THEM AT

✩ Website www.grandheroninternational.ca; www.ghi.coach

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/grand-heron-international/

✩ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/grandheroninternational/

✩ Instagram @Grand_Heron_International

✩ Twitter @GrandHeronIntl

✩ https://twitter.com/GrandHeronIntl

Video edited by David Tsvariani

Watch this episode to hear a TBI survivor share an incredible story of recovery.

Chandra Groves suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) after a head-on collision. In this episode, she describes how her life was transformed for years after the accident, her long road to recovery, and her new understanding of disabilities. She also shares a message of hope, empathy, and advocacy for driving without distractions.

00:00 Introduction

00:23 About Chandra Groves

02:06 Chandra shares the harrowing story behind her TBI

05:48 What happened after her accident?

09:14 How Chandra's TBI changed her understanding of disabilities

10:58 The first couple of months post-TBI

14:11 How a TBI affected her psychologically and socially

16:38 Chandra’s heartfelt message to other people living with a TBI

21:32 Chandra offers advice to the family and friends of TBI survivors

24:55 Chandra describes her full recovery

28:40 The importance of gratitude and understanding the fragility of life

31:06 Chandra’s potentially life-saving message to drivers

35:48 Chandra Groves’ Purposeful Empathy story

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email [email protected]

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com/

✩ LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

✩ Twitter https://twitter.com/anitanowak21

✩ Facebook Page https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyFacebook

✩ Facebook Group https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyCommunity

✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast

This episode was brought to you by Grand Heron International

REACH THEM AT

✩ Website www.grandheroninternational.ca; www.ghi.coach

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/grand-heron-international/

✩ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/grandheroninternational/

✩ Instagram @Grand_Heron_International

✩ Twitter @GrandHeronIntl

✩ https://twitter.com/GrandHeronIntl

Video edited by David Tsvariani

Watch this episode to learn why affordable housing is a human rights issue that deserves our urgent attention.  

Isabel Engels is a Director at Auxilium Property Management, an organization in the UK that provides high-quality and sustainable social housing. In this episode, she describes how building a dozen homes in a Brazilian favela changed her life. She also explains why the global housing crisis is an urgent priority to fight poverty.    

00:00 Introduction 

00:23 About Isabel Engels 

03:13 What is the connection between housing and poverty alleviation? 

05:21 The housing crisis in the UK 

07:24 Isabel’s experience working in a Brazilian favela 

11:57 Isabel’s move to London after graduating at McGill 

15:29 Why home ownership is so important 

18:12 What does Auxilium Property Management do? 

22:33 Why social entrepreneurs need to care about both the business and the impact 

23:40 What role does empathy play in affordable housing? 

27:01 Putting yourself out there and finding your true calling  

30:50 Isabel Engel’s Purposeful Empathy story   

CONNECT WITH Isabel Engels  

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelengels/

✩ KIS Sourcing Websitehttps://kisourcing.co.uk/  

✩ Auxilium Property Management Website https://auxpm.co.uk/ 

CONNECT WITH ANITA 

✩ Email [email protected]   

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com/   

✩ LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak 

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

✩ Twitter https://twitter.com/anitanowak21

✩ Facebook Page https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyFacebook

✩ Facebook Group https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyCommunity

✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast 

This episode was brought to you by Grand Heron International   

REACH THEM AT 

✩ Website www.grandheroninternational.ca; www.ghi.coach 

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/grand-heron-international/

✩ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/grandheroninternational/

✩ Instagram @Grand_Heron_International 

✩ Twitter @GrandHeronIntl ✩ https://twitter.com/GrandHeronIntl 

Video edited by David Tsvariani

Watch this episode to learn how empathy is grounded in neuroscience.

Neuroeconomist Dr. Paul Zak researches brain processes related to virtuous behaviours like trustworthiness and generosity. He is also the author of The Moral Molecule. In this episode, he describes the underlying neurochemical processes of prosocial behaviour, including empathy. He also explains why new technology can be a double-edged sword.

00:00 Introduction

00:23 About Paul Zak

01:45 Paul's research about trust and its real-life implications

05:02 Why we can trust the goodwill of other people

07:56 Are levels of generalized trust decreasing around the world?

10:24 What’s the difference between behavioural economics and behavioural neuroscience?

14:20 Paul explains how prosocial behaviours have neurological substrates

16:55 The neurochemical basis for empathy

20:33 Why it’s important to ask: “Are you okay?”

24:29 How Paul integrates what he’s learned into his personal life

29:10 How does empathy improve our quality of life?

29:49 How researchers measure empathy

34:14 Paul explains how new technology can arouse our emotions

37:03 Paul Zak's Purposeful Empathy story

CONNECT WITH PAUL ZAK

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-zak-91123510/

✩ Website https://www.getimmersion.com

✩ Personal Website https://www.pauljzak.com

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email [email protected]

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com/

✩ LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

✩ Twitter https://twitter.com/anitanowak21

✩ Facebook Page https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyFacebook

✩ Facebook Group https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyCommunity

✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast

This episode was brought to you by Grand Heron International

REACH THEM AT

✩ Website www.grandheroninternational.ca; www.ghi.coach

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/grand-heron-international/

✩ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/grandheroninternational/

✩ Instagram @Grand_Heron_International

✩ Twitter @GrandHeronIntl

✩ https://twitter.com/GrandHeronIntl

Video edited by David Tsvariani

Watch this episode to learn how to avoid an empathy burnout from a practising psychologist.

Dr. Juli Fraga is Co-founder of the Empathy Bootcamp, a series of on-demand courses that help leaders and educators learn to improve their communication, de-program emotional blocks , and harness the inner strength to show up stronger for people in personal distress. In this episode, she describes their methodology and shares some tips, including how to begin doing “empathy easy lifts.”

00:00 Introduction

00:23 About Dr. Juli Fraga

01:39 What is Empathy Bootcamp?

03:39 The difference between affective and cognitive empathy

05:50 What are some empathy pitfalls?

08:51 Juli’s empathy backstory

12:29 The importance of knowing your “empathy type”

14:20 What is "empathy fatigue”?

15:59 Debunking four empathy myths

19:45 The important habit of asking: “How are you today?”

23:53 What are “easy lifts” to overcome empathy fatigue?

31:35 Dr. Juli Fraga’s Purposeful Empathy story

CONNECT WITH Dr. Juli Fraga

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/empathybootcamp/

✩ Website www.empathybootcamp.com

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email [email protected]

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com/

✩ LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

✩ Twitter https://twitter.com/anitanowak21

✩ Facebook Page https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyFacebook

✩ Facebook Group https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyCommunity

✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast

This episode was brought to you by Grand Heron International

REACH THEM AT

✩ Website www.grandheroninternational.ca; www.ghi.coach

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/grand-heron-international/

✩ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/grandheroninternational/

✩ Instagram @Grand_Heron_International

✩ Twitter @GrandHeronIntl

✩ https://twitter.com/GrandHeronIntl

Video edited by David Tsvariani

Watch this episode to learn how teams can practice empathy to deepen workplace connections.

Michael Ventura is the author of Applied Empathy. His work focuses on helping leaders and their teams catalyze change. He has worked with Google, Nike, Microsoft, the United Nations, and Obama administration. In this episode, he describes how businesses can measure empathy through KPIs including retention, performance, and profitability.

00:00 Introduction

00:23 About Michael Ventura

02:25 Why the pursuit of self-knowledge is important to Michael

04:18 Michael's backstory

07:56 Does empathy enhance or inhibit performance?

10:57 How to overcome barriers to empathy

12:54 How can the design thinking approach improve relationships?

16:03 How to practice "empathic versatility”

18:55 Why high-performing teams use empathy as an accelerant

20:51 Michael responds to empathy cynics

22:53 The positive unintended consequences of the pandemic

26:24 Finding the balance between giving and getting

28:37 Michael Ventura’s Purposeful Empathy story

CONNECT WITH Michael Ventura

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mvmvmv/

✩ Website http://consolidatedeggs.com

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email [email protected]

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com/

✩ LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

✩ Twitter https://twitter.com/anitanowak21

✩ Facebook Page https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyFacebook

✩ Facebook Group https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyCommunity

✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast

This episode was brought to you by Grand Heron International

REACH THEM AT

✩ Website www.grandheroninternational.ca; www.ghi.coach

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/grand-heron-international/

✩ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/grandheroninternational/

✩ Instagram @Grand_Heron_International

✩ Twitter @GrandHeronIntl

✩ https://twitter.com/GrandHeronIntl

Video edited by David Tsvariani

Watch this episode to learn why emotional development is as important as academic development.

Lynne Azarchi is the author of The Empathy Advantage and Executive Director of KidsBridge Youth Center, a non-profit organization that has helped more than 30,000 students and educators improve their social and emotional learning (SEL). In this episode, she shares ways in which parents and educators can help children become more empathic and explains why SEL is correlated to academic success and wellbeing.

00:00 Introduction

00:23 About Lynne Azarchi

01:37 How Lynne discovered that empathy is teachable

04:53 Lynne discussed her book, The Empathy Advantage

07:48 Why Lynne is obsessed with empathy

08:53 Lynne's describes her “triad of empathy”

10:46 What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?

13:09 The relationship between empathy and bystanders

15:25 The importance of active listening

19:30 How pets develop empathy in children

21:25 Lynne’s call to action

24:36 Lynne shares two heartwarming stories

28:45 Why we should appreciate teachers

34:09 Lynne Azarchi’s Purposeful Empathy story

CONNECT WITH Lynne Azarchi

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynneazarchi/

✩ Website http://empathyadvantagebook.com

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email [email protected]

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com/

✩ LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

✩ Twitter https://twitter.com/anitanowak21

✩ Facebook Page https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyFacebook

✩ Facebook Group https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyCommunity

✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast

This episode was brought to you by Grand Heron International

REACH THEM AT

✩ Website www.grandheroninternational.ca; www.ghi.coach

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/grand-heron-international/

✩ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/grandheroninternational/

✩ Instagram @Grand_Heron_International

✩ Twitter @GrandHeronIntl

✩ https://twitter.com/GrandHeronIntl

Video edited by David Tsvariani