Watch this episode to learn how to develop your “Inner Compass” and become a leader capable of greater ethical decision-making.

In this week’s episode, Anita explores "Inner Compass" with Dr. Mary Gentile, creator of the innovative Giving Voice to Values (GVV) program. In this compelling conversation, Mary describes how our values and inner compass can inspire ethical decision-making and ethical leadership. Mary also unpacks her seven-pillar GVV framework—values, purpose, choice, normalization, self-knowledge, voice, and reasons and rationalizations—and uses real examples to demonstrate how leaders can effectively act on their values.

00:00 Preview

00:38 Introduction 

01:16 About Dr. Mary Gentile

02:51 How the IDG definition of “Inner Compass” resonates with Mary

06:12 How can leaders develop their Inner Compass? 

10:12 Mary’s backstory

14:08 Why should leaders complicate their thinking and listen to voices that are typically not as loud?

17:32 What are the barriers to ethical decision-making?

21:11 The “Giving Voice to Values” (GVV) framework

26:42 What is the “locus of loyalty”?

28:35 Why is courage the starting point for ethical action?

35:25 How to make ethical decisions when “right” and “wrong” is not clear?

38:42 Does today’s world diminish our ability to practice GVV?

42:56 How do values relate to ethical choices?

47:45 What are the implications of making unethical decisions at work?

52:23 How do the GVV pillars align with the IDG framework?

54:34 Dr. Mary Gentile’s Purposeful Empathy story

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email [email protected] 

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com

✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA

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

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

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

✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social

CONNECT WITH MARY

✩ Website https://givingvoicetovaluesthebook.com/

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-gentile-a21b9225/

SHOW NOTES

✩ Inner Development Goals

✩ Giving Voice to Values

Video edited by Green Horizon Studio

In the face of polycrises, we need inner transformation for outer change more than ever!

Watch this episode to learn about the Inner Development Goals - a framework of leadership skills (based on the science of personal development) to achieve a more just and sustainable world. 

With an academic background in cognitive neuroscience and happiness research, Erik Fernholm is a sought-after speaker and thought leader who co-founded the IDGs. In this episode, he describes why personal growth is necessary to transform society ​​- especially at a time of polycrisis. 

00:00  Preview

00:23  Introduction 

01:01  About Erik Fernholm 

01:48  Why the Inner Development Goals framework is so important right now

06:53  How can we disrupt systems that no longer serve us?

13:53  Erik’s personal journey: Why he prioritises value over profit

19:04  We’re more connected than we think

24:50  What is a “good life”? 

33:53  Are we avoiding discomfort or becoming who we aim to be?

37:44  Why the IDG framework is an invitation to expand rather than a to-do list 

46:54 Life is about the journey, not the outcome. 

56:13  The IDGs backstory

01:02:35 Critiques of the IDG framework 

01:06:32 The problem of striving towards perfection

01:14:03 Erik Fernholm’s Purposeful Empathy Story 

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email [email protected] 

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com

✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA

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

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

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

CONNECT WITH ERIK

✩ Website https://erikfernholm.se

SHOW NOTES

✩ IDG Framework

✩ Erik Fernholm

✩ Adult temper tantrums 

Video edited by Green Horizon Studio

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 workplaces, relationships and society at large.

00:00 Preview

00:29 Introduction 

00:48 About Mr. David Johnston

04:27 Why does David hold empathy as a value?

08:08 How could we turn the compassion we feel for others into legitimate action?

09:43 The historical context of sustainable development in Canada

13:25 David's childhood experiences of self-reliance and learning empathy

16:30 How to flex empathy muscles?

19:41 How David navigated complex situations with compassion during his tenure as Governor General?

23:23 Mr. David Johnston’s Purposeful Empathy story

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email [email protected] 

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com

✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA

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

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

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

CONNECT WITH DAVID

✩ Website https://righthonourabledavidjohnston.ca/

SHOW NOTES

✩ Empathy: Compassion into Action

✩ Trust: Twenty Ways to Build a Better Country

Video edited by David Tsvariani

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 scripts and towards genuine empathy with customers. She also describes a film project that celebrates how the Tibetan community living in exile in India teach compassion and empathy - much like we teach math and science in the West.

00:00 Preview

00:38 Introduction 

00:57 About Dr. Natalie Petouhoff

03:24 Natalie’s backstory

05:37 Steps to become more empathic

08:26 What challenges leaders face in practicing empathy?

10:57 How empathy alchemizes disconnection and optimizes human potential?

16:02 Balancing empathy and high performance culture

19:54 Empathy in customer service

22:17 What is Natalie’s ‘House on Fire’ approach?

26:38 Empathy as a strategic asset

30:20 What would happen if we become more empathic?

35:58 Impact of social media polarization on connection and perspective-taking

36:43 Backstory of Natalie’s film and her experience with the Dalai Lama’s teachings

40:45 Curriculum on how to become a good human

46:22 The Inner Development Goals

48:33 What lessons did Natalie learn from being part of the film project?

54:40 Dr. Natalie Petouhoff’s Purposeful Empathy Story

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email [email protected] 

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com

✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA

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

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

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

CONNECT WITH NATALIE

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

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

SHOW NOTES

✩ IDGs

✩ Empathy in Action

Video edited by David Tsvariani

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 resilience, growth, and deeper connections.

00:00 Preview

00:36 Introduction 

00:55 About Alejandra Guevara Peres

02:11 Alejandra’s backstory

06:06 What was Alejandra’s path to healing and empathy

08:16 Why empathy is our superpower

13:20 Lessons from Alejandra’s healing journey

16:58 What is the importance of self-empathy?

20:12 What is the true meaning of empathy?

23:54 You're not alone - Alejandra's message of hope

27:35 What inspired Alejandra to become a pilates instructor and write a book?

30:32 Importance of setting boundaries - especially for Latin American Women

34:27 Alejandra’s Message in Spanish to Latin American Women

38:42 Alejandra Guevara’s Purposeful Empathy story

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email [email protected] 

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com

✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA

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

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

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

CONNECT WITH ALEJANDRA

✩ Website www.littlebooksof.com

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

✩ LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/alejandra-g1973

Video edited by David Tsvariani

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 highlights the importance of sensitivity within leadership.

00:00 Preview

00:31 Introduction 

00:50 About Elena Amber

01:59 Elena’s backstory

06:48 What is "Inner development for outer impact"?

11:25 The rise of evolutionary movements

12:48 Impact of sustainable consumption on well-being

16:28 The link between emotional connection and loneliness

20:04 Why is vulnerability not a weakness

23:16 What is the connection between sensitivity and empathy?

24:48 Can we learn to be more sensitive?

26:44 Programming AI to be empathic

33:56 Elena’s next book, Emotional Capital for the Triple Win

36:15 Why sensitivity is crucial in the modern world

38:12 Elena Amber's Purposeful Empathy story

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email [email protected] 

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com

✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA

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

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

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

CONNECT WITH ELENA

✩ Website www.elenavamber.com

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-v-amber-author/

SHOW NOTES

Quantum Empathy by Catherine Pavlovich

The Gift of Sensitivity

Video edited by David Tsvariani

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 harnessing the power of empathy by offering valuable insights and practical techniques. In this episode, Karla draws from her deep empathy expertise to discuss a wide range of topics including the transformative power of empathy, emotional vocabulary, and "conscious complaining" for better connections across life contexts.

00:00   Preview

00:28   Introduction 

00:18   About Karla McLaren

02:31   Karla’s backstory

05:03   Karla's journey of learning from emotions

08:13   Practices to identify emotions

10:56   The importance of self-awareness

12:48   Why mindfulness helps us sense our emotions

15:18   Understanding empathic styles

17:45   What is the “state matching” form of empathy?

21:55   Empathic communication practices

25:18   How can parents read emotions with empathy?

30:22   Six fears of emotions

33:47   Strategies to overcome exam anxiety

37:11   Karla McLaren’s Purposeful Empathy story

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email [email protected] 

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com

✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA

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

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

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

CONNECT WITH KARLA

✩ Email [email protected]

✩ Website https://karlamclaren.com/a-new-community-space/

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/karla-mclaren-m-ed-17b947a2/

✩ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/karlamclaren.m.ed/

SHOW NOTES

✩ The Language of Emotions

✩ Empathy Academy

Video edited by David Tsvariani

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 workers regarding  the misinterpretation of psychological safety, and its implications for fostering empathetic relationships to create a more humane workplace.

00:00 Preview

00:20 Introduction 

00:38 About Jeremy Adamson

01:41 Reading “Geeks with Empathy”

03:44 Why is empathy so important?

05:48 Why do technology workers have strained relationships at their workplace?

10:03 The misinterpretation of psychological safety

12:40 Dangers of relying on data to make decisions

17:09 The epidemic of loneliness and how to overcome it?

20:56 The need for humanizing the workplace

21:07 Mindfulness; a path for loneliness recovery

26:15 Generational differences in the workplace and the need for empathy

30:32 The technical posture

34:05 The android paradox: replacing real connection

38:54 Tips for being empathic and leveraging empathy

41:38 Jeremy Adamson’s purposeful empathy story

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email [email protected] 

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com

✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA

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

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

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

CONNECT WITH JEREMY

✩ Email [email protected]

✩ Website https://rjeremyadamson.com/

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

✩ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/r2b7e/

SHOW NOTES

✩ Geeks with Empathy

✩ The Great Resignation

Video edited by David Tsvariani

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 for children – including their academic outcomes.

00:00 Preview

00:31 Introduction 

00:50   About Dr. Debarshi Roy

02:32   Debarshi’s backstory

05:52   How to make schools exciting for students?

09:52   How AI and machine learning are part of Debarshi’s diagnostic tool?

14:22   SEAB Empathy diagnostic system

17:47   Debarshi’s research framework

21:57   Element I: leadership

25:28   Element II: Empathic culture

26:53   Element III: Justice

28:35   Role of empathy in fostering human progress among marginalized and underprivileged populations

30:42   Dr. Debarshi Roy’s Purposeful Empathy story

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email [email protected] 

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com

✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA

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

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

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

CONNECT WITH DEBARSHI

✩ Email [email protected]

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-debarshi-roy-28906b14/

SHOW NOTES

✩ ‘Skinned Knees and ABCs – The complex world of schools’ (Routledge, 2020)

✩ Empathy-Driven School Systems: Nature, Concept and Evolution

Video edited by David Tsvariani

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 positive content, Principles of inclusion and belonging, and Empathy before accusation) are the four pillars that help allow us to slow down before we react.

00:00 Preview

00:22 Introduction 

00:41 About Misha Safran

02:29 Misha’s backstory that led her to empathy

03:15 The power of self-acceptance and authenticity

07:56 What is the ‘power of the pause’? 

11:24 Misha’s thoughts on purposeful empathy 

14:37 An excerpt from 'How to Center Empathy & Emotional Wellbeing for Yourself and Your Students' 

17:35 How does empathy enhance our relationships in families, schools, and workplaces?

20:42 What does A stand for in D.E.I.A? 

22:11 How to prevent empathy fatigue 

24:19 Four elements of joy: play, dance, music, laughter

28:46 The Inner Development Goals

33:37 How to have empathy for those who have hurt us 

35:45 Misha Safran’s Purposeful Empathy Story 

CONNECT WITH ANITA

✩ Email [email protected] 

✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com

✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA

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

✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram

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

CONNECT WITH MISHA

✩ Email [email protected]

✩ Website https://www.ceeq.org/

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

✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/misha-safran/

SHOW NOTES

✩ 4 elements of joy 

✩ A Teacher's Companion: How to Center Empathy & Emotional Well-Being for Yourself and Your Students

✩ The IDGs: https://innerdevelopmentgoals.org/

Video edited by David Tsvariani