In this conversation, Erin chats with Valeria Rusnak as she discusses her journey as a podcaster and community leader, focusing on the themes of rejection and empathy. She emphasizes the importance of removing shame associated with rejection and how empathy can serve as a powerful tool in understanding others. Valeria shares her insights on establishing emotional boundaries, practicing empathy in real-life situations, and the significance of self-awareness in developing empathy skills. The discussion also touches on the challenges people face in practicing empathy and offers practical tips for listeners to enhance their empathetic abilities.

Today on Tactical Empathy:

• Valeria Rusnak is a podcaster focused on celebrating rejection.
• Empathy helps remove the shame associated with rejection.
• Establishing emotional boundaries is crucial in practicing empathy.
• Self-awareness is the foundation for effective empathy.
• Empathy is a skill that can be developed over time.
• Listening and validating others builds trust in relationships.
• People's reactions often stem from their own struggles, not personal issues.
• Practicing self-compassion enhances our ability to empathize with others.
• Exposure to diverse stories broadens our understanding of human experiences.
• Reading fiction can improve our empathy skills.

Connect with Valeria:

• Website: rss.com/podcasts/rejected-premed/
• Instagram: @the_rejectedpremed_podcast
• Email: [email protected]
• Booking Link: calendly.com/valerusu55

Connect with Erin:

• Instagram: @elthorp 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-thorp-speaker/
• Website: www.erinthorp.ca 
• Inside Out Empathy Free Chapter: https://www.insideoutempathy.com/
• Freebie: 5 Practices to Build Empathy Skills

This show was produced by ELF Solutions Inc.