Teaser: Is it really true that somehow we are biogenetically hardwired to not feel a sense of care and empathy for those different than us. Am I as an inclusive activist even subject to this threat? How can I be inclusive if I am hard wired to not care about the pain of others?

Today’s podcast is on The Racial Empathy Gap.

Welcome back to the podcast! The last two weeks have been really fantastic and I am very appreciative of the time I have had to spend some quality time the last few weekends with friend and family

So as far as podcast updates go, I had the podcasts first email this past week and it was very cool because I was asked to speak on activism and self care and how to avoid activist burnout sadly I had to turn down the opportunity to speak at the We the People Summitt sponsored by some great forward thinking folk who needed some different thoughts on diversity inclusion and activism.  It really sounded like an amazing opportunity but sadly I am out of town for an Emerging Leaders Retreat. That is the second opportunity I am having to miss to do inclusion work but at least Emerging Leaders is a form of inclusion work as well. But if you have an opportunity to connect with me and create some synergy – Please remember you can email me at [email protected] or leave me a voicemail at 860-576-9393. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Also remember to rate and review us on iTunes, or Stitcher, or if you could please share the podcast on social media, All these things go a long way to making a significant difference for us here at the inclusive activism podcast. Also please subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play as these are great ways for me to show “proof of work to potential sponsors”. It would also go a long way in getting my producer Sara paid for her work someday too!

So checking in on my Activism:

Its been 4 meeting since I have joined the opportunity Valley Leadership Advance – it is for people who do leadership in AZ but are not yet considered pillars in the community – its been ok

I’m scheduled to get ready for my service event with VLA on 11/18 with Habitat for Humanity which should be interesting since I have never done service with that organization

Did service last night with howl-o-ween – it’s a fund-raising event with the Phx Zoo which I know causes some problematics but it overall is a good if imperfect event which does help conservation efforts across the globe and it provides a safe place for Halloween activities too

I’ll be looking doing a lot more service over Nov which will do a lot to help me cultivate gratitude and I really want to make Nov a month of appreciation.

Self Care:

Lift X4 times a week which was good but one short of my goal however I am needing to heal a nagging injury

Got 3X Cardio done this week which is very cool

And Meditated for 3X for at least 10-15 mins as well

Won my first flag football playoff game this morning which means a lot to me

Had a friend Luke Black over last week and it had been a while we are very good for each other to keep me active and keep him balanced and as joyful as we can manage!

So on to the podcast for today!

First: What is the racial empathy gap? This notion comes from a well-documented psychological phenomenon behind what I’d overheard. Morten B. sent along an essay by Jason Silverstein in which he reviews the literature on the racial empathy gap. All things being equal, if you show a person an image of a dark- and a light-skinned person being harmed, they will most likel