When was the last time that you had to deal with a difficult person? Do you wish you could of handled it a bit better? Our co-hosts talk about some different ways that you can walk a compassionate path when dealing with difficult people.

WCSU Biology Professor Dr. Mitch Wagener specializes in the study of eco-systems. When he began looking at the largest eco-system – the Earth – for effects of climate change, he became alarmed.

David Mitchell, the National Director of Philanthropy at World Vision U.S., is our guest for this episode. World Vision is one of the largest international humanitarian relief and development organizations serving people living in extreme poverty all over the globe. David discusses the role of compassion in not only building a strong community anywhere in the world but also how it can help to address political-economic problems. Get your virtual passport ready because David takes us on a world-wind tour of how one compassionate organization is trying to eradicate poverty.

Dr. Michael Finkelstein, the founder and medical director of Sun Raven: The One of Slow Medicine, is our guest for this podcast episode. Dr. Finkelstein explains not only the role that compassion can and should play in medical treatment but also the importance of "slow medicine". We talk about how "the process" is more important than "the goals" in attaining a healthy life and why we should clearly understand the fact that "we are what we do". Dr. Finkelstein made a "house call" to our studio and you, the listener, get all the benefits (including his unending dose of compassionate wisdom) with no co-pay!

We know what happens when there are too many “cooks” in the kitchen but what happens when there is more than one “Kukk” on a podcast? Elly Kukk (Reiki Master Teacher, Parenting Educator, and Chris’ wife) joins the podcast to discuss the role of compassion in parenting and marriage.

Dr. Forest Robertson loves Organic Chemistry. He explains how he teaches students to understand – and even love it – with an innovative classroom approach he invented.

Our guest for this episode, Jim Kennedy (CEO of The Network Support Company), has woven compassion with business and technology to become a successful entrepreneur. We discuss the differences between a workplace filled with “sharks" compared to one filled with “dolphins”as well as ideas for how to create a work environment where compassion drives success at all levels. Jim also offers insights into how compassion can be used as a synergistic source for business and local community engagement on issues ranging from religious diversity to healthcare.

Love146 (https://love146.org) brings the concept of a compassionate achiever to life on the organizational level. Steve Martin, Love146’s CEO, is our guest for this episode where we explore not only how the name of the organization is connected to its purpose of stopping child trafficking and exploitation but also how compassion plays a role in balancing personal anger and frustration. We discuss how anyone can make a positive difference in the world and how we all can try to avoid “compassion fade."

William Beattie is the featured compassionate achiever for this episode. We discuss how individual and community success can both grow through the combination of compassion and religion. We use the efforts of the nonprofit and non-governmental organization he founded called Jericho Partnership (http://jerichopartnership.org) to highlight compassion’s role in personal and communal development.

Jay Murray is in charge of enrollment at WestConn. In this podcast, he discusses what students need to do to get accepted at the university, and what students can expect during their first year.