Complex with Kimberley Wilson Are you too empathetic? Or not enough?
Nov 12, 2025
Dr. Martha Deiros Collado, a clinical psychologist with two decades of experience, dives deep into the nuances of empathy. She explains the differences between empathy and sympathy, and introduces the three types: affective, compassionate, and cognitive. The conversation explores how empathy develops in childhood and the consequences of having too much—or too little—of it. Dr. Martha also shares practical tips for enhancing empathy, such as using feeling wheels and recognizing emotions, making it a must-listen for anyone seeking deeper connections.
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Passing A Distressed Stranger
- Kimberley describes finding a woman on the pavement at night and choosing not to intervene because others were already helping.
- She then second-guessed whether that choice reflected on her empathy, illustrating real-world moral ambiguity.
Three Faces Of Empathy
- Empathy means being with someone's experience and feelings rather than feeling for them (sympathy).
- It splits into affective, compassionate and cognitive forms that develop differently.
Name Emotions Before You React
- Recognize and label emotions in others and yourself to build empathy skills.
- Use perspective-taking and suspend judgment before responding to someone.