The pulse of empathy: Melinda McCormack on creating real change in a disconnected worls

Dec 4, 2025

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Melinda McCormack unpacks the growing sense of isolation many of us feel—at work, in our communities, and even at home—thanks to our fast-paced, tech-heavy lives.

In this episode, we explore the art and science of empathy, drawing from Melinda McCormack’s decades of experience helping leaders and teams navigate challenging emotional terrain. With insights from her new book, “Pulse: Empathy Is Your Edge,” you’ll discover a practical, five-step framework for building trust, breaking through resistance, and creating truly sustainable change.

Key topics

1. The Challenge of Disconnection and the Need for Empathy

Modern life’s disconnection fueled by technology and excessive screen time
Emotional overwhelm and resistance to change as common experiences
Empathy as a critical tool to rebuild genuine human connection

2. Melinda McCormack’s Personal Story and Empathy Mission

Inspired by the experience of raising her son after losing her partner
Focused on building emotional strength and resilience in herself and her son
Transformation from adversity to an advocacy for empathy and emotional awareness

3. The Pulse Framework for Empathy

Purpose: Anchoring in personal values and “why”
Understanding: Building self-awareness of emotional patterns (“emotional DNA”)
Learning and Shifting: Developing emotional skills, forming new habits, reframing thoughts
Embracing Change: Combining emotional agility with rational decision-making

4. Bringing Empathy to Work and Leadership

Emotional intelligence reframed as a business-critical skill, not just “soft”
Importance of authentic, adaptable leadership in an age of rapid change and AI
Creating psychological safety, inclusion, and trust in teams

5. Everyday Practices and Repairing Disconnection

Techniques for self-check-ins and intentional emotional responses
Approaches to overcoming resistance, self-limiting beliefs, and perfectionism
Practical steps for mending relationships—apologizing, humility, and face-to-face connection

Time-stamped overview

00:00 Empathy's Role in Strength and Growth

03:49 "From Struggle to Connection"

07:12 "Human-centered Leadership in AI Era"

12:46 Emotional Agility and Self-Trust

15:28 "Shifting Beliefs for Growth"

18:27 "Beliefs Drive Daily Self-Check"

21:55 Call Centre Frustration Experience

26:39 Reframing Change for Collaboration

28:30 "Humanity, Empathy, and Connection"

32:12 "Empathy: Your Edge"

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