The Empathy Edge

Modern media and the state of journalism today is, well…interesting. With fake news, misinformation, and clickbait - combined with more news outlets folding or being snapped up by private equity companies - it's a bit of a minefield. So I reached out to my friend Dr. Gina Baleria to help us make sense of it all. Today, Gina and I talk about the state of the journalism industry. We discuss that in addition to knowing how to write, research, and interview, journalists need intangible skills such as empathy, curiosity, community engagement, and tenacity to ensure all voices are included and authentically conveyed.  We discuss how journalists balance empathy and connection with their task at hand. Gina also shares how we, as consumers, can reduce our draw to misinformation, why media plays to our emotions, and offers strategies to help us build media literacy so we  consume it in a more thoughtful way to engage and see each other's humanity, rather than disconnect.Key Takeaways:Social media allows for more voices to be heard that may not previously have had a platform. This is a double-edged sword.Journalists can put the information out into the world, but they do not have control over how consumers choose to engage with that content.Have external cues to stop yourself from Doom Scrolling on social media. The more “suggested for you” content you look at, the more you will be shown.Give yourself pause to do a little bit of research before you share inflammatory news articles or posts. You have the option to be discerning about what you choose to consume and share."As people are less aware of what's going on in their local community, and only see national news, studies show that lack leads to more polarization, which leads to less civic engagement, which leads to a whole host of issues." —  Dr. Gina BaleriaAbout Dr. Gina Baleria:Dr. Gina Baleria, Ed.D., is an assistant professor of digital media, media writing, podcasting, and journalism at Sonoma State University and a former broadcast and digital journalist. Her book, The Journalism Behind Journalism explores how to cultivate intangible journalistic skills, such as curiosity, empathy, tenacity, recognizing implicit biases, and writing inclusively. Gina also produces and hosts the podcast News in Context. Prior to teaching, Gina was an award-winning broadcast & digital journalist at stations including KCBS Radio, KGO TV, & KGO Radio in San Francisco; KXTV & KFBK in Sacramento; and KCAL in Los Angeles. She also helped create and manage a digital newsroom at the nonpartisan nonprofit governance organization, California Forward. Outside of work, Gina enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with friends and family. She and her husband live in San Francisco. Connect with Gina BaleriaBook: The Journalism Behind Journalism:  Going Beyond the Basics to Train Effective Journalists in a Shifting Landscape (Routledge 2021) Also available on Amazon.Her podcast: News in Context - http://newsincontext.net/Sonoma State University: https://coms.sonoma.edu/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginabaleria/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newsdawg13Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newsincontext/Twitter: https://twitter.com/newsincontextsfEpisode References: The Dart Center: https://dartcenter.org/Civity: https://civity.org/Edwin Rutsch: How Empathy Circles Can Change the WorldMónica Guzmán: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Divided Political TimesDon’t forget to download your free guide! Discover The 5 Business Benefits of Empathy: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathyConnect with Maria: Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaTwitter: @redsliceFacebook: Red Slice Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.comKeynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross

If you're not in tech, you may not be familiar with Customer Success (CS) within your organization and how essential it is to the company's long-term success. Even if you do know what it is, perhaps your company isn't fully leveraging what it can do to catapult growth and revenue. Turns out, empathy is a key skill for CS managers, in addition to other traits my guest today will share. Emilia D'Anzica is the founder of Growth Molecules, an emerging management consulting firm that helps companies simplify customer success and become more profitable. Emilia speaks about her passion for SaaS products, women in tech, and customer success. Today we discuss how customer success is different from customer service, where the field is going, the traits that make a CS manager successful, and how to avoid common mistakes when building out your CS function that could do more harm than good. We also chat about working moms in the tech industry and her recent book, Pressing ON as a Tech Mom: How Tech Industry Mothers Set Goals, Define Boundaries & Raise the Bar for Success.Key Takeaways:Customer support is reactive. Customer success is proactive to retain customers and help them to thrive and stick around due to the great care they are receiving. Language shifts are really important when you're starting a customer success organization, ensuring that you're really thinking about how you speak about the people that you're going to bring in and the people you're serving.You have to put yourself in your customer's shoes. Not everyone's like you and they're looking at the challenge in a different way. "You need to be able to influence the rest of the organization so that they're able to see the customer journey as critical to the company's success." —  Emilia D’Ánzica About Emilia D'Anzica, Founder Growth MoleculesStarting her career in Silicon Valley, Emilia D’Anzica has developed a passion for SaaS products, women in tech, and customer success. She has cultivated rich experience and knowledge after leading teams at global companies including Jobvite, WalkMe, and BrightEdge. Emilia has also obtained an MBA from Saint Mary's College of California with a focus on Global Competition and Strategy. She then founded Growth Molecules, an emerging management consulting firm, helping companies simplify customer success and become more profitable. She is globally recognized as a top 25 leader in Customer Success, having received numerous accolades for her work, and is well-known as a customer success speaker. Emilia has also been featured in countless media including Forbes.com, been a speaker at SaaStr Annual Conference, Unleash 19, RD summit, among more.  Originally from Naples, Italy, Emilia is an immigrant and one of six children who grew up in Kelowna, British Columbia. She has lived and worked in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Rome, Italy early in her career. When she isn’t working or traveling the world, Emilia spends time with her partner, three children, and multiple animals exploring Sonoma County, where she now resides. Pressing ON as a Tech Mom is Emilia's first book.Connect with Emilia D'AnzicaHer company: Growth Molecules: https://growthmolecules.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/emiliadanzicaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliadanzica/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growthmoleculesBook: Pressing ON as a Tech Mom: How Tech Industry Mothers Set Goals, Define Boundaries & Raise the Bar for SuccessCustomer Success Academy for Customer Success Managers and Leaders - 16 courses and workshops.Don’t forget to download your free guide! Discover The 5 Business Benefits of Empathy: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathyConnect with Maria: Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaTwitter: @redsliceFacebook: Red Slice Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.comKeynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross

Does your organization actually bet on its people? Like, truly invest in and grow your people - even if you know they may not stay more than a few years? Well, today, you'll learn that doing so is a smart business strategy and one that has helped TBWA Worldwide dominate in the advertising industry across the globe. Today, we talk with the delightful Rhonda George-Denniston, Chief Learning Officer at TBWA Worldwide. We discuss why her company has elevated learning to the C-suite, what today's leaders need to succeed, how to lead multi-generational workforces and help each other collaborate well together, and why so-called soft skills of communication, empathy, and authenticity can make or break your company's success. We also discuss how industry leaders like TBWA devote resources and time to build those skills for ALL their people at every level - not just a select group. Key Takeaways:As a leader, you need to have relationships with your people and be willing to ask for honest feedback. You need to know how you are perceived and received by your team. Even the most experienced leaders can benefit from understanding or getting a little bit more insight into their leadership style and where they may have blind spots. Self-awareness is the most important trait good leaders can possess.The differences are your team's strengths. We all have something that we can learn from one another and how we each see the world and the work.  "Everyone wants to be treated with dignity. Everyone wants to know that they're doing meaningful work. Everyone wants to know that they're compensated for what they're worth, and that they're bringing value to the organization." —  Rhonda George-DennistonAbout Rhonda George-Denniston, Chief Learning Development Officer, TBWA WorldwideHaving spent her initial career in the dot.com boom, Rhonda brings an entrepreneurial spirit to her role. In 2001 she joined TBWA and landed on her mission—helping others to be their best selves. Rhonda is responsible for TBWA’s talent development strategy, ensuring key talent is retained, engaged, and thriving throughout their careers. Focusing on a systematic and interactive learning approach she advocates individual growth plans while bolstering TBWA's top talent. She’s a nurturer; an avid gardener and rescuer of discarded furniture — giving them a whole new life and purpose.References Mentioned:The Empathy Edge podcast: Brandon Miller: Do You and Your Team Really Know Your Strengths?Connect with Rhonda George-DennistonTBWA Worldwide Website: https://tbwa.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/RhondaG30391043LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonda-george-denniston/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhonda.george.796Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhondageorge/  Don’t forget to download your free guide! Discover The 5 Business Benefits of Empathy: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy  Connect with Maria: Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaTwitter: @redsliceFacebook: Red Slice Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.comKeynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross

Think about your organization's values for a second. I bet you have values such as integrity, honesty, innovation, or others that are similar. Maybe you have something like, Take Risks, or Customer Obsession, or even Embrace Curiosity. But do you have the word "love" anywhere on that list? Does even saying that in a business context make you feel a bit nervous?While it's Valentine's Day season and we're talking about love in all its forms this time of year, I bet you never thought about including that word in any sort of business communications whatsoever except maybe to say "We love our customers" or "We love a challenge."Your invitation today is to think about the role love plays in your company's mission, culture, and success, in the way you operate with each other, and to not be afraid of it anymore. We’re in this together. But we need to show up in ALL areas of our lives and business. Don't be afraid to make work personal.  Get aligned. Choose love.  Key Takeaways:We don't all have a common definition or construct around love, even though it's one of the most important human emotions."Love is a combination of care, commitment, knowledge, responsibility, respect, and trust." - bell hooksChoose love - you can start small with those in your circle and let it grow from there. We are in this together, but we need to show up and choose love in all aspects of our lives.  "Now is the time to use your voice and choose love - as a leader, as a colleague, and as an organization." —  Maria RossReferences Mentioned:bell hooks: All About Love: New VisionsRed Slice blog post: Choose Love  Don’t forget to download your free guide! Discover The 5 Business Benefits of Empathy: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy  Connect with Maria: Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaTwitter: @redsliceFacebook: Red Slice Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

If we help young people develop empathy throughout their educational journey, they can boost understanding, reduce bias, and nurture a culture of belonging and increased well-being. Of course, many of us adults need this, too! My guest today, Ed Kirwan, founder, and filmmaker of Empathy Week, is tackling the challenge for future generations so that maybe someday there won't be a need for empathy books like mine because this skill will be so ingrained in our consciousness, starting from a young age.Today, Ed talks about his journey from teacher to filmmaker and how he discovered the power of film to expand minds and activate behavior in his own classroom. Now through Empathy Week, he leverages films to develop empathy and expose students to different cultures, lifestyles, and points of view so they can better collaborate and create belonging. If you are a parent, teacher, or administrator, please look into Empathy Week for your school. Enjoy the conversation! Key Takeaways:Film gives us an excuse and a reason to reflect and talk about our past experiences and to start conversations to connect with one another. Empathy is not soft or weak. It will increase productivity. It will increase retention. It will strengthen your bottom line. We need to spend more time listening and asking questions. Listening is great, but unless you're asking questions, you're not having a conversation, and you're not learning. "It's about increasing the number of experiences and the diversity of those experiences. Where films and arts can be so powerful are with low-cost, scalable actions to change perspective and build empathy." —  Ed Kirwan Ed Kirwan, CEO and Founder, Empathy WeekEd Kirwan is the CEO, founder, and filmmaker at Empathy Week - an award-winning global educational event and programme using the power of film to develop the skill of empathy.Empathy Week has so far engaged over 140,000 students across 40 countries with a mission to build the #EmpathyGeneration. Having worked with Cambridge University, Empathy Week has proven that empathy can be developed and also help increase students' self-esteem whilst reducing othering and stereotypes.Previously a teacher and Head of Chemistry in a North London School for 3 years, Ed also completed a Masters in Education and Leadership at UCL IOE. He then moved into a career of filmmaking and human-led storytelling.Ed believes that in order to change the world we first have to understand the people in it. Empathy is the number one skill to develop and underpins other vitally important skills such as leadership, creativity, innovation, and teamwork. Whilst also being a catalyst for well-being and mental health, it is crucial to leading a better personal and professional life.Connect with Ed KirwanEmpathy Week Ltd: https://www.empathy-week.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdKirwanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-kirwan/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empathyweek/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empathyweek/Check out a trailer for Empathy Week -  2023's starts week of Feb 27!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8dMvssAkWowww.empathy-week.com Don’t forget to download your free guide! Discover The 5 Business Benefits of Empathy: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathyConnect with Maria: Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaTwitter: @redsliceFacebook: Red Slice Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.comKeynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross

When we talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, some leaders still roll their eyes or assume they have bigger fish to fry. But, happily, the trendline shows that companies that can move beyond diversity into true inclusivity experience sustained growth, higher performance, and more revenue. They are the ones harnessing more innovation, attracting top talent, getting more ideas and innovation from their people, and frankly, making smarter business decisions.Today, I talk to Gianna Driver about how DEI efforts support organizational goals and the link between DEI efforts and bottom-line performance. She shares how a company can make the leap from a diverse culture to a truly inclusive one in order to better enjoy those benefits. Gianna shares the ground rules you need to set to make DEI work, and how to be empathetic to - yet manage executive resistance to change. And we talk about her personal story growing up Filipino-American and how it shaped her passion for empowering people. Key Takeaways:People are at the heart and center of everything you do. If you are trying to make a change in your organization, you need to remember that. Healthy relationships have conflict. What matters is not the existence of conflict, but how individuals resolve conflict; the same is true of organizations.We do not leave our humanity at the door when we come to work. Employees need to be treated as humans with respect and multiple facets of their lives. When employees thrive, they bring their best selves to work and have higher performance as a result.  "Conflict is necessary for high performance and innovation. What differentiates are those organizations who have found ways to create spaces where people can respectfully and healthfully disagree and come up with better solutions together." —  Gianna Driver About Gianna Driver, CHRO, ExabeamGianna Driver is Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Exabeam, a global cybersecurity leader that adds intelligence to every IT and security stack. As CHRO, Driver manages the strategy and processes related to building, investing in, and retaining top talent at Exabeam, enabling employees to do their best work. She is responsible for architecting the company’s talent strategy, driving corporate culture and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and leading the global human resources function. Prior to Exabeam, Driver was the Chief People Officer at BlueVine, a private fin-tech company based in Redwood City, CA. Driver has also led HR and People functions in high-growth technology, gaming, consumer, and SaaS organizations including Playstudios, Aristocrat, Actian Corporation, Talend, and Balsam Brands. She is passionate about building high-performance cultures, establishing operational excellence, and creating joy at work. Driver is a graduate of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.References MentionedThe Empathy Edge podcast: M.E. Hart: How to Have Honest Conversations at WorkConnect with Gianna DriverWebsite: https://exabeam.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianna-driver-6183391/  Don’t forget to download your free guide! Discover The 5 Business Benefits of Empathy: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy  Connect with Maria: Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaTwitter: @redsliceFacebook: Red Slice Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.comKeynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross

If you ask everyone on your team if they know why your company exists, what would they say? And no, "to make money" just won't cut it these days. You might not think such existential ponderings have a place when you're fighting fires, closing deals, and growing the business - but nothing could be more important to your organization's long-term success. Today, we talk with Denise Roberson, who shares her work and research showing that organizations with clear, actionable purposes enjoy many tangible and intangible benefits - profit and longevity being among the most impressive.Today, we talk about what a Chief Purpose Officer does, and we parse out the word salad of purpose, vision, and mission so you have a better understanding on how they all work together. She shares examples from market leaders Unilever and others who are measuring the value and impact of purpose in more accurate ways. We also talk about big mistakes Boards and leaders make when thinking about purpose and what you can do to get maximum benefit instead. Key Takeaways:While vision, mission, and purpose all have different meanings, what is most important is that, within your organization, you are all working with the same vocabulary and all understand what you are talking about and what is most important. Purpose is important for every aspect of business: employees, investors, consumers, customers, and management. Empathy and purpose are important to every company, whether 100 or 100,000 employees. It makes a difference, it gives a business edge, and it is good for the world.  "Purpose has now become a really powerful operating system that goes across the top of the organization. It's a great uniter: It's got this juicy business case that helps attract top talent, reduce turnover, and protects against risks." —  Denise Roberson  About Denise Roberson, Chief Purpose Officer, Omnicom TBWAIn her role as the first-ever Chief Purpose Officer in the Omnicom and TBWA network, Denise is leading some of the biggest brands in the world to actuate their business case for purpose, through focusing on a scalable, differentiated, and business goals oriented approach.  In this capacity, Denise is helping companies connect their brands to value and purpose, and using this unified strategy to create 21st-century value and growth across the entire stakeholder wheel.  TBWA was named one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company and has worked with Fortune 500 and world-class brands around the globe such as Apple, Gatorade, Google, McDonalds, Intuit, Principal Financial Group, and the Grammy’s.Denise is also serving as a marketing professor for Pepperdine University’s Presidents & Key Executives MBA program and has served in a board role for a number of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.Resources Mentioned: Five Mistakes Boards Make When Thinking About Purpose, by Afdhel Aziz, Forbes CMO CouncilConnect with Denise RobersonWebsite: https://tbwa.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniseroberson/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denise.roberson.129Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deniseroberson_purpose/  Don’t forget to download your free guide! Discover The 5 Business Benefits of Empathy: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy  Connect with Maria: Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaTwitter: @redsliceFacebook: Red Slice Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.comKeynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross

The "future of work" is not in the future -  It's already here, so let's start calling it the new era of business and work. Especially coming out of the Pandemic, many leaders struggle with how to adapt to changing work requirements, current business challenges, and different employee needs, motivations and demands.Today, Sophie Wade and I talk about how Millennial and Gen Z habits are shaping new social contracts at work, why we understand how hard it is for seasoned executives to adapt to this new reality, and what it takes to create a more human-centric environment. We dig into the challenges of generational differences at work, where they stem from, and how empathy is the way to bridge those distances to increase engagement, understanding, and performance. We also chat about how work has changed from linear and routine to more networked and complex - and why the leadership skills that got you where you are might need a tune-up in today's reality. Sophie will share a few practical ways you can improve your culture. Key Takeaways:The last 3 years of the pandemic has expanded the mindset of learning and leading - ideas are now more likely to come from all levels of the organization than before. There is a difference between using technology functionally and using technology intuitively. The same goes for the evolving workplace. Younger generations are more likely to adapt to changing work environments than older generations because it is all they have known. AI is not replacing your job. AI cannot replace the human touch and human interactions and human relationships.  "Many leaders now are missing out on the contributions of their youngest employees who have a feeling for the power of technology that we just can't have." —  Sophie WadeAbout Sophie Wade, Work Futurist, International Keynote Speaker, Author of Empathy WorksSophie Wade is a work futurist, international keynote speaker, author of Empathy Works, and authority on Future-of-Work issues. She is the host of the widely popular Transforming Work podcast and over 450,000 learners have taken her four LinkedIn courses which cover empathy, Future-of-Work skills, and Gen Z. Sophie is the Founder and Workforce Innovation Specialist at Flexcel Network, a Future-of-Work consultancy. Sophie’s executive advisory work and transformative workshops help companies adapt and update their work environments and attract, engage, and retain their multigenerational and distributed talent. She helps corporations maximize the benefits and minimize the disruption in their transition to talent-focused, digitalized work environments.Connect with Sophie WadeWebsite: https://www.sophiewade.com/Her Book: Empathy Works: The Key to Competitive Advantage in the New Era of WorkPodcast: Transforming Work: https://www.sophiewade.com/podcasts/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ASophieWadeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-wade-380b8/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophie.wade.507Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asophiewade/References Mentioned:The Empathy Edge Podcast, Lisen Stromberg, What Modern Leaders and Cultures Need to Succeed in the 21st CenturyThe Empathy Edge Podcast, Edwin Rutsch: How “Empathy Circles” Can Change the World  Don’t forget to download your free guide! Discover The 5 Business Benefits of Empathy: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy  Connect with Maria: Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaTwitter: @redsliceFacebook: Red Slice Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.comKeynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross

Talking about racism is hard. But ignoring it doesn't make it go away. Empathy requires us to be humble and curious and to sometimes have hard, honest, emotional conversations. Only in acknowledging wrongs can we make things right -and that actually benefits all of us. Today, my guest Saira Rao gets real about the role seemingly well-intentioned and even Liberal white women play in supporting the patriarchy and oppression. Our conversation goes far deeper than DEI efforts - which Saira will share her opinions on. We talk about how Race2Dinner got started, what Saira experienced in her run for Congress a few years ago, how she and Regina’s voices have been both censored and maligned by major media, both in the US and the UK. We also talk about why white women's conditioning to be nice and not rock the boat is killing people of color, and the hard choices we need to make if we truly want to save our country and communities. As Saira says in the interview, we are dying and we need to take risks, become aware, and have hard conversations with each other. As she states, once white supremacy goes away, many of our societal problems will go away, too. Key Takeaways:White women have more power than they know, but consistently choose whiteness over everything else. You have the power to talk about racism and to make changes. So do it.It takes all kinds of people, of all backgrounds, to do this work. Start the conversations, point out the inequalities around you, and start doing the work on yourself first.Individualism is colonialist behavior. White supremacy hurts everyone, including white people.There is nothing micro about a microaggression. "The amount of energy white women spend - time, money, and energy - to say ‘not me,’ use that energy to go turn other white women - your neighbors, kids, friends, parents, teachers. Get to work. Instead of patting yourselves on the back, start turning other people in your community. Because we can't. You can." —  Saira Rao"Let's start feeling comfortable having these conversations. We're not going to be able to affect any change until we start being honest with ourselves and each other." —  Saira Rao About Saira Rao, Co-Founder, Race2DinnerSaira Rao is the co-founder of Race2Dinner, New York Times Bestselling co-author of White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How To Do Better and co-subject and Executive Producer of the documentary Deconstructing Karen.Saira grew up in Richmond, Virginia, the daughter of Indian immigrants. For forty years, she wasted her precious time aspiring to be white and accepted by dominant white society, a futile task for anyone not born with white skin.  Several years ago, Saira began the painful process of dismantling her own internalized oppression.  Saira is a lawyer-by-training, a former congressional candidate, a published novelist and an entrepreneur.Connect with Saira RaoRace2Dinner: https://www.race2dinner.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/sairasameeraraoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sairarao/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sairarao/White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How To Do Better: https://www.amazon.com/White-Women-Everything-Already-Racism-ebook/dp/B09RPPV3B8/Documentary: Deconstructing Karen Don’t forget to download your free guide! Discover The 5 Business Benefits of Empathy: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy  Connect with Maria: Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaTwitter: @redsliceFacebook: Red Slice Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.comKeynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross

You don't have to wait for empathy to strike. You can intentionally choose to engage in what my guest today calls Purposeful Empathy to change the dynamic of any interaction. But how? And how do you maintain your own boundaries when being empathic is part of your job?  Today, my guest, Anita Nowak, shares what purposeful empathy is, how and when to engage it, and even how to step back and reclaim your boundaries when empathy could burn you out. We both share personal stories of when we've actively chosen empathy in tough situations and how it transformed the exchange. We discuss the physiological changes to  our bodies that occur when we are engaged in empathy - and how empathogens, or certain psychedelics that have been shown to increase empathy, could be applied for therapeutic treatments to heal trauma, control aggression, or other instances where human connection can be challenging.  Key Takeaways:We are born empathetic creatures, that is how our species has survived. For those who think they aren’t empathetic, that muscle has atrophied and can be rebuilt again. Our brains cannot be in a state of anxiety or stress and in the state of empathy simultaneously.There has been a resurgence of research on the study of psychedelics and the potential it has for therapy. Previous research showed a positive relationship between taking these drugs, being accompanied by a trained professional, and outcomes as a result.  "When it comes to the way we design our world, the way we design public policy, the way that we think about foreign aid, the way we think about how we treat each other and our families and our relationships across political divides, that we need to engage in empathy on purpose." —  Anita Nowak"If you're feeling triggered by emotions, and you want to down regulate or self regulate, one of the best on ramps to empathy is through a little visit of gratitude." —  Anita Nowak"We, as human beings, want a sense of belonging by nature. That's how we survived as a as Homo sapiens. We really need to draw on that." —  Anita Nowak About Anita Nowak, PhD, Author of Purposeful EmpathyAnita Nowak, PhD is passionate about leveraging empathy for personal, organizational and social transformation. She is also dedicated to teaching and mentoring the next generation of changemakers.She is a two-time TEDx speaker and author of Purposeful Empathy: Tapping Our Hidden Superpower for Personal, Organizational, and Social Change (Broadleaf Books, April 2023). She hosts a podcast and YouTube series by the same name, dedicated to amplifying the voices of people from around the globe who understand the world needs more empathy – and are doing something about it.For the past fifteen years, Anita has held various leadership roles in higher education at McGill University dedicated to social innovation. She teaches Leadership, Ethics in Management and Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Desautels Faculty of Management. She was named Professor of the Year in 2014 and 2019 and recipient of the David Johnston Faculty and Staff Award in 2021.As a certified personal and professional coach, she helps purpose-driven leaders and organizations create cultures of empathy through her boutique advisory firm, Purposeful Empathy by Design. Anita also advises High Net Worth (HNW) families to translate their philanthropic goals into social impact.Resources Mentioned:How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence (https://michaelpollan.com/books/how-to-change-your-mind/#:~:text=In%20his%20latest%20book%2C%20How,addiction%2C%20depression%2C%20or%20death.) by Michael PollanPurposeful Empathy: The Connection between Empathy and “Oneness” ft. Elif M. Gokcigdem, PhD (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a696LvTAyiE)A Force for Good: The Dalai Lama's Vision for Our World (https://www.amazon.com/Force-Good-Dalai-Lamas-Vision/dp/0553394894/ ) by Daniel Goleman Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.comKeynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross