My guest, Dr. Jaime Goff, is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and founder of The Empathic Leader, where she now works full-time helping leaders “lead from security, not fear.”

With a Ph.D. in Couple and Family Therapy and two decades in organizational leadership, Jaime translates attachment theory, neuroscience, and emotional intelligence into practical tools leaders can use immediately. Her new book, The Secure Leader, helps readers uncover the narratives shaping their leadership, regulate under pressure, and create environments where their teams can thrive.

We dig into why our brains love stories, and how those stories can limit us, what to do when leaders can’t see their own unhelpful narratives, why adaptive challenges can’t be solved with technical solutions, and the essential first step to emotionally regulate in today’s turbulent world.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• The connection between parenting leadership and team leadership. 
• How early experiences influence leadership behavior. 
• How insecurity blocks empathy and team flourishing.
• What leaders can do to build internal security and lead with more calm and clarity.
• Strategies and daily habits for emotional regulation and stress tolerance to be a better leader.

"You end up stifling the growth and development of your team because you're holding on to so much control that you don't let go of the reins and you don't empower them. You don't let them experiment, innovate, learn, and grow.” —  Dr. Jaime Goff

Episode References: 

• Dr. Jaime Goff's Secure Leader Style Scan: https://drjaimegoff.com/secure-leader-style-scan

About Jaime Goff, PhD, Founder, The Empathic Leader, and Author of The Secure Leader:

Dr. Jaime Goff is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and founder of The Empathic Leader, where she now works full-time helping leaders “lead from security, not fear.” She previously served as Director of Leadership Development at CHRISTUS Health, designing programs for more than 45,000 associates, and she brings a powerful blend of research and real-world experience to her work.

With a Ph.D. in Couple and Family Therapy and two decades in organizational leadership, Jaime translates attachment theory, neuroscience, and emotional intelligence into practical tools leaders can use immediately. Her new book, The Secure Leader, helps readers rewrite unhelpful narratives shaping their leadership, regulate under pressure, and create environments where their teams can thrive.

Whether delivering a keynote, facilitating workshops, or engaging in one-on-one coaching, Jaime is known for weaving research with relatable stories to spark insight and lasting behavior change.

Connect with Jaime:

The Empathic Leader, LLC: drjaimegoff.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjaimegoff

Instagram: instagram.com/dr_jaimegoff

Book: The Secure Leader by Dr. Jaime Goff

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader 

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Today I’m talking with Kevin Perlmutter. We explore why traditional brand strategies often miss the mark, how branding has evolved beyond surface-level connections, and Kevin’s concept of Limbic Sparks—those moments when emotional motivation meets brand desire. You’ll learn the three steps to spark brand desire and how even B2B brands can connect emotionally. Kevin shares why talking directly to customers beats cold data alone and staying in the thick of the details will make you more successful than just relying on AI. And we chat about marketing ethics and the crucial difference between being a customer habit versus gaining their loyalty.

Finally, Kevin shares the one big lesson he wants every leader to take away from his book. We could have talked forever about one of my favorite topics, so enjoy the insights and take a listen!

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• Maintaining ethical behavior when deploying and evolving the brand.
• How to spark customer interest using emotional insights.
• Why the difference between habits and loyalty is important to understand.
• How to balance AI and humans to better serve your customers.
• The three steps for embracing a limbic spark mindset.

"Limbic sparks are what you feel when emotional motivation meets brand desire. It's that moment when you encounter a brand, and it feels like it was designed with you in mind." —  Kevin Perlmutter

Episode References: 

• The Empathy Edge podcast: 
• Kevin Perlmutter: When Emotional Motivation Meets Brand Desire
• Melina Palmer: What Your Employees Need But Can’t Tell You
• Melina Palmer: Why Your Customers Can’t Tell You What They Want
• MIT Article on human skills that complement AI shortcomings: https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/these-human-capabilities-complement-ais-shortcomings 

About Kevin Perlmutter, Chief Strategist & Founder, Limbic Brand Evolution:

Kevin Perlmutter is Chief Strategist and Founder of Limbic Brand Evolution, a brand strategy and neuromarketing consultancy that puts emotional insight at the center of how brands attract and retain customers. He is also the Author of BRAND DESIRE: Spark Customer Interest Using Emotional Insights. Based near New York City, he works with business and brand leaders to create stronger connections between their brand and the people they want to reach – as a consultant, speaker, and workshop facilitator – to guide the development of more effective methods for brand evolution and customer engagement.

Connect with Kevin Perlmutter:

Limbic Brand Evolution: https://www.limbicbrandevolution.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinperlmutter/ 

Book: BRAND DESIRE: Spark Customer Interest Using Emotional Insights www.BrandDesireBook.com 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader 

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Because here's the uncomfortable truth: most of us can't answer any of those questions well. And in the age of AI, that gap is getting more expensive by the minute.

In this episode, Maria answers these questions as she discusses the importance of empathy in the age of AI, citing data from studies showing its impact on loyalty, efficiency, and job satisfaction. She dives into actionable steps you can take to hire empathetic leaders, gives practical tips for practicing empathy (and stresses the importance of practicing empathy under real pressure, in real-time situations), and discusses the need for better tools to develop, measure, and verify empathy as AI is accelerating. 

Finally, she invites everyone to learn more about and register for the upcoming Synanim FlexEmpathy event at flexempathy.com. 

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• Why empathy proof matters more than ever.
• The AI factor.
• How to practice and prove empathy.
• How to hire for empathy.

"Empathy is not soft. It's not optional, and in the age of AI, where human connection is simultaneously more scarce and more valuable than ever. It's your most important competitive advantage." —  Maria Ross

Episode References: 

• Maria’s email list at: red-slice.com/newsletter/ 
• FlexEmpathy, coming up April 25, 2025 www.flexempathy.com
• Synanim: https://www.synanim.com/
• EY's 2023 Empathy in Business Survey 
• 2024 Businessolver State of Workplace Empathy Report
• McKinsey, It's Cool to Be Kind Research Report

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader 

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Dr. Joel Pérez equips leaders to navigate today’s instability with empathy and authenticity. He has partnered for decades with national nonprofits, corporations, and higher education institutions to deliver keynotes, workshops, and strategic consulting that inspire action and lasting change.

In this conversation, we unpack what cultural humility really means, how leaders can move beyond cultural competence, how cultural humility can help you navigate the instability of today's market and world, why he wrote Dear White Leader, and how organizations can leverage diversity to create lasting impact and stronger results.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• How to develop a posture of cultural humility, no matter your background. 
• Understanding the difference between cultural competency and cultural humility. 
• Raising the bar as a leader from effective to exceptional.
• Curiosity is the key to achieving your goals.
• The three things that are necessary to move from cultural competency to cultural humility are.

"Cultural humility allows you to navigate the complexity that comes with developing organizations with a strong sense of belonging and psychological safety." —  Dr. Joel Pérez

Episode References: 

• Book: Dear White Leader: How to Achieve Organizational Excellence through Cultural Humility: dearwhiteleader.com
• Terry Cross Cultural Competence Research
• Janet Helms
• Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World by Scott Shigeoka
• EEP Episode: Amer Kaissi: Humbitious Leadership Equals Success

About Dr. Joel Pérez, Executive Coach and Author of Dear White Leader:

Dr. Joel Pérez is an executive and leadership coach, speaker, and consultant who helps leaders and organizations create inclusive cultures through the practice of cultural humility. As founder of Apoyo Coaching and Consulting, LLC and a Professional Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF), he specializes in identity-conscious leadership, career transitions, and DEIB strategy. A Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), and certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator, Joel draws on more than 20+ years of leadership experience in higher education to guide clients through meaningful transformation.

He is the author of Dear White Leader: How to Achieve Organizational Excellence through Cultural Humility, which received the Silver Medal for Best New Voice – Nonfiction from the Independent Book Publishers Association. Joel has partnered with national nonprofits, corporations, and higher education institutions to deliver keynotes, workshops, and strategic consulting that inspire action and lasting change. His work moves organizations toward creating a sense of belonging and the psychological safety to meet their goals.  

Joel holds a doctorate in higher education administration from Claremont Graduate University. Outside of work, he enjoys life with his wife of over 28 years, their four children, cheering on the Los Angeles Dodgers, and watching movies.

Connect with Dr. Joel Pérez:  

Apoyo Coaching and Consulting: apoyocoaching.com 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joelperezphd 

Instagram: apoyocoaching01

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader 

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Ashley Jones knows grief in its most devastating form. When her daughter Skylar died from a terminal illness just before her second birthday, Ashley was thrust into a darkness no parent should ever face. But through that unimaginable loss, she discovered a calling: helping people heal in grief.

Today, Ashley shares her personal story and what her healing journey revealed about grace, resilience, and the power of community. We discuss the four survival reactions to trauma - fight, flight, freeze, and fawn - and how these can manifest. We also dive into the relationship between trauma and grief and how leaders can support those around them during these times.

Trigger warning: In this episode, we both talk about experiences with sexual assault.

Ashley shared incredibly valuable tips and resources to help you become a more trauma-informed leader and support your team to their fullest potential.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• Ashley’s personal story and what her healing journey revealed about grace, resilience, and the power of community.
• How leadership is evolving to become more deeply human—and the distance we still need to travel.
• Why grief is a universal leadership issue, and what it asks of us.
• The two fundamental needs people have after experiencing grief or trauma, and how to meet them.
• The four survival reactions to trauma that leaders need to understand.
• Why not all grief is traumatic, but all trauma includes grief, and what that means for how we support people.

"It's really about choosing love regardless of the situation, regardless of the people involved. To show up and say, ‘What is the best way I can love myself and others right now in this moment?’" —  Ashley Jones

Episode References:

• How Can I Love You Better: howcaniloveyoubetter.com

The Empathy Edge:

• Stephanie Sarazin: What Is Ambiguous Grief and How To Show Up
• Ron Gura: How Technology Helps People Navigate Grief and Loss
• Katharine Manning: How Trauma Impacts Performance – and What Smart Leaders Can Do

About Ashley Jones, Founder, Momento Foundation:

Ashley was thrust into the depths of grief when her daughter, Skylar, died from a terminal illness just before her 2nd birthday. Her unique experience through darkness and healing led her to create the Momento Foundation (formerly Love Not Lost), a nonprofit on a mission to help people heal in grief. Known for creating innovative tools, new resources, and meaningful solutions for navigating grief, Ashley provides individuals and organizations with tangible help to better support themselves and each other through trauma and loss. She’s a sought-after TEDx & keynote speaker, author, and passionate plant mom.

Connect with Ashley:

Momento Foundation: momentofoundation.org

Author Site: www.ashleynicolejones.com

Book: When You Can't See the Light

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ashleynicolejones

Facebook: facebook.com/momentofoundation

Instagram: instagram.com/momentofoundation

Momento Community: momento. impact.app

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

In this conversation, Maria and Conny, the Chief Customer Officer at Zurich Insurance Group, dive into Zurich’s new global study, Addressing the Empathy Gap, which surveyed more than 11,000 consumers across 11 markets. The findings are striking: 79% of consumers say empathy matters more than any other factor, and 43% have left a brand due to a lack of empathy. This isn’t theoretical; it’s revenue walking out the door.

Conny shares how Zurich is closing that gap by treating empathy as a learnable skill. She shares practical first steps organizations can take, starting right where they are. We also explore Zurich’s philosophy of AI with a human touch - using technology to augment human connection, not replace it.

This is a conversation about moving from transactional payer to trusted partner—and why, in an industry ripe for disruption, empathy is quickly becoming a competitive advantage.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• Why customers are leaving brands due to a lack of connection and empathy.
• How to make AI work for your organization, without trying to replace human connections.
• How to create trusted relationships and partnerships and maintain them for long-term success. 
• The power of the NRR - Net Revenue Retention - metric.

"We started out with the starting point that empathy can be taught, and if people get the right tools, they will also do the right thing. So we can de-learn practices you've had over the years, and you can bring new aspects into them." —  Conny Kalcher

Episode References: 

• Zurich's 2025 Report: Addressing the Empathy Gap: https://www.zurich.com/sustainability/customers/empathy-report

• The Empathy Edge podcast: Anna Liotta: Understanding Generational Codes

About Conny Kalcher: Chief Customer Officer at Zurich Insurance Group:

Conny Kalcher is Chief Customer Officer at Zurich Insurance Group and a global leader in customer experience with a reputation for embedding empathy into business strategy to drive long-term business success. She is a founding partner of the Net Promoter Score (NPS) and Loyalty Forum with more than three decades of experience from senior roles at LEGO and consultancy work at Mindfolio.

Connect with Conny:

Zurich Insurance Group: zurich.com 

LinkedIn: ch.linkedin.com/in/conny-kalcher-198ba5 

Company LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/zurich-insurance-company-ltd 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader 

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

My guest believes that’s exactly backward. Today, we welcome back Claude Silver to discuss her latest book, Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart. 

We explore what authentic presence really looks like at work, and why pretending to be a different kind of leader rarely gets better results. Claude and I unpack why many leaders have accountability backwards, why the more power you gain, the less truth you often hear, and how being open and emotionally present doesn’t weaken communication but rather prevents under-communicating with your team. Finally, Claude offers us a simple, actionable practice you can use right away to take a small step and rebuild trust and connection where it matters most.

This is a conversation with one of my favorite humans on the planet about stopping the performance of leadership—and starting to lead from the strengths that made you worth hiring in the first place.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• The importance of bringing your unique perspective, talents, and humanity to your team.
• What authentic presence looks like at work.
• Protecting healthy boundaries with courage and kindness while still connecting with others.
• Signs your culture is thriving and how to get there. 
• Why is the room with everyone in it smarter than any one person in that room?
• The reason actions say more than words ever will.
• The dangerous byproduct of silence.

"When a person is real, they are not carrying the burden or the weight of any other facade." —  Claude Silver

About Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer, VaynerX, and Author of Be Yourself at Work:

Claude Silver is on a mission to revolutionize leadership, talent, and workplace culture. She is the world's first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, partnering with CEO Gary Vaynerchuk to drive their success. Silver has earned Campaign US's Female Frontier Award and AdWeek's Changing the Game Award, and she electrifies audiences at national and international conferences, as well as at organizations including Meta, Google, US Government agencies, and the US Armed Forces. She has been interviewed on dozens of podcasts and featured in The New York Times, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal. Silver lives in New Jersey with her wife and two young children. She is the author of Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart.

Connect with Claude:  

Website: claudesilver.com 

VaynerX: beyourselfbook.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/casilver 

Instagram: instagram.com/claudesilver 

Book: Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader 

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

And yet, I still believe, perhaps more than ever, that empathy remains our greatest tool for healing even the most jagged fractures in our world, not as a naïve ideal, but as a courageous, strategic choice. And that choice has the power to transform entire systems.

My guest today, Dr. Claire Yorke, has devoted her career to studying exactly that possibility.

We explore what empathy in politics actually looks like, why empathy is essential for effective leadership, the challenges empathetic leaders face in polarized environments, and why we can’t simply wait for more empathetic political leaders to emerge.

We also talk about hope. Not passive hope, but participatory hope. The kind that invites each of us - as citizens, leaders, and humans - to model empathy, practice deeper listening, and engage in shaping healthier political cultures, whether through community dialogue, civic participation, or simply choosing curiosity over certainty.

This is a conversation about what’s possible when we choose empathy, not as an escape from reality, but as a path forward through it.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• The relationship military leaders have with empathy and their job.
• What it can look like to have empathy in our politics, regardless of country.
• The impact of citizen assemblies and civic engagement.
• Why do we need to change political culture so that it attracts and rewards politicians who embrace empathy and can stop battling?
• Maintaining an ideal vision of what’s possible and what to do to make it a reality.
• Steps that can be taken at the local and national levels to make changes.

"We need to change our politics. So it's much more about building relationships, building that sense of connectedness, both between politicians and the public, between citizens and their communities, and seeing this as an ecosystem." —  Dr. Claire Yorke

References:

• Book: Citizens: Why the Key to Fixing Everything is All of Us by Jon Alexander and Ariane Conrad
• Democracy Next

The Empathy Edge:

• Sam Daley-Harris: Reclaiming Our Democracy
• Mónica Guzmán: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Divided Political Times
• Dr. Gina Baleria: Empathy in Journalism and Today’s Media Landscape
• Elisa Camahort Page: The Art of Empathy in Politics, Activism, and Media BS
• James Coan: Closing the Perception Gap that Tears Us Apart

About Dr. Claire Yorke, Senior Lecturer at Deakin University, Author of Empathy in Politics and Leadership: The Key to Transforming our World:

Dr. Claire Yorke is an author and academic. Her work focuses on the role of empathy and emotions in international affairs, politics, leadership, and society.  She is a Senior Lecturer at the Australian War College, Deakin University, Canberra, where her research and teaching focus on these topics. In 2025, she published Empathy in Politics and Leadership: The Key to Transforming Our World with Yale University Press. She is writing two more.

Claire received her PhD in International Relations from the Department of War Studies, King’s College London. She has a Master's in Middle East Politics from the University of Exeter, and a BA in Politics, International Relations and French from Lancaster University.

Connect with Claire:  

Website: claireyorke.me

LinkedIn: Dr Claire Yorke

Instagram: @theempathydoctor

BlueSky: @claireyorke.bsky.social

Book: Empathy in Politics and Leadership: The Key to Transforming our World

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

But how would you lead if your title or position didn't give you any power?

Joris Merks-Benjaminsen is a leadership trainer and the award-winning author of Managing Without Power. Joris shares his unique journey at Google, watching the culture and leadership he loved so much shift as his managers changed, and why he’s committed to helping companies capture that early magic and scale it as they grow. We discuss recognizing and respecting your power dynamic while also understanding that the title does not give you power, but consistent, intentional small behaviors will ensure your team will help you meet your goals. Joris shares how to balance people nd performance through the five basics of his interconnected, practical, holistic leadership approach. And he shares how to solicit and take in upward feedback to help you effectively support an employee's journey, ensure high performance, and make tough decisions when needed.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• How managers can shape microcultures and establish team norms.
• Upskilling leaders to avoid conventional traps and pitfalls.
• Providing ongoing support to learning, not just one-time training. 
• The five basics of his interconnected, practical, holistic leadership approach.
• How to solicit and take in upward feedback to help effectively support an employee's journey, ensure high performance, and make tough decisions when needed.

“The problem I see is this balance between human-focused and performance-focused leadership. I regularly meet leaders who think of them as opposites, but you need both of them in a certain balance...in order to create a high-performing team and organization." —  Joris Merks-Benjaminsen

Episode References: 

• Joris’ Book: Managing Without Power: Creating high-performance teams and organizations in your own human way
• How Google Works by  Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg
• Google re: Work - Guides: Give feedback to managers https://share.google/nhB0hREQOztuqQwOV

About Joris Merks-Benjaminsen, Leadership Trainer, Author of Managing Without Power:

Joris Merks-Benjaminsen is a leadership trainer and the award-winning author of Managing Without Power. Joris had a leading role in Google's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives, and was one of the highest-scoring managers in the company's history. Today, he trains managers and leaders to help find the right balance between humaneness and performance pressure.

Connect with Joris:  

Managing Without Power: www.managingwithoutpower.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joris-merks-benjaminsen-5673384/

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader 

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Kasey D’Amato knows this firsthand. A keynote speaker, executive coach, and strategic advisor, Kasey has guided founders and corporate leaders through major transitions with clarity and resilience. In our conversation, we dug into her four pillars of holistic leadership and how self-regulation shapes better decisions. We explored the “decision threshold,” why every choice has three outcomes, and how to balance head, heart, and gut when the numbers don’t tell the full story. Kasey also shared why grounding yourself is key to hearing other perspectives without defensiveness — and how empathy and self-compassion aren’t soft skills, but strategic advantages when the stakes are high.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• Finding the balance of the decision threshold - that point between gathering information and making the decision. 
• Why does every choice have three outcomes?
• The Four Pillars of holistic leadership and how self-regulation shapes better decisions.
• How to balance head, heart, and gut when the numbers don’t tell the full story. 
• Utilizing the Two-Minute rule to move out of indecision.

"I believe it is the critical moments of decision and how you handle your emotional intelligence in those critical moments and pivots that set you up for success, no matter how big your failures are along the way." —  Kasey D'Amato

Episode References: 

• The Empathy Edge Podcast Episode: Ilana Ben-Ari: How the Empathy Toy is Changing the World

About Kasey D'Amato, Business Leader and Holistic Coach:

Kasey D’Amato is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and strategic business advisor who helps business founders and corporate leaders navigate high-stakes decisions and transitions with clarity, confidence, and resilience — without burning out in the process.

With over 20 years of experience across healthcare, entrepreneurship, and business consulting, Kasey brings a unique blend of business acumen, human behavior expertise, and emotional intelligence to her work. She is a former Dermatology PA who went on to launch multiple ventures — including a global skincare brand, a healthcare consulting agency, and an executive leadership advisory.

She’s consulted with Fortune-level companies, led workshops across the healthcare and financial industries, and spoken at major institutions like UCLA, USC, and the University of Miami.

Kasey is known for her dynamic, actionable, and emotionally intelligent approach to leadership — guiding ambitious entrepreneurs and executives to think bigger, lead better, and align their next move with both performance and personal fulfillment.

Connect with Kasey: 

Website: https://www.kaseydamato.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaseydamato/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kasey.damato/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaseydamato/?hl=en 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader 

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

My guest today, Rebecca Geshuri, sits at the intersection of motherhood, mental health, and compassion in a way that feels deeply needed right now. We talk about why so many moms feel like they’re failing even when they’re doing everything they possibly can. We unpack the crushing mental load, the lack of structural support, and how quickly shame spirals take hold when moms feel they’re “not good enough.”

This is a conversation about empathy, support, and the quiet strength of caregiving—and why taking better care of moms in the workplace and beyond ultimately makes all of us stronger.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• Why having healthy and supported mothers is key in our organizations and society.
• Lessons businesses and organizations can learn from mothers.
• How to stop assuming and do more noticing and learning about the mothers in your organization.

"Don't count moms out. They’re working their tails off, trying to be everything to everybody, to care for everyone. They have parts of themselves that are planning things and organizing things, and seeing things that don't exist yet. Moms are visionaries and strategists." —  Rebecca Geshuri

Episode References: 

• Book: When Good Moms Feel Bad: An Empowering Guide for Transforming Guilt, Anxiety, and Anger into Compassion, Confidence, and Connectedness  by Jessica Tomich Sorci and Rebecca Geshuri 
• Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)
• Second Street Collective: secondstreetcollective.org

About Rebecca Geshuri, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Co-Author, When Good Moms Feel Bad:

Rebecca Geshuri, M.A., PMH-C, is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She holds certifications in Internal Family Systems, Perinatal Mental Health, and Brainspotting. Rebecca is the co-author of When Good Moms Feel Bad: An Empowering Guide for Transforming Guilt, Anxiety, and Anger into Compassion, Confidence, and Connectedness.

In addition to seeing moms, their partners, and their babies in her private practice in Campbell, CA, Rebecca teaches workshops to therapists, physicians, doulas, and yoga practitioners. Rebecca is the Founder of Second Street Collective, which provides psychotherapy and support to moms and their families throughout California. She has presented at the IFS Institute and Postpartum Support International conferences and has been featured on several prominent podcasts. Rebecca’s work is grounded in the profound and extraordinary experience of being a mom to three daughters. 

Connect with Rebecca:  

Rebecca Geshuri LMFT: https://rebeccageshurilmft.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-geshuri/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccageshurimft

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccageshurilmft

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader 

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• Why emotional connection at work isn’t a “nice-to-have”.
• Why avoiding emotion is actually costing you more. 
• Three practical ways to connect emotionally with your people, even if you’re deeply uncomfortable.

"Empathy isn’t about fixing emotions; it is about acknowledging reality. People don’t need you to fix everything; they need to know they’re not invisible." —  Maria Ross

From Our Sponsor:

Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game-changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader 

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

For many employees right now, work doesn’t feel like a safe place. It feels uncertain, frightening, and deeply personal. In moments like this, how leaders respond matters more than ever. 

Michelle Feferman has spent decades helping organizations navigate complex DEI and workplace culture challenges in ways that protect people and strengthen the business. 

We talk directly about what leaders can do to support employees in the face of ICE raids and immigration-related fear, how to create real psychological safety at work, and why most DEI efforts are still entirely legal if you’re focused on risk mitigation, clarity, and care.

We also unpack how retention, engagement, and productivity are tightly tied to DEI and empathy work, and the key elements leaders need to think through right now to support their people while capturing the full business benefit.

This is a practical, compassionate conversation for leaders who want to do the right thing without panicking, posturing, or staying silent.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• Creating a diverse team that goes beyond old-fashioned quotas.
• Key benefits of having a wide pool of differing viewpoints within your organization.
• Actions to put in place to keep your employees safe and informed about handling ICE raids that could be used as a template for other crises. 
• Tips to create an FAQ that matters 

"If you can take the time now to get these things in place, the majority of people will relax, to some extent, and feel like they can come to work and just focus on work. People will relax more and be much more productive at work." —  Michelle Feferman

Episode References: 

• Michelle's article: It is Imperative to Create Psychological Safety at Work Amidst ICE Raids: https://mfeferman.substack.com/p/12868206_ice-raids-and-psychological-safety
• Book: DO DEI Right: Cut Through the Noise and Drive Lasting Results

About Michelle Feferman, Founder and CEO, Equity at Work, Author of Do DEI Right

Michelle is passionate about helping organizations have a profound impact on their employees, businesses, and communities through their diversity, equity, and inclusion work. She is the Founder and CEO of Equity At Work, known for creating innovative, customized solutions for even the most complex DEI and workplace culture challenges. Her clients outperform their peers in revenue and margin growth, productivity, engagement, and retention.

Michelle is the author of Do DEI Right, co-host of the podcast Your DEI Minute, and on the Investment Committee of RevTech Venture Capital. Before this, she spent 25 years working at Accenture, Kurt Salmon, Macy’s Inc., and The Walt Disney Company.

From Our Sponsor:

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Connect with Michelle:

Equity At Work: https://www.equity-at-work.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleebogan/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093183559876

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equity_at_work

Substack: https://mfeferman.substack.com/

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader 

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Amy Mosher Berry shares what's really going on with young professionals today and why mentorship and meaningful work enable your organization to thrive. Amy and I delve into what truly motivates and drives today's young professionals, the biggest mistakes leaders should avoid when hiring interns, and how intergenerational strategies fueled by empathy can enhance collaboration and productivity. We discuss the important role of casual mentorship, how your internship program becomes a marketing strategy, and how effective programs not only benefit interns but also drive your mission and results.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• Important facts to know about the rising young professionals.
• Key mistakes to avoid in hiring the right interns.
• The detriments of the purpose gap are with both interns and employees.

"Internships, by law, need to have 51% majority benefit going to the intern. It has to be officially structured with learning objectives, and there needs to be that supportive process." —  Amy Mosher Berry

Episode References: 

Forbes articles: 

• Gen Z And The Empathy Expectation: What Workplace Leaders Need To Know
• 8 Ways Gen Z Can Meet Managers In The Middle And Shine At Work

The Empathy Edge:

• Anna Liotta: Understanding Generational Codes
• Michelle Hoover: Understanding First-Generation Professionals in Your Workplace
• Courage to Advance: Leading Gen Z with Dr. Meisha Rouser
• Rhonda George-Denniston: Why Betting on Your People Leads to Market Domination
• Fact Sheet #71: Government Guidelines for Internships
• Free guide: 8 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring Interns

About Amy Mosher Berry, CEO of Visions Internships:

Amy Mosher Berry is a passionate social entrepreneur with over 20 years of diverse experience in business, government, and the nonprofit sector, including 15 years in workforce innovation, 5 years teaching college, and now as the CEO & Founder of Visions Internships.

Visions Internships primarily helps organizational leaders design and manage customized, impactful internship programs without the overwhelm. Amy's social enterprise also empowers young professionals with the skills and support to succeed.

A certified Project Management Professional (PMP)® with a Master's degree in Community Development and Planning and a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies/ Spanish, she enjoys bringing a project management approach to program development for maximum results.

Amy lives in Central MA and is deeply dedicated to Co-Creating a World that Works - especially with her young daughter inspiring her every day.

From Our Sponsor:

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Connect with Amy:

Visions Internships: visionsinternships.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amymosherberry

Facebook: facebook.com/visionsinternships

Instagram: instagram.com/visions_internships

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/visionsinternships

INTERNSHIP INSIDER™ Training (IIT): A live virtual 5-week program development course teaches 2-4 key staff members how to design a customized, impactful internship program as part of your organization's overall growth strategy. visionsinternships.com/internship-insider

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

We dive into what leaders can learn from one of the most talked-about leadership turnarounds in sports this season: Curt Cignetti and the remarkable transformation of Indiana Hoosiers football. We unpack why turnaround success isn’t about inheriting the “right” team, it’s about setting expectations, creating belief, and installing systems that allow people to perform at their best. 

With more than three decades of leadership experience at Fortune 200 companies, Donzel helps leaders and organizations build clarity, capacity, and intentional leadership. He’s also a former Academic All-America football player, which makes his perspective on leadership, discipline, and performance especially powerful.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• What leaders need now to stay grounded, adaptable, and effective amid rapid change and disruption.
• How to translate big ideas into repeatable behaviors that actually create change over time.
• Helping individuals take control of their lives and make their destiny happen through life planning and consistent action.

"In most cases, the majority of people have the talent and have the capability. They just need to believe, and they need some tools and some processes to go along with that to allow them to win." —  Donzel Leggett

About Donzel Leggett, Founder, Destiny Development Delta, LLC, and Author, Make Your Destiny Happen:

With more than three decades of leadership experience at Fortune 200 companies, Donzel is the Principal of Destiny Development Delta, LLC, where he focuses on executive leadership development. He is also the award-winning author of Make Your Destiny Happen: Take Control of Your Life with the Destiny Development Delta Model for Transformational Success.

Recognized for his strategic vision and commitment to mentorship, Donzel is passionate about coaching and developing leaders worldwide. His purpose is clear: to help people unlock their full potential and become the best leaders they can be. A proud Purdue graduate and former Academic All-America football player, Donzel now splits his time between Florida and Chicagoland with his wife, Tracy.

From Our Sponsor:

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Connect with Donzel:

Destiny Development Delta: destinydevdelta.com

Book: Make Your Destiny Happen

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/donzelleggett

Facebook: facebook.com/destinydevdelta

Instagram: instagram.com/donzel_leggett

YouTube: youtube.com/@DonzelLeggett

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

That’s the heart of the work of Sam Daley-Harris, Founder and Principal of Civic Courage, and author of Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy.

This conversation reframes what it means to participate in democracy. It’s not just about agonizing or protesting or turning off the news. It’s about awakening to our own power and using empathy to bridge divides and build the kind of future we actually want. It’s about sharing personal stories, engaging in deep listening and conversation, and making bold asks of leaders and volunteers.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• Why sharing your “story of self” matters and how knowing your why becomes your anchor in meaningful leadership and advocacy.
• What transformational advocacy truly is, and why it has the power to change both the issues and the advocates themselves.
• The essential role of empathy in advocacy and the three questions volunteers ask when meeting with an opposing elected official that can turn conflict into connection.
• Why leaders and organizations must move past their fear of asking volunteers to do big, bold things, because that’s where transformation happens.

"Transformational advocacy is where you're trained, encouraged, and succeed at doing things as an advocate that you never thought you could do. When you do those kinds of things, you see yourself differently." —  Sam Daley-Harris

Episode References: 

• Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness by Jamil Zaki
• Citizens Climate Lobby
• Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet by Bill McKibben

About Sam Daley-Harris, Founder, Civic Courage, and Author, Reclaiming Our Democracy: 

Sam Daley-Harris started as a symphony musician and then founded the anti-poverty lobby RESULTS in 1980, co-founded the Microcredit Summit Campaign in 1995, and founded Civic Courage in 2012. The paperback edition of his book Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy was named an editor’s pick by Publishers’ Weekly BookLife. Daley-Harris has been interviewed on NPR’s Here and Now and on PBS’s Laura Flanders and Friends.

From Our Sponsor:

Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game-changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross 

Connect with Sam:  

Civic Courage: reclaimingourdemocracy.com 

X: x.com/samdaleyharris 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sam-daley-harris-b8bb796 

Facebook: facebook.com/sam.daleyharris 

Instagram: instagram.com/samdaleyharris 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader 

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

My guest today, Ed Kirwan, is doing exactly that. Ed is the CEO and Founder of Empathy Studios, a creative education organization using the power of film to develop empathy as a real, learnable skill. He’s also the founder of Empathy Week, now the world’s largest empathy festival for schools, reaching more than 1.8 million students across 56 countries since 2020. 

In this conversation, we explore why film is such a powerful catalyst for empathy, what Ed has learned from years of working with students around the world, why empathy is becoming a critical skill in the age of AI, and how developing empathy can boost well-being and help create a better world.

This is a hopeful, practical, and deeply human conversation about what empathy looks like when we stop treating it like a soft skill and start treating it like a core capability.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• The emotional power of film to supercharge feeling and connection.
• Why empathy and related skills are necessary to reap the benefits of AI.
• How humans are adapting, seeking things that are real and authentic, and why making something look worse may actually be better.

"That's the power of film. It can really supercharge emotions; it can supercharge feeling; it can supercharge connection." —  Ed Kirwan

Episode References: 

• Ed Kirwan: Empathy Week: Using the Power of Film to Build Empathy

About Ed Kirwan, CEO and Founder, Empathy Studios

Previously a science teacher in London, Ed founded Empathy Studios, an education and creative organisation using the power of film to develop the skill of empathy in all. A director, filmmaker, and educator for 10+ years, Ed also started Empathy Week, the world’s largest empathy festival for schools, which has reached 1.8 million students across 56 countries since 2020. Their framework for empathy development is backed by the University of Cambridge, and Ed’s team now works across teams and leaders in the business world to help develop and embed the skill of empathy - foundational to high-performing and thriving teams.

From Our Sponsor:

Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game-changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross 

Connect with Ed Kirwan:

Empathy Studios: empathystudios.com 

Empathy Week: empathyweek.org

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ed-kirwan 

Instagram: instagram.com/edkirwan 

YouTube: youtube.com/@Empathy-Studios

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader 

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Julia Armet, people and culture strategist, workplace facilitator, and proud neurodivergent leader, is on a mission to humanize work.

Julia shares her own powerful personal journey navigating her own neurodivergence, and we discuss why relationship-building is the heartbeat of modern work. She debunks myths around autism and empathy, and introduces the concept of the “double-empathy problem” - reframing how we see inclusion and communication across differences. 

You’ll also hear why listening to neurodivergent voices elevates everyone, why the outlier is often the source of innovation, not friction, and how empathy can activate systemic shifts in the workplace and beyond.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• Different ways people exhibit and experience empathy. 
• Approaches to unmasking neurodiversity and empowering neuroinclusion.
• What you may be missing/misunderstanding about your autistic coworker’s social differences.
•  The importance of planting new seeds and redefining modern leadership through empathy.
• How to integrate your team’s outliers to unlock greater levels of empathy. 

"Solving for empathy for the most marginalized populations is what's going to actually benefit all populations." —  Julia Armet

Episode References: 

The Empathy Edge podcast: 

• Molly McGrath: Fix My Employee! No, Fix My Boss!
• Parissa Behnia: How Badass Leaders Convert Raw Power into Real Influence

About Julia Armet, Founder of Higher Playbook

Julia Armet, PCC, ELI-MP, is a people and culture strategist, workplace facilitator, and proud neurodivergent leader on a mission to humanize work. As Founder of Higher Playbook, she partners with visionary leaders and progressive organizations to design workplace cultures where all people — and all minds — can thrive.

With a career spanning media, technology, and professional services, Julia brings deep expertise at the intersection of relationship-building, leadership development, and culture transformation. From scaling a mission-driven tech company to leading global leadership programs, she empowers organizations to foster psychological safety, unlock talent potential, and drive culture change.

Through experiential keynotes, leadership retreats, and high-impact workshops, Julia equips leaders with socially innovative approaches and relational strategies to cultivate inclusion and conscious leadership. Her signature programs — Unmasking Neurodiversity and Empowering Neuroinclusion — harness the power of empathy to activate systemic shifts in the workplace and beyond.

Connect with Julia:

Higher Playbook: higherplaybook.com 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/juliaarmet 

Facebook: facebook.com/julia.armet 

Instagram: @higherplaybook

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/higherplaybook 

Check out her signature neurodiversity programming: Unmasking Neurodiversity and Empowering Neuroinclusion: higherplaybook.com/leadership-programs 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader 

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Given multiple generations in the workforce, we need empathy flowing up for leaders dealing with added pressures and mental health issues right now. Today’s guest, Catherine Ducharme—Founder of Fluency Leadership, award-winning communicator, certified coach, and TEDx speaker—has spent over 30 years helping leaders and teams lead with heart, curiosity, and inspiration. She shares her own story of learning to manage up, the mindset shifts that change everything, and practical ways to anticipate needs, respond more effectively, and position yourself as a strategic leader.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• How to shift your own perspective, rather than trying to change others.
• Ways to hold your boundaries, while still meeting people where they are.
• The team building skills you cultivate when you engage in everyday activities with coworkers.
• Why is there nothing small about small talk or soft about soft skills? 

"A little vulnerability goes a long way. And it doesn't mean you're pouring your heart out, your woes and everything to your team, but giving them insight to what you're juggling or what's on your mind will tip the balance toward compassion." —  Catherine Ducharme

Episode References: 

• Catherine’s article on managing up: www.fluencyleadership.com/2024/07/17/the-crucial-art-of-managing-up
• Fluency's Trust Breakout exercise: http://bit.ly/4lqTBun
• Book: Seen: The Untapped Power of Appreciation - coming in 2026 - Find out more here
• TEDx Talk: The Untapped Power of Appreciation

About Catherine Ducharme, Founder, Fluency Leadership 

Founder and Principal of Fluency Leadership, a leadership + team development and coaching practice, Catherine is a certified coach and facilitator with 30+ years of professional communications and leadership experience. She works with leaders and teams to build relational skills, empowering them to lead and influence with heart, empathy, curiosity, and inspiration. She’s been recognized as Regional Leader of the Year by the International Association of Business Communicators. She’s passionate about the need for more appreciation in the workplace and did a TEDx talk on that topic.

From Our Sponsor:

Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game-changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross 

Connect with Catherine:

Fluency Leadership: fluencyleadership.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/catherineducharme

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader 

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

This all impacts how we need leaders to show up and lead. We have to upskill our leaders for more connection, conversation, and collaboration. AI will be taking over a lot of the drudgery, so leadership now looks different from what it did 20 or 30 years ago. And for some leaders, there is a big skill gap between intent and impact. Something my guest today calls the Awkward Zone as she helps leaders to Own the Awkward.

Today, Jen Marr shares the three forces behind our fundamental workplace shifts and how this has changed the role of leaders. She talks about that Awkward Zone and how to navigate through it. She shares the Barbell concept, necessary to build up healthy, productive employees. We have an interesting discussion about time  - how leaders track it, spend it, and can find more ways to spend it on their people rather than on useless tasks.  And Jen shares what may finally shake us up from the unhealthy ways tech has taken over our lives at the cost of real connection, and what that flashpoint might be for us. 

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• The three major trends that are fundamentally shifting the workplace.
• How to foster a healthy workplace with operational empathy and actionable steps.
• Why actions, not nouns, frame lasting change so we can better handle our emotions.
• How time tracking can help you be a more supportive leader.

"The awkward zone is that gap between our intent and our impact. Within that is a whole series of different habits, mindsets, and behaviors that get in our way." —  Jen Marr

About Jen Marr, Founder & CEO, Showing Up LLC

Jen Marr helps leaders Own the Awkward - the high-stakes moments that decide whether people stay or stray. As founder of Showing Up LLC, she built the first research-driven framework that turns relational skills into repeatable business practice. More than 150 certified facilitators now deploy her process across Fortune 50 tech, major-league sports, healthcare systems, and even the White House Leadership Program.

Her programs replace awkward and nuanced relational issues with clear, confident skills and conversation frameworks. Freeing managers’ time, boosting collaboration, and anchoring cultures where people want to stay and do their best work.

A former healthcare and business development executive, she blends three decades of frontline experience with partnered research. Her books—Showing Up and the new Lifting Up package, the playbook.

Jen’s message is timely and actionable: relationships run results. When leaders lift people, performance follows, and every metric that matters moves with it.

From Our Sponsor:

Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game-changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross 

Connect with Jen:

Showing Up LLC: showing-up.com 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jenmarr 

Book: Lifting Up showing-up.com/lifting-up 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader 

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Today, I’m joined by executive coach and podcast host Jamie Lee, who specializes in helping women and underrepresented leaders rise through the ranks without compromising their integrity. 

We dive into how empathy and neuroplasticity form the foundation of effective self-advocacy — and how rewiring internal narratives can lead to greater confidence, deeper connection, and clarity when speaking up. Jamie shares evidence-based techniques for regulating the nervous system so you can show up with presence and poise in high-stakes conversations. Plus, we touch on the six types of intelligence you can access to build connections and ask for what you want.

If you’ve ever struggled with self-advocacy or want to communicate with more impact and empathy, this episode is for you.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• Defining self-advocacy and neuroplasticity in terms of empathy. 
• Compassion as an action is the key to rewiring your brain. 
• Ways to access your parasympathetic nervous system in your thinking brain and get out of your automatic stress response.
• Leveraging mirror neurons with empathy and compassion. 

"The brain adapts. The brain grows. It changes according to the practices that you expose it to. Compassion is the missing link that helps us be able to access those self-advocacy muscles for ourselves." —  Jamie Lee

Episode References: 

• Book a free hour-long consultation for 1:1 coaching with Jamie: https://www.jamieleecoach.com/apply
• The Empathy Edge podcast: Dia Bondi: How to Ask Like an Auctioneer
• Melissa Tiers' Anti-Anxiety Toolkit: https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Anxiety-Toolkit-Melissa-Tiers-ebook/dp/B0073HU3EG
• James Tripp's website: https://www.jamestripp.online

About Jamie Lee, Coach, Trainer, Podcast Host 

Jamie is an executive coach who specializes in women and underrepresented leaders who are "allergic" to office politics. She focuses on helping them get promoted and better paid without compromising their integrity or throwing anyone under the bus. In her practice, she blends proven self-advocacy strategies with evidence-based neuroplasticity tools.

Over a decade, Jamie has trained thousands of professionals in effective self-advocacy at leading organizations, including Citi, Unilever, Association of Corporate Counselors, American College of Cardiologists, UC Berkeley School of Business, and Smith College.

She's also the host of the Risky Conversations podcast, where she has honest talks with thought leaders on topics often considered taboo or "too risky" at work -- negotiation, mental and reproductive health, office politics, social injustices, and unconventional ways smart women navigate their path forward despite a flawed workplace. 

From Our Sponsor:

Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game-changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross 

Connect with Jamie:

Jamie Lee Coach: jamieleecoach.com 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leejieunjamie 

Instagram: instagram.com/jamieleecoach 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader 

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Annalee Hagood-Earl is the CEO and co-founder of Bash Creative Inc. Under her leadership, Bash has become a magnet for some of the biggest names in the world—not just because of its stunning creativity and flawless execution, but because people can feel the company’s values in every interaction.

Annalee’s not just talking about values—she lives them. She’s led her team through seasons of explosive growth and through moments when, as she puts it, “the bottom dropped out.” And she’s done it all while staying grounded in empathy, transparency, and joy. 

In our conversation, we dig into building a thriving business while investing in your team’s self-development, what it looks like to lead through uncertainty, and how to redefine success by what your team feels while they’re producing, not just what they produce. We also dive into some golden leadership lessons: the difference between values and ideals, why Annalee insists on hiring people smarter than herself, what she learned from her worst managers, and why she and her business partner went through a kind of leadership couples counseling to make their company stronger.

It’s like she ticked every box in my Five Pillars of Effective Empathy, and the results on her culture, retention, and revenue speak for themselves.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• Why reinvesting a headcount into developing your team means they can grow instead of relying on past experiences and traumas
• Why you should consider counseling with your business partners, your C-Suite, and other leaders
• Ways you can walk the talk and model self-awareness, joy, and learning 
• Why allowing your people to be who they are means they can get further, faster 
• How communication and transparency will take you a long way on so many levels

"We take a lot of time to interview and recruit. We're looking for aligned values, not aligned ideals. I want people with different perspectives on my team. I want to learn from them." —  Annalee Hagood-Earl

Episode References: 

• Follow the Founder: https://followthefounder.co/ 
• The Empathy Edge podcast: Claude Silver: Leading with Heart at Vayner Media

About Annalee Hagood-Earl, Founder & CEO, Bash Creative, Inc.

Annalee Hagood-Earl is the CEO and co-founder of Bash Creative Inc., an agency known for designing world-class events and experiences for global brands. Guided by both her company and personal values, Annalee has led her team through seasons of explosive growth as well as times when the bottom dropped out. Under her leadership, Bash has attracted some of the largest companies in the world as clients — not just for its creativity and execution, but because its values-driven approach creates trust and a culture people can feel. This commitment to values has even inspired clients to reflect on their own, discovering alignment they hadn’t previously articulated. Annalee speaks internationally on values-based leadership and how aligning values with action inspires resilience, clarity, and lasting impact.

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Connect with Annalee:

Bash Creative: bash-creative.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hagood-earl-annalee-78848a6

Instagram: instagram.com/bashcreative

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader 

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Today, Scott Trumpolt talks about empathy in compensation that leads to better employee engagement and more strategic growth. We discuss both the pitfalls of pay transparency leading to a dead end, but also the upside in how it catalyzes your company to reflect on and improve internal practices. He talks about how compensation is more than just salary, and the overlooked piece of career architecture - a concept that supports the Clarity pillar of empathetic leadership. Scott shares why programs fail, but culture shifts succeed, the #1 element to think about in determining competitive compensation structures, and why empathy is vital to ensure that compensation is about a one-on-one conversation and not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Scott also shares how HR leaders can strengthen credibility with business leaders and move the needle on company growth.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• Driving solutions aimed at employee engagement.
• Why compensation is not a one-size-fits-all solution and needs to be tailored to your employees and organization.
• Balancing pay transparency and directing packages and compensation for the individuals.
• Why job titles and compensation matter.

"There's a reason why compensation is not in finance. Yes, I use a lot of numbers, but we do it in a completely different way, and we are impacting the individual directly." —  Scott Trumpolt

Episode References: 

• Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink
• The Empathy Edge: Rhonda George-Denniston: Why Betting on Your People Leads to Market Domination

About Scott Trumpolt, Managing Director & Compensation Consultant:

Scott Trumpolt’s career is defined by a seamless evolution from corporate leadership to independent consultancy, reflecting over 30 years of expertise in compensation planning, HR leadership, and rewards strategies. For 18 years, Scott excelled in the corporate world, holding leadership roles in HR and Compensation across the United States and Germany. In 2012, he launched Trumpolt Compensation Design Solutions (TCDS) to provide bespoke solutions tailored to the unique needs of organizations worldwide.

Scott’s corporate experience provided a solid foundation for mastering market-based pay structures, sales incentive plans, and job classification systems. Transitioning into independent consultancy, Scott has spent the past 12 years leveraging this expertise to deliver innovative, client-focused strategies.

Scott’s global reach includes projects across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America/Caribbean, reflecting his adaptability to diverse work cultures. He is a Certified Global Remuneration Professional (GRP), holds a master’s degree in Human Resources Management, and has maintained an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, underscoring his commitment to excellence and client satisfaction.

From Our Sponsor:

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Connect with Scott:  

Trumpolt Compensation Design Solutions: hrcompensationconsulting.com 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-trumpolt-m-a-g-r-p-257a6b317 

BBB profile: bbb.org/south-east-florida/login/page/0/?li=1 

Scott's Book: The Defragmented Consultant: https://www.amazon.com/DEFRAGMENTED-CONSULTANT-Transition-Independent-Consultant/dp/B0G53SY2Y7 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Today’s guest, Heather Younger, is here to show us how self-leadership isn’t just a personal development buzzword — it’s the foundation of truly impactful, caring leadership that achieves real ROI. As a global expert on active listening and workplace culture, Heather has helped Fortune 100 companies transform the way they engage employees—starting from the inside out.

In this episode, we learn about Heather's journey as a culture bearer and customer experience professional, what self-leadership is, and why it matters - why doing the inner work helps you lead with grace and drive results,  and why treating employees with care isn’t just a moral choice but a business strategy that drives innovation and performance. She shares powerful examples and offers actionable first steps to help you lead more effectively, take ownership of your career, make smarter choices, and advocate for yourself.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• What self-leadership is and why it matters.
• How can you change your office culture to an empathy-driven culture?
• The power of getting curious within yourself.
• The power of giving and receiving feedback within your sphere of influence. 

"Take back your own power to lead yourself in the way you, intuitively, already know you're supposed to be doing." —  Heather R. Younger

From Our Sponsor: 

Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game-changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross 

About Heather R. Younger: CEO, Keynote Speaker, Author:

Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP, is a trusted contributor to leading news outlets, like Forbes, Fast Company, Bloomberg, NBC, and ABC, and one of the world’s leading experts on Caring Leadership® and active listening at work. She is the visionary Founder and CEO of Employee Fanatix, a preeminent employee engagement and workplace culture consulting firm for Fortune 100 companies. Employee Fanatix conducts annual research on workplace culture, relying on employee voices for what is relevant now, to help companies redefine their culture strategy. Heather has personally read over 30,000 employee surveys and facilitated over 100 employee focus groups, including her signature “Art of Active Listening Sessions.”

With over 25 years of successful management of teams, she has worked in customer experience, sales, and large account management for multi-million dollar accounts and multiple industries such as tech, staffing, healthcare, professional services, the public sector, and the financial sector. She's a renowned keynote speaker, drawing insights from current data and putting into practice what she teaches in her Caring Leadership Transformation Model™.

Heather is an award-winning leader in the area of Employee Engagement, as recognized by Inspiring Workplaces, is a LinkedIn Learning course partner, a 3-time bestselling author, a TEDX speaker, and the host of the popular Leadership With Heart Podcast.

Connect with Heather:

Employee Fanatix: heatheryounger.com 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/heatherryounger 

Facebook: facebook.com/HeatherRYounger 

Instagram: instagram.com/heatherryoungerofficial

X: x.com/HeatherRYounger 

Her new book: The Art of Self-Leadership

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Sharon Steed is a keynote speaker, author, and empathy expert specializing in communication and collaboration. As the founder of Communilogue, she helps organizations build more inclusive, connected teams through the power of vulnerability and empathy. A stutterer since childhood, Sharon uses her personal experience to illustrate how embracing discomfort fosters growth. She has worked with Fortune 500 companies, tech leaders, and global organizations, delivering impactful talks and workshops. Sharon is also a LinkedIn Learning Instructor with multiple courses on empathy. She hosts a weekly live podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube on empathy in the age of AI called Empathy In Automation. Her work empowers professionals to lead with authenticity and compassion. 

Sharon shares her powerful story and discusses how to be vulnerable and communicate with empathy in productive ways—ways that influence and ignite your team, customers, and other stakeholders. We also had an interesting discussion about the intersection of empathy and AI and how to keep humanity in a tech-driven world.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• Why curiosity is an empathetic power.
• What it means to communicate with empathy and how to overcome communication barriers.
• The power of setting your conversational intentions out loud.
• The importance of empathy in the age of AI. 

"Everybody swears that they are terrible at communicating. And (I say), well, no, every single time you enter a room, you are communicating." —  Sharon Steed

Episode References: 

• The Empathy Edge podcast episodes:
• Dr. Michelle Zhou: Empathic AI is Real, and It’s Here – But We Need Everyone Involved!
• Chris L. Johnson: When Leaders Pause, They Win

About Sharon Steed, Speaker and Founder, Communilogue:

Sharon Steed is a keynote speaker, author, and empathy expert specializing in communication and collaboration. As the founder of Communilogue, she helps organizations build more inclusive, connected teams through the power of vulnerability and empathy. A stutterer since childhood, Sharon uses her personal experience to illustrate how embracing discomfort fosters growth. She has worked with Fortune 500 companies, tech leaders, and global organizations, delivering impactful talks and workshops. Sharon is also a LinkedIn Learning instructor, with courses on Communicating with Empathy and Driving Inclusion with Empathy; she hosts a weekly live podcast on LinkedIn and YouTube on empathy in the age of AI called Empathy In Automation. Her work empowers professionals to lead with authenticity and compassion. 

From Our Sponsor:

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Connect with Sharon:

Communilogue: communilogue.co

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharon-steed

LinkedIn Learning Course: Communicating With Empathy

YouTube: Empathy in Automation

LinkedIn Newsletter: linkedin.com/newsletters/7107818443042656256/

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Listen in as Maria discusses gratitude as a leadership superpower, mental health booster, and cultural glue. She dives into what true gratitude means, why we should be expanding our circles of thanks, and gives us the science behind the strategy of gratitude with practical tips for your own life. Throughout, Maria acknowledges the complex history of Thanksgiving, emphasizing the importance of holding space for both its positive and negative aspects to deepen both our gratitude and our empathy.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• Gratitude is the cultural glue to keep your team happy and thriving.
• Recognizing the Thanksgiving paradox and inviting both sides of the conversation.
• The science behind gratitude and how you can start practicing gratitude today to improve performance and well-being.

"Gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring problems — it means facing them with perspective. It’s emotional range training, and emotional range is leadership power." —  Maria Ross

Episode References: 

The Empathy Edge Podcast Episodes:

• Logan Mallory: How a Culture of Gratitude Boosts Engagement and Mental Health
• November Hot Take: How Gratitude Leads to Empathy

Studies and Data:

• NIH National Library of Medicine: 
• The Effects of Gratitude Interventions
• Gratitude in Organizations: A Contribution for Healthy Organizational Contexts
• Harvard Health, Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier
• Dr. Michelle Rozen: Gratitude in Leadership: A Strategic Advantage
• Learned Optimism: Is Martin Seligman’s Glass Half Full?

Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game-changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Dr. Abraham George is a social entrepreneur with a unique background. He shares his powerful journey and the life-changing moment when he almost died. Dr. George shares the blueprint for how any leader or entrepreneur can create real change and move beyond existing for-profit models, and the compounding power of helping or inspiring just 100 people who, in turn, help 100 more. We discuss lessons on how to build your leadership legacy, no matter where you sit.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• The role education plays in lifting up economic equity and social justice.
• Understanding the impact you want to have on other people’s lives.
• Different ways you can do good in the world and how you can have a bigger impact than you know now.
• Creating the leadership legacy you want to leave behind.
• The benefits of leading a corporation with a heart.

"The way to deal with social injustice is through economic opportunity for those people, and the way to get economic opportunity is through excellent education." —  Dr. Abraham George

Episode References: 

• Albert Schweitzer, Out of My Life and Thought
• Bertrand Russell, The History of Western Philosophy
• The Empathy Edge: Woodson Martin: Balancing Corporate Success with Humanitarian Work

About Dr. Abraham George

Abraham George is a social entrepreneur committed to providing opportunities and resources to the most underserved populations in India. Growing up in India, Dr. Abraham was painfully aware of the social injustices surrounding him. After working 22 years as a finance executive and Army veteran, Dr. Abraham returned to India to fulfill his promise of creating social change. He founded The George Foundation through which he runs several projects. 

One such project is Shanti Bhavan, a school educating children from India’s poorest communities. Over the past 27 years, they have transformed the lives of over 15,000 people. By empowering marginalized children, they create opportunities to break the cycle of poverty. 

The 2017 Netflix documentary Daughters of Destiny centers on Shanti Bhavan’s efforts to educate and empower girls.

From Our Sponsor:

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Connect with Dr. Abraham George:

Dr. Abraham George Foundation: drabrahamgeorge.com

Shanti Bhavan: shantibhavanchildren.org 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/abraham-george-519315274 

Facebook: facebook.com/dr.abrahamgeorge?mibextid=LQQJ4d 

Instagram: instagram.com/dr_abraham_george?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

The better question is: How can you NOT find the time? It's the 5th pillar of being both an empathetic AND effective leader. And it's not a luxury. It's a vital way to build team culture, engagement, and reduce stress and anxiety when you can.

But HOW do you do it?

Today, I get the joy of talking about joy with Lisa Even. Lisa shares her transformative leadership story and how she infused joy into her own life and at work to build a winning culture, and how she helps leaders do the same. Lisa shares many examples and stories, and we discuss informal power, trying on others' glasses, and how to check in with your team and start infusing joy in small ways that make a big difference.  Lisa shares the 3 ingredients necessary to create a joyful culture: desire, belief, and permission. We talk about how to encourage accountability and impact while creating joy, and Lisa shares a fantastic way to avoid "forced fun” with your most skeptical, cranky employees! 

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• How to sneak joy in before, during, and after everything you do.
• Small steps to inject joy into your life and work.
• The power of taking accountability for crappy to happy. 
• Why you should be finding connection through other people’s joy.

"Make a list of the most unglamorous things, the things that just drive you bonkers. It's your job to find a little happy after the crappy." — Lisa Even

Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game-changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross 

About Lisa Event, Keynote Speaker

Lisa Even believes that you happen to the world, not the other way around. Life isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about showing up, creating connections, making an impact (Have Good Ripple Effect), and making joy your job. From serving farmers and truckers at a small café in high school to leading multi-million-dollar budgets—and juggling life—she’s passionate about helping people think beyond their backyards and build meaningful careers and lives.

Now, Lisa brings that same energy to organizations nationwide. The author of Joy Is My Job, host of the Have Good Ripple Effect podcast, and in-demand keynote speaker, she has spoken to hundreds of teams across a wide range of industries.

Stay tuned for her newest book, What’s Your Ripple Effect? And Why It Matters More Than Ever: A Leader’s Guide to Creating Lasting Impact and Influence.

Connect with Lisa:

Lisa Even International: lisaeven.com 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisa-even-have-good-ripple-effect-0778b112 

Facebook: facebook.com/lisaeven11 

Instagram: instagram.com/lisaeven_ 

Books: lisaeven.com/books 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Plus, she’s got a special birthday and holiday gift for you (and maybe one for her, too!): Buy The Empathy Dilemma in bulk for your clients or teams and get a free 30-minute virtual Author Fireside Chat if you order 50+ copies by Dec 31, 2025.

She also shares three powerful, practical actions any leader can take to be a more empathetic leader and increase engagement, performance, and accountability —and reminds you where to go for more inspiration, including her upcoming virtual leadership events and her Forbes column.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title.

Highlights:

• Maria’s 53rd birthday reflections: why empathy matters more than ever.
• The myth of “tough” leadership and what to replace it with.
• Her birthday/holiday book, discounted bulk order promotion, and how it benefits your team.
• Three actions leaders can take right now to model empathy.
• Details on Maria’s virtual Leadership Events.
• Where to find her latest Forbes articles.

"There’s clearly no more data I can show you. Now, it's a question of you deciding what kind of leader - and person - do YOU want to be?" —  Maria Ross

Episode References: 

• Buy The Empathy Dilemma in bulk at a discount: https://www.TheEmpathyDilemma.com. Buy 50 or more copies and contact me to get your free virtual Author Fireside Chat to guide discussion and enable action.
• Join an upcoming Leadership Event: https://red-slice.com/leadership-workshop
• Read Maria’s Forbes column: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mariaross
• Article on the 996 trend: https://www.wired.com/story/silicon-valley-china-996-work-schedule/

Sponsor Message: Keynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

My guest today is a Listening Whisperer! Oscar Trimboli starts out sharing his epiphany moment in a meeting that led to his current work. With over 35,000 people in his research database, Oscar shares the 4 common listening villains that cause barriers at work - and perhaps you can select which one you might be! I share my common villain with all of you, too. We talk about what the best listeners have in common, how listening changes when it's face-to-face versus online, and practical ways to improve your listening at work and in meetings to ensure engagement and positive outcomes. Oscar shares what he's learned about how deaf and blind people listen, and he even reveals some ways to listen better when you are utterly bored by a presenter or in a meeting.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title.

Listen in for…

• The four most common listening barriers at work. 
• When interrupting can be an empathetic action.
• Characteristics of the best listeners. 
• Ways we can engage when we don’t feel engaged.

"If you focus on the speaker, you're starting from the wrong place. Listening starts with you. You need to shut down the browser tabs in your own mind so you can create enough space in your working memory." —  Oscar Trimboli

Episode References: 

• Take the Listening Quiz! www.listeningquiz.com
• Apple's award-winning podcast Deep Listening 
• Oscar's Books
• The Empathy Edge podcast:
• August Hot Take: Why is Active Listening So Hard?
• Pam Fox Rollin: How to Grow Your Group Into a Team

About Oscar Trimboli: Speaker, Podcaster, and Author, Deep Listening

Oscar Trimboli is an author, host of the Apple award-winning podcast Deep Listening, and a sought-after keynote speaker.

Along with the Deep Listening Ambassador Community, he is on a quest to create 100 million deep listeners in the workplace.

Through his work with chairs, boards of directors, and executive teams, Oscar has experienced first-hand the transformational impact leaders can have when they listen beyond words.

He is the author of How To Listen - Discover The Hidden Key To Better Communication, the most comprehensive book about listening in the workplace. He's also the author of Deep Listening - Impact Beyond Words And Breakthroughs: How To Confront Assumptions.

Oscar loves his afternoon walks with his wife, Jennie, and their dog Kilimanjaro. 

On the weekends, you will find him playing with Lego with one or all four grandchildren.

Connect with Oscar:  

Oscar Trimboli: oscartrimboli.com 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oscartrimboli 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Today I talk with Lane Byrum, EQ coach and Director of Corporate Accounts for Five Capitals. Lane shares one of the most powerful stories I've ever heard about blending business with human connection, how empathy got real for him in that moment, and how it changed the team and consumer. He also gives a great example of how one company wasted millions of dollars on a brand-damaging ad campaign that missed the mark when it failed to dive deeper into empathy for your target audience - and how they put ego aside, took responsibility, and re-did the research to launch a breakthrough campaign instead! We discuss how empathy helps you break away from putting people into labels and boxes to form better connections. He shares three ways to get curious without sounding like you are interrogating someone. And Lane shares how to use empathy as a tool in a healthy, compassionate way with four steps to engage in a deeper connection at work - or at home!

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode at TheEmpathyEdge.com 

Listen for…

• The research project that made empathy real for Lane.
• Why empathy is first and foremost about acknowledging, not fixing or solving. 
• Key steps to engage in a deeper connection with others. 
• How to use empathy and storytelling as a tool. 

"You have to be courageous in these times, because there are a lot of reasons why you shouldn't (be) that sound right, - until you use courage and empathy, you won't understand how wrong those reasons are." —  Lane Byrum

Episode References: 

• Always Like a Girl Campaign and Super Bowl ad from Leo Burnett

About Lane Byrum: EQ Coach and Director of Corporate Accounts, Five Capitals

Lane brings 18 years of experience in qualitative research with Fortune 500 companies, and now devotes his work to developing emotionally intelligent leaders and teams. As an Enneagram Type 2, Lane’s approach blends deep self-awareness and empathy to create lasting growth—one conversation at a time. Whether through individual coaching or team training, he helps leaders tune into their inner wisdom and the people they lead to build truly human-centered organizations.

Connect with Lane:  

Five Capitals: fivecapitals.net 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lanebyrum 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

We discuss why self-awareness and authenticity must precede empathy, versus what some other thought leaders you may be following are saying. We examine where traditional conflict resolution processes fall short, and why it truly only takes one person to change the energy of a dispute, answering the most common question I get about how to deal with someone who is not showing YOU any empathy! And finally, we consider why peacebuilding and sustainable resolution start from the inside out, requiring us to release our energy and the need for control to cultivate neutrality within ourselves before clarity and solutions can emerge.

If you’ve ever found yourself entrenched in conflict, whether at work, at home, or with others in these very divisive times, this conversation will invite you to reimagine what resolution really looks like.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode at TheEmpathyEdge.com 

Listen in for:

• Keys to approaching negotiation and conflict with self-awareness. 
• The right energy to bring for healthy conflict, and how you can release your own emotional charge when someone is not showing you empathy back.
• The impact you have on others when you set the tone in your interaction with them. 
• Why the win/loss dichotomy is not important in conflict and negotiation

"When you're in an interaction with someone who's not capable of empathy, it manifests as self-absorption or even narcissism. You're with someone who's not there to hear you. They're there to talk. You want to make sure you are sourcing your energy from you and not from that person." —  Ursula Taylor

Episode References: 

• Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
• The Empathy Edge podcasts with guest Robin Dreeke:
• Spycraft and the Leadership Code of Trust
• Spy Lessons for Leaders: Forging Unbreakable Alliances Through Empathy

About Ursula Taylor, Founding and Managing Member, Conflict Reimagined: Ursula specializes in guiding individuals and teams through conflict resolution using holistic and strategic methods that go beyond traditional dispute resolution. With seventeen years of experience as a nationally recognized managed care attorney in commercial litigation, Ursula now focuses on helping clients avoid or limit costly legal processes. When litigation or arbitration is unavoidable, she supports clients in finding efficient resolutions.

Ursula combines intuition, deep discernment, practical experience, and analytical skills to help clients understand the broader scope of each issue or dispute, including underlying drivers, emotions, and limiting beliefs. She partners with individuals and leaders who prioritize business results, cooperation, and productivity, and who are open to innovative approaches for addressing and preventing expensive and uncertain conflicts.

Connect with Ursula:  

Conflict Reimagined: https://www.conflictreimagined.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ursula-taylor-b0ba4729/

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Joining me today is Mark Mears, a visionary business leader, best-selling author, keynote speaker, consultant, and visionary business leader. He has a significant track record of building stakeholder value, driving innovation, and profitable growth among world-class, high-profile brands such as PepsiCo/Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Frito-Lay, JCPenney, NBCUniversal, and The Cheesecake Factory. He is currently the founder and Chief Growth Officer for LEAF Growth Ventures, LLC, where he inspires leaders and organizations to grow with purpose.

Mark shares insights from his powerful new book, The Purposeful Growth Revolution: 4 Ways to Grow from Leader to Legacy Builder. We’ll dive into how empathy fuels meaningful growth, not only in business outcomes but people, teams, and culture. Mark believes that when leaders operate with purpose and put people first, they don’t just build companies—they build legacies. He shares why “culture” is not the right word, how to stop managing to the org chart, the four brands you need to consider within your organization, how to build your legacy starting today,  and how to think about inner diversity as much as organizational diversity. He also shares powerful stories from his past Fortune 500 mentors that you will love.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode at TheEmpathyEdge.com 

Key Takeaways:

• True success comes from building communities where people belong, not just cultures where they merely exist.
• Leadership is a role to be earned daily through empathy and self-awareness, not just a title like “boss.”
• Empathy fuels performance, proving that compassion and results go hand-in-hand.
• Recognition and fulfillment drive engagement, motivation, and lasting impact in organizations.
• Purpose must be lived through four interconnected brands: personal, internal, external, and employer.

“I never let anyone call me a boss. I said, if you want to refer to me as your leader, that’s a title I have to earn every day by how I show up.” —  Mark Mears

About Mark Mears, Founder & Chief Growth Officer, LEAF Growth Ventures: Mark A. Mears is a #1 best-selling author, keynote speaker, consultant, and visionary business leader. He has a significant track record of building stakeholder value—driving innovation and profitable growth among world-class, high-profile brands such as PepsiCo/Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Frito-Lay, JCPenney, NBCUniversal, and The Cheesecake Factory.

Today, Mark serves as Founder and Chief Growth Officer for LEAF Growth Ventures, LLC—a consulting firm inspiring individuals, teams, and organizations to find purpose in fulfilling their true growth potential while making a positive, lasting difference in the world.

Connect with Mark Mears:

Website: LEAF Growth Ventures LLC - https://www.MarkAMears.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markamears/ 

Book: The Purposeful Growth Revolution: https://www.amazon.com/Purposeful-Growth-Revolution-Leader-Builder/dp/1636182135

Free Purposeful Growth Self-Assessment: https://www.MarkAMears.com

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Welcome to Courage to Advance, hosted by Kim Bohr and brought to you by SparkEffect, in partnership with The Empathy Edge.

Our show is launching off on its own! Come check us out for twice-monthly episodes at www.CourageToAdvancePodcast.com or subscribe to Courage to Advance on your favorite player.

Kim Bohr opens with a striking boardroom paradox: "The person who can most impact your organization's success or failure, your CEO, is also the person most likely to receive the least comprehensive, least rigorous performance evaluation." In this conversation with Mike Humphries, they explore why traditional board-only CEO evaluations fall dramatically short.

Mike reveals why most boards focus on KPIs that capture only 15-20% of a comprehensive CEO evaluation, missing critical competencies like adaptability and stakeholder leadership. The conversation unveils how co-creating evaluations with CEOs prevents feedback rejection, why different stakeholders experience CEOs differently, and how independent assessment creates psychological safety for honest feedback in the loneliest executive role. To access the episode transcript, please scroll down below.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode at TheEmpathyEdge.com.

Key Takeaways:

• Most CEO evaluations focus only on KPIs—missing 80% of a comprehensive assessment
• CEOs who help design evaluation processes can't honestly reject feedback
• Board members and executive teams experience CEOs in different environments
• Independent evaluation eliminates bias and creates safety for honest feedback
• Early warning signs surface first with direct reports, not board members
• Comprehensive evaluation covers adaptability, stakeholder leadership, and culture stewardship
• Longitudinal analysis tracks CEO growth and identifies systemic challenges

"I don't think any board goes into this process thinking that they're taking a superficial approach... but there is a different way, and especially for this unique role." —  Mike Humphries

About Mike Humphries: Mike Humphries serves as Chairman and CEO of SparkEffect. He joined the organization in 2001, bringing experience as a successful entrepreneur and business executive with deep knowledge in finance, technology, and administration. Over two decades, he has served on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards, giving him a unique perspective on effective governance and leadership evaluation.

Connect with Mike Humphries:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikehumphries/

Website: sparkeffect.com/about/mike-humphries

Connect with Kim Bohr and SparkEffect

SparkEffect: sparkeffect.com

Courage to Advance recording and resources: sparkeffect.com/courage-to-advance-podcast

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sparkeffect

LinkedIn for Kim Bohr: linkedin.com/in/kimbohr

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Persuaded by the belief that empathy can transform healthcare, Dr. Riess founded Empathetics to meet medicine’s most pressing challenges. We talk about whether empathy can be taught or if it's an inborn trait, the evidence for how empathy improves measurable outcomes, and what shifts we need to make to more fully bring empathy into work. Dr. Riess shares how the brain works on empathy and how it looks different for different people of all abilities. Finally, we discuss the importance of getting people into the right seat to lead with empathy and why self-regulation skills are critical to leadership success.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode at TheEmpathyEdge.com.

Listen and discover:

• Why empathy is a key survival trait of the human species.
• Effective shifts to bring more personal compassion, kindness, and empathy to the workplace.
• The best ways to start your day for effective, empathetic leadership.
• Advice for dealing with people at different stages and levels of empathy.
• Why practicing empathy at work spills over into other aspects of your life.

"Neuroscience shows that when the brain is at rest, we're not doing nothing. The default mode is all about working out relationships. It just shows how critical human relationship and connectedness really is." —  Dr. Helen Riess

About Dr. Helen Riess, Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Empathetics

Dr. Helen Riess, a psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, is renowned for her groundbreaking research into the neurobiology of empathy.  Dr. Riess has shown that empathy can be taught and learned. Her work has reshaped how healthcare professionals connect with patients and colleagues, fostering trust and greater patient and clinician satisfaction. Her award-winning research has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals.

Persuaded by the belief that empathy can transform healthcare, Dr. Riess founded Empathetics to meet medicine’s most pressing challenges. As Chief Medical Officer, she translates her research into programs that help healthcare teams navigate the communication demands of modern practice. Her empathy training programs improve wellness, reduce burnout and employee turnover, and improve workforce cultures.

Her best-selling book, The Empathy Effect, has resonated globally. Her TEDx talk, “The Power of Empathy,” has nearly one million views. A Founding Member of Newsweek’s Expert Forum, Dr. Riess continues to champion the transformative power of empathy to improve healthcare for everyone.

Connect with Helen: 

Empathetics, Inc: empathetics.com

Instagram: instagram.com/helen.riess

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/helen-riess

TEDx: The Power of Empathy

Book: The Empathy Effect: empathetics.com/empathy-effect-book

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

We talk about what leadership really means, the biggest enemy of a high-performing culture, and how to spot when your team is misaligned. Dan also shares why it can feel lonely at the top, how empathy helps leaders have difficult conversations that make a real difference, and the best time to address issues before they derail performance. If you want practical, hard-earned wisdom on how to lead with both courage and compassion—while still driving results—this is the conversation for you.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode at TheEmpathyEdge.com.

Key Takeaways:

• The biggest enemy is fear, and what you don’t face will defeat you. Courage is being in touch with prices and rewards.
• You have to live your values. If you’re not living them, you won’t understand the nuances and where things could fall apart.
• Leadership doesn’t have to be lonely; it only is because you’re not willing to solve that problem. Often, the unwillingness to hear feedback is the biggest breakdown.
• Business, now more than ever, influences culture. With AI becoming increasingly relevant, it is up to leaders to become more relational and more empathetic.

“Most executives work around the hard conversations. They end up reacting to them. The hard conversations become your culture, and the conversation you're not willing to have becomes your culture. What you don't face now will eventually defeat you.” - Dan Tocchini

Episode References:

• The Empathy Edge Podcast: Kara Goldin: On Undaunted Leadership

About Dan Tocchini, Change Agent, Catalyst, Consultant, Coach

Dan Tocchini has been helping leaders bring some more magic onto their teams for over 35 years. He has worked with executive teams from Interstate Batteries and ESPN, to Smarty Pants Vitamins and Impulse Space, as well as on-profits like Homeboy Industries and Defy Ventures. Dan gives a no-fluff approach by helping transform leadership teams without any pixie dust - just courageous leadership, creative conflict resolution, and relevant restructuring. No conversation is too difficult, no situation too conflicted, because a leader with a vision cannot be held hostage by circumstance or history.

Connect with Dan:

Take New Ground: takenewground.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dantocchini

Instagram: instagram.com/dan_tocchini

The Change Imperative (FREE e-book) change.takenewground.com

Revenant: takenewground.com/revenant

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Today, Rai Cornell shares her unique journey, including being a psychologist in the prison system. We discuss how to appeal to today's savvy buyers and why everyone is a skeptical buyer. We talk about the mistakes companies make when they "pitch” and why 70% of the sales process is actually done before the salesperson does that pitch. And some examples of effective tactics and campaigns we've both seen. And a real treat today: you know the old marketing adage of helping prospects know, like, and trust you? Rai breaks down HOW to achieve each of those steps by taking about the brain's neurotransmitters and the chemicals activated at each stage, so you can best engage your audience at each step.  And we discuss the ethics of empathetic marketing and how to avoid manipulation or coercion at all costs, as well as the importance of internal feedback loops to consistently practice empathy with your customers.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode at TheEmpathyEdge.com.

Key Takeaways:

• Prioritize understanding the gatekeeper, not just the final buyer, especially in B2B sales situations.
• Everyone you are selling to is a human. They will have both logic drivers and emotional drivers.
• If you want to be efficient with your marketing dollars - spending less, doing more, and getting more ROI - empathy is the way to do it because you have to slow down and understand who the other person is.
• Utilize the power of neurotransmitters - dopamine and oxytocin - to maximize know, like, and trust.

"Be altruistic. Understand the situation. This is where empathy comes in. You have to understand the situation that they're in before they want to buy your solution." —  Rai Cornell

Episode References:

• Nike, If You Let Me Play Ad Campaign
• Subaru crashed car ad, They Lived

About Rai Cornell, CEO, Cornell Content Marketing:

Rai Cornell is the CEO and Strategic Marketing Consultant of Cornell Content Marketing. Rai helps B2B businesses become thought leaders by creating long-term demand-generation strategies and eliminating costly and unnecessary short-term, manipulative tactics like ads. Rai's marketing approach is psychology-driven to ensure businesses attract pre-qualified, emotionally engaged buyers.

Connect with Rai:

Email: rairose@cornellcontentmarketing.com

Cornell Content Marketing: cornellcontentmarketing.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/raicornell

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Today, we discuss how the leadership paradigm has changed and why our approaches to skill development often fail, because they rely on people fitting into rational machine models - which they do not! We discuss examples of how one crucial mindset shift works better,  and why breakdowns are not a bad thing, but an opportunity for leaders to shift their mindset, engage in tough conversations, and listen to what is important to others  - thus building the new leadership skills you need to succeed. We discuss how even the field of change management has changed and how you can shift from “power over” leadership models to “power with” models that lead to better results.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode at TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Humans don’t give feedback; machines give feedback. Humans give opinions, both good and bad.
• The most dangerous and unproductive leader is the one who believes they have nothing else to learn.
• Be willing to set aside what you believe as true. Breakdowns can only be solved by being willing to hear the truth, no matter what it is.

"Even in industrial environments, the value is created in our ability to coordinate action with each other in conversations, to deal with breakdowns with each other, and to really see possibilities for innovation might exist in the breakdowns." —  Saqib Rasool

Episode References: 

• The Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Saqib Rasool, CEO, Conceivian

Saqib is a serial entrepreneur, coach, and author. Starting his career at Microsoft, he later built several startups and founded a start-up accelerator. Saqib’s passion for cultivating leaders and entrepreneurs led him to study human potential, teamwork, innovation, entrepreneurship, and communications. Saqib has coached countless changemakers to unfold their potential, see the breakdowns ripe with opportunities, and set bold missions. He lives in the Seattle area and travels globally for work.

Connect with Saqib:

Conceivian: conceivian.com 

X: x.com/SaqibRasool 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/saqibrasool 

Facebook: facebook.com/saqibrasool 

Instagram: instagram.com/saqibrasoolofficial

Conceivian's Emerging Leaders Program. A Revolutionary Approach To Building Leadership,  Management, and Communication Capacities for Upward Mobility In Career & Performance in Enterprises: conceivian.com/elp

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Tune in to our subseries every 3rd Thursday, right here on The Empathy Edge! Or check us out at www.CourageToAdvancePodcast.com.

After overwhelming listener response to our AI and coaching conversation, Kim Bohr and Rod Bacon reconvene to address burning questions about executive coaching misconceptions. This deep dive challenges the outdated view of coaching as "leadership rehab" and reveals its true power as a strategic growth amplifier.

Rod dismantles the "scarlet letter" stigma, sharing how vulnerability creates strength and why interview-based stakeholder feedback provides "X-ray vision" into leadership impact. The conversation explores why executive presence is an inside job, how the forgetting curve undermines training investments, and why coaching transforms information into embodied leadership behaviors.

Whether you're justifying development budgets or seeking authentic growth, discover why combining training with coaching multiplies ROI and how modeling vulnerability builds cultures of continuous learning. 

To access the episode transcript, please scroll down below.

Key Takeaways:

• Executive coaching is a growth amplifier, not leadership rehab – top performers use it proactively
• Interview-based 360 feedback reveals not just what happened, but organizational ripple effects
• Executive presence isn't about gestures – it's about embodying confidence and claiming your seat
• Up to 90% of training content is forgotten within a week without coaching reinforcement
• Vulnerability-based leadership creates psychological safety and models continuous growth
• Training fills knowledge gaps; coaching ensures application and integration
• The most powerful transformations focus on one or two needle-moving changes

"We're going to see it as a growth amplifier… when people get coaching, they're able to look at their strengths, what's potentially getting in the way of accelerating those, and really grow." —  Rod Bacon

About Rod Bacon: Rod Bacon serves as Chief Coaching Officer at SparkEffect, developing world-class executive coaches and working with C-suite leaders across healthcare, pharmaceutical, and technology industries. His philosophy that vulnerability enables true strength has guided transformative leadership development worldwide.

Connect with Rod Bacon:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rwbacon/

Website: sparkeffect.com/about/rod-bacon

Connect with Kim Bohr and SparkEffect

SparkEffect: sparkeffect.com

Courage to Advance recording and resources: sparkeffect.com/courage-to-advance-podcast

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sparkeffect

LinkedIn for Kim Bohr: linkedin.com/in/kimbohr

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Today, I talk with Marisol Solarte-Erlacher about the price you pay for toxic and psychologically unsafe cultures and how that impacts business performance. We discuss why chronic stress is an issue, how it impacts leadership and performance, and what it looks like to put employee well-being at the center of your business strategy. Marisol shares how to make the culture shift in your own team to prioritize well-being in meaningful ways, not just surface-level perks. She offers three questions you can ask your team to discern if they feel psychologically safe, and she shares how you can make the business case for well-being so your people can thrive and your company can achieve its goals.

To access the episode transcript, please scroll down below.

Key Takeaways:

• The pandemic gave everyone the ability to pause and actually question if the way we have always done things is the only or best way to do things.
• Being in a constant state of stress takes a long-term toll on our bodies and health.
• Do assessments with yourself and your team to understand what the biggest stressors are at any given point.
• To assess psychological safety, you can ask three questions: What are the things in the workplace that cause you the most stress? How do you handle those? How do you ask for help?

"This is about the long-term investment of your culture for the overall well-being and sustainability of your organization." —  Marisol Solarte-Erlacher

Episode References:

• The Empathy Edge podcast:
• Rebecca Friese: How to Build a “Good” Culture
• Anna Liotta: Understanding Generational Codes

About Marisol Solarte-Erlacher, Trauma Expert and Resilience Consultant

Named one of Colorado's Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business, Marisol Solarte-Erlacher is a trauma expert, resilience consultant, and licensed psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience helping organizations build cultures where both people and performance thrive, while hosting the award-nominated podcast 'Resilience and Resistance,' featuring successful Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color who have overcome trauma to become resilient leaders.

Connect with Marisol:

Email: marisol@marisolerlacher.com 

Website: marisolerlacher.com 

Instagram: instagram.com/marisol_resilience_expert  

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

The audience will gain:

• DEFINE what empathy means in a work context and clarify confusing terminology. Bust common empathy myths that hold leaders back.
• DISCOVER how empathy helps you do good while doing well financially: Empathy is not just good for the world, but it can be a competitive advantage. We'll walk through the financial & organizational benefits of acting with empathy, and how you can persuade others in the organization to do the right thing.
• EXPLORE what empathy is - and more importantly, what it is NOT.
• DISCOVER the Five Pillars of Effective and Empathetic Leadership to better balance the needs of the business with the needs of your people.

To access the episode transcript, please scroll down below.

Key Takeaways:

• Empathy requires great strength to be able to take on someone else's point of view without fear or defensiveness.
• We can access empathy through two angles - cognitive and affective (or emotional) empathy.
• Why managers need to create a human connection with their teams.
• In today’s digital world, connection is more important than ever. It is a key to experiencing empathy.

"You need to be very firmly grounded in who you are, what you believe, and your own self-confidence to open yourself up to other points of view. Empathy is anything but weak; it's a strength." —  Maria Ross

Episode References: 

• Sign Up Here for PeopleFoward Network: https://bit.ly/pfncommunity
• The Empathy Edge Podcast: 

Daina Middleton: How to do Layoffs with Humanity, Inclusion, and Compassion

Dr. Michelle Zhou: Empathic AI is Real and It’s Here - But We Need Everyone Involved!

Dr. Cori Lathan: Benevolent Cyborgs and a Techno-Optimist’s View on Technology

About PeopleForward Network: We exist to help all people experience meaningful work.

We imagine a world where leadership and people-first leadership are synonymous.

PeopleForward Network provides innovative podcasting, communications, and partnership services for people-first leaders to impact meaningful work.

From podcast production and distribution to creative services and growth consulting, PeopleForward Network’s mission is to share resources and insights with its global community of leaders, connectors, and creators to inspire and build workplaces where people thrive.

Connect with Jason Cochran & PeopleForward Network:  

Website: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jason.Cochran 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-d-cochran/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasondcochran/ 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Today, Shilpa Alva shares the powerful childhood experiences that led her to this work, with a stopover in corporate America, where the skills she learned now serve her very well in the non-profit world. We discuss what her shift from corporate culture to the non-profit world was like, and how she balances mission with results, like 70% growth! She talks about values versus process and why values light the fire, so your people will achieve results. Shilpa shares how they co-create solutions with local partners, gathering input from everyone to get the most impactful ideas, and offers a great model for clearly communicating back those final decisions to increase buy-in. 

To access the episode transcript, please scroll down below.

Key Takeaways:

• We are all part of a shared humanity and are way more alike than different. Exposure to different perspectives can help build your empathy muscle.
• Partner with the community, don’t just assume you know what is best for the community.
• The organization and structure that got you to where you are today is not going to be the same one that gets you to your wildest, most audacious goals.
• Bring all stakeholders in your ecosystem together in the vision to make your goals a reality. 

"You keep your values and your foundation strong so that it doesn't shift. But then you use those values to guide you in achieving your goals." —  Shilpa Alva

Episode References: 

• Joy McBrien of Fair Anita
• The Empathy Edge podcast: Heather Hiscox: The Surprising Empathy Gap in Social Impact That Hinders Change

About Shilpa Alva, Founder & Executive Director, Surge for Water

Shilpa Alva is the founder and Executive Director of Surge for Water, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the cycle of poverty through access to safe water and sanitation solutions. Since its founding 15 years ago, Surge has impacted hundreds of thousands of people in 12 countries. Shilpa's journey didn’t start in the International Nonprofit world. After graduating from Johns Hopkins University with a Chemical Engineering degree, she joined the corporate world and earned her MBA from the Carlson School at the University of Minnesota. After a successful corporate career in Supply Chain Management, she made the bold choice to follow her purpose and live fully in alignment with it. She went from running the organization on nights and weekends to going all the way in!

Connect with Shilpa Alva 

Surge for Water: surgeforwater.org 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shilpa-alva-858b841 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

To access the episode transcript, please scroll down below.

Key Takeaways:

• When assessing risk, people are your greatest risk, but they are also your greatest asset and your greatest opportunity for solutions. 
• It is not the machine or the algorithm that will solve your risk problem; it is your people. 
• You risk losing your best people if you’re not willing to adapt to what needs to be done for the best of your organization, employees, clients, and other stakeholders. 

"You increase awareness by explaining why people need to be aware, why they should care, and you may have to make it personal." —  Steve Durbin

About Steve Durbin: CEO, Information Security Forum

Steve Durbin is Chief Executive, Information Security Forum (ISF). His main areas of focus include strategy, information technology, cyber security and the emerging security threat landscape across both the corporate and personal environments.

He is a frequent speaker and commentator on technology and security issues, and, since 2016, the host of the ISF Podcast.

Formerly at Ernst & Young, Steve has been involved with IPOs, mergers and acquisitions of fast-growth companies across Europe and the USA. Having previously been senior vice president at Gartner, he has advised a number of NASDAQ and NYSE listed global technology companies.

Steve has served as a Digital 50 advisory committee member in the United States, and he has been ranked as one of the top 10 individuals shaping ow organizations and leaders approach information security careers. He has also been featured on the top 20 most influential list of leaders whose companies have a vision that shapes the conceptual landscape of their respective industries.

Steve is a Chartered Marketer, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Forbes Business Council Member and a lecturer at Henley Business School, where he speaks on the role of the Board in Cybersecurity.

Connect with Steve:

Information Security Forum: securityforum.org 

X: x.com/securityforum 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stevedurbin 

YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCyTu0HsWQd_ucrt0Zo0042A 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Today, Laura Camacho and I talk about what executive presence means (it's not just how nice your suit fits!), how empathy relates to executive presence, specific challenges for more introverted leaders to increase their empathy, and what the C-suite is looking for to promote someone internally. Laura shares that the true purpose of executive presence is to help others have confidence in YOU as a leader, and she shares some tools on how to be clearer and empathetic in your messaging, as well as tips to mentor others, especially introverts.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• You have to be both a storyteller and a data driver. It is not a hard binary. Even the most analytical people are driven by emotion.
• If you are stressing about saying something badly, say it anyway - it likely won’t be bad, and you can always course correct on the off-chance that it is.
• Prepare in advance to speak out in meetings about your domain. Be prepared to speak up early and with structure.

"Connection, competence, and confidence - you need all of those. You cannot have executive presence without empathy." —  Laura Camacho

About Laura Camacho, Executive Presence Coach:

Laura Mixon Camacho, PhD, is an executive presence coach. When leaders communicate with authentic executive presence, it builds a healthy culture with a better bottom line.

From her deep dive research into luxury brand messaging, winning political campaigns, and neuroscience, she takes a bespoke approach to teaching highly intelligent high-performers how to connect, engage, and inspire people to improve business outcomes and build culture.

Her articles on influence and culture have been regularly featured in several publications, including Forbes, The Southern C, Lionesses of Africa, and Training Industry.

She is also author of the Cultured Communication Workbook and The Practical Guide to Effective Communication. Her podcast, Speak Up with Laura Camacho, is ranked #2 in the world for communication skills podcasts and is in the top 2.5% of all podcasts in the world.

Connect with Laura:

Mixonian Institute: speakupwithlaura.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauramcamacho

Instagram: instagram.com/speakupwithlaura

Executive Presence Mastery System: a 90-day intensive coaching program to prepare mid-level managers for senior leadership: speakupwithlaura.com/executivepresence

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Tune in to our subseries every 3rd Thursday, right here on The Empathy Edge! Or check us out at www.CourageToAdvancePodcast.com.

As AI revolutionizes how we work, what makes human executive coaching irreplaceable? Kim Bohr sits down with Rod Bacon, SparkEffect's Chief Coaching Officer, to explore why transformative leadership breakthroughs happen through human connection, not algorithms.

Rod reveals what he calls "sacred pressure" in coaching relationships – the ability to create breakthrough moments through presence and challenge blind spots in ways AI cannot replicate. This conversation explores the neuroscience of trust-building, why discomfort drives growth, and how mirror neurons enable coaches to move executives from stress to creative insight.

Whether you're defending coaching investments or seeking authentic development, discover why trust acts as a "force multiplier" in organizations and how vulnerability-based leadership creates the psychological safety teams need.

To access the episode transcript, please scroll down below.

Key Takeaways:

• Biological synchronization between the coach and the executive creates conditions for transformation
• AI can ask questions, but cannot synchronize nervous systems or create a calming presence
• Growth requires "sacred pressure" – productive tension that human coaches apply with precise timing
• Trust acts as a "force multiplier," enabling innovation, agility, and resilience
• Without trust, teams make false commitments in meetings but have real conversations elsewhere
• Mirror neurons enable coaches to regulate nervous systems, moving executives from stress to creativity
• The future is leveraging both AI efficiency and irreplaceable human wisdom

"Trust is the new strategic capital...it's the interstitial connections which holds everything together." —  Rod Bacon

About Rod Bacon: Rod Bacon serves as Chief Coaching Officer at SparkEffect, developing world-class executive coaches and working with C-suite leaders across healthcare, pharmaceutical, and technology industries. His philosophy that "personal growth is professional growth" has guided transformative leadership development worldwide.

Connect with Rod Bacon:  

Website: sparkeffect.com/about/rod-bacon/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rodbacon/

Connect with Kim Bohr and SparkEffect

SparkEffect: sparkeffect.com

Courage to Advance recording and resources: sparkeffect.com/courage-to-advance-podcast

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sparkeffect

LinkedIn for Kim Bohr: linkedin.com/in/kimbohr

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Robin Dreek joins us again today to talk about his latest book, Unbreakable Alliances: A Spy Recruiter's Authoritative Guide to Cultivating Powerful and Lasting Connections. He shares the four keys to communication and the difference between inspiration, influence, and manipulation. He shares the behaviors of trust required to inspire people to feel safe. We talk about how to engage empathy to inspire people to open up, share their context, and forge those unbreakable alliances. Finally, Robin shares a great definition of active curiosity and what it can do for both your relationships and success.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Every little word and emotion matters.
• You have to balance the dichotomy of vulnerability and confidence.
• Four keys of communication: seeking the thoughts and opinions of others; talking in terms of challenges and priorities that other people are dealing with; non-judgmental active curiosity; and empowering people with choice.
• We need to be asking better questions - focus on what they want to share, not what you want to ask.

"Active curiosity is taking it to the next level - don’t just be curious about what it is you want to know, but be curious about what it is they want to share." —  Robin Dreeke

Episode References: 

• The Empathy Edge podcast: Robin Dreeke: Spycraft and the Leadership Code of Trust

About Robin Dreeke, Executive Coach, Speaker, Former FBI, and Author, Unbreakable Alliances

Robin Dreeke is an accomplished Executive Coach, Best-Selling Author, and Professional Speaker with an impressive background. As a Marine Corps Officer and retired FBI Special Agent, he served as Chief of the Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program, where he honed his skills in Recruiting Spies and Behavioral Assessment. Today, Robin has translated his expertise into his unique Interpersonal Communication Strategies that focus on Recruiting Allies in business. Since 2010, he has been working with Executives, Corporations, Entrepreneurs, the Military, and Law Enforcement to help them Forge Trust, Solve Challenges, and Lead. Robin's People Formula has helped countless individuals and teams achieve quick, measurable results and maximum success. Whether you're a newly promoted leader, executive, sales team member, or customer relations specialist, Robin's proven strategies will help you excel.

Connect with Robin:

Website: robindreeke.com

X: x.com/rdreeke

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rdreeke

Facebook: facebook.com/ForgedbyTrust

Instagram: instagram.com/rdreeke

Book: Unbreakable Alliances: A Spy Recruiter's Authoritative Guide to Cultivating Powerful and Lasting Connections

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Because lately, I’ve been wondering: Is empathy under attack? And if so, how do we as leaders, parents, citizens—and humans—continue to lead with empathy in a world that sometimes seems to mock, punish, or politicize it?

So today, I want to pull back the curtain and talk about what it’s like to do this work, and why—despite it all—I continue to fight for empathy at work, in leadership, and our culture at large.

Let’s dive in.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• In a chaotic world, cruelty often gets mistaken for strength. 
• Empathy is not about coddling and indulgence but about the courage to pause and listen, not to react.
• Three small but powerful steps to resist the tide of cruelty and amplify empathy instead: model it, name it, protect it.

"Empathy is not weak, naive, or political. It is what allows us to build trust, resolve conflict, and create workplaces where people—and performance—can thrive." - Maria Ross

Episode References: 

• FREE upcoming 2-day virtual leadership event with me! Let's have a chat first and see if this aligns with your goals and where you are right now. Visit www.TheEmpathyEdge.com/event to sign up for a time.
• VAST Institute
• Robert Reich's Substack article, ”Trump, Musk, and The Empathy Bug”: https://robertreich.substack.com/p/trump-musk-and-the-empathy-bug
• Listener Feedback! Please fill out the short survey here at https://bit.ly/edge-feedback

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

We dive into how DEIB differs between nonprofits and for-profits, why the ultimate goal is to make DEIB programs obsolete, and what’s needed at every stage—budget, buy-in, ROI, and more. Asheli also breaks down the difference between sponsors and allies, how cis white individuals can spark change in spaces where representation is low, and why your team’s culture matters more than their job responsibilities.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• DEIB isn’t going anywhere, no matter what the politics say. People are just getting creative in how they describe it, talk about it, and structure it.
• While allyship is important, sponsorship is equally important. 
• The more diverse voices you have, the better business decisions you’re going to make.

"We shouldn't need these elaborate structures and all these different ways to make sure we're being inclusive, because we should already be doing it. It should be holistically built into our system." —  Asheli Mann-Lofthouse

About Asheli Mann-Lofthouse, President & CEO, Cultural Outreach and Racial Equity Collective

Asheli Mann-Lofthouse is an Organizational Anthropologist who draws collectively from her afro-indigenous background and 15 years of DEI, human resources, and organizational development experience to lead the design and implementation of strategies that foster a culture of belonging and inclusion aligned with entity imperatives. With expertise in the development and execution of structured initiatives, Asheli empowers communities and organizations to break down systemic barriers, heal divisions, align value-driven priorities, and support diverse populations, allowing each individual to thrive. Her unique anthropological approach promotes awareness, allyship, and social justice by understanding holistic and diverse human experiences.

Asheli is actively committed to contributing to social and organizational impact efforts in partnership with local, state, and federal organizations, educational institutions, non-profits, communities, and businesses from all sectors in need and has a proven track record of delivering results in equitable [and efficient] process and program management, research, evaluation, and organizational improvement through learning and leadership development. Asheli is a servant leader and lifelong learner, committed to understanding individuals from all perspectives, using anthropological and ethnographic methodologies to overcome barriers for those facing adversity.

Connect with Asheli:

Cultural Outreach and Racial Equity Collective NFP: core-collective.org

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/asheli-mann-lofthouse

Instagram: instagram.com/core_collectivenfp

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

I highly recommend working with a leadership or executive coach to guide you in this self-discovery process. But the world of coaching is like the Wild West, with so many people promising the moon, engaging in unethical tactics, and giving the industry a bad name.

Today, my guest, Bridgette Boudreau, talks about effective coaching relationships and how to embrace empathy to get the results you want. 

We had a meandering and meaningful conversation about false confidence, tips to find and work effectively with a coach, red flags to avoid, and how to recognize certain behavior patterns that are stopping you from getting the results you want. We also talk about the coaching industry and how ethical, genuine coaches can lean into marketing and selling with integrity so the right clients can find them.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Try doing some changes internally and seeing what changes about the situation - everybody at work that we're disagreeing with is not the enemy. 
• Don’t write off coaching forever if you have had a negative coaching experience.
• Vibes are important - if you are feeling in the flow, an openness, and like you're energetically on the same page, that's what you want in a coach.
• Take what you want and leave the rest. Be curious, try new things, and see what works for you.

"Never give up your discernment. If something doesn't feel right, bring it up in the session. And if that doesn't feel safe, then that's not the right coaching relationship for you." —  Bridgette Boudreau

Episode References: 

• Three OG Coaches Podcast

About Bridgette Boudreau, Master Certified Coach

Bridgette Boudreau is a Master-Certified Coach and Business Consultant with a passion for helping people at midlife+ figure out what's next, small-scale entrepreneurship, and mentoring other coaches. Bridgette's coaching philosophy is rooted in compassion and finding one's intrinsic motivation versus pushing or hustling. She acts as a strategic thought partner, providing a safe and supportive environment for her clients to grow. With over 16 years of coaching experience, she has developed the Mosaic Framework to help people create a fulfilling next act on their terms.

Bridgette’s coaching style is like the love child of Bob Ross and Mary Poppins: She's going to love and encourage the hell out of you to do it your way, and you're going to get it done.

Bridgette lives in Seattle with her partner Stephanie and their dog-son, Mr. Beverly Wiggins.

Connect with Bridgette:

Bridgette Boudreau Coaching: bridgetteboudreau.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bboudreau

Facebook: facebook.com/bridgette.boudreau

Instagram: instagram.com/bridgetteboudreau

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Tune in to our subseries every 3rd Thursday, right here on The Empathy Edge! Or check us out at www.CourageToAdvancePodcast.com.

In today's always-on business culture, how can leaders cut through digital noise to regain mental clarity? Kim Bohr sits down with Timothy Swords, a mindfulness-focused executive coach who blends Harvard MBA-level acumen with over 2,000 hours of mindfulness practice. Timothy reveals how simple grounding techniques transformed executives from being the "scary person in the room" to creating harmonious relationships.

This conversation explores why self-awareness might be more valuable than an MBA, how stress contagion undermines organizational performance, and why working beyond 50 hours delivers diminishing returns. Timothy shares practical "mindfulness hacks," including a grounding technique for meetings, plus how 10 minutes of practice increases self-awareness by 35%.

Whether you're struggling with digital overwhelm, managing stressed teams, or seeking authentic leadership approaches, discover how mindfulness becomes a competitive advantage. Learn why emotions last 30 seconds unless we feed them with thoughts.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Mindfulness is "lucid awareness from paying attention on purpose in the present moment"
• A leader's emotional state directly impacts team performance through stress contagion
• Working beyond 50 hours shows diminishing returns; 70-hour weeks produce no more than 55-hour weeks
• Simple grounding technique: Feel your feet on the floor during meetings to interrupt anxiety cycles
• Just 10 minutes of daily mindfulness practice increases self-awareness by 35% in 6-8 weeks
• Authentic leadership starts with clarity on personal values aligned with organizational values
• Two types of self-compassion: tender (being kind) and fierce (setting healthy boundaries)

"An emotion on its own lasts like 30 seconds. But if you're feeding it with thoughts, it goes on and on—it gets worse and worse. If you want to do anger management, you've got to stop that cycle, because you're actually creating your own anger." — Timothy Swords

About Timothy Swords: Timothy Swords blends corporate acumen with mindfulness training to guide senior leaders in integrating mindfulness into decision-making and leadership effectiveness. His experience includes CFO and strategic transformation roles at Fidelity Investments, MUFG Union Bank, and PwC. Timothy holds an MBA from Harvard University and is a certified mindfulness instructor with over 2,000 hours of practice, including training with renowned teachers Jack Kornfield, Jon Kabat-Zinn, and Sharon Salzberg.

Connect with Timothy: 

Website: MindfulLeadership-Coaching.com   

Email: Timothy@MindfulLeadership-Coaching.com  

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timothyswords

Free Resources: mindfulleadership-coaching.com/free-videos 

Connect with Kim Bohr & SparkEffect:

SparkEffect: sparkeffect.com

Courage to Advance recording and resources:

sparkeffect.com/courage-to-advance-podcast

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sparkeffect

LinkedIn for Kim: linkedin.com/in/kimbohr

Connect with Maria:

Learn more about Maria's work and books: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

But defining happiness at work seems so squishy. Is the leader's job to make people happy? Garrett Delph looks at happiness the way I look at empathy - as an intentional business strategy that can be operationalized and scaled.

Today, we talk about the causes of unhappiness in a business culture, why increasing happiness and decreasing stress are good for the bottom line, how clarity plays a huge role in engaging your people, and what it looks like from a process and operations point of view. He shares why culture is operational and that people need a structure that enables them to understand expectations, communicate easily and safely, and collaborate -  or they will just leave.  We had a great conversation about how empathy is linked to happiness and why it needs to be modeled and discussed from the top. Lastly, Garrett leaves you with two paths to take if you suspect your business could be more effective, so you can take the next right steps to improve results.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Clarity is a form of empathy at work - when we are clear, we help people avoid anxiety, stress, and confusion, which leads to greater happiness.
• You have to balance the load with your managers - if you don’t know what they are doing or who they are managing, you cannot understand where the workflow bottlenecks are.
• We are all needed for the business to function. And people need direction and instruction to ensure we’re all on the same page.

"As leaders, often we hire great people and we buy the lie ‘hire great people and set them free’ not realizing you can't do that, or you fail the people." —  Garrett Delph

The Empathy Edge Episode References: 

• Dr. Tracy Brower: The Secret to Happiness at Work
• Brent Lowe and Susan Basterfield: How Innovative Organizations Lead and Scale - No Managers Required
• Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business by Danny Meyer

About Garrett Delph, Founder & CEO, Clarity Ops

Garrett Delph stands at the forefront of business transformational solutions for the new generation of leaders. He is the Founder and Chief Clarity Officer of Clarity Ops, LLC. A serial entrepreneur, he has established a track record of founding three successful international businesses that have collectively generated over $50 million in revenue. Garrett's new-generation business solutions are created for leaders who need faster, easier, and more profitable step-by-step ways for scaling businesses.

Connect with Garrett:

Clarity Ops: clarityops.co

X: x.com/garrettdelph

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/garrettdelph

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Joining me today is Vanya du Toit, the Associate Director for Wiedemann Lampe, a brand and business consultancy, who leads with empathy to drive brand transformation, team growth, and meaningful client partnerships.

In this episode, Vanya shares how listening—truly listening is the foundation of successful brand strategy and how embedding empathy into both client work and internal culture unlocks innovation, better output, and stronger relationships. We discuss cultureful brands, regenerative economics, and a host of other important new concepts. We also dive into how their own agency is empathically designing their new studio space to support diverse working styles, rejecting the one-size-fits-all open office in favor of an environment where everyone can thrive.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• A brand is more than just the logo. A brand is how a customer interacts with every aspect of your company, which begins with listening and understanding.
• Listening is a key component of human respect. Listening builds trust and respect, which makes for a better relationship and better work. 
• Honesty and directness are also empathy. You can have boundaries and give constructive feedback and still be empathetic. Lying is not empathetic.

"Without that internal change, you cannot manifest external change. You can't get a team of unwilling employees to live and breathe your values and your vision and your mission." —  Vanya du Toit

Episode References: 

• The Empathy Edge: Rebecca Friese: How to Build a “Good” Culture

About Vanya du Toit, Associate Director, Wiedemann Lampe:

Vanya is the Associate Director for Wiedemann Lampe, a brand and business consultancy, and she has over 15 years’ experience leading client relationships and project management teams in brand strategy, brand development, and brand delivery projects. Their firm creates brands that shape, unite, and inspire the world – harnessing the unifying force of brand to bring people together and inspire change from the inside out, and clients include the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, New York State Parks, Kew Royal Botanical Gardens, and more. She’s responsible for all commercial and operational aspects of the business, new business strategy and conversion, and the integration of new clients into project teams, ensuring that the right focus and resources are allocated for every client.

Connect with Vanya:

Wiedemann Lampe: https://wiedemannlampe.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanya-du-toit-1068b992/

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Today, Geoffrey Smith and I talk about his journey as an employee experience professional in healthcare, but how he didn't really understand his work or purpose until he saw it through the patient's eyes during his wife's cancer battle, and how the power of human connection relates to patient and customer outcomes. Geoffrey shares why annual employee pulse surveys are not the most actionable, and instead create more continual feedback loops to identify high-performing leaders and teams at the local level so you can replicate their actions and achieve company-wide engagement. He offers practical examples of how busy leaders can check in with employees and achieve measurable results.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Innovation happens in big and small ways. You can change someone’s life with low-tech solutions that only require being present in the moment.
• Employee engagement is a local phenomenon. It's not an organizational metric, it's a team metric - where the work happens.
• Checking in with your employees weekly doubles the engagement of checking in monthly. Measuring team by team in real time will allow you to know where your teams are shining and where they are struggling.

"Keep your eyes open and stay authentically present, because you never know when those small moments are going to change everything." —  Geoffrey Smith

About Geoffrey Smith, Chief Mo-ment Officer

Geoffrey leverages a diverse 25+ year career in Human Capital Management, specializing in employee engagement, leadership development, and culture change initiatives in the workplace.  His journey has ranged from working for the corporate industry leader to building his entrepreneurial start-up from the ground up. Currently, he supports innovative employee/patient/caregiver/human experience leaders, nurse and clinician entrepreneurs, and hospital administration, consulting them on modernized people and talent activation strategies to make a true impact on those who both provide and receive care.

Geoffrey also hosts the Mo-ments of Experience podcast on the People Forward Network.  Inspired by his faithful 14-year-old beagle Mo, whose unwavering spirit and love lifted his family during challenging times, the Mo-ments of Experience podcast highlights the meaningful Mo-ments that shape us, move, and inspire us to pursue our purpose.

Connect with Geoffrey:

Mo-ments of Experience, LLC: mo-mentsofexperience.com 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/geoffreypsmith 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Today, you will hear one of the best definitions of DEI and how it enhances your organization. And the definition will leave you hungry for dessert!

Vivian Acquah shares a very clear - and delicious - definition of DEI, how the strategies and mindsets ensure your organization manages risk effectively,  the financial costs you pay when you actively shy away from DEI, and an amazing look at how she uses virtual reality to help leaders truly understand what many in their organizations experience daily.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• While the term DEI has been vilified recently, DEI is just like the best carrot cake - every aspect of the ingredients, the cooking temperature, and all of the elements make it great.
• Company loyalty is no longer guaranteed just because you pay your employees. 
• Partnering with, not overpowering, your employees gives you better, stronger, and longer-term results. 
• What motivates you may not be what motivates your employees. We all have different motivators. 

"What I see happening now with the companies that are walking away, they are making a lot of short-term decisions that are going to impact them in the long run." —  Vivian Acquah

Episode References: 

• Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink
• Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go by Julie Winkel Giulioni and Beverly Kaye
• TEDx: I've Lived as a Man and as a Woman: Here's What I Learned - Paula Stone Williams

About Vivian Acquah, Certified DEI Trainer

Vivian Acquah CDE® is a respected DEI executive known for creating inclusive workplace environments. Her strategic approach blends analysis and practical tools to address systemic barriers to equity and equality. Passionate about DEI education, she uses innovative methods like virtual reality for immersive and transformational learning. With engaging training, she drives cultural transformation and boosts employee engagement.

Her name, which translates to 'water,' symbolizes her role as an extinguisher of DEI-related fires. Vivian provides tangible strategies for embracing inclusive changes, benefiting high-profile clients such as Heineken, LinkedIn, Google, Indeed, Deloitte, TIBCO, Cargill, Swift, Acrolinx, KLM, and Zalando.

Connect with Vivian: 

Amplify DEI: amplifydei.com 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vivianacquah 

Instagram: instagram.com/vivalavivenl 

Threads: threads.net/@vivalavivenl 

Enjoy this deal!

Amplify DEI Cards Conversation starters for your team or other group to start down the DEI journey:  https://cards.amplifydei.com/amplify-dei-cards-bundle/ 

Get 10% off when you use code EMPATHY at checkout

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Today, James Coan explains the Perception Gap and how it forces us to see each other as threats rather than with compassion. This applies to the workplace as much as politics. He talks about why conversations are great, but indirect interceptions also help close this gap and bring us together. This includes More Like US's work in education, journalism, and the arts to portray each other in a more accurate light. James also shares some advice for creatives and creators on how they can help. The work is intriguing and frankly, makes a lot of sense - and it can be used by corporate leaders as well. This conversation could not be more important right now, so please learn more about their work and take a listen.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Books, movies, and other media that feature characters who are “not like us” are not there to convert your children; they are there to expose people to different experiences and lives for better understanding. 
• We're never going to be able to tap into the conversations and the empathy of listening to one another until we realize that we're closer than we think we are.
• People who feel threatened, especially to their safety and security, are more open to authoritarian tendencies. By focusing on the desire for atypical leadership, people are able to work better together rather than fight. 

"Every day Americans tend to be more similar ideologically than fellow Americans tend to realize. An average Democrat or Republican will agree on more and are less extreme than people realize." —  James Coan

Episode References: 

• Mónica Guzmán: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Divided Political Times
• Edwin Rutsch: How Empathy Circles Can Change the World
• Similarity Hub
• Trusting News
• Hidden Tribes Study
• Bridge Entertainment Labs
• Builders
• Braver Angels
• Stanford Strengthening Democracy Challenge

About James Coan, Co-Founder and Executive Director, More Like US

James Coan is Co-Founder and Executive Director of More Like US, which corrects dangerous political misperceptions of each other at scale. He previously served as DC Alliance Co-chair and Mid-Atlantic Regional Lead for Braver Angels, one of the largest organizations dedicated to reducing political divides, and previously co-led social media and Ambassador outreach nationally. He has been involved closely in the field since shortly after the 2016 election, with a main interest in achieving goals at scale. He brings 10+ years of strategy consulting experience and has worked at a think tank after receiving a degree in public policy from Princeton.

Connect with James Coan 

More Like US: https://www.morelikeus.org/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-coan-6465b15/ 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Tune in to our subseries every 3rd Thursday, right here on The Empathy Edge! Or check us out at www.CourageToAdvancePodcast.com. 

In today's uncertain job market, what separates endless applications from landing your ideal role? Kim Bohr sits down with Tim Sprangers, CEO of Orin Rice, a Seattle-based sales recruiting firm, to uncover the levers you can control in the process. With over a decade of experience connecting top talent with leading companies, Tim offers practical guidance for navigating what he calls the current "uncertain market," where both employers and candidates hesitate to make moves. 

This insightful conversation explores how leaders can approach their job search like a sales cycle, effectively pivot between industries or functions, and simplify their value proposition to stand out. Tim shares what recruiters look for in resumes, why networking before you need it pays dividends, and how to determine if a recruiting partner truly adds value. 

Whether you're hiring talent or seeking new opportunities yourself, discover strategies for gaining a talent advantage even in challenging market conditions. Learn to position yourself effectively, leverage your network strategically, and approach career transitions with confidence. 

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• We're in an "uncertain market" where both employers and candidates hesitate to make moves 
• Track your job search like a sales cycle to identify exactly where you're falling short 
• When pivoting careers, focus on either transferable skills or industry knowledge 
• Make your resume content-rich with measurable achievements rather than fancy formatting 
• Network proactively before you need it, and help others without expectation 
• Your questions during interviews often matter more than your answers 
• "If a seven-year-old can't understand what you do, it's overcomplicated." 

"You can control the input. Sometimes you can't control the output... you've got to control the things that you can, which is your effort and your energy and the time that you're putting into it." —  Tim Sprangers

About Tim Sprangers: Tim Sprangers is the CEO of Orin Rice, a Seattle-based sales recruiting firm connecting top professionals with leading Pacific Northwest companies. With over a decade in recruitment, Tim's quality-over-quantity approach ensures employers and candidates find the right fit through understanding each party's needs. Orin Rice donates a portion of profits to nonprofits, including FARE and Treehouse.

Connect with Tim Sprangers:  

Website: https://www.orinrice.com/  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timsprangers/ 

Orin Rice Google Reviews

Connect with Kim Bohr and SparkEffect

SparkEffect: sparkeffect.com

Courage to Advance recording and resources:

sparkeffect.com/courage-to-advance-podcast

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sparkeffect

LinkedIn for Kim Bohr: linkedin.com/in/kimbohr

Connect with Maria:

Learn more about Maria's work and books: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Leadership is like this - we are never done learning, never done changing, and that means we cannot quit as we authentically embrace new models of leadership, work with those in our communities, and aren’t afraid to look messy. 

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership doesn’t have to be perfect, it just needs to be authentic. 
• Find your community - find those who will be honest with you, hold you accountable, help you sharpen your skills, and help you hone your human-centered leadership skills. 
• Embracing new models might feel uncomfortable and take time to embrace while getting the results you want, but that doesn’t mean you stop. Just keep going. 

"It's the people that keep learning, growing, striving, and sharpening that edge that are the ones that become the legacy leaders." —  Maria Ross

Episode References: 

• I have a FREE upcoming 2-day virtual leadership event with me! Let's have a chat first to see if this aligns with your goals and where you are right now. Visit www.TheEmpathyEdge.com/event to sign up for a time.
• Maria's Latest Forbes Article: Gen Z and the Empathy Expectation https://www.forbes.com/sites/mariaross/2025/04/30/gen-z-and-the-empathy-expectation-what-workplace-leaders-need-to-know/
• Coach Scott of Stoneway Fitness: https://www.instagram.com/scottmrodriguez/
• Listener Feedback! Please fill out the short survey here at https://bit.ly/edge-feedback

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Empathy starts with self-awareness and self-care so leaders who want to achieve their goals would be wise to practice tenderness and empathy for themselves first. This kind of self-reflection and tenderness for self will help them be an effective and inspiring leader for others.

Today, author and leadership coach Lauree Ostrofsky joins us to talk about self-empathy and owning your leadership style. Lauree shares how challenging and yet worthwhile self-empathy can be. We discuss the downside of empathy and how to balance focusing on others with caring for yourself. She talks about how to develop our sense of self so we don’t fear reinvention, we can take better risks, and avoid unnecessary worry or anxiousness that doesn't serve us. 

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Dig into your fears and discomforts. It may just be an opportunity that is outside your comfort zone and making you feel vulnerable. Fear is an opportunity. 
• Make a list of compliments you receive as you receive them - we need the physical evidence of what we have accomplished and where we have been to see how we’ve gained the confidence we have now.
• Sometimes you have to give yourself space before you can give space to the other person to hear and empathize with what they’re saying and needing. 
• Own who you are without apology. You can invite people in and invite them to also own who they are.

"There's a way to value people and value yourself at the same time, and it really takes understanding of yourself." —  Lauree Ostrofsky

About Lauree Ostrofsky, Founder, Simply Leap

Lauree Ostrofsky, PCC, CPC helps women leap: clarify what they want and feel more confident putting themselves out there. For more than two decades, she has been an author, coach, and hugger with a client roster that includes executives at IBM, Microsoft, Harvard, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and the Girl Scouts of the USA. 

Her books are, Simply Leap, a happy how-to about facing the fear of reinvention and enjoying the crap out of your life, and I'm Scared & Doing It Anyway, a memoir about her reinvention after a devastating brain tumor diagnosis at 28. 

Connect with Lauree Ostrofsky:

Simply Leap, LLC: http://simplyleap.com 

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/laureeostrofsky/ 

Facebook: http://facebook.com/SimplyLeap 

Instagram: http://instagram.com/lauree_ostrofsky/ 

Threads: http://threads.net/@lauree_ostrofsky 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Shermin Kruse is here to talk to us about her latest book, Stoic Empathy. She shares what stoic empathy means and how the fusion of these seemingly opposing forces is particularly relevant today. She shares her personal story and how her immigrant journey shaped her understanding of empathy and stoicism. Sher also talks about how she leveraged stoic empathy as a lawyer to great success. We discuss practical tools for building influence and emotional regulation that you can start using today with your employees, your partner, or your kids!

Whether you’re a corporate leader, educator, parent, or simply seeking tools to navigate personal and professional challenges with integrity, you will love this conversation!

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Most of our relationships are long-term. Those are whom you owe a long-term duty to engage in and sustain that relationship.
• Our control in this world is not fixed - everything changes, everything evolves, and we need to be able to accept that we can’t change and control everything.
• Stoicism allows you to make informed and deliberate decisions rather than reactive decisions, especially in difficult situations.
• Create relationships where you feel safe and are willing to trust the other person, even if you may not understand or agree in the moment.

"Know that silence is not submission, pause is not acceptance, and that even understanding is not agreement." —  Shermin Kruse

Episode References: 

• Robin Dreeke: Spycraft and the Leadership Code of Trust
• Chris L. Johnson: When Leaders Pause, They Win
• Renee Metty: Why Mindfulness Makes You a Better Leader
• Laura Vanderkam: https://lauravanderkam.com/ 

About Shermin Kruse: Corporate Advisor, Law Professor, and Author of Stoic Empathy

Shermin Kruse is a globally recognized author, negotiation consultant, law professor, and TEDx producer specializing in stoic Empathy, leadership, and complex negotiation, leadership, and complex negotiation. Born in Tehran during political upheaval, she immigrated to Canada as a child, later earning degrees in philosophy and neuropsychology from the University of Toronto and a law degree from the University of Michigan.

She is the author of Butterfly Stitching, a critically acclaimed novel, and Global Transactions and Regulation, a key resource for law and business professionals. Her latest book, Stoic Empathy, blends cognitive empathy with stoic principles to offer a transformative framework for leadership, influence, and resilience.

Shermin continues to champion empathy, resilience, and ethical leadership through her work in academia, business, and the non-profit sector.

Connect with Shermin ("Sher") Kruse:

Website: sherminkruse.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shermin-kruse

Facebook: facebook.com/sher.kruse

Instagram: instagram.com/sher_kruse

Book: Stoic Empathy. Also on her website.

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Today, I speak with culture and leadership expert Moe Carrick about gender traits in leadership.  We discuss the traditional leadership narratives and the negative impact that has on both men and women in the workplace. We talk about the crisis for men and boys right now and why men are falling behind in all sectors. Moe shares the difference between emotionality and emotional intelligence and how we can help debunk outdated myths of masculinity. And she shares some great stories from past clients and what they were able to achieve as a leadership team in tough times when they embraced emotional intelligence and vulnerability. We dissect the current backlash toward more "masculine” energy in the workplace, which will only hinder our innovation and success, and the role women leaders can play to encourage healthier, more emotionally grounded leadership.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Gender has nothing to do with being a successful leader. While some traits may be considered more masculine or feminine in energy, skills are not gendered - they are all human traits.
• There is a difference between emotionality and emotional intelligence. Emotionality is unmetabolized emotional expression. Emotional intelligence is a source of data helping us navigate emotionality.
• Everyone needs to resist their own internal messaging about what good leadership looks like - it is not command and control or blaming and shaming. It is empathy and collaboration.

"If we're going to encourage male vulnerability and male emotions in the same ways we experience and give women permission to express feelings, we need to be prepared to not jump into fixing and solving what they're struggling with." —  Moe Carrick

Episode References:

• The Empathy Edge: Pam Fox Rollin: How to Grow Your Group Into a Team
• The Athena Doctrine By John Gerzema and Michael D'Antonio
• Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown
• Richard Reeves: Institute for Men and Boys
• Suits

About Moe Carrick, CEO and Culture and Leadership Pioneer

Moe Carrick is a pioneer in workplace culture and leadership, known for her award-winning frameworks that have helped companies like Nike, Reddit, and Amazon improve engagement, reduce burnout, and drive performance. A TEDx speaker and bestselling author, Moe’s work has transformed businesses across industries for over two decades. She specializes in creating environments where people thrive, rooted in her deep expertise in leadership, human connection, and innovative workplace practices.

Connect with Moe:

Moementum, Inc: moementum.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/moecarrick

Instagram: instagram.com/moecarrick

Culture Pulse Check: moementum.com/people-culture-pulse-check

WorkMatters Kit: moementum.kit.com/workmatters

TedX: Rethinking Women's Role in Defining Masculinity

TedX: Workplaces Fit for Humans

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Tune in to our subseries every 3rd Thursday, right here on The Empathy Edge! Or check us out at www.CourageToAdvancePodcast.com.

What happens when the HR executive who once handled outplacement for others suddenly finds herself on the receiving end? In a candid role-reversal conversation, Kim Bohr sits down with Karen Hague, a former Head of HR who experienced executive outplacement firsthand and transformed that challenge into an opportunity by becoming a career coach for executives facing similar transitions. Together, they explore how leaders can navigate career disruption with grace, purpose, and strategic vision.

This candid conversation reveals how outplacement—often viewed as an ending—can become a powerful catalyst for professional growth and personal transformation. Karen shares vulnerable insights from both sides of the table: implementing outplacement as an HR leader and experiencing it personally.

Discover practical strategies for building authentic professional relationships, leveraging your network effectively, and aligning your next career move with your core values. Learn why creating a structured approach to career transitions can transform uncertainty into opportunity.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• How to overcome the shame and vulnerability that often accompanies executive transitions
• The critical importance of authenticity when crafting your transition story
• Why values alignment should drive your next career decision
• Practical networking strategies that build genuine two-way relationships
• How organizations can approach outplacement with empathy and strategic wisdom

"When you show up as your authentic, transparent, vulnerable self, you're at your best. And it took me a while to realize what was my best, but I can't fake it. When I don't show up that way, it's not a good situation for anybody." —  Karen Hague

About Karen Hague: Karen is an experienced HR leader and executive coach based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 30 years in human resources, her career spans roles across all HR disciplines, culminating as Head of HR for a company that transitioned from private equity ownership to public status during her tenure.

Karen's unique perspective comes from experiencing both sides of executive transitions—implementing outplacement strategies as an HR leader and navigating her own career pivot. Today, she channels this experience into coaching executives through career transitions, helping them discover authentic paths forward aligned with their values and strengths.

Connect with Karen Hague:  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenhague/

Connect with Kim Bohr and SparkEffect

SparkEffect: sparkeffect.com

Courage to Advance recording and resources:

sparkeffect.com/courage-to-advance-podcast

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/sparkeffect

LinkedIn for Kim Bohr: linkedin.com/in/kimbohr

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

MInette is the co-author of The Psychological Safety Handbook and author of The Boldly Inclusive Leader.  And together, we had things to say!

The goal of the session was simple but powerful: to create community during tough times and talk honestly about where we’re at, what’s challenging us, and where we go from here when it comes to empathy and inclusion at work.

Let me tell you—the conversation was real, and it was energizing!

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Even with the current resistance to DEI, there is still a strong business case for it. DEI initiatives are proven to drive innovation, performance, and revenue.
• Sometimes, rebranding DEI work as “belonging” or “inclusion” can help get buy-in.
• Asking “What are we missing?” can unlock better outcomes, reduce risk, and help teams innovate.

"In these tough times, community matters. Empathy and inclusion are not trends—they’re leadership imperatives." —  Maria Ross

Episode References: 

• Share your opinion! Please fill out the short survey here at https://bit.ly/edge-feedback
• Minette Norman: https://www.minettenorman.com
• The Psychological Safety Handbook: https://thepsychologicalsafetyplaybook.com/
• The Boldly Inclusive Leader: https://www.minettenorman.com/boldlyinclusiveleader
• Medium: The Great DEI Hustle: White Americans Are the Real DEI Hires by Dr. Lauren Tucker

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Today, Misha Safran, shares how empathy intersects with inclusion to foster innovation and equity. We also discuss how to reframe the misconceptions about empathy that exist in high-pressure workplaces. With brilliant mindset shifts and practical tips, she shares how leaders can model empathy without feeling performative, and how to navigate conflict using empathy and emotional intelligence. Misha shares the four elements of joy and why you can be more successful when you embrace them so your team can break free from chaos and transform that energy into creativity, problem-solving, and success.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Empathy is love, care, and concern - not agreement. It’s having conversations, it’s listening to know what’s going on, and it’s having healthy boundaries.
• Empathy before accusation.
• Empathy might look different depending on personality - it doesn’t have to mean being touchy-feely or crying on the floor with your employees.
• Especially in conflict, urgency causes chaos - slow down, take a pause, take a breath, and respond, don’t react. Slow down to build up.

"Ask questions for the person in front of you to grow, not for you to know." —  Misha Safran

About Misha Safran, Founder, Center for Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

Misha Safran, an engaging keynote speaker and author, holds a Professional Coaching Certification (PCC) from the International Coaching Federation (ICF). She is the founder of CEEQ, the Center for Empathy and Emotional Intelligence, LLC, and in 2022 was honored with the CEO Award from the National Institute of Health (NIH) for her impactful work on a DEIA training team.

With infectious positivity, intuitive insights, and deep empathy, Misha creates safe spaces for individuals and teams to navigate discomfort while building essential skills. Her unique ability to support organizations in transforming conflict into connection, collaboration, and currency inspires communities to thrive, celebrate achievements, and foster renewed enthusiasm for collective work.

Misha’s passion lies in empowering people to reset their mindset, unlocking renewed energy, improved problem-solving, heightened creativity, and more thoughtful communication. She has dedicated her career to cultivating inclusive, sustainable relationships and fostering environments where everyone can succeed.

Connect with Misha:

CEEQ: ceeq.org

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/misha-safran

Facebook: facebook.com/CEEQempathy

Instagram: instagram.com/mishasafran

Workplace Wellness Program: Laughter to Joy Wellness Experience for Connection, Collaboration, and Sustainable Success - Schedule a consultation: misha@ceeq.org

Book: A Teacher's Companion: Centering Empathy & Emotional Well-Being for Yourself and Your Students and bonus package for schools!

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com

Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross

Take the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with Empathy

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

Instagram: @redslicemaria

Facebook: Red Slice

Threads: @redslicemaria

Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com

Today, David Bedrick shares what shame is, how it’s created, and its connection to trauma. Some say shame keeps us humble, but David shares why we don’t need shame because it's not the same as embarrassment or regret. We unpack why shame is not a feeling but a psychological state that can leave you numb - and how you can instead create a space of safety and security within yourself. David shares how we can snap out of a shame spiral in the moment and also gives insights as to why some people may feel a need to shame others. David makes us think about our need to “solve,” or pathologize as he puts it, shame, anger, depression, and the like rather than process root causes to make meaning. He offers an intriguing thought experiment to try to break yourself of this tendency! Lastly, we touch on how to unashame conflict and dialogue through conflict in a more productive way.

To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com

Key Takeaways:

• Shame is different from embarrassment or humiliation. Shame is a psychological state that may have feelings associated with it. 
• Negative feelings are not bad - they can even be helpful for understanding our behavior and lead us to making an action toward repair. 
• Say the criticisms in your head aloud from the perspective of the negatives - it gives you a chance to respond and advocate for yourself. 

"If shame enters my system, the only thing I care about is removing the bad experience I have in myself. I don't care about you. I care about being low. In the fully shame psyche, you don't exist as a person that matters to me at all." —  David Bedrick, JD, Dipl. PW

Episode References:

• The Unshaming Way: amazon.com/Unshaming-Way-Compassionate-Dismantling-Shame-Heal/dp/B0CWL19X7G
• The Empathy Edge: Edwin Rutsch: How “Empathy Circles” Can Change the World

About David Bedrick, JD, Dipl. PW Founder, The Santa Fe Institute for Shame-based Studies and Author of The Unshaming Way

David is a teacher, counselor, and attorney. He was adjunct faculty at the University of Phoenix and the Process Work Institute in the U.S. and Poland. He is the founder of the Santa Fe Institute for Shame-based Studies, where he offers facilitation training to deepen the skills and awareness of therapists, coaches, and healers and workshops for individuals to further their own personal development. He is a writer for Psychology Today and the author of four books: Talking Back to Dr. Phil: Alternatives to Mainstream Psychology; Revisioning Activism: Bringing Depth, Dialogue, and Diversity to Individual and Social Change; and You Can’t Judge a Body by Its Cover: 17 Women’s Stories of Hunger, Body Shame and Redemption. His recent book, The Unshaming Way, has been endorsed by Gabor Mate. 

Connect with David:

Santa Fe Institute for Shame-based Studies: davidbedrick.com 

Facebook: facebook.com/david.bedrick.9 

Instagram: instagram.com/david.bedrick 

Connect with Maria:

Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/books

Learn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.com