Empathy Affect cover art

Empathy Affect

Empathy Affect

Written by: Fors Marsh Media
Listen for free

About this listen

On Empathy Affect, we explore the human side of government. We get to know the real people in government who serve us. We learn about their missions, the people they serve, and the true impact of their work. In each episode, we'll speak with real people about how they weave empathy into the policies and programs of government.

© 2026 Empathy Affect
Economics Management Management & Leadership Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • S4E2: How New York Is Building Mental Health Around People’s Lives
    Jan 8 2026

    Caring for your mental health isn’t just about treatment. It’s about living a full life.

    This is how the New York State Office of Mental Health is rethinking how we handle mental health—by centering recovery, resilience, and the whole person—not just a diagnosis.

    The office’s Chief Recovery and Resilience Officer Julie Burton explains what recovery in the context of mental health looks like practice, why thriving—not just surviving—matters, and how empathy, choice, and community connection shape better mental health outcomes. We also explore mental health workforce challenges and how supporting them is essential to effective care.

    As the new year begins, this episode offers a timely reminder that recovery happens not only in clinics, but in communities and everyday human connection.

    Julie Burton is the first chief recovery and resilience officer at the New York State Office of Mental Health. She has over 30 years of experience in both community-based direct care for individuals and families, focusing on training and education and implementing programs to help people in care move toward full recovery. She previously served as her office’s director of adult services.

    More Links and Information

    Check out more Fors Marsh Media

    Connect or partner with Fors Marsh

    Explore Community Oriented Recovery and Empowerment (CORE) services

    Learn more about the New York Office of Mental Health

    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • S4E1: How Boston Is Using AI to Improve Work and Life in the City
    Dec 4 2025

    Technology has the power to make interacting with our cities and local governments smoother, easier, and more intuitive—but only when it's designed with people at the center.

    We enter Season 4 of Empathy Affect with Boston Chief Information Officer (CIO) Santiago Garces, who shares how the city is using digital tools and AI to strengthen trust, improve services, and deepen the connection between residents and their government. From the everyday impact of Boston 311 to emerging AI pilots that help the city respond faster and more transparently, Santiago explains why innovation in Boston isn't about chasing the newest tech. It's about meeting people where they are. We get into what people-centered digital government looks like, how to prepare a public workforce for responsible AI use, and what other cities can learn from Boston's approach.

    Santiago Garces is the CIO for the City of Boston, where he leads the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT). He was previously the executive director of Community Investment in South Bend, Indiana, and formerly served as CIO of both South Bend and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.


    More Links and Information

    Check out more Fors Marsh Media

    Connect or partner with Fors Marsh

    Read up on Boston’s Interim Generative AI Guidelines

    Get to know Boston 311

    Learn more about Boston DoIT

    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • S3E12: The Cost of Climate Risk: Why Resilience Is Smart Business for New Jersey
    Nov 6 2025

    Disasters leave more than physical damage. They carry lasting financial consequences for the people, businesses, towns, and cities they impact. A new report from the New Jersey Office of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) lays out in stark terms storms, flooding, and rising recovery costs are increasingly putting pressure on the state’s infrastructure, housing markets, and municipal finances.

    In our Season 3 finale, NJ DEP Chief Economist unpacks the report’s findings—from shrinking tax bases and rising insurance costs to the financial feedback loops that can trap communities in cycles of risk. But they also discuss how local governments can plan smarter, invest in resilience, and protect the economic backbone of New Jersey’s communities.

    Michael Russell serves as Chief Economist at NJDEP, where he specializes in regulatory impact analysis. He previously served as assistant professor of Economics at Centenary University in New Jersey, where he directed the Center for Sustainability and the Sustainable Practices program.

    More Links and Information

    Check out more Fors Marsh Media

    Connect or partner with Fors Marsh

    Read the full Economic Risks of Climate Change in New Jersey report

    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
No reviews yet