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The Empathy Edge

The Empathy Edge

Written by: Maria Ross
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Failed product launches. Furious customers. Dysfunctional teams. Many of the problems we face in the business world (and frankly, society) stem from the same root cause: Lack of empathy. Speaker, author, strategist, and empathy advocate Maria Ross shares keen insights and inspiring interviews that prove empathy and compassion are the new paths to market-winning performance. Leveraging both inspiring stories and hard data, Ross connects empathetic leadership, cultures and brands to innovation, engagement, and bottom-line results. You’ll walk away with actionable strategies to amplify your impact, and learn how compassionate business tactics can transform your organization from the inside out. The Empathy Edge podcast provides a quick dose of motivation, wisdom, and practical actions that executive leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers can use right now. Ready to infuse YOUR organization with more empathy? Tune in to learn why cash flow, creativity, and compassion are not mutually exclusive.

2020-2022 Maria Ross Economics Management Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Ed Kirwan: The Most Effective Way to Build Empathy

    Ed Kirwan: The Most Effective Way to Build Empathy
    Jan 13 2026
    What if empathy wasn’t something we talked about, but something we actually trained, practiced, and scaled?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 KirwanEpisode References: Ed Kirwan: Empathy Week: Using the Power of Film to Build EmpathyAbout Ed Kirwan, CEO and Founder, Empathy StudiosPreviously 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.orgLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ed-kirwan Instagram: instagram.com/edkirwan YouTube: youtube.com/@Empathy-Studios Connect with Maria:Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/booksHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader LinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceSign up for Optionality now! Go to optKeynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariarossGet your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com
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    44 mins
  • Julia Armet: Solving the Double-Empathy Problem to Harness Neurodiversity

    Julia Armet: Solving the Double-Empathy Problem to Harness Neurodiversity
    Jan 6 2026
    Did you know that 53% of Gen Z, the rising workforce, identifies as neurodivergent? If that’s the future of work, what does it mean for how we lead, collaborate, and connect? It means if we don't learn how to lead for the needs of neurodiverse employees, we could be facing a huge hiring and unemployment gap.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 ArmetEpisode References: The Empathy Edge podcast: Molly McGrath: Fix My Employee! No, Fix My Boss!Parissa Behnia: How Badass Leaders Convert Raw Power into Real InfluenceAbout Julia Armet, Founder of Higher PlaybookJulia 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.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 Julia:Higher Playbook: higherplaybook.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/juliaarmet Facebook: facebook.com/julia.armet Instagram: @higherplaybookLinkedIn: 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/booksHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader LinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceKeynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross
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    47 mins
  • Catherine Ducharme: Managing Up for Two-Way Empathy

    Catherine Ducharme: Managing Up for Two-Way Empathy
    Dec 30 2025
    Managing up is one of the most powerful career accelerators you can master—and it all starts with empathy. Not just empathy flowing downward from leaders to teams, but empathy for your leaders: understanding their pressures, challenges, and decision-making context so you can build trust, influence outcomes, and create mutual success.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-upFluency's Trust Breakout exercise: http://bit.ly/4lqTBunBook: Seen: The Untapped Power of Appreciation - coming in 2026 - Find out more hereTEDx Talk: The Untapped Power of AppreciationAbout 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.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/catherineducharme Connect with Maria:Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/booksHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader LinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceKeynote Speakers and Conference Trainers: Get your free Talkadot trial and enjoy this game changer for your speaking business! www.share.talkadot.com/mariaross
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    41 mins
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