Connecting with Empathy: The Power of Human Understanding with Ed Kirwan

2025-03-05

Can empathy be taught? Ed Kirwan, founder and CEO of Empathy Studios and Empathy Week, delves into this topic in this episode. Discover what empathy truly means, why it's crucial for building meaningful connections, and how to cultivate this vital skill. Ed shares his personal journey, practical strategies, and insights for educators and leaders. Plus, learn about Empathy Week and how to get involved. In this episode 1:57 Ed's journey with empathy 8:35 What is empathy? 11:15 Empathy vs. sympathy and kindness 16:16 Rate my empathy 17:41 Donald Trump and empathy

Can empathy be taught? Ed Kirwan, founder and CEO of Empathy Studios and Empathy Week, delves into this topic in this episode.

Discover what empathy truly means, why it's crucial for building meaningful connections, and how to cultivate this vital skill. Ed shares his personal journey, practical strategies, and insights for educators and leaders. Plus, learn about Empathy Week and how to get involved.

In this episode

1:57 Ed's journey with empathy
8:35 What is empathy?
11:15 Empathy vs. sympathy and kindness
16:16 Rate my empathy
17:41 Donald Trump and empathy
19:42 Steve Jobs and empathy
21:48 Is Taylor Swift empathetic?
25:00 Can you be too empathetic?
30:32 Why empathy matters
31:23 Is empathy learnable?
33:47 Practical tips for developing empathy
37:30 Empathy Week
45:21 Bottom Line It Round
46:14 Developing our own empathy

About Our Guest

Ed Kirwan is the founder and CEO of Empathy Studios and Empathy Week, which promote empathy in education and beyond.

Articles

Demetriou, H. (2018) Empathy, Emotion and Education. Palgrave Macmillan.
Galoustian, G. (2022) Greater Empathy in Adolescents Helps Prevent Bias-based Cyberbullying

Resources