Society underestimates people with Down’s. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this heart-warming episode featuring George Webster, the first person with Down Syndrome to become a BBC presenter.
As a BAFTA-winning TV host of CBeebies, George has been an inclusion trailblazer who has inspired millions. He shares how he overcame communication challenges, why he’s written three books, and helps us transcend dated stereotypes about Trisomy 21.
00:00 Preview
01:16 Introduction
02:26 About George Webster
04:41 Misconceptions about Down Syndrome
07:00 George’s communication journey, from Makaton to spoken language
09:08 What is special about George’s man cave?
11:27 Making history as the first CBeebies presenter with Down’s
15:45 George’s books inspire kids to dream big
19:31 George and the Mini Dragon
23:05 What role does empathy play in George’s life?
25:17 George’s message to people with Down Syndrome
32:37 What would George say if the world listened for one minute?
37:02 George Webster’s Purposeful Empathy story
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH GEORGE
✩ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/george_webster_actor/?hl=en
SHOW NOTES
✩ This is Me https://www.booktrust.org.uk/book-recommendations/bookfinder/this-is-me
✩ Why Not? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Why-Not-brilliantly-inspiring-presenter/dp/0702319155
✩ George and the Mini Dragon https://www.amazon.co.uk/George-Mini-Dragon-CBeebies-Websters/dp/0702337293
Video edited by Jad Misri, Green Horizon Studio
Family estrangement happens to half of American families, but it’s still shrouded in silence and stigma. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this important episode featuring Dr. Becca Bland, founder of Stand Alone, a UK-based non-profit dedicated to supporting adults who are estranged from their families.
After making the difficult decision to go no-contact with her own parents, she wrote a story about her experience (published in 2012 by The Guardian) that went viral. Today, she is a Family Estrangement Specialist committed to supporting others navigating the complexities of broken family relationships.
Together, we discuss:
Why family estrangement is on the rise
The emotional, practical, and systemic challenges of family estrangement
Strategies for parents to build empathy and safety in relationships
Support resources for people experiencing estrangement
If you want to understand the growing family estrangement trend, or feel less alone if you’ve decided to cut ties, Becca’s story will help you.
00:00 Preview
01:16 Introduction
02:49 About Dr. Becca Bland
04:48 Becca’s backstory
08:41 Why do people judge broken familial relationships?
14:16 Insights from Becca’s research on estranged families
16:38 How policymakers can better support the estranged community
21:02 Inside the Prison Pilot: estrangement support for incarcerated men
25:16 What is the biggest parenting mistake that leads to estrangement?
28:03 TikTok’s #NoContactFamily trend
34:18 Why Becca stepped out of the limelight
38:05 The power of somatic practices in processing trauma
40:24 Discussing Becca Bland’s book, Running
42:48 Extending empathy to those experiencing estrangement (children and parents)
47:39 Dr. Becca Bland’s Purposeful Empathy Story
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH BECCA
✩ Website https://www.beccabland.com
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-becca-bland/
SHOW NOTES
✩ Stand Alone https://www.standalone.org.uk
✩ Becca’s Opinion Piece https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/dec/15/becca-bland-estranged-parents
✩ Running https://www.amazon.com/Running-Dr-Becca-Bland/dp/B0B14J7LPL
Video edited by Jad Misri, Green Horizon Studio
The sandwich generation is feeling stretched to the limit. Especially if they’re caring for a loved one with dementia. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this insightful episode featuring Claire Webster, a Certified Dementia Care Consultant.
After her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Claire felt isolated and overwhelmed. After suffering from a major burn-out, she founded Caregiver Crosswalk to help families navigate the complex journey of dementia care.
Together, we discuss:
The emotional, practical, and systemic challenges that caregivers face
Practical strategies to prevent caregiver burnout
The importance of empathy and advocacy in healthcare
Caregiver support resources, such as Dementia: Your Companion Guide
If you’ve ever wondered how to navigate the complexities of Dementia with empathy and agency—Claire’s story will inspire you.
00:00 Preview
01:16 Introduction
02:30 About Claire Webster
04:18 Claire’s backstory
10:55 The difference between Dementia and Alzheimer’s
15:13 What are the early signs?
18:17 How to manage family conflicts?
21:27 Dementia: Your Companion Guide
24:12 Empathy for a parent with Dementia
28:28 How to support a parent caring for a spouse with Dementia
31:26 Claire’s burnout story
36:21 The silent struggle caregivers face that nobody talks about
40:31 How can friends better support caregivers?
45:07 Dementia care resources
47:50 Claire Webster’s Purposeful Empathy story
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH CLAIRE
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-webster-873904a7/
✩ FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/McGillDEP
✩ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mcgilldep/
SHOW NOTES
✩ McGill Dementia Education Program https://www.mcgill.ca/dementia/
✩ CareGiver Crosswalk https://www.carecrosswalk.com
✩ Dementia: Your Companion Guide https://www.amazon.com/Dementia-Companion-University-Education-Program/dp/1772470619
Video edited by Jad Misri, Green Horizon Studio
Childhood trauma can cast a long shadow. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this powerful episode featuring Nimali “Nimmu” Kumari, author of The Caged Girl: A Journey to Justice. After surviving years of physical and sexual abuse in her home starting at age seven and escaping family violence at eleven, Nimmu spent more than 15 years in foster care in Sri Lanka.
Determined not to let her past define her future, she pursued journalism, and went on to co-found Asia’s first care leaver network, Generation Never Give Up, which now supports hundreds of young people transitioning out of institutional care.
Together, we discuss:
Nimmu’s personal journey as a survivor of childhood abuse
What it means to grow up in institutional care and the challenges of “care leaving”
Stronger child protection and care leaver rights
Turning personal courage into a global movement for care leavers
If you’ve ever wondered how someone can rise from profound trauma to become a beacon of hope for others—Nimmu’s story will inspire you.
00:00 Preview
01:44 Introduction
02:54 About Nimali (Nimmu) Kumari
05:10 Nimmu’s book, The Caged Girl: A Journey to Justice
13:10 How Nimmu found true love at the biggest protest in Sri Lankan history
17:56 How Nimmu found the courage to open up about the abuse she faced at home
22:16 Nimmu’s first night in a Child Care Institution
28:32 How Nimmu transformed her life through poetry
31:22 What is World Children’s Day?
34:11 A care leaver’s advice: Never give up on yourself
37:29 What the world gets wrong about children in care
40:32 How being raised in care shapes childhood
47:15 A message of hope for care leavers around the world
51:48 Nimali Kumari’s Purposeful Empathy story
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH NIMALI
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nimali-kumari-b69b9b86/
✩ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nimmu_kumari/
✩ FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/nimmu.nimali.kumari
SHOW NOTES
✩ The Caged Girl https://www.amazon.in/Caged-Girl-Journey-Justice-ebook/dp/B0FSDV5ZFH
Video edited by Jad Misri, Green Horizon Studio
Perinatal loss is devastating for families. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this moving conversation featuring Désirée McGraw, Member of Quebec’s National Assembly, who turned personal tragedy into landmark legislation.
After losing her daughter Catherine, days before her due date, Désirée led fundraising efforts for cuddle cots so families could have more time with their babies— spearheaded Bill 595, Québec Perinatal Bereavement Awareness Day. Committed to ensuring no family suffers alone and motivated by empathy, she transformed her grief into empathic and meaningful action.
Together, we discuss:
The role of grief, healing, and therapy in navigating unimaginable loss
How Désirée turned loss into support for families facing perinatal grief
The power of political collaboration rooted in shared humanity
Why empathy and storytelling are crucial in transforming grief into social change
If you’ve ever wondered how profound loss can be transformed into support for families grieving miscarriage and perinatal loss — this conversation will move and inspire you.
00:00 Preview
01:16 Introduction
01:45 About Désirée McGraw
04:24 Désirée’s backstory
06:28 Désirée’s role in climate change activism & nuclear disarmament
13:48 Role of empathy in public service
18:54 The importance of acknowledging perinatal loss
23:23 Introducing Québec Perinatal Bereavement Awareness Day
29:04 Role of therapy to process grief
37:15 How Quebec’s first Cuddle Cot Initiative is changing perinatal grief care
41:31 The real-life story that shaped Bill 595
45:51 From grief to grace: How forgiveness shaped desirée’s healing journey
52:02 Désirée McGraw’s Purposeful Empathy story
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH DÉSIRÉE
✩ Website https://www.desireemcgraw.ca/
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/desireemcgraw/
✩ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/desiree.mcgraw_deputee/
SHOW NOTES
✩ Cuddle Cot https://cuddlecot.com/
✩ Assemblée nationale du Québec https://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/travaux-parlementaires/projets-loi/projet-loi-595-43-1.html
Video edited by Jad Misri, Green Horizon Studio
Trauma is a heavy burden, but healing and transformation are possible. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this powerful episode featuring Amanda Carrasco, a survivor of homicide and sexual assault, author, and restorative justice advocate whose journey from unimaginable loss to empowerment has shaped her life’s mission.
Amanda shares her traumatic experiences, including the murder of her sister and twin boys by her brother-in-law, and her own experiences of sexual assault. Through immense grief and pain, she has transformed her life into a mission of advocacy, community building, and healing. Her book, Becoming the Brave One, details her journey from trauma to self-empowerment, highlighting the importance of empathy, accountability, and restorative justice in supporting survivors and transforming lives.
Together, we discuss:
The emotional and psychological impact of surviving homicide and sexual assault
How trauma affects family relationships and the process of healing
The importance of community, support systems, and self-compassion
Amanda’s journey to self-empowerment through therapy and personal reflection
The principles and power of restorative justice in addressing harm and fostering accountability
Lessons from her sister and the role of empathy in personal and community transformation
If you’ve ever wondered how someone can survive profound loss and trauma—and use that experience to inspire change and empathy—this conversation will leave you deeply moved and inspired.
00:00 Preview
01:16 Introduction
01:44 About Amanda Carrasco
05:06 Amanda’s backstory
09:35 When Amanda discovered the man she loved was a murderer
12:25 Why do teens need support after trauma?
16:51 Warning signs of an abuser that should never be ignored
23:11 Why healing is an inside job
25:41 How trauma shows up in everyday life
31:37 Role that community plays in healing
36:56 The healing power of friendships
42:31 Amanda’s book, Becoming the Brave One
48:36 Amanda Carrasco’s Purposeful Empathy story
53:03 Amanda remembering her sister’s radical love
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH AMANDA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-carrasco-48b377173/
✩ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amanda_the_brave_one/
✩ Website http://amandacarrasco.com
SHOW NOTES
✩ Becoming the Brave One https://amandacarrasco.com
Video edited by Jad Misri, Green Horizon Studio
In a special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy to include people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this episode to hear an anthropologist and lifelong activist share her insights about the rights of sex workers and the ongoing stigma they face.
Dr. Francine Tremblay shares how her lived experience as a sex worker shaped her research and activism. She also argues that society should recognize the humanity of those working in the sex industry, and help promote their dignity, rights, and safety.
00:00 Preview
01:16 Introduction
03:02 About Dr. Francine Tremblay
05:02 Francine’s backstory
10:44 The origin of sex work and why stigma persists today
12:05 Why is sex work still criminalized?
15:11 Agency vs. exploitation in the sex industry
22:16 What was “My body, My Choice Movement” about?
25:25 The emotional realities behind sex work
29:35 Why is Francine still hesitant to talk about it?
34:38 What is “Lateral Violence”?
38:09 How sex work can be empowering
42:55 Having empathy for sex workers who don’t have agency
49:13 Holding space for Indigenous women in Canada, in particular
54:36 Why funding sex worker rights does not guarantee respect for sex workers
59:24 Real ways to support sex workers
1:04:06 Role of government to protect sex workers
1:07:55 Lessons from the Native Women’s Shelter
1:13:51 Advice to empower sex workers
1:19:21 Dr. Francine Tremblay’s Purposeful Empathy story
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH FRANCINE
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/francine-tremblay-a4722135/
✩ Concordia profile https://www.concordia.ca/faculty/francine-tremblay.html
SHOW NOTES
✩ Stella https://chezstella.org/en/
Native Women’s Shelter www.nwsm.info/
✩ Organizing for Sex Workers’ Rights in Montreal https://www.amazon.com/Organizing-Sex-Workers-Rights-Montréal/dp/1498593895
Video edited by Jad Misri, Green Horizon Studio
Addiction is a disease of isolation and despair. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this powerful episode featuring Dr. Robb Kelly, a world-renowned recovery expert whose journey from crippling alcoholism to healing has shaped his life’s mission and groundbreaking work in addiction recovery.
Once a successful academic, Robb lost everything to alcohol: his marriage, his career, and worst of all, access to his two daughters. After years living on the streets of Manchester, and seven suicide attempts—he experienced a remarkable spiritual awakening. Today, he dedicates his life to helping others break free from addiction through his acclaimed “98% Recovery Program,” offering hope and healing to thousands worldwide.
Together, we discuss:
How shame, fear, and childhood trauma fuel addiction
Why empathy and family engagement are essential to recovery
Advice to families experiencing addiction (a parent, a child, a partner, etc.)
The role of spirituality in healing and transformation
If you’ve ever wondered how someone can recover from addiction—and how empathy can help light the way—this conversation will leave you deeply moved and inspired.
00:00 Preview
01:16 Introduction
03:13 About Dr. Robb Kelly
06:47 Robb’s backstory
12:19 Why alcohol isn’t the real cause of alcoholism
14:07 Robb’s advice to families: When and how to talk when you suspect addiction
18:17 The turning point in recovery conversations: From accusation to empathy
24:41 Robb’s Healing journey
29:52 The truth about neuroplasticity
31:34 Robb’s “98% Recover Program” begins with a deep assessment
36:16 How children mimic parental behavior in addicted homes
38:03 Why does unresolved childhood trauma sabotage adult life?
45:21 How does Robb know when an addict is ready to recover?
53:14 How recovery creates a second life
55:47 Dr. Robb Kelly’s Purposeful Empathy story
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH ROBB
✩ Website https://www.robbkelly.com
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-addiction-doctor-07718133/
✩ FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/drrobb.kelly.1
✩ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/robbkellyrecoverygroup/
SHOW NOTES
✩ Daddy, Daddy Please Stop Drinking https://www.amazon.co.uk/Daddy-Please-Stop-Drinking/dp/1702575861
Video edited by Jad Misri, Green Horizon Studio
Human trafficking is one of the world’s darkest injustices. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this powerful episode featuring María Juliana Prieto Gracía, a Colombian human rights lawyer and refugee advocate.
As a survivor of sexual violence, María Juliana has transformed her trauma into a powerful force for systems change. Shaped by Colombia’s armed conflict and her family’s refugee journey, she now works tirelessly to end gender-based violence and defend human rights.
Together, we discuss:
The importance of listening to survivors without judgment
Why armed conflict and forced displacement shape cycles of trauma
How to confront the structural causes of sexual and gender-based violence
How resilience and advocacy can drive justice and healing
Having empathy for refugees, whose humanity has too often been denied
If you’ve ever wondered about human trafficking and how to support refugees, this conversation will open your heart and mind.
00:00 Preview
01:16 Introduction
00:11 About Maria Juliana Prieto Gracía
02:36 Maria Juliana’s backstory
07:58 How Maria Juliana became a human rights activist?
14:03 A message to survivors of sexual violence
16:40 Moments that inspired Maria Juliana to become an advocate
21:51 Maria Juliana’s fight to end sexual exploitation
23:15 What makes Maria Juliana a staunch refugee advocate
30:48 Maria Juliana’s message to those who have experienced sexual violence
37:00 Maria Juliana’s message to communities that tolerate “red zones”
39:39 Seeing humanity through equity, not power
43:02 The biggest misconceptions about refugees
50:08 How Trump’s policies violate human rights
58:18 Why refugee lived experience matters at the border
01:00:14 What role does empathy play in human trafficking?
01:04:27 Maria Juliana Prieto Gracía’s Purposeful Empathy story
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH MARIA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/maría-juliana-prieto-gracia-008446158/
Video edited by Jad Misri, Green Horizon Studio
Suicide is shrouded in silence and stigma. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this unforgettable episode featuring Dese’Rae L. Stage, a suicidologist, therapist, artist, and founder of Live Through This.
After multiple suicide attempts, Dese’Rae transformed her lived experience into a groundbreaking storytelling project that’s changing the way we think and talk about suicide.
Together, we discuss:
How to shift our culture’s perception and response to suicidal ideation
How storytelling reduces stigma and fosters community
The importance of legitimizing lived experience with mental health
Why empathy, safe spaces, and mutual aid are vital to supporting people in crisis
The role of creativity, somatic practices and vulnerability in healing
If you’ve ever wondered how to help break the silence around suicide and create a world where people feel less alone in their pain, this conversation will inspire you.
00:00 Preview
01:17 Introduction
02:17 About Dese’Rae L. Stage
05:09 Dese’s backstory
09:20 How to talk to someone having suicidal thoughts
13:56 How to start a conversation about suicide
17:48 Why do some people struggle to ask for help?
22:16 Ways to demonstrate empathy in community
24:18 Today’s leading suicide drivers
31:24 The power of somatic practices in releasing stored trauma
35:24 How does Dese’Rae turn pain into hope?
40:51 How motherhood has shaped Dese’Rae’s struggle with suicidal ideation?
42:53 Dese’Rae Stage’s Purposeful Empathy story
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH DESE
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/deseraestage/
SHOW NOTES
✩ Dese’s project, Live Through This https://livethroughthis.org
✩ Three Swords Therapy https://threeswordstherapy.com
✩ Lisa Miller’s Research https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9-d98PaRG0
✩ Somatic Healing https://www.scribd.com/document/749045218/Somatic-Healing
Video edited by Jad Misri, Green Horizon Studio
Homelessness is solvable. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this inspiring episode featuring Mark Horvath, founder of Invisible People.
Mark shares his firsthand experience being unhoused, and highlights how rising rents, broken policies, and public apathy fuel the homelessness crisis and why political activism, public education, and community action are essential to solving it.
Together, they discuss:
The realities of being unhoused and unseen
How storytelling can shift public perception
Concrete steps for ending homelessness at the policy level
Why empathy is essential for addressing homelessness
The power of human connection to drive social change
If you’ve ever wondered how you can help or what role empathy plays in solving social problems, this conversation will leave you informed and inspired.
00:00 Preview
01:16 Introduction
02:35 About Mark Horvath
08:12 Mark’s backstory
14:23 Homelessness 101
18:13 The dark reality of anti-homeless laws
23:08 What is “Mobile Homelessness”?
28:55 Unhoused veterans - how can that be?
32:26 Why LGBTQ+ teens are more likely to face homelessness
40:18 Why many can’t break free from homelessness without support
44:00 The power of “Eviction Prevention”?
47:32 Mark’s personal story of being unhoused
55:47 Actions you can take to help solve the homelessness crisis
01:01:03 Mark Horvath’s Purposeful Empathy story
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH MARK
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mhorvath/
SHOW NOTES
✩ Invisible People http://invisiblepeople.tv
Video edited by Green Horizon Studio
Extremist ideologies are a social poison. In this special series devoted to widening our circle of empathy for people who often feel marginalized or misunderstood, watch this powerful episode featuring Arno Michaelis, a former neo-Nazi and author of My Life After Hate.
Once the frontman of a hate metal band, Arno shares how violence nearly destroyed his life. He describes how he walked away from white nationalism and is now committed to helping others abandon extremist ideologies, on the political left and right.
Together, we discuss:
Why hate must be treated as a public health issue
Why empathy and forgiveness are keys to breaking cycles of violence
The road to transformation, redemption and healing
How our shared humanity can help bridge deep divides
The power of human connection to drive social change
If you’ve ever wondered what leads people to hate and violent extremism, and how it’s possible to deradicalize someone, this conversation will leave you informed and inspired.
00:00 Preview
01:16 Introduction
02:57 About Arno Michaelis
05:16 Arno’s backstory
08:52 Becoming a bully in elementary school
12:50 Why (and how) are people drawn to extremist ideologies?
16:35 Arno’s journey of redemption
22:57 Why hate should be considered a public health issue
27:22 What the “old Arno” would say listening to the “new Arno”
29:24 How Arno’s life changed after his daughter was born
36:25 From rock star to rock bottom: Why did Arno walk away from a life of hate?
42:28 How did Arno start to drift away from hate?
47:30 How can parents help prevent hate and violent extremism from taking root?
56:28 The Gift of Our Wounds by Arno Michaelis & Pardeep Singh Kaleka
01:02:34 Arno Michaelis’s Purposeful Empathy story
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH ARNO
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnomichaelis/
✩ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/arnomichaelis/?hl=en
SHOW NOTES
✩ My Life After Hate https://www.amazon.com/Life-After-Hate-Michaelis-Arno/dp/0983129096
✩ The Gift of Our Wounds https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Our-Wounds-Supremacist-Forgiveness/dp/1250107547
✩ Refuge, Arno’s film project http://refugemovie.com/
✩ Serve 2 Unite https://www.parents4peace.org/
✩ US Insider Clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-g3Z8IWsdU
Video edited by Green Horizon Studio
In the final episode of this special series devoted to empathy in education with leaders and fellows of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), watch this episode to discover how SEL (social and emotional learning) can transform classrooms into spaces of co-regulation, belonging, and joy—especially for students who need it most.
Aija Simmons, Program Director at 21st Century California School Leadership Academy, shares how raising a neurodivergent child, teaching in inner-city schools, and leading California’s Universal Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Initiative have shaped her understanding of education. She also advocates for play-based learning and joy in the classroom, as well as at home.
00:00 Preview
01:12 Introduction
01:47 About Aija Simmons
03:35 Aija’s backstory
06:39 Aija’s understanding of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
10:15 How teachers can help students navigate their emotions through co-regulation
14:17 Bringing more joy into classrooms—and why that’s important
18:33 Talking about SEL with skeptics
20:35 What folks misunderstand about SEL
24:32 SEL for parents
29:11 What growing up with an incarcerated parent taught Aija?
36:28 The power of play in early childhood education
39:40 Why teachers need to learn more about their students
43:05 The role of empathy in education
45:02 Aija Simmons’s Purposeful Empathy story
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH AIJA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/aijeron-simmons/
SHOW NOTES
✩ Transformative Educational leadership https://www.teleadership.org/
✩ Artesian Wellness Coaching http://www.artesianwellcoaching.com
✩ Universal Transitional Kindergarten https://www.csba.org/en/GovernanceAndPolicyResources/ResearchAndPolicyBriefs/Universal-Transitional-Kindergarten#gsc.tab=0
Video edited by Green Horizon Studio
In a special series devoted to empathy in education with leaders and fellows of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), watch this episode to learn why SEL (social emotional learning) practices are key to humanizing classrooms.
Dr. Al Rabanera, an award-winning high school math educator in California, reflects on his mission to support At-Promise Students through identity-affirming teaching and advocacy. He also shares how his personal journey as the son of Filipino immigrants informs his commitment to fostering greater equity and a sense of belonging in schools.
00:00 Preview
00:46 Introduction
01:21 About Dr. Al Rabanera
03:29 Al’s backstory
06:18 How does a lack of belonging impact learning and self-perception?
08:51 Addressing the growing resistance to DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion)
13:57 What does “At-Promise” mean and why does it matter in education?
16:33 Ways in which leadership roles impact “At-Promise” students
21:06 Humanizing the classroom experience
27:23 Math as a tool to develop identity
33:08 Navigating marginalization in education leadership
38:25 The role of empathy in education
41:27 What is Al’s go-to self-empathy practice?
43:04 Al Rabanera’s Purposeful Empathy Story
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH AL
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/al-rabanera-ed-d-ab855910/overlay/contact-info/
SHOW NOTES
✩ Transformative Educational leadership https://www.teleadership.org/
✩ Math in SEL https://mathissel.com/
Video edited by Green Horizon Studio
In a special series devoted to empathy in education with leaders and fellows of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), watch this episode to learn how restorative justice and trauma-informed somatic practices lead to collective healing.
Sima Savdharia, founder of Square Root Mediation & Facilitation, reflects on their work bridging conflict resolution, spirituality, and education. They also share how their journey from studying abroad in Honduras to supporting youth in Oakland has shaped their commitment to Dr. King’s vision of Beloved Community—grounded in empathy, dialogue, and love.
00:00 Preview
01:11 Introduction
01:46 About Sima Savdharia
04:08 Sima’s backstory
07:05 Sima’s understanding of a “Beloved Community”
10:51 Understanding conflict and why it’s not inherently bad
14:51 Generational trauma and emotional triggers
18:40 Why does “Psychological Safety” matter?
20:12 Restorative practices in corporate world
28:11 Why social media detoxing is a radical act of self-care
30:22 The power “Restorative Circles”— and how to do them
34:43 Why grounding the nervous system matters in conflict resolution
37:31 What is “non-violence” in conflict resolution?
41:12 Why is self-awareness the first step to restorative justice?
45:35 Lessons from restorative practices and why schools need to slow down?
50:01 The role of empathy in education
53:34 Sima Savdharia’s Purposeful Empathy story
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH SIMA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sima-savdharia-976151246/
✩ Website http://simasavdharia.com
SHOW NOTES
✩ Transformative Educational leadership https://www.teleadership.org/
Video edited by Green Horizon Studio
In a special series devoted to empathy in education, watch this episode to learn why SEL (social emotional learning) starts with the 10% minority; not the 90% majority.
Lex Rodriguez, an educator and PhD candidate at the University of Colorado, reflects on how culturally sustaining (not culturally sensitive) practices better support BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth. She also shares insights from her teaching and research on identity, access needs, and the power of empathy to create classrooms in which every student feels seen and safe.
00:00 Preview
01:00 Introduction
01:34 About Lex Rodriguez
03:36 Lex’s backstory
04:47 Why is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) so Important?
09:31 How does SEL create a safe space for students and teachers?
14:22 Empathy starts by asking questions; not making assumptions
16:16 Why empathy and curiosity are essential for systemic change
19:51 What happens to education when we erase empathy from community?
23:35 Culturally sustaining vs. culturally sensitive: what’s the difference?
28:27 What SEL educators need beyond curriculum?
32:58 How expanding the frame of SEL creates true inclusion
35:11 Why does inclusive SEL start with the 10% minority; not the 90% majority?
37:45 Discussing the resistance to inclusive education
39:50 Decentering whiteness in education
43:20 The role of empathy in education
50:24 Lex Rodriguez’s Purposeful Empathy story
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH LEX
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-rodriguez-b7799046/
✩ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lunar.visual.design/
SHOW NOTES
✩ Transformative Educational Leadership https://www.teleadership.org/
Substack https://lunarvisualdesign.substack.com/
Video edited by Green Horizon Studio
In a special series devoted to empathy in education with leaders and fellows of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), watch this episode to learn how to help students “feel more to heal more.”
Mychal Mills, co-founder of K.Y.D.S (Kids Conscious Youth Development and Service), shares how his personal journey of loss led him to founding a nonprofit that has impacted over 40,000 youth and educators across New Jersey. He also reflects on the power of mindfulness, sound healing, and Beloved Community as pathways to resilience and collective care.
00:00 Preview
00:59 Introduction
00:34 About Mychal Mills
05:38 Mychal’s understanding of a “Beloved Community”
08:25 Mychal’s backstory
13:37 The origin story of K.Y.D.S.
21:13 Inviting youth into healing: What parents and educators need to know
27:31 How educators can practice non-violence every day
35:32 Inviting kids to feel in a world that teaches them to be numb
41:43 What is sound healing?
46:30 Why sound is a universal language of healing
49:41 The role of empathy in education
54:37 Empathy as a spiritual practice
01:06:30 The importance of holding space for grief, grace and gratitude
01:09:12 Mychal Mills’s Purposeful Empathy story
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH MYCHAL
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mychalmills/
✩ Website www.mychalmills.com
✩ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/journey_inn/?hl=en
SHOW NOTES
✩ Transformative Educational Leadership https://www.teleadership.org/
✩ KYDS https://www.konscious.org/
Video edited by Green Horizon Studio
In a special series devoted to empathy in education with leaders and fellows of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), watch this episode to learn how vulnerability and love can transform classrooms into spaces of belonging, healing, and hope.
Kandace Stallings, a faith leader and SEL (social emotional learning) Specialist in Chicago, reflects on the power of mentorship and unconditional support to help students thrive. She also shares how her own lived experiences now guide her commitment to empathic leadership—in classrooms and beyond.
00:00 Preview
01:04 Introduction
01:39 About Kandace Stallings
03:18 Kandace’s backstory
06:48 The role of empathy in education
12:04 Why kids can’t learn in school if they don’t feel loved
16:04 How are Black women educators holding each other up in 2025?
19:11 Kandace’s self-empathy strategies
22:54 Finding strength in vulnerability: The power of safe relationships
26:40 Why Kandace’s faith deepened after a conversation with her mother
29:58 The cycle of empathic leadership: From being mentored to mentoring others
33:01 How to overcome imposter syndrome and lead with confidence
36:24 Kandace’s natural hair journey
40:47 How Kandace overcome self-doubt
46:40 Kandace Stallings’s Purposeful Empathy story
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH KANDACE
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kandace-stallings-859aa977/
✩ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tdl_kanday/
SHOW NOTES
✩ Transformative Educational leadership https://www.teleadership.org/
Video edited by Green Horizon Studio
In a special series devoted to empathy in education with leaders and fellows of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), watch this episode to learn why mindfulness practices—especially breathwork—are transformational, especially within educational settings.
Nichole Fuller, an art educator in New York who curates and facilitates wellness experiences for students, educators, families and communities, shares how she discovered the healing power of breathwork through her own personal healing journey. She also explains why somatic work offers a gateway to greater health and well-being.
00:00 Preview
01:03 Introduction
01:37 About Nichole Fuller
03:44 Nichole’s backstory
06:40 The power of breathwork
12:48 How does breathwork regulate our nervous system?
17:05 How breathwork builds self-awareness and deepens empathy
24:55 Why did breathwork save Nichole’s life?
28:54 Nichole’s art: a reflection of healing and growth
31:24 Bringing trauma-informed teaching and breathwork into the classroom
33:55 Supporting teachers through group breathwork and self-care sessions
36:04 How can schools better support teachers’ well-being?
40:18 The role of empathy in education
43:13 Nichole Fuller’s Purposeful Empathy story
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH NICHOLE
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/fuller-nichole-3b861580/
✩ FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/nichole.fuller.12
SHOW NOTES
✩ Transformative Educational leadership https://www.teleadership.org/
Video edited by Green Horizon Studio
In a special series devoted to empathy in education with leaders and fellows of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), watch this episode to hear how a queer, Cuban-born educator’s decision to come out at school has informed his pedagogy, leadership philosophy, and doctoral research.
José Jiménez, Deputy Superintendent of District 24 in Queens, NYC, shares how he moved from Miami to NYC to pursue a career in filmmaking and discovered his love for teaching. As a registered Yoga teacher and Vipassana meditator, he also explains why he’s a staunch advocate for student wellness and describes his doctoral research in Urban Education, Policy Studies and Leadership at CUNY.
00:00 Preview
01:00 Introduction
01:35 About José Jiménez
04:18 José’s backstory
08:04 What role do educators play in welcoming newcomers to school?
14:11 Why SEL (social emotional learning) is essential to inclusive education
20:01 Bridging the gap between teachers and administrators through empathy
25:11 What parents need to know about the complexity of teaching
29:34 José’s self-care practices for managing stress and burnout
33:44 How authenticity transforms classrooms and school culture
37:40 José’s PhD research in Urban Education
46:32 The role of empathy in education
53:06 José Jiménez’s Purposeful Empathy story
CONNECT WITH ANITA
✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com
✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com
✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/
✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram
✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast
✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.social
CONNECT WITH JOSE
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-jimenez/
SHOW NOTES
✩ Transformative Educational leadership https://www.teleadership.org/
Video edited by Green Horizon Studio