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
In a special series devoted to empathy in education with leaders and fellows of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), watch this episode to learn why “racial literacy” is key to fostering belonging and connection in schools.
Jasmine Locke, a School Support Specialist at West View High School in Oregon, shares insights from her doctoral research about educational liberation and putting strategies into practice to center student’s voices. She also describes effective student advocacy, and uplifts self-carer practices to nurture resilience in students.
00:00 Preview
00:56 Introduction
01:30 About Jasmine Locke
02:56 Jasmine’s backstory
08:05 Jasmine’s reflections on the DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) backlash
10:57 Grounding practices for nurturing emotional resilience
15:06 What biomimicry teaches us about diversity and collective thriving?
21:33 What is “Educational Liberation”?
25:50 What is “Racial Literacy”?
28:21 Why SEL (social-emotional learning) is more important than ever
31:36 Knowing our history: the first step to collective liberation
34:13 The role of empathy in education
39:21 Has empathy become a buzzword?
43:51 How experiencing empathy at school prepares students to change the world
49:44 Challenges of teaching empathy in a world of ubiquitous media
54:49 Jasmine Locke’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
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 how to foster human flourishing in a variety of academic and organizational contexts.
YooNa Kim, Director of Well-being and Culture for citiesRISE—a global platform focused on transforming mental health policy and practice—reflects on how academic and workplace pressures shape mental health outcomes. She also describes the co-creation work she is doing in India, Kenya, South Africa, and Sweden.
00:00 Preview
00:53 Introduction
01:29 About YooNa Kim
03:37 YooNa’s backstory
09:37 How does academic pressure impact kids’ mental health?
14:26 If YooNa could reinvent education, what would she do?
17:18 About citiesRISE
22:47 Classroom interventions for gratitude, kindness and hope across cultures
28:04 The power of self-affirmations
34:08 How is empathy defined within different cultural contexts?
40:16 The difference between being nice and being kind
43:13 What role does empathy play in education?
48:50 YooNa Kim’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 YOONA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoonakimcareer/
SHOW NOTES
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 connection and belonging are game-changers for schools and classrooms.
Marquin Parks, Academic Engagement and Social Emotional Learning Officer, shares how small acts of kindness like fist bumps, humor, and calming spaces can make or break a student’s experience at school. He also reflects on “Positive Breathing Journeys”, self-empathy practices for educators, and why every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and safe at school. If you care about kids, this is a must-see.
00:00 Preview
00:59 Introduction
01:34 About Marquin Parks
03:12 Marquin’s backstory
08:16 Empathy in action: How Marquin build trust with students
11:24 Message to parents on behalf of teachers
15:45 How to make kids feel safe at school?
20:45 The upsides to teaching kids about emotional regulation
24:02 The role of mindfulness in transforming school culture
29:57 Why do kids need more than discipline in schools?
35:22 Practices for educators to manage stress and cultivate self-empathy
38:12 About “Wrinkles Wallace,” a book by Marquin Parks
43:14 What is the “Pause and Breath Journey”?
45:00 The role of empathy in education
48:03 Marquin Parks’ 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 MARQUIN
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marquin-parks-3518a552/
SHOW NOTES
✩ Wrinkles Wallace https://wrinkleswallace.blogspot.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 more about the power of tenderness.
Meena Srinivasan, Director of TEL, explores how tenderness fosters prosocial behavior, psychological safety, mental health, and gratitude. She also reflects on many of the challenges that educators face today, and why true transformation happens within a beloved community.
00:00 Preview
00:41 Introduction
01:15 About Meena Srinivasan
03:45 Meena’s backstory
05:58 Meena’s mission
11:40 How did a meditation lead Meena to the science of tenderness?
15:23 About Meena’s TEDx talk: Unlocking the Secret Powers of Tenderness
20:24 What are the hidden barriers to tenderness?
27:52 The somatic nature of tenderness and how it deepens empathy & compassion
31:00 What is Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL)?
36:12 The role of empathy in education
41:05 How deep transformation always happens in beloved community
44:45 Meena Srinivasan’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 MEENA
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/meenasrinivasan/
✩ Website https://www.meenasrinivasan.com/
SHOW NOTES
✩ Transformative Educational Leadership
✩ TED Talk
Video edited by Green Horizon Studio
Watch this episode featuring Caroline Stiernstedt Sahlborn, Chair of the Inner Development Goals, to learn how you can get involved with the IDG movement.
In this heartfelt conversation, Caroline discusses the significance of “Bridging Polarities” – this year’s IDG Summit theme, and underscores the importance of reflection and humility, especially as the IDG movement continues to grow rapidly. She also describes why inner development is crucial to mental health, especially for emerging adults.
00:00 Preview
00:41 Introduction
01:19 About Caroline Stiernstedt Sahlborn
03:31 Caroline’s backstory
05:09 Why Caroline is passionate about youth mental health
08:06 The impact of loneliness
15:10 What is the origin story of the Inner Development Goals?
21:33 Why are the IDGs relevant to emerging adults?
26:33 The importance of slowing down–even for the IDG movement
31:35 Why movements need humility, not perfection
37:11 About the IDG Summit 2025 and how you can participate
40:26 Caroline Stiernstedt Sahlborn’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 CAROLINE
✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-stiernstedt-sahlborn-94412012/
SHOW NOTES
✩ Inner Development Goals Framework
✩ Eskaret Foundation
Video edited by Green Horizon Studio