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We've long been told that compassion and profitability can't coexist. My guest today challenges that idea, building her business, people systems, and technology around proving otherwise—and helping clients do the same. Rachael Kelly is a bestselling author and founder and CEO of Hive Enterprises. She specializes in strategy, organizational effectiveness, and people and culture, helping mission-driven organizations lead with purpose and measurable impact. Today, we explore psychological safety, how to build it, and what HR often gets wrong about empathy. Rachael also makes the business case for human-centered leadership, showing how it can deliver measurable ROI. If you've ever had to fight for the “soft stuff” in your organization, Rachael will give you the tools and insights to make your case. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… How human-centric leadership helps organizations navigate extreme challengesWhy mission-driven leadership isn’t soft, but has real ROIWhat it looks like to create safe spaces inside organizations, and why psychological safety is the secret ingredient to performance and innovationHow HiveSMART and Hive HEALTH use AI to amplify empathy at scale, freeing people to focus on the human parts of their workDesigning people systems that are both compassionate and accountable "It's not about creating a bunch of extra processes or a bunch of extra tools. It's about energy and focus and presence and being able to receive in that moment." —  Rachael Kelly From Our Sponsor: Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Join Maria at The Rising Executive Women's Retreat, Nov. 4-7. Use code "Edge500" to get $500.00 off! https://retreat.therisingmastermind.com/  Episode References:  The Empathy Edge podcast: Claude Silver: Be Yourself at Work for the Ultimate Leadership AdvantageDr. Cori Lathan: Benevolent Cyborgs and a Techno-Optimist’s View on TechnologyCatherine Cooley: https://www.peaceabl.com/Webinar with Maria and Spark Effect: HR's Make or Break Moment: https://sparkeffect.com/podcast/hrs-make-or-break-moment-leading-your-organizations-ai-transformation/ About Rachael Kelly, Founder & CEO, Hive Enterprises: Rachael Kelly is a bestselling author and founder and CEO of Hive Enterprises, comprising HiveSTRONG, HiveSMART Consulting, and HiveHEALTH. She specializes in strategy, organizational effectiveness, people, and culture, facilitating transformation through strategic planning, operating model design, and team development. HiveSMART helps mission-driven organizations lead with clarity and purpose, while HiveSTRONG builds nonprofit capacity and community resilience. HiveHEALTH provides culturally responsive, trauma-informed care through telehealth and in-home services, starting in Texas. Across executive teams, community leaders, and care providers, the message remains the same: Empathy isn’t a liability—it’s a lever for driving measurable impact. Connect with Rachael:   HiveSMART Consulting: https://www.hivesmartllc.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-kelly-7452194    Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader  LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Courtesy of our sponsor, JLG Lawyers - Download "The Human Middle," Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict: https://thehumanmiddle.ai/ Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

We're all so busy "AI-ing" everything that nobody stops to ask — are we actually solving the right problems for the real humans on the other end?  Peter Swimm is a conversational AI product lead and solutions expert with nearly three decades of experience building and scaling technology that actually works for humans. Peter got his start in tech in 1996 teaching communities how to use the internet through the Chicago Public Library — and that people-first foundation has shaped everything since. He's launched and scaled conversational AI products at companies like Pando Networks and led product strategy at Howdy, where he helped build the Slack API ecosystem before Microsoft acquired the team. He has since done enterprise conversational AI work for Walmart, Loews, Rabobank, and UnitedHealth Care, and at Microsoft Copilot Studio helped spearhead enterprise-grade generative AI capabilities. His firm, Toilville, is AI-aware but technology agnostic — because Peter believes the best asset any organization has is the human minds that shape it. Peter shares why so much technology is being deployed in ways that are shortsighted and frankly unempathetic — cutting costs without actually solving the real problem. Take a listen. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… How to embed empathy-driven requirements directly into your technology specsWhat it means to design systems to enable dignified escalationWhy the best solutions never cross the line from helper to surveillanceWhy you need to understand how work actually happens before implementing AI in your organizationWhat operational compassion at scale really looks like in practice  "(Many) clients don't know how work happens today, and so when they go to automate it, they have no A and B to compare against how it was before. Every company has soft-skilled people that are secretly holding the company together through sheer will." —  Peter Swimm From Our Sponsor: Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Join Maria at The Rising Executive Women's Retreat, Nov. 4-7. Use code "Edge500" to get $500.00 off! https://retreat.therisingmastermind.com/  Episode References:  MIT Study: These Human Capabilities Complement AI Shortcomings About Peter Swimm, Founder and CEO, Toilville:  Peter L. Swimm is a conversational AI product lead and solutions expert who started in tech in 1996, teaching the community how to use the internet through the Chicago Public Library. Since then, Peter has built and scaled conversational products from early adoption to enterprise durability, including work at Pando Networks (Intel Capital) and launching the Slack API ecosystem at Howdy, where Peter led product strategy across Botkit and Botkit Studio before Microsoft acquired XOXCO, the team behind Botkit and the Howdy Slackbot. Toilville has supported conversational AI work for major enterprises including Walmart, Loews, Rabobank, and UnitedHealth Care, and at Microsoft Copilot Studio helped spearhead enterprise-grade generative and conversational capabilities, spanning connector ecosystems, customization of language understanding, and architectures for LLM-powered actions. Toilville is AI-Aware but technology-agnostic and believes that the best asset any organization has is the human minds that shape it. Connect with Peter Swimm: Toilville: toilville.com or peoplemakeitbetter.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/peterswimm   Connect with Maria: Books Speaker Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader  LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Courtesy of our sponsor, JLG Lawyers - Download "The Human Middle," Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict: https://thehumanmiddle.ai/  Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

On her 54th birthday, Maria gets personal, fired up, and a little cheeky. She shares the story behind her brand-new speaker reel - three minutes, eighteen years of work, and all the vulnerability that comes with watching your life’s mission condensed into a single video.  Then she reads an open letter she wrote to toxic male influencers and leaders, on behalf of boy moms everywhere, about the kind of strength, integrity, and empathy we actually want our sons to see modeled in the world. Because true strength is not force; it is the courage to know who you are, bring people along, and take responsibility for your impact. This one comes straight from the heart. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen to this episode for:  A behind-the-scenes look at what it really feels like to launch a speaker reel after 18 years of work and why vulnerability is part of the processAn open letter to toxic male influencers and leaders, written by a boy mom who is done staying quietA powerful reframe of what true strength actually looks like in leadership and in lifeA birthday reflection on why this work matters more than ever in a world drowning in toxic role models  "We want to raise boys who become strong adult men who love honestly, feel deeply, and advocate equitably — not through greed, abuse of power, or misogyny." —  Maria Ross   From Our Sponsor: Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Join Maria at The Rising Executive Women's Retreat, Nov. 4-7. Use code "Edge500" to get $500.00 off! https://retreat.therisingmastermind.com/  Episode References:  My new speaker reel!: https://youtu.be/iMmsYiHhew0?si=JEul0NQ4_G5Ot98tOutspeak Media: https://outspeakmedia.com/My Open Letter to All Toxic Male Leaders and Influencers (please like, comment, and share to amplify this!)On LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/p/gMUek4cHOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DeZStfkAftx/  Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader  LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Courtesy of our sponsor, JLG Lawyers - Download "The Human Middle," Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict: https://thehumanmiddle.ai/  Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

What if your energy worked exactly like money?  My guest is Claire Mia Burnett, a coach and currently the Director of Operations and Effectiveness at McKesson. She has spent her career working with some of the most recognizable organizations in the world, building the systems meant to help people do their best work. And what she discovered along the way is that the energy problem shows up everywhere: capable people are being asked to give more than the system was ever designed to return. Her new book, Reserve and Release: Rewriting the Hidden Rules of How We Spend Ourselves, is the first framework-driven guide to treating energy the way sound financial systems treat money. Not as a mood to manage, but as a resource to audit, allocate, and protect.  This is the ultimate Both/And conversation: individual accountability AND organizational responsibility are not competing; they are sequential. And when your energy reserves are depleted, empathy is the first thing to go. Protecting your energy is not self-indulgence. It is what makes sustained empathetic leadership possible. Take a listen. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… How you, yourself, are a finite resource and why self-knowledge is essential so you can put a name to what needs to changeThe inputs, outputs, reserves, and deficits people have in their livesAuditing your energy economy from an individual and an organizational lensWhy an entrepreneurial role may be a different energy tax than working for a traditional 9-to-5The one question all leaders should ask instead of “How is my team doing?”  "Individual awareness without structural change just makes people more conscious of a system that is still depleting them. So at some point, the role or the system has to be on trial, not the person." —  Claire Mia Burnett From Our Sponsor: Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Join Maria at The Rising Executive Women's Retreat, Nov. 4-7. Use code "Edge500" to get $500.00 off! https://retreat.therisingmastermind.com/  Episode References:  Leah Ruppanner, et al. “The Invisible Work Draining Your Best Employees” (Harvard Business Review, July 2026)Laura Vanderkam, 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think About Claire Mia Burnett, Author, Reserve & Release | Director, Operations & Effectiveness, McKesson: Claire Mia is a coach and corporate executive specializing in organizational effectiveness and human sustainability, helping organizations improve performance without exhausting their people. Having worked with leading organizations such as McKesson, AT&T, STAPLES Center, and Anschutz Entertainment Group, and recognized as a 2025 Marquis Who’s Who honoree, she developed frameworks that address how workplace systems impact human energy. Her book, Reserve & Release: Rewriting the Hidden Rules of How We Spend Ourselves, introduces a framework for managing energy like money—as a resource to audit, allocate, and protect. Connect with Claire: Claire Cut Consulting: reserveandrelease.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/clairemia Instagram: @reserveandrelease Book + Free chapter: Reserve & Release: Rewriting the Hidden Rules of How We Spend Ourselves: reserveandrelease.com/edge   Connect with Maria: Books Speaker Learning Courses 1 and 2 LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Courtesy of our sponsor, JLG Lawyers - Download "The Human Middle," Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict: https://thehumanmiddle.ai/ Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

Maria Ross and Rob Volpe are back! Today, we talk about empathy like it's an emotion: something that washes over you, or doesn't. But what if you don't feel it? Does that make you bad at empathy? The science doesn't offer a tidy answer. Some researchers show empathy is deeply felt, sometimes so intensely it leads to burnout. Others argue it's a choice we make, turned up or down depending on who's in front of us and what it might cost us. And at least one prominent thinker says we'd be better off with less empathy and more compassion. Maria and Rob unpack the difference between cognitive empathy, affective empathy, and compassion. They explore whether these are different entry points rather than a sequence, depending on how we are wired. And they wrestle with a big question: if you can act with compassion simply because it's the right thing to do, where does empathy fit in? To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… The difference between cognitive empathy, affective empathy, and compassionWhy empathy and compassion light up different parts of the brain, and why that matters for burnoutWhether empathy is something you're born with or something you can buildHow motivation and social norms shape how much empathy we feelActing with compassion when you don't "feel" empathy, and why that still countsHow leaders can find their natural entry point and strengthen the others  "If you don't have the empathy with somebody, you're never going to be able to accurately imagine what they're doing. Empathy is not mind reading. Empathy is about connection; it's not predicting the future." - Rob Volpe From Our Sponsor: Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Episode References:  Rob's newsletter: readingbetweenthelines.beehiiv.com/p/the-real-answerMaria's newsletter: red-slice.com/newsletterWhy Trait Empathy Is the Wrong MeasureChoosing Empathy: Conversation with Jamil ZakiJamil Zaki, "Choosing Empathy" (Edge.org conversation, with a response from Paul Bloom)Jamil Zaki, "Empathy: A Motivated Account" (Psychological Bulletin, 2014)Erik Nook, Jamil Zaki, et al., "Prosocial Conformity: Prosocial Norms Generalize Across Behavior and Empathy" (Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2016)Geoff Thomas and Gregory Maio, "Man, I Feel Like a Woman: When and How Gender-Role Motivation Helps Mind-Reading" (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2008)Tania Singer and Olga Klimecki, "Empathy and Compassion" (Current Biology, 2014)Klimecki et al., compassion and empathy training studyKarla McLaren, "Why Trait Empathy Is the Wrong Measure" (Psychology Today)Paul Bloom, Against Empathy: The Case for Rational CompassionJessica Tarlov,  I Disagree: Winning Arguments Without Losing Friends About Rob Volpe: Rob Volpe is the Founder/CEO of Empathy Activist and the creator of The 5 Steps to Empathy, which he chronicles in his award-winning book Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation at a Time. He is a recognized thought leader,  speaker, and consultant in the improvement of communication and collaboration in organizations of all sizes in all industries. Connect with Rob: Website: robvolpe.expert Book: Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation X: x.com/rmvolpe LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rmvolpe Facebook: facebook.com/EmpathyActivist Instagram: instagram.com/empathy_activist   Connect with Maria: Books Speaker Learning Courses 1 and 2 LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Courtesy of our sponsor, JLG Lawyers - Download "The Human Middle," Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict: https://thehumanmiddle.ai/ Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

Here is a stat that should make every leader uncomfortable: most companies are overpaying for employee healthcare while their employees are still underserved, afraid to use it, and one medical bill away from a crisis. My guest today is Dan Cosgrove, CEO of Better Benefits USA. Dan spent over a decade at some of the most iconic companies in the world before channeling that expertise into healthcare. His mission is simple and urgent: close the gap on care, cost, and coverage for hardworking Americans. Dan makes the case that better employee healthcare is not just the right thing to do; it is one of the smartest business decisions a leader can make. We get into how employers can actually lower costs while improving the care their employees receive by leveraging tax codes and building plans that prioritize preventative care. We talk about why the status quo feels safe but is actually costing you, and why treating employees as individuals rather than offering cookie-cutter benefits is not just empathetic; it is what they now expect. And Dan shares the story of one nonprofit in New York that took the leap and is now saving approximately 1.2 million dollars per year, which they are reinvesting directly back into their mission. If you have ever thought better benefits were out of reach for your organization, Dan is about to change your mind completely.  To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… Why your employee benefits package may be costing your employees and your business.The ROI of changing the way your organization does healthcare. Why we need to think about our healthcare system as three things: a sword, a shield, and a safety net.  "Employee health plans should not be a one size fits all. It should be customization and curation based on meeting the people where they are in life. So that's where I talk about dignity. Understand the individual." —  Dan Cosgrove From Our Sponsor: Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/  Episode References:  Take the free audit at www.findbetterbenefits.org  Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki and Sharon L. LechterTax Free Wealth by Tom WheelwrightForbes Article: Your Employees Aren’t Resisting Change. Their Brains Are About Dan Cosgrove, CEO, Better Benefits, USA: Dan spent over a decade at Procter and Gamble, Berkshire Hathaway, and Nike before he broke away to focus on his passion for healthcare. The first healthcare company he started broke $4m in under three years. Now his nonprofit Better Benefits USA was just recognized by P&G as one of the top ten companies run by P&G alumni. His group is all about disrupting our broken healthcare system, so hopefully a few insights he shares today can be really helpful for you as well! Connect with Dan: Better Benefits USA: betterbenefitsusa.org  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/myhealthandwealth  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/bestemployeebenefits    Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader  LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Courtesy of our sponsor, JLG Lawyers - Download "The Human Middle," Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict: https://thehumanmiddle.ai/ Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

Most leaders are promoted because they’re excellent at strategy, operations, or delivering results. But very few are ever taught how to lead people or give feedback. And that’s where things fall apart. Rebecca Dhrimaj is on a mission to redefine what leadership looks like in the C-suite and beyond. As a Chief Empathy Officer of The Empathy Collective, Rebecca empowers leaders to coach teams and give honest feedback through change, one conversation at a time. Rebecca shares how she “stumbled into” her business model through lived experience and hard-earned insight. She walks us through a powerful case study of her work with a large customer excellence team, where leadership training directly mapped to measurable improvements in employee engagement and change readiness scores. This isn’t theory—it’s tangible impact. We also talk about why leaders often rise because of their technical and business acumen, but are rarely equipped with the skills to navigate human emotion. Rebecca explains why starting with a WHY of genuine care and understanding your team’s collective strengths can transform even the most disruptive change into momentum instead of burnout. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… Rebecca’s Three Phases of Change Readiness ModelCreating more effective one-on-ones that include proactive career conversationsWhy you have to do the inner work as a leader to best lift your team and organizationHow to build honest two-way feedback with your team  "You don't necessarily have to always be on the lookout for things, but if you're asking the right questions in your one-on-ones with your people, floodgates will open, and they will talk, and they will share." —  Rebecca Dhrimaj Episode References:  Rebecca's Action Learning Coaching Guide: https://bit.ly/4rG0LPmThe Middle Matters: A Toolkit for Middle Managers by Jeff SigalArticle in Change Conversations newsletter referencing Meet Your Inner Team cards The Empathy Edge podcast: Rebecca Geshuri: When Good Moms Feel Bad and Why Supporting Them is a Leadership ImperativeJamie Greenwood: Why Empathy for Others Starts with Compassion for Yourself About Rebecca Dhrimaj, Chief Empathy Officer, The Empathy Collective: As Chief Empathy Officer, Rebecca’s mission is to redefine the role of the C-Suite by empowering leaders to coach people through change, one conversation at a time.  After leading change management for an organizational restructuring, she noticed there was a lack of tools available to leaders dealing with the human side of change: the emotions, the fear, the resistance.  She discovered that when leaders start with a WHY of caring and an intimate understanding of their team’s collective strengths, any change is possible.  When she is not preparing teams for change, she laces up her running shoes and tunes into an audiobook. Fun fact: she has lived in the US, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France and always has a secret stash of Belgian chocolate. Connect with Rebecca: The Empathy Collective and Resilient Change Leader™ course: theempathycollective.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rebeccadhrimaj  Podcast - Return on Empathy: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/return-on-empathy/id1750060452   From Our Sponsor: Get$500 off with code EDGE500 at checkout: retreat.therisingmastermind.com Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader  LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

Today we get to see what it actually looks like when a leader builds an entire organization around empathy and people - operationalizes it, measures it, and watches it drive real, bottom-line results.  When Alex stepped into leadership of JLG Lawyers, she brought an operational mindset and a transformative question that became their cultural north star: what would the legal profession look like if it were built around people rather than billable hours? That question became the foundation of everything. They call it Justice with Humanity. Alex gets refreshingly practical about what it actually means to walk the talk. We dig into how JLG Lawyers has operationalized their people-first philosophy for both employees and clients. We talk about the fascinating tension of being both an employee law firm AND an employer, and how they hold themselves to the same standard they fight for in court. We get into their counter-cultural approach to AI, using it responsibly to grow the business without displacing people, and why understanding your workflows is the key to knowing where you actually need human judgment in the loop. If you have ever wondered what it looks like when empathy stops being a value on a wall and starts being a genuine competitive advantage, JLG Lawyers is your proof of concept. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… Leading with a moral center and ethical consciousness in an industry that rewards greed and conflict. Using AI ethically to augment, not replace, humans in your workflow and processes.Building systems for clarity between clients and your organization.Using mentorship to build up less experienced employees.Why empathy and critical thinking are the same ability and a key ingredient in leadership, no matter where you are in your organization.  "My leaders absolutely challenge me. They push me. They tell me things like that, and it's because they care. They, and you, have the same values, and the same goals." —  Alex Tieu   Episode References:  The Human Middle: a free guide with questions and guidance before conflict goes too far. Download The Human Middle for free at thehumanmiddle.ai About Alex Tieu, Founder & CEO, JLG Lawyers: Alex is CEO of JLG Lawyers, where she leads business strategy, operations, technology, and organizational development. She brings over two decades of leadership experience from real estate, technology, entrepreneurship, and venture capital, including senior roles at Keller Williams, Movoto, Propy, and Twenty Five Ventures. At JLG, Alex is known for building an organization that's both high-performing and deeply human, using technology and AI to support attorneys' judgment rather than replace it, and creating multiple paths to success for both attorneys and staff. JLG believes there is rarely only one path to success, and that strong organizations can maintain high standards while giving talented people room to excel in different ways. She calls this broader approach "The Human Middle": proof that accountability and opportunity, high standards and empathy, don't have to be trade-offs. Connect with Alex Tieu: JLG Lawyers: jlglawyers.com  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alexandra-tieu-62845b6  Instagram: instagram.com/jlglawyers    From Our Sponsor: Get$500 off with code EDGE500 at checkout: retreat.therisingmastermind.com Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader  LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

Warning: We're getting a little spicy today! What if caring deeply about your people was actually the fastest way to get big sh*t done? I’m talking with Carlo Odicino, CEO and Founder of One TEAM Partners, where he helps early-stage companies bring innovations to market without burning out their teams. With more than 24 years of experience in scaling businesses, Carlo knows that psychological safety and empathy aren’t “soft” skills — they’re the drivers of high performance. Carlo shares how a high school drama teacher first recognized his leadership talent and modeled people-first leadership, shaping how he leads with empathy today. We dive into trust and psychological safety, the natural human tendency to want to learn, and how that builds relationships and trust between leaders and their teams when that trust is there and individuals feel respected and heard. When it comes to getting sh*t done, we discuss and debunk the excuses that leaders use and give practical steps that can be taken now to show you care and get things done.  To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… The surprising question every leader should be asking their team.Spotting toxic behaviors that sabotage morale. Why some leaders resist people-centered leadership. Clarifying your number one priority to keep your team focused, supported, and protected from overwhelm.  "True empathy and caring actually require you to challenge people and raise their standard." —  Carlo Odicino Episode References:  The Empathy Edge podcast: Bronwyn Saglimbeni: The Art of “No Enemy” Conversations About Carlo Odicino, CEO and Founder, One TEAM Partners: Carlo Odicino is the CEO and Founder of One TEAM Partners. He specializes in helping early-stage companies bring their innovations to market without succumbing to the burnout often faced by start-ups. With 24+ years of experience scaling businesses of all sizes, he guides CEOs and leadership teams through complex challenges to achieve extraordinary results. Carlo holds an MBA from the University of Notre Dame and directs high school theater in his spare time. He lives in Costa Mesa, CA, with his wife and two sons. Connect with Carlo: One TEAM Partners: https://oneteampartners.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjodicino/  From Our Sponsor: Get$500 off with code EDGE500 at checkout: retreat.therisingmastermind.com Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader  LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

We are living in the Year of the Fire Horse. And if you know anything about Chinese astrology, you know that the Fire Horse is not a gentle, meandering kind of energy. It is fast, fierce, unpredictable, and transformative. It burns down what isn't working to make room for what's next.  And that feels about right for where we are as a culture, as leaders, and as human beings right now. Today, I share the neurological impact significant change triggers in humans and give actionable steps to build resilience to withstand the change that is going to continue, and lead and live with more purpose and intentionality through whatever is thrown your way. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… How systems are breaking, the world is changing, and people are struggling to keep up.Why reinvention is not a crisis; it’s a choice.Three things you can do right now to build resilience for what is next.  "If you're clinging to a way of working, a title, a strategy, a version of yourself, or a version of your company that's no longer serving you, the Fire Horse year is asking you to release it. Not recklessly, but thoughtfully, with intention." —  Maria Ross   References:  Jonni and Maria Go There: Fire Horse Season: Reinventing at Full Gallop: ​​https://bit.ly/4zUnrzPYour Employees Aren’t Resisting Change. Their Brains Are: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mariaross/2026/07/31/your-employees-arent-resisting-change-their-brains-are/ Rita Wilson on Reinventing Yourself at Any Age | IMO Podcast:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kqMI38b15M&t   Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader  LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

We’re entering a leadership era where charisma without self-awareness falls flat, expertise without empathy stalls out, and confidence isn’t a personality trait; it’s a leadership skill that can be trained. Nada Lena Nasserdeen has built her life’s work around that reality. Nada is the Founder and CEO of Rise Up For You, a globally recognized leadership development and coaching organization dedicated to advancing confidence, emotional intelligence, transformational leadership, and influential communication. Today, Maria and Nada discuss Nada’s personal experiences that shaped her focus on confidence and emotional intelligence, and led to her creation of Rise Up For You, including her Power Up Method. They also dive into the difference between high performers and high-potential talent, and what shifting from transactional to transformational leadership really demands. This is a grounded, practical conversation about how leaders grow influence, presence, and impact, not by adding more tactics, but by strengthening the inner skills that drive everything else. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… Why “soft skills are the new success skills”Nada’s Power Up Method and four core pillars that address challenges facing high-performing leadersWhy self-confidence is the foundation of emotionally intelligent leadershipThe shift from transactional to transformational leadershipThe difference between high performers and high-potential talent, and how confusing the two can derail leadership pipelines. "If you want to be in the top 1% or even in the top 10%, these are the skills that are going to help you stand out. I always say, be seen, be heard, and be relevant." —  Nada Lena Nasserdeen Episode References:  MIT Study: These Human Capabilities Complement AI ShortcomingsThe Power Up Method: powerup.riseupforyou.comMaslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:  simplypsychology.org/maslow.html  About Nada Nasserdeen: Founder and CEO of Rise Up For You Nada Lena Nasserdeen is the Founder and CEO of Rise Up For You, a globally recognized leadership development and coaching organization dedicated to advancing confidence, emotional intelligence, transformational leadership, and influential communication. With over a decade of experience, Nada has partnered with executives, organizations, and institutions across North America, supporting leaders at every level through research-backed coaching and training programs designed for real-world impact. Nada is a certified coach, keynote speaker, and bestselling author whose work has been featured on platforms including TEDx, Bloomberg, CBS, and Entrepreneur. She is known for her ability to translate leadership psychology, emotional intelligence, and neuroscience into practical, human-centered development experiences that drive measurable growth. Under her leadership, Rise Up For You has delivered more than 15,000 coaching sessions in the last three years and maintains a 95 percent client renewal rate, and consistently receives high performance ratings from leaders and teams. Nada’s work emphasizes ethical coaching practice, sustainable leadership development, and the belief that soft skills are the new success skills. Through her speaking, writing, and certification programs, she continues to empower individuals and organizations to lead with clarity, presence, and purpose while creating cultures that thrive in an evolving business landscape. Connect with Nada: Rise Up For You: riseupforyou.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nadalena Instagram: instagram.com/nadalenanasserdeen YouTube: youtube.com/@RiseUpForYou/videos   Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader  LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

What if uncertainty isn’t something to fear or even survive, but a skill you can train and a competitive advantage you can build? Scott Stirrett has spent more than a decade helping people do exactly that. Scott is a Canadian entrepreneur, author, and the founder of Venture for Canada, a national charity that has supported over 10,000 young professionals since 2013. He’s also the author of The Uncertainty Advantage, a powerful guide for navigating the future of work that argues uncertainty isn’t a bug in the system. It is the system. Scott walks us through how empathy and emotional skills play starring roles in his six pillars that help build real resilience, alongside some surprising mindset shifts and practical exercises you can start using right away.  We also talk about why traditional career playbooks no longer apply and how leaders and professionals can turn volatility into opportunity instead of paralysis. If you’re navigating change, rethinking your career, or leading others through uncertainty, this episode offers both reassurance and a roadmap. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… The six pillars that help build real resilience and momentum in uncertain times. Seeing the opportunity in uncertainty and volatility. How to act when you don’t have perfect information. Why it is so important to build your uncertainty muscles.  "We don't choose what era we live in. We live in an era of rapid change. Learning to develop a positive relationship with uncertainty is one of the most important things that you can do, perhaps at any moment in human history." —  Scott Stirrett   Episode References:  Scott's Book: The Uncertainty AdvantageAntifragile: Things That Gain From Disorder by Nassim Nicholas TalebThinking in Bets by Annie DukeMIT study on human skills that complement AI: mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/these-human-capabilities-complement-ais-shortcomings About Scott Stirrett: Founder, Venture for Canada and Author, The Uncertainty Advantage Scott Stirrett is a Canadian entrepreneur, author, and the Founder of Venture for Canada (VFC), a national charity that has supported over 10,000 young professionals since 2013. Under his leadership, VFC raised $80 million and partnered with leading organizations to equip early-career Canadians with entrepreneurial skills to thrive in an uncertain world. Scott is the author of The Uncertainty Advantage, a guide for young professionals navigating the future of work, endorsed by leaders including Andrew Yang and Amanda Lang. The book draws on lessons from building VFC, emphasizing adaptability, entrepreneurial thinking, and lifelong learning. A graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, Scott began his career at Goldman Sachs in New York. He’s been recognized as a Telus LGBTQ Innovator, Ashoka Fellow, and Globe and Mail Changemaker. His commentary has appeared in The Washington Post, Forbes, The Globe and Mail, and more. He currently co-chairs the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights. Connect with Scott: The Uncertainty Advantage: scottstirrett.com X: x.com/scottstirrett LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scottstirrett Facebook: facebook.com/stirrett Instagram: instagram.com/scottstirrett Substack: substack.com/@scottstirrett   Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

What if resilience isn’t about powering through, pushing harder, or staying unbreakable but about knowing how to bend, recalibrate, and return to center without losing yourself in the process? That question sits at the heart of my conversation with Dr. Ute Liersch, a German psychologist, leadership coach, and resilience expert who works with high-performing leaders, especially those navigating burnout, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, or major career transitions out of corporate life. She has more than a decade of experience at the intersection of mental health, leadership, and neurodiversity. She brings a rare blend of clinical depth and real-world pragmatism, drawing from evidence-based approaches to help leaders build psychological flexibility, resilience, and purpose without sacrificing wellbeing. Today, she shares some of that wisdom, explaining the truth behind resilience, why emotions are neutral data, and she describes how “nice-looking” rules can actually prevent the necessary actions that leaders need to take. It’s a wonderful conversation with so many nuggets for wherever you are on your leadership journey.  To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… Why resilience isn’t a “demolition derby,” but the ability to return to equilibrium after stressHow emotions can be treated as neutral data points, not problems to suppress or judgeWhat emotional regulation looks like in real leadership moments and why leaders who regulate their emotions create calmer, more trustworthy environmentsHow overly inclusive decision-making can backfire, and how to balance empathy with decisiveness and boundariesHow leaders can disentangle past trauma from present-day decision-making to lead in more values-aligned ways  "If you want to become more resilient, one of the things you really need to learn is to be courageous and brave and curious enough to start noticing how am I right now? What's my body doing? What are my thoughts? How am I positioned in the situation? An honest reflection of HOW you are, not who." —  Dr. Ute Liersch About Dr. Ute Liersch, Chartered Counselling and Coaching Psychologist: Dr. Ute Liersch is a Chartered Counselling and Coaching Psychologist based in the UK, with over a decade of experience working at the intersection of mental health, leadership, and neurodiversity. Her unique blend of clinical expertise and coaching insight supports high-performing individuals—particularly leaders, professionals, and creatives—who navigate anxiety, trauma, burnout, or ADHD. Drawing from evidence-based modalities like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), EMDR, and emotional intelligence frameworks, Dr. Liersch empowers clients to build psychological flexibility, resilience, and purpose. She is known for her pragmatic yet deeply compassionate approach, often challenging mainstream psychology with philosophical depth and a touch of humour. Her latest book is A Minimalist's Guide to Becoming Resilient, full of no-fluff micropractices, reframings, and toolkits In addition to her private practice and workshops, Dr. Liersch speaks internationally on topics like mental health in leadership, high-functioning anxiety, and creating neurodiversity-affirming spaces at work. She is passionate about helping people redefine success on their own terms—without sacrificing wellbeing.  Connect with Dr. Ute:   Website: drute.org  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drute   Instagram: instagram.com/dr_ute_  YouTube: youtube.com/@DrUteLiersch  Book: A Minimalist’s Guide to Becoming Resilient: amazon.com/Minimalists-Guide-Becoming-Resilient-Psychologist-ebook/dp/B0F95Z82XF   Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader  LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

While many leaders want to lead with empathy, they often fail to translate that desire into actionable decisions. Today, Maria discusses the distinction between intention and decision and highlights the importance of making–and committing–to those decisions that lead to tangible changes. She also emphasizes the urgency of making the most of the opportunities we have today, not waiting for what might change in the future. Finally, Maria challenges listeners to use their agency to be empathetic leaders and to act now, regardless of external circumstances.  To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… Why it’s not the thought that counts, but rather the decisions that you make. Deciding to make the changes now with what you have, not waiting for better circumstances. Maria’s challenge to you as a human-centered leader.   "We get to make better decisions about how we structure work. About how we run companies. About the metrics that matter. About how we lead with ethics, humanity, and mutual concern." —  Maria Ross   Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader  LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/

In a world racing toward smarter machines, empathy speakers and authors Rob Volpe and Maria Ross get curious in this limited subseries about what only humans can feel, do, and be — and why that's our greatest competitive advantage. Enjoy this limited subseries here on The Empathy Edge. Synthesis, Contradictions & What We Actually Want to Protect Rob and Maria started this subseries with a single question: What does it mean to be human? Six episodes later, we don't have a tidy answer. And that might be the most human thing of all. In this final episode, we pull the threads together across everything we explored: consciousness, mortality, emotion, aspiration, and morality, and wrestle with what we actually want to protect as AI becomes more woven into daily life. We share an experiment we ran in real-time, asking AI directly whether it can imagine something that has never existed before. The response was surprisingly nuanced. We close with a provocation from Madonna's new album Confessions II for what it says about creativity, individuality, and what only a human can bring to the world. And our call to action for listeners as they move forward in this brave new world. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. "AI knows most things that have existed, and therefore can draw on that and summarize and give you different ways to think about it. It's up to us to create something new to build beyond it." —  Rob Volpe Episode References: MIT Sloan: Five Human Capabilities That Complement AINitasha Tiku, The Washington Post: “They built the world’s most powerful AI. They’re facing a mystery they can’t solve.” July 1, 2026: wapo.st/4p7h0EJ Zeynep Tufekci, New York Times Opinion on AI and Employment, June 30, 2026: nytimes.com/2026/06/30/opinion/ai-agents-steal-jobs-employment.htmlBBC: Anthropic hires AI psychiatry team to probe inner states of its models: bbc.com/news/articles/c62n410w5ynoMoltbook: AI agents complaining about humans: moltbook.comDocumentary: How I Became an ApocaloptimistMadonna, Confessions II (Warner Records, July 3, 2026): open.spotify.com/prerelease/4ycSWVO8qE6auKr9LTStuC The Empathy Edge Podcast:  Dr. David Bray: From Bioterrorism to AI - Why Empathy is Your Best Strategy in a Chaotic World About Maria Ross: Maria Ross is a speaker, author, empathy strategist, and host of The Empathy Edge podcast, now in its sixth year. She believes cash flow, creativity, and compassion are not mutually exclusive™, and has spent decades helping leaders balance empathy with accountability to drive better results, stronger teams, and lasting impact. She is the author of four books, including the award-winning The Empathy Dilemma, a Forbes.com contributor on Workplace Empathy, and creator of two LinkedIn Learning empathy courses. About Rob Volpe: Rob Volpe is the Founder/CEO of Empathy Activist and the creator of The 5 Steps to Empathy, which he chronicles in his award-winning book Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation at a Time. He is a recognized thought leader,  speaker, and consultant in the improvement of communication and collaboration in organizations of all sizes in all industries. Connect with Rob: Website: robvolpe.expert Book: Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation X: x.com/rmvolpe LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rmvolpe Facebook: facebook.com/EmpathyActivist Instagram: instagram.com/empathy_activist Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Check out this offer from our sponsor, Better Benefits USA: Are You Overpaying for Employee Benefits Without Knowing It? Take the free 10-minute benefits audit at https://findbetterbenefits.org/ Download "The Human Middle" Your free guide to resolving workplace conflict from JLG Lawyers- https://thehumanmiddle.ai/