35: How to foster empathy for more meaningful conversations with Kate Kenfield

We’re often taught that listening is the key to a meaningful, expansive conversation.
But I’d like to extend our emotional skillset further – empathy is the key to connection and richer relationships.
Yet isn’t empathy something that’s we’re intrinsically inclined to do? Aren't we taught how to show empathy through lived experience?
Not necessarily so.
In fact, empathy is a skill that must be mastered and cultivated, much like learning an instrument.
This is where Kate Kenfield’s work becomes essential. She’s a sex and relationships educator who works with people of a wide variety of vocations and experiences, empowering them to enhance the way they relate, listen understand and love.

In this episode, we talk about how to show empathy and:

What is a sex educator? Who can call themselves a sex educator?
How to discern authority, expertise and integrity in the sex ed world
How to tell personal stories to connect and empower
Why is giving advice so harmful?
Advice versus empathy
Do men give more unsolicited advice than women?
How to enhance your emotional vocabulary
Donnie Darko
The problem of voicing empathy
The art of fake empathy
Gender inequity and emotional labour
Alex White and the Man Lab
The Girl Who Cried Pain
Why do undergrad medical students lose their empathy?
The 2 different tiers of self care: relaxation/indulgence and reflective practices
Sustainable self care practices
How to show empathy without burning out
The Empathy Exams
Morgellons disease (Google at your own peril!)
FOSTA/SESTA and emotional contagion
Empathic contagion versus empathic concern
The Potato Metaphor 
The Power of Nice
The 48 Laws of Power

 

The Feelings Cards will help expand your emotional vocabulary.

Buy your set here.

 

Are you interested in learning more from Kate? Be sure to check out her website for information on future Tea and Empathy workshops, and follow her on Instagram too.

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