Empathy Unbound: Embrace Your Superpower

Andrew Phipps

Empathy has disappeared from our society. Our politics, economy, environment and society do not embrace the need to show empathy. Exploring the need for empathy in our lives, a diverse range of guests from across the world join host Andrew Phipps to discuss and debate why we need empathy unbound.

  1. Trust, Influence, Generations, and AI: Jennifer Neeley on Power, Caregiving, and the Future

    7H AGO

    Trust, Influence, Generations, and AI: Jennifer Neeley on Power, Caregiving, and the Future

    Trust, Influence, Generations, and AI: Jennifer Neeley on Power, Caregiving, and the Future Jennifer Neeley, fractional CMO strategist and creator of the Neeley Trust framework, joins the podcast to discuss the through lines in her career from broadcast journalism to digital strategy, influencer marketing education at UC San Diego, and advising high-growth companies. She shares formative experiences, including losing her father at age eight, feeling “parentified,” and how her mother’s layoffs shaped her views on power, security, and institutions. Neeley connects generational experiences (e.g., 9/11, “OK boomer,” wealth and housing gaps) to marketing’s need to understand audiences, and describes her in-progress book “Generations,” focused on how generations shape marketing, leadership, and life. They examine declining trust in institutions and journalism, discussing the Epstein files, UK media scrutiny of power, and concerns about the Washington Post and tech-billionaire influence. Neeley explains her trust framework, built for influencer marketing, emphasizing ethical, trauma-informed communication, parasocial relationships, and practical influencer vetting (including hidden platform presences). The discussion turns to loneliness, empathy, caregiving burdens (including her brother’s schizoaffective disorder), and systemic failures such as inaccessible benefits infrastructure. Finally, they address AI’s trust implications: deepfakes, data capture via terms and conditions, algorithmic bias, and the need for guardrails—ending with Neeley’s cautious optimism about the US despite political and institutional challenges. 00:00 Meet Jennifer Neeley 01:49 The Through Line 04:30 Life After the ‘34 Deadline’ 08:29 Culture Shock in the UK 14:23 Power, Class & the Monarchy 16:12 Epstein Files & Media Accountability 22:57 Tech Titans, Platform Power & Toxic Masculinity Online 27:55 Caregiving, Outsourcing Myth & the Real Cost of Responsibility 31:14 Burnout at Fiverr 34:44 Generations Book 42:11 Family Sacrifice vs. Wealth 42:57 Disillusionment With Politics & the Cost of Running for Office 46:04 Safety, Femicide, and Generational Blame in the Social Media Era 47:31 Housing, Environment, and Echo Chambers 50:02 Trust Framework 101 01:00:56 Scams, Deepfakes, and Platform Neglect 01:07:47 AI Everywhere 01:16:45 Influence Before Instagram 01:20:47 Loneliness in a Connected World 01:25:20 Alumni Donations & Columbia’s Push for Planned Giving 01:26:58 Pandemic Caregiving, Mindfulness & Learning Self-Compassion 01:30:48 Trauma-Informed Fertility Marketing 01:38:06 Caregiving vs. Society’s Incentives 01:47:34 Gavin Newsom’s National Ambitions, Taxes & Broken State Systems 01:57:18 Hope for America: Global Power Shifts, Trump Era Cycles & AI Guardrails 02:07:07 Optimism, Leadership Vacuum & Final Wrap-Up https://jenniferneeley.com/ https://jndglobal.com/ https://twitter.com/@jenniferneeley https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferneeley/

    2h 9m
  2. Jane Fischer on Suzy’s Journey Beyond “Never” and the Power of Advocacy

    3D AGO

    Jane Fischer on Suzy’s Journey Beyond “Never” and the Power of Advocacy

    Jane Fischer on Suzy’s Journey Beyond “Never” and the Power of Advocacy Jane Fischer shares the story of her daughter Suzy, born with severe brain abnormalities and rare Joubert syndrome, after doctors predicted she would never walk, talk, live independently, or have meaningful relationships. Jane describes how Suzy “gave her a voice,” reshaping her from a quiet “plain Jane” into a leader in special education, and details the early fight for therapy and services in a pre-Google era, including the importance of early intervention and learning “tough love.” The conversation covers the strain a medically complex child can place on marriage and family, Jane’s regret about sending anxious older daughter Beth to preschool too early, and the support Beth and son Ben provided Suzy. Jane recounts Suzy’s later end-stage kidney failure, two transplants, thyroid cancer, and Suzy’s survivor’s guilt—especially after receiving a kidney from a 23-year-old donor, Jose, whose birthday they now honor yearly. Jane discusses pushing others to see Suzy as a person, not a report, including advocating for her acceptance to a special needs sleepaway camp and a life-skills program. Suzy’s strong EQ, kindness, and ability to transform others (“the Suzy Effect”) are emphasized, along with the discovery years later of the recessive genetic cause and screening of Beth and Ben. Jane explains why she wrote her book, If You Knew Suzy: Pushing Past the Boundaries of Never, to preserve Suzy’s legacy and help others facing challenges. Suzy lives in a supervised program, works as a preschool aide, and speaks at author talks, while Jane focuses on maximizing Suzy’s quality of life amid uncertain prognosis. 00:00 Meet Jane Fischer & Suzy’s ‘Never’ Prognosis (Joubert Syndrome) 01:23 Jane’s Early Life 05:12 The Day Everything Changed 09:09 No Google, Just Grit 13:02 Where the Strength Comes From 16:01 Marriage Under Pressure 21:14 A Mother’s Regret 25:26 Caregiver Burnout 30:10 Transplant Truths 39:34 Seen as a Person, Not a Report 45:10 Letting Go (A Little) 46:41 Leaving Suzy at the program 48:29 Suzy thrives on her own 53:54 Siblings Ben & Beth 01:01:51 What Suzy teaches 01:05:33 Rare genetic diagnosis 01:08:41 Writing the book 01:16:05 Advice to parents 01:21:27 Suzy’s reaction to the book + looking ahead with hope 01:27:18 Closing reflections https://www.janemfischer.com/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/If-You-Knew-Suzy-Boundaries/dp/1722507101

    1h 31m
  3. Dr. Debra Kissen on Teen Anxiety, Technology, and Letting Go of Control

    5D AGO

    Dr. Debra Kissen on Teen Anxiety, Technology, and Letting Go of Control

    Dr. Debra Kissen on Teen Anxiety, Technology, and Letting Go of Control Clinical psychologist Dr. Debra Kissen, CEO and founder of Light on Anxiety, discusses her background and how a panic attack in college helped shape her focus on evidence-based treatment for anxiety, panic, OCD, and intrusive thoughts. She describes her earlier perfectionism and people-pleasing, her preference for practical approaches over open-ended psychodynamic therapy, and how working closely with anxious clients has left her inspired by human resilience and transformation. The conversation explores how smartphones, social media, and constant stimulation wire teen brains toward immediacy and reduce tolerance for uncertainty. Dr. Kissen explains how CBT—especially exposure-based therapy—targets core fears and reduces compulsions and safety behaviors (e.g., repeated checking, monitoring children’s locations), including the use of imaginal exposures to help people drop the “illusion of control.” They also discuss teens’ exposure to pornography, the normalization of extreme content, dopamine-seeking tendencies, and the reality of behavioral addictions. For parents, Dr. Kissen emphasizes assessing observable functioning (school, relationships, health, substance use) rather than reacting to feelings, notes the importance of teen intrinsic motivation, and highlights the modern challenges and power struggles around screen time, including parent coaching and reducing accommodation. The episode touches on concerns about mistakes becoming permanently visible online, the mixed promise and risks of AI as a “pseudo therapist” that tends to please users, and the broader loneliness epidemic despite constant connectivity. Dr. Kissen suggests deliberately practicing real-world connection through small interactions and shared experiences. She closes by saying she focuses on continuing with “the next right thing” aligned with her values. 00:00 Meet Dr. Deborah Kisen: Anxiety Expert & CBT Founder 00:29 Parenting Teens + College Transition: Setting the Stage 01:01 Formative Years: Perfectionism, People-Pleasing & Early Anxiety Clues 03:08 A Panic Attack That Changed Everything (and Why CBT Felt Different) 05:12 What Anxiety Work Teaches About Being Human: Resilience & Transformation 07:11 Teens, Tech & the Always-On Brain: How Phones Rewire Expectations 11:38 Immediacy, Uncertainty & the Hamster Wheel of Reassurance 13:39 How CBT Helps You Let Go: Core Fears, Safety Behaviors & Exposure Therapy 18:12 Catastrophizing in Real Time: The Brain’s Ancient Alarm System 21:52 Teens, Porn & Shame-Free Education: Dopamine, Addiction & Healthy Intimacy 27:43 When Parents Should Worry: Normal Teen Moodiness vs Red Flags 28:20 Is It Just Teen Behavior? A Practical Checklist for Parents 30:03 When Teens Won’t Engage: Intrinsic Motivation & Getting Help Early 31:13 Letting Parents Off the Hook: Genetics, Guilt, and the ‘Teenager’ Diagnosis 32:52 Parent Coaching in the Phone Era: Screen-Time Battles & ‘Dropping the Rope’ 35:21 The Illusion of Control: Tracking Kids, Allowing Mistakes, Building Resilience 39:48 Modern Risks: Social Media Makes Every Mistake Public 41:45 AI and Mental Health: Productivity Promises vs. ‘Always Pleasing’ Pseudo-Therapy 44:43 The Loneliness Epidemic: Relearning Real-World Connection in Small Moments 48:00 Closing Reflections: Doing the Next Right Thing https://lightonanxiety.com/staff/dr-debra-kissen/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-kissen-phd-mhsa-8787066a/

    54 min
  4. Misty Nesbitt Survived Abuse, Child Marriage at 14, and a Life of Trauma - this is her story

    FEB 16

    Misty Nesbitt Survived Abuse, Child Marriage at 14, and a Life of Trauma - this is her story

    Misty Nesbitt on Surviving Abuse, Child Marriage at 14, and Breaking the Silence in The Girl Who Kept Breathing This episode features author Misty Nesbitt discussing her memoir, The Girl Who Kept Breathing, and her life story of surviving severe childhood abuse, being married off at age 14, and learning to live with ongoing trauma. Misty describes growing up in Texas with an abusive, alcoholic and drug-addicted stepfather and a mother she believes was narcissistic, including physical, mental, and sexual abuse, cruel punishments, and being taught to lie about bruises. She explains that from ages 10 to 14 she lived in a state home that was safer than her home life, then was brought back and quickly married in a “sham” wedding arranged by her mother. Misty recounts abuse and control in her first marriage, losing access to her daughter for over 10 years, repeated jail stays while fighting for custody, and later being supported by her current husband of 17 years while she worked through insecurity and trauma. She explains writing began as a way to “fix what’s broken,” became a reframing of survival rather than guilt, and describes healing as a daily choice, including anxiety and nervous system effects. She contrasts “victim” versus “survivor,” details her career success as a business owner and real estate investor, and discusses her lack of spirituality due to religious abuse and exorcisms in childhood. The conversation also addresses child marriage laws in the U.S., noting it remains legal in many places and can be used as a trafficking loophole, and Misty’s goal to build a platform to advocate for legal change. She outlines plans to finish a second book by the end of summer covering later years, and closes with the book’s message: as long as you keep breathing, there is still hope and “our path is not our destination.” 00:00 Meet Misty Nesbitt & the Memoir That Breaks the Silence 01:08 Childhood in Chaos: Abuse, Addiction, and a Mother Who Looked Away 02:01 A State Home Felt Safer Than Home 02:44 Married Off at 14: A “Sham” Wedding in Three Weeks 03:10 What Happened to Her Sister: Survival, Racism, and Cruel Punishments 05:09 Manipulation & Shame: Being Pitted Against Siblings and Blamed for Her Looks 06:22 Betrayed by Her Biological Father: Traded for Drugs at 17 07:35 Writing to Heal: Turning Secrets Into a Story 09:57 The First Marriage: Abuse, Custody Battles, and Losing Her Daughter 11:49 Is Healing Real? Living With Trauma as a Daily Choice 13:54 Breaking the Cycle: Parenting After Abuse and the Need for Control 15:03 No Justice, But More Stories: Publishing, Backlash, and Her Sister’s Healing 19:19 Why Didn’t Anyone Intervene? Learning to Lie and Only Showing Anger 21:08 Learning Love Again: Trust, Self-Worth, and a Healthy Relationship 23:19 Survivor vs. Victim: Turning Pain Into Purpose and Success 24:52 Religion as a Weapon: Growing Up Told You’re ‘Possessed’ 25:55 Faith Today & Protecting Her Kids From Religious Trauma 26:42 Writing the Book: What Her Children and Community Think 28:58 The Child Marriage Loophole in America (and Why It’s Trafficking) 32:08 Why It Stays Quiet: Religion, Politics, and Public Blind Spots 36:57 The Next Book: Guilt, ‘Choices,’ and the Aftermath of Survival 40:13 Writing as Catharsis: The Ocean, Memory Gaps, and Getting ‘Unstuck’ 42:36 State Home Years: The First Time She Felt Love and Stability 45:26 Healing Now: Telling the Story, Self-Worth, and ‘Keep Breathing’ (Conclusion) https://www.authormistynesbitt.com/

    50 min
  5. Exploring AI, Empathy, and Human Connection with Andreja Erman

    FEB 12

    Exploring AI, Empathy, and Human Connection with Andreja Erman

    Exploring AI, Empathy, and Human Connection with Andreja Erman In this episode, the host delves into the intricate intersection of artificial intelligence, psychotherapy, and human connection with Andreja Erman, a coach, researcher, and consultant. Andreja discusses her background in marital and family therapy, her ongoing doctoral research on AI integration in education, and the ethical implications of AI in human relationships. The conversation covers a range of topics including the importance of play in human connection, the hurdles in adapting AI in education, and the complexities of forming real and AI-driven relationships. Andreja also shares her personal strategies for maintaining mental and physical wellbeing, offering insights into the future of AI's role in various fields. 00:00 Introduction to Andreja Erman 01:17 Andreja's Journey and Search for Connection 02:45 The Role of Play in Connection 03:22 Generational Differences in Connection 06:13 AI and Loneliness 12:30 The Ethics of AI Relationships 17:55 AI in Therapy 26:52 AI in Education 35:16 The Importance of Asking Questions 41:01 Small Teams and Innovation 44:29 Defining Human Intelligence 49:12 Exploring Empathy Towards AI 51:45 Gendering AI: A Cultural Perspective 52:40 AI Companions and Emotional Dynamics 53:38 The Future of Human-AI Interaction 55:44 Human Superiority and Intelligence 01:06:59 Resilience in the Age of AI 01:08:35 The Impact of AI on Employment 01:14:25 Nourishing Mental and Physical Wellbeing 01:19:26 The Role of Empathy in Society 01:28:56 Defining Success and Ambition 01:34:39 Future Plans and Education Reform https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreja-erman/

    1h 37m
  6. How to Stop Scrolling with Ruby Ryba

    FEB 10

    How to Stop Scrolling with Ruby Ryba

    Reclaiming Attention in a Digital World with Ruby Ryba In this engaging episode, former high school math teacher turned screen time strategist, Ruby Ryba, discusses her journey and insights into managing smartphone use in a technology-heavy world. Ruby, the author of 'How to Stop Scrolling,' shares her compassionate approach to helping people reclaim their time and attention without shame or detoxes. She highlights the inherent convenience of phones and the psychological reasons behind our endless scrolling habits. Through personal anecdotes and professional advice, Ruby emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, setting boundaries, and fostering real human connections. The episode also delves into the broader societal impacts of smartphones, including on mental health, empathy, and relationships, while offering practical tips to develop a healthier relationship with our devices. 00:00 Introduction to Ruby Ryba 00:54 The Psychology Behind Scrolling 04:13 From Math Teacher to Screen Time Strategist 05:11 The St. Louis Epiphany 08:13 The Impact of Smartphones on Human Connection 11:45 Government Regulations on Social Media 20:06 Compassion Over Judgment 23:16 Attention Residue and Task Switching 29:25 The Loneliness Epidemic 33:42 The Purpose of Capturing Moments 34:54 Social Media and the Red Ferrari Paradox 37:42 AI and Our Attachment to Devices 40:20 Ethical Considerations of AI 41:12 Human Attachment to Inanimate Objects 46:58 Perfectionism and All-or-Nothing Thinking 51:04 Developing a Healthier Relationship with Smartphones 53:49 Balancing Heavy Topics and Self-Care 58:41 Future Plans and the Value of Travel http://howtostopscrolling.com/ https://www.instagram.com/rubyryba/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruby-ryba/

    1h 4m
  7. Bridging the AI Gap: Practical Adoption and Human-Centric Approaches with Julia Eason

    FEB 6

    Bridging the AI Gap: Practical Adoption and Human-Centric Approaches with Julia Eason

    Bridging the AI Gap: Practical Adoption and Human-Centric Approaches with Julie Eason In this episode, Julie Eason, founder of MindFlare AI, discusses her journey from professional writing to AI enablement, emphasizing human-centered AI adoption. With over two decades of experience, Julie shares her insights on managing AI fear, training teams effectively, unlocking creative potential, and ensuring AI is a strategic tool for enhancing human work rather than replacing it. She addresses the importance of understanding AI's role in the workplace, the necessity of top-down and bottom-up approaches in organizations, and the future opportunities AI holds. Julie also reflects on the ethical considerations and the evolving landscape of AI in business and personal contexts. 00:00 Introduction to Julie Eason and MindFlare AI 00:49 Journey into AI: From Skepticism to Advocacy 02:21 Human-Centered AI Adoption in Organizations 05:27 Challenges and Misconceptions in AI Implementation 11:48 Strategic AI Integration and Ownership 15:12 The Role of AI in Enhancing Creativity and Productivity 28:30 Ethical Considerations and Safe AI Practices 37:02 The Risks of Shadow AI 38:54 Understanding AI Agents 39:34 Custom GPTs and Their Evolution 40:18 The Power and Perils of Autonomous Agents 41:21 Balancing AI Use with Company Policies 43:51 Empowering Employees with AI 46:09 The Future of Work with AI 56:09 Human Skills in an AI-Driven World 01:00:36 Guiding the Next Generation 01:07:15 Hopes and Fears for AI's Future https://mindflareai.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieanneeason/

    1h 13m
  8. Unlocking AI's Potential: Olga Topchaya's Journey and Insights

    JAN 29

    Unlocking AI's Potential: Olga Topchaya's Journey and Insights

    Unlocking AI's Potential: Olga Topchaya's Journey and Insights In this episode, Olga Topchaya, founder and CEO of Lapis AI Consults, discusses her entrepreneurial journey and how she started her company to help midsize businesses implement custom AI solutions. She shares her background, from selling stickers in elementary school to working in marketing and product management for over a decade. Post the tech recession in 2022, she discovered the OpenAI Playground, which led to the foundation of her company. Olga delves into the potential of AI to automate various tasks, the importance of understanding AI tools, and the common pitfalls companies face when trying to integrate AI into their operations. She emphasizes the critical need for AI literacy, human skills such as communication and management, and the necessity of maintaining human oversight in AI-driven processes. Olga also discusses how she balances her demanding role with personal well-being practices. 00:00 Introduction to Olga Topchaya and Lapis AI Consults 00:55 Early Entrepreneurial Ventures 03:24 The Birth of Lapis AI Consults 04:48 Navigating the Tech Recession and Discovering OpenAI 07:32 Building and Expanding Lapis AI Consults 11:04 Explaining AI to Different Audiences 17:30 Automating Tasks with AI 22:49 Challenges and Best Practices in AI Implementation 27:28 Consulting Insights and Executive Disconnect 28:14 The Role of AI in Business Efficiency 29:03 Misconceptions About AI and Workforce Impact 31:21 Reducing AI Resistance Through Transparency 33:35 Future-Proofing Careers in an AI-Driven World 34:36 Essential Skills for AI Literacy 42:38 Custom vs. Off-the-Shelf AI Solutions 45:51 Personal Wellbeing in the Age of AI 47:23 Final Thoughts and Farewell https://lapisconsults.com/ https://calendly.com/lapis-ai-consults/intro-chat Complimentary AI Consultation where we explore where AI can help a business improve efficiency, cut costs or drive revenue https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgatopchaya/

    48 min
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About

Empathy has disappeared from our society. Our politics, economy, environment and society do not embrace the need to show empathy. Exploring the need for empathy in our lives, a diverse range of guests from across the world join host Andrew Phipps to discuss and debate why we need empathy unbound.

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