36 min

Empathy, Leadership, and Trampolines with Kristen Donnelly (MSW, M.Div, PhD‪)‬ Curious Idealist

    • Society & Culture

In this episode I am honored to share the mic with an amazing woman and friend, Dr. Kristen Donnelly where she shares a little of her TEDx journey,  we dive into the empathy rabbit hole, I learn some amazing parenting techniques, and she teaches me about what trampolines have to do with leadership. 

Check out all things Kristen below and support the show at CuriousIdealist.com/Coffee !



Kristen Donnelly (MSW, M.Div, PhD) is a TEDx speaker, international empathy educator, and researcher with two decades of experience in helping people understand the beauty in difference, and the power in inclusivity. She is one of The Good Doctors of Abbey Research, COO of their parent company, and an unapologetic nerd for stories of change. Kristen lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband, where they are surrounded by piles of books and several video game consoles.

TEDxSouthLakeTahoe: “How Embracing Tolerance Has Failed Us”

TEDxFarmingdale: “The Cultural Aftermath of the Northern Irish Troubles” (please note, this title was chosen by TED and is misleading. The talk is about the lie of ‘back to normal’)\

Recent Appearances:

Podcast: “Family Business Evolution” on BizNation

Podcast: “Clarity as a Journey” on Crystal Ball, Clarity of It All 

Article: “What to Do When Old Marketing Methods Stop Working” in Forbes Magazine

Article: “Emotional Intelligence & Why It’s Necessary” in Authority Magazine


The Good Doctors of Abbey Research are Dr. Kristen and her partner, Dr. Erin Hinson. Abbey Research exists to empower inclusive communities to cultivate and activate their empathy. Empathy is an intellectual posture, not an emotional response, and they believe it is powered by curiosity and is mandatory to change the world.

Abbey Research is part of Abbey Companies, a family-owned network of businesses that Dr. Kristen owns with her brother, Brian Nielsen. Their mission is to impact lives and create wealth, which they’ve been doing in a variety of industries for over 30 years. You can learn more here on the website of Abbey Color, their flagship company.

In this episode I am honored to share the mic with an amazing woman and friend, Dr. Kristen Donnelly where she shares a little of her TEDx journey,  we dive into the empathy rabbit hole, I learn some amazing parenting techniques, and she teaches me about what trampolines have to do with leadership. 

Check out all things Kristen below and support the show at CuriousIdealist.com/Coffee !



Kristen Donnelly (MSW, M.Div, PhD) is a TEDx speaker, international empathy educator, and researcher with two decades of experience in helping people understand the beauty in difference, and the power in inclusivity. She is one of The Good Doctors of Abbey Research, COO of their parent company, and an unapologetic nerd for stories of change. Kristen lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband, where they are surrounded by piles of books and several video game consoles.

TEDxSouthLakeTahoe: “How Embracing Tolerance Has Failed Us”

TEDxFarmingdale: “The Cultural Aftermath of the Northern Irish Troubles” (please note, this title was chosen by TED and is misleading. The talk is about the lie of ‘back to normal’)\

Recent Appearances:

Podcast: “Family Business Evolution” on BizNation

Podcast: “Clarity as a Journey” on Crystal Ball, Clarity of It All 

Article: “What to Do When Old Marketing Methods Stop Working” in Forbes Magazine

Article: “Emotional Intelligence & Why It’s Necessary” in Authority Magazine


The Good Doctors of Abbey Research are Dr. Kristen and her partner, Dr. Erin Hinson. Abbey Research exists to empower inclusive communities to cultivate and activate their empathy. Empathy is an intellectual posture, not an emotional response, and they believe it is powered by curiosity and is mandatory to change the world.

Abbey Research is part of Abbey Companies, a family-owned network of businesses that Dr. Kristen owns with her brother, Brian Nielsen. Their mission is to impact lives and create wealth, which they’ve been doing in a variety of industries for over 30 years. You can learn more here on the website of Abbey Color, their flagship company.

36 min

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