Recorded in March 2025, in this conversation, my guest Sripriya, dives deep into the many dimensions of empathy, beyond the clichés of softness and sentimentality. Together, we explore how empathy is about making space not only for our own realities but also for those of others, without being consumed by negative emotions that can erode our own wellbeing.

We discuss empathy as a basic human value: a refusal to dehumanise anyone, a grounding force that helps us understand who we are, and a fierce teacher that sometimes requires clear boundaries. From navigating assumed gender roles around empathy, to relating to parents with mental health challenges, to holding people accountable without writing them off entirely, we reflect on how empathy can be as much about courage as it is about compassion. 

The conversation also touches on the practical: how nourishing ourselves through rest, good food, and exercise allows us to bring our most empathetic selves to others. 

Sripriya invites us to explore empathy as discomfort that, if we stay with it long enough, can create a shift; as aroha and compassion that help us get organised in the world; and as an unapologetic stance that enables accountability alongside care. 

Together, we explore: 

·        How to make space for others’ realities without being consumed by their negative emotions 

·        Why empathy is a fierce teacher that can feel uncomfortable but transformative

·        Assumed gender roles around empathy and navigating family relationships, including parents with mental health challenges

·        How empathy helps us hold people accountable without writing them off entirely 

·        Practical ways to nurture empathy — from eating well and exercising to creating space for rest and connect beyond differences 

Empathy, we argue, is one of humanity’s basics — a way of organising ourselves with aroha, compassion, and accountability. It grounds us, shapes who we are, and asks us to stay in discomfort long enough for something to shift.

Please note: in some moments the audio quality could have been better, and we apologise for that.