In this candid conversation, recorded in April 2025, Komal, host of It’s a Nomaste From Me, and I explore the challenges of practising empathy and compassion in a world shaped by unequal systems of power and persistent injustices. At times, anger feels like the only natural response, but living in that state comes at a cost, particularly to our mental and emotional wellbeing.

Komal reflects on the journey from anger to awareness, and how mentors and friends can help us embrace healthier emotions and embodied practices. Together, we unpack the reality of compassion burnout and why self-care isn’t selfish but an essential way of modelling compassion for ourselves and others.

We discuss the subtle yet important distinctions between empathy, compassion, sympathy, and pity, and how recognising the difference between cognitive empathy and affective empathy allows us to set healthier boundaries. True empathy, as Komal argues, is not about taking on the emotions of others, especially their pain or negativity, but about listening, reflecting, and creating space for understanding without losing ourselves.

At its heart, this episode is a reminder that we cannot fight hate with hate. Sometimes the most compassionate act is simply to listen, hold space, and return to the conversation when appropriate. By practising self-awareness and honouring our limits, we can show up more fully — not just for others, but for ourselves too.