2019-04-25 Edwin

New Dimensions Radio Interview

Host: Justine Willis Toms Interview Date: 2/18/2019 Program Number: 3670

Empathy: Bridging The Divide Of Polarizing Conversations with Edwin Rutsch

A thrill being interviewed by Justine Willis Toms on New Dimensions Radio. I’ve listened to New Dimensions Radio for decades. Excited to be on talking about Empathy Circles as a gateway to building a culture of empathy. See this link for Free Listening Through May 7, 2019.

• (See the full description for this guest’s background, their books, topics covered in this dialogue, and more.)

• The New Dimensions Café: Crossing the Cultural Divide Through Empathetic Conversations - Edwin Rutsch - C0467

For over 4 decades New Dimensions has been gleaning experience and inspiration from some of the world’s most innovative, enlightened, and trustworthy wisdom leaders as it sows the seeds of encouragement and confidence that, together, we can meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

Topics Explored in This Dialogue

• • What is the history of the concept of empathy

  • What is the difference between empathy and sympathy

  • What are some physical traits we can cultivate to establish empathy with another

  • What is an example of connecting with a neighbor of a different political persuasion

  • How developing empathy is a gateway practice like developing a muscle

  • What is the process used in the Empathy Cafes both on-line and in person

  • How Rutsch set up an Empathy Tent at a Berkeley political rally

  • Why it is important to repeat back to the person what they have said without having to agree with them

  • How Rutsch used the process at Christmas dinner with his family

  • How the political left and right are functioning like a dysfunctional couple

  • How Rutsch is taking the Empathy process to political conventions

  • How a local Republican Committee Chairman challenged Justine Toms to be more open minded

  • How our personal judgments, anxieties, and self-righteousness block deep listening

  • How Rutsch’s work is going beyond simply making the playing field more equal. He’s going for the bigger tent of creating opportunities for greater collaboration and creativity.