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.
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.