Empathy Circle Participants
California Congressional District 11 (CD-11)

1. 1. Shahid Buttar (D) - Challenger

   2. Bianca Von Krieg (D) - Challenger

   3. Mike Zonta - Circle Organizer and CD-11 Constituent

   4. Timothy Regan - Facilitator - Talk-It-Out Radio Show on KPFA Radio

Others

• • Nancy Pelosi (D) - Incumbent - Invited but didn't reply

  • John Dennis (R) - Challenger - Declined to take part.

  • Jeffrey Phillips (D) - Challenger - Declined to take part.

The Empathy Circle fosters constructive dialogue with mutual listening and understanding. This is the first ever Congressional Candidates Empathy Circle. We are working to set up a series of these dialogues to model how candidates can take part in meaningful, respectful, and constructive dialogue that supports our families, community and country. Mutual listening and dialogue are keys to a better world.

WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY
Contact Edwin Rutsch for support in hosting Empathy Circles in your community for healing, conflict mediation, community building and innovation. EdwinRutsch@gmail.com

MORE ON EMPATHY CIRCLES
http://EmpathyCircle.com
An Empathy Circle is a structured dialogue process that effectively supports meaningful and constructive dialogue. An Empathy Circle increases mutual understanding and connection by ensuring that each person feels fully heard to their satisfaction.

The practice is the most effective gateway practice for learning, practicing and deepening listening and empathy skills, as well as, nurturing an empathic way of being. It is the foundation for healing, conflict mediation, community building and innovation practices and processes.

1. What is an Empathy Circle?

2. Why Participate?

3. How to Empathy Circle?

4. Empathy Circle Facilitator Training

Process Benefits

1. 1. Candidates can have more in depth discussions about their vision and positions than at typical public events.

   2. The dialogue process gives voters a deeper and richer understanding of candidates and their views than the competitive debate format.

   3. Candidates model to the community how to hold constructive dialogues. This will help bridge the social and political divides in our communities and country.

   4. Viewers learn the constructive dialogue process by observing it. They can then use it to hold their own constructive dialogues.

   5. Long Form Discussions: The Empathy Circle Allows for interactive long form dialogues of 2 or more hours.

   6. The public can see how good of listeners the candidates are.

   7. Creates a feeling of intimacy with the candidates and viewers can relate to them better.

Transcripts

KPFA Radio: Talk-It-Out Radio
U.S. Congressional Candidates Meet For Dialogue with Understanding and Empathy

(Edited 1 hour Version of the Empathy Circle)
This is a collaborative program where skilled hosts welcome guests and callers to practice empathy, awareness, and authentic and effective communication. Our intention is to provide skills, knowledge, and resources that empower listeners to effectively connect across differences so that we can all work together to create a world that works for life.
Hosted by Timothy Regan