The Genius of Empathy: Why It's One of the Skills We Most Need Right Now

Guest: Judith Orloff, M.D. The world can feel so uncertain these days. The stress can leave us drained, worried, or even hopeless. But what if there is a healthier way to navigate through this? This episode explores the power of empathy and compassion with Dr. Judith Orloff, a bestselling author and UCLA psychiatrist. Her book, The Genius of Empathy, explains how cultivating these heart qualities isn’t just noble; it’s a smart way to process our challenges. Judith addresses important questions, like how can we begin to feel empathy for someone if we don’t like them. She and our host, Deborah Rozman, Ph.D., talk about the science of why empathy and compassion offer powerful healing effects and are regenerative for you, the people you interact with, as well as the greater world. They explain why compassion can be misunderstood as a cover-all word for pity, excessive worry, or unmanaged empathy when we get sucked into others’ problems and drain our energy. Many people listening will appreciate Judith and Deborah for addressing the question: how can we learn to have empathy without absorbing someone else’s pain? They also discuss how empathy and compassion work in tandem to combat polarization and blame. Judith and Deborah agree; it’s empathy and compassion that will finally bridge our societal divides and create real solutions. Hear what they say about this. The episode concludes with a guided meditation led by Deborah to help you connect with your heart and cultivate balanced empathy and compassion. Don’t miss this chance to gain valuable insights and practical wisdom for moving through our world with a more hopeful outlook. About our guest: Judith Orloff, M.D., is a psychiatrist, empath, and author of the new book The Genius of Empathy (with a foreword by the Dalai Lama), which offers powerful skills to tap into empathy as a daily healing practice in your life and relationships. She also wrote The Empath’s Survival Guide and Emotional Freedom. Dr. Orloff is a New York Times bestselling author and a UCLA clinical faculty member. She synthesizes the pearls of conventional medicine with cutting-edge knowledge of intuition, energy, and spirituality. Dr. Orloff specializes in treating highly sensitive people in her private practice. She has been featured on The Today Show, CNN, Oprah Magazine, and the New York Times.