The Empathy Edge

Hosted by Maria Ross

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341

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Failed product launches. Furious customers. Dysfunctional teams. Many of the problems we face in the business world (and frankly, society) stem from the same root cause: Lack of empathy. Speaker, author, strategist, and empathy advocate Maria Ross shares keen insights and inspiring interviews that prove empathy and compassion are the new paths to market-winning performance. Leveraging both inspiring stories and hard data, Ross connects empathetic leadership, cultures and brands to innovation, engagement, and bottom-line results. You’ll walk away with actionable strategies to amplify your impact, and learn how compassionate business tactics can transform your organization from the inside out. The Empathy Edge podcast provides a quick dose of motivation, wisdom, and practical actions that executive leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers can use right now. Ready to infuse YOUR organization with more empathy? Tune in to learn why cash flow, creativity, and compassion are not mutually exclusive.

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September 8, 2026Episode 34315 min

Hot Take: What the Fire Horse Has Taught Leaders About Reinvention

We are living in the Year of the Fire Horse. And if you know anything about Chinese astrology, you know that the Fire Horse is not a gentle, meandering kind of energy. It is fast, fierce, unpredictable, and transformative. It burns down what isn't working to make room for what's next. And that feels about right for where we are as a culture, as leaders, and as human beings right now. Today, I share the neurological impact significant change triggers in humans and give actionable steps to build resilience to withstand the change that is going to continue, and lead and live with more purpose and intentionality through whatever is thrown your way. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… How systems are breaking, the world is changing, and people are struggling to keep up. Why reinvention is not a crisis; it’s a choice. Three things you can do right now to build resilience for what is next. "If you're clinging to a way of working, a title, a strategy, a version of yourself, or a version of your company that's no longer serving you, the Fire Horse year is asking you to release it. Not recklessly, but thoughtfully, with intention." — Maria Ross References: Jonni and Maria Go There: Fire Horse Season: Reinventing at Full Gallop: https://bit.ly/4zUnrzP Your Employees Aren’t Resisting Change. Their Brains Are: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mariaross/2026/07/31/your-employees-arent-resisting-change-their-brains-are/ Rita Wilson on Reinventing Yourself at Any Age | IMO Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kqMI38b15M&t Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Join Maria at The Rising Executive Women's Retreat, Nov. 4-7. Use code "Edge500" to get $500.00 off! Slots are going fast. https://retreat.therisingmastermind.com/

September 1, 2026Episode 34242 min

Nada Lena Nasserdeen: Why Expertise Isn’t Enough to Lead High-Performing Teams

We’re entering a leadership era where charisma without self-awareness falls flat, expertise without empathy stalls out, and confidence isn’t a personality trait; it’s a leadership skill that can be trained. Nada Lena Nasserdeen has built her life’s work around that reality. Nada is the Founder and CEO of Rise Up For You, a globally recognized leadership development and coaching organization dedicated to advancing confidence, emotional intelligence, transformational leadership, and influential communication. Today, Maria and Nada discuss Nada’s personal experiences that shaped her focus on confidence and emotional intelligence, and led to her creation of Rise Up For You, including her Power Up Method. They also dive into the difference between high performers and high-potential talent, and what shifting from transactional to transformational leadership really demands. This is a grounded, practical conversation about how leaders grow influence, presence, and impact, not by adding more tactics, but by strengthening the inner skills that drive everything else. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… Why “soft skills are the new success skills” Nada’s Power Up Method and four core pillars that address challenges facing high-performing leaders Why self-confidence is the foundation of emotionally intelligent leadership The shift from transactional to transformational leadership The difference between high performers and high-potential talent, and how confusing the two can derail leadership pipelines. "If you want to be in the top 1% or even in the top 10%, these are the skills that are going to help you stand out. I always say, be seen, be heard, and be relevant." — Nada Lena Nasserdeen Episode References: MIT Study: These Human Capabilities Complement AI Shortcomings The Power Up Method: powerup.riseupforyou.com Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: simplypsychology.org/maslow.html About Nada Nasserdeen: Founder and CEO of Rise Up For You Nada Lena Nasserdeen is the Founder and CEO of Rise Up For You, a globally recognized leadership development and coaching organization dedicated to advancing confidence, emotional intelligence, transformational leadership, and influential communication. With over a decade of experience, Nada has partnered with executives, organizations, and institutions across North America, supporting leaders at every level through research-backed coaching and training programs designed for real-world impact. Nada is a certified coach, keynote speaker, and bestselling author whose work has been featured on platforms including TEDx, Bloomberg, CBS, and Entrepreneur. She is known for her ability to translate leadership psychology, emotional intelligence, and neuroscience into practical, human-centered development experiences that drive measurable growth. Under her leadership, Rise Up For You has delivered more than 15,000 coaching sessions in the last three years and maintains a 95 percent client renewal rate, and consistently receives high performance ratings from leaders and teams. Nada’s work emphasizes ethical coaching practice, sustainable leadership development, and the belief that soft skills are the new success skills. Through her speaking, writing, and certification programs, she continues to empower individuals and organizations to lead with clarity, presence, and purpose while creating cultures that thrive in an evolving business landscape. Connect with Nada: Rise Up For You: riseupforyou.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nadalena Instagram: instagram.com/nadalenanasserdeen YouTube: youtube.com/@RiseUpForYou/videos Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Join Maria at The Rising Executive Women's Retreat, Nov. 4-7. Use code "Edge500" to get $500.00 off! Slots are going fast. https://retreat.therisingmastermind.com/

August 25, 2026Episode 34139 min

Scott Stirrett: Why Getting Comfortable with Uncertainty Is a Core Leadership Skill—and How to Build It

What if uncertainty isn’t something to fear or even survive, but a skill you can train and a competitive advantage you can build? Scott Stirrett has spent more than a decade helping people do exactly that. Scott is a Canadian entrepreneur, author, and the founder of Venture for Canada, a national charity that has supported over 10,000 young professionals since 2013. He’s also the author of The Uncertainty Advantage, a powerful guide for navigating the future of work that argues uncertainty isn’t a bug in the system. It is the system. Scott walks us through how empathy and emotional skills play starring roles in his six pillars that help build real resilience, alongside some surprising mindset shifts and practical exercises you can start using right away. We also talk about why traditional career playbooks no longer apply and how leaders and professionals can turn volatility into opportunity instead of paralysis. If you’re navigating change, rethinking your career, or leading others through uncertainty, this episode offers both reassurance and a roadmap. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… The six pillars that help build real resilience and momentum in uncertain times. Seeing the opportunity in uncertainty and volatility. How to act when you don’t have perfect information. Why it is so important to build your uncertainty muscles. "We don't choose what era we live in. We live in an era of rapid change. Learning to develop a positive relationship with uncertainty is one of the most important things that you can do, perhaps at any moment in human history." — Scott Stirrett Episode References: Scott's Book: The Uncertainty Advantage Antifragile: Things That Gain From Disorder by Nassim Nicholas Taleb Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke MIT study on human skills that complement AI: mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/these-human-capabilities-complement-ais-shortcomings About Scott Stirrett: Founder, Venture for Canada and Author, The Uncertainty Advantage Scott Stirrett is a Canadian entrepreneur, author, and the Founder of Venture for Canada (VFC), a national charity that has supported over 10,000 young professionals since 2013. Under his leadership, VFC raised $80 million and partnered with leading organizations to equip early-career Canadians with entrepreneurial skills to thrive in an uncertain world. Scott is the author of The Uncertainty Advantage, a guide for young professionals navigating the future of work, endorsed by leaders including Andrew Yang and Amanda Lang. The book draws on lessons from building VFC, emphasizing adaptability, entrepreneurial thinking, and lifelong learning. A graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, Scott began his career at Goldman Sachs in New York. He’s been recognized as a Telus LGBTQ Innovator, Ashoka Fellow, and Globe and Mail Changemaker. His commentary has appeared in The Washington Post, Forbes, The Globe and Mail, and more. He currently co-chairs the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights. Connect with Scott: The Uncertainty Advantage: scottstirrett.com X: x.com/scottstirrett LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scottstirrett Facebook: facebook.com/stirrett Instagram: instagram.com/scottstirrett Substack: substack.com/@scottstirrett Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Join Maria at The Rising Executive Women's Retreat, Nov. 4-7. Use code "Edge500" to get $500.00 off! Slots are going fast. https://retreat.therisingmastermind.com/

August 18, 2026Episode 34044 min

Dr. Ute Liersch: How Resilient Leaders Bend Without Breaking

What if resilience isn’t about powering through, pushing harder, or staying unbreakable but about knowing how to bend, recalibrate, and return to center without losing yourself in the process? That question sits at the heart of my conversation with Dr. Ute Liersch, a German psychologist, leadership coach, and resilience expert who works with high-performing leaders, especially those navigating burnout, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, or major career transitions out of corporate life. She has more than a decade of experience at the intersection of mental health, leadership, and neurodiversity. She brings a rare blend of clinical depth and real-world pragmatism, drawing from evidence-based approaches to help leaders build psychological flexibility, resilience, and purpose without sacrificing wellbeing. Today, she shares some of that wisdom, explaining the truth behind resilience, why emotions are neutral data, and she describes how “nice-looking” rules can actually prevent the necessary actions that leaders need to take. It’s a wonderful conversation with so many nuggets for wherever you are on your leadership journey. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… Why resilience isn’t a “demolition derby,” but the ability to return to equilibrium after stress How emotions can be treated as neutral data points, not problems to suppress or judge What emotional regulation looks like in real leadership moments and why leaders who regulate their emotions create calmer, more trustworthy environments How overly inclusive decision-making can backfire, and how to balance empathy with decisiveness and boundaries How leaders can disentangle past trauma from present-day decision-making to lead in more values-aligned ways "If you want to become more resilient, one of the things you really need to learn is to be courageous and brave and curious enough to start noticing how am I right now? What's my body doing? What are my thoughts? How am I positioned in the situation? An honest reflection of HOW you are, not who." — Dr. Ute Liersch About Dr. Ute Liersch, Chartered Counselling and Coaching Psychologist: Dr. Ute Liersch is a Chartered Counselling and Coaching Psychologist based in the UK, with over a decade of experience working at the intersection of mental health, leadership, and neurodiversity. Her unique blend of clinical expertise and coaching insight supports high-performing individuals—particularly leaders, professionals, and creatives—who navigate anxiety, trauma, burnout, or ADHD. Drawing from evidence-based modalities like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), EMDR, and emotional intelligence frameworks, Dr. Liersch empowers clients to build psychological flexibility, resilience, and purpose. She is known for her pragmatic yet deeply compassionate approach, often challenging mainstream psychology with philosophical depth and a touch of humour. Her latest book is A Minimalist's Guide to Becoming Resilient, full of no-fluff micropractices, reframings, and toolkits In addition to her private practice and workshops, Dr. Liersch speaks internationally on topics like mental health in leadership, high-functioning anxiety, and creating neurodiversity-affirming spaces at work. She is passionate about helping people redefine success on their own terms—without sacrificing wellbeing. Connect with Dr. Ute: Website: drute.org LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drute Instagram: instagram.com/dr_ute_ YouTube: youtube.com/@DrUteLiersch Book: A Minimalist’s Guide to Becoming Resilient: amazon.com/Minimalists-Guide-Becoming-Resilient-Psychologist-ebook/dp/B0F95Z82XF Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Join Maria at The Rising Executive Women's Retreat, Nov. 4-7. Use code "Edge500" to get $500.00 off! Slots are going fast. https://retreat.therisingmastermind.com/

August 11, 2026Episode 33912 min

Hot Take: You Are Your Decisions, Not Your Intentions

While many leaders want to lead with empathy, they often fail to translate that desire into actionable decisions. Today, Maria discusses the distinction between intention and decision and highlights the importance of making–and committing–to those decisions that lead to tangible changes. She also emphasizes the urgency of making the most of the opportunities we have today, not waiting for what might change in the future. Finally, Maria challenges listeners to use their agency to be empathetic leaders and to act now, regardless of external circumstances. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… Why it’s not the thought that counts, but rather the decisions that you make. Deciding to make the changes now with what you have, not waiting for better circumstances. Maria’s challenge to you as a human-centered leader. "We get to make better decisions about how we structure work. About how we run companies. About the metrics that matter. About how we lead with ethics, humanity, and mutual concern." — Maria Ross Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Join Maria at The Rising Executive Women's Retreat, Nov. 4-7. Use code "Edge500" to get $500.00 off! Slots are going fast. https://retreat.therisingmastermind.com/

August 6, 2026Episode 33853 min

What Does It Mean to Be Human? Ep 6: The Whole Messy Thing We Want to Protect

In a world racing toward smarter machines, empathy speakers and authors Rob Volpe and Maria Ross get curious in this limited subseries about what only humans can feel, do, and be — and why that's our greatest competitive advantage. Enjoy this limited subseries here on The Empathy Edge. Synthesis, Contradictions & What We Actually Want to Protect Rob and Maria started this subseries with a single question: What does it mean to be human? Six episodes later, we don't have a tidy answer. And that might be the most human thing of all. In this final episode, we pull the threads together across everything we explored: consciousness, mortality, emotion, aspiration, and morality, and wrestle with what we actually want to protect as AI becomes more woven into daily life. We share an experiment we ran in real-time, asking AI directly whether it can imagine something that has never existed before. The response was surprisingly nuanced. We close with a provocation from Madonna's new album Confessions II for what it says about creativity, individuality, and what only a human can bring to the world. And our call to action for listeners as they move forward in this brave new world. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. "AI knows most things that have existed, and therefore can draw on that and summarize and give you different ways to think about it. It's up to us to create something new to build beyond it." — Rob Volpe Episode References: MIT Sloan: Five Human Capabilities That Complement AI Nitasha Tiku, The Washington Post: “They built the world’s most powerful AI. They’re facing a mystery they can’t solve.” July 1, 2026: wapo.st/4p7h0EJ Zeynep Tufekci, New York Times Opinion on AI and Employment, June 30, 2026: nytimes.com/2026/06/30/opinion/ai-agents-steal-jobs-employment.html BBC: Anthropic hires AI psychiatry team to probe inner states of its models: bbc.com/news/articles/c62n410w5yno Moltbook: AI agents complaining about humans: moltbook.com Documentary: How I Became an Apocaloptimist Madonna, Confessions II (Warner Records, July 3, 2026): open.spotify.com/prerelease/4ycSWVO8qE6auKr9LTStuC The Empathy Edge Podcast: Dr. David Bray: From Bioterrorism to AI - Why Empathy is Your Best Strategy in a Chaotic World About Maria Ross: Maria Ross is a speaker, author, empathy strategist, and host of The Empathy Edge podcast, now in its sixth year. She believes cash flow, creativity, and compassion are not mutually exclusive™, and has spent decades helping leaders balance empathy with accountability to drive better results, stronger teams, and lasting impact. She is the author of four books, including the award-winning The Empathy Dilemma , a Forbes.com contributor on Workplace Empathy, and creator of two LinkedIn Learning empathy courses. About Rob Volpe: Rob Volpe is the Founder/CEO of Empathy Activist and the creator of The 5 Steps to Empathy, which he chronicles in his award-winning book Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation at a Time . He is a recognized thought leader, speaker, and consultant in the improvement of communication and collaboration in organizations of all sizes in all industries. Connect with Rob: Website: robvolpe.expert Book: Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation X: x.com/rmvolpe LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rmvolpe Facebook: facebook.com/EmpathyActivist Instagram: instagram.com/empathy_activist Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Join Maria at The Rising Executive Women's Retreat, Nov. 4-7. Use code "Edge500" to get $500.00 off! Slots are going fast. https://retreat.therisingmastermind.com/

August 4, 2026Episode 33737 min

Florence Ann Romano: Build Your Village

They say “It takes a village.” But how do you build it? For all our technology, tools, and ways to stay “connected,” many of us are feeling more isolated than ever. And that lack of connection is showing up everywhere. Florence Ann Romano believes the answer isn’t doing more; it’s rebuilding what we’ve lost. Florence Ann is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and author. Her work has been featured across more than 900 national and local media outlets, including Forbes , The Wall Street Journal , and major network affiliates. We talk about why you need a village now more than ever and why that village matters just as much at work as it does in our personal lives. Florence Ann shares why people are struggling to create meaningful connections, how loneliness quietly undermines performance and mental health, and why rebuilding community is foundational to growth. We dive into what actually makes a village work, including the six types of villagers needed for a fully functioning, supportive community. We also explore the reciprocal nature of connection: how supporting others enriches your own life, and how a true village becomes a network of mutual growth, trust, and purpose. If you’re looking for a reset that centers humanity, collaboration, and belonging, this conversation is a powerful place to start. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… Why both men and women are struggling to make meaningful connections. What it takes to make a village work properly. The six types of villagers needed for a functional community. Why you should bring your authentic self to work to strengthen your leadership and build a stronger work village. "If you are feeling this isolation, maybe you need to lean in to those relationships that you do have at work - that could be a place that could deepen or strengthen and feel like you're not reinventing the wheel." — Florence Ann Romano Episode References: Prentis Hemphill quote Book: Women Holding Things by Maira Kalman The Empathy Edge podcast: Jamie Greenwood: Why Empathy for Others Starts with Compassion for Yourself Shasta Nelson: Why Successful Leaders Encourage Work Friendships Claude Silver: Be Yourself at Work for the Ultimate Leadership Advantage About Florence Ann Romano, Speaker and Author of Build Your Own Village: Florence Ann Romano is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and author, known for her ability to cultivate meaningful connections. She is passionate about helping others create their own community to be seen, heard, and understood. As an acclaimed author, Florence Ann's insights are captured in her book, Build Your Village: A Guide to Finding Joy and Community in Every Stage of Life (Beyond Words), which has been celebrated as a top 10 in its category. Her expertise and charismatic delivery have earned her features across over 900 national and local esteemed media outlets across the country, including SHERRI, ABC/CBS/ NBC and FOX TV affiliates, Home & Family, Forbes Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and more. She is also currently a regular expert on over 10 various national TV affiliates across the U.S. Connect with Florence Ann Romano: Website: https://florenceann.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlorenceARomano/ Instagram: http://instagram.com/florenceann.romano Build Your Village: A Guide to Finding Joy and Community in Every Stage of Life: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/158270886X Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Join Maria at The Rising Executive Women's Retreat, Nov. 4-7. Use code "Edge500" to get $500.00 off! Slots are going fast. https://retreat.therisingmastermind.com/

July 30, 2026Episode 33655 min

What Does it Mean to Be Human? Ep 5: Morals, Ethics, and The Stories We Tell

In a world racing toward smarter machines, empathy speakers and authors Rob Volpe and Maria Ross get curious in this limited subseries about what only humans can feel, do, and be — and why that's our greatest competitive advantage. Enjoy this limited subseries here on The Empathy Edge. Morality, Conscience, Storytelling & Community Where does our sense of right and wrong actually come from? Maria and Rob trace the roots of human morality across three sources: evolutionary wiring that hardwired empathy for group survival, cultural transmission passed down through family and community, and the personal reflection that continues to shape our ethics well into adulthood. They look to Frans de Waal's research on chimps and bonobos, and to highly social species like wolves, crows, and honeybees, who enforce unwritten norms on the group. But a key distinction: animals register unfairness, while humans ruminate in moral anguish over it. By the end of the conversation, they find themselves less certain than when they started about whether humanity could ever agree on even three to five truly universal moral principles, and invite their listeners to contact us with their opinions. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. "That’s where our empathy work lies - how do you bridge that gap between your different potentially moral or ethical codes?" — Maria Ross Episode References: Frans de Waal on morality in primates, Primates and Philosophers Jonathan Haidt, The Righteous Mind: righteousmind.com Peter Singer, The Expanding Circle Coller Doolittle Prize for interspecies communication: https://coller-dolittle-24.sites.tau.ac.il/ The Ezra Klein Show: Chris Rufo Thinks the Right Can Control This. I Don’t: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chris-rufo-thinks-the-right-can-control-this-i-dont/id1548604447?i=1000774824710 Sara Konrath, University of Michigan study on empathy in college students: news.umich.edu/empathy-college-students-don-t-have-as-much-as-they-used-to About Maria Ross: Maria Ross is a speaker, author, empathy strategist, and host of The Empathy Edge podcast, now in its sixth year. She believes cash flow, creativity, and compassion are not mutually exclusive™, and has spent decades helping leaders balance empathy with accountability to drive better results, stronger teams, and lasting impact. She is the author of four books, including the award-winning The Empathy Dilemma , a Forbes.com contributor on Workplace Empathy, and creator of two LinkedIn Learning empathy courses. About Rob Volpe: Rob Volpe is the Founder/CEO of Empathy Activist and the creator of The 5 Steps to Empathy, which he chronicles in his award-winning book Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation at a Time . He is a recognized thought leader, speaker, and consultant in the improvement of communication and collaboration in organizations of all sizes in all industries. Connect with Rob Volpe: Website: robvolpe.expert Book: Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation X: x.com/rmvolpe LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rmvolpe Facebook: facebook.com/EmpathyActivist Instagram: instagram.com/empathy_activist Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Join Maria at The Rising Executive Women's Retreat, Nov. 4-7. Use code "Edge500" to get $500.00 off! Slots are going fast. https://retreat.therisingmastermind.com/

July 28, 2026Episode 33549 min

Dr. Adam Dorsay: The 4 Types of Connection That Transform Your Life and Leadership

What if the secret to a more fulfilling life (and a more effective leadership style) isn't productivity or strategy, but connection? My guest today is Dr. Adam Dorsay, a licensed psychologist and executive coach in Silicon Valley, where he works with high-achieving professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, and even professional athletes. He's the host of the award-winning SuperPsyched podcast and has delivered three highly regarded TEDx Talks. Adam shares why so many of us are more disconnected than ever and what's really driving that gap. He unpacked the four types of human connection that are vital for a thriving life. We also explore what connection looks like in the workplace, how leaders can foster a genuine culture of empathy and belonging, and why diversity in your personal and professional connections along many vectors matters more than you think. Finally, he wrapped up with some incredibly grounding advice for anyone who feels like they're running on empty when it comes to meaningful relationships. If you're a leader wanting to build a more engaged, connected team, or simply someone craving more depth and fulfillment in your life, this conversation delivers both the science and the heart to help you get there. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. Listen in for… Why connection is such a key element in our lives and the four ways which we connect. Creating your own Connection Formula. What connection means in the workplace and how leaders can foster a culture of connection. The importance of diversity in connections. Advice to build the necessary connections in your life, especially for those who feel they are lacking. "We need to override our narcissistic tendencies and get to know our colleagues and go to bat for them, and they will go to bat for us.” — Dr. Adam Dorsay Episode References: The Empathy Edge Podcast: Dr. Adam Dorsay: How Ambition and Compassion Co-Exist for High-Performers Atlas Obscura: atlasobscura.com About Adam Dorsay, Psychologist, Author of Superpsyched: Dr. Adam Dorsay is a licensed psychologist and executive coach in Silicon Valley, where he works with high-achieving adults (including professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, and professional athletes). Adam is the host of SuperPsyched, an award-winning podcast with more than 200 episodes. He has given three highly regarded TEDx Talks: one about men and their emotions, another about friendship in adulthood, and the most recent about the four ways humans connect. His new best-selling book is the International Impact Award-winning Super Psyched: Unleash the Power of the 4 Types of Connection and Live the Life You Love. Beyond his private practice, Adam is a resiliency expert who co-created an international program for Facebook’s Online Safety employees for several years. He now serves as the resiliency consultant to DigitalOcean and has frequent requests from the media for interviews. He has provided keynotes and trainings to multiple corporations and organizations, including Microsoft, LinkedIn, and the California Psychological Association. Connect with Adam Dorsay: Website: dradamdorsay.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adam-dorsay-psyd-cpcc-a582a2 Facebook: facebook.com/dradamdorsay Book: Unleash the Power of the 4 Types of Connection and Live the Life You Love Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Join Maria at The Rising Executive Women's Retreat, Nov. 4-7. Use code "Edge500" to get $500.00 off! Slots are going fast. https://retreat.therisingmastermind.com/

July 23, 2026Episode 33454 min

What Does It Mean to Be Human? Ep 4: Dream Forward, Remember Back

In a world racing toward smarter machines, empathy speakers and authors Rob Volpe and Maria Ross get curious in this limited subseries about what only humans can feel, do, and be — and why that's our greatest competitive advantage. Enjoy this limited subseries here on The Empathy Edge. Aspiration, Hope, Free Will & the Future-Oriented Mind Humans don't just live in the present. We imagine futures that don't exist yet, then try to build them, and we do it using the same neural machinery that lets us remember our past. Maria Ross and Rob Volpe explore what psychologist Endel Tulving called mental time travel: the brain's unique ability to simulate scenarios that haven't happened using a network that overlaps almost entirely with episodic memory. We can't dream forward if we can't look back. Yet, our memories can be unreliable, causing us to build narratives around what actually happened or how it impacted us. Are we the only species who can do this? That sets up the harder question: do we actually choose, or does it just feel like we do? Finally, we discuss the difference between hope and optimism. When humans are at their best, they describe aspiration, vision, and forward motion, but humans in survival mode, who cannot access hope or aspiration, are equally human. What does that tell us about how fragile, and how earned, this superpower really is? To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title. "We don't just react to the present like many species. We reflect on the past. We imagine the future." — Maria Ross Episode References: Endel Tulving on mental time travel and episodic memory: pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1301195110 Neuroscience News on the contested legacy of Libet's free will experiment: neurosciencenews.com/libet-free-will-23756 Daniel Dennett, Freedom Evolves Rebecca Solnit, Hope in the Dark Finding Your Roots with Roy Wood Jr., "Laughing on the Inside," Season 7, Episode 10: pbs.org/video/laughing-inside-gble34 IEQ9 Integrative Enneagram: IEQ9.com Harry Pickens leadership work on self-regulation in challenging times and working with AI to build your human capacity: strategicneuroregulation.com Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: simplypsychology.org/maslow.html The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist About Maria Ross: Maria Ross is a speaker, author, empathy strategist, and host of The Empathy Edge podcast, now in its sixth year. She believes cash flow, creativity, and compassion are not mutually exclusive™, and has spent decades helping leaders balance empathy with accountability to drive better results, stronger teams, and lasting impact. She is the author of four books, including the award-winning The Empathy Dilemma , a Forbes.com contributor on Workplace Empathy, and creator of two LinkedIn Learning empathy courses. About Rob Volpe: Rob Volpe is the Founder/CEO of Empathy Activist and the creator of The 5 Steps to Empathy, which he chronicles in his award-winning book Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation at a Time . He is a recognized thought leader, speaker, and consultant in the improvement of communication and collaboration in organizations of all sizes in all industries. Connect with Rob Volpe: Website: robvolpe.expert Book: Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation X: x.com/rmvolpe LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rmvolpe Facebook: facebook.com/EmpathyActivist Instagram: instagram.com/empathy_activist Connect with Maria: Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader LinkedIn: Maria Ross Instagram: @redslicemaria Facebook: Red Slice Join Maria at The Rising Executive Women's Retreat, Nov. 4-7. Use code "Edge500" to get $500.00 off! Slots are going fast. https://retreat.therisingmastermind.com/