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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Rebecca Dhrimaj: How to Lead Teams Through Change with Empathy
Épisode 346
mardi 29 septembre 2026 • Durée 51:04
Most leaders are promoted because they’re excellent at strategy, operations, or delivering results. But very few are ever taught how to lead people or give feedback. And that’s where things fall apart.
Rebecca Dhrimaj is on a mission to redefine what leadership looks like in the C-suite and beyond. As a Chief Empathy Officer of The Empathy Collective, Rebecca empowers leaders to coach teams and give honest feedback through change, one conversation at a time.
Rebecca shares how she “stumbled into” her business model through lived experience and hard-earned insight. She walks us through a powerful case study of her work with a large customer excellence team, where leadership training directly mapped to measurable improvements in employee engagement and change readiness scores. This isn’t theory—it’s tangible impact.
We also talk about why leaders often rise because of their technical and business acumen, but are rarely equipped with the skills to navigate human emotion. Rebecca explains why starting with a WHY of genuine care and understanding your team’s collective strengths can transform even the most disruptive change into momentum instead of burnout.
To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title.
Listen in for…
Rebecca’s Three Phases of Change Readiness Model
Creating more effective one-on-ones that include proactive career conversations
Why you have to do the inner work as a leader to best lift your team and organization
How to build honest two-way feedback with your team
"You don't necessarily have to always be on the lookout for things, but if you're asking the right questions in your one-on-ones with your people, floodgates will open, and they will talk, and they will share." — Rebecca Dhrimaj
About Rebecca Dhrimaj, Chief Empathy Officer, The Empathy Collective:
As Chief Empathy Officer, Rebecca’s mission is to redefine the role of the C-Suite by empowering leaders to coach people through change, one conversation at a time. After leading change management for an organizational restructuring, she noticed there was a lack of tools available to leaders dealing with the human side of change: the emotions, the fear, the resistance. She discovered that when leaders start with a WHY of caring and an intimate understanding of their team’s collective strengths, any change is possible. When she is not preparing teams for change, she laces up her running shoes and tunes into an audiobook. Fun fact: she has lived in the US, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France and always has a secret stash of Belgian chocolate.
Alex Tieu: How Empathy as Policy is Disrupting a Cutthroat Industry
Épisode 345
mardi 22 septembre 2026 • Durée 45:55
Today we get to see what it actually looks like when a leader builds an entire organization around empathy and people - operationalizes it, measures it, and watches it drive real, bottom-line results.
When Alex stepped into leadership of JLG Lawyers, she brought an operational mindset and a transformative question that became their cultural north star: what would the legal profession look like if it were built around people rather than billable hours? That question became the foundation of everything. They call it Justice with Humanity.
Alex gets refreshingly practical about what it actually means to walk the talk. We dig into how JLG Lawyers has operationalized their people-first philosophy for both employees and clients. We talk about the fascinating tension of being both an employee law firm AND an employer, and how they hold themselves to the same standard they fight for in court. We get into their counter-cultural approach to AI, using it responsibly to grow the business without displacing people, and why understanding your workflows is the key to knowing where you actually need human judgment in the loop.
If you have ever wondered what it looks like when empathy stops being a value on a wall and starts being a genuine competitive advantage, JLG Lawyers is your proof of concept.
To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title.
Listen in for…
Leading with a moral center and ethical consciousness in an industry that rewards greed and conflict.
Using AI ethically to augment, not replace, humans in your workflow and processes.
Building systems for clarity between clients and your organization.
Carlo Odicino: How People-Centered Leaders Get Big Sh*t Done!
Épisode 344
mardi 15 septembre 2026 • Durée 37:27
Warning: We're getting a little spicy today! What if caring deeply about your people was actually the fastest way to get big sh*t done?
I’m talking with Carlo Odicino, CEO and Founder of One TEAM Partners, where he helps early-stage companies bring innovations to market without burning out their teams. With more than 24 years of experience in scaling businesses, Carlo knows that psychological safety and empathy aren’t “soft” skills — they’re the drivers of high performance.
Carlo shares how a high school drama teacher first recognized his leadership talent and modeled people-first leadership, shaping how he leads with empathy today. We dive into trust and psychological safety, the natural human tendency to want to learn, and how that builds relationships and trust between leaders and their teams when that trust is there and individuals feel respected and heard. When it comes to getting sh*t done, we discuss and debunk the excuses that leaders use and give practical steps that can be taken now to show you care and get things done.
To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title.
Listen in for…
The surprising question every leader should be asking their team.
Spotting toxic behaviors that sabotage morale.
Why some leaders resist people-centered leadership.
Clarifying your number one priority to keep your team focused, supported, and protected from overwhelm.
"True empathy and caring actually require you to challenge people and raise their standard." — Carlo Odicino
Hot Take: What the Fire Horse Has Taught Leaders About Reinvention
Épisode 343
mardi 8 septembre 2026 • Durée 15:04
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:
Nada Lena Nasserdeen: Why Expertise Isn’t Enough to Lead High-Performing Teams
Épisode 342
mardi 1 septembre 2026 • Durée 42:53
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
Scott Stirrett: Why Getting Comfortable with Uncertainty Is a Core Leadership Skill—and How to Build It
Épisode 341
mardi 25 août 2026 • Durée 39:14
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.
Dr. Ute Liersch: How Resilient Leaders Bend Without Breaking
Épisode 340
mardi 18 août 2026 • Durée 44:25
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
Hot Take: You Are Your Decisions, Not Your Intentions
Épisode 339
mardi 11 août 2026 • Durée 12:22
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
What Does It Mean to Be Human? Ep 6: The Whole Messy Thing We Want to Protect
Épisode 338
jeudi 6 août 2026 • Durée 53:41
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
Florence Ann Romano: Build Your Village
Épisode 337
mardi 4 août 2026 • Durée 37:42
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.
Using mentorship to build up less experienced employees.
Why empathy and critical thinking are the same ability and a key ingredient in leadership, no matter where you are in your organization.
"My leaders absolutely challenge me. They push me. They tell me things like that, and it's because they care. They, and you, have the same values, and the same goals." — Alex Tieu
Episode References:
The Human Middle: a free guide with questions and guidance before conflict goes too far. Download The Human Middle for free at thehumanmiddle.ai
About Alex Tieu, Founder & CEO, JLG Lawyers:
Alex is CEO of JLG Lawyers, where she leads business strategy, operations, technology, and organizational development. She brings over two decades of leadership experience from real estate, technology, entrepreneurship, and venture capital, including senior roles at Keller Williams, Movoto, Propy, and Twenty Five Ventures.
At JLG, Alex is known for building an organization that's both high-performing and deeply human, using technology and AI to support attorneys' judgment rather than replace it, and creating multiple paths to success for both attorneys and staff. JLG believes there is rarely only one path to success, and that strong organizations can maintain high standards while giving talented people room to excel in different ways. She calls this broader approach "The Human Middle": proof that accountability and opportunity, high standards and empathy, don't have to be trade-offs.
About Carlo Odicino, CEO and Founder, One TEAM Partners:
Carlo Odicino is the CEO and Founder of One TEAM Partners. He specializes in helping early-stage companies bring their innovations to market without succumbing to the burnout often faced by start-ups. With 24+ years of experience scaling businesses of all sizes, he guides CEOs and leadership teams through complex challenges to achieve extraordinary results. Carlo holds an MBA from the University of Notre Dame and directs high school theater in his spare time. He lives in Costa Mesa, CA, with his wife and two sons.
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.
"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
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.
"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.
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.
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
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.
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