We’re often taught that listening is the key to a meaningful, expansive conversation. But I’d like to extend our emotional skillset further – empathy is the key to connection and richer relationships. Yet isn’t empathy something that’s we’re intrinsically inclined to do? Aren't we taught how to show empathy through lived experience? Not necessarily so. In fact, empathy is a skill that must be mastered and cultivated, much like learning an instrument. This is where Kate Kenfield’s work becomes essential. She’s a sex and relationships educator who works with people of a wide variety of vocations and experiences, empowering them to enhance the way they relate, listen understand and love.

In this episode, we talk about how to show empathy and:

• What is a sex educator? Who can call themselves a sex educator?
• How to discern authority, expertise and integrity in the sex ed world
• How to tell personal stories to connect and empower
• Why is giving advice so harmful?
• Advice versus empathy
• Do men give more unsolicited advice than women?
• How to enhance your emotional vocabulary
• Donnie Darko
• The problem of voicing empathy
• The art of fake empathy
• Gender inequity and emotional labour
• Alex White and the Man Lab
• The Girl Who Cried Pain
• Why do undergrad medical students lose their empathy?
• The 2 different tiers of self care: relaxation/indulgence and reflective practices
• Sustainable self care practices
• How to show empathy without burning out
• The Empathy Exams
• Morgellons disease (Google at your own peril!)
• FOSTA/SESTA and emotional contagion
• Empathic contagion versus empathic concern
• The Potato Metaphor 
• The Power of Nice
• The 48 Laws of Power

The Feelings Cards will help expand your emotional vocabulary.

Buy your set here.

Are you interested in learning more from Kate? Be sure to check out her website for information on future Tea and Empathy workshops, and follow her on Instagram too.

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