In this episode of The Upstander Ripple Effect, hosts Jackie Congedo and Kevin Aldridge dive deep into the idea of empathy—what it really means, why some people are questioning its value, and how it plays a powerful role in standing up for others. Along the way, they reflect on how empathy is often misunderstood as agreement, when really, it’s about connection and understanding.

As Kevin puts it:

“Empathy is what helps bring us to a point of understanding, which then can dictate better our responses, our actions, and our words... What you are validating is their lived experience, which cannot be invalidated.”

The episode also features moving stories from the archive at the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center, including Holocaust survivor Conrad Weiner, who reminds us of the danger of indifference, and Tulane Chartock, a social worker who helped Holocaust survivors rebuild their lives in Cincinnati. Both stories show how empathy can shape our lives.

And in our Upstander Shoutout, we recognize Brandon Saho, a former Cincinnati sports reporter turned mental health advocate. Through his podcast The Mental Game, Brandon is creating space for honest conversations about mental health, especially in the often tough-it-out world of sports.

This episode is part of the Cynthia & Harold Guttman Center for Storytelling. Subscribe here https://www.youtube.com/@holocaustandhumanity

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Episode Resources

Visit the Center in person or online https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/

Upstander month is coming up in June – learn about all the incredible events here

https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/events/upstander-month/

Watch Conrad’s full story https://youtu.be/HOolNTqKAo8

Watch Tulane’s story https://youtu.be/uBE4tsLmvPY

Articles on the subject of “toxic” empathy

https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/how-donald-trump-is-teaching-christians-to-abandon-empathy-albert-mohler

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/05/politics/elon-musk-rogan-interview-empathy-doge/index.html

The late Pope Francis' words about empathy https://catholicreview.org/pope-skill-performance-are-not-enough-empathy-heart-needed-at-work/

Upstander work by Brandon Saho, fighting the stigma around mental health https://www.facebook.com/BrandonSaho

Apply for a free suicide prevention “You’re Not Alone” sign

https://www.themental.game/signs

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