In this episode of The Collective Perspective, Jeff and Travis break down one of the most misunderstood human skills: empathy. Most people think empathy is simply “feeling what someone else feels,” but is that actually helping them? Or can it sometimes make things worse? We explore what empathy really is (and isn’t), how sympathy, empathy, and compassion differ, the dangers of always trying to relate, how compassion turns care into action, and why understanding this changes how we show up in relationships.

We also announce our new series: Get Over Yourself. A consistent dive into the behaviors, habits, and emotions that hold us back from becoming healthier people. The first episode focuses on Envy... boy oh boy most people might need to check their dictionary.

If you want better connection, better communication, and better support for those you care about, this episode matters. New conversations every week. Thanks for being part of the perspective.

• (00:00:00) - Introduction: What Makes America Stronger
• (00:00:38) - Diving into Empathy and Compassion
• (00:02:03) - Understanding Sympathy vs. Empathy
• (00:06:24) - The Role of Compassion
• (00:08:01) - Balancing Empathy and Professional Boundaries
• (00:13:20) - Intent and Patterns in Human Behavior
• (00:18:21) - Conclusion and Upcoming Series