What if marketing felt genuine? In episode 14 of The Empathic Leader, Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller chats with LinkedIn strategist and author Sophie Lechner about how empathy and real connection can totally change how we do business.

We dive into her multicultural roots, why human-centered marketing beats tactics, and how coaches can protect their energy while still showing up fully for clients. Sophie also gives us a peek behind the scenes of her book Unlock Your Impact—a journey filled with self-discovery, reader feedback, and lots of emotional growth.

We touch on:

-The difference between emotional and cognitive empathy

-How your personal story is your brand

-Using LinkedIn in a way that actually feels good

-Why Audrey Hepburn is the ultimate leadership role model

Listen in any of your favorite podcast platform:

► APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-empathic-leader/id1796715528

► SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ChVQGgl5l1jqAfxdoR0EG?si=1wRZC3DbS9KvhLYTggkuhg

► AMAZON: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0158b2cb-7bec-4135-a2c0-2f594d21109b/the-empathic-leader

Subscribe to the Show ► @theempathicleader

Pre-Order my book here: https://stan.store/empathicleader

CONNECT WITH ME:

► Instagram: @empathyqueen.eq

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eqviaempathy

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissa-a-robinson-winemiller-author-speaker-trainer/

Connect with Sophie Lechner:

Website: https://www.themagnetmodel.com/aboutme

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophielechner/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiemagnet/

About Sophie:

Sophie Lechner is a speaker, author, and business coach who helps mission-driven entrepreneurs turn marketing from a chore into a joy—so they can attract clients like a magnet instead of chasing them. Her mastery of LinkedIn over the...

In this episode of ‘The Empathic Leader’ Podcast, Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller dives into a crucial topic: What blocks empathy?

We’ll explore the common barriers — from misunderstanding empathy itself, to anger, fear, toxic environments, and even empathy fatigue. Plus, I’ll share personal stories and practical advice on how to protect your empathy without burning out.

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe — let's keep this conversation big, bold, and alive! Empathy connects us all, and together, we can help it thrive.

Listen in any of your favorite podcast platform:

► APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-empathic-leader/id1796715528

► SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ChVQGgl5l1jqAfxdoR0EG?si=1wRZC3DbS9KvhLYTggkuhg

► AMAZON: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0158b2cb-7bec-4135-a2c0-2f594d21109b/the-empathic-leader

Subscribe to the Show ► @theempathicleader

Pre-Order my book here: https://stan.store/empathicleader

CONNECT WITH ME:

► Instagram: @empathyqueen.eq

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eqviaempathy

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissa-a-robinson-winemiller-author-speaker-trainer/

► About Dr. Robinson-Winemiller:

What do empathy and a treadmill have in common? Both need action to deliver results.

Quiet quitting. Resenteeism. Post-pandemic stress. AI. Modern leaders face challenges unimaginable in the past, and the pace of change is relentless. The old command-and-control leadership style is obsolete. Leaders today must evolve or risk irrelevance. But leadership now goes beyond dashboards and spreadsheets—so, what’s the answer?

Melissa Robinson-Winemiller is the answer. With over 20 years of leadership experience, two doctorates (including one focused on empathy in leadership), an MBA, and multiple certifications in change management and DEI, she helps leaders achieve greater profits, retention, productivity, and innovation.

Her mission? To elevate leadership through the often-overlooked power of EQ and empathy. As a coach and consultant, Melissa draws on expertise, data-driven insights, and proven results to guide leaders through today’s complexities.

► Disclaimer:

This podcast

In this episode, Dr. Melissa chats with leadership powerhouse Carmen Paredes about what it really takes to lead well. From climbing the corporate ladder as a woman of color to mastering empathy and emotional smarts, Carmen drops truth bombs on self-awareness, compassion, and holding it all together without losing your edge.

If you want to lead like a boss and lift others up while you’re at it—don’t miss this one!

Listen in any of your favorite podcast platform:

► APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-empathic-leader/id1796715528

► SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ChVQGgl5l1jqAfxdoR0EG?si=1wRZC3DbS9KvhLYTggkuhg

► AMAZON: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0158b2cb-7bec-4135-a2c0-2f594d21109b/the-empathic-leader

Subscribe to the Show ► @theempathicleader

Pre-Order my book here: https://stan.store/empathicleader

CONNECT WITH ME:

► Instagram: @empathyqueen.eq

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eqviaempathy

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissa-a-robinson-winemiller-author-speaker-trainer/

Connect with Carmen Paredes:

Website: https://iamcarmenparedes.com/speaker

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamcarmenparedes/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamcarmenparedes/

About Carmen:

Carmen Paredes is a leadership powerhouse on a mission to transform how leaders show up. From her roots in Panama to becoming the first Latina VP at Alaska’s largest telecom company, her journey is fueled by grit, growth, and heart. After overcoming burnout, she now empowers leaders to lead with self-awareness, empathy, and purpose.

She’s a 2X TEDx speaker, best-selling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and advocate for women’s leadership—sharing her insights everywhere from boardrooms to the UN. With 20+ years across industries, Carmen helps leaders build cultures where people and performance thrive.

►...

In this episode of ‘The Empathic Leader’ Podcast, Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller explores one of the most crucial and overlooked aspects of emotional intelligence: self-empathy. Drawing from insights she shared in her upcoming TEDx talk, she breaks down what self-empathy really means, how it differs from just "feeling your feelings," and why it's the essential foundation for authentic leadership and true empathy toward others.

From self-reflection and self-awareness to tackling numbing behaviors and embracing self-compassion, this powerful episode offers practical steps and deep insights for anyone looking to grow as a leader—and as a human being.

Listen in any of your favorite podcast platform:

► APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-empathic-leader/id1796715528

► SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ChVQGgl5l1jqAfxdoR0EG?si=1wRZC3DbS9KvhLYTggkuhg

► AMAZON: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0158b2cb-7bec-4135-a2c0-2f594d21109b/the-empathic-leader

Subscribe to the Show ► @theempathicleader

Pre-Order my book here: https://stan.store/empathicleader

CONNECT WITH ME:

► Instagram: @empathyqueen.eq

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eqviaempathy

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissa-a-robinson-winemiller-author-speaker-trainer/

► About Dr. Robinson-Winemiller:

What do empathy and a treadmill have in common? Both need action to deliver results.

Quiet quitting. Resenteeism. Post-pandemic stress. AI. Modern leaders face challenges unimaginable in the past, and the pace of change is relentless. The old command-and-control leadership style is obsolete. Leaders today must evolve or risk irrelevance. But leadership now goes beyond dashboards and spreadsheets—so, what’s the answer?

Melissa Robinson-Winemiller is the answer. With over 20 years of leadership experience, two doctorates (including one focused on empathy in leadership), an MBA, and multiple certifications in change management and DEI, she helps leaders achieve greater profits, retention, productivity, and innovation.

Her mission? To elevate leadership through the often-overlooked power of EQ and empathy. As a coach and consultant, Melissa draws on expertise, data-driven insights, and proven

Join Dr. DeAngelo Richardson, founder of Different Reasons Inc., in a powerful discussion with Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller on empathy and leadership. DeAngelo shares his personal journey, the impact of transformative leadership, and the importance of genuine human connections in an increasingly digital world. Learn how empathy, self-awareness, and collaboration shape effective leaders and why building a network of like-minded professionals is key to growth.

Listen in any of your favorite podcast platform:

► APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-empathic-leader/id1796715528

► SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ChVQGgl5l1jqAfxdoR0EG?si=1wRZC3DbS9KvhLYTggkuhg

► AMAZON: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0158b2cb-7bec-4135-a2c0-2f594d21109b/the-empathic-leader

Subscribe to the Show ► @theempathicleader

Pre-Order my book here: https://stan.store/empathicleader

CONNECT WITH ME:

► Instagram: @empathyqueen.eq

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eqviaempathy

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissa-a-robinson-winemiller-author-speaker-trainer/

Connect with Dr. DeAngelo Richardson:

Website: https://www.1drlegacy.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-deangelo-richardson-ed-d-758441351/

About Dr. Richardson:

Dr. DeAngelo Richardson is a transformative leader, award-winning speaker, and business coach dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and communities worldwide. As a Maxwell Leadership-certified coach, he blends expertise in leadership, financial wealth strategies, and estate development to help individuals and businesses build lasting legacies. Featured in national and international media, Dr. Richardson’s impact extends beyond business—his passion for philanthropy and education drives his mission to create meaningful change.

► About Dr. Robinson-Winemiller:

What do empathy and a treadmill have in common? Both need action to deliver results.

Quiet quitting. Resenteeism....

Ever wondered what it really takes to land a TEDx talk? It’s not just about having a great idea—it’s about persistence, preparation, and the right strategy.

In this episode, Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller shares her experience and tips on becoming a TEDx speaker, highlighting the following:

• Nailing the TEDx Application – How she crafted her message to align with the event’s theme.
• The Interview – How she proved why her talk was an "idea worth spreading."
• Acceptance – How she finally got accepted whilst sharing some rejections.
• Writing the TEDx Speech – How she poured her heart into structuring her message.
• Show Vulnerability & Ask for Help – How she prepared by reaching out to mentors and past speakers.
• Find the Right Coach –How to choose the right coach
• ‘Practice Makes Permanent’ – What the key is in preparing the speech
• Memorizing with a ‘Memory Palace’ – How this visualization trick saved her on stage.

Listen in any of your favorite podcast platform:

► APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-empathic-leader/id1796715528

► SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ChVQGgl5l1jqAfxdoR0EG?si=1wRZC3DbS9KvhLYTggkuhg

► AMAZON: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0158b2cb-7bec-4135-a2c0-2f594d21109b/the-empathic-leader

Subscribe to the Show ► @theempathicleader

Pre-Order my book here: https://stan.store/empathicleader

CONNECT WITH ME:

► Instagram: @empathyqueen.eq

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eqviaempathy

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissa-a-robinson-winemiller-author-speaker-trainer/

► About Dr. Robinson-Winemiller:

What do empathy and a treadmill have in common? Both need action to deliver results.

Quiet quitting. Resenteeism. Post-pandemic stress. AI. Modern leaders face challenges unimaginable in the past, and the pace of change is relentless. The old command-and-control leadership style is obsolete. Leaders today must evolve or risk irrelevance. But leadership now goes beyond dashboards and spreadsheets—so, what’s the answer?

Melissa...

Great leaders don’t just give orders—they connect, inspire, and create real change.

In this episode with guest Dan Winemiller, Chief Information Officer at Stillwater Medical Center, we’re breaking down how cognitive empathy helps leaders—even those who aren’t naturally “warm and fuzzy”—build trust and lead stronger, more effective teams.

We’ll dive into:

🔹 How Cognitive Empathy shapes leadership and decision-making

🔹 Empathy Fatigue in healthcare—caring without burning out

🔹 Why vulnerability is actually a leadership superpower

🔹 How Transformational Leadership fuels productivity, innovation, and engagement

When leaders truly listen…

…teams thrive, ideas flow, and businesses grow.

Listen in any of your favorite podcast platform:

► APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-empathic-leader/id1796715528

► SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ChVQGgl5l1jqAfxdoR0EG?si=1wRZC3DbS9KvhLYTggkuhg

► AMAZON: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0158b2cb-7bec-4135-a2c0-2f594d21109b/the-empathic-leader

Subscribe to the Show ► @theempathicleader

Pre-Order my book here: https://stan.store/empathicleader

CONNECT WITH ME:

► Instagram: @empathyqueen.eq

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eqviaempathy

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissa-a-robinson-winemiller-author-speaker-trainer/

Connect with Dan:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-winemillermba/

About Dan Winemiller:

With 29+ years in trauma hospitals and an MBA, Dan blends leadership, strategy, and operational expertise to help organizations thrive. With a strong foundation in both healthcare and business, he specializes in identifying challenges, fostering collaboration, and driving meaningful improvements.

He had led major projects, including launching a Surgery Center in 2017 that passed all regulatory surveys with zero safety recommendations. His ability to plan strategically and negotiate acquisitions has consistently cut budgets by 30% while...

What’s holding back your leadership? Stereotyping might be sneaking in the back door—limiting your team’s potential and stifling innovation. In this episode, Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller dives into the psychology of our brains: why they stereotype, how it creates generational friction, and how cognitive diversity can be the key to better problem-solving, productivity, and trust in the workplace.

👉 How our brains naturally compress, amplify, discriminate, and fossilize stereotypes

👉 Why generational labels (Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z) are limiting workplace potential

👉 How empathy and cognitive diversity fuel better leadership and innovation

👉 Practical strategies to build inclusive, high-performing teams

The key takeaway? When leaders see people as individuals, not categories, they unlock the full potential of their workforce.

Listen in any of your favorite podcast platform:

► APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-empathic-leader/id1796715528

► SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ChVQGgl5l1jqAfxdoR0EG?si=1wRZC3DbS9KvhLYTggkuhg

► AMAZON: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0158b2cb-7bec-4135-a2c0-2f594d21109b/the-empathic-leader

Subscribe to the Show ► @theempathicleader

Pre-Order my book here: https://stan.store/empathicleader

CONNECT WITH ME:

► Instagram: @empathyqueen.eq

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eqviaempathy

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissa-a-robinson-winemiller-author-speaker-trainer/

► About Dr. Robinson-Winemiller:

What do empathy and a treadmill have in common? Both need action to deliver results.

Quiet quitting. Resenteeism. Post-pandemic stress. AI. Modern leaders face challenges unimaginable in the past, and the pace of change is relentless. The old command-and-control leadership style is obsolete. Leaders today must evolve or risk irrelevance. But leadership now goes beyond dashboards and spreadsheets—so, what’s the answer?

Melissa Robinson-Winemiller is the answer. With over 20 years of leadership experience, two doctorates (including one focused on empathy in leadership), an MBA, and multiple certifications in change management and DEI, she helps leaders achieve greater profits, retention, productivity,...