Shows / The Empathy Edge
The Empathy Edge
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…
Episodes
- The Empathy Edge
Pass the Gratitude, Not the Gravy, to Drive Performance
In today's Hot Take, Maria talks about gratitude as a practice and catalyst for empathy, collaboration, and well-being. Listen in as Maria discusses gratitude…
- The Empathy Edge
Dr. Abraham George: Creating Ripple Effects of Change Through Empathy in Action
What does it take to leave a high-powered career and change the world, one child at a time? And how can empathy fuel ripple effects of change, no matter your…
- The Empathy Edge
Lisa Even: Building a Culture with Good Ripple Effect
We've got work to do! Yes, we do. And it will likely not stop. So, WHY should you make time for joy, even in the toughest work environments? Why should you…
- The Empathy Edge
October 2025 Hot Take: My Birthday Wish: More Empathy, Less Excuses
October is Maria’s birthday month—and her wish this year? More empathy and compassion in leadership. In this special solo episode, Maria shares why we must…
- The Empathy Edge
Oscar Trimboli: The Four Listening Villains: How to Listen Deeply to Lead Better
How well do you listen? Like, really listen? We waste so much time, energy, resources, and money due to a lack of effective listening. It causes…
- The Empathy Edge
Lane Byrum: When Lack of Empathy Costs Your Company Millions
How much better does taking an empathetic approach impact not just your leadership, but your ability to bring the right products and services to market nd…
- The Empathy Edge
Ursula Taylor: Conflict and Negotiation Reimagined
What if the real solution to conflict is not about persuading the other side, but in transforming yourself first? That’s the provocative question we explore in…
- The Empathy Edge
Mark A. Mears: How to Grow From Leader to Legacy Builder
How can you challenge yourself as a leader to embrace empathy and think bigger, not just about success, but about significance? Joining me today is Mark Mears…
- The Empathy Edge
Courage to Advance: CEO Evaluation Reimagined: The 360-Degree Approach Every Board Needs with Mike Humphries
Featuring guest Mike Humphries, SparkEffect CEO and former Fortune 500 Executive. Welcome to Courage to Advance, hosted by Kim Bohr and brought to you by…
- The Empathy Edge
Dr. Helen Riess: The Science Behind Empathy's Power on Business Results
The power of empathy for organizational success is not just proven in all the data. Neuroscience backs up our human need to connect and form relationships. But…
- The Empathy Edge
Dan Tocchini: How Leaders Can Turn Conflict into Breakthroughs with Empathy
Turns out your organization's inability to adapt and align in this era of great change may have little to do with structure, sales, or cutting costs and more…
- The Empathy Edge
Rai Cornell: The Psychology of a Savvy Buyer
Empathy is the key to effective marketing. You've heard that here before. But what is really going on in the brains of savvy buyers, and how can we tap into…
- The Empathy Edge
Saqib Rasool: An Engineer's Approach to 21st Century Leadership Development
The skills and sensibilities we needed in the industrial age are no longer working. But according to my guest today, Saqib Rasool, we are approaching skills…
- The Empathy Edge
Courage to Advance: The 90% Training Waste: Why Your Leadership Development Budget Is Failing Without Coaching with Rod Bacon
Welcome to Courage to Advance, hosted by Kim Bohr and brought to you by SparkEffect, in partnership with The Empathy Edge. Tune in to our subseries every 3rd…
- The Empathy Edge
Marisol Solarte-Erlacher: Prioritizing Well-Being Goes Beyond Perks
While multiple studies show that we are experiencing mental health crises, burnout, and stress at alarming levels, I don't have to tell you that you're feeling…
- The Empathy Edge
Special Livestream! The Empathy Dilemma with PeopleForward Network!
Empathetic leadership drives engagement, performance, and innovation. It's a fact. Yet post-pandemic, leaders are struggling to balance the needs of their…
- The Empathy Edge
Shilpa Alva: Non-Profit Leadership Lessons to Drive For-Profit Success
How can we balance performance and purpose to sustain growth? Well, look no further than a successful non-profit for the answer to that! And while your…
- The Empathy Edge
Steve Durbin: How Empathetic Leadership Strengthens Cybersecurity and Risk Management
My guest today, Steve Durbin, shares why empathy, agility, and resilience are vital to managing risk and keeping your organization secure. Steve shares the…
- The Empathy Edge
Laura Camacho: Developing Your Empathy and Executive Presence
How do some leaders show up, almost effortlessly, with a proactive point of view and clear messaging? I'd bet you money that for most, it's a matter of…
- The Empathy Edge
Courage to Advance: Why AI Can’t Call BS: The Irreplaceable Human Edge in Executive Coaching with Rod Bacon
Welcome to Courage to Advance, hosted by Kim Bohr and brought to you by SparkEffect, in partnership with The Empathy Edge. Tune in to our subseries every 3rd…
- The Empathy Edge
Robin Dreeke: Spy Lessons for Leaders: Forging Unbreakable Alliances Through Empathy
Years ago, I was introduced to a former Marine and FBI counterintelligence officer whose job was to recruit spies to help protect our country. His secret…
- The Empathy Edge
July Hot Take: Empathy Under Attack: Leading with Heart in Hostile Times
Today’s episode is a little more personal. A reflection. A struggle. Because lately, I’ve been wondering: Is empathy under attack? And if so, how do we as…
- The Empathy Edge
Asheli Mann-Lofthouse: The Nuts and Bolts of DEIB, By Stage
In today’s climate, where DEIB efforts are under attack, smart organizations know that embracing diverse perspectives leads to better decisions, stronger…
- The Empathy Edge
Bridgette Boudreau: Choosing an Ethical Coach to Transform Performance from Within
Self-awareness is the first pillar of effective empathetic leadership in The Empathy Dilemma. If you don't know what's going on for you, you will never be able…
- The Empathy Edge
Courage to Advance: From Digital Overwhelm to Mental Clarity with Timothy Swords
Welcome to Courage to Advance, hosted by Kim Bohr and brought to you by SparkEffect, in partnership with The Empathy Edge. Tune in to our subseries every 3rd…
- The Empathy Edge
Garrett Delph: Operationalizing Happiness
Unhappiness at work causes poor performance, disengagement, mistakes, absenteeism, mental health issues, and ultimately poor customer experience and anemic…
- The Empathy Edge
Vanya du Toit: The Listening Advantage: Embedding Empathy into Brand, Culture, and Space
As I love to say, empathy isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a powerful tool for strategic and creative excellence. Joining me today is Vanya du Toit, the Associate…
- The Empathy Edge
Geoffrey Smith: How Compassionate Moments, Not Corporate Mandates, Spark Engagement and Customer Satisfaction
Where do empathy and compassion impact corporate profits, employee experience, and customer satisfaction? In healthcare, and yes, in your industry, no matter…
- The Empathy Edge
Vivian Acquah: How DEI Manages Risks, Lowers Costs, and Opens Eyes
We have talked a lot on this show about the benefits of a diverse and inclusive culture and how it leads to outstanding business results. But did you also know…
- The Empathy Edge
James Coan: Closing the Perception Gap that Tears Us Apart
Given the country's political divide, we often hear that conversations are the key to empathy and connection. Which is true. But that also doesn't scale very…
- The Empathy Edge
Courage to Advance: The Talent Advantage: Strategic Recruitment in Uncertain Times with Tim Sprangers
Welcome to Courage to Advance, hosted by Kim Bohr and brought to you by SparkEffect, in partnership with The Empathy Edge. Tune in to our subseries every 3rd…
- The Empathy Edge
May 2025 Hot Take: Why Legacy Leadership is Messy
Building leadership muscles and practicing leadership is not always pretty. It’s got to get messy if you want to master it. Nothing brought this home to me…
- The Empathy Edge
Lauree Ostrofsky: Hey Rockstar Leader, Don't Forget About YOU
Most high achievers never look back and see how far they've come. They tend to focus on perfection and not wanting to let anyone down. Because of their outward…
- The Empathy Edge
Shermin Kruse: Why Stoic Empathy is the Balance Leaders Need
What can stoicism teach us about empathy in modern life? This centuries-old philosophy can be directly applied to what we face now in our workplaces and our…
- The Empathy Edge
Moe Carrick: Redefining Leadership Beyond Gender B.S.
Masculine traits. Feminine traits. Can we please stop gendering leadership skills and focus instead on the human traits that will enable us to thrive? Today, I…
- The Empathy Edge
Courage to Advance: From HR Leader to Job Seeker: Mastering Authentic Career Transition with Karen Hague
Welcome to Courage to Advance, hosted by Kim Bohr and brought to you by SparkEffect, in partnership with The Empathy Edge. Tune in to our subseries every 3rd…
- The Empathy Edge
April Hot Take: What’s Next for Empathy and Inclusion in the Workplace?
Here are some reflections and key takeaways from a recent webinar I co-hosted with my brilliant colleague and friend, Minette Norman. It was called “What’s…
- The Empathy Edge
Misha Safran: Joy + Empathy + Inclusion = A Winning Team
When you think of workplace wellness, you may picture gym memberships and yoga mats. But joy, empathy, and inclusion also create a healthy and high-performing…
- The Empathy Edge
David Bedrick, JD, Dipl. PW: The Unshaming Way
There's a powerful psychological state that can paralyze us, interfere with effective relationships, block our empathy, and cause us to inflict harm. It's…
- The Empathy Edge
Pam Fox Rollin: How to Grow Your Group Into a Team
Truthbomb: A collection of people working in the same department, function, or even office are not necessarily a team. And if you want high performance, you…
- The Empathy Edge
Courage to Advance: Leading Gen Z with Dr. Meisha Rouser
Traditional Management Models Are Failing (And What Actually Works) What if Gen Z's approach to work isn't just different, but better? Join Kim Bohr and Dr…
- The Empathy Edge
Sanela Lukanovic: Daring to Be an Empathetic Leader
Courageous empathy. Yep - it takes courage and strength to break existing leadership paradigms and embrace empathy in our world today. We don't acknowledge…
- The Empathy Edge
Sara Taylor: Thinking at the Speed of Bias
Diversity, equity, and inclusion have become polarizing terms in our world and that is likely because they are greatly misunderstood. Part of that…
- The Empathy Edge
Jason Silver: How to Enjoy Your Work More
Work can be one of the biggest drivers of positivity in your life, but no one ever really explains how to be successful without sacrificing everything outside…
- The Empathy Edge
Courage to Advance: The AI Leadership Crisis with Kevin Oakes, CEO, i4cp
Welcome to Courage to Advance, hosted by Kim Bohr and brought to you by SparkEffect, in partnership with The Empathy Edge. Tune in to our subseries every 3rd…
- The Empathy Edge
Jen Stark and Jarrid Green: The DEI Flashpoint and How We Move Forward
Today I speak with Jen Stark and Jarrid Green, Co-Directors, of the Center for Business and Social Justice. We candidly discuss how DEI and other topics became…
- The Empathy Edge
February Hot Take: A Rant, a Perspective, and a Challenge
This month's Hot Take is a bit of a hodgepodge. You're going to get the chance the tell me more about you and what you want to see on the show this year (and…
- The Empathy Edge
Tamsen Webster: Say What They Can't Unhear: Communicating for Lasting Change
When we have information to give, the communication doesn't start and end with just one email, announcement, or conversation. Effective communication is more…
- The Empathy Edge
Elizabeth Lotardo: Leading Yourself Despite Imperfect Bosses and Annoying Cultures
What do you do when striving to be a more human-centered leader or colleague, trying to advance your career, build your skills, and make a difference, and…
- The Empathy Edge
Jonathan Beck: Integrating Compassion, Impact, and Profit in Your Business Model
You've heard me talk about Both/And leadership and about Both/And business models. The ability to balance mission-driven, social impact work with sustainable…
- The Empathy Edge
Courage to Advance: Breaking the ‘Things Will Get Better’ Cycle with Aaron Delgaty, PhD
Welcome to Courage to Advance, hosted by Kim Bohr and brought to you by SparkEffect, in partnership with The Empathy Edge. Tune in here every 3rd Thursday, or…
- The Empathy Edge
Taryn Voget: How to Activate Your Genius through Empathy
Can genius and empathy coexist or are we doomed to put up with tortured, erratic leaders to find breakthroughs? People cite examples of temperamental, even…
- The Empathy Edge
Andrea Goulet: Where Code and Compassion Connect: Empathy-Driven Software Development
When did soft skills like empathy become deprioritized in the tech industry? My guest today shares a little history lesson on how that happened and why…
- The Empathy Edge
Mikaela Kiner: The Risks of "Nice"
Your culture is shaped by models, expectations, and accountability. It's not enough to have pretty values statements up on the wall if they are not a part of…
- The Empathy Edge
December Hot Take: Empathy in Life AND at Work is Worth Fighting For
Imagine a world where compassion is the norm. This is the world I'm trying to build with my work. In this final Hot Take episode of 2024, I talk about the…
- The Empathy Edge
Courage to Advance: Breaking the Burnout Cycle: How Leadership Behaviors Impact Workplace Stress
In today's episode of Courage to Advance, brought to you by SparkEffect, Kim Bohr and Tracy Wik, VP of Business Strategy at Harrison Assessments, challenge…
- The Empathy Edge
Jen Mueller: How Championship-Winning Leadership Starts With Empathy
Today, sports fans and high achievers, you're in for a treat! Empathy is not soft. It's not weak. Nothing thrills me more than when I can share examples of…
- The Empathy Edge
Molly McGrath: Fix My Employee! No, Fix My Boss!
No matter what side of the aisle you fall on - employee or leader - you may have uttered these words, "Why can't I just fix them?!" Building strong…
- The Empathy Edge
Cary Sparrow: Decoding Labor Market Data to Drive Human-Centered Decisions
Transparency is a cornerstone of empathetic culture. And when it comes to the labor market, pay scales, and required skills, the more information you can get…
- The Empathy Edge
William Vanderbloemen: Be the Unicorn
What makes a perfect candidate or even company? You know the one where when you meet them or visit their offices, where you just know they're something…