404: How to practice empathy without burning out - with Joseph Cope
Release Date: 11/25/2025
410: How to be a joy-centered people leader - with Sheryl Raphael Whitaker
The Simplifiers Podcast
A lot of people leaders are exhausted right now. They’re holding the line on performance… trying to keep their teams engaged… and making hard calls under pressure. And in the middle of all that, one thing gets pushed to the bottom of the list: Joy. Not the “happy all the time” kind of joy. Not “good vibes only.” But joy as an operating system — the thing that stabilizes how you lead, how you respond, and how you treat people when work gets messy. Because when a leader runs on urgency, fear, or control… the team can feel it. And it costs you: trust,...
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B166: How to be a calm, centered people leader (guided visualization)
The Simplifiers Podcast
Time for a guided visualization exercise: How to be a calm, centered people leader. Because let’s be honest—leading people is meaningful work… and it can also be emotionally demanding. You’re holding space for others, making decisions, navigating change, managing expectations, and trying to do it all with empathy and integrity. This episode is for the moments when you want to lead with clarity instead of reactivity. With presence instead of pressure. With calm confidence instead of overwhelm. This is about learning how to center yourself first, so you can show up as the steady,...
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409: How to stand out on LinkedIn - with Haley ONeill (ALL-STAR)
The Simplifiers Podcast
Raise your hand if you’re currently looking for a job right now? You might be curious… How do I get more recruiters to notice me? How do I elevate my credibility in my sector? Or maybe you’re wanting to speak at more industry conferences? How might you better achieve your professional goals this year? Well, it’s time to rethink how you show up on LinkedIn... more specifically, how to stand out on this professional platform as a thought leader. My all-star special guest today is recruiter Haley ONeill and she’s simplifying how to stand out on LinkedIn. With over 109k followers...
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408: How to build entrepreneurial culture within HR teams - with John Bernatovicz
The Simplifiers Podcast
HR teams are being asked to do more than ever before — move faster, support burned-out employees, and navigate constant change. And yet, many HR functions are still operating with a compliance-first mindset that slows innovation and limits impact. What if HR didn’t function like a back-office department… but instead, like a startup inside the organization? My special guest today is John Bernatovicz, and he’s simplifying how to build entrepreneurial culture within HR teams. John has built his career blending entrepreneurship and HR, and he believes the future of HR depends on...
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407: How to design workspaces where every brain thrives - with Nikki Drader-Mazza
The Simplifiers Podcast
When leaders talk about workplace design, they often focus on the physical space. But the environments that shape how people think, collaborate, and perform are just as much about processes, expectations, and unspoken norms. If we want every brain to thrive at work, we have to examine the systems that quietly determine who gets supported — and who’s left to adapt. My special guest today is Nikki Drader-Mazza, and she’s simplifying how to design workspaces where every brain thrives. This conversation challenges how we think about neurodiversity, inclusion, and what it actually takes...
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B165: How to have an incredible year ahead (guided visualization)
The Simplifiers Podcast
Time for a guided visualization exercise: How to have an incredible year ahead. Not a year filled with overwhelm. But a year filled with simplicity and ease. A year where you go after your goals—using your vision board as your compass—guiding you toward what you truly want, need, and desire in your work and your life. This is about … creating new opportunities that actually support your vision of an incredible life. One where you practice discernment. You say no to the things, people, and opportunities that don’t fit your vision. And you stay committed to showing up for the...
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B164: How to create a vision board 2.0
The Simplifiers Podcast
Happy New Year, friends - to kick things off on the right foot, here’s how to create a vision board to help guide you in the year ahead. This has been a tool I’ve used for the last decade and let me tell you, it works! I like to create mine during the last week of the year and it serves as a visual guide to help me remember what is most important in my life. Let me explain… It's a visual representation of my core values, my desires, and my goals. Every single element I put on my vision board has been carefully picked and considered to ensure it feels right… and it’s...
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B163: What I learned this year + what’s next in 2026
The Simplifiers Podcast
Gosh, that year went by FAST! Let’s recap 2025 — Season 8 of The Simplifiers Podcast. The greatest things I’ve learned. What stood out the most. And where we’re headed next. ✨ What Season 8 Made Crystal Clear Before I wrap up, I just want to say thank you. To our incredible guests — for sharing real, honest insights. To our clients — for trusting us with meaningful work. And to you, our listeners — for believing that work can be better. Because the truth is… Work is broken for a lot of people. And here at The Simplifiers, we’re on a mission to...
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406: How to build a talent strategy that thrives in uncertainty - with Steve Cadigan
The Simplifiers Podcast
Uncertainty has become the norm at work. Markets shift. Culture is shaky. Roles change mid-stride. And yet, many organizations are still trying to plan for the future using old assumptions that no longer hold. In today’s environment, the question isn’t how to create stability — it’s how to build a talent strategy that can adapt when the ground keeps moving. My special guest today is Steve Cadigan, and he’s simplifying how to build a talent strategy that thrives in uncertainty. Steve is known for challenging traditional workforce planning and helping leaders rethink how they...
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405: How to lead from the heart - with Claude Silver
The Simplifiers Podcast
In a world where deadlines move fast and business pressures run high, it’s easy for leaders to default to strategy, metrics, and sheer efficiency. But the leaders who create real impact — the ones people trust, follow, and remember — are the ones who lead from the heart. Heart-centered leadership isn’t soft. It’s intentional. It’s courageous. And it’s one of the most powerful ways to build connection, accountability, and belonging on your team. My special guest today is Claude Silver, and she’s simplifying how to lead from the heart. Claude is known for championing...
info_outlineEmpathy is one of the most important leadership skills we have — and yet, it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Many leaders want to show care, compassion, and understanding… but worry they’ll get drained, taken advantage of, or lose their authority in the process. The truth is: empathy isn’t about absorbing everyone’s emotions. It’s about creating connection, safety, and clarity in a way that’s sustainable for you and supportive for your team.
My special guest today is Joseph Cope, and he’s simplifying how to practice empathy without burning out. If you want to lead with more humanity — especially in moments of change, pressure, or high emotions — this conversation will give you a grounded, repeatable approach you can actually use.
Here’s how.
My special guest today is Joseph Cope and he’s simplifying how to practice empathy without burning out.
We tackle and simplify all aspects of it, including:
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What healthy, sustainable empathy looks like in practice — without getting drained or taken advantage of.
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How to respond with empathy when emotions run high, while still holding a clear boundary or expectation.
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How to balance empathy with accountability when someone on your team keeps missing the mark.
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What empathy looks like for employees who survived a layoff and are now picking up the pieces and carrying more responsibility.
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…and ultimately, 2–3 small daily habits any leader can build to create a more trusted, connected team without adding more to an already overflowing plate.
Q: Are you ready to learn how to practice empathy without burning out? If yes, this one is for you.
It’s time to #DoTheThing!
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Show notes available with all links mentioned here:
https://www.thesimplifiers.com/posts/404-how-to-practice-empathy-without-burning-out---with-joseph-cope