Watch this when
Brené Brown on Empathy
When someone's in the hole, you don't shout advice down. You climb in. "Empathy fuels connection. Sympathy drives disconnection."
Who it's for
The short gives a name to two experiences many people have without words for them: being truly met in a hard moment, and being handed a well-meant 'at least' that leaves you more alone.
Feelings it meets
What it is
A short animated film in the RSA Shorts series, voiced by researcher Brené Brown and animated by Katy Davis (Gobblynne). Brown contrasts empathy, which involves perspective-taking and staying with someone in their difficulty, with sympathy, which keeps a distance. An image of a person stuck in a dark hole shows the difference, and the film points out how well-meant 'at least' responses can minimise someone's pain.
Where to find it
YouTube, RSA (Royal Society of Arts) channel (free). Also listed on thersa.org and brenebrown.com.
Before you start
Age: Ages 9+
The course of true love never did run smooth.William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 1, Scene 1
