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Empathy Summit: Building the Empathy Movement
Join leading empathy practitioners from around the world as they share proven frameworks that are transforming how we connect, communicate, and build understanding across differences.
As part of the Empathy Movement Training Curriculum Project, this summit series brings together innovators who are pioneering empathy-based training approaches in healing, personal growth, education, conflict resolution, healthcare, design, organizational development, democracy and community building. Each session offers rare access to their methodologies, insights, and real-world applications.
What to Expect:
In dynamic 15-minute presentations followed by 5-minute Q&A sessions, featured trainers will share:
Core frameworks and training methodologies that drive effective outcomes
Practical strategies you can implement immediately
Success stories and lessons learned from diverse cultural contexts
Vision for scaling empathy practices globally
This isn't just a lecture series—it's a collaborative design process. Your questions, experiences, and insights will directly inform the development of a unified Global Empathy Movement Training Curriculum that can be adapted and applied worldwide.
Who Should Attend:
Empathy practitioners and facilitators
Educators and trainers
Organizational leaders and HR professionals
Community organizers and social innovators
Anyone committed to building a more empathic world
Upcoming Summit Dates:
Saturday, October 3, 2026 - Empathy Training
Saturday, January 9, 2027 - Empathy Training
Saturday, April 3, 2027 - Empathy Training in Healthcare
Saturday, July 10, 2027 - Empathy Training
Saturday, October 2, 2027 - Empathy Training
Come ready to learn, share, and co-create the future of empathy training.
Register Now
FREE: Everyone is welcome, donations accepted.
DATE: Saturday, October 3, 2026
TIME: 9 am PT to 12:30 pm PT, 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM ET - World Times
LOCATION: Zoom https://zoom.us/j/9896109339
RECORDING: Part of the event will be recorded and posted to social media for educational and promotional purposes. You have an option of being in a non recorded breakout group.
INVITE FRIENDS
To Be A Speaker
If you would like to be a speaker fill out the Application.
Send a one sentence bio, the title of your proposed talk, a 2 or 3 sentence abstract for consideration,
Program:
All times are Pacific Time
Speakers Schedule
9:00 am - Introduction:
9:05 am - (15) Edwin Rutsch: The Empathy Circle: The Foundational Practice for Experiential Empathy Training
9:20 am - (20) William Filler: The Empathy Circle Training, an experiential first step on your empathic journey.
9:40 am - (20) Lou Zweier: Ongoing Learning and Capacity Building for Empathy Circle Facilitators: the Empathy Circle Facilitator’s Support Group
10:00 am - (20) Susan Christy: Overview of my Power of Listening Programs
10:20 am - (20) David Steele: Empathy Training: The Medium Is The Message
10:40 am - (20) William R. Miller: Teaching Accurate Empathy
11:00 Empathy Circle
12:10 Debrief
12:28 Closing
Backup Speakers:
9:00 am PT Introduction (5 min)
Host: Cara Jean Wilson
The Empathy Circle: The Foundational Practice for Experiential Empathy Training
9:05 am - Speaker: Edwin Rutsch (15 min)
Bio: Edwin Rutsch is Founding Director of The Empathy Center, and a leading organizer in the global Empathy Movement. He is the creator and long-time advocate of the Empathy Circle practice—a simple yet powerful tool for personal growth, building understanding and bridging divides. (LinkedIn) (Facebook) (Website)
Topic: The Empathy Circle: The Foundational Practice for Experiential Empathy Training
Abstract: Empathy cannot be mastered merely as an intellectual concept—it must be directly felt, embodied and practiced. The Empathy Circle offers a simple, highly structured, and accessible practice that provides an immediate, experiential entry point into empathy training. In this talk, Edwin introduces how the Empathy Circle serves as the foundational, practical gateway for cultivating mutual active listening and deep understanding, and how it anchors the broader vision of the open-source Empathy Movement Training Curriculum.
The Empathy Circle Facilitator Training, an Experiential First Step On Your Empathic Journey
9:20 am - Speaker: William Filler (20 min)
Bio: Bill Filler is retired special education teacher who has worked with at-risk children of all ages for over 30 years. He has been involved in the Empathy Circle since 2017. He co-created the Empathy Circle Facilitator training with Lou Zweier and Edwin Rutsch, and has been holding trainings since March 2020. He is a member of the Empathy Center Board of Directors. (LinkedIn) (Facebook)
Topic: The Empathy Circle Training, an Experiential First Step On Your Empathic Journey
Abstract: The purpose of this talk is to describe how the Empathy Circle Facilitator Training gives people the tools to spread empathic listening and supports our larger vision. We feel that providing these skills while being guided by our values of Empathy, Care, Mutuality, and Openness, gives our participants an experiential understanding of what we mean by supporting the Empathy Movement and building a Culture of Empathy.
Ongoing Learning and Capacity Building for Empathy Circle Facilitators: the Empathy Circle Facilitator’s Support Group
9:40 am - Speaker: Lou Zweier (20 min)
Bio: Lou Zweier: Empathy Circle Facilitation Trainer and developer of the Empathy Circle Facilitation. Lou Zweier has been holding Empathy Circles, training Empathy Circle Facilitators, and working with Edwin Rutsch since 2016; he is a former executive of the California State University System, a current member of the Empathy Center Board of Directors, and a Principal Partner at the Authentic Leadership
Topic: Ongoing Learning and Capacity Building for Empathy Circle Facilitators: the Empathy Circle Facilitator’s Support Group
Abstract: Skillfully facilitating Empathy Circles is an ongoing learning and personal development process. Learn how you can continue to develop the depth of your skills and personal capacity for holding circles and coping with difficulty in Empathy Circles.
10:00 am PT
Overview of My Power of Listening Programs
10:00 am - Speaker: Susan Christy (20 min)
Bio: I have designed and facilitated professional LISTENING trainings/programs for thousands of people in corporations, universities, medical schools, and hospitals all over the country. Of course, teaching empathy is an important part of this. (Facebook) (LinkedIn) (Website)
Topic: Overview of My Power of Listening Programs
Abstract: Quick overview of my Power of Listening programs including core content and demo of exercises. I will add recent updates about reflective and empathic listening. My organizational clients include: Stanford U, UCSF, Bechtel, AT&T, and many universities and medical schools.
Empathy Training: The Medium Is The Message
10:20 am - Speaker: David Steele (20 min)
Bio: Writer, poet, and perennial student of human nature, David discovered Nonviolent Communication in 2000, began conducting NVC trainings in 2009, and currently serves as executive director of the Rocky Mountain Compassionate Communication Network. (Facebook) (LinkedIn) (Website)
Topic: Empathy Training: The Medium Is The Message
Abstract: Advertisers have long know the way you present content has more import than the content itself. What are the empathy principals we can employ so people directly experience empathy while they are learning what it is? Here are some of the tools I use.
Topic: Teaching Accurate Empathy
10:40 am - Speaker: William R. Miller
Bio: Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, The University of New Mexico (Website)
Topic: Teaching Accurate Empathy
Abstract: For over 50 years I have been teaching the evidence-based clinical skill of accurate empathy, which is the strongest predictor of more effective therapists. I developed a specific sequence of empathy training exercises described in my 2018 book Listening Well: The Art of Empathic Understanding.
11:00 am PT EMPATHY CIRCLE
Host: Janna Weiss
Empathy Summit: Links
Website: http://EmpathySummit.com
Event Page: https://www.empathysummit.com/dates/oct-3-2026-movement
World Times: https://tinyurl.com/ES2026-10-03wt
Registration: https://forms.gle/dEMMTtgdEQyh8uBBA
Partners: http://EmpathySummit.com/sponsors
Volunteers: http://EmpathySummit.com/volunteers
LinkedIn Event: https://www.linkedin.com/events/empathysummit-aglobalreviewofem7468750572540608512/
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1301901345008948/
Feedback: https://forms.gle/spQh1BoS3sNKv7Xe7
Final Report Location: https://www.empathysummit.com/dates/oct-3-2026-movement
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