Next Steps
Ingrid and Edwin just set up the trial run
process for registration and billing
Edwin To Do
Newsletter
3 Interviews and Presentations next week
New How to Video.
Braver Angels - Sun
Empathy Marathon. - going deeper. Sat
Next Week Grant notice
Meeting summary
The meeting focused on discussing how to generate income through empathy circles, moving beyond just paid circles to explore various revenue opportunities for the Empathy Center. The group discussed different approaches including corporate training, healthcare applications, grants, and the challenges of implementing paid empathy circles through the organization. Teri shared her experience implementing empathy training in a rehabilitation hospital where she received a 40% raise and promotion, while Edwin mentioned his experience with corporate empathy cafes earning $500 per hour. The conversation explored philosophical questions about the organization's role in charging for services, legal implications, and whether to start individually or build a structured system. The group agreed to shift future meetings to Saturdays at 11 AM Pacific time and decided to bring these discussions to the board meeting for foundational guidance on organizational direction.
The group discussed their upcoming meeting topic but acknowledged limited progress due to other commitments. Edwin mentioned having three presentations at conferences next week, a marathon on Saturday, and a Braver Angels project on Sunday. Teri shared her experience with a flaxseed latte she created for her 16-year-old son William, who had previously suffered brain damage from THC use. Teri suggested creating a structured space for paid circles with best practices and a pre-set-up platform for facilitators.
The group discussed payment processing options for empathy circles, with Teri exploring whether to use existing automated systems or have individuals handle payments themselves. Ingrid raised philosophical and legal questions about the Empathy Center's role in charging for services, including what percentage to take and whether it aligns with the organization's mission. The group agreed that starting individually would be simpler than implementing a complex automated system, with Edwin noting that significant demand would be needed to justify the administrative burden for the organization.
Ingrid shared her experience with a company offering a $16,000 package and discussed different approaches to implementing paid empathy circles, including focusing on vagal toning and running separate empathy circles. Teri and Ingrid explored the challenges and benefits of targeting existing audiences versus building new ones from scratch, considering the educational and corporate applications of empathy circles. Edwin mentioned potential grant opportunities, particularly around AI and healthcare, and highlighted the income potential in corporate settings, while also noting the growing momentum in empathy and leadership within healthcare organizations.
The group discussed the challenges of monetizing empathy circles and the importance of establishing ethical foundations for charging fees. Teri shared her experience creating an empathy training program at a hospital that led to a promotion and 40% raise, though the medical director later took credit for her work. The group explored different models including 12-step programs which generate income through book sales, and discussed the potential to bring up foundational questions about monetization at an upcoming board meeting. They agreed to shift future meetings to Saturdays at 11 AM Pacific time, with Ingrid tasked to send out invitations for September 26th and October 10th meetings.