In this conversation, Erin chats with Jess Buchanan as she shares her extraordinary journey from being a teacher in Ohio to working in the Horn of Africa, where she was held hostage for 93 days. Through her harrowing experience, Jess explores the themes of empathy, intuition, and personal growth. Jess discusses how her understanding of empathy evolved during her captivity, allowing her to connect with her captors on a human level. She emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and intuition in navigating life’s challenges and highlights the power of compassion in fostering connection and understanding. Ultimately, Jess’s story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of empathy.

Today on Tactical Empathy:

• Empathy can be a life-saving skill.
• Desperate circumstances can lead people to make harmful choices.
• Self-reflection is crucial in understanding our experiences.
• Intuition should not be ignored; it often guides us.
• Compassion fosters connection and understanding.
• Life experiences shape our perspectives on empathy.
• We often carry unseen burdens that affect our behavior.
• Empathy is not about condoning actions but understanding motivations.
• Personal growth can emerge from the most challenging situations.
• Compassion is a choice that can be made every day.

Connect with Jess:

• Website: https://www.jessbuchanan.com/
• Website: https://www.soulspeakpress.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicabuchananpage
• Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-buchanan-05ba7364/
• LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/jessicacbuchanan/

Connect with Erin:

• Instagram: @elthorp
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-thorp-speaker/
• Website: www.erinthorp.ca
• Inside Out Empathy: www.erinthorp.ca/insideout
• Freebie: 5 Practices to Build Empathy Skills