The Hello Frequency, A Lifestyle Podcast
The Hello Frequency Lifestyle Podcast is a captivating exploration of human experiences through candid dialogues. I, Caya, delve into the power of empathy, inviting individuals to share their authentic stories and unravel the threads of empathy for positive transformations and healing. Please visit here to view the transcripts of my podcast episodes and to engage with me, if you wish to review or comment: https://thehellofrequencyalifestylepodcast.buzzsprout.com
The Hello Frequency, A Lifestyle Podcast
The Politics of Empathy: Beyond Feel-Good Morality
In this thought-provoking episode, Ee Ling (the author of Fire Dragon Feminism; https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/fire-dragon-feminism-9781350447820/) and I deepen our critical takes on empathy. We want it to be questioned and celebrated. Together, we unpack how empathy is framed in dominant social and political discourses, asking what is truly being promoted when we talk about “being empathetic.” Is it a genuine connection, or a distraction from deeper structural injustices?
To move towards real change, we argue that collective struggle, solidarity, and a critical awareness of historical continuities are essential. Empathy alone is not enough — it must be accompanied by justice, accountability, and the dismantling of oppressive systems.
Remember, in a world where discord echoes loudly, let empathy be our pluriversal language!
In this thought-provoking episode, Ee Ling (the author of Fire Dragon Feminism; https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/fire-dragon-feminism-9781350447820/) and I deepen our critical takes on empathy. We want it to be questioned and celebrated. Together, we unpack how empathy is framed in dominant social and political discourses, asking what is truly being promoted when we talk about “being empathetic.” Is it a genuine connection, or a distraction from deeper structural injustices?
We explore how ideas of goodness and humanity are circulated, often serving to individualise responsibility and deflect from the systemic roots of inequality. This conversation challenges the notion of empathy as an unqualified good, inviting listeners to interrogate how colonial legacies and racial capitalism continue to shape not only our world order but also our moral vocabularies.
To move towards real change, we argue that collective struggle, solidarity, and a critical awareness of historical continuities are essential. Empathy alone is not enough — it must be accompanied by justice, accountability, and the dismantling of oppressive systems.
