Channeling Pain into Purpose: The Power of Radical Empathy
June 12, 2024
Hosted by Lynn McLaughlin
[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]
Guest Information
Episode Description
Bryan Saint-Louis is a man who turned personal pain into a powerful mission of empathy and youth empowerment. He shares his very personal story of losing a child and how one student changed and saved his life in a time of deep depression and despair. His experiences have shaped his approach to fostering understanding and empathy in children and communities. Bryan shares his early calling towards becoming a pastor and how working in a youth juvenile detention centre taught him the importance of meeting children where they are to truly help them. Why did he drop out after two years into his Master’s Program for Theology and how did this decision lift his relationship with his father? How do we practice and teach empathy with our own young children? Bryan shares concrete examples. He discusses what he believes are the major issues in schools, including teacher support, rising student behavior problems, and the need for earlier intervention. By introducing empathy-building activities, like the 'breathing ball' exercise with grade 3 students, he demonstrates practical ways that we can begin to change school culture. Through his Radical Empathy Programs, his goal is to build stronger, more empathetic communities by starting conversations and encouraging collaborative learning.
Taking the Helm
Weekly Podcast Episodes available on-demand on VoiceAmerica Health and Wellness Channel
My current mission is: To empower children by helping them discover the essential stepping stones they need to strengthen their emotional well-being. The vision is: To cultivate confidence, empathy, responsibility, and self-awareness in children, equipping them with the skills to regulate their emotions in a positive way. Our children deserve to be emotionally healthy as they grow through youth into adulthood. As adults, if we model these behaviors for our children and incorporate them into our own daily lives, imagine the synergy we can create! We have become accustomed to wait for symptoms before we seek help, both emotionally and physically. It's time to change our way of thinking from reactive to proactive. Let's learn what we need to now so kids growing up have skills and strategies to use for life, in this very challenging world.
Lynn McLaughlin
Lynn McLaughlin has served in many roles as an educator … Superintendent, Principal, Vice-Principal, Teacher, and Educational Consultant. As a best-selling and award-winning author, Lynn has now teamed up with her niece, Amber Raymond, to co-author a children’s book series titled, “The Power of Thought”. Both are passionate about being proactive when it comes to children’s mental health. When children learn to manage their emotions at a young age, they learn to problem-solve and find positive solutions to everyday situations. Lynn has hosted the podcast, Taking the Helm for over three years. One of her guests might be the change agent you need in your own life! Lynn’s professional speaking experiences have been local, provincial, and international. She offers virtual and in-person interactive presentations geared toward parents and school communities focusing on emotional well-being. Dedicated to community causes, Lynn is a member of 100 Women Who Care Windsor/Essex and is a Rotarian. As a brain tumour survivor, she works tirelessly to support the goals of the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.
