The Refuge Ministry
The Refuge Ministry
Coddling, Belittling, Resilience (Episode 4 - Archive)
Coddling, Belittling, Resilience (Episode 4 - Archive)
Coddling, Belittling, Resilience (Episode 4 - Archive)
Wednesday 2nd July 2025
Explore empathy's pitfalls and learn how to support others without coddling or belittling in this engaging episode of Relational Recovery.
7 minutes
Informative
Engaging
Supportive
Honest
Compassionate
About this podcast
Author:
The Refuge Ministry
Overview:
Categories:
Religion & Spirituality
Recovery from Trauma
Healing Relationships
Creative Recovery Journeys
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
3425 (View all)
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!Empathy vs Compassion: Finding Balance in Emotional Support
Episode Overview
- Empathy can lead to coddling or belittling if not balanced with compassion.
- Unhealthy empathy focuses more on personal feelings than those of others.
- Advocating for oneself is key when feeling belittled or coddled.
- Setting clear expectations can improve communication and support.
- Being present and listening is often more helpful than trying to fix issues.
"A good, healthy empathy is coming up and being like, I see that you're really sad. I've had similar situations. What can I do to help?"
In this episode of Relational Recovery, hosts Wes Thompson and Austin Hill dive into the delicate balance between empathy and compassion. They explore how empathy can sometimes lead us to coddle or belittle others, making interactions more about ourselves rather than genuinely supporting the person in need. Wes shares a fascinating anecdote inspired by Jay Shetty, highlighting how empathy's neurobiological roots can cause us to shy away from negative emotions, pushing us towards self-centered responses.
The conversation takes a humorous twist as Wes and Austin dissect the pitfalls of 'unhealthy empathy' – when someone claims to be an empath but ends up focusing more on their own feelings than those of the person they're trying to comfort. They stress the importance of being a supportive presence rather than turning every conversation into a personal reflection session.
Listeners are prompted to reflect on their own behaviours, asking themselves if they might be inadvertently belittling or coddling others. Wes and Austin provide practical advice on how to respond when faced with these situations, encouraging individuals to advocate for themselves and set clear expectations in conversations. This episode is a blend of humour and heartfelt advice, perfect for anyone navigating relationships while striving for emotional resilience.
With engaging anecdotes and insightful discussions, Wes and Austin offer a refreshing perspective on how to truly support others without making it all about you. Tune in for a candid look at relational recovery, and discover how small shifts in your approach can make a big difference in your interactions.