What does it take to have a truly compassionate conversation—one that heals, connects, and even bridges deep divides?

In this episode of Compassion in a T-Shirt, I have the great pleasure of speaking with Stephen Andrew—a seasoned therapist, trainer, storyteller, and the warm, wise voice behind the podcast Conversations in Compassion. Based in Portland, Maine, Stephen has spent decades working with people experiencing addiction, mental illness, and trauma, and he brings a deeply compassionate lens to everything he does.

Together, we explore what makes a conversation truly compassionate—from the inner skills we cultivate, to the shared space we create between us. Stephen shares his concept of the Tai Chi of Empathy, and we talk about the roles of mindfulness, radical humility, and presence in healing relationships. We also look at how compassion can guide us through difficult conversations, even across divides, and why things like trust, silence, and heartfelt apologies matter more than ever.

This conversation is full of insight, humour, and heart—and I hope it brings something meaningful to you too.

Links:

Stephen Andrew website

https://www.hetimaine.org/

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Compassion in a T-Shirt

01:03 Welcoming Stephen Andrew

01:26 Defining Compassionate Conversations

04:24 The Tai Chi of Empathy

06:33 Practicing Radical Humility

13:36 The Courage to Embrace Mystery

17:52 Empathy as a Healing Practice

21:19 Understanding Trauma Injuries

30:48 The Power of Compassion and Trust

32:00 Understanding Shame, Isolation, and Fear

33:53 Creating a Safe and Secure Environment

35:16 The Role of Compassion in Healing

40:32 Navigating Disagreements with Empathy

48:03 The Importance of Silence and Reflection

55:48 Practical Steps for Compassionate Conversations

If you would like to learn more about compassion focused therapy, you can find Dr Stan Steindl's book The Gifts of Compassion here: https://www.ausapress.com/p/the-gifts-of-compassion-how-to-understand-and-overcome-suffering/ 

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Video hashtags:

compassionate communication, motivational interviewing, empathy in practice, trauma-informed care, radical humility, healing relationships