Educating Empathy

From Stage to Soul: Richard A. Murray on Empathy, Culture, and the Power of Storytelling

Join us for an inspiring episode of our Educating Empathy Podcast, presented by SissyMarySue Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to fostering empathy, equity, and education for a brighter future. This special interview is hosted by the dynamic Dr. Lugene Rihki Kennebrew, an award-winning educator, filmmaker, and cultural innovator known for his groundbreaking work in education and the arts. In this episode, Dr. Kennebrew sits down with the brilliant Richard A. Murray, a renowned playwright and screenwriter whose work has left an indelible mark on the world of theater and film. Richard takes us through his extraordinary life, sharing personal stories, reflections, and the creative process behind his celebrated productions such as Food Play, Rashad’s Ride on The Spirit Train, and more. From his early days as a playwright in the vibrant Philadelphia theater scene to his impactful work in Atlanta and beyond, Richard discusses how his art amplifies empathy and supports culturally relevant learning. Guided by Dr. Kennebrew’s thoughtful questions, this episode delves into how storytelling bridges communities, sparks important conversations and nurtures a deeper understanding of the human experience.  ABOUT the HOST:  Dr. Lugene Kennebrew is a distinguished educator, filmmaker, and cultural leader with over a decade of experience shaping minds and creating transformative art. As the Black Joy Galaxy founder and a pioneer in African-centered education, Dr. Kennebrew is passionate about using the arts to empower, educate, and foster empathy across diverse communities. Dr. Kennebrew serves with distinction on the Board of Directors for SissyMarySue Education Fund 501(c)(3) nonprofit, an organization committed to Advancing Education Empowerment and Access. By supporting initiatives like the Educating Empathy Podcast, our nonprofit provides a platform to celebrate diverse voices, foster inclusion, and champion innovative learning and personal growth approaches. Find info including podcasts on our website www.sissymarysue.org  Music by De'Arris Judkins and Lugene Kennebrew Editing by Lugene Kennebrew and Anthony Hotakainen

Artist Lee Truer Poetry, Empathy, Teaching and Youth Emotional Empowerment

Lee Truer shares her personal introspective, empathy driven POETRY and poignant reflections of when she encouraged students, in a writing project that allowed them to process difficult feelings after the death of George Floyd. You see, her students lived in the Minneapolis community where the protests and unrest due to racism and cruelty that led to the death of George Floyd, took place. She reflects on this time as well. I am particularly honored to share this highly gifted person with our listeners. Lee is a former mentor of mine from St. Mary's University who empowered me! I am eager for you to hear why I believe she is so very precious and talented. This is the first VIDEO of our Educating Empathy PODCAST, I hosted. Lee is effervescent, she needs to be seen! Host: Dr. Wendy Muhlhauser-Tingblad Editing: Anthony Hotakainen Music: De'Arris Judkins

The Implications of African-Centered STEM - Prof. Sharif Beyah

The Implications of African-Centered STEM - Prof. Sharif Beyah PODCAST "Educating Empathy" - SissyMarySue Education Fund 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit.  GUEST: Professor Sharif Beyah HOST: Dr. Lugene Kennebrew Music: "Already Done" by De'Arris Wayne Judkins; "Change the World the More We Care" by Dr. Lugene Kennebrew. Editing by Dr. Lugene Kennebrew and Anthony Hotakainen Visit our Website! www.sissymarysue.org

Creative Play for Teaching Empathy to Young Children - A Doctoral Dissertation Documentary of Play Pedagogy, Empathy, Inclusion, and Equity

SissyMarySue Education Fund 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit- Public Charity offers the complete audio on our PODCAST -Educating Empathy- of: Creative Play for Teaching Empathy to Young Children ( a doctoral dissertation- documentary of play pedagogy, empathy and inclusion/equity ) This is rich with play and other research that can support the implementation of it for our youth in education and beyond!  Our nonprofit website www.SissyMarySue.org [http://www.sissymarysue.org/] has links to our PODCASTS. The FUTURE of Research Presentation & Representation in Research …. This is the research of our FOUNDER Dr. Wendy Muhlhauser-Tingblad ProQUEST published and video posted on YOUTUBE 2021! These are her comments. "I believe a documentary film format will be more common in the future for doctoral scholars in a multimedia era! We hope it will help lead the way for more research to be presented this way! I also hope it will lead the way for more ethnographic research to help all voices and life experiences to be included in higher education research to truly reflect everyone!!" "Higher Education remains white male dominated which is not an accurate representation of our country or world!" BELOW is the link to the documentary film. I have included the citation and abstract! It will still resonate today! Somehow it seems important that we share this!  ABSTRACT: Operating from the hypothesis that much of our prejudice and inequality results from a lack of empathy, my dissertation answers the research question: What reflective insights emerge from an autoethnographic study of creative story-telling and play, in online teaching of elementary grade children? This autoethnographic study, with video component, examines my online teaching and experiences that emphasize playfulness, empathy, diversity and inclusion, 11 the context of education and for general youth development. Through the use of documentary style presentation, I offer excerpts of me teaching, an online version of storytelling and play, as learning tools to facilitate the understanding of empathy and shared humanity. I provide a recorded narrative of my reflections that I film, in addition to a prose introduction. The dissertation has three main dimensions: a) Excerpts of recorded online teaching of just me (no children are seen and portions of already existing footage of interviews, b) Narrative of reflections for class planning, personal and academic discoveries, teaching, and other data comprised of journal entries, personal reflections, poetry, c) Intro, citations of research, literature review, and conclusions. I believe my illustrations will make for unique connections between playfulness and the development of empathy. Keywords: Play, creative play, empathy, education, K-6 education, online teaching. puppets, story, storytelling, hierarchy, discrimination, prejudice, inequality. APA Citation:  Muhlhauser, W. J. (2021). Creative Play for Teaching Empathy to Young Children: an Inner Exploration of an Instructor’s Process, a Visual and Narrative Journey (Doctoral dissertation, Fielding Graduate University). Link to VISUAL version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7evfLBX9Pos&t=26s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7evfLBX9Pos&t=26s] Find the written version on ProQuest under Wendy Muhlhauser. https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/creative-play-teaching-empathy-young-children/docview/2510326346/se-2 [https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/creative-play-teaching-empathy-young-children/docview/2510326346/se-2] Music by De'Arris Wayne Judkins (DRS), Chad Ihlenfeldt, Sara Guhl, and Anthony Hotakainen. Production and editing of documentary and podcast by Wendy Muhlhauser and Anthony Hotakainen.

Access and Inclusion in Aviation: A Conversation with Mamie Lanford Singleton and Colonel George London

ACCESS and INCLUSION in AVIATION our "Educating Empathy" --PODCAST! Mamie Lanford Singleton-began an aviation enrichment program for youth in St. Paul Minnesota, when she was serving as a Police Officer that expanded to far beyond Minnesota. She serves as the Executive Director of YIMA (Youth Initiative Mentoring Academies)! She offered young people an enrichment activity beyond sports. She beams when she shares about her aviation students finding their confidence and going on to become Harvard graduates, pilots, air traffic controllers and so on! Colonel George London- was the first Black Pilot of C-17 plane. He served in Vietnam and ultimately served as a commander leading 900 people. He trained countless Pilots in the Air Force! He did consultant work after retiring from the Air Force for many years but took a huge pay cut to teach Physics at a High School level to empower young people-to discover their true value! Next, he launched Columbia Training Centers (CTC) to train young people to become pilots! Host: Dr. Wendy Muhlhauser-Tingblad Edit by Anthony Hotakainen Music: "Already Done" by De'Arris Judkins (DRS)