Empathy begins with presence. Sunday dinners aren’t just about food—they’re about consistency. Everyone knows they’re welcome. That kind of ritual builds trust, and trust is the foundation of any message that lands.
But empathy also requires effort. Showing up—especially for family—can be tiring, annoying, and seemingly thankless. Yet it’s the day-to-day interaction that cultivates understanding. You can’t be empathetic toward something (or someone) you don’t know. And you can’t truly know without putting in the work. That goes for family, business, and anything else that matters.
Listening Between the Lines
At the table, stories unfold in layers. My mother might talk about a hymn from church, and Penn might interrupt with a joke. But underneath it all are emotions, memories, and needs. Empathetic messaging means listening not just to words, but to what’s beneath them; it means letting ideas bloom naturally and completely allows us the opportunity to truly understand one another.
Legacy is a Living Conversation
Our church has been part of my family’s life for 115 years. That kind of continuity shapes how we speak, lead, and love. When I help clients craft messaging, I always ask: What legacy are you building? Because legacy isn’t just history—it’s how we carry our values forward.
What the Table Teaches
The table teaches patience. It teaches timing. It teaches when to speak and when to pass the potatoes. These are the same skills we need in leadership, in branding, and in life. Empathy isn’t a soft skill—it’s a strategic one.
I didn’t expect to enter motherhood at 43, or caring for my mother in the home where I once played with dolls. But this life—layered, late, and luminous—is the source of everything I write, build, and believe. The table is my teacher. And empathy is the lesson.
The Empathy Engine 
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