Return on Empathy (ROE)

Return on Empathy (ROE), hosted by Rebecca Dhrimaj, is a leadership podcast for changemakers across all roles and industries—from the front lines to the C-suite—that confronts the critical blind spot of traditional performance metrics (ROI), which fail to measure how work is truly experienced and what it costs the people doing it. When leaders lack visibility into the emotional impact of decisions, critical warning signs—like unspoken risks and employee silence—go underground until something breaks. Featuring candid conversations with leaders across industries, ROE explores leading with empathy as a form of intelligence to detect risk earlier, make better decisions, and build organizations that endure by energizing, rather than depleting, their people. Note: This series is an evolution of our original podcast, E3: Engage and Empower with Empathy, representing a deeper focus on the measurable impact of empathy as decision intelligence. *The ROE podcast is dedicated to the late Bob Chapman, former CEO and Chairman of Barry-Wehmiller and co-author of Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family.*

Return on Empathy (ROE) is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 82. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Return on Empathy (ROE), a business show with 0 episodes published.

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  Episode #110

  Fixing Broken Healthcare: AI, Empathy, and Prevention with Robin Blackstone, MD

  Aug 12, 202651 min

  What does a childhood spent sewing Vogue patterns at the Grand Canyon have to do with mastering the delicate art of surgery? In this inspiring episode, host Rebecca Dhrimaj sits down with former surgeon, author, and healthcare visionary Dr. Robin Blackstone to trace the remarkable arc of her career—from standing toe-to-toe with surgical legend Michael DeBakey to leading major surgical departments during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Blackstone opens up about the emotional toll of a broken healthcare system driven by episodic, money-based productivity rather than genuine human outcomes. Now, as the author of Doctor AI , she is on a mission to ignite a global movement toward preventive, personalized care—proving that true healing isn't just about rescuing patients when they fall, but building a world where health is our natural baseline. Sound bites "Data and empathy are both essential in surgery." "Systemic redesign is necessary for better healthcare." "RVUs focus on episodic productivity, not prevention." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Healthcare Leadership and Empathy 04:33 The Journey from Surgery to System Redesign 08:22 Understanding the Flaws in the American Healthcare System 15:36 Leadership Dynamics in Healthcare 17:46 The Role of Team Dynamics in Healthcare 18:52 Empathy vs. Financial Goals in Patient Care 21:13 Reimagining Healthcare Education and Leadership 23:44 Innovations in Preventive Care and Patient Empowerment 26:38 Balancing Empathy and Accountability in Leadership 33:43 Staying Human in Healthcare Roles Guest Links Robin Blackstone's Website - https://robinblackstone.com Robin's books: https://robinblackstone.com/the-book/ Health 4.0 Vision - https://robinblackstone.com/health-4-0/ RVU System Overview - https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/cpt/understanding-relative-value-units-rvus Join The Empathy Collective Community for Leaders Across Sectors Stop leading in isolation and join the The Empathy Collective community of leaders across industries who are coaching each other through change and disruption. Reference the promo code ROEPOD110 for a 10% discount when you sign up for any leadership path: https://www.theempathycollective.com/thecollective

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  Episode #109

  Why She Said YES to Every Opportunity (And How It Built Her Career) with Dr. Esther Alegria

  Aug 5, 202651 min

  What do you do when a senior executive gives you feedback that hits you straight in the heart? In this inspiring episode of Return on Empathy , host Rebecca Dhrimaj sits down with Dr. Esther M. Alegria—former VP of Global Manufacturing at Biogen and author of From Just Esther to Poly-Esther . Growing up as one of eight children in a family with no financial inheritance, Esther learned early on that education, passion, and relentless determination were her only path forward. Raising two children while earning her Ph.D. in chemistry, she built an extraordinary career by adopting a single core philosophy: always say yes to the scary opportunities, and take 100% ownership of your own career . Esther pulls back the curtain on how she turned a devastating review about her accent into a masterclass in graceful action, why titles don't define leadership, and how "skip-level roundtables" can rebuild psychological safety across entire organizations. Tune in to discover why true executive legacy isn't about the products you launch, but the leaders you raise up behind you. Sound Bites "Just say yes!" "Take feedback as an opportunity for growth." "You have to develop the next generation of leaders." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Journey 02:44 Overcoming Childhood Challenges 05:19 Lessons from Rejection 08:09 The Importance of Self-Leadership 10:39 Feedback and Personal Growth 13:14 Adaptability in Career 16:03 Embracing Opportunities and Saying Yes 21:39 Embracing New Opportunities 23:35 The Value of Learning Over Titles 26:58 Building Relationships and Empathy 30:29 The Power of Servant Leadership 35:07 Leaving a Legacy of Leadership 39:48 Creating Psychological Safety in Teams 46:30 Balancing Empathy and Accountability Guest Links Esther’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esther-m-alegria-phd-150b39114/ Esther’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Just-Esther-Poly-Esther-Embracing-Transform/dp/1642258385 Join The Empathy Collective Stop leading in isolation and join the The Empathy Collective community of leaders across industries who are coaching each other through change and disruption. Reference the promo code ROEPOD109 for a 10% discount when you sign up for any leadership path: https://www.theempathycollective.com/thecollective

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  Episode #108

  Reversing the Poverty of Dignity in Business: The New Leadership Blueprint

  Jul 29, 202658 min

  Can an organization remain highly profitable while treating its people with radical love and compassion? In this deeply emotional episode of Return on Empathy , we carry forward the legacy of the late Bob Chapman with an extraordinary, star-studded launch panel featuring Robert E. Quinn, Paula Soteropoulos, Steve Gund, Neal Bakshi, and Dr. Gwendolyn Williams. Together, they confront the "poverty of dignity" in the modern workplace and share how to turn human flourishing and business success into a single, unstoppable virtuous cycle. But the most powerful moment of the hour happened entirely unscripted - when the panel and hundreds of live attendees paused the corporate agenda to rally behind a colleague in crisis, proving in real-time that empathy is not a performative corporate checkbox, but a vital human reflex. Tune in to discover why vulnerability is a leader's true strategic edge and why creating a culture of moral courage is the ultimate path forward in an age of AI and disruption. Sound Bites "Caring for your people is the right thing to do" "Business is the conduit for serving others" "Human flourishing and business success are mutually reinforcing" Resources Everybody Matters by Bob Chapman - https://www.barrywehmiller.com/bobchapman/book Center for Positive Organizations - University of Michigan - https://positiveorgs.bus.umich.edu/ Chapman & Co Leadership Institute - https://www.ccoleadership.com/services/develop/leadership-development-training/truly-human-leader-program Guest Links Steve Gund LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-gund-5081b513/ Paula Soteropoulos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulasoteropoulos/ Gwendolyn Williams, MD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwenthedoctor/ Neal Bakshi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealbakshi/ Robert E. Quinn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-e-quinn-57b9a9100/ Brian Wellinghoff LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-wellinghoff-02703522/ Join The Empathy Collective Community for Leaders Reference the promo code ROEPOD108 to receive a 10% discount when you join the The Empathy Collective community for cross-sector leaders who want to solve their toughest business challenges together: https://the-empathy-collective.mn.co/landing/

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  Episode #106

  Why Middle Management is Burnout City - And How to Fix It with Jeff Sigel

  Jul 15, 202651 min

  Ever felt like you’re "marionetting" your team or constantly fighting fires that aren't yours to extinguish? You are definitely not alone. In this episode, host Rebecca Dhrimaj sits down with Jeff Sigel—executive coach, former corporate leader (with the legendary title "VP of the Junk Drawer"), and author of The Middle Matters . Jeff shares his transformative framework for escaping the exhausting trap of micromanagement by mastering three core middle-management dynamics: the doer, the leader, and the influencer. From hilarious, real-world stories about managing a team that "scrapes the plates" to his viral concept of "Boss GPT," Jeff reveals how shifting your perspective and embracing true empathy can break the vicious cycle of learned helplessness and eliminate self-induced workplace toxicity. Tune in to discover why empathy isn't about coddling your team—it's the ultimate leadership superpower for unlocking their capacity and reclaiming your peace of mind. Sound Bites "I wish I had this book 20 years ago." "You have to trust your team." "Empathy is understanding, not coddling." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Middle Management Challenges 04:38 Jeff Sigel's Career Journey and Insights 09:19 The Struggles of Middle Management 13:55 Understanding Roles: Doer, Leader, Influencer 18:32 Burnout in Middle Management 23:12 The Importance of Feedback 27:59 Empathy in Leadership 32:41 The Toxicity Perception in Workplaces 37:39 The Power of Perspective 42:17 Empathy as a Strength 47:13 Conclusion and Future Challenges Guest Links Jeff’s website: www.jeffsigel.com The Middle Matters - book : https://www.amazon.com/Middle-Matters-Toolkit-Managers/dp/B0D75V8Z7Y The Middle Matters - audio: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PDIbnwIa9uYXtFL9zDVxc?si=163de6adff0042d9 Learn more about The Empathy Collective Community Join us at The Empathy Collective launch event on July 15th @ 12 PM EST. Register here: https://the-empathy-collective.mn.co/plans/1980279?bundle_token=a97b9813830266b53b0e284f3ebac15b&utm_source=manual Join the membership waitlist for The Empathy Collective community (our doors open July 29th) and reference the promo code ROEPOD106 for a 10% discount on the form: https://www.theempathycollective.com/contact-us

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  Episode #105

  Empathy is the Oxygen with Frank T. Ziede

  Jul 8, 202647 min

  What if the secret to holding people accountable at work had absolutely nothing to do with authority? Longtime corporate facilitator Frank Ziede firmly believes that "preparation equals respect" and that true empathy means leaning directly into a team's struggles. In this episode, Frank responds to a powerful challenge passed down from our previous guest, Maggie Brady, about balancing execution with empathy without lowering corporate standards. He shares unforgettable stories from his 25 years on the road, from the magic of sparking a first-time flyer's sense of awe to a grumpy executive who thought selfless leadership was nothing but "hogwash". If you have ever struggled to maintain high standards while keeping a servant's heart, tune in to discover why a question is always a better leadership tool than a lecture. Sound Bites "Curiosity is a superpower." "People matter most." "Lead with empathy first." Chapters 00:00 Breaking Barriers: Inviting Diverse Voices 01:50 The Journey to Freelancing: Finding Your Path 05:46 Empathy in Facilitation: Creating Safe Spaces 11:59 Understanding Vibes: The Importance of Atmosphere 17:14 Empathy as Oxygen: Breathing Life into Leadership 26:03 Leadership and Empathy: Bridging the Gap 28:05 The Essence of Leadership 32:18 Navigating Technology and Human Connection 37:10 The Role of Empathy in Leadership 44:12 Balancing Empathy and Accountability 51:31 Empathy as a Leadership Superpower Guest Links: Frank Ziede’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ftz001/ Frank’s website: https://www.ftzinc.com/ Frank's new book, "The Lost Art of Giving a $#!+ : Why Caring About Customers Pays Off: https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Art-Giving-Caring-Customers/dp/177458669X Join us at The Empathy Collective launch event on July 15th @ 12 PM EST. Register here: https://the-empathy-collective.mn.co/plans/1980279?bundle_token=a97b9813830266b53b0e284f3ebac15b&utm_source=manual Join the membership waitlist for The Empathy Collective community (our doors open July 29th) and reference the promo code ROEPOD105 for a 10% discount on the form: https://www.theempathycollective.com/contact-us

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