THE NON-OBVIOUS SHOW · EPISODE 47

How Men Find Community and Build Empathy

with Michael Tennant

Episode 47 · August 12, 2025 · 28 min

In this episode of The Non-Obvious Show, host Rohit Bhargava engages with Michael Tennant, an empathy expert and founder of Curiosity Lab, discussing the importance of emotional awareness, vulnerability, and community in fostering deeper connections. Tennant shares his personal journey through loss and the development of his card game, Actually Curious, aimed at promoting empathy. The conversation explores the role of men's groups in emotional leadership, the impact of societal changes on empathy, and practical methods for cultivating empathy in oneself and others.

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Episode Summary

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Key Takeaways

01Being willing to feel heart emotions is crucial.
02Empathy often requires vulnerability and self-reflection.
03Men's groups can provide a unique space for emotional growth.
04The game Actually Curious helps facilitate deeper conversations.
05Personal tragedy can lead to a greater understanding of empathy.
06Emotional intelligence is essential for building connections.
07Community plays a vital role in emotional healing.
08Learning empathy can be a structured process.
09It's important to meet people where they are emotionally.
10Understanding oneself is key to fostering empathy.

What We Cover

00:00The Power of Emotional Awareness
02:57Empathy and Vulnerability: A Personal Journey
05:34Men and Emotional Leadership
08:38Building Deeper Connections Through Community
11:33The Role of Conversation Games in Fostering Empathy
14:32Navigating Empathy in a Changing World
17:29Learning Empathy: Methods and Approaches
20:31Creating a Million Empathy Experts
23:27Understanding Yourself Through Empathy

About The Guest

Michael Tennant

Founder of Curiosity Lab, creator of Actually Curious

Michael Tennant is the founder and CEO of Curiosity Lab and author of The Power of Empathy: A Thirty-Day Path to Personal Growth and Social Change. He created the Actually Curious card game and builds programs that use conversation to develop empathy in teams and communities.

curiositylab.io ↗