The Dangers of Losing Empathy: Disconnection & Apathy in Modern Society

Reframing Perspectives with Payal Beri, PhD

In this powerful debut solo episode, Dr. Payal Beri explores a growing crisis that’s often ignored: the quiet unraveling of empathy in our modern world. From casual disengagement to emotional burnout, she unpacks how societal apathy and hyper-individualism are not just dividing us — they’re dismantling the very fabric of human connection.

Through deeply personal stories and thought-provoking insights, Dr. Beri challenges us to reflect on how avoidance, fear, and overload have made empathy feel optional. She asks the question: What happens when we stop caring? And more importantly, what can we do to reclaim our shared humanity?

In this episode:

00:00 Introduction to Empathy

00:53 A Personal Story of Disconnection

02:17 The Danger of Losing Empathy

04:14 The Impact of Individualism

06:32 Avoidance and Its Consequences

09:04 The Overwhelm of Modern Society

14:15 The Manipulation of Empathy

18:59 The Erosion of Community

21:16 The Misunderstanding of Empathy

22:12 Biological Hijacking and Fear

23:15 The Impact of Overstimulation

25:32 Short-Term Thinking and Its Consequences

28:05 The Danger of Apathy

30:19 Empathy as a Discipline

32:30 The Importance of Connection

38:37 A Call to Care and Understand

Follow Dr. Payal Beri on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dr.payalberi

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Check out RK Empathy:

https://www.rkempathy.com/

Connect with Dr. Payal Beri on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/payalberi/

Interested in having Dr. Payal Beri speak at your event?

https://www.payalberi.com/

This Podcast is Produced by MicMoguls.com.

This podcast is produced by MicMoguls.com