Empathy Affect
On Empathy Affect, we explore the human side of government. We get to know the real people in government who serve us. We learn about their missions, the people they serve, and the true impact of their work. In each episode, we'll speak with real people about how they weave empathy into the policies and programs of government.
Empathy Affect
Latest Episodes
S4E6: Inside the Mission to Support Military Families
Military families move every few years. They navigate deployments, career interruptions, childcare waitlists, and the daily weight of a life built around service. So, while service members navigate the changing tides of military life, their fam...
S4E5: When Listening Leads: Lessons from Maryland’s Digital Transformation
Most of us only visit a government website when we really need something—unemployment benefits, a license renewal, or emergency aid. So when the experience is confusing, slow, or just broken, it doesn't just cost time. It quietly erodes somethi...
S4E4: Who Will Run the Roads? The AI and Workforce Challenges Facing State Transportation
What happens when the people who keep America moving start disappearing faster than we can replace them? Across the country, state transportation agencies are facing a workforce crisis that's been quietly building for years—and most of us have ...
S4E3: How FDA Protects The Food We Eat
Most of us don’t think about food safety until something goes wrong—a recall notice or a moment in the kitchen when we wonder, “Is this still safe to eat?” In this episode, we take a look behind the scenes at how food safety is ensu...
S4E2: How New York Is Building Mental Health Around People’s Lives
Caring for your mental health isn’t just about treatment. It’s about living a full life.This is how the New York State Office of Mental Health is rethinking how we handle mental health—by centering recovery, resilience, and the whole per...