One circle at a time. Open-source. Free by donation. A gift from the contributors who believe mutual listening can change the world.
Over 30+ cohorts since 2011. A growing network of facilitators carrying the practice into homes, workplaces, and communities worldwide.
The Empathy Circle Training exists to make mutual empathic listening a primary cultural value — in families, workplaces, schools, communities, and across political divides.
Our mission is ambitious: to train all 8 billion people to participate in and facilitate Empathy Circles. We begin with the people who feel called. They each ripple outward.
Everything here is open-source — free to use, adapt, and redistribute. This is a gift economy project. We ask for donations, not fees, because we believe the practice should reach everyone.
"The listening and reflecting in a shared Empathy Circle gives people a collective empathic experience."— Scientific American
The Empathy Center's global network includes over 20,000 people. Training has been running continuously since 2011, across 30+ cohorts, with participants from across the world.
The Empathy Summit brings together practitioners, researchers, and advocates from around the world to share what's happening in the global Empathy Movement. Free and open to all.
Hear from facilitators, community builders, educators, and researchers — all using Empathy Circles in different contexts to build a more empathic world.
Participants and presenters join from dozens of countries. Past summits have featured over 100 speakers.
All summit presentations are recorded and archived. A growing library of empathy practice and research.
Summits are free and open to the public. Donations support the Empathy Center's ongoing work.
The Empathy Circle Training is part of a wider constellation of empathy projects — all connected through Edwin Rutsch and the Empathy Center.
There are many ways to be part of building a culture of empathy. Start wherever you are.
No registration. No cost. Just show up and experience what it feels like to be truly heard.
See Schedule →Four Saturdays online. Learn to facilitate the practice yourself. Become a ripple in the movement.
Apply Now →This is a gift economy project. If the training has value to you, consider supporting the Empathy Center's work.
Donate →Questions about training? Email Bill Filler. · Questions about the movement? Email Edwin Rutsch.