“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.” – Maya Angelou
The other day, as I was driving my kids home from school, a car cut in front of me and then sped off. My 10-year-old daughter said from the back seat, “Wow, that was rude.” And she wasn’t wrong.
But we often play a game where we imagine why someone might have done something that irritated us. Like with the driver of that car:
- “Maybe they were grossed out by the bathrooms at Tiger Mountain and are racing home to go instead.”
- “Maybe they are going to the airport to meet a long lost friend and have to buy some Top Pot donuts on the way.”
- “Maybe they just realized they left a lasagna in the oven and were supposed to take it out…three hours ago.”
This game doesn’t just amuse us – it makes us feel better. It creates some compassion for the other person and shifts us out of our indignation.
It also makes for a better story and resonates with social psychologist, writer, and editor Anne Beall’s wisdom about compassion. On the How To Share podcast, I recently sat down with Anne to explore the ideas behind her book The Compassionate Writer. Anne shares her journey from researcher to founder of the Chicago Story Press Literary Magazine and offers a compelling elevator pitch for her transformative approach to writing with compassion.
We dive into the four pillars of compassionate writing—compassion for ourselves, for others, for the reader, and throughout the writing process—and discuss how these practices can elevate both storytelling and personal growth. Anne also breaks down the thoughtful structure of her book, which blends explanation, real‑world examples, practical exercises, writing prompts, and guided visualizations to help writers deepen their craft.
In this podcast episode, you’ll hear Anne reflect on her unique superpower of seeing stories from a fresh perspective, how her background shaped that lens, and why it can be both an asset and a challenge. We also explore her other works, including Cinderella Didn’t Live Happily Ever After, and talk about the impact of fairy tales and how reframing their messages can empower us.
If you’re looking for inspiration, creative insight, or tools to become a more mindful and empathetic writer, this conversation is packed with value. It’s a rich, energizing episode you won’t want to miss!
Takeaways
- Compassion is essential for effective storytelling.
- Understanding our own narratives requires empathy.
- Writers should be gentle with themselves during the process.
- Compassion for the reader enhances engagement.
- Psychological biases affect how we perceive our writing.
- Different learning styles require varied teaching methods.
- Visualizations can aid in the writing process.
- Seeing stories from multiple perspectives enriches writing.
- The tone of writing can create a more relatable experience.
Here’s a fabulous short clip of Anne telling why compassion makes such a difference in our writing:
Here are some ways you can watch or listen to all of this insightful and helpful episode:
- The podcast player embedded below
- Click this link to watch in a browser: How to Share Compassionate Stories that Inspire and Connect
- Subscribe to How To Share on Spotify, Amazon Music, or Apple Podcasts
- Subscribing to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@howtosharepodcast
Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.
The Life of Try: Alex Honnold Case Study – The Life of Try
Links for this episode:
How to Share Compassionate Stories That Inspire and Connect transcript
The Compassionate Writer on Barnes & Noble, and Amazon
Chicago Story Press Literary Journal
From the host:
My book about my beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith
(featured photo from Pexels)
Surprised By Joy 