Jenny Mascaro – Compassion in Healthcare

In this episode, Wendy speaks with biological anthropologist and contemplative researcher Jenny Mascaro. Jenny's work weaves together meditation, compassion, psychology, and healthcare, and moves us toward a deeper understanding of interconnectedness. This conversation covers many topics, including:

• her interest in social cognition in animals - and humans;

• what compassion is, and how it's different from empathy;

• biological basis of compassion, and the role of oxytocin;

• how social factors and context shape compassion;

• training compassion and the skills underlying it;

• understanding self-compassion;

• the under-appreciated role of hospital chaplains;

• compassion training for chaplains;

• preparing for interpersonal interactions;

• how compassion shows up in language;

• how compassionate care can help anxiety and depression;

• responding to healthcare provider stress;

• how meditation has changed her;

• and building awareness of interdependence.

Full show notes and resources (podcast.mindandlife.org/jenny-mascaro)