Is empathy toxic?

The podcast explores the complexities surrounding empathy, questioning its universally positive perception and examining arguments that it can be toxic or even sinful. It features Erica Steenburgen, a couples therapist, who shares her experiences with empathy burnout and how constant compassion can lead to emotional exhaustion. Roxanne Stone from Religion News Service discusses the emerging viewpoint, particularly within Christian evangelical circles, that empathy is a distortion of Christian virtues, often used to push progressive political agendas. Jamil Zaki, a psychology professor at Stanford, defines empathy's three components—emotional, cognitive, and compassionate—and argues against the idea that empathy is inherently toxic, highlighting its benefits for mental health, relationships, and prosocial behavior when coupled with action.