“I'm not one to hyperbolise but Tea and Empathy has helped me to become a better person. ”
Kate is the embodiment of empathy and I left her workshop feeling that my emotions had been validated for the first time in my life. But before I went I had to get a pack of cards because they had provided me with a language to describe my feelings - something I hadn't even realised was missing from my life! Having such a simple, but powerful, exercise of working through the cards when I can't put words to my emotions has eased so much strain on my relationships. The curiosity that Tea and Empathy has created in me has also made me a better listener and I don't think I would be as good at my job without it.
— Joanna Williams, Director of Strategy at Bits and Bods
“I can't recommend Tea & Empathy strongly enough. ”
I had the pleasure of having Kate herself run a session for me, and it was an immensely cathartic and emotional experience. The format of the cards was a non-threatening, but extremely effective mechanism for exploring some aspects of my life; both in terms of letting others around me know what I was feeling, and in helping me explore and understand exactly what I was experiencing and why.
— Russell Keith-Magee
"Kate has a deep understanding of the importance of authentic communication and empathy in interpersonal relationships and a genuine desire to help all of us hold space for each other in the workplace, the bedroom and the community."
Just as importantly, Kate is charming, witty, friendly and approachable. As a speaker, facilitator, writer and teacher she is simultaneously impactful and entertaining - a rare combination.
— Katrina McKay, Entrepreneur, KatrinaMcKay.com / Uplevel Solutions
“Kate’s unique take on building empathy and communication skills is approachable, long-lasting, and enriching. ”
Each time I attend a Tea & Empathy workshop, I am genuinely filled with an elevated sense of purpose and understanding of empathetic communication. The Tea & Empathy workshop is an immensely restorative opportunity to learn how to name and unpack complex emotions using the Feelings Cards.
— Kay Jenson, Sex & Relationships Researcher
“We often think that empathy is a personality trait, something you have or don't have. But Tea & Empathy is a great way to learn that, actually, empathy is a skill we can practice and build up. ”
I loved meeting new people at Kate's Tea & Empathy party and quickly connecting with them in a genuine way over the cards, and I even got a deck of the cards for myself. I go through them when I'm feeling a lot of mixed emotions – about work, love, etc. – and it helps me precisely identify what I am feeling so I can take next steps with more clarity.
— Daniela Lapidous, writer & researcher
"Tea & Empathy has given me the gift of feeling seen and heard in a truly profound way."
I have had the opportunity to do Tea & Empathy twice, once one-on-one with Kate, and a second time with my colleagues as a team bonding experience. As Kate will tell you, most folks never learn how to communicate empathically since they have themselves rarely receive empathy. The workshop gave me a window into what relationships could look like, if only we all knew how to communicate with empathy! Tea & Empathy has given me the gift of feeling seen and heard in a truly profound way.
I also highly recommend Tea & Empathy as a feature of workplace training or bonding. Although everyone may have a different set of personal challenges, it was invaluable to recognize that many of us also have overlapping anxieties or fears! This was an incredible chance for our workplace walls to come down; we were asked to relate to each other on a deeper level, rather than simply as colleagues.
— Maya Peers Nitzberg, O.school Community Support
“Learning to give and receive empathy has been a catalyst to working collaboratively with diverse clients and building purposeful and meaningful relationships.”
Kate’s unique flavor of teaching empathy fits perfectly with an entrepreneurial mindset. Learning to give and receive empathy has been a catalyst to working collaboratively with diverse clients and building purposeful and meaningful relationships. Kate's work has shown me that empathy sits at the center of quality human relationships. These are life long communication skills that have changed the way I approach professional and personal relationships.
— Rick Aguilar, Marketing and Public Health Consultant
“Being able to go through all the feelings, then thinking/expressing each one individually has been liberating.”
The circumstances that lead me to recovering from PTSD, left me without the necessary tools to process even straight forward emotions. Being able to go through all the feelings, then thinking/expressing each one individually has been liberating.
— Leon Wright
“If you want a model for deeper, more valuable connection, you should absolutely attend a Tea and Empathy workshop.”
Tea and Empathy changed the way I interact with other people's stories. My dad never really had good communication role models, Grandpa was an orphan during the great depression and Grandma lost much of her family young, so they never learned to process emotions well and never passed that on. I also have trouble expressing myself and asking for help, so much of what I experienced in the workshop was new territory.
It didn't undo years of poor communication with my family, but it gave me new tools I'm still working on bringing to all my interactions nearly a year later. My friends confide in me more, I feel closer to people, and I'm a better, more understanding person for having attended this workshop. I still go into problem-solving mode sometimes, but the habit is fading. I'm able to hold space for people, and they notice. Sometimes after a single conversation, my coworkers will approach me more warmly and be more willing to help when I need it, just because I know how to listen and relate to people better.
If you want a model for deeper, more valuable connection, you should absolutely attend a Tea and Empathy workshop.
— Kenton Johnston, Lead Designer at FunkitToys.com