Learn to truly connect with others by separating what you see from what you assume. This practical approach to cognitive empathy changes how you relate to both others and yourself.
The story
You know that moment when someone really gets you? Not just nods along, but truly sees what you’re going through?
That feeling doesn’t happen by accident.
Scott Howard Swain’s “A Practical EmPath: Rewire Your Mind” reveals something most of us miss: real connection isn’t about being nice or saying the right things. It’s about showing up as yourself while genuinely understanding where someone else is coming from.
Chapter 1 lays out why this matters so much. When you learn to separate what you see from what you assume, everything shifts. Conversations get clearer. Conflicts shrink. You stop reacting and start responding.
The wild part? This isn’t just about improving things with others. It changes how you relate to yourself.
Swain talks about cognitive empathy – the ability to step into someone’s shoes without losing your own footing. When you practice this, you’re not performing empathy. You’re living it. And people feel the difference.
Think about your hardest relationships right now. The ones where you keep hitting the same walls. What if those walls weren’t permanent? What if you just needed a different approach – one that starts with curiosity instead of defensiveness?
That’s what Chapter 1 offers. Not theory. Not fluff. Just practical shifts you can use today.
The best relationships in your life aren’t perfect. They’re honest. They’re resilient. They’re built on two people who’ve learned to truly hear each other.
And that skill? You can develop it.
Start with Chapter 1 of “A Practical EmPath.” See what changes when you do.
