Shermin Kruse on the power of Stoic Empathy

Whitney was honored to sit down with author, speaker, and change-maker Shermin Kruse for an unforgettable conversation about empathy, strength, and what it truly means to lead with intention.

Born in Tehran during a time of revolution and war, Shermin’s journey from a childhood spent under air raid sirens to becoming a celebrated author and global voice is nothing short of remarkable. Her story is one of resilience, finding calm in chaos, compassion in conflict, and strength in stillness.

In her new book, Stoic Empathy, Shermin introduces a powerful approach to navigating life’s challenges by blending empathy with the wisdom of stoicism. Stoicism teaches emotional regulation and integrity, while empathy helps us tune in to others and ourselves. Together, they create space between reaction and response, a space where wisdom lives.

Through this lens, Shermin helps others bring that same balance into everyday life, whether in a difficult conversation, a workplace challenge, or a quiet moment of self-reflection. Her message is clear: empathy is not about avoiding discomfort, but learning from it. It is about turning emotion into understanding and fear into fuel.

You can get a sneak peak of Shermin and Whitney’s conversation below or stream now on PBS.

To learn more about Shermin and Stoic Empathy, visit: SherminKruse.com