Rob, Empathy Activist, Author
@empathyactivist.bsky.social
Improving communication and positive outcomes through empathy. Author of award-winning Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation at a Time
Holiday fights usually aren’t about food at all — they’re about the meaning we attach to it.
A recipe is someone’s identity, their history, their sense of belonging.
Asking “What does this dish mean to you?” opens the door to connection instead of conflict.
youtube.com/shorts/8jycK...
A recipe is someone’s identity, their history, their sense of belonging.
Asking “What does this dish mean to you?” opens the door to connection instead of conflict.
youtube.com/shorts/8jycK...
Holiday Fights Aren't About Food...
YouTube video by Empathy Activist Rob Volpe
youtube.com
December 8, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Holiday fights usually aren’t about food at all — they’re about the meaning we attach to it.
A recipe is someone’s identity, their history, their sense of belonging.
Asking “What does this dish mean to you?” opens the door to connection instead of conflict.
youtube.com/shorts/8jycK...
A recipe is someone’s identity, their history, their sense of belonging.
Asking “What does this dish mean to you?” opens the door to connection instead of conflict.
youtube.com/shorts/8jycK...
Reposted by Rob, Empathy Activist, Author
Voila! Lemon Almond Pavlova
It’s really not that hard, just requires some patience with the meringue.
And where did I get the platter? It’s from the home collection Nigella has a while back. I only have a few pieces and the mezzanine but I ❤️❤️❤️ it all
Recipe from @nigella.bsky.social Simply Nigella
It’s really not that hard, just requires some patience with the meringue.
And where did I get the platter? It’s from the home collection Nigella has a while back. I only have a few pieces and the mezzanine but I ❤️❤️❤️ it all
Recipe from @nigella.bsky.social Simply Nigella
November 28, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Voila! Lemon Almond Pavlova
It’s really not that hard, just requires some patience with the meringue.
And where did I get the platter? It’s from the home collection Nigella has a while back. I only have a few pieces and the mezzanine but I ❤️❤️❤️ it all
Recipe from @nigella.bsky.social Simply Nigella
It’s really not that hard, just requires some patience with the meringue.
And where did I get the platter? It’s from the home collection Nigella has a while back. I only have a few pieces and the mezzanine but I ❤️❤️❤️ it all
Recipe from @nigella.bsky.social Simply Nigella
Making dessert first!
Meringue base is ready.
@nigella.bsky.social Lemon Almond Pavlova on it’s way!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Meringue base is ready.
@nigella.bsky.social Lemon Almond Pavlova on it’s way!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
November 27, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Making dessert first!
Meringue base is ready.
@nigella.bsky.social Lemon Almond Pavlova on it’s way!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Meringue base is ready.
@nigella.bsky.social Lemon Almond Pavlova on it’s way!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Chicken soup started on the stove.
November 26, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Chicken soup started on the stove.
Happy day!
Scanning the channels for something to watch, thinking I’d find another showing of Independence Day to have on in the background while working.
Much to my delight, I found a marathon of @nigella.bsky.social Cook, Eat, Repeat on @tastemade.bsky.social
❤️❤️❤️
Scanning the channels for something to watch, thinking I’d find another showing of Independence Day to have on in the background while working.
Much to my delight, I found a marathon of @nigella.bsky.social Cook, Eat, Repeat on @tastemade.bsky.social
❤️❤️❤️
November 22, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Happy day!
Scanning the channels for something to watch, thinking I’d find another showing of Independence Day to have on in the background while working.
Much to my delight, I found a marathon of @nigella.bsky.social Cook, Eat, Repeat on @tastemade.bsky.social
❤️❤️❤️
Scanning the channels for something to watch, thinking I’d find another showing of Independence Day to have on in the background while working.
Much to my delight, I found a marathon of @nigella.bsky.social Cook, Eat, Repeat on @tastemade.bsky.social
❤️❤️❤️
Did not have this one on my Friday night bingo card. Did you?
#mtgresigns #magabuhbye @chrislhayes.bsky.social @allinwithchris.bsky.social
#mtgresigns #magabuhbye @chrislhayes.bsky.social @allinwithchris.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Did not have this one on my Friday night bingo card. Did you?
#mtgresigns #magabuhbye @chrislhayes.bsky.social @allinwithchris.bsky.social
#mtgresigns #magabuhbye @chrislhayes.bsky.social @allinwithchris.bsky.social
Reposted by Rob, Empathy Activist, Author
On this Trans Day of Remembrance, we remember the bright and courageous trans people whose lives were stolen by hatred. Their absence is felt across our city.
We will honor them by building a New York where every trans person can live safely, fully and freely.
We will honor them by building a New York where every trans person can live safely, fully and freely.
November 20, 2025 at 4:57 PM
On this Trans Day of Remembrance, we remember the bright and courageous trans people whose lives were stolen by hatred. Their absence is felt across our city.
We will honor them by building a New York where every trans person can live safely, fully and freely.
We will honor them by building a New York where every trans person can live safely, fully and freely.
November 21, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Reposted by Rob, Empathy Activist, Author
For this week's #ThursdayFilmRec 🗃️🎥🍿🎬 #HATM
Watch (or Rewatch) one of my favorite films: "Broadcast News" (1987) - Dir. James L. Brooks
Fantastic performances by Holly Hunter, William Hurt, & Albert Brooks.
And, this unforgettable scene featuring Joan Cusack. ⬇️
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYCE...
Watch (or Rewatch) one of my favorite films: "Broadcast News" (1987) - Dir. James L. Brooks
Fantastic performances by Holly Hunter, William Hurt, & Albert Brooks.
And, this unforgettable scene featuring Joan Cusack. ⬇️
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYCE...
Broadcast News - Tape Scene
YouTube video by Peter Ghosh
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:18 PM
For this week's #ThursdayFilmRec 🗃️🎥🍿🎬 #HATM
Watch (or Rewatch) one of my favorite films: "Broadcast News" (1987) - Dir. James L. Brooks
Fantastic performances by Holly Hunter, William Hurt, & Albert Brooks.
And, this unforgettable scene featuring Joan Cusack. ⬇️
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYCE...
Watch (or Rewatch) one of my favorite films: "Broadcast News" (1987) - Dir. James L. Brooks
Fantastic performances by Holly Hunter, William Hurt, & Albert Brooks.
And, this unforgettable scene featuring Joan Cusack. ⬇️
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYCE...
What if we've been afraid of the wrong things?
And what is the path out of them?
Don't miss the latest edition of RBTL, dropping in the morning!
Sign up now!
readingbetweenthelines.beehiiv.com/subscribe
And what is the path out of them?
Don't miss the latest edition of RBTL, dropping in the morning!
Sign up now!
readingbetweenthelines.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Reading Between the Lines with Rob Volpe
"Reading Between the Lines" is designed to deliver of-the-moment insights into human behavior and empathy, drawn from the world of marketing research; practical and tactical tips on using the skill of...
readingbetweenthelines.beehiiv.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:45 AM
What if we've been afraid of the wrong things?
And what is the path out of them?
Don't miss the latest edition of RBTL, dropping in the morning!
Sign up now!
readingbetweenthelines.beehiiv.com/subscribe
And what is the path out of them?
Don't miss the latest edition of RBTL, dropping in the morning!
Sign up now!
readingbetweenthelines.beehiiv.com/subscribe
The autocalls I’ve been getting telling me I’m approved for consumer loans have dropped from $150k offers down to today’s new low of $35k. I’d think they’d want to be going up to make it more enticing.
Anyone else noticing this?
Anyone else noticing this?
November 19, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The autocalls I’ve been getting telling me I’m approved for consumer loans have dropped from $150k offers down to today’s new low of $35k. I’d think they’d want to be going up to make it more enticing.
Anyone else noticing this?
Anyone else noticing this?
Will it flip over at midnight like the NYE ball drop??? Can’t wait to see!
@11thhourmsnbc.bsky.social @stephruhle.bsky.social
@brianstelter.bsky.social
@msnownews.bsky.social
@11thhourmsnbc.bsky.social @stephruhle.bsky.social
@brianstelter.bsky.social
@msnownews.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Will it flip over at midnight like the NYE ball drop??? Can’t wait to see!
@11thhourmsnbc.bsky.social @stephruhle.bsky.social
@brianstelter.bsky.social
@msnownews.bsky.social
@11thhourmsnbc.bsky.social @stephruhle.bsky.social
@brianstelter.bsky.social
@msnownews.bsky.social
Reposted by Rob, Empathy Activist, Author
And never discount your intuition. It is your third eye of knowledge. Something gives you that nudge and it is usually from the ether. Someone who loves you. 🪶💕
November 12, 2025 at 11:31 PM
And never discount your intuition. It is your third eye of knowledge. Something gives you that nudge and it is usually from the ether. Someone who loves you. 🪶💕
Reposted by Rob, Empathy Activist, Author
What candy are you giving out? Is it more for you or for them?
Happy Halloween
#halloween #trickortreat #candy #empathy
Reading Between the Lines
Happy Halloween
#halloween #trickortreat #candy #empathy
Reading Between the Lines
October 31, 2025 at 12:11 AM
What candy are you giving out? Is it more for you or for them?
Happy Halloween
#halloween #trickortreat #candy #empathy
Reading Between the Lines
Happy Halloween
#halloween #trickortreat #candy #empathy
Reading Between the Lines
October 25, 2025 at 5:33 PM
On this No Kings Caturday, Barnabas and Domino protest.
October 18, 2025 at 8:46 PM
On this No Kings Caturday, Barnabas and Domino protest.
RIP Miss Major and thank you for all you’ve done for the community to stand up for our rights ❤️🙏
October 15, 2025 at 5:26 PM
RIP Miss Major and thank you for all you’ve done for the community to stand up for our rights ❤️🙏
Reposted by Rob, Empathy Activist, Author
Guess who just got both the updated COVID vaccine and flu shots today? Your dear Leader Trump. Maybe you should get them too.
Sincerely, An Epidemiologist Who Told You Trump Would Get COVID Booster.
Sincerely, An Epidemiologist Who Told You Trump Would Get COVID Booster.
October 11, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Guess who just got both the updated COVID vaccine and flu shots today? Your dear Leader Trump. Maybe you should get them too.
Sincerely, An Epidemiologist Who Told You Trump Would Get COVID Booster.
Sincerely, An Epidemiologist Who Told You Trump Would Get COVID Booster.
We worry about gas prices and grocery bills. But right behind that? Whether we can even talk to one another anymore.
Here’s what we can do about that…
youtu.be/zh9NcXg51XY?...
Here’s what we can do about that…
youtu.be/zh9NcXg51XY?...
October 5, 2025 at 5:11 PM
We worry about gas prices and grocery bills. But right behind that? Whether we can even talk to one another anymore.
Here’s what we can do about that…
youtu.be/zh9NcXg51XY?...
Here’s what we can do about that…
youtu.be/zh9NcXg51XY?...
Four actions you can take today to help bridge the divide…
As the data shows (and @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social wrote in today’s NYTimes as well) - our concern over this divide creates the motive to do something about it.
What steps will you take?
readingbetweenthelines.beehiiv.com/p/bridging-t...
As the data shows (and @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social wrote in today’s NYTimes as well) - our concern over this divide creates the motive to do something about it.
What steps will you take?
readingbetweenthelines.beehiiv.com/p/bridging-t...
Bridging the Divide: What It Really Takes to Overcome Our Differences
Even as most Americans say we’re too divided to solve our problems, the data shows something hopeful — we still see one another as human. Empathy is how we cross back over.
readingbetweenthelines.beehiiv.com
October 5, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Four actions you can take today to help bridge the divide…
As the data shows (and @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social wrote in today’s NYTimes as well) - our concern over this divide creates the motive to do something about it.
What steps will you take?
readingbetweenthelines.beehiiv.com/p/bridging-t...
As the data shows (and @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social wrote in today’s NYTimes as well) - our concern over this divide creates the motive to do something about it.
What steps will you take?
readingbetweenthelines.beehiiv.com/p/bridging-t...
Sharing my hot take on this survey and one I fielded in 2022 and what it all means, and how we can rebuild bridges…
In the next Reading Between the Lines, dropping Sunday morning. Sign up here…
readingbetweenthelines.beehiiv.com
In the next Reading Between the Lines, dropping Sunday morning. Sign up here…
readingbetweenthelines.beehiiv.com
October 5, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Sharing my hot take on this survey and one I fielded in 2022 and what it all means, and how we can rebuild bridges…
In the next Reading Between the Lines, dropping Sunday morning. Sign up here…
readingbetweenthelines.beehiiv.com
In the next Reading Between the Lines, dropping Sunday morning. Sign up here…
readingbetweenthelines.beehiiv.com
What do you think? Can the divide be overcome?
Most Voters Think America’s Divisions Cannot Be Overcome, Poll Says www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
Most Voters Think America’s Divisions Cannot Be Overcome, Poll Says www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
Most Voters Think America’s Divisions Cannot Be Overcome, Poll Says
www.nytimes.com
October 5, 2025 at 2:53 AM
What do you think? Can the divide be overcome?
Most Voters Think America’s Divisions Cannot Be Overcome, Poll Says www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
Most Voters Think America’s Divisions Cannot Be Overcome, Poll Says www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/u...
How ridiculous. This isn’t a “we need to cut expenses to stay open” situation like a small business or a large business cutting to meet Wall Street expectations.
Says a lot about what they think of the average American (and of their own intelligence too)
@karaswisher.bsky.social @profgalloway.com
Says a lot about what they think of the average American (and of their own intelligence too)
@karaswisher.bsky.social @profgalloway.com
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the Trump administration has to look at ways to "save money in a responsible way that respects the American taxpayer's money" during shutdown.
Karoline Leavitt says White House must cut spending due to shutdown
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the Trump administration has to look at ways to "save money in a responsible way that respects the American taxpayer's money" during shutdown.
n.pr
October 4, 2025 at 11:35 PM
How ridiculous. This isn’t a “we need to cut expenses to stay open” situation like a small business or a large business cutting to meet Wall Street expectations.
Says a lot about what they think of the average American (and of their own intelligence too)
@karaswisher.bsky.social @profgalloway.com
Says a lot about what they think of the average American (and of their own intelligence too)
@karaswisher.bsky.social @profgalloway.com