In this episode, Lis Best is joined by Payal Beri, speaker and founder of RK Empathy. Payal discusses how cultural identity shapes our perspectives, how we develop empathy, and how it can help us overcome division and differences.

Payal’s entrepreneurial journey speaks to the power of trusting our intuition and the space and self-trust required to slow down enough to listen to ourselves.

Payal shares how she creates compassion-building experiences through RK Impact, which she describes as "escape room-meets-cultural-IKEA." Payal explains how compassion and empathy begin on an individual level and stem from nervous system regulation. Her work aims to reduce stigmas and stereotypes, shift conversations, and reinfuse compassion and humanity into solving major social challenges.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, YouTube, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Episode Outline:

(4:06) Finding compassion, empathy, and accountability in today’s world

(5:47) Payal’s lens as third-culture kid, choreographer, and empathy seeker

(11:42) Business pivots and evolution

(23:18) Balancing self-trust and external feedback

(26:52) When to hire another coach (and when not to)

(31:20) Holding space and creating accountability as a coach

(34:55) Designing experiences that incite compassion

(43:13) Self-compassion and tips for practicing it

(48:52) How Payal practices self-compassion

(53:34) Payal’s advice to her younger self

Resources Mentioned:

• Join our next Girls Club Collective Community Power Hour on August 9

Guest Info:

• Follow Payal on Instagram: @payalberi
• Follow Payal on LinkedIn: Payal Beri
• Learn more on RK Impact’s website: rkempathy.com

Follow Us:

• Learn more on our website: girlsclubcollective.co
• Follow us on Instagram: @girls_club_collective
• Connect with us on LinkedIn: Girls Club Collective

About Lis:

Lis Best is an executive coach for impact leaders, founder of the Girls Club Collective, and host of the Women Changing the World podcast.

Since launching her business in 2020, Lis has helped hundreds of leaders navigate ESG and sustainability careers, launch heart-centered businesses, and become more effective change agents.