Episode 49

Empowered & Out with Guest Jamie Graceffa

Published on: 27th November, 2025

The Business of Kindness: Why Empathy at Work Isn’t Soft — It’s Smart (with Jamie Graceffa, Founder of Kind Cards)

Episode Description

What if kindness wasn’t just a “nice to have,” but a game-changer for performance, retention, and workplace culture? In this powerful episode of Empowered & Out, host Jonathan Barbe sits down with Jamie Graceffa — founder of Kind Cards, author of Career Control, and thought leader in HR, learning, and inclusion — to explore what kindness really means at work and how it can transform the way we lead, communicate, and connect.

Together, they unpack:

  • Why kindness looks different at work versus in our personal lives
  • The difference between being nice and being kind
  • How kindness directly impacts engagement, retention, and business results
  • Simple, actionable ways to bring more kindness into your workplace — starting today
  • How being gay became Jamie’s gift for empathy, inclusion, and connection
  • The story behind Kind Cards and how they’re helping teams elevate the employee experience

This isn’t a fluffy conversation — it’s a masterclass in how intention, empathy, and action can redefine success.

Connect with Jamie:

Website: getkindcards.com

Follow: @GetKindCards on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X, and Facebook

💡 Connect with Jonathan & Empowered & Out: https://linktr.ee/empoweredandout

Join the Patreon community for bonus episodes, early access, and coaching tools: patreon.com/empoweredandoutpodcast

🎧 Until next time — Stay Empowered, Stay Out, and keep building the life and career that reflects all of who you are — and lead with kindness every step of the way.

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About the Podcast

Empowered & Out
The LGBTQ+ Career Coaching Podcast
This is the podcast where LGBTQ+ professionals come to get real about career, confidence, and authenticity at work. Each week, Jonathan shares coaching insights on purpose, confidence, and unmasking at work—PLUS inspiring interviews with LGBTQ+ leaders, authors, and change-makers who are rewriting what success looks like in their industries.

From overcoming workplace discrimination, to unlearning internalized shame, to building a career that actually feels like YOU, these conversations are honest, practical, and rooted in the queer experience.

🌈 Whether it’s a solo coaching deep dive or a guest interview, Empowered & Out is here to help you thrive authentically, without apology.

About your host

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J B

JB Motivating From The 5280 Podcast is about me, Jonathan Barbe, living in the Mile High City, sharing my thoughts and opinions on positive motivation and self-improvement from my home in Denver, Colorado.