Ten Minutes With... Jennifer Chate

Find Jenny Chate: Linkedin

Big Empathy: Supporting People in Psychological Injury and Crisis

Rhea Mercado chats with Jenny Chate, a former high school teacher, about workplace bullying, psychological injury, and how the brain responds to perceived danger. Jenny explains the limbic system’s threat scanning and how adrenaline and sugar release can shut down the prefrontal cortex, leaving someone overwhelmed, unable to think or communicate clearly, and feeling unsafe. She advises staying near (not confronting) a person in crisis, offering simple reassurance like “You are safe here,” and not leaving them alone, sharing her own vivid workplace crisis experience and how her husband supported her by staying calmly connected. Drawing on her work with overwhelmed teenagers, she reframes many outbursts as fear rather than bad behavior, notes how past childhood trauma can impair self-regulation, and outlines her Big Empathy framework: behavior has meaning, impact before information, and genuine curiosity.

00:00 Content Warning

00:30 Meet Jenny Chate

02:04 Psych Injury Basics

03:41 Crisis Response Tips

05:56 Jenny’s Breakdown Story

07:15 Why Staying Close Helps

10:06 Trauma and Self Regulation

11:33 Big Empathy Framework

12:42 Wrap Up and Credits

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The contents of this program / podcast is made available for entertainment purposes. The views and information expressed by the Guests of the program represents the view and opinions of the Guest and does not necessarily represent the view or opinions of Rhea Mercado® and/or Threesticks Pty Ltd. The information presented in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for any other professional rehabilitation advice, injury management advice, rehabilitation advice, medical advice, legal advice, financial advice, diagnosis, or treatment nor a substitute for guidelines, legislations, frameworks, processes or procedures. We encourage you always seek advice which meets your personal and/or professional circumstances and specific needs.

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