What if we realized that we know a lot less about people than we think we do? Then, the idea that we can ever be in another's person's shoes is an illusion. So, it is time that we move away from empathy and towards radical compassion. In this thought-provoking talk, Henry Yampolsky defines radical compassion as an intimate and infinite connection with another person's humanity combined with the knowledge that we can never truly know or experience what someone has lived through. Henry sees radical compassion as the ultimate goal of his work in conflict transformation and peace building. Henry Yampolsky is a best-selling author, mediator, educator, lawyer and TEDx speaker. He serves as the Assistant Director for Education, Outreach and Conflict Resolution at Virginia Tech's Office for Equity and Accessibility. Henry also teaches Conflict Resolution, Mediation and Peace Building as part of Virginia Tech's Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention. Henry has worked with many complex conflicts and has taught and lectured around the world including at: Columbia University School of Law, New York Peace Institute, the National Museum of American Jewish History, Bellevue Mediation in Zurich, International Gandhi Center and Museum in New Delhi, Bharathiar University in Coimbatore, India and at the Sattva Summit in Rishikesh, India. Henry is also a Master-level instructor of Sattva Yoga, trained in Rishikesh, India. Prior to embarking on a career in peacebuilding, Henry worked as a trial lawyer in Philadelphia. Originally from Ukraine, Henry lives in Southwest Virginia. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx