It’s easy to assume that empathy is something we’re born with—or not. But in truth, empathy is often learned, and storytelling is one of the most effective teachers.

Stories allow us to live someone else’s experience, if only for a moment. They give us access to emotions we might not otherwise understand, and perspectives we might never have considered. Whether through a novel, a film, or a story told around a dinner table, narratives create a safe space where we can feel deeply, reflect personally, and begin to understand another’s reality.

My goal with the short film AI KNOWS is to help tweens consider information about AI versus wisdom that they will eventually have to face. Ideally, they need to address the topic with their family, who may or may not be able to speak to the relevant issues—the reason my film is an important conversation starter.

The Science of Stories

Neuroscientists have discovered that our brains activate when we hear a story in ways that mirror the storyteller’s experience. This phenomenon, known as neural coupling, helps explain why a good story can leave us feeling emotionally moved—it literally puts us in someone else’s shoes. In the case of my film, they will relate to a character who faces the circumstances to choose between AI and wisdom.

But storytelling does more than spark emotion. It builds bridges. When we hear about someone overcoming hardship, celebrating triumph, or navigating the complexities of life, we start to realize how much we have in common. The story’s specifics might differ, but the emotions underneath—fear, hope, joy, sorrow—are universal. These become the planks for the bridge we build to help others learn from mistakes not yet made.

The Mechanics of the Bonding Effect

When a person watches a main character do something cool, face something critical, or any other form of heightened emotion, the audience immediately relates the moment to their personal experience. While the circumstances won’t match, the moment’s emotions will be relatable. They form a bond with that character and must watch to see how their choices work out.

The bond starts with curiosity—a willingness to wonder about possibilities instead of jumping to conclusions. This desire to know opens the mind to consider things they might never have considered. We won’t be satisfied until the silent question bouncing around in our mind that we need answered by the main character’s choices gets revealed.

Why Film Transforms Tweens and Culture

Film offers a unique opportunity to shape how tweens interpret the world. At this pivotal age, they’re beginning to understand more profound truths, yet are still open to imaginative learning. A compelling story with powerful visuals and authentic emotion can unlock conversations that textbooks or lectures cannot.

In AI KNOWS, tweens meet characters navigating a future that could soon become their own. By watching others make hard decisions, face uncomfortable truths, and challenge the system, viewers develop empathy—and begin to imagine how they might handle similar dilemmas. The film doesn’t tell them what to think. Instead, it gives them something to think about.

When families watch together, those shared emotional moments become starting points for meaningful discussions. Parents don’t have to have all the answers—they just have to be present, willing to explore the story’s questions with their kids.

The Empathy We Need Next

The best part of empathy is that it’s an element of love. This form of love allows us to guide others without judging them. It empowers us to reflect back to them the golden nuggets of who they are, so they might see their own value.

Empathy isn’t built in the abstract. It’s built into the specifics. In the moments we lean in. In the details that reveal the heart. And in the courage it takes to tell, and to truly hear, someone else’s story.

Let us not underestimate the power of a narrative film or story. Because every time we tell a story—or listen to one—we take a step closer to understanding, connection, and the kind of empathy that can change everything.

Grow Your Empathy

Empathy begins in the pause—the moment we choose to engage, rather than dismiss. The next time you read a novel, watch a film, or hear someone share their story, lean in. Let their words stir your imagination. Let their experiences open your heart.

Ask yourself: What truth are they sharing? What emotions are they carrying? How might this moment shift how I see the world—or how I treat someone else?

If you’re with family, take the opportunity to ask questions. Explore what resonated with each person. Let the story serve as a springboard into real, honest dialogue.

You don’t need to be an expert to build empathy—you just need to be present, willing, and open to the story unfolding before you.

Copyright © 2025 by CJ Powers