Nonviolent Communication (NVC) changed the way I parented.
There was nothing “wrong” with my teen daughter. After my first workshop, I could see how fear had shaped the way I thought about her. The labels, demands, and silent judgments were like a dark cloud blocking my view of the person she was. Sometimes I saw her as the enemy. I can imagine how hard it was for her to feel loved or to trust me in those moments.
I learned that behind every feeling is a need. Sometimes it’s a need that feels lit up inside. Sometimes it’s one that’s longing to be seen and cared for. We feel because we need. And sometimes, in trying to meet a need, we do things that hurt the very connection we’re longing for.
I wanted kids and grown-ups to have a way to see what’s happening inside. In An Inside Story, clouds stand for thoughts, hearts for feelings, and stars for needs. Those same shapes are part of Sparkle & Grunt, my two-sided empathy doll.
Grunt gives voice to the thoughts that tumble out when we’re upset. Flip the doll and Sparkle gets curious about the feeling and the need underneath. A star tucked into the heart pocket gives us something we can hold and talk about together. It’s a playful way to practice what I was learning with my daughter. When I got curious about what mattered to each of us, I could see her more clearly.
💛Read An Inside Story for Free & Explore the Resources
Meet Sparkle & Grunt
One empathy doll, two faces. Grunt says what sometimes pops out when we’re upset. Sparkle listens for the feeling and what matters underneath.
Empathy Cards for Little Hands fit nicely in the dolls pockets
"An Inside Story uses simple, accessible language and adorable art to call attention to the importance of what goes on inside us that we often hide. In an age of polarization it serves as a reminder of our human commonality despite our many differences."
Miki Kashtan,
Co-founder, Bay Area Nonviolent Communication
What People are Saying!
EMPATHY DOLLS
A fun video demonstration
The Inside Story Empathy Doll is more than a toy — it’s a playful doorway into emotional awareness.
By holding the doll and exploring the heart pocket, we practice noticing sensations in the body, naming feelings, and discovering the needs beneath them. What once felt overwhelming begins to make sense.
Whether you’re a child learning new words or a grown-up rediscovering tenderness, the doll supports honest self-expression and compassionate connection.
