Jill Robin Payne, Psychotherapist, Communications Coach, Author, BEMPATHY

Welcome back to Your World of Creativity, the podcast where we dive into the inspiration and insight behind the world’s most creative minds.

Today, we’re talking about mental wellness, creative connection, and a new way to approach communication—with our guest who is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor with over four decades of experience -- Jill Robin Payne.

Jill 's Website

Jill on YouTube

Jill is a true trailblazer—starting as her college’s first intern at the National Institutes of Health, later continuing her journey through the VA Hospital in Houston and authoring a rehabilitative activities guide while still earning her master’s degree.

But what truly sets Jill apart is her original, trademarked concept called Bempathy®—a blend of banter and empathy—which fosters reciprocal, harmonious relationships through meaningful, human-centered communication.

1. Origins and Early Inspiration

• “Let’s start at the beginning—what led you to pursue mental health as your life’s work?”
• “You were a pioneer even in your college years—how did your internships at NIH and the VA Hospital influence your understanding of human behavior?”

2. Introducing Bempathy®

• “You’ve created and trademarked an innovative concept—Bempathy®. What is it, and how did the idea first come to you?”
• “You describe it as a mix of banter and empathy—how does that play out in practice, particularly in communication or counseling?”
• “Can Bempathy® help resolve conflict or improve creative collaboration?”
• “What are some ways individuals or teams can begin to integrate Bempathy® into their everyday interactions?”

3. Creativity and the Human Experience

• “In your experience, what is the relationship between mental wellness and creativity?”
• “Do you find that creativity itself can be a healing process?”
• “What mental roadblocks do creatives often face, and how might Bempathy® offer a path through them?”

4. Behavior, Habits, and Wellness

• “You’ve taught behavior modification and written rehabilitative guides. What role do habits play in our personal growth?”
• “How do we begin to reframe habits that might be limiting our emotional or creative potential?”

5. Helping Creatives in Recovery

• “Your work in chemical dependency counseling intersects with many creatives who struggle with substance use. How can creativity aid in the recovery process?”
• “What support systems are especially effective for creatives in recovery?”

6. From the Heart: Spreading the Goodness

• “All of your work seems to come from a very personal and heartfelt place. How does your philosophy of ‘spreading the goodness’ guide your everyday approach?”
• “If our listeners were to take just one idea from today’s conversation into their lives and work, what would you want that to be?”



Closing Remarks:

“And thanks again to our sponsor—White Cloud Coffee Roasters—for supporting this episode. Don’t forget, listeners: you can enjoy 10% off your order when you use the code CREATIVITY at checkout. Just visit