Empathy,the world’s most untapped resource | Christopher Thompson | TEDxMaude Street

Chris Thompson delivered a powerful TEDx talk focusing on empathy as an untapped resource in addiction recovery. Drawing from his journey through addiction and recovery, including waking up on a sidewalk on Thanksgiving Day 2018, Thompson shared how connecting with the right people at the right time saved his life.
Key Points

Personal story of transformation from addiction to recovery
Development of the Sober Sidekick platform, which has grown to serve nearly 500,000 members
Emphasis on peer-to-peer support and the power of empathy in recovery
Introduction of the "Empathy Algorithm" that enables real-time support between members

Impact and Results

The talk highlighted how Sober Sidekick has successfully reduced relapse rates through its innovative approach to recovery support. The platform's success is demonstrated through:

6.2 peers responding to every member post within minutes
Some members provided written support over 10,000 times
Development of predictive technology to prevent relapses before they happen

Event Details

The talk was recorded for TEDxMaude Street in South Africa, where Thompson also hosted a private event for Sober Sidekick users in Johannesburg. Chris Thompson, founder and CEO of Sober Sidekick. After hitting rock bottom in 2018 because of addiction, Chris created the world's largest digital recovery community, supporting nearly 500,000 members. Sober Sidekick is more than an app—it's a lifeline. Its empathy algorithm ensures no member goes without support for more than minutes, directly addressing isolation, a root cause of substance abuse. The platform has gathered more self-reported sobriety data than any entity worldwide, providing unique insights into successful recovery journeys. A Harvard Business School case study highlighted Sober Sidekick's commitment to user needs over immediate revenue. Chris has presented at high-profile conferences, including the DoD's suicide prevention conference. Chris is integrating Sober Sidekick with healthcare systems and insurance providers to reduce relapse rates and costs. The platform can predict potential relapses two weeks in advance with 93% accuracy. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx