Letter from the Editor – Challenges Ahead: Facing Economic Uncertainty with Empathy and Resolve

By Joseph Maguire, Editor-in-Chief, Extended Reach Florida

We face a period of real uncertainty.

The recent tariff policies may aim to strengthen domestic industries, but the reality is they’re likely to spark a ripple effect—one that could deepen inflation, tighten household budgets, and slow job growth. Many families, like my own, are already having “the talk”: How do we prepare? What can we cut? How do we protect what matters most?

Whether or not these policy changes were overdue, one thing is certain—change is here. And in times like this, when monetary wealth feels shaky, we must return to something far more stable: empathy, family values, and community resilience.

When I was a student at Syracuse University, studying Communications Design, I spent much of my freshman year driven by competition. In one portfolio class, a peer and I unknowingly became rivals—each pushing the other to do better. Some days I won, some days he did. But one day, he simply didn’t show up.

No explanation. No text back. Just silence.

Something felt off. I couldn’t shake the feeling, so I followed my gut and reached out to his RA. Turns out, my instincts were right—he was going through something serious. That day marked the beginning of a deep friendship that continues to this day.

That was in the shadow of 9/11, when our freshman class was reeling from the trauma so many in New York City—and across the nation—experienced. That collective vulnerability taught us to look out for one another. And sometimes, that just means checking in. Caring. Asking the question.

Today, we’re facing a different kind of uncertainty—economic, emotional, and communal. Some people have the courage and patience to take one step at a time. Others may not. That’s where empathy becomes a powerful tool—not only to survive these challenges, but to emerge from them stronger and more connected.

So tonight, I leave you with this simple invitation:

Open a door. Ask how someone is doing. Offer to listen without judgment. You never know the weight another person is carrying—or the difference you could make.

In difficult times, small acts of empathy aren’t small at all. They might just change a life.

Stay calm. Be patient. Take one step at a time. And in time this volatility however serious will pass too.

Warm regards,
Joseph Maguire
Editor-in-Chief
Extended Reach Florida