Podcasts about difficult conversations

"There are a huge array of medical dynamics that people endure, and when they leave a lasting impact, a word that we don't use widely enough is the word 'trauma.' There's an entire category of phenomena in the medical arena that are, in fact, traumatic. One way we know that these experiences are traumatic is that we know that huge portions of people who experience things like cancer do indeed develop problems like [post-traumatic stress disorder]," James C. Jackson, PsyD, research professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN, told Jaime Weimer, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BS, AOCNS®, manager of oncology nursing practice at ONS, during a conversation about understanding medical trauma in oncology. Music Credit: "Fireflies and Stardust" by Kevin MacLeod Licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 3.0  Earn 0.75 contact hours of nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) by listening to the full recording and completing an evaluation at courses.ons.org by June 26, 2027. The planners and faculty for this episode have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose. ONS is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Learning outcome: Learners will report increased knowledge of medical trauma and its effects on patients with cancer, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Episode Notes  Complete this evaluation for free NCPD.  ONS Podcast™ episodes: Episode 315: Processing Grief as an Oncology Nurse Episode 287: Tools, Techniques, and Real-World Examples for Difficult Conversations in Cancer Care Episode 276: Support Young Families During a Parent's Cancer Journey Episode 257: Redefining the Bell: The Ethics of Hope for Oncology Nurses and Patients Episode 103: What Oncology Nurses Need to Know to Support Caregivers ONS Voice articles: 'Between Two Kingdoms' Gives Us a Glimpse Into How Patients and Families Experience Malignancy AYA Cancer Survivors Experience Five Times Higher Depression Rates Than Individuals Diagnosed at Older Ages From Stigma to Support: Changing the Cancer Conversation Help Caregivers Control the Chronic Stress of Cancer Care and Manage PTSD Moral Injury and Trauma in Nursing Trauma-Informed Care Provides Person-Centered Support for Patients During Deep Distress When the Story Ends, Cancer Does Not Win: Reframing Death in Terminal Cancer Care Word Choice Matters When Caring for Patients With Cancer ONS course: ONS Psychosocial Dimensions of Cancer Care™  Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing articles: Psychosocial Barriers to Care: Recognizing and Responding Through a Trauma-Informed Care Approach Trauma-Informed Care Addressing the Mental and Emotional Needs of Patients With Cancer Oncology Nursing Forum articles: Post-Traumatic Distress and Symptom Experience in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer–Related Tracheostomy and Family Caregivers The Effect of Neuroticism, Fear of Progression, and Self-Efficacy on Post-Traumatic Growth in Patients With Lung Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy Reclaiming Your Life From Medical Trauma by James C. Jackson To discuss the information in this episode with other oncology nurses, visit the ONS Communities. To find resources for creating an ONS Podcast club in your chapter or nursing community, visit the ONS Podcast Library. To provide feedback or otherwise reach ONS about the podcast, email pubONSVoice@ons.org. Highlights From This Episode "Many people have a notion about what medical trauma is, but perhaps they lack a definition. I use a definition that is deliberately broad because I think it is better to be inclusive than exclusive. A medical trauma to me is a medical experience or a medical encounter that basically leaves a mark. It leaves an emotional mark, and that mark is significant enough to disrupt your daily life." TS 2:06 "When somebody develops a life-threatening illness—let's say cancer—it's not their problem only. It's very much a family problem. It affects any manner of people. There is literature that says that family members of people with life-threatening conditions often have rates of PTSD that are every bit as high as the patients do. There's also literature that says that if we can identify this issue as a family problem—a family challenge, not just an individual challenge—then very often that patient is going to do better." TS 8:23 "We just need to make space for people to feel however they feel. And we need to emphasize, I think, that in some ways, even though there's no cancer on the scan, cancer casts a long shadow in the lives of people, which is why when patients after cancer see their primary care provider, when they come back for a checkup with oncology, we need to continue this conversation of 'How is your mental health? Are you okay? How's your anxiety? How are you managing?' … We need to be really curious and kind, and we need to query people about how they're doing, even if officially they don't have cancer." TS 16:20 "Trauma-informed care has become a bit of a buzzword in our culture. But when it is engaged correctly, I think it's really important. And I think in a nutshell, what it means is that as providers, we need to recognize that some situations and circumstances are likely to be traumatic, and we need to pivot and engage people differently now that we know that. Specific features of trauma-informed care might be we're really going to value your emotional safety. We're going to emphasize that. We are going to emphasize boundaries. We are going to ask your permission instead of telling you how to do things. We are going to be really attentive to the language we use to engage you because we're aware of there might be things about your situation that are really triggering." TS 28:15 "I think one [misconception] certainly is that it is only afflicting and affecting people who are frail or weak—not very strong. That's emphatically not true. But that's a popular misconception—that if I'm strong enough, if I'm resilient enough, this experience will not be traumatic to me. It's just not true. Medical trauma doesn't just happen in emotionally weak people. Medical trauma can impact people of all sorts." TS 33:42 "The other misconception, I think, is that there is no hope for people in the throes of medical trauma. I'm not advocating 'hopium,' It's a term that was coined, I think, during the pandemic. I don't think that living with medical trauma is all rainbows and unicorns and shiny things. But the truth is, if you get the treatment that you need, you can find a way to thrive with medical trauma even as you're impacted by medical trauma. This, this 'both-and-ness' is really true. You can both be adversely affected and you can even find some beauty in your struggle. Both can be true." TS 34:13 "I wish people understood that there is a name for this phenomenon. We're naming it here today medical trauma. Not everyone who has cancer has medical trauma—not even close—but there are many people who do. And I think many of those people, they don't quite have a name for it. And when I introduce this name for it—trauma—many of them say, 'Oh, my gosh, that makes so much sense. I didn't quite understand why I was struggling so much with this. I didn't quite understand why it casts such a long shadow in my life. I didn't really understand why I was having panic attacks every time I had to get another scan at the oncology office to see if my breast cancer had returned. Now I understand. Now I understand it's because it was trauma.'" TS 35:09

Most hard conversations don't start with an invitation. They start with something that sounds more like a verdict: You never listen to me. You don't respect my time. You don't care about my feelings. By the time we say those things, we've already decided what happened, what it means, and who's responsible. But those assumptions rarely resolve conflict. In this episode, I walk you through a shift that can completely change the quality of difficult conversations: moving from certainty to curiosity. When you learn to ask questions rather than make statements, you create more opportunities for connection. Here's what I cover:Why certainty feels so convincing and the psychological biases that make us believe our interpretation is the truthHow to make observations without turning them into stories about someone else's intentionsA three-step formula for approaching difficult conversations without certainty: observation, impact, and curiosityWhy curiosity can be hard to access when your nervous system is activated and certainty feels saferPractical questions you can use to create more understanding and meaningful resolution in your relationshipsReserve your seat for my next workshop: sarafisk.coach/sayitwithclarity Find Sara here:sarafisk.coachpages.sarafisk.coach/difficultconversationsinstagram.com/sarafiskcoachfacebook.com/SaraFiskCoachingtiktok.com/@sarafiskcoachyoutube.com/@sarafiskcoaching1333

We'd love to hear from you! Send us a text!Most of us love the idea of boundaries - in theory.  What we don't love is the conversation that often needs to happen with them. And although healthy confrontation is often one of the most loving things we can do, many of us were not taught how to engage in it well. Dr. Michele Fleming is back to walk us through a practical, step-by-step script for having those much-needed conversations. THIS episode is for EVERYONE.  (Be sure to like and share!)Books by Drs. Cloud and Townsend: Boundaries, Boundaries for Leaders, Boundaries for Dating, Boundaries in Marriage, Boundaries with Kids, Boundaries with Teens, Beyond BoundariesYou can find Dr. Michele Fleming and her work at drmichelefleming.comElizabeth Pehrson created The Exchange in 2015. The Exchange is a monthly event     for ALL adult women. Women who work outside the home. And women who work in the home. Women who are single. And women who are married. Women who are moms. Women who are grand-moms. No matter what season of life you are in, The Exchange is here to inspire you to live life ON PURPOSE and WITH INTENTION.The Exchange is a non-profit that provides an environment for women to hear practical advice from topics Elizabeth has read and life lessons she has learned, and is currently learning. Equipping us to become better women tomorrow than we are today. And to ultimately use that to pour back into those around us. Tickets and info: theexchangeus.orgfollow us on instagram: theexchangeusfollow us on Facebook: the exchange cumming

» Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship & cognitive optimisation.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/Website: https://hackyou.media/James Sexton, a divorce lawyer, on why fear is good, why marriage needs a plan, and why heartbreak matters.As someone who sees relationships fail every day, James explains that scepticism about marriage is actually healthy, real bravery requires fear. Most people don't realise marriage is the most legally significant thing you'll do and enter it with zero plan, yet they plan everything in fitness. Passion and chemistry don't equal partnership compatibility, and complacency kills relationships when partners stop trying after "locking someone in." Relationships need intentionality, maintenance, and honest feedback like any other area of life.The hardest part isn't falling in love, it's believing you're worthy of it. Heartbreak is painful but beautiful because grief proves you had something worth losing, and those experiences create the depth most people never experience.00:00 Introduction06:21 Past Relationships and Compatibility10:19 Relationships as Career vs Side Hustle14:55 Designing a Perfect Life Without Marriage18:40 Complacency and Maintenance in Marriage27:10 Honesty and Difficult Conversations in Relationships30:21 Teaching Relationship Skills and Managing Disconnection35:12 Comparison Between Fitness and Relationships40:42 Age and Experience in Love and Marriage45:48 Intentionality in Relationships and Maintaining Love50:01 Appreciating and Valuing Relationships55:14 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Love1:02:59 The Importance of Having Children1:05:47 Financial Stability and Motivation with Children1:11:22 Fame, Wealth, and Relationship Challenges1:18:10 Performance Art in Relationships and Social Media1:25:33 Belief in Love and Life's Fundamental Questions» Escape the 9-5 & build your dream life - https://www.digitalplaybook.net/» Transform your physique - https://www.thrstapp.com/» My clothing brand, THRST - https://thrstofficial.com» Discover Bioniq Lab peptide products- https://bioniqlab.com/mike1010% off with code MIKE10» Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode: https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/» Join Whoop and get your first month for free - join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst» Follow JamesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nycdivorcelawyer/?hl=enWebsite: https://www.nycdivorces.com/

In this episode: • Why we really avoid hard conversations (it's rarely "keeping the peace") • The four hidden costs of avoidance — the 2am rehearsal, the resentment that "builds the bomb," the slow drift, and the erosion of your own self-trust • How to get clear on what you actually want before you speak • How to "open it soft" so the truth gets through instead of hitting a wall of defense • Why their pushback means the conversation is working — not failing • Emotional stamina: the skill of staying steady, and why it's a muscle you build with reps The conversation is the way forward. This week: name one loop, get clear on what you want, and take one real step toward having it.

Season 7, Episode 6 Guest: Leslie Blye, Chief Revenue Officer, AnseraLeslie Blye, chief revenue officer for Ansera, joins host Courtney Stanley for a conversation about leadership, confidence and the courage to have difficult conversations.Together, they explore what it means to lead through change, how confidence is built through experience and candor, and the difference between managing a team and truly developing people.

 How can you have a conversation with someone who doesn't agree with you?  Will you be understanding? Or just dismiss it? We are living in a time where people seemingly have deeply conflicting views. Lisa continues the conversation today with author and therapist Carolyn Sharp, who assures us that it is possible to find common ground. She also shares ways to handle being triggered, if conversations get heated. Carolyn asks us to consider our values. It's a matter of alignment and feeling safe. She explains that it's better to be proactive in our relationships. Care, respect, and curiosity are all keys to better communication. She also discusses how to set boundaries if things are going in a toxic direction. We must be confident in our boundaries. We need to first understand ourselves and our limits, then we can be clear with others. Carolyn is both a therapist and coach, who works with individuals as well as couples. She has been trained by relationship expert Stan Tatkin, founder of the PACT Institute. She talks about how you know whether to repair a damaged relationship. She believes almost any problem in a relationship, except for abuse, can be fixed and eventually healed, as long as the individuals want it to work out for the best. It takes constant care, and can be challenging, yet relationships offer us the biggest opportunities for growth! Info: CarolynSharp.com and SecureConnectionsRetreats.com

In this episode of Defence Deconstructed, David Perry sits down with Scott Clancy to discuss his recent visit to Greenland as a guest of the Kingdom of Denmark. // Guest bios: - Scott Clancy is a retired Major General and former Director of Operations for all NORAD in Colorado Springs. // Host bio: David Perry, President & CEO, Canadian Global Affairs Institute // Recommended readings: "Difficult Conversations", by Harvard Business Review: www.amazon.ca/Difficult-Conversations-HBR-20-Minute-Manager/dp/1633690784 // Defence Deconstructed was brought to you by Irving Shipbuilding, Invest Nova Scotia and Ombudsman. // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Judy Alomari Release date: 19 June 2026

Most people don't avoid difficult conversations because they don't know what to say.They avoid them because they're afraid.Afraid of rejection.Afraid of conflict.Afraid of hurting someone.Afraid of being judged.Afraid of losing the relationship.But what if avoiding the conversation is actually causing more damage than having it?In this episode of Raw & Unscripted, Christopher Rausch the #NoExcusesCoach dives deep into why we avoid difficult conversations, the hidden costs of staying silent, how to regulate emotions during conflict, set healthy boundaries, repair damaged relationships, and navigate disagreement without destroying connection.Whether it's your spouse, child, friend, coworker, boss, or even yourself, this episode will challenge you to stop avoiding what needs to be said and start having the conversations that can transform your life.Videocast Replay Link: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ctj1PTj8LcThe quality of your relationships is often determined by the conversations you're willing to have.Are you ready to have yours?

 For the workshop: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-conversations-youre-not-having-tickets-1991361811785?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true Many leaders, entrepreneurs and former boarders avoid the conversations that matter most.Not because they don't know what needs to be said.But because somewhere deep in the nervous system, speaking up still feels dangerous.In this episode of An Evolving Man Podcast, I explore why so many of us avoid difficult conversations, where this pattern originates, and how early experiences such as boarding school, emotional neglect, bullying, criticism or trauma can shape our ability to communicate honestly and set healthy boundaries.We explore:• Why difficult conversations can feel frightening • How boarding school conditioning teaches silence and compliance • The link between trauma, people-pleasing and conflict avoidance • Why resentment builds when we don't speak up • The role of emotional intelligence in courageous leadership • How to have difficult conversations without aggression or blame • The importance of nervous system regulation before speaking • Using "I statements" instead of projection • Why boundaries and conversations are deeply connected • Practical steps to start speaking more truthfullyWhether you're a leader, entrepreneur, former boarder, coach, parent or someone who struggles to speak up, this episode offers practical insights to help you communicate with greater confidence, authenticity and compassion.If this episode resonates, please like, subscribe and share.To learn more about Compassionate Leaders Global:https://www.compassionateleadersglobal.comTo learn more about my work:https://www.piers-cross.com#Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #BoardingSchoolSyndrome #TraumaHealing #DifficultConversations #CompassionateLeadership #Relationships #PersonalDevelopment---Piers is an author and a men's transformational coach and therapist who works mainly with trauma, boarding school issues, addictions and relationship problems. He also runs online men's groups for ex-boarders, retreats and a podcast called An Evolving Man. He is also the author of How to Survive and Thrive in Challenging Times. To purchase Piers first book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Survive-Thrive-Challenging-Times/dp/B088T5L251/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=piers+cross&qid=1609869608&sr=8-1 For more videos please visit: http://youtube.com/pierscross For FB: https://www.facebook.com/pierscrosspublic For Piers' website and a free training How To Find Peace In Everyday Life: https://www.piers-cross.com/community Many blessings, Piers Cross http://piers-cross.com/ 

Can you be understanding and compassionate with someone who has differing views than you do? How can you allow for the conflict that might ensue?  Or do you just walk away? According to our guest today, author, therapist, and relationship expert Carolyn Sharp, there are ways to handle being triggered. This is a normal and natural response when we feel fear. If we can soften, it will ease the trigger, and we can begin to feel calmer. Carolyn explains that if we learn to be curious, rather than judgmental, we can get through these intense moments. When we stay focused on just the facts, we disconnect from the curiosity. We can feel misunderstood and not heard. We can feel that people are not respecting us. This is prevalent in our country and especially missing culturally now. We all want to be understood and recognized. For example, many people may disagree about how the government wants to enforce judgements and control the narrative. We must create space to talk about things in a safe way. Make it safe for both sides. It's a matter of acknowledging and not judging. If someone feels wrong, it erodes compassion. This can lead to violence and lack of safety. Carolyn also discusses her recent book, "Fire It Up: Reigniting Intimacy and Joy in Your Relationship" and how she wrote it for couples and people in relationships. It's about compassionate communication. She addresses various aspects of couples including what to do when one lies or even is unfaithful. She talks about how lying is extraordinarily common in relationships, especially during the courtship phase. As an example, someone may ask, "How do you like the dinner I cooked?" and the other person may feel the need to be overly complimentary, even if they dislike it. She talks about a culture where people feel safe enough to be completely honest. If we continue with "white lies" we eventually stop recognizing that we are lying. In this Age of Social Media, we are experiencing general people, who are not trained journalists, reporting what they believe is fact. People are stating opinions and claiming it as fact. This becomes very hard for us to decipher and can lead to major disagreements. Carolyn also talks about the importance of investing in your relationships, and specifically with your partner. She addresses if someone in the partnership cheats and how traumatic it can be.  If the other person is not hearing you, it's important to decide if it's healthy to stay in the relationship. If it's in a situation with co-workers or with your boss, you may need to just "agree to disagree." We are not able to change others. We can only change ourselves. Fighting doesn't allow for this opportunity. In politics and such a divided nation, it's challenging to acknowledge one another. It is impacting many aspects of our lives. Many people feel betrayed and hurt. We are living in an intense time, and Carolyn suggests getting support around your feelings. These are complicated times, but there are ways to de-escalate and disengage. Everyone has to decide what they need in their relationships. You can value the other person's support yet not agree with them. It's better to be honest and respectful and see if you can come to a place of radical acceptance. Info: CarolynSharp.com and SecureConnectionsRetreats.com

Sometimes resentment does not begin with a dramatic betrayal. Sometimes it begins in the small moment when you said yes before you were clear.  In this episode of The Liberated Life, Robin Quinn Keehn explores the quiet cost of the resentful yes — the yes that looks generous on the outside but feels dishonest on the inside. She unpacks the difference between a clean yes and a yes given from fear, guilt, image management, habit, or avoidance.  Through personal stories and practical language, Robin shows how unclear commitments become Open Loops: unfinished truths that quietly drain time, energy, peace, and trust. This episode is not about becoming selfish, unavailable, or unwilling to sacrifice. It is about becoming honest. It is about learning to pause before agreeing, renegotiate when needed, and close the loop with clarity before resentment becomes distance.  If you have been the dependable one, the flexible one, the easy one, or the one who always makes it work, this conversation will help you listen to resentment without weaponizing it — and begin rebuilding self-trust one honest sentence at a time.  Free resource:  Download the free Close One Loop tool at closetheloopsnow.com/tool.  Coming June 29 Robin's 5-Day Detox Your To-Do List Challenge will help you identify the unfinished commitments, conversations, and quiet yeses that keep draining your time, energy, and peace. Ready to do this together, with my guidance & support?  Register here.  Robin's book, Stop Stealing From Yourself, is available now on Amazon If this episode resonated with you, you might enjoy our free People Skillz community — a structured space to practice steadier, more intentional communication. We also created a short Communication Patterns Quiz to help you identify how you respond under pressure. You'll find both here.

Most hard conversations do not go wrong because of what gets said.They go wrong because the person went in without knowing what they actually needed to say. Or they said the hard thing and immediately walked it back. Or the other person got defensive and they lost their footing. Or the conversation ended without a close, a commitment, or any shared sense of what comes next.This week on Leading Yourself, Carolina gives you the framework she uses with every coaching client before a hard conversation, and goes deep into what actually goes wrong at each stage.In this episode:The four failure points in hard conversations, and why the conversation itself is almost never the problemPhase 1: Prep. How to get clear on the one thing you need to say, what you actually want to happen, and how to name the fear before it shows up sidewaysPhase 2: Delivery. How to open without apologizing or presenting evidence, what to do in the silence after you say the hard thing, how to stay in the room when the other person gets defensive or emotional, and how to come back when the conversation goes sidewaysPhase 3: Follow-up. How to close a conversation so it actually produces something, why follow-through signals whether the conversation was real, and how to read the check-in to find out what actually landedWhat the framework is actually for, and the change it produces over time beyond any single conversationThis episode stands completely on its own. If you know someone sitting with a hard conversation right now, this is the one to share.This week's practice: run the conversation you have been avoiding through the prep phase. Write it out, all three parts. Then identify which phase you personally tend to skip. That is where your work is.

How do the most successful nurse leaders navigate the transition to leadership? More importantly, how did they survive their very first year in management? Eva Storey helps her clients navigate the management learning curve and understanding why leadership strategy is essential to success. Eva Storey is a Registered Nurse and leadership coach with over 40 years of experience across the UK, Qatar, and Australia. Having held senior nursing leadership roles in complex healthcare environments, she understands firsthand the realities and pressures nurses face when stepping into leadership.

Practical communication strategies you can use immediately at work and beyond.How do you speak up when a conversation is moving faster than you can think? What should you do when emotions threaten to derail your listening? And how can you give honest feedback to a boss who doesn't seem interested in hearing it?In this Ask Matt Anything episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams answers listener questions from the Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community on some of the most challenging workplace communication scenarios. From practical techniques for inserting your ideas into fast-paced meetings to strategies for managing emotions and delivering feedback upward, Matt shares actionable advice to help you communicate with greater confidence, clarity, and impact.Episode Reference Links:Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn Chapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:02) - Speaking Up in Meetings (04:42) - Listening Through Emotion (07:58) - Giving Feedback Upward (13:29) - Conclusion ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.Unleash your Superhuman potential with AI that meets you where you work. Learn more at superhuman.comJoin our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

Today on Uncommon Sense, we're discussing the tragic state of the modern world.From the protests in Ireland to growing frustration across Western nations, many people feel as though their voices are no longer being heard by the institutions that claim to represent them. I'll share why I support the right of people to protest and why I believe the demonstrations in Ireland have resonated with so many people around the world.We'll also discuss what I see as a deeper spiritual crisis affecting modern society. Many of the political, cultural, and social problems we face today are symptoms of a broader moral and spiritual decline, one that cannot be solved through politics alone.In this episode:My thoughts on the protests in IrelandWhy so many citizens now feel disconnected from their governmentsThe growing divide between ordinary people and powerful institutionsThe role of faith, morality, and personal responsibility in rebuilding societyWhy I believe many of today's crises point to a deeper spiritual battleWhether you agree or disagree, this episode is an invitation to think critically about the direction of our culture, our governments, and our future.--https://www.youversion.com/bible-app

In this Therapy Thursdays episode, we're answering listener questions about the messy, tender, and sometimes confusing parts of relationships. We talk about what it means when someone says “I love you” very early on, how relationships naturally move through different stages, and what to do when the romance starts to fade. We also explore the painful reality of betrayal — including what repair can look like after cheating, and how to know whether your partner is truly respecting the process of rebuilding trust. This episode also looks at conflict and communication: how to bring up difficult issues with your partner, family, or friends when confrontation feels scary or overwhelming. In this episode, we cover: Whether saying “I love you” after two weeks is genuine love, infatuation, or a possible red flag The different stages relationships often go through First steps toward repair after infidelity What it means when a partner pressures you to accept contact with the person they cheated with How to talk about losing the spark in a long-term relationship Why romance and effort can fade after the honeymoon phase How to approach hard conversations when you hate confrontation The difference between healthy communication and avoiding conflict

Do you really win the negotiation if it means losing the relationship?You might think that successful negotiation means getting what you want here and now. But Stan Christensen says this short-sighted view is selling many negotiators short.Christensen is a professional negotiator, host of the All Things Negotiation podcast, and instructor of one of Stanford's most popular courses on the subject. His core insight: most negotiations happen with people you'll see again — which means success isn't about claiming victory, it's about building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships. “Most people think of negotiation statically,” he says. “It's you and I. There's a fixed pie. We're trying to get more for ourself and less for the other party. In reality, 95% of negotiations are gonna be with people you see again, so I define success as contributing to the value of the long-term relationship.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Christensen and host Matt Abrahams explore what it takes to negotiate well — from the power of listening and asking questions to managing emotions and communicating for collaboration. Whether you're negotiating a business deal or just deciding where to go to dinner, Christensen shows why every negotiation is an opportunity to strengthen the relationship.Episode Reference Links:Stan ChristensenAll Things Negotiation PodcastEp.15 The Art of Negotiation: How to Get More of What You WantEp.204 Tough Talks: Turn Tension Into Trust Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn Chapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:11) - What Is Negotiation? (02:50) - Negotiating Every Day (03:52) - The Power of Listening (05:25) - Asking Better Questions (07:26) - Handling Emotions (08:24) - Authentic Emotion (09:22) - Body Language Matters (10:13) - Collaboration in Negotiation (11:51) - Framing Conversations (13:16) - Setting the Agenda (14:38) - Co-Creating Structure (16:14) - A Common Negotiation Mistake (16:53) - Why Start a Podcast (17:57) - Learning from Guests (18:54) - The Final Three Questions (26:15) - Conclusion ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.Unleash your Superhuman potential with AI that meets you where you work. Learn more at superhuman.comJoin our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

In Episode 208 of The Practice Podcast, Jeff Bast and Brett Amron sit down with matrimonial attorney  Jacqueline Newman, Managing Partner of Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein, LLP, to discuss divorce, relationships, parenting, and the power of communication. Jacqueline shares how she knew from an early age that family law was her calling and reflects on a career dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate some of life's most challenging transitions. From high-net-worth divorces and custody matters to prenuptial agreements and mediation, she offers practical insight into the emotional and financial realities of divorce. The conversation explores why many prospective clients are encouraged to pause before filing for divorce, how parents can better protect their children during the process, and why effective communication is often the key to healthier relationships. Jacqueline also challenges common misconceptions about prenuptial agreements, explaining how they can foster transparency and strengthen marriages before problems arise. The episode concludes with a discussion on law firm leadership, recruiting, and building a workplace culture that attracts and retains top talent. Key Topics:The realities of divorce and family law Protecting children during family transitions The importance of communication in relationships Why some clients are advised not to divorce—yet The value of prenuptial agreements Law firm culture, leadership, and recruitingTune in for an insightful conversation about relationships, resilience, and helping people move forward through life's most difficult transitions. Streaming on  YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts. We are also in the top ten percent of listened-to podcasts globally.

There is a conversation you have been avoiding.Maybe for weeks. Maybe longer.You tell yourself the timing is not right, things are fine, it is not a big deal. But it is sitting there. Taking up space. Quietly changing how you show up.This week on Leading Yourself, we kick off June's Difficult Conversations series with the most personal kind, the hard talks in relationships. The ones with the people who matter most.In this episode:Why the conversations we avoid with the people we love are often the hardest ones of allThe four real reasons we stay quiet, and why 'protecting the relationship' is often a cover storyWhat avoidance actually costs (beyond just the frustration)Three things that can help you actually have the conversation you have been putting offThe honest truth about outcomes, and why having it is almost always better than notThis is Week 1 of a four-week series, moving from personal relationships to career conversations, to a full framework, to a reflection on what you are still holding back.If you have been keeping the peace at the cost of your truth, this one is for you.This week's practice: finish this sentence: "There is something I have not said to __________ about __________." Write it down. You do not have to do anything with it yet. Just name it.

La predicación como el diálogo que nombra lo que pasa Sin secretos... no es decirlo todo sin filtro, es aprender a hablar lo que pasa en verdad con la intención de construir algo mejor. Cerramos nuestra serie sobre el libro Difficult Conversations de Katie Day explorando la predicación como un espacio de diálogo honesto en medio de conflictos reales. En un mundo saturado de opiniones y polarización, este episodio reflexiona sobre cómo sostener conversaciones difíciles sin huir, sin agredir, con riesgos honestos mientras cuidamos nuestras relaciones. Hablamos de predicación no como monólogo, sino como práctica comunitaria que nombra lo que pasa, escucha de verdad y se arriesga por amor. Porque formar comunidad también es aprender a conversar. Es tiempo de confiar en el Espíritu Santo como guía constante para sostener conversaciones difíciles que transforman.Dona a Radio Moody: https://give.moodyradio.org/radio-moody/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode was intentionally short… but maybe the conversation it opens is much bigger.So today is a short solo episode… and maybe the beginning of a mini-series.I'd genuinely love your feedback.So many leaders (often introverts) have asked me about difficult conversations…. and I've seen so many get nervous, emotional (or AVOID THE CONVO!) … and that could be costly, risky, loses trust with our teams ... and so I am thinking of putting together a short (secret) podcast series for free that might help leaders, introverts, like you, to shift a difficult conversation to an empowering one!Would this be of interest to you?Would episodes like this support you?Would you value practical conversations around communication, leadership, emotional intelligence, boundaries, expectation-setting, or navigating tension with more calm and confidence?Send me a message on Instagram or LinkedIn and let me know.I'd love your feedback.Would you value more mini episodes around empowering conversations and the human side of leadership? Kimberly SniderWebsite: https://peoplebrain.caInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/overflow_podcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-j-snider/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/overflow-with-kimberly-snider. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why “easy to work with” can become a leadership liability How small acts of avoidance create cultural drift The hidden relationship between accountability and trust Why high performers notice inconsistent standards first How unclear expectations frustrate teams over time The concept of “autopilot leadership” from Think First Learned helplessness and what it does to workplace culture The difference between Firefighter leadership and Architect leadership Why avoiding hard conversations creates bigger problems later A practical question leaders should ask themselves regularly:“Am I protecting this relationship, or avoiding discomfort?” How deliberate leaders create clarity without sacrificing compassion Why strong cultures are built through consistency, honesty, and accountability Think First

The Institute of Internal Auditors Presents: All Things Internal Audit  In this Internal Audit Awareness Month special, internal audit leaders share the human side of the profession. Through stories of resistance, difficult findings, stakeholder trust, courage, and career-defining moments, the episode highlights how internal auditors add value by building relationships, asking better questions, and helping organizations see what they might otherwise miss.    HOST: Catie Brown Associate Manager & Producer, Content Development, The IIA  GUESTS   Asim Fareeduddin, CPA, CISA, CISM, CIPP, CISSP Head of Internal Audit & Assurance, RELX Ashanti Clark, CIA Executive Advisor, FedEx Express Corporation Jasdeep Gill, CIA, CISA, CISM, CFE Senior Manager, Internal Audit & Assurance, RELX Aadesh Gandhre, CIA, CISA  Chief Audit Executive, DTCC Chad Bourque, CIA  Global Director of Enterprise Risk Management, Gallagher Benefits Services Nam Phong Ho, CIA, CISA, CFE, CRMA, QILM, MBA Former Chief Audit Executive, Glencore / Independent Advisor   KEY POINTS: Introduction [00:00:02-00:01:42] Navigating Internal Audit Resistance [00:01:42-00:05:34] Preparing for Difficult Conversations [00:05:34-00:08:05] Emotional Intelligence and Cultural Awareness [00:08:05-00:09:53] Delivering Difficult Audit Findings [00:09:53-00:14:28] Leadership During Challenging Audit Moments [00:14:28-00:16:38] Communicating the "So What" [00:16:38-00:19:42] Active Listening and Stakeholder Trust [00:19:42-00:22:53] Building Real Relationships [00:22:53-00:24:21] Demonstrating Internal Audit's Business Value [00:24:21-00:27:48] Courage and Career Growth in Internal Audit [00:27:48-00:29:51] Internal Audit as a Mission [00:29:51-00:31:52] Reflecting on Value After Every Audit [00:31:52-00:32:48] Sharing Internal Audit Successes [00:32:48-00:33:41] IIA RELATED CONTENT:  Interested in this topic? Visit the links below for more resources: Discover Internal Audit Certifications May Sale Internal Audit Month Global Awareness Global Internal Audit Standards Vision 2035 Career Center   Visit The IIA's website or YouTube channel for related topics and more. Follow All Things Internal Audit: Apple Podcasts Spotify Libsyn Deezer  

Conflict is unavoidable in school leadership, but how leaders respond to it can shape the culture and effectiveness of an entire district.In this episode of the OSBA Forum, host Mark Bobo talks with Sara Clark and Kristi Robbins about the challenges school boards and district leaders face regarding conflict, communication and governance. The conversation explores: Why conflict is increasing in some districts.  Leadership transitions and board dynamics.  Communication breakdowns and difficult conversations.  Emotional intelligence in governance.  Community expectations and political pressures.  Strategies for strengthening trust and professionalism. The OSBA Forum features conversations on the issues impacting Ohio's public schools and the leaders who serve them.00:00 Introduction 00:22 Conflict Isn't Always Negative 00:47 Meet Sara Clark and Kristi Robbins 01:19 Why Conflict Is Increasing in School Districts 01:43 New Board Members and Leadership Transitions 02:06 Roles, Communication and Difficult Conversations 02:40 Budget Challenges and Community Pressure 03:05 Political Polarization and Board Dynamics 03:38 Emotional Intelligence During Conflict 04:25 Early Warning Signs of Governance Problems 05:12 Building Trust Within Leadership Teams 06:04 Productive Communication Strategies 07:01 Managing Public Pressure and Expectations 08:10 Advice for Board Members Facing Conflict 09:02 Final Thoughts on Leadership and GovernanceFor more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio School Boards Association, visit ohioschoolboards.org.

How Resentment Quietly Builds In this episode of The Liberated Life Podcast, Robin Keehn opens a new conversation about what happens underneath our relationships — especially when something needed to be said, but wasn't. Resentment does not usually arrive all at once. It accumulates. A tone. A look. A changed plan. A moment of being overlooked. A “yes” that should have been a “no.” None of these may seem dramatic on its own, but together they begin to form a story. Robin shares how resentment often grows in the space between what happened and what was never spoken. She introduces the idea of an Open Loop — something unfinished, incomplete, or outdated that continues draining your time, energy, and peace — and an Unspoken Broken, a relational loop that stays open because it was never named. You'll hear why resentment is not always proof that the other person is bad. Sometimes it is a signal that something remains unfinished. In this episode, Robin talks about:  How resentment quietly accumulates over time Why small moments can carry a surprising amount of weight The difference between truly releasing something and simply not bringing it up How “always” and “never” stories begin to form in relationships Why unspoken moments become Open Loops What an Unspoken Broken is and why it matters How to begin with “Here's what I've noticed” instead of an accusation The two questions to ask before having a hard conversation: Why am I sharing this?What do I actually want here? Why closing one loop can begin to restore your time, energy, and peace “Resentment is interest on a debt nobody named.” Where have you gone quiet — and what has that silence been costing you? Want a place to start? Download Robin's free tool, Close One Loop, and walk through one open loop from start to finish in just a few minutes. Go to: closetheloopsnow.com/tool You'll also be the first to hear about Robin's upcoming five-day challenge at the end of June. If this episode resonated with you, you might enjoy our free People Skillz community — a structured space to practice steadier, more intentional communication. We also created a short Communication Patterns Quiz to help you identify how you respond under pressure. You'll find both here.

In episode 299 of the IDEAS+LEADERS Podcast, I'm joined by Jeff Wetherhold, Harvard-trained behavioral scientist, change leadership expert, and faculty member with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Jeff has spent more than 20 years helping leaders engage people in meaningful change through the principles of Motivational Interviewing, bringing evidence-based communication strategies from healthcare into leadership, education, government, and nonprofit organizations.We talk about why so many change initiatives fail, why difficult conversations often create resistance instead of reflection, and how leaders can recognize the early signs of disengagement before they become conflict. Jeff shares practical insights on leading change with curiosity, dignity, and less exhaustion while building genuine commitment instead of compliance.In this episode, we discuss:• Why 88% of change efforts fail to create lasting impact• Why clarity and honesty alone don't guarantee productive conversations• How leaders unintentionally create defensiveness instead of engagement• The early language signals that reveal ambivalence before resistance appears• How Motivational Interviewing helps leaders create trust, ownership, and lasting changeThis is a practical and thought-provoking conversation for leaders, managers, coaches, and anyone who wants to communicate more effectively while leading people through uncertainty and change.You can connect with Jeff here: https://www.changewithdignity.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/wetherhold/Thank you for joining me on this episode of IDEAS+LEADERS. If you enjoyed this episode, please share, subscribe and review so that more people can enjoy the podcast on Apple https://apple.co/3fKv9IH or Spotify https://sptfy.com/Nrtq.

In this episode of 5 Minutes of Peace, we are guided through a gentle reflection on navigating difficult conversations with greater presence and compassion.Rather than avoiding or bracing against these moments, this practice invites us to slow down, breathe, and soften our inner response. Through mindful awareness, we begin to notice the emotions that arise — tension, fear, defensiveness — and create space to meet them with calm instead of reaction.This episode reminds us that difficult conversations are not just challenges to get through, but opportunities to listen more deeply, speak more truthfully, and remain grounded in our own center.With a focus on breath, body awareness, and intention, we are encouraged to approach these interactions with clarity, kindness, and self-trust.Key Takeaways• Pause — a breath can shift the entire tone of a conversation• Stay connected to your body — grounding helps you remain present• You don't need to control the outcome — focus on how you show up• Compassion changes everything — for yourself and the other person• Difficult conversations can deepen connection when approached with awarenessMemorable Reflection“You can meet this moment with calm… and let your presence lead the conversation.”The next time a difficult conversation arises,pause…breathe…and remember —You can choose presence over reaction,and compassion over control.

This is episode 11 of the Broken Crow Podcast: notes from a hospice nurse. This is a work of fiction. 

Want to build a work culture where people speak up, take initiative, and lead with confidence? This episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast dives into the science of bravery and what it actually takes to build courageous teams.In this episode, Nicole Greer sits down with Jill Schulman, US Marine Corps veteran, keynote speaker, and author of The Bravery Effect, to explore how bravery isn't reserved for Navy SEALs and firefighters. It's the everyday courage to speak up in a meeting, have a hard conversation, or raise your hand for a leadership opportunity.This conversation also dives into positive psychology, growth mindset, stress, confidence, self-efficacy, and why waiting until you feel ready may be the very thing keeping you stuck. If you want to create a workplace culture where people speak up, take ownership, grow through discomfort, and support one another in doing hard things, this episode is packed with practical insight.In this episode, you'll learn:Why bravery is a skill you can build (not a personality trait you're born with)How to stop waiting to feel confident before taking actionThe neuroscience behind building your "bravery muscle"Why surrounding yourself with the right people accelerates your growthHow to use fear as a signal rather than a stop signThis episode is for leaders, managers, business owners, and emerging professionals who want to improve team communication, strengthen organizational culture, and create workplaces where people are brave enough to perform at their best.Connect with Jill:Jill's book, The Bravery Effect: https://a.co/d/6f8NymUWebsite: https://www.jillschulman.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillaschulman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillschulman/YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jillschulman?si=OLp_zRLNANAiidSy The Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast helps leaders improve work culture, communication, and business performance through real-world leadership strategies and practical insights. Click here to view the episode transcript. Learn more about training, coaching, and courses at https://vibrantculture.comConnect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/build-a-vibrant-culture-nicole-greer/For speaking inquiries: https://vibrantculture.com/speaker-kit-request/Download our training catalog: https://vibrantculture.com/catalog-request/Want to be a guest? Send your request to podcast@vibrantculture.com

In this episode of Carpool Conversations, Amy and Sara sit down with Taylor Shannon from ESP (Extra Special People) to talk about what it really means to help kids with disabilities experience belonging. Taylor shares how ESP creates relationship-centered spaces where individuals with disabilities and their families are known, valued, and included, and offers practical encouragement for parents who want to raise compassionate, confident kids who see and celebrate others well. Together, they discuss how to respond when kids ask awkward questions in public, simple ways families can build genuine friendships within the disability community, and what parents should look for when choosing inclusive environments like summer camps. Taylor also speaks directly to parents navigating a new diagnosis or difficult season, reminding them that they are not alone and that their child's value has never changed. Whether your family has firsthand experience with disability or you simply want to help your kids grow in empathy and kindness, this conversation is full of insights, wisdom, and hope. Resources: Website: Extra Special People "Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You" by Sonia Sotomayor "When Charlie Met Emma" by Amy Webb "Dreams Come True" by Lia Johnson "The Joy Exchange" by Laura Hope Whitaker -- Question of the Week: If someone in your class or friend group learns or moves differently, what are some ways you can be a good friend to them? -- Hosts: Amy Lowe & Sara Jones Guest: Taylor Shannon Producers: Emily Alters & Cody Braun -- Learn more about WinShape Camps at WinShapeCamps.org! Instagram: @WinShapeCamps TikTok: @WinShapeCamps Facebook: @WinShapeCamps   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Most people know they should handle hard conversations better. What they do not know is which specific pattern their brain runs every time the pressure is on. Dr. Janel Anderson identifies four distinct patterns: the Improviser, the Avoider, the Escalator, and the Deflector. She explains what drives each pattern, why most people misidentify their own, and why that misdiagnosis is the real reason nothing has worked. She also shares how to identify your own pattern accurately using a free two-minute quiz. If you have ever fumbled a hard conversation and wondered why, this episode will tell you.Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/268

Send us Fan MailPromoting from within is one of the best things a nonprofit can do.Until it isn't.Not because the person wasn't ready. But because nobody built the bridge between outstanding performer and effective leader, and that gap quietly costs nonprofits some of their best people.Britt Stockert sits down with Chris Wong, founder of Leadership Potential, licensed therapist, and someone who has spent his career building leadership development programs inside nonprofits from the ground up.They talk about accidental leadership. What it actually is. Why it happens in even the most mission-driven organisations. And what nonprofit leaders can do right now to close the gap before it becomes a crisis.Because spotting potential is easy. Developing it is not.What You'll LearnWhat accidental leadership actually is and why it happens in even the best-run nonprofitsWhy the skills that earn a promotion are rarely the skills needed to lead a teamWhat happens to the team when a new manager is left to figure it out aloneHow one avoided conversation can quietly cost you your best peopleWhat leaders can do right now to close the gap before it becomes a crisisKey TakeawaySpotting potential is easy. Developing it is not. The good news? It's never too late to build the bridge.Resources & Easy LinksGet Chris's free Difficult Conversations Playbook for Leaders here Learn more about Chris and Leadership Potential here Connect with Chris on LinkedIn here Find out what Donorbox can do for you!Chapters00:00 Introduction - When Promotions Quietly Go Wrong03:33 What Accidental Leadership Looks Like in Nonprofits05:28 Why New Leaders Feel Unprepared and Overwhelmed07:30 Tackling Assertiveness, Mindset, and Difficult Conversations10:44 The Promotion Gap and Why Teams Disengage14:11 How Leadership Struggles Affect Team Culture and Retention16:28 Simple Leadership Changes That Reduce Burnout and Improve TeamsAbout Our GuestChris Wong is the founder of Leadership Potential and a licensed therapist who has spent his career building leadership development programs inside nonprofits from the ground up. He works with small human services organisations to develop managers from the inside out, reducing turnover, freeing up Executive Directors to lead, and building teams that actually function. He also co-hosts The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations podcast.About DonorboxDonorbox is a trusted online and on-location fundraising platform that helps nonprofits raise more. With easy-to-use donation forms, powerful donor management tools, and features designed to grow recurring giving, we have helped 100,000-plus organizations process over 3 billion dollars in donations worldwide.The information provided in this series is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult with a professional advisor for specific guidance.Support the show

Jeremy Snape explores the art of difficult conversations with leading coach and author Dawn Metcalfe. Discover how focusing on mutual respect, trust, and shared purpose transforms challenging discussions from anxiety-inducing encounters into constructive team-building moments that strengthen relationships and drive performance. Looking to take your leadership to the next level? Why not join our next cohort of the Winning Mindset for Leaders Programme featuring inspirational insights and success strategies from some of the world's leading minds. This flexible twelve week digital coaching experience will give you the confidence and clarity you need to thrive in uncertain times. Learn more here Winning Mindset for Leaders Programme - Sporting Edge. Connect with Jeremy Contact hello@sportingedge.com LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremysnape/ Website https://www.sportingedge.com/

Ladies, let's bring it back to this episode where we're talking about caring for our parents as they get older. We'll talk about what getting older really means especially when you realize your own joints have RSVP'd to the party too.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro & Backyard Nature Project Success04:34 Palm Springs Work Trip & Estrogen Mishap09:40 The Sandwich Generation Introduction18:15 Jen's Father-in-Law's Health 21:30 Parent Communication Challenges28:17 The Heart Monitor Incident34:17 Difficult Conversations & Planning37:00 Modern Senior Living Options39:27 Mom Box: Awkward Family PhotoMORE PODCAST EPISODES:    • #IMOMSOHARD: the PODCAST  JUST LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: https://link.chtbl.com/imomsohardSEE US ON TOUR: https://www.imomsohard.com/Get our sponsor DISCOUNT CODES here!https://linktr.ee/imshpodcastWATCH OUR AMAZON PRIME SPECIAL: https://www.amazon.com/IMomSoHard-Liv...FOLLOW US: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imomsohardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/imomsohard/Twitter: https://twitter.com/imomsohardABOUT US Female comedy duo Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley have been performing, teaching, and writing comedy internationally for a combined 40+ years. They have been moms for one quarter of that time and it shows. How do they cope? They laugh about all of the craziness that comes with being a mom and they want you to laugh about it too! From snot to stretchmarks to sleepless nights, Kristin and Jen know firsthand that parenting is a hard job and they invite you to join them in taking it all a little less seriously (even if for a few short minutes a day). After all, Jen currently has four days of dry shampoo in her hair and Kristin's keys are still in her front door. They try, they fail, they support each other, and they mom as hard as they can.

In this episode, Robin and Nina explore one of the most common — and costly — habits in human relationships: making someone else wrong. They discuss: — How labels like "narcissist" and "psychopath" become shortcuts that shut down empathy — The psychological payoffs of demonizing someone you love — Nina's story of staying curious and connected with a politically passionate family member — Robin's personal experience of being demonized — and what it feels like to have the door shut on you — Self-regulation and why it's the foundation of every good conversation — Questions to ask yourself when you notice the pattern What conversation is worth your courage? — People Skillz: pplskillz.com  — Free Open Loops Tool: closetheloopsnow.com/tool —  — Book: Stop Stealing From Yourself — coming summer 2026 Join our 5 Day Detox Your To-Do List Challenge coming soon! More details to follow!  If this episode resonated with you, you might enjoy our free People Skillz community — a structured space to practice steadier, more intentional communication. We also created a short Communication Patterns Quiz to help you identify how you respond under pressure. You'll find both here.

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Motherland spin-off Amandaland is back for a second series, starring Lucy Punch as Amanda and Joanna Lumley as her frosty mum, Felicity. Nuala McGovern talks to the show's award-winning writer and co-creator Holly Walsh about what's in store for the SoHa crew second time around, as Amanda navigates life as a single mum of teenagers, juggling online influencing and her ‘co-labs' with her dreams of moving up in the world.The classically trained pop musician Rosalía topped many end of year polls for her opera-influenced album, Lux. This week she graced the stage at the O2 Arena as her sell-out tour reached London and last week it was announced she'll receive the 2026 Ivor Novello award for International Songwriter of the Year. Pop Critic of The Observer, Kitty Empire joins us to profile the artist.TV personality Vicky Pattison, psychotherapist Gabrielle Rifkind and comedian Helen Thorn join Nuala to discuss tackling difficult conversations in our personal lives.The mainstreaming of violent sexual content is reshaping society, according to Clare McGlynn, a Professor of Law at Durham University, whose first book, Exposed, was published yesterday. In Clare's view, the problem isn't porn per se, it's patriarchal porn - pornographic content that was once niche and difficult to find, including incest, racism and rape, that has been normalised and is widely consumed. Clare joins Anita Rani to discuss the harms of extreme pornography.It was Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday on Friday 8 May and the BBC has launched a week-long celebration of his work and legacy. So we wanted to take this moment to shine a spotlight on women working in nature programmes. Sophie Darlington was one of the first female wildlife cinematographers and her work has earned her a BAFTA and an Emmy. She joins Nuala to talk about her work and Sir David.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Simon Richardson

What if your company's stated values actually guided every decision you make? Christopher Annand, Senior Director of Ethics, Compliance, and Security, shares how Cargill brings this standard to life, where seven guiding principles shape how leaders think, act, and lead every day. As you listen, you'll discover how those principles are reinforced from day one, how employees at every level use them to evaluate decisions, and why trust becomes a competitive advantage in uncertain times. You'll also gain practical insight into handling difficult conversations, making values-based decisions under pressure, and understanding why at Cargill, how you achieve results matters just as much as what you achieve. Christopher leads a global team of compliance professionals across multiple regions, helping ensure that the company's guiding principles are not only understood but also lived. He joined Cargill to help build and scale its compliance organization, and over time has played a key role in embedding those principles into how leaders operate across cultures and business units. What makes this conversation especially compelling is that at Cargill, values don't sit on the wall. They shape decisions, they guide behavior, and they influence who gets to lead—and who doesn't. You'll discover:How Cargill embeds values into daily decisions Why trust is the foundation of leadership A practical framework for making tough decisions How to handle emotional employee conversations effectively Why “how you achieve results” matters as much as outcomesConnect with Christopher Social MediaLinkedIn Website Cargill Check out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedIn

Jefferson Fisher is a trial attorney, legal educator, and content creator. Why are the conversations that matter most the hardest to have? When something meaningful needs to be said, we often avoid it, only making things worse. So how do you structure a difficult conversation the right way, and connect with someone not just logically, but emotionally? Expect to learn why we fear conflict in communication and why it's so scary but necessary to navigate, how to deal with conflict more effectively, the best ways to respond to an insult, why being right feels so good, what's realistic and true about working out if someone's lying to you, how to properly connect in any communication and much more… Sponsors: See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: ⁠⁠https://chriswillx.com/deals⁠⁠ Get 35% off your first subscription on the best supplements from Momentous at https://livemomentous.com/modernwisdom Get up to 20% off Timeline powered by Mitopure (now at a lower price) at https://timeline.com/modernwisdom Get up to $50 off the RP Hypertrophy App at https://rpstrength.com/modernwisdom Get 15% off your first order of my favourite Non-Alcoholic Brew at https://athleticbrewing.com/modernwisdom Timestamps: (0:00) Why Communication Feels Harder Than Ever (0:41) Is Conflict Really Something to Fear? (1:45) Why Are We So Quick to Lose Control? (2:56) What Actually Triggers Us? (7:57) We Need to Learn How to Hold Space For Others (14:59) The Best Ways to Regulate Any Conversation (17:34) Simple Tricks to Stay Calm in Difficult Conversations (25:22) What Is Your Anger Really Hiding? (31:39) Are You Making This Mistake During Conflict? (33:24) Why Setting Boundaries Feels So Difficult (36:56) How Do You Handle Passive Aggression? (39:55) Does Childhood Shape Passive Aggressive Behaviour? (42:20) The Best Way to Deliver Bad News (52:28) Are You Carrying Other People's Emotions? (56:45) The Shame of Small Fears (01:06:02) How to Avoid Frustration When You're Being Misunderstood (01:09:15) How Much Does a Divorce Raise Your Heart Rate? (01:13:50) Is Silence the Best Response to Insult? (01:26:32) Why Do We Hide Behind “Just Joking”? (01:28:51) Do Certain Phrases Make You Sound Weak? (01:31:15) Where Does Self-Assurance Come From? (01:36:09) What Makes Someone Sound Truly Composed? (01:38:17) Can You Be Assertive Without Being an A**hole? (01:41:33) Why We Need to Be Intentional With Our Words (01:47:04) Is Being Right Overrated? (01:52:29) Why We're Obsessed With Winning Arguments (01:53:06) The Biggest Clues Someone is Lying to You (01:56:42) The Best Way to Repair After Conflict (01:59:33) Why Tough Times Build Stronger Relationships (02:01:08) What Really Makes a Great Partner? (02:02:56) Lessons From a Trial Lawyer (02:06:47) The One Rule Behind Great Communication (02:10:02) Find Out More About Jefferson Extra Stuff: Get my free reading list of 100 books to read before you die: ⁠⁠https://chriswillx.com/books⁠⁠ Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic: ⁠⁠https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom⁠⁠ Episodes You Might Enjoy: This Is How To Master Your Life - David Goggins - #577: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Goggins⁠⁠⁠ How To Destroy Your Negative Beliefs - Dr Jordan Peterson - #712: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Peterson⁠⁠⁠ The Secret Tools To Hack Your Brain - Dr Andrew Huberman - #700: ⁠⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Huberman⁠⁠ - Get In Touch: Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠https://chriswillx.com/contact⁠⁠ - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scientists gave people Tylenol before a social rejection. It worked. Your nervous system treats being left out the same way it treats a broken bone. That is why telling yourself to just get over it has never, ever worked. And it is why this conversation with negotiation expert Kwame Christian is going to change how you see your own fear of conflict. If you're non confrontational by nature, or you've spent years being a people pleaser to keep things smooth, what Kwame explains in this episode is going to feel like the first time someone has accurately described what is actually happening inside you. The fear is not weakness. It is biology. And there is a way through it. In this episode, I sit down with Kwame Christian, CEO of the American Negotiation Institute and host of Negotiate Anything. His framework, Compassionate Curiosity, is built entirely on empathy, genuine curiosity, and a clear sense of what you actually value. We did a live roleplay about household labor and invisible work, and I want to be honest with you: I felt the shift in real time. The resistance just left. That is what this approach does. In This Episode The neuroscience behind conflict avoidance, including why social rejection activates the same neural pathways as physical pain Kwame's origin story as a people pleaser and exactly how he treated his fear of conflict like a phobia to overcome it The difference between being liked and being respected, and why only one of them gets you where you want to go A complete reframe of what negotiation actually is, and why the goal is never to win but to discover what is possible The Compassionate Curiosity framework step by step, including the pre-conversation internal work that makes you harder to rattle The Situation/Impact/Invitation opener that dissolves defensiveness before the hard conversation even begins A live roleplay on the invisible work conversation with a real-time demonstration of the shift that happens when you stop fighting What confidence in conflict actually looks like when it is not swagger Why This Matters This episode is for anyone who has ever bitten their tongue in a conversation that needed to happen. For anyone who has let something slide one too many times and felt a piece of themselves go with it. And for anyone who suspects that the life they want is on the other side of a conversation they have been too afraid to have. The best things in life are on the other side of difficult conversations. This episode will help you get there. Episode Breakdown 03:01 Why Difficult Conversations Feel Like a Threat (Not a Choice) 05:56 Kwame's Origin Story — From People Pleaser to Negotiation Expert 10:16 The Difference Between Being Liked and Being Respected 16:36 Every Difficult Conversation Is a Relationship Test 26:01 How to Stop Caring If People Are Mad at You 39:21 Negotiation Isn't What You Think It Is 51:37 The Compassionate Curiosity Framework — Live Roleplay 01:06:02 What It Actually Means to Be Confident in Conflict Resources Full article: https://www.growingself.com/how-to-have-difficult-conversations/ Free Communication Training (2-part video + workbook): https://www.growingself.com/communication/ Relationship coaching at Growing Self: https://www.growingself.com/relationship-coaching/ If today's conversation stirred something in you, you do not have to work through it alone. My team of coaches and therapists at Growing Self is here. A free consultation, no pressure, just a real conversation about where you are and what might help. Come find us at growingself.com. And if you know someone who avoids conflict to keep the peace, please share this one. I bet you already have someone in mind. With love, xo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby Growing Self Special thanks to this month's sponsors: Upwork — When you need specialized talent fast, Upwork gives you access to vetted professionals. No long recruiting cycles. No guesswork. Just the right person, when you need them. Check it out at ⁠upwork.com⁠ — posting a job is free. Shopify — The all-in-one platform for building and growing your online business. Visit ⁠shopify.com/lhs⁠ to explore their tools and access exclusive listener discounts. OSEA - Amazing, clean, science-backed skincare made with the power of the sea. Use code LHS at ⁠oseamalibu.com⁠ for 10% off your first order Quince — Quality products you'll actually use that feel like luxury without the price tag. Get free shipping and 365-day returns at ⁠quince.com/lhs⁠. LNutra Prolon — A science-backed, plant-based nutrition program that supports fat loss, metabolism, cellular rejuvenation, and overall longevity. Head to ⁠ProlonLife.com/LHS⁠ for 15% off your first order + a bonus gift.

We all have to have difficult conversations at some point in our lives. We have them at work, at home, and with friends and family. So why do we often feel ill-equipped to initiate that challenging chat? And why are we not more optimistic that airing our issues will lead to a more positive outcome for all involved? In this special edition of Woman's Hour, Nuala McGovern explores how we can have better difficult conversations. She is joined by psychotherapist, international conflict mediator and author of How to Agree to Disagree: Turning Conflict into Connection, Gabrielle Rifkind. She reflects on what makes a conversation difficult and the skills we require to tackle them. In our personal lives, difficult conversations can feel especially daunting, because they're usually with the people we care about most. TV and podcast host Vicky Pattison and comedian and author Helen Thorn reveal how they approach discussing sensitive topics with their loved ones. And difficult conversations at work can make even the most confident among us feel strangely tongue‑tied: asking for a pay rise, giving feedback or managing conflict. Entrepreneur Izzy Obeng MBE and former social worker Sophie Baker explain how to have the hardest conversations at work. And romance author, Talia Hibbert, explains how she scripts difficult conversations and explores how they work as plot devices in novels and on screen.Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Sophie Powling

What stops you from speaking up when it matters most?This week on Think Fast Talk Smart, we're featuring a special episode from TED Business. Healthcare leader Sarah Crawford-Bohl offers a practical, compassionate framework to have difficult conversations with clarity and heart — and shows how it can lead to stronger teams and real impact.TED Business is a podcast from TED that offers you a new idea and perspective for any business conundrum — whether you want to learn how to land that promotion, set smart goals, undo injustice at work, or unlock the next big innovation. Every Monday, host Modupe Akinola of Columbia Business School presents the most powerful and surprising ideas that illuminate the business world. After the talk, you'll get a mini-lesson from Modupe on how to apply the ideas in your own life — because business evolves every day, and our ideas about it should, too. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or here.Episode Reference Links:TED Business Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:46) - If Not You, Then Who? (04:01) - The Cost of Silence (05:25) - Avoiding Conflict at Work (06:20) - Why Speaking Up Matters (07:30) - Building Courage Through Practice (08:40) - A Moral Compass for Conversations (12:01) - Handling Tough Feedback (17:41) - QORC Apology Framework (19:31) - Conclusion ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.Unleash your Superhuman potential with AI that meets you where you work. Learn more at superhuman.comJoin our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

Difficult conversations are something most of us avoid, delay, or overthink. I get it. Who wants to get super uncomfortable - on purpose?!  But what if you could reframe difficult conversations as a massive opportunity to grow your leadership skills? In this episode, I share how I approach these conversations through a simple 5-question framework that centers on emotional intelligence, intentionality, care, and self-leadership. In this episode, we explore how quickly our assumptions can shape a conversation before it even begins, and why separating fact from story is such a powerful communication skill for leaders. I also talk about what it looks like to create common ground intentionally, even when tension exists, and how that changes the trajectory of conflict resolution. One of the most important parts of having hard conversations is not just what you say, but how you show up. I walk through how to ground yourself before speaking, how to choose your tone and energy, and how to anchor into the leader you want to be in the moment. This is how we start to shift from reacting to leading. If you've ever wondered how to speak up at work or in your leadership without overexplaining, shutting down, or escalating tension, this episode will help you. These five questions are a practical tool you can return to again and again to strengthen your communication skills and build more trusting relationships through honest dialogue in your personal and professional life. Links Mentioned: Hire Sara to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with Sara: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mike Vrabel finally got smoked out of his hiding hole on "La'Affaire du Russini" and he sure didn't do her any favors, with a firm non-denial side-step of "can we all just move on here" presser. PAUL CHARCHIAN joins the show, and we talk about what counts as a "good" NFL draft pick depending on the round. It all comes down to the number of games started, in Czabe's opinion. Why Judge Smails was actually the "good guy" in Caddyshack. The best-case Kyler scenario in Minnesota. Ant Man vs. The Joker is epic TV, albeit on too damn late for anyone back east to see. A recap of the "Holy Fuck" concert with Charch's nerd buddies in DC. Endless shrimp is back, baby! MORE....Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

New England Patriots’ head coach Mike Vrabel has finally addressed the photos showing a cozy relationship with an NFL reporter who has since resigned her position amid the controversy. Vrabel only saying he’s had difficult conversations with family, friends, colleagues and his players. Unlike former NFL reporter Dianna Russini, who was pictured holding hands with Vrabel at a romantic resort, Vrabel is not facing an internal investigation into the nature of their relationship. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New England Patriots’ head coach Mike Vrabel has finally addressed the photos showing a cozy relationship with an NFL reporter who has since resigned her position amid the controversy. Vrabel only saying he’s had difficult conversations with family, friends, colleagues and his players. Unlike former NFL reporter Dianna Russini, who was pictured holding hands with Vrabel at a romantic resort, Vrabel is not facing an internal investigation into the nature of their relationship. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New England Patriots’ head coach Mike Vrabel has finally addressed the photos showing a cozy relationship with an NFL reporter who has since resigned her position amid the controversy. Vrabel only saying he’s had difficult conversations with family, friends, colleagues and his players. Unlike former NFL reporter Dianna Russini, who was pictured holding hands with Vrabel at a romantic resort, Vrabel is not facing an internal investigation into the nature of their relationship. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the conversations you're avoiding… are actually the doorway to the relationships you want? In this replay from our Courageous Conversations series, I sit down with conflict resolution expert James Guinn to explore a truth most of us would rather sidestep: conflict isn't the problem—our style of engaging it is. Together, we unpack the hidden patterns that shape how you show up when tension rises—whether you withdraw, accommodate, compete, analyze, or collaborate—and how those instincts, often wired beneath your awareness, quietly drive the outcomes of your hardest conversations. Here's the deal: every difficult conversation is a negotiation. Not just of outcomes, but of needs, emotions, and meaning. And if you don't understand your default conflict style—or the style of the person across from you—you'll keep talking past each other, escalating what could've been resolved. James brings a practical framework for identifying what actually triggers conflict (hint: it's not always what you think), and I connect the dots to the Enneagram—because knowing your type isn't just about self-awareness, it's about relational wisdom in real time. We also wrestle with a deeper question: How often is the conflict really about the issue… and how often is it about something underneath—process, expectations, or old emotional wounds we've carried into the room? If you've ever walked away from a conversation thinking, "That did not go how I hoped," this episode will give you a new playbook. Because courageous conversations aren't about winning. They're about understanding, adapting, and learning how to meet people where they are—without losing yourself in the process. And that, my friends, is a skill worth building.   Tune in next week as Anthony and I talk through a simple, practical framework for having difficult conversations.