Uncomfy: Sticking with Moments That Challenge Us

When Amy Dott Harmer, executive director of the Utah Refugee Connection, discovered a forgotten note tucked inside Santa’s chair after a holiday celebration for refugees, she didn’t know what to do. The letter listed humble wishes: clothes, diapers, even toilet paper. Overwhelmed and out of time, Amy turned to social media, and that’s when Lenice Paulsen stepped up. In this special Light the World episode of Uncomfy, host Julie Rose talks with Amy Dott and Lenice about how an uncomfortable moment turned into a Christmas miracle and how paying attention to the needs around us can change lives. Learn more about Light the World, a global invitation by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to spread light and serve others during the holiday season: https://www.lighttheworld.org Check out Utah Refugee Connection - https://serverefugees.org/ Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/12/a-lost-letter-strangers-kindness-and.html CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:44 The Gathering of Light Celebration 01:53 The Letter to Santa 05:13 Lenice's Response and Action 07:20 Delivering Christmas Miracles 10:30 Reflections on Light and Service 12:08 Conclusion

When’s the last time you took a hard look at your own side? Political columnist and foreign policy expert Shadi Hamid joins Uncomfy to talk about the difficult, often painful process of changing your mind — especially when it means challenging the people on your own side. Hamid, once an outspoken critic of American power and an anti-war activist, now argues the opposite in his new book, “The Case for American Power.” In this episode, he opens up about: - His post-9/11 political awakening - Why he went from protesting U.S. power to believing it’s sometimes the only moral option - Cognitive dissonance around U.S. foreign policy - Why progressives shouldn’t give up on influencing American power from within - How we can disagree deeply while still living together in a democracy Shadi Hamid’s new book, “The Case for American Power” - https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Case-for-American-Power/Shadi-Hamid/9781668031889 Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/12/from-anti-war-activist-to-defender-of.html CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Introducing Shadi Hamid 01:34 Shadi Hamid's Formative Years and Political Awakening 04:23 The Evolution of Shadi Hamid's Views on American Power 07:37 The Role of Identity and Experience in Shadi Hamid's Perspective 11:08 A Call to Action for Progressives 15:39 Conclusion

When Tucson mom Rachel Scholes stopped to help a homeless woman on the side of the road, she didn’t know what to do next. Years later, she learned that her small act of kindness had changed a life forever. This heartwarming true story reminds us that no act of service is wasted even when it feels small or inconvenient. This episode is part of the “Light the World” initiative, a global invitation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to spread light and serve others during the holiday season. Learn more and find ways you can serve at https://www.lighttheworld.org/. Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/12/i-picked-up-stranger-and-it-changed.html CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:11 Light the World 00:40 Rachel's Story: An Ordinary Morning in Tucson 01:30 Meeting Jackie 03:01 Bringing Jackie Home 09:15 The Unexpected Reunion 13:20 Reflections on Service and Faith 16:03 Conclusion

This week, we’re sharing something a little different on Uncomfy. Our host, Julie Rose, joins Michael Lee on his podcast When We Disagree—a show about arguments, why we have them, and what they teach us about ourselves. In this conversation, Julie opens up about one of her deepest regrets: a long-running disagreement with her late mother over what news she watched. It’s a raw, personal reflection on how our emotions can block us from seeing the people we love with compassion and curiosity. Listen to more episodes of When We Disagree - https://whenwedisagree.buzzsprout.com/2311101 Connect with Julie on social media - https://linktr.ee/i_am_julie_rose CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Uncomfy and When We Disagree 04:02 Julie's Story – A Disagreement with Her Late Mother 12:01 Reflecting on Regrets and Lessons Learned 22:42 Conclusion

Is it possible to keep heated political debates from devolving into name calling and ugliness? In this episode of Uncomfy, host Julie Rose sits down with Idaho public education Alexis Morgan. Morgan shares how The Dignity Index reshaped her approach to conflict—especially during Idaho’s heated debate over a controversial school voucher law. From moderating tense town halls to facing opponents in court, Alexis opens up about the emotional toll of advocacy, how she bridges divides without backing down, and why she believes dignity isn’t just a tool but a mindset. In this episode: - The Idaho school voucher fight and what it reveals about political division - How The Dignity Index helps people disagree without dehumanizing - Real-world examples of turning tension into understanding - Why treating opponents with respect might be the strongest strategy of all Alexis Morgan is former president of the Idaho state PTA and host of the Purple Zone podcast. Learn more about The Dignity Index: https://dignity.us Listen to The Purple Zone: https://www.thealexismorgan.com/the-purple-zone Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/11/fighting-for-what-you-want-without.html CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:51 The Heated Debate on Idaho's School Voucher Law 01:23 Introducing Alexis Morgan 01:57 Uncomfy Moment at a Town Hall Meeting 05:21 Handling Conflict with Dignity 07:49 Discovering The Dignity Index 14:23 Applying Dignity in Advocacy 18:39 Outro and Additional Resources