Uncomfy: Sticking with Moments That Challenge Us

88 episodes

Why Asking Questions Feels So Risky Right Now — Shira Hoffer
2/18/2026 | 20 mins.
What if the problem isn’t disagreement — it’s how we ask the question?

Shira Hoffer was a freshman at Harvard when she asked what she thought was a simple, honest question and got completely shut down. That moment launched her into studying and helping others with something all of us are wrestling with right now: how to stay curious when conversations get tense.

ABOUT GUEST
Shira Hoffer is the Executive Director of The Viewpoints Project (https://viewpointsproject.org).

CHAPTERS
(0:00) Introduction
(1:04) Meet Shira Hoffer
(1:25) Shira's Classroom Experience
(5:19) The Viewpoints Project
(6:27) The Science of Curiosity
(9:49) Navigating Difficult Conversations
(14:12) A Disagreement Gone Wrong
(19:26) Conclusion
Free Speech, Fear, and Fixing Conversations on Campus – Raj Vinnakota
2/11/2026 | 17 mins.
What happens when three people with completely different identities and perspectives speak up in the same room, each saying they don’t feel safe?

In this episode, Raj Vinnakota shares a powerful moment from a university auditorium where tension was thick, fear was real, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher. He unpacks what it actually takes to create spaces on campus (and in everyday life) where people with deeply different views can stay present, curious, and human.

We’re all in the same boat. The question is: how do we stay in it together?

ABOUT GUEST
Raj Vinnakota is the president of the Institute for Citizens and Scholars (https://citizensandscholars.org/).

Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2026/02/free-speech-fear-and-fixing.html

CHAPTERS
(0:00) Introduction
(1:12) Meet Raj Vinnakota
(2:20) The Conservative Student's Question
(4:28) The Pro-Choice Lesbian's Perspective
(7:04) Safety and Engagement on Campus
(9:19) Creating a Culture of Productive Conversations
(11:46) Personal Practices for Better Conversations
(13:52) Raj's Personal Experience with Disagreement
(15:58) Conclusion
Why Being Alone Might Be Exactly What You Need (Sometimes) — Robert Coplan
2/04/2026 | 19 mins.
Why being alone feels so hard—and how solitude can make you healthier, calmer and more connected.

Robert Coplan spent months on the road as a solo musician, driving through the southern U.S. with long stretches of boredom, isolation, and nowhere to escape his own thoughts. Then he made one small shift that turned his misery into meaning.

Coplan has since spent his career studying solitude—why we resist it, what it gives us when we stop fighting it, and how too little “me time” can leave us stressed, irritable, and disconnected.

GUEST
Robert Coplan is a professor of psychology at Carleton University and author of “The Joy of Solitude: How to Reconnect with Yourself in an Overconnected World” (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Joy-of-Solitude/Robert-J-Coplan/9781668053423)

Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2026/02/why-being-alone-might-be-exactly-what.html

CHAPTERS
(0:00) Introduction
(1:05) Meet Robert Coplan
(1:28) From Musician to Psychologist
(3:17) The Joy of Solitude
(5:28) Experimenting with Solitude
(10:32) The Role of Technology in Solitude
(13:08) Loneliness vs. Solitude
(15:46) The Concept of "Aloneliness"
(17:09) Normalizing the Need for Alone Time
(18:12) Conclusion
Why Cutting People Off Isn’t Always the Answer (According to a Social Worker) — Kelsey Blahnik
1/28/2026 | 14 mins.
What do you do when your values clash with the people you love most?

Licensed clinical social worker and author Kelsey Blahnik joins Uncomfy to challenge the growing “no-contact” trend and offer a more nuanced alternative she calls The And Way—a framework for holding your convictions and staying in relationship.

Kelsey Blahnik’s book, The And Way: Assertive Peacemaking in a Divided World — https://theandwaypress.com

Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2026/01/why-cutting-people-off-isnt-always.html

CHAPTERS
(0:00) Introduction
(1:00) Meet Kelsey Blahnik
(1:36) A Dinner Gone Awkward
(3:03) Navigating Disagreements
(4:20) Therapeutic Insights
(5:57) Balancing Relationships and Boundaries
(7:54) Practical Examples
(11:20) “The And Way” in Personal Life
(12:21) Conclusion
Serving on the Edges: 60 Years of Catholic Ministry, Faith, and Change — Father Francis Gargani
1/21/2026 | 21 mins.
Father Francis Gargani entered religious life as a teenager and has remained in the Church through seasons of change, challenge, and growth. Over the years, his ministry has taken many forms—from parish life and campus ministry to caring for people with AIDS and walking alongside LGBTQ Catholics seeking spiritual community. Throughout it all, he reflects on what has helped him stay rooted: community, prayer, and a deep trust in God’s presence.

Together, host Julie Rose and Father Francis explore what it means to stay when faith becomes uncomfortable and how community, compassion, and a deep conviction in God’s love can sustain a life of service.

ABOUT THE GUEST
Father Francis Gargani was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1971 and is a member of the Redemptorists of Baltimore Province (https://redemptorists.net/).

Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2026/01/serving-on-edges-60-years-of-catholic.html

CHAPTERS
(0:00) Introduction
(0:37) Meet Father Francis Gargani
(1:08) Early Religious Journey
(4:14) Challenges in Pastoral Ministry
(7:35) Campus Ministry and AIDS Outreach
(11:30) LGBTQ Outreach and Controversy
(13:53) Intentional Communities and Modern Ministry
(17:12) Finding Peace and Staying Hopeful
(19:23) Conclusion

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About Uncomfy: Sticking with Moments That Challenge Us

Real stories from guests who dared to get uncomfortable in a moment that challenged their worldview. In the thick of intense emotions, they chose to stay curious and open, rather than lash out or shy away, and came out the other side with stronger relationships, clearer beliefs, and increased confidence. And you can do it too! So, if you: • Want to engage with others on important topics but aren’t sure how, OR • Are burned out on social media and wish you could bring the humanity back into discussions online or in real life, Look no further! Whether you're a seasoned seeker of new ideas or just dipping your toes into the uncomfy waters, this podcast is your go-to destination for learning how to improve your communication, disagree more productively, and be a more inspired leader. In such a polarized world, we believe learning how to stick with moments that challenge us, without getting defensive or shutting down, is a direct antidote for division. Are you ready to lean in, listen up, and get uncomfy with us? Let's dive in together! Uncomfy: Sticking with Moments that Challenge Us is hosted by journalist Julie Rose and is a BYUradio production. #reallifestories #communication #polarization #relationshipskills #communicationskills #leadershipskills #leadershiptraining #community #communitybuilding #disagreebetter #buildingbridges #perspectives #worldview #resilience #emotionalresiliance #mentalhealth #training #mindfulness #conflictresolution #growthmindset #empowerment #problemsolving #respect #curiosity #activelistening #collaboration

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