Uncomfy: Sticking with Moments That Challenge Us

• Carrying the Weight: A First Responder’s Journey Through PTSD – Chris Fields

  Former firefighter Chris Fields became the face of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing when a photo of him carrying a dying infant from the rubble was seen around the world. But behind that iconic image was a man carrying the weight of years of unprocessed trauma. In this powerful episode of Uncomfy, Chris opens up about what it was really like to serve as a first responder for over 30 years—from his first harrowing call to the mass casualty event that nearly broke him. He shares the long, painful journey through PTSD, addiction, and ultimately, healing, with Chris now working to help other first responders navigate their own trauma before it's too late. Resources mentioned: Trauma Behind the Badge - https://www.traumabehindthebadge.us/ Survive First - https://www.survivefirst.us/ Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US) - Call or text 988 Share your thoughts - [email protected] Subscribe to Uncomfy for more conversations that challenge us to grow. Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/07/carrying-weight-first-responders.html CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:47 Meet Chris Fields: A Firefighter's Journey 04:59 The 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing 06:34 The Iconic Photo 08:52 The Long Road to Healing: PTSD and Seeking Help 12:19 Finding Purpose: Helping Others Through Trauma 17:16 Oklahoma First Responders Wellness Division 19:06 Resources and Final Thoughts

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• Discomfort is Her Superpower. Here’s Why. — Anne Bonney

  What would it look like to dance in the discomfort zone? In this episode of Uncomfy, Anne Bonney—keynote speaker, self-proclaimed “discomfort enthusiast,” marathoner, and podcaster—joins host Julie Rose for a conversation about how choosing discomfort helped her transform her life. From quitting her teaching job to work with sea lions, to running marathons on all seven continents, Anne shares unforgettable stories of risk, resilience, and trusting yourself through uncertainty. Anne Bonney’s website - https://yourchangespeaker.com/ What’s a recent uncomfortable moment that helped you grow? Share your story – [email protected]. Subscribe for more episodes of Uncomfy — real stories that challenge, uplift, and push us just outside our comfort zones. Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/07/discomfort-is-her-superpower-heres-why.html CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Meet Anne Bonney: Discomfort Enthusiast 01:07 Anne's Uncomfortable Upbringing 02:34 From Teacher to Seal Trainer 05:38 The Value of Discomfort 08:17 Marathon Adventures 11:59 Interpersonal Challenges 16:52 Daily Practices for Embracing Discomfort 17:47 Conclusion and Next Steps

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• The Walls Between Us: Can We Truly Understand Each Other? – Anand Pandian

  Why do we build walls—emotional, social, ideological—and what would it take to break them down? In this thought-provoking episode of Uncomfy, anthropologist Anand Pandian joins host Julie Rose to explore the infrastructure of discomfort in America. Drawing from his new book, “Something Between Us: The Everyday Walls of American Life and How to Take Them Down,” Pandian recounts stories from his journey across America, including attending a Trump victory rally as a liberal, or choosing to reconnect with a conservative childhood friend. These experiences reveal how fear and familiarity shape our comfort zones and what happens when we choose to step beyond them. You can check out Anand Pandian’s book, “Something Between Us,” here: https://www.sup.org/books/anthropology/something-between-us What walls have you built in your own life? And what might happen if you dared to peek over them? Share your story at [email protected] or connect on socials. And subscribe to Uncomfy for more conversations about growth, discomfort, and staying curious even when it’s difficult. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Uncomfy 01:29 Intro to Anand Pandian 01:48 Personal Reflections and Experiences 06:16 The Importance of Breaking Down Walls 09:46 Stories of Connection and Empathy 16:24 Organizing Against Division 19:23 Conclusion and Call to Action

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• How to Have Conversations That Actually Work Even on Hot-Button Issues - Becca Kearl

  Becca Kearl had just moved to a new town when she decided to organize a public conversation about one of the most controversial topics: sex education. No formal training. No guarantees. Just a desire to understand her community better. What started as an ambitious idea turned into a surprising and powerful night of connection between people with deeply different beliefs. In this episode of Uncomfy, host Julie Rose talks with Becca about how that first event sparked her career in community dialogue, what makes conversations go well (or fall apart), and why your story is always more powerful than your opinion. Becca is now the executive director of Living Room Conversations, which provides free resources to help people host meaningful discussions across divides. Learn more at https://www.livingroomconversations.org. Got an Uncomfy story to share? We'd love to hear from you: [email protected]. Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/06/how-to-have-conversations-that-actually.html CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Meet Becca Kearl: The Power of Community Conversations 01:05 The First Big Conversation: Tackling Sex Education 03:25 Creating a Safe Space for Dialogue 07:25 The Impact of Personal Stories 09:48 Living Room Conversations: Tools and Framework 15:54 Encouragement and Resources for Starting Your Own Conversations 16:41 Conclusion and Next Steps

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• How Cold, Early Morning Runs Led to a Life-Changing Friendship – Olivia Chadwick and Garnet Morris

  Olivia Chadwick was a personal trainer. Garnet Morris was an entrepreneur looking for support as he tried to improve his health. Their early morning runs, often before sunrise in the middle of Canadian winter, became the start of a meaningful friendship and a journey neither of them expected. In this episode of Uncomfy, host Julie Rose talks with Olivia and Garnet about the habits that helped them both through difficult life transitions. Along the way, they discovered the value of coaching, friendship, and simply showing up. Olivia and Garnet are co-authors of the book, “17 Runs: The Unbeaten Path to Unlock Life’s True Potential.” Learn more about their book at https://17runs.com. Got an Uncomfy story to share? We'd love to hear from you: [email protected] Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/06/how-cold-early-morning-runs-led-to-life.html CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Meet Olivia and Garnet 01:09 The Journey Begins: Training for Success 02:13 Overcoming Challenges and Building Habits 05:32 The Power of Coaching and Mentorship 07:35 Personal Stories of Transformation 13:54 Key Lessons and Final Thoughts 15:07 Conclusion and Next Steps

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