How to Make Someone Feel Heard (Even When You Say No) - Julia Minson
03/18/2026 | 23 mins.
What if the goal of disagreement isn’t to win but to build a bridge to the next conversation?
Harvard Kennedy School professor Julia Minson studies one thing: how to disagree better. In this episode of Uncomfy, she shares why most of us confuse disagreement with conflict and how that mistake quietly damages our closest relationships.
From ballroom dancing arguments with her husband to a life-and-death disagreement with her mother’s oncologist, Julia explains the powerful difference between being receptive and being persuaded.
“You don’t have to give in to make someone feel profoundly heard.”
ABOUT GUEST Julia Minson is a professor of public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and author of the new book, “How to Disagree Better” (https://www.juliaminson.com/)
CHAPTERS (0:00) Introduction (0:56) Meet Julia Minson (1:30) Kitchen Dance Disagreement (4:12) Disagreement vs Conflict (6:07) Studying Disagreement (7:18) Receptive Not Persuaded (8:43) Mom’s Doctor Story (13:01) Listen With Your Mouth (15:08) HEAR Framework Breakdown (19:12) Authenticity and Practice (21:03) Conclusion
How Advocating for My Child Led to My ADHD Diagnosis – Caitlin Kindred
03/11/2026 | 18 mins.
What do you do when you hear your child’s teacher may be treating them unfairly — and you hate confrontation?
Caitlin Kindred shares the phone call that left her shaking… and forced her into “mama bear” mode. What started as an uncomfortable school conflict led to something unexpected: her son’s ADHD diagnosis — and ultimately her own diagnosis at age 38.
ABOUT GUEST Caitlin Kindred is a mom, former middle school teacher, and co-host of the podcast “How to Be a Grownup: A Humorous Guide for Moms” (https://www.ckandgkpodcast.com/)
CHAPTERS (0:00) Introduction (0:46) A Call from A Concerned Parent (3:09) Avoiding Confrontation (4:18) Email and Meeting Plan (5:32) ADHD Discovery (7:40) Late Diagnosis Validation (9:49) ADHD Traits and Time (11:30) Parenting With ADHD (13:15) News Stress and Boundaries (16:22) Conclusion
Why You Should Skip the Small Talk — Kalina Silverman
03/04/2026 | 14 mins.
What if one big question could change your life?
Kalina Silverman became known around the world for walking up to strangers and skipping the small talk. Instead of “How’s the weather?” she asks questions like: - What are you proud of? - What’s been the darkest time of your life—and how did you get through it? - What do you want to do before you die?
She calls it Big Talk, and she thinks everyone should be doing it.
ABOUT GUEST Kalina Silverman is the creator of Big Talk (@makebigtalk on Instagram and Tik Tok) and author of the new book, “Big Talk: How to Skip the Small Talk, Make Meaningful Connections, and Enrich Your Life” (https://www.kalinasilverman.com/)
CHAPTERS (0:00) Introduction (0:41) Meet Kalina Silverman (1:39) The First Big Talk Experiment (2:59) The Simple Intro That Works (4:35) The Magic of Talking to Strangers (6:16) Big Talk 101 (7:31) Big Talk Conversations After Disasters (9:42) Listening Without Fixing (10:20) Who the Book Is For (11:39) Personal Impact (12:57) Conclusion
The Text That Could’ve Torn Them Apart — Anne Marie Denman
02/25/2026 | 19 mins.
What happens when someone you love doesn’t react the way you do to something that feels viscerally wrong?
After the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, Anne Marie Denman texted her mom, and what followed was a conversation that could have deepened a painful divide. Instead, it deepened their connection.
CHAPTERS (0:00) Introduction (0:42) Meet Anne Marie Denman (2:05) Mom Checks In—And the Reply That Stung (4:34) Catching Dysregulation & Choosing a New Response (5:32) Naming the Real Issue (8:03) The Risk of Uncomfy Conversations (8:59) Her Mom’s Response (and Why It Was Enough) (10:07) A Troubled History and What the Email Changed (13:18) How Their Family Stays Connected Through Deep Differences (15:52) Why Anne Marie Shares Her Story (18:27) Conclusion
Why Asking Questions Feels So Risky Right Now — Shira Hoffer
02/18/2026 | 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).
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.
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#communitybuilding #disagreebetter #buildingbridges #perspectives #worldview #resilience #emotionalresiliance #mentalhealth #training
#mindfulness #conflictresolution #growthmindset #empowerment #problemsolving #respect #curiosity #activelistening #collaboration
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