Uncomfy: Sticking with Moments That Challenge Us

After pouring years of passion and expertise into her latest book in hopes of inspiring a shift in how people collaborate and connect, Diana McLain Smith, organizational behavior expert and author of several books including her latest, Remaking the Space Between Us, was hit with a hard truth from her strategist: "People aren't buying what you're selling." The unexpected critique forced Smith to confront her own assumptions and reconsider her approach. We’d love to hear about an Uncomfy moment you’ve experienced. Can you think of a time when you felt your perspective or worldview challenged and instead of getting defensive or bailing out, you chose to lean into the discomfort and stick with it – and you’re glad you did? Email your story to uncomfy@byu.edu or share it on Instagram and tag us @uncomfy.podcast, and we’ll share it! Related Links: Remaking the Space Between Us Website – https://www.remakingthespace.org/ Diana McLain Smith LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-smith-bb8b505/ Follow us on social media!   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheUncomfyPod/    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uncomfy.podcast/    Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theuncomfypodcast    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Uncomfy.Podcast    X -  https://x.com/TheUncomfyPod    Threads - https://www.threads.net/@uncomfy.podcast

Tired and ready to be off her late-night flight, Piper Hendricks, founder of Stories Change Power, was caught off guard when her seatmate initiated an uncomfortable conversation, dismissing her deeply personal practice of writing letters to herself. As the discussion veered towards controversial topics, including political and social issues, Hendricks chose to engage with curiosity rather than defensiveness. We’d love to hear about an Uncomfy moment you’ve experienced. Can you think of a time when you felt your perspective or worldview challenged and instead of getting defensive or bailing out, you chose to lean into the discomfort and stick with it – and you’re glad you did? Email your story to uncomfy@byu.edu or share it on Instagram and tag us @uncomfy.podcast and we’ll share it! Related Links: Stories Change Power Website – www.storieschangepower.com Stories Change Power LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/company/stories-change-power/ Piper’s LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/piperhendricks/ Follow us on social media!   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheUncomfyPod/    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uncomfy.podcast/    Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theuncomfypodcast    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Uncomfy.Podcast    X -  https://x.com/TheUncomfyPod    Threads - https://www.threads.net/@uncomfy.podcast

Despite a successful career on Wall Street, Erik DaRosa lived with severe anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and PTSD. After suffering a dissociative episode, DaRosa made the life-changing decision to seek help, and it wasn’t until he sat across from a therapist for the first time that he began to finally share everything he’d been keeping inside. DaRosa shares how breaking his silence not only led to his healing but also empowered him to help others find their voices. We’d love to hear about an Uncomfy moment you’ve experienced. Can you think of a time when you felt your perspective or worldview challenged and instead of getting defensive or bailing out, you chose to lean into the discomfort and stick with it – and you’re glad you did? Email your story to uncomfy@byu.edu or share it on Instagram and tag us @uncomfy.podcast and we’ll share it!           From Survivor to Thriver Website – www.fromsurvivortothriver.com U-MOST - https://u-most.com/ Erik’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/skisherpa/ Follow us on social media!   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheUncomfyPod/    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uncomfy.podcast/    Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theuncomfypodcast    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Uncomfy.Podcast    X -  https://x.com/TheUncomfyPod    Threads - https://www.threads.net/@uncomfy.podcast

When James Coan, a Liberal, decided to attend the Conservative Political Action Committee—one of the biggest conservative gatherings in the U.S.—his apprehension was high. Coan, co-founder and executive director of More Like Us, was on a quest to promote the idea that we are more similar than we think, despite our politically charged environment. But just showing up to the event wouldn't be enough. Coan was determined to face a task he found particularly daunting—engaging with conservative media personalities and pitching the mission of More Like Us. Initial interactions were tense and filled with uncertainty. Coan decided to stick with the discomfort. But would it pay off? We’d love to hear about an Uncomfy moment you’ve experienced. Can you think of a time when you felt your perspective or worldview challenged and instead of getting defensive or bailing out, you chose to lean into the discomfort and stick with it – and you’re glad you did? Email your story to uncomfy@byu.edu or share it on Instagram and tag us @uncomfy.podcast and we’ll share it!       More Like Us Website – www.morelikeus.org Similarity Hub Website – allsides.com/similarity Follow us on social media!   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheUncomfyPod/    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uncomfy.podcast/    Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theuncomfypodcast    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Uncomfy.Podcast    X -  https://x.com/TheUncomfyPod    Threads - https://www.threads.net/@uncomfy.podcast

Just a few months after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, the people of Newtown, CT, needed to decide what to do with the old school building. Rich Harwood, the president and founder of the Harwood Institute, was called in to help. Harwood questioned whether he was up to this enormous task, but ultimately accepted the assignment. But the complexity of making that decision was beyond what anyone could have imagined. We’d love to hear about an Uncomfy moment you’ve experienced. Can you think of a time when you felt your perspective or worldview challenged and instead of getting defensive or bailing out, you chose to lean into the discomfort and stick with it – and you’re glad you did? Email your story to uncomfy@byu.edu or share it on Instagram and tag us @uncomfy.podcast and we’ll share it!   The Harwood Institute - https://theharwoodinstitute.org/ “Enough. Time to Build.” 2024 Civic Campaign – https://theharwoodinstitute.org/build Richard Harwood’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardcharwood/ Follow us on social media!   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheUncomfyPod/    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uncomfy.podcast/    Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theuncomfypodcast    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Uncomfy.Podcast    X -  https://x.com/TheUncomfyPod    Threads - https://www.threads.net/@uncomfy.podcast

Meisha Lerato and her all-Black group of friends were relaxing at a hotel pool when a group of rambunctious boys began splashing and rough housing, disrupting their peace. Feeling disrespected and sensing racial undertones, Meisha decided to confront the white man supervising the boys. The encounter had the potential to escalate quickly. What happened ended up changing the trajectory of Meisha's life. Meisha Lerato is the founder of nonprofit I Am We Are. We’d love to hear about an Uncomfy moment you’ve experienced. Can you think of a time when you felt your perspective or worldview challenged and instead of getting defensive or bailing out, you chose to lean into the discomfort and stick with it – and you’re glad you did? Email your story to uncomfy@byu.edu or share it on Instagram and tag us @uncomfy.podcast and we’ll share it!      Meisha Lerato Instagram Profile - https://www.instagram.com/meishalerato/ I Am, We Are Instagram Profile - https://www.instagram.com/iamweareyouth/ I Am, We Are website - https://www.iamweareyouth.org/ Follow us on social media!   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheUncomfyPod/  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uncomfy.podcast/ Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theuncomfypodcast YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Uncomfy.Podcast   X -  https://x.com/TheUncomfyPod Threads - https://www.threads.net/@uncomfy.podcast

Preston Brightwell and Madeleine Jones, Field Directors at The Dignity Index, found themselves in a heated discussion over the use of a single word in their project's tagline—"patriotism." Preston, a conservative, and Madeleine, a liberal, discuss how their differing views on the term led to a moment of tension, assumptions, and eye-rolling that threatened to derail their project entirely. Hear them discuss how this disagreement ultimately became an opportunity to practice what they preach about dignity and curiosity. We’d love to hear about an Uncomfy moment you’ve experienced. Can you think of a time when you felt your perspective or worldview challenged and instead of getting defensive or bailing out, you chose to lean into the discomfort and stick with it – and you’re glad you did? Email your story to uncomfy@byu.edu or share it on Instagram and tag us @uncomfy.podcast and we’ll share it! The Dignity Index website – https://www.dignityindex.us/ Students For Dignity Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/studentsfordignity/ Julie’s other podcast, Top of Mind - https://www.byuradio.org/topofmind Follow us on social media! Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheUncomfyPod/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uncomfy.podcast/ Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theuncomfypodcast YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Uncomfy.Podcast X - https://x.com/TheUncomfyPod Threads - https://www.threads.net/@uncomfy.podcast

Richard Craft—former healthcare leader and host of The Men of the House podcast—shares a defining moment from his career when a casual remark to some of his employees led to a formal write-up. Richard reflects on his journey of embracing humility and taking ownership of his actions and how this experience transformed his leadership style. We’d love to hear about an Uncomfy moment you’ve experienced. Can you think of a time when you felt your perspective or worldview challenged and instead of getting defensive or bailing out, you chose to lean into the discomfort and stick with it – and you’re glad you did? Email your story to uncomfy@byu.edu or share it on Instagram and tag us @uncomfy.podcast and we’ll share it!    Richard’s Podcast, The Men of the House – https://www.youtube.com/@RichardPCraft The Men of the House Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/themenofthehousepodcast/ Julie’s other podcast, Top of Mind – https://www.byuradio.org/topofmind Follow us on social media!  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheUncomfyPod/   Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uncomfy.podcast/   Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theuncomfypodcast   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Uncomfy.Podcast   X -  https://x.com/TheUncomfyPod   Threads - https://www.threads.net/@uncomfy.podcast

As a young child in Iran, Shima Baughman—criminal law professor and author of The Bail Book—was taught to hate Israel and Jews. She largely left those beliefs behind when she immigrated to the United States with her family. But after graduating from law school, Shima chose to tackle any lingering prejudice she still held by taking on the case of a Hasidic Jewish inmate's right to have a place to pray in prison. Shima shares how the experience taught her to search for the humanity in everyone she meets. We’d love to hear about an Uncomfy moment you’ve experienced. Can you think of a time when you felt your perspective or worldview challenged and instead of getting defensive or bailing out, you chose to lean into the discomfort and stick with it – and you’re glad you did? Email your story to uncomfy@byu.edu or share it on Instagram and tag us @uncomfy.podcast and we’ll share it!    Shima’s book, The Bail Book: a Comprehensive Look at Bail and America’s Criminal Justice System https://www.amazon.com/Bail-Book-Comprehensive-Americas-Criminal/dp/1107131367 Shima’s TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@closertojesuschrist Julie’s other podcast, Top of Mind - https://www.byuradio.org/top-of-mind Follow us on social media! Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheUncomfyPod/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uncomfy.podcast/ Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theuncomfypodcast YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Uncomfy.Podcast X - https://x.com/TheUncomfyPod Threads - https://www.threads.net/@uncomfy.podcast

Parker Kane—beatboxer and motivational speaker—was facing a deep mental health crisis in college. He wanted to be a professional musician but couldn’t seem to find success. Parker slipped into a deep depression. Then, at his lowest point, he got a call from a friend inviting him out for a late-night run to McDonald’s. Parker didn’t feel up to it and almost said “no.” But that night at McDonald’s led to an experience that changed his life and jumpstarted his career. In this episode Parker talks about navigating mental health struggles, the importance of staying open to unexpected opportunities, and how he uses his story has inspire and motivate others. We’d love to hear about an Uncomfy moment you’ve experienced. Can you think of a time when you felt your perspective or worldview challenged and instead of getting defensive or bailing out, you chose to lean into the discomfort and stick with it – and you’re glad you did? Email your story to uncomfy@byu.edu or share it on Instagram and tag us @uncomfy.podcast and we’ll share it!    Parker’s website - parkerkane.co Parker’s podcast, UpBeat with Parker Kane - https://www.parkerkane.co/podcast National Suicide and Crisis Hotline - Dial 988 Julie’s other podcast, Top of Mind - https://www.byuradio.org/top-of-mind   Follow us on social media! Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheUncomfyPod/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uncomfy.podcast/ Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theuncomfypodcast YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Uncomfy.Podcast X - https://x.com/TheUncomfyPod Threads - https://www.threads.net/@uncomfy.podcast

Lisa Valentine Clark—comedian and host of The Lisa Show—had the perfect gift planned for her friend's 40th birthday. But she couldn't have been farther from the truth. The result was some difficult feedback on their friendship. Lisa shares how she stuck with the discomfort in that moment and what she did ten years later to make up for it. We’d love to hear about an Uncomfy moment you’ve experienced. Can you think of a time when you felt your perspective or worldview challenged and instead of getting defensive or bailing out, you chose to lean into the discomfort and stick with it – and you’re glad you did? Email your story to uncomfy@byu.edu or share it on Instagram and tag us @uncomfy.podcast and we’ll share it! Lisa’s podcast, The Lisa Show - https://www.byuradio.org/the-lisa-show Lisa’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yourfunnyvalentine/ Julie’s other podcast, Top of Mind - https://www.byuradio.org/top-of-mind Follow us on social media! Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheUncomfyPod/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uncomfy.podcast/ Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theuncomfypodcast YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Uncomfy.Podcast X - https://x.com/TheUncomfyPod Threads - https://www.threads.net/@uncomfy.podcast

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! 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! The new podcast launches July 10th with new episodes every Wednesday on your podcast platform of choice. Make sure to follow or subscribe so that you never miss an episode. 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