Kevin Karaca (coach, facilitator, and writer) joins Caroline Pearce to explore how mindfulness supports difficult conversations — especially when emotions run high or viewpoints clash.Kevin shares how curiosity and presence can transform tension into understanding, and why the goal of a challenging dialogue isn’t to win, but to connect and learn. By cultivating self-awareness and practising mindfulness, he explains, we can stay grounded, listen deeply, and respond — rather than react.Caroline and Kevin unpack how noticing your own stories, body signals, and assumptions helps you navigate disagreement with compassion and clarity. Drawing on frameworks from Robert Poynton and mindfulness traditions, they explore how pausing, breathing, and observing can shift conversations from confrontation to collaboration.Mindfulness, Kevin argues, isn’t just meditation — it’s a daily practice of paying attention, whether in meetings, relationships, or moments of discomfort. Over time, it builds the awareness and emotional balance needed for genuine, brave communication.Takeaways:

• Difficult conversations are opportunities for understanding, not battles to win.
• Curiosity and self-awareness are key to navigating tension.
• Use the STOP practice — Stop, Take a breath, Observe, Proceed — to respond intentionally.
• Align on which stage you’re in: understanding, possibility, or action.
• Practise mindfulness daily so calmness becomes instinctive.
• Openness and non-judgement allow creative, compassionate dialogue.

The conversation framework Kevin refers to (from Robert Poynton’s Do Conversation) highlights how friction often comes when one person seeks understanding while another pushes for action — naming this difference helps restore flow and trust.For more on Kevin’s work, visit his writings and insights on communication and impact through his social channels and newsletter.LinkedIn:   / kevinkaraca  Website: https://thehouseoutside.com/Newsletter: https://thehouseoutside.com/newsletterFor more insights and updates from Caroline on the Ripl effect, head to https://theripl.substack.comMusic – Podcast theme music by Transistor.fmCover illustration – Joely Maria Illustration

Mel Larson (coach, consultant, and artist) joins Caroline Pearce to unpack why money, race, and self-worth are such difficult yet essential topics. She shares how confronting these taboos helped her move from undercharging to valuing her work and boundaries.Mel and Caroline discuss how avoiding discomfort - whether about pricing, power, or identity - creates resentment, while open, empathetic dialogue builds trust. Talking about money, Mel argues, isn’t about greed but balance and empowerment, especially for women and changemakers. Learning how money works is part of reclaiming agency and creating fairer futures.Takeaways:Have honest, early conversations to build trust.Talking about money is empowering, not greedy.Learn the language of money—knowledge is freedom.Balance giving and receiving for sustainable impact.Healing begins with brave, compassionate dialogue.and be straight with people, while leaving them empowered.The Overton Window seems to be the framework Mel mentions around what topics are currently taboo in a society.more on Mel: website: https://www.dreamprojectcoach.comWealthy Change Maker Checklist: https://www.dreamprojectcoach.com//the-wealthy-changemaker-guide/For more insights and updates from Caroline on *the Ripl effect*, head to https://theripl.substack.com Music - Podcast theme music by Transistor.fmCover illustration - Joely Maria Illustration

In this episode of *the Ripl effect*, Caroline Pearce is joined by Simon Dixon from Climate Action Leeds to explore the complex relationship between climate, politics and social justice.

Their conversation looks at how the language we use around climate change can either bring people together or push them away, and why the way we frame these issues matters just as much as the action we take.

Simon shares his experience working within communities across Leeds, helping to make climate conversations more inclusive, hopeful and rooted in everyday life.

Together, they reflect on how to move from blame to belonging, and what it really takes to create change that includes everyone.

If you want a takeaway, actions from today's conversation : connect with our neighbours, and attend local community events to meet people we otherwise don't.

Find out more: Website: https://www.climateactionleeds.org.uk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@climateactleeds

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@ClimateActLeeds

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@climateactionleeds

For more insights and updates on *the Ripl effect*, head to https://theripl.substack.com

Music - Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm

Cover illustration - Joely Maria Illustration

In this first guest episode of the Ripl effect podcast, Caroline Pearce is joined by leadership coach Emily Petty to explore the art of having difficult conversations. Together they talk about what makes certain conversations so uncomfortable, why many of us avoid them, and how we can approach them with more confidence and kindness.

Emily shares her experience working with leaders, especially in the charity sector, and explains how thoughtful communication can transform teams, workplaces and relationships. 

Caroline and Emily also look at the link between compassion and assertiveness and how both qualities can exist together when we handle tricky conversations with care and clarity.

This episode sets the tone for a new series of open and honest discussions about the conversations we often shy away from but need the most.

Find out more about Emily Petty : 

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/@emily.petty.leadership.coach

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-petty10/

Website & Newsletter : https://www.emilypettytraining.com

Emily's podcast, Unlocking Potential -

Apple : https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/unlocking-potential/id1742737622

Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1DBCVzhV8HLpi1xCKGrbhe

For more insights and updates from Caroline on the Ripl Effect, head to https://theripl.substack.com

Music - Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm

the Ripl effect is a podcast to develop an enquiry around having difficult conversations - some people prefer to say tricky or brave conversations.

Through real conversations with people whose life and work involves holding these conversations, the podcast is exploring tools & tips, advice and stories around difficult conversations.

Including… guides on how to do it better, experience of when it’s come in handy, topics that are tricky to talk about, ways to avoid ghosting or being ghosted, ways to prepare in yourself and for the other people, ways to behave and respond when the tricky conversation comes to you.

In a world increasingly divided, the need for open conversations and connection, in developing understanding when it’s often so easy to ignore, avoid and then demonise, has never been greater - and it’s honestly easier than we might think. Each episode features a small tip we can all do that will make a positive difference, to ourselves and those around us. 

Ultimately, this series is to help me, and you, get better at building bridges, when we’re surrounded by walls. 

Please click like and subscribe, share your thoughts and tips here or on  https://theripl.substack.com 

Music - Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm. Learn how to start a podcast here.