Uncomfy: Sticking with Moments That Challenge Us

A college research project on Thomas Jefferson, which involved analyzing and defending opposing viewpoints, made Michael Birdyshaw have to face some uncomfortable truths. This experience would shape her teaching methods and her approach to coaching, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, compassion, and critical thinking.

Michaela Birdyshaw is a leadership and communication coach and host of the podcast, “And All the Things.”

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 [email protected] or share it on Instagram and tag us @uncomfy.podcast, and we’ll share it!

Related Links:

Michaela’s Website – https://myjoycoach.com/

Michaela’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/myjoycoach/

More from Michaela - https://linktr.ee/JoyInc

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Finding herself in a middle seat on a flight home, Jazzalyn Livingston was engaged in a conversation with her seatmate. What started as a casual conversation quickly shifted to topics like gun rights, community and police violence. Despite initial discomfort and assumptions based on political differences, Livingston, who serves as National Program Director for the One America Movement and co-founder of Black Girls Leadership Academy, chose to listen carefully and set her assumptions aside, leading to an unexpected realization of shared values.

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 [email protected] or share it on Instagram and tag us @uncomfy.podcast, and we’ll share it!

Related Links:

One America Movement – https://www.oneamericamovement.org/

Faith Over Division Tour – https://www.faithoverdivisiontour.org/

Black Girls Leadership Academy - https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-girls-leadership-academy/

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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 [email protected] 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/

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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 [email protected] 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/

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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 [email protected] 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/

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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 [email protected] 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

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Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheUncomfyPod/   

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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 [email protected] 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/

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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 [email protected] 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!  

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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 [email protected] 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!

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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 [email protected] 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  

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Threads - https://www.threads.net/@uncomfy.podcast