How do you stay curious when someone’s words feel like a personal attack?

In this replay episode—perfect for a season full of family gatherings, big emotions, and unexpected disagreements—host Julie Rose sits down with theologian, author, and podcast host Kaitlyn Schiess (The Ballot and the Bible; The Holy Post).

Kaitlyn shares real stories from her life and ministry that reveal what’s actually going on beneath our most heated conflicts. She explains why political or theological disagreements often feel so personal, how family and identity shape our reactions, and what it takes to ask better questions when the conversation gets tense.

Learn more about Kaitlyn Schiess’ work - https://kaitlynschiess.com/

We’d love to hear how you’ve navigated disagreement in your faith community. Email us at [email protected] or connect with us on social media.

CHAPTERS

(0:00) Introduction

(0:19) Introducing Kaitlyn Schiess

(2:21) Kaitlyn Schiess on Teaching Kids

(3:36) Navigating Tough Conversations

(8:48) Personal Stories of Conflict

(17:05) Theological and Practical Reasons for Engagement

(21:26) Kaitlyn's Upcoming Projects

(21:46) Conclusion

Episode originally aired on January 25, 2025.

When Amy Dott Harmer, executive director of the Utah Refugee Connection, discovered a forgotten note tucked inside Santa’s chair after a holiday celebration for refugees, she didn’t know what to do. The letter listed humble wishes: clothes, diapers, even toilet paper. Overwhelmed and out of time, Amy turned to social media, and that’s when Lenice Paulsen stepped up.

In this special Light the World episode of Uncomfy, host Julie Rose talks with Amy Dott and Lenice about how an uncomfortable moment turned into a Christmas miracle and how paying attention to the needs around us can change lives.

Learn more about Light the World, a global invitation by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to spread light and serve others during the holiday season: https://www.lighttheworld.org

Check out Utah Refugee Connection - https://serverefugees.org/

Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/12/a-lost-letter-strangers-kindness-and.html

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:44 The Gathering of Light Celebration

01:53 The Letter to Santa

05:13 Lenice's Response and Action

07:20 Delivering Christmas Miracles

10:30 Reflections on Light and Service

12:08 Conclusion

When’s the last time you took a hard look at your own side?

Political columnist and foreign policy expert Shadi Hamid joins Uncomfy to talk about the difficult, often painful process of changing your mind — especially when it means challenging the people on your own side.

Hamid, once an outspoken critic of American power and an anti-war activist, now argues the opposite in his new book, “The Case for American Power.” In this episode, he opens up about:

- His post-9/11 political awakening

- Why he went from protesting U.S. power to believing it’s sometimes the only moral option

- Cognitive dissonance around U.S. foreign policy

- Why progressives shouldn’t give up on influencing American power from within

- How we can disagree deeply while still living together in a democracy

Shadi Hamid’s new book, “The Case for American Power” - https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Case-for-American-Power/Shadi-Hamid/9781668031889

Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/12/from-anti-war-activist-to-defender-of.html

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:45 Introducing Shadi Hamid

01:34 Shadi Hamid's Formative Years and Political Awakening

04:23 The Evolution of Shadi Hamid's Views on American Power

07:37 The Role of Identity and Experience in Shadi Hamid's Perspective

11:08 A Call to Action for Progressives

15:39 Conclusion

When Tucson mom Rachel Scholes stopped to help a homeless woman on the side of the road, she didn’t know what to do next. Years later, she learned that her small act of kindness had changed a life forever.

This heartwarming true story reminds us that no act of service is wasted even when it feels small or inconvenient.

This episode is part of the “Light the World” initiative, a global invitation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to spread light and serve others during the holiday season. Learn more and find ways you can serve at https://www.lighttheworld.org/.

Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/12/i-picked-up-stranger-and-it-changed.html

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:11 Light the World

00:40 Rachel's Story: An Ordinary Morning in Tucson

01:30 Meeting Jackie

03:01 Bringing Jackie Home

09:15 The Unexpected Reunion

13:20 Reflections on Service and Faith

16:03 Conclusion

This week, we’re sharing something a little different on Uncomfy. Our host, Julie Rose, joins Michael Lee on his podcast When We Disagree—a show about arguments, why we have them, and what they teach us about ourselves.

In this conversation, Julie opens up about one of her deepest regrets: a long-running disagreement with her late mother over what news she watched. It’s a raw, personal reflection on how our emotions can block us from seeing the people we love with compassion and curiosity.

Listen to more episodes of When We Disagree - https://whenwedisagree.buzzsprout.com/2311101

Connect with Julie on social media - https://linktr.ee/i_am_julie_rose

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Uncomfy and When We Disagree

04:02 Julie's Story – A Disagreement with Her Late Mother

12:01 Reflecting on Regrets and Lessons Learned

22:42 Conclusion

Is it possible to keep heated political debates from devolving into name calling and ugliness?

In this episode of Uncomfy, host Julie Rose sits down with Idaho public education Alexis Morgan. Morgan shares how The Dignity Index reshaped her approach to conflict—especially during Idaho’s heated debate over a controversial school voucher law.

From moderating tense town halls to facing opponents in court, Alexis opens up about the emotional toll of advocacy, how she bridges divides without backing down, and why she believes dignity isn’t just a tool but a mindset.

In this episode:

- The Idaho school voucher fight and what it reveals about political division

- How The Dignity Index helps people disagree without dehumanizing

- Real-world examples of turning tension into understanding

- Why treating opponents with respect might be the strongest strategy of all

Alexis Morgan is former president of the Idaho state PTA and host of the Purple Zone podcast.

Learn more about The Dignity Index: https://dignity.us

Listen to The Purple Zone: https://www.thealexismorgan.com/the-purple-zone

Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/11/fighting-for-what-you-want-without.html

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

00:51 The Heated Debate on Idaho's School Voucher Law

01:23 Introducing Alexis Morgan

01:57 Uncomfy Moment at a Town Hall Meeting

05:21 Handling Conflict with Dignity

07:49 Discovering The Dignity Index

14:23 Applying Dignity in Advocacy

18:39 Outro and Additional Resources

What if you could disagree with someone — even someone who attacks your beliefs — without losing your cool or your dignity?

Tim Shriver, chairman of Special Olympics International and co-creator of The Dignity Index, joins host Julie Rose to unpack how contempt creeps into our conversations and how to replace it with curiosity, humility, and respect.

Together they explore:

- What “The Dignity Index” is and how it evaluates our dialogue

- Why we often find contempt hiding inside ourselves

- How to respond with dignity when someone lashes out

- Why kindness isn’t weakness but power

Learn more about The Dignity Index: https://www.dignity.us

Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/11/can-we-disagree-without-contempt-tim.html

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:38 Meet Tim Shriver: Special Olympics and The Dignity Index

03:48 Understanding The Dignity Index Scale

07:51 The Power of Words and Dignity

08:51 Responding to Personal Attacks with Dignity

13:54 Changing the Culture of Contempt

17:21 Conclusion

What does it really take to make your voice heard in Congress?

In this episode, Host Julie Rose talks with Sam Daley-Harris, founder of RESULTS and Civic Courage, and Jay Butera, the citizen advocate who helped create the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus in Congress.

Jay shares how he spent three years hearing “no” before finally convincing one Republican member of Congress to say “yes” to working across the aisle on climate change. Sam explains how transformational advocacy—showing up, building trust, and listening deeply—can turn ordinary citizens into powerful changemakers.

Sam’s book, Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen's Guide to Transformational Advocacy - https://reclaimingourdemocracy.com/

Get in touch with Sam – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCQuqj-4O2eh4Sfy_E-dfVntbPlqg1A4T4oQ8E2J0nuZbD-w/viewform

Climate Solutions Caucus - https://climatesolutionscaucus-garbarino.house.gov/

Top of Mind episode on what to do if you’re feeling unheard by Congress - https://www.byuradio.org/feeling-unheard-by-congress-heres-what-you-need-to-know

Subscribe for more stories about growth, discomfort, and courage!

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:38 Meet Sam Daley-Harris and Jay Butera

01:14 The Birth of the Climate Solutions Caucus

02:07 Challenges and Breakthroughs in Advocacy

05:33 Building Relationships in Congress

08:09 The Turning Point: Congressman Curbelo's Involvement

12:06 Impact and Reflections on Advocacy

17:49 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

What happens when you walk across America with nothing but a backpack, a mandolin, and a sign that says, “Walking to Listen”?

Host Julie Rose sits down with author and restorative practices consultant Andrew Forsthoefel to explore the power of vulnerability, the discomfort of rejection, and the surprising beauty of human connection.

Andrew shares stories from his 4,000-mile journey — from receiving a knife and a warning not to trust anyone, to being invited into a forest camp by strangers offering cookies and apple juice. He reflects on how discomfort can be a gateway to growth, and how listening can be a radical act of love.

Andrew now works with public schools to lead restorative listening circles, helping students and educators build trust, navigate conflict, and foster belonging through vulnerability.

Learn more about Andrew’s work and writing at https://littlecourtyard.substack.com.

LISTENER SURVEY - https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/yi9fSNB8NG

What does vulnerability mean to you? Have you ever leaned into discomfort and found something powerful on the other side? Share your story with us at [email protected] or on Instagram @uncomfy.podcast.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:36 Meet Andrew Forsthoefel: Walking to Listen

01:06 The Journey Begins: Early Encounters

02:16 Lessons from the Road: Trust and Vulnerability

06:58 Facing Rejection and Hostility

12:13 Special Request: Listener Survey

12:41 A Society That Respects Vulnerability

14:30 Restorative Listening Circles in Schools

19:56 Conclusion

20:57 Special Request Reminder

When Anne Abel hit an all-time low at 59, she never expected a Bruce Springsteen concert to change her life.

After years of battling severe recurrent depression and losing her memory to electroconvulsive therapy, Anne found a spark of hope in Springsteen — a spark that led her to travel alone to Australia for eight concerts in five cities. That trip became the start of a new life filled with courage, creativity, and connection.

Now at 72, Anne is a storyteller, author, and social media creator with nearly a million followers, inspiring others to keep going when life feels impossible.

Learn more about Anne’s new memoir, “High Hopes,” and her other work: https://anneabelauthor.com.

Follow Anne on social media (@annesimaabel): https://linktr.ee/anneabel

How do you handle the self-critical voices in your head? Or what’s something scary you’ve done lately that took real courage? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments, email us at [email protected], or connect with us on social media.

LISTENER SURVEY - https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/yi9fSNB8NG

Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/10/how-bruce-springsteen-saved-my-life.html

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:38 Meet Anne Abel

01:41 The Life-Changing Bruce Springsteen Concert

03:31 A Journey to Australia: Finding Hope

05:12 Daily Struggles and Coping Mechanisms

6:48 Midroll for Listener Survey

7:16 Challenging Self-Critical Voices

12:35 The Power of Storytelling and Social Media

17:45 Conclusion