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Artwork for The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations

Chris Wong & Lucie Tesarova
Difficult Conversations
Leadership
Emotional Intelligence
Communication
Conflict Resolution
Communication Skills
Family Dynamics
Boundaries
Feedback
Communication Strategies
Psychological Safety
Interpersonal Communication
Workplace Culture
Workplace Dynamics
Empathy
Workplace Relationships
Effective Feedback
Mental Health
Holidays
Relationships

Ever had to have that difficult conversation with someone that you dreaded? You are not alone. Join us to explore how to improve how you handle difficult conversations with your team or loved ones. When we communicate better, we lead better, we perform better, we have better relationships, results and ultimately, a better life. Ready to learn? Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss any future e... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes129Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessRelationshipsManagementSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations

Latest Episodes

In our follow up to last week’s episode, Ashley and Chris continue talking about navigating difficult conversations, especially when dealing with friends or family in a professional setting. Especially when they start bringing things back up or get ... more

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In this week’s interview, Ashley Cox, a leadership mentor and expert in women in business, joins Chris to share her insights on leadership, gender dynamics, and building successful, people-centered businesses. Lucie, unfortunately couldn’t make it, ... more

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If last week was helpful (or if you didn’t watch it, go back now and listen!), this week kicks it up to the next level. In part 2 of their conversation with Laura Morgan, she helps us navigate some tricky situations:

- What if someone is y... more

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One of the most common questions we get is “how do we manage the emotions that inevitably come up in difficult conversations?” And our guest this week, Laura Morgan, knows exactly how to deal with it. With a background as a mental health therapist ... more

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Ashley Cox
HR consultant and advocate for women in leadership
Self-employed / HR consulting
Episode: How can women in leadership thrive? (Part 1 with Ashley Cox)
Laura Morgan
HR leader and former psychotherapist
Meketa Investment Group
Episode: How to get comfortable with emotions in difficult conversations (Part 1 with Laura Morgan)
Toby Campbell
Oncologist, Chief of Palliative Care, host of Extraordinary Conversations and Palliatively Speaking
Medical professional, academic hospital
Episode: How to Deliver Bad News: Insights from end-of-life conversations (Part 1)
Gift Tshuma
Consultant on accessibility and inclusion; guest on the episode
Tshuma Consulting
Episode: How to Advocate for Self and Others - Roleplay (Part 2)
Travis Dalrymple
Leadership coach and business strategist, author of How to Suck As a Leader
Self-employed / Leadership Potential (guest role)
Episode: How to make difficult conversations simpler (Part 1 with Travis Dalrymple)
Roberta Dombrowski
Coach and consultant focusing on boundaries, energy, and leadership development
Independent coach/consultant
Episode: How to set boundaries with your family (Part 1 with Roberta Dombrowski)
Rachel Platt
People Strategist who helps companies create open and transparent cultures
Platinum Consulting
Episode: How to Navigate Disrespectful Behavior in the Workplace with Rachel Platt (Part 1)
Peter Vinge
HR consultant with over two decades of experience in HR and operations
Episode: How to Address Performance Issues with Peter Vinge (Part 1)
Kristina Joy Carlson
Speaker on leadership and team dynamics
Episode: How to Create Teams that Innovate (Part 2 with Kristina Joy Carlson)

Hosts

Chris
Host/Co-host of The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations
Lucie
Co-host of The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations; MindFit/leadership coaching involvement

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 6 ratings
  • Very knowledgeable hosts who help a lot.

    Life is full of tough conversations, whether it be work related or in your personal life. Chris and Lucie offer a ton of great insight. A must listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GeckoX
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests bring diverse expertise, enhancing takeaway quality for sponsors and guests alike.
Very insightful hosts who provide practical guidance for tough conversations.
Listeners appreciate the balance of theory and real-world role-plays.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How can women in leadership thrive? (Part 1 with Ashley Cox)
Q: How can women reframe difficult conversations to be about clarity and collaboration rather than conflict?
By focusing on shared goals, acknowledging personal contribution, and using values-based framing to keep conversations constructive and values-aligned.
How can women in leadership thrive? (Part 1 with Ashley Cox)
Q: What are the common traps women face in leadership, and how do boundaries play into overcoming them?
Common traps include struggling with boundaries and being too accessible; reframing conversations around clarity and structured time helps maintain influence and strategic focus.
How can women in leadership thrive? (Part 1 with Ashley Cox)
Q: How do women balance profitability and people-centered leadership without sacrificing one for the other?
She suggests starting small, setting long-term visions, prioritizing budget-aligned benefits, and gradually building policies that support both care for people and business viability.
How can women in leadership thrive? (Part 1 with Ashley Cox)
Q: What drew you to women in particular business owners, as opposed to any other category of people?
Ashley discusses her personal experiences as a woman in leadership and how early career challenges shaped her approach to compassionate, effective leadership that still drives results.
How to deal with difficult emotions in Difficult Conversations (Part 2 with Laura Morgan)
Q: How should one handle a situation where the other person gets emotional, like crying?
Acknowledge the emotion, offer support (e.g., tissues, pause if needed), and consider whether to continue, pause, or switch to a written format if useful.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on navigating difficult conversations across work, leadership, and personal relationships. Episodes cover open communication, setting boundaries, giving feedback, managing up or across hierarchies, and overcoming networking anxiety, often through practical role-plays and guest-led insights. A standout trait is its blend of psychology-informed strategies with real-world scenarios, making it useful for leaders, managers, nonprofit professionals, and anyone looking to improve tough-dialogue skills. The format frequently features guests who are coaches, consultants, or practitioners in leadership, communication, and relationship-focused fields, offering actionable takeaways that can be applied in teams and personal life.

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How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 3 years ago and published 129 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Ashley Cox
2. Laura Morgan
3. Toby Campbell
4. Gift Tshuma
5. Travis Dalrymple
6. Roberta Dombrowski
7. Rachel Platt
8. Peter Vinge

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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