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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
Communication Strategies
Feedback
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes127Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RelationshipsManagementSociety & CultureBusiness

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Artwork for The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations

Latest Episodes

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

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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Explore effective strategies for delivering bad news, managing difficult conversations, and fostering a supportive team culture with our guest today, Toby Campbell. Learn practical techniques, metaphors, and leadership insights to improve communicati... more

YouTube

In this episode, Dr. Toby Campbell, an oncologist and expert in serious illness conversations, shares insights on how to navigate difficult medical discussions, especially around delivering bad news and organ donation. Discover practical frameworks, ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

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
Advocacy Specialist at March of Dimes in Canada; Co-Executive Director of Blurring the Boundaries (advocacy for the disabled population)
March of Dimes Canada; Blurring the Boundaries
Episode: How to Speak Up When the System Wasn't Built for You (Part 1)
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/consultant focused on transitions, boundaries, and difficult conversations
Learn Mindfully
Episode: How to deal with overbearing parents (Part 2 with Roberta Dombrowski)
Rachel Platt
Guest on leadership topics and difficult conversations
PLATTnum Consulting
Episode: Roleplay: Dealing with Inappropriate Jokes in the Workplace (Part 2)
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
Founder and author of Outrageous Kindness
Outrageous Kindness
Episode: How to Create Teams that Innovate (Part 1 with Kristina Joy Carlson)
Julian Chender
Organizational designer focused on social impact
Episode: How to fix organizational silos (Part 1 with Julian Chender)
Heather Garbutt
Psychotherapist specializing in love and relationships, helping individuals navigate breakups and find true love.
Episode: Honest Conversations in Love: Open Communication, Conflict & Dating (Compilation)

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 to Deliver Bad News Effectively with Dr. Toby Campbell (Part 2)
Q: Is there a way to teach people to move away from jargon and switch into a mode of just plain language to be understood by others?
Yes. The approach is to craft bad news as a single clear sentence after a warning shot, and to avoid jargon so that the other person can immediately grasp what has happened and what it means.
How to Deliver Bad News: Insights from end-of-life conversations (Part 1)
Q: What inspired you to create conversations like Extraordinary Conversations and to focus on this difficult topic in medicine?
The inspiration came from witnessing the stark, emotionally charged moments around organ donation and end-of-life decisions, and wanting to understand what makes these conversations meaningful and more effective for families.
Leading with Emotional Intelligence: Psychological Safety, Accountability & Compassionate Layoffs (Compilation)
Q: What is the essence of psychological safety in leadership conversations?
Psychological safety is the belief that it's safe to speak up, take interpersonal risks, and be authentic without fear of judgment or retaliation, and it must be embedded in culture as a foundation for innovation and performance.
How to Address Performance Issues with Peter Vinge (Part 1)
Q: What is something leaders get wrong about performance feedback?
Leaders often mistake niceness for kindness; they should provide clear, data-driven feedback and ensure the other person isn't surprised by the issues, using a pattern-based approach to show how performance compares to expectations.
How to Fix Organizational Silos (Part 2 – with Julian Chender)
Q: What size of organizations are you usually working with?
Julian notes he works with a wide range from small teams of 8 to 50 up to large federated models with as many as 12,000 employees, emphasizing that organization energy and the desired outcomes matter more than sheer size.

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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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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. A Bit of Optimism
2. 10% Happier with Dan Harris
3. Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques
4. The Daily
5. Up First from NPR

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 3 years ago and published 127 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. Toby Campbell
2. Gift Tshuma
3. Travis Dalrymple
4. Roberta Dombrowski
5. Rachel Platt
6. Peter Vinge
7. Kristina Joy Carlson
8. Julian Chender

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