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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes136Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ManagementRelationshipsSociety & CultureBusiness

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Artwork for The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations

Latest Episodes

Sorry for the click-bait title, but as season 3 comes to an end, Lucie and Chris have some big news to share. They also spend a few minutes talking about the rise of AI, especially how it impacts difficult conversations. Then they share some BIG ne... more

In part 2 of their conversation, Frank joins Chris and Lucie to talk through the steps of facilitating restorative circles, the preparation that makes group conversations successful, and the secrets of facilitating well. Together, they go through pr... more

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In this week’s episode, Frank Velásquez Jr. joins Chris and Lucie to share his journey into restorative justice, leadership as a person of color, and how restorative circles can transform organizational culture. Discover practical insights on authent... more

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In this episode, Will Hobart shares insights on leadership, transparency, managing anxiety, and building trust within organizations. Discover practical strategies for effective communication and authentic leadership in challenging times.

About our g... more

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Recent Guests

Frank Velasquez, Jr.
Facilitator of restorative circles, Ascending Leaders in Color program
Forthehood.com / Ascending Leaders in Color
Episode: How to facilitate heavy group topics (Part 2 with Frank Velasquez, Jr.)
Frank Velásquez Jr.
Storyteller, social justice champion
4DaHood; Ascending Leaders of Color
Episode: How to use Restorative Justice Circles to lead better groups (Part 1 with Frank Velasquez Jr.)
Will Hobart
Executive leader with nonprofit and education sector experience
Unknown/Former Executive Director (nonprofit)
Episode: Balancing empathy and performance in leadership
Tina Paulus-Krause
Coach, retreat facilitator, and founder of CIDER Strategies
Self-employed / coaching practice
Episode: Unlock Your Potential with CIDER Strategies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Tina Krause
Transformation trainer, speaker and coach who helps people take themselves on
Own coaching/training company
Episode: From Burnout to Bliss: Transformational Leadership and Self-Awareness with Tina Paulus Krause (part 1)
Ashley Cox
Speaker/Author on leadership and difficult conversations
Episode: How to address underperformance when the employee is a friend (Part 2 with Ashley Cox)
Laura Morgan
Author/coach specializing in difficult conversations
Episode: How to deal with difficult emotions in Difficult Conversations (Part 2 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
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)

Hosts

Chris
Host active in guiding difficult conversations discussions; appears across episodes with leadership and communication focus.
Lucie
Co-host and facilitator, frequently guiding guests through frameworks and interview prompts.
Lucy
Host of the show; participates in interviews and hosting segments.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 8 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests bring credible expertise across leadership, HR, healthcare, and advocacy; conversations are actionable.
Listeners note the hosts are knowledgeable and insightful, especially for tough conversations.
The show delivers practical techniques and real-world examples that listeners can apply.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How to Communicate as a Leader when Times are Tough
Q: When talking about transparency, what would you say are mindsets or fears that hold leaders from having difficult conversations, from being transparent?
Leaders wrestle with balancing honesty with the team's capacity to respond; sharing too much can create anxiety or misalignment, while silence breeds gossip and uncertainty. The key is assessing whether the audience is prepared to engage in problem-solving and how to frame information to support collective action.
How to use Restorative Justice Circles to lead better groups (Part 1 with Frank Velasquez Jr.)
Q: Can you share a concrete example of impact from a real program?
In Arizona, a food bank network used intimate circles of about 10 people to listen to lived experiences of food insecurity, created a community advisory council, and then used those insights to engage with elected officials in a trauma-informed, respectful way.
How to use Restorative Justice Circles to lead better groups (Part 1 with Frank Velasquez Jr.)
Q: What does a typical restorative circle look like in an organization?
It starts with agreements, a framed purpose, and directed questions; it can apply to strategic planning or interpersonal conflicts, and you often see a facilitator guiding conversation while ensuring participation and protection of the space.
How to use Restorative Justice Circles to lead better groups (Part 1 with Frank Velasquez Jr.)
Q: For somebody that has never heard of Restorative Circle, how would you describe them and is that something recent or have they been around for a while?
Restorative circles are an ancient, indigenous practice that have been revitalized in modern contexts; they revolve around circle-based dialogue with clear agreements, protected space, and structured questions to facilitate authentic sharing and problem-solving.
From Burnout to Bliss: Transformational Leadership and Self-Awareness with Tina Paulus Krause (part 1)
Q: What role do values play in your leadership today, and how did you define them?
Tina discusses creating three core values—Powerful, Authentic, and Loving—and using them as a North Star. These values anchor behavior, guide decisions, and provide a framework for coaching others, with ongoing practice to return to them when she drifts.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

A discussion-focused show centered on mastering difficult conversations across work and life, with episodes ranging from delivering tough feedback and setting boundaries to navigating high-stakes medical and leadership scenarios. Guests include coaches, HR leaders, physicians, and advocates who share practical frameworks, role-plays, and mental models to improve emotional intelligence, communication, and relationship health. The tone is hands-on and coaching-driven, often featuring actionable scripts, preparation techniques, and strategies to maintain humanity while achieving clear outcomes. Noteworthy angles include burnout to leadership, inclusive advocacy, and balancing empathy with accountability in professional settings, suggesting a d... more

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this podcast launched 3 years ago and published 136 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. Frank Velasquez, Jr.
2. Frank Velásquez Jr.
3. Will Hobart
4. Tina Paulus-Krause
5. Tina Krause
6. Ashley Cox
7. Laura Morgan
8. Toby Campbell

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