Uncomfy: Sticking with Moments That Challenge Us

Uncomfy: Sticking with Moments That Challenge Us

Real stories from guests who dared to get uncomfortable in a moment that challenged their worldview. In the thick of intense emotions, they chose to stay curious and open, rather than lash out or shy away, and came out the other side with stronger relationships, clearer beliefs, and increased confidence. And you can do it too! So, if you: • Want to engage with others on important topics but aren’t sure how, OR • Are burned out on social media and wish you could bring the humanity back into discussions online or in real life, Look no further! Whether you're a seasoned seeker of new ideas or just dipping your toes into the uncomfy waters, this podcast is your go-to destination for learning how to improve your communication, disagree more productively, and be a more inspired leader. In such a polarized world, we believe learning how to stick with moments that challenge us, without getting defensive or shutting down, is a direct antidote for division. Are you ready to lean in, listen up, and get uncomfy with us? Let's dive in together! Uncomfy: Sticking with Moments that Challenge Us is hosted by journalist Julie Rose and is a BYUradio production. #reallifestories #communication #polarization #relationshipskills #communicationskills #leadershipskills #leadershiptraining #community #communitybuilding #disagreebetter #buildingbridges #perspectives #worldview #resilience #emotionalresiliance #mentalhealth #training #mindfulness #conflictresolution #growthmindset #empowerment #problemsolving #respect #curiosity #activelistening #collaboration

Episodes

September 24, 2025 20 mins
“People don't actually follow outrage; what they follow is what is unique and different.” Host Julie Rose talks with Manu Meel, co-founder and CEO of BridgeUSA, about how a new generation of college students is challenging the outrage economy, especially in the wake of the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk. Meel explains that while conflict and violence often dominate headlines, the real counterculture movement is people hungry...
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“There is another way.” Julie Rose sits down with Sulaiman Khatib, two-time Noble Peace Prize nominee and co-founder of Combatants for Peace. As a teenager, Khatib, a Palestinian, was imprisoned for attacking Israeli soldiers. But behind bars, he discovered the power of nonviolent resistance, studying the works of Gandhi, Mandela, and Martin Luther King Jr. Today, he works side by side with Israelis to build trust, tell hard tr...
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“I had a need to tell him how I felt. I wanted him to feel some of my pain.” Amanda Carrasco, restorative justice advocate and author of "Becoming the Brave One: My Journey to Justice," shares her story of choosing to have a restorative justice meeting with the man who killed her closest friend, Susan, who had taken Amanda in as a teen and become like a sister to her. In this powerful conversation with host Julie Rose, Amanda e...
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What makes someone fit to parent? In this episode of Uncomfy, writer Jessica Slice shares her story of becoming disabled at 28, learning to let go of perfectionism, and eventually embracing motherhood in her own way. Jessica talks about the obstacles she and her husband faced while trying to become foster parents, how she adapted parenting to her body, and why disability doesn’t equal tragedy. Check out more of Jessica’s work ...
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What if your parents didn’t believe your life’s work was a priority issue? Planet Reimagined’s Caleb Johnson knows what that’s like. Growing up in a conservative evangelical family, climate change wasn’t exactly dinner table conversation. But a wildfire that came to their doorstep, and later losing their fire insurance, changed everything. In this episode of Uncomfy, Caleb shares how empathy helped him bridge that divide, why loc...
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What happens when love crosses the political divide? Host Julie Rose sits down with “Band of Brothers” writer and producer Erik Bork to talk about his directorial debut, “The Elephant in the Room” — a romantic comedy where a Liberal and a Trump voter fall for each other. Inspired by Erik’s real-life friendships and fueled by a desire to explore America’s deepening polarization, this episode dives into the uncomfortable but necess...
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“We're not moving on — we're moving forward.” In this touching episode of Uncomfy, grief coach Melissa Bottorff-Arey opens up to host Julie Rose about losing her 21-year-old son Alex to suicide, and why she chose to name it in his obituary. Melissa shares how stigma, silence, and misunderstanding compound the pain of suicide loss, especially for mothers. She explains how simply showing up, even when you don't know what to say, ca...
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When was the last time you did a small act of kindness for someone else? In this episode of Uncomfy, award-winning journalist Nicole Karlis shares the surprising story that inspired her book, Your Brain on Altruism: The Power of Connection and Community During Times of Crisis. What began as an unusual, uncomfortable challenge from a Vedic astrologer in India turned into a life-changing exploration of how serving others impacts our...
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Why do so many patients feel dismissed by their doctors? In this episode of Uncomfy, orthopedic surgeon, podcast host, and FeelBetr founder Dr. Erin Nance pulls back the curtain on what really happens when doctors get it wrong and why it’s more common than we’d like to believe. From unconscious bias and misdiagnoses to the fear of admitting mistakes, Dr. Nance shares a rare, insider perspective on the discomfort many doctors face...
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Why are Americans so uncomfortable around sadness and grief? Cultural psychologist Matthew Whoolery has lived and taught all over the world—from Egypt to India to Bulgaria—and he’s learned something surprising: in many cultures, emotional pain is shared, not hidden. In this episode of Uncomfy, Professor Whoolery chats with host Julie Rose about the time his Egyptian students cried with him after his father died and why their immed...
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Gun safety advocate, documentarian, and author Heidi Yewman sits down with host Julie Rose to talk about the most uncomfortable question she ever asked: “Do you have guns in your home, and are they locked up?” After her former teacher and coach was killed in the Columbine High School massacre, Heidi turned her grief into action. In this episode of Uncomfy, she shares how asking the right question could prevent tragedy, what she le...
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Former firefighter Chris Fields became the face of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing when a photo of him carrying a dying infant from the rubble was seen around the world. But behind that iconic image was a man carrying the weight of years of unprocessed trauma. In this powerful episode of Uncomfy, Chris opens up about what it was really like to serve as a first responder for over 30 years—from his first harrowing call to the mass ca...
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What would it look like to dance in the discomfort zone? In this episode of Uncomfy, Anne Bonney—keynote speaker, self-proclaimed “discomfort enthusiast,” marathoner, and podcaster—joins host Julie Rose for a conversation about how choosing discomfort helped her transform her life. From quitting her teaching job to work with sea lions, to running marathons on all seven continents, Anne shares unforgettable stories of risk, resilie...
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Why do we build walls—emotional, social, ideological—and what would it take to break them down? In this thought-provoking episode of Uncomfy, anthropologist Anand Pandian joins host Julie Rose to explore the infrastructure of discomfort in America. Drawing from his new book, “Something Between Us: The Everyday Walls of American Life and How to Take Them Down,” Pandian recounts stories from his journey across America, including at...
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Becca Kearl had just moved to a new town when she decided to organize a public conversation about one of the most controversial topics: sex education. No formal training. No guarantees. Just a desire to understand her community better. What started as an ambitious idea turned into a surprising and powerful night of connection between people with deeply different beliefs. In this episode of Uncomfy, host Julie Rose talks with Becc...
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Olivia Chadwick was a personal trainer. Garnet Morris was an entrepreneur looking for support as he tried to improve his health. Their early morning runs, often before sunrise in the middle of Canadian winter, became the start of a meaningful friendship and a journey neither of them expected. In this episode of Uncomfy, host Julie Rose talks with Olivia and Garnet about the habits that helped them both through difficult life tran...
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Dawn Prince-Hughes spent years misunderstood—ostracized, unhoused, and struggling to find her place in the world. Everything changed the day she met a 500-pound silverback gorilla. In this powerful episode of Uncomfy, Dr. Prince-Hughes shares her extraordinary story of being identified as autistic at age 36—and how her connection with gorillas helped her understand human connection, truth, and herself. She explores what it means ...
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What happens when the thing you’ve built your life around suddenly disappears? Greta Morgan, acclaimed singer-songwriter (The Hush Sound, Springtime Carnivore) and former touring member of Vampire Weekend, faced that terrifying question when she lost her singing voice due to Spasmodic Dysphonia, a rare neurological condition she suspects was triggered by long COVID. In this deeply personal episode of Uncomfy, Greta opens up abo...
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On this special Memorial Day episode of Uncomfy, host Julie Rose sits down with retired U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer Gary Zelinski, author of “A Walk Among Heroes: Searching for America’s Better Angels,” to discover the hidden stories buried at Arlington National Cemetery. From boxing legend Joe Louis to Audie Murphy’s unsung wife, Pamela Opal Lee, Zelinski shares the deeply personal journeys that led him to uncover the sile...
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Why would someone willingly step into an uncomfortable conversation, especially with someone who’s hurt them deeply? In this episode of Uncomfy, author and meaningful work researcher Justin Jones-Fosu shares the moving story of confronting his absentee father—not to accuse, but to understand. What followed changed his identity, his peace of mind, and even his connection to his heritage. Justin’s book, I Respectfully Disagree: How...
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