interview clips:
the art and science of difficult conversations

The most helpful thing you can do in a difficult conversation is to not be part of the problem. (1:20)

The "Hand Model of the Brain" helps us understand what's happening a neurological level, and how it impacts our ability to stay creatively engaged. (3:39)

How our survival drive works against our survival. (1:53)

Difficult conversations require resilient relationships. A brief overview of the first "new" survival strategy. (2:56)

What do you do when you need to have a difficult conversation with someone, and there isn't a pre-existing relationship? (3:15)

When we can “name” what’s going on inside of us — our fear, our discomfort, etc. — we can begin to have more conscious control over our actions. (2:11)

Beyond our “story” is the fullness of our humanity. A brief overview of the second "new" survival strategy. (4:05)

How do you handle a situation where the person is disrespectful of you or others? (1:52)

When we're caught in our "story," how do we get out? A brief overview of the third "new" survival strategy. (6:45)

To move from resistance to response, we often need to first examine our attachments. (2:11)

Giving up our resistance is an act of surrender. Letting go of the demands of our “story self” so that we can unleash the full creative powers of our “unstory-self.” (1:25)

What do you do when you've tried everything to bring a difficult conversation to a successful conclusion, and the other person still won't budge? (1:16)

A meaningful sharing of life stories can transcend our differences and put a conflict in a larger context, within which new solutions can be found. (2:26)

How do you stay present in a difficult conversation when you feel you're about to "flip your lid"? (1:44)

The key to accepting others as they are, is accepting ourselves as we are. (1:32)

A few thoughts on how to engage the hostile person. (2:10)