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PODCAST

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations

Chris Wong & Lucie Tesarova

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 episode. Want to be a guest on our podcast? Let us know! https://bit.ly/3z4Sn5w

business management

All Episodes

180:44

Leading with Emotional Intelligence: Psychological...

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/12/30

What does leading with emotional intelligence look like in practice? That’s what we’re exploring in today’s special compilation of The Art & Science of Difficult Conversations.You’ll hear highlights from four episodes: – Dr. Rick Fearnbaugh on growing as an emotionally intelligent leader, – Kelly Meerbott on creating psychological safety, – Chris Wong on helping your team take ownership and accountability, – and Dr. Summer Miller on handling layoffs in a compassionate and ethical

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146:13

Honest Conversations in Love: Open Communication,...

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/12/23

Episode Description: In this special compilation episode of The Art & Science of Difficult Conversations, we’re taking a break from work conversations and turning toward the relationships that matter most outside of work.You’ll hear three powerful clips on what it means to communicate honestly in love – with yourself, with a long-term partner, and in modern dating. Together, these conversations explore how to be more “you” in relationships, navigate conflict with care, and set

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75:57

Finding Your Voice Under Pressure: Courage, Conflict...

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/12/16

Say the Hard Thing: Courageous Conversations Under PressureMost difficult conversations don’t fail because we don’t know what to say. They fail because fear shows up, emotions escalate, or we lose clarity under pressure. In this compilation episode of The Art & Science of Difficult Conversations, we bring together three powerful conversations that walk you through the full arc of a hard conversation — from finding the courage to speak up, to staying grounded when emotions rise, to

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64:56

How to give performance feedback (Compilation Episode)

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/12/09

How do you give feedback that actually builds a high-performing team? That’s the theme of our compilation episode today.In the first segment, you’ll hear a roleplay where one of our previous guests, Jevon Gondwe, gives performance feedback to Chris. In the next segment, Chris and I break down five practical steps you can use to give feedback that’s clear, honest, and supportive. Connect with

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28:37

How to give feedback to your boss (Part 2 with Sara...

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/12/02

In part 2 of their conversation with Laurel Engbretson, Chris and Lucie are joined by Sara Firestein. This is especially fun because Sara reports directly to Laurel and together, the four of them discuss not only the process of giving feedback to your boss, but how to receive feedback too! They explore the importance of building trust and psychological safety, the role of feedback culture, and the impact of empathy in communication. The discussion highlights personal experiences and

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22:16

How to Manage Up (Part 1 with Laurel Engbretson)

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/11/25

This week, Chris and Lucie interview Laurel Engbretson, a VP of strategy and operations, discussing the complexities of difficult conversations in leadership. Together, they explore Laurel's journey and her journey to building the courage to give feedback to her own manager. Laurel is a big advocate in the role of trust and the gradual process of building confidence in difficult conversations. Together, they talk about:-Building trust is crucial for giving and receiving feedback. -Finding

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28:25

How to Overcome Networking Anxiety (part 2 with Jack...

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/11/18

In part 2 of their conversation, Chris and Lucie dive even deeper into the intricacies of networking with Jack Pittas, discussing essential strategies for building connections, the importance of tracking contacts, and the effectiveness of elevator pitches. They even persuade Jack to role play how to approach two different people at networking events.Takeaways Networking is about building relationships, not closing sales. Old-fashioned business cards are still relevant. Elevator pitches

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23:08

How to overcome networking anxiety (Part 1 with Jack...

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/11/11

This week, Chris and Lucie talk about the art and science of networking with expert Jack Pittas. They explore the importance of networking for professionals, especially for introverts, and provide practical tips on how to approach networking events, build relationships, and follow up effectively. Jack shares his insights on treating networking like a party, the significance of quality over quantity in relationships, and the long-term benefits of nurturing connections.Takeaways Networking

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29:06

Boundaries in Leadership with Angela Barnes - Part 2...

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/11/04

What's the difference when a leader has healthy boundaries vs when they don't?Join us for the second part of our interview with Angela Barnes, where we will roleplay and discuss the complexities of setting boundaries in leadership roles, particularly within the nonprofit sector. We explore the challenges of people-pleasing tendencies, the importance of having a strategic plan, and the role of professional development in establishing effective boundaries. Through role-playing scenarios,we

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21:55

Kind vs. Nice: The Boundary Difference That Changes...

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/10/28

Episode OverviewIn this insightful episode, hosts Chris Wong and Lucie Tesarova welcome Angela Barnes, MBA, CFRE, to explore one of the most challenging aspects of workplace communication: setting and maintaining boundaries. Angela brings over a decade of fundraising expertise and shares hard-won lessons about navigating boundaries in nonprofit organizations. Guest Angela D Barnes, MBA, CFRE Principal of ADB Strategy Specializes in working with nonprofits with operating budgets between

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61:57

Navigating Power Dynamics: Six Types of Power +...

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/10/21

Want a guide to follow while listening? Or notes for future reference? Download the free Power Dynamics Playbook here.Ever freeze in a meeting when the stakes are high? This episode demystifies power dynamics. We talk about what they are, how they hijack your nervous system, and exactly what to say when you need to push back, manage up, lead from the middle, or invite real feedback as a leader. You’ll learn the six types of power (beyond “positional”), why the same words land differently

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22:41

How to build credibility as a leader Part 2 with Matt...

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/10/14

Summary:In part 2 of their conversation, Matt Brown shares his insights on building credibility and trust within teams, overcoming skepticism in leadership roles, and navigating board dynamics. He emphasizes the importance of humility, active listening, and the willingness to learn from others. Matt discusses the responsibilities of leadership, particularly in maintaining the integrity of an organization while fostering growth. Key Takeaways -It's tough to gain credibility, but humility

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26:23

How to turn critics into cheerleaders Part 1 (with...

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/10/07

In this episode, Chris Wong and Lucie Tesarova interview Matt Brown, an Executive Director of a Watershed nonprofit, to discuss the intricacies of difficult conversations in leadership. They explore Matt's journey in the nonprofit sector, the challenges of navigating resistance from employees and board members, and the importance of understanding motivations behind resistance. Matt shares personal stories of hard lessons he’s learned over the years.Takeaways -Practicing difficult

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28:32

Part 2: The Secret to Scaling Communities: Culture,...

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/09/30

What does it take to build an international community?In part 2 of the conversation with Tasha Van Vlack, Chris and Lucie explore the intricacies of building and maintaining community within organizations, especially as they grow. Tasha shares her insights on navigating cultural differences in community engagement, emphasizing the importance of connection and flexibility. They also discuss the transition from management to leadership, highlighting the need for emotional intelligence,

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23:41

Part 1: How to Overcome Self-Doubt (With Tasha Van...

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/09/23

How do you get the confidence to build something in publicIn part 1, Chris Wong and Lucie Tesarova interview Tasha Van Vlack, the founder of the Nonprofit Hive, discussing the challenges and triumphs of building an international community. Tasha shares her journey of personal growth, the importance of vulnerability in leadership, and the necessity of transparency in fostering a supportive environment. The discussion highlights the evolution of community building, especially in the wake of

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31:48

Roleplay: Boss to Employee - Performance Conversation...

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/09/16

Join us for the second part of our conversation with Jevon Gondwe, who is aLeadership Transformation Architect and the founder of Influential Skills Company.If you haven't heard the first part of our conversation on how to create high performing teams, or as Jevon says "Culture of Champions", make sure to listen it here. Key Takeaways: Building a team requires clear communication and accountability. Role-playing can help illustrate effective conversation techniques. Creating a culture

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29:22

Building a Culture of Champions with Jevon Gondwe...

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/09/09

How do you build High-Performing Teams? What kind of skills and factors are essential for effective leadership?Join us for a conversation with Jevon Gondwe to hear his personal anecdotes and insights that highlight the transformative power of leadership in both personal and professional contexts. Takeaways: Effective communication enhances overall quality of life. Leadership has a ripple effect on individuals and teams. Servant leadership focuses on maximizing others' potential. Creating

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25:30

Transform crisis into an opportunity with Scott...

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/09/02

How can you turn a crisis into an opportunity and rebuild trust? Join us for another episode of the Art & Science of Difficult Conversations, where we had a conversation with Scott Harvey, who has 20 years of experience in law enforcement as a Hostage Negotiator. This is part 2 of the episode, where we role-play a difficult conversation that many leaders face - talking with an employee who "survived" a wave of layoffs and is now demotivated, anxious, resentful, and scared about the

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33:29

Transform crisis into an opportunity with Scott...

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/08/26

How can you turn a crisis into an opportunity and rebuild trust?Join us for another episode of the Art & Science of Difficult Conversations, where we hada conversation with Scott Harvey, who has 20 years of experience in law enforcement as a Hostage Negotiator. Key takeaways: Crisis can be an opportunity to rebuild trust. Prevention is key in communication to avoid crises. Silence in leadership can communicate apathy. Building rapport is essential for effective communication. The

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26:35

Part 2: How to talk about race and social justice...

The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations ·

2025/08/19

Is it possible to talk about race and social justice in a productive way?Listen to our interview with Hilary Giovale to find out the answer to that question and more! We discuss the challenges with having these conversations, how vulnerability plays a role in sharing our personal stories, and how white individuals can confront their guilt and engage in difficult conversations about their heritage and responsibility. Agree? Disagree? Have a story to share? Let us know! About Hilary: Hilary

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