Episodes

  • The Most Uncomfortable Question I Ever Had to Ask – Heidi Yewman

    The Most Uncomfortable Question I Ever Had to Ask – Heidi Yewman
    Jul 16 2025
    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 learned from interviewing people gun owners and who pulled the trigger, and why empathy—not judgment—is the key to meaningful conversations around guns in America. Heidi’s documentary, “Behind the Bullet” – https://heidiyewman.com/behind-the-bullet/ Heidi’s upcoming memoir, “Dumb Girl: A Journey from Childhood Abuse to Gun Control Advocacy” (August 19, 2025) – https://heidiyewman.com/dumb-girl/ Heidi’s website – https://heidiyewman.com/ Got a story of your own uncomfortable question? Email us - uncomfy@byu.edu Subscribe to Uncomfy for more challenging but inspiring conversations. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Meet Heidi Yewman 01:27 Columbine and Gun Safety Advocacy 02:21 The Asking Saves Kids Campaign 03:38 The First Time Asking About Guns 04:19 Strategies for Asking About Gun Safety 06:50 The Importance of Gun Safety Conversations 08:01 Behind the Bullet 10:47 Empathy and Understanding in the Gun Conversation 14:11 Conclusion and Call to Action
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    16 mins
  • BONUS – How to Make the Most of Those Uncomfy Holiday Moments.

    BONUS – How to Make the Most of Those Uncomfy Holiday Moments.
    Dec 25 2024
    In this special bonus drop, four of our 2024 Uncomfy guests give some advice on how to stick with the discomfort that can come around the holidays. From potentially uncomfortable encounters with relatives to dealing with mental health struggles, we hope this advice helps you to get Uncomfy during this festive season. Featured Guests: Vanessa Otero (Ad Fontes Media), Erik DaRosa (From Survivor to Thriver), David French (The New York Times), and Rich Harwood (The Harwood Institute) Related Links: Vanessa Otero’s Uncomfy episode – https://youtu.be/ms7b-aDHMjk Erik DaRosa’s Uncomfy episode – https://youtu.be/aBTyU2UZeU0 David French’s Uncomfy episode – https://youtu.be/wD7V1_-0w2w Rich Harwood’s Uncomfy episode – https://youtu.be/jCpJ1e2Uwj4 Follow us on social media! Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheUncomfyPod/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uncomfy.podcast/ Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theuncomfypodcast YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Uncomfy.Podcast Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/uncomfypodcast.bsky.social Threads - https://www.threads.net/@uncomfy.podcast X - https://x.com/TheUncomfyPod
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    11 mins
  • Carrying the Weight: A First Responder’s Journey Through PTSD – Chris Fields

    Carrying the Weight: A First Responder’s Journey Through PTSD – Chris Fields
    Jul 9 2025
    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 casualty event that nearly broke him. He shares the long, painful journey through PTSD, addiction, and ultimately, healing, with Chris now working to help other first responders navigate their own trauma before it's too late. Resources mentioned: Trauma Behind the Badge - https://www.traumabehindthebadge.us/ Survive First - https://www.survivefirst.us/ Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US) - Call or text 988 Share your thoughts - uncomfy@byu.edu Subscribe to Uncomfy for more conversations that challenge us to grow. Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/07/carrying-weight-first-responders.html CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:47 Meet Chris Fields: A Firefighter's Journey 04:59 The 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing 06:34 The Iconic Photo 08:52 The Long Road to Healing: PTSD and Seeking Help 12:19 Finding Purpose: Helping Others Through Trauma 17:16 Oklahoma First Responders Wellness Division 19:06 Resources and Final Thoughts
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    22 mins
  • Discomfort is Her Superpower. Here’s Why. — Anne Bonney

    Discomfort is Her Superpower. Here’s Why. — Anne Bonney
    Jul 2 2025
    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, resilience, and trusting yourself through uncertainty. Anne Bonney’s website - https://yourchangespeaker.com/ What’s a recent uncomfortable moment that helped you grow? Share your story – uncomfy@byu.edu. Subscribe for more episodes of Uncomfy — real stories that challenge, uplift, and push us just outside our comfort zones. Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/07/discomfort-is-her-superpower-heres-why.html CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Meet Anne Bonney: Discomfort Enthusiast 01:07 Anne's Uncomfortable Upbringing 02:34 From Teacher to Seal Trainer 05:38 The Value of Discomfort 08:17 Marathon Adventures 11:59 Interpersonal Challenges 16:52 Daily Practices for Embracing Discomfort 17:47 Conclusion and Next Steps
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    20 mins
  • The Walls Between Us: Can We Truly Understand Each Other? – Anand Pandian

    The Walls Between Us: Can We Truly Understand Each Other? – Anand Pandian
    Jun 25 2025
    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 attending a Trump victory rally as a liberal, or choosing to reconnect with a conservative childhood friend. These experiences reveal how fear and familiarity shape our comfort zones and what happens when we choose to step beyond them. You can check out Anand Pandian’s book, “Something Between Us,” here: https://www.sup.org/books/anthropology/something-between-us What walls have you built in your own life? And what might happen if you dared to peek over them? Share your story at uncomfy@byu.edu or connect on socials. And subscribe to Uncomfy for more conversations about growth, discomfort, and staying curious even when it’s difficult. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Uncomfy 01:29 Intro to Anand Pandian 01:48 Personal Reflections and Experiences 06:16 The Importance of Breaking Down Walls 09:46 Stories of Connection and Empathy 16:24 Organizing Against Division 19:23 Conclusion and Call to Action
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    21 mins
  • How to Have Conversations That Actually Work Even on Hot-Button Issues - Becca Kearl

    How to Have Conversations That Actually Work Even on Hot-Button Issues - Becca Kearl
    Jun 18 2025
    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 Becca about how that first event sparked her career in community dialogue, what makes conversations go well (or fall apart), and why your story is always more powerful than your opinion. Becca is now the executive director of Living Room Conversations, which provides free resources to help people host meaningful discussions across divides. Learn more at https://www.livingroomconversations.org. Got an Uncomfy story to share? We'd love to hear from you: uncomfy@byu.edu. Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/06/how-to-have-conversations-that-actually.html CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Meet Becca Kearl: The Power of Community Conversations 01:05 The First Big Conversation: Tackling Sex Education 03:25 Creating a Safe Space for Dialogue 07:25 The Impact of Personal Stories 09:48 Living Room Conversations: Tools and Framework 15:54 Encouragement and Resources for Starting Your Own Conversations 16:41 Conclusion and Next Steps
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    18 mins