Episodes

  • BONUS: Why We Choose to Lean into the Discomfort of Making this Podcast.

    BONUS: Why We Choose to Lean into the Discomfort of Making this Podcast.
    Oct 28 2024
    Meet the teams behind Top of Mind and Uncomfy in this special crossover episode, where we share stories of sticking with a challenging perspective while working on the shows. We are exposed to a lot of nuanced viewpoints as we put podcast episodes together, which gives us the perfect opportunity to practice what we preach: choosing to lean into discomfort instead of lashing out or shying away. We’ve found clarity about our own beliefs, empathy for the people around us, and also developed the skills to tackle tough conversations. Tune in to Top of Mind to practice engaging with important, complicated topics. Check out Uncomfy, too, where we’re sharing stories of people choosing to engage in an uncomfortable moment instead of stepping back. And if you’ve had an “Uncomfy” experience lately, share it with us by emailing uncomfy@byu.edu. Guests: Top of Mind producers - Alayna Beck, Caleb Leach, Vanessa Goodman, and James Hoopes. Uncomfy producers - Samuel Benson and Henrique Prado. Related Links: What Does it Mean to Be White in America?: https://www.byuradio.org/top-of-mind-what-does-it-mean-to-be-white-in-america The Changing Ways We Decide Who Gets into College and Why it Matters: https://www.byuradio.org/top-of-mind-the-changing-way-we-decide-who-gets-into-college-and-why-it-matters Why We’re So Anxious About Retirement in America — And How We Can Fix It: https://www.byuradio.org/top-of-mind-why-were-so-anxious-about-retirement-in-america-and-how-we-can-fix-it What Can We Do About America’s Money in Politics Problem?: https://www.byuradio.org/top-of-mind-what-can-we-do-about-americas-money-in-politics-probl Spending a Day with People Who Think You Hate Them – Jefferson Shupe: https://www.byuradio.org/e14-spending-a-day-with-people-who-think-you-hate-them-jefferson-shupe
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    36 mins
  • TRAILER - Uncomfy: Sticking with Moments That Challenge Us

    TRAILER - Uncomfy: Sticking with Moments That Challenge Us
    Jun 12 2024
    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! 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! The new podcast launches July 10th with new episodes every Wednesday on your podcast platform of choice. Make sure to follow or subscribe so that you never miss an episode. 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
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    2 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
  • How Bruce Springsteen Saved My Life: Anne Abel’s Story of Depression and “High Hopes”

    How Bruce Springsteen Saved My Life: Anne Abel’s Story of Depression and “High Hopes”
    Oct 22 2025
    When Anne Abel hit an all-time low at 59, she never expected a Bruce Springsteen concert to change her life. After years of battling severe recurrent depression and losing her memory to electroconvulsive therapy, Anne found a spark of hope in Springsteen — a spark that led her to travel alone to Australia for eight concerts in five cities. That trip became the start of a new life filled with courage, creativity, and connection. Now at 72, Anne is a storyteller, author, and social media creator with nearly a million followers, inspiring others to keep going when life feels impossible. Learn more about Anne’s new memoir, “High Hopes,” and her other work: https://anneabelauthor.com. Follow Anne on social media (@annesimaabel): https://linktr.ee/anneabel How do you handle the self-critical voices in your head? Or what’s something scary you’ve done lately that took real courage? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments, email us at uncomfy@byu.edu, or connect with us on social media. LISTENER SURVEY - https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/yi9fSNB8NG Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/10/how-bruce-springsteen-saved-my-life.html CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Meet Anne Abel 01:41 The Life-Changing Bruce Springsteen Concert 03:31 A Journey to Australia: Finding Hope 05:12 Daily Struggles and Coping Mechanisms 6:48 Midroll for Listener Survey 7:16 Challenging Self-Critical Voices 12:35 The Power of Storytelling and Social Media 17:45 Conclusion
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    19 mins
  • Should Political Conversations Be Happening at Church? — Reverend Clay Stauffer

    Should Political Conversations Be Happening at Church? — Reverend Clay Stauffer
    Oct 15 2025
    Should politics be off-limits in church? Reverend Clay Stauffer doesn’t think so. Two months after a member of his congregation was killed in The Covenant School shooting, Rev. Stauffer invited his community to gather in their sanctuary for a discussion about gun violence — a conversation most churches would rather avoid. Host Julie Rose talks with him about what compelled him to do it, why he believes churches should be “big tents” where people with different views can still talk and stay connected, and how avoiding politics in church might actually make divisions worse. They also explore why people of faith might be especially equipped to lead with empathy and peace. Clay Stauffer is the senior minister at Woodmont Christian Church in Nashville, professor of moral leadership at Vanderbilt University, and author of “What the World Needs Now: Virtue and Character in an Age of Chaos.” Learn more about Dr. Stauffer’s work at https://claystauffer.com/. What do you think? Should faith and politics mix or stay separate? Tell us in the comments, connect with us on social media, or share your thoughts at uncomfy@byu.edu. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:44 Meet Reverend Clay Stauffer 01:13 The Role of Church in Political Conversations 02:34 Addressing Political Violence and Incivility 06:15 Gun Violence and Community Safety 08:59 The Intersection of Faith and Politics 10:58 The Rise of Political Partisanship 12:58 Finding Solutions in Faith 14:11 Conclusion
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    17 mins
  • Becoming Hip-Hop's Biggest Sign Language Interpreter — Matt Maxey

    Becoming Hip-Hop's Biggest Sign Language Interpreter — Matt Maxey
    Oct 8 2025
    Have you ever struggled to be understood? Matt Maxey spent most of his childhood trying to fit into the hearing world. He went to speech therapy, avoided sign language, and thought leaving Deaf culture behind was the only way to succeed. But when he showed up at Gallaudet University — the country’s only Deaf university — he suddenly found himself in a place where everyone expected him to use ASL, a language he didn’t even know, and many labelled him as an outsider. Instead of giving up, Matt flipped that struggle into his purpose. He went from resisting sign language to becoming one of the most well-known ASL music interpreters in the world. As the founder of DEAFinitely Dope, he’s brought hip-hop to Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences, toured with Chance the Rapper, and even interpreted at the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show with Kendrick Lamar. Matt Maxey’s organization, DEAFinitely Dope - https://deafinitelydope.org/ Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/10/becoming-hip-hops-biggest-sign-language.html CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Meet Matt Maxey: Founder of DEAFinitely Dope 01:12 Matt's Journey with Sign Language 04:14 Challenges and Acceptance at Gallaudet University 07:53 Breaking Barriers with Music Interpretation 11:41 Collaborating with Chance The Rapper 14:36 Impact and Future Goals 16:12 Conclusion
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    18 mins
  • Growing Up with Autism and a Father’s Tough Love — Leland Vittert (NewsNation)

    Growing Up with Autism and a Father’s Tough Love — Leland Vittert (NewsNation)
    Oct 1 2025
    What happens when a parent refuses to let a diagnosis define their child? TV news anchor Leland Vittert shares his story of growing up with autism, the “tough love” lessons his father insisted on, and how those moments of discomfort shaped the man and reporter he became. In this conversation with host Julie Rose, Vittert opens up about bullying, rejection, resilience, and the powerful role his father played in teaching him to adapt to the world rather than expecting the world to adapt to him. Leland Vittert is the Chief Washington Anchor at NewsNation and host of “On Balance with Leland Vittert.” Before joining NewsNation, he spent a decade as a foreign correspondent and anchor at Fox News. His new memoir is "Born Lucky: A Dedicated Father, A Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism," available now https://www.harpercollinsfocus.com/harper-horizon/born-lucky/. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Meet Leland Vittert 01:38 The Role of a Dedicated Father 02:31 Facing Bullying and Social Challenges 03:34 Early Signs and Diagnosis 05:30 Overcoming Social Struggles 11:34 The Impact of Autism on Journalism 14:19 Reflections and Final Thoughts
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    17 mins
  • Political Violence and the Power of Listening: What Comes Next? — Manu Meel

    Political Violence and the Power of Listening: What Comes Next? — Manu Meel
    Sep 24 2025
    “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 for respectful dialogue and pluralism. He argues that listening itself has become a radical act, one that could reshape democracy by empowering the “silent majority” to push back against polarization. Manu’s organization, BridgeUSA – https://bridgeusa.org/ Manu’s podcast, The Hopeful Majority – https://www.thehopefulmajority.com/ Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations that challenge, stretch, and inspire. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:46 Introducing Manu Meel and BridgeUSA 01:10 Discussing the Assassination of Charlie Kirk 02:28 The Mission of BridgeUSA 03:23 Challenges and Critiques of Bridging Efforts 06:30 Outrage vs. Dialogue in the Attention Economy 07:40 The Viral Impact of Constructive Dialogue 11:16 Building a Culture of Pluralism on Campus 15:49 Empowering the Silent Majority 18:44 Conclusion and Call to Action
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    21 mins