Feeling unsafe during a conflict usually leads to one of two things: explosive anger or total withdrawal. Jesse de Leon explores the middle path in this moving episode, documenting his journey from "shutting down" to standing his ground with grace. Jesse discusses the importance of eye contact, active listening, and the bravery required to call out inappropriate behavior in real-time. Whether it's a sibling, a partner, or a lifelong friend, the people who matter most deserve your honesty, not your absence. Tune in to hear how Jesse navigated a heated debate to reach a place of mutual respect and renewed trust.

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00:00 Welcome to The Knowing Podcast

00:48 Power of Empowering Conversations

02:00 Crucial Conversations Book Review

03:00 Childhood Impact on Communication

04:00 Tools for High-Stakes Talking

05:10 The Christmas Eve Conflict

06:45 Managing Anger and Confusion

07:50 Addressing Conversation Hijacking

09:25 Value of Vulnerability

10:45 Breaking Old Habit Patterns

11:55 Handling Abrupt Communication

13:40 Learning Assertiveness Skills

15:05 Repairing vs Running From Conflict

16:40 Role Models in Communication

18:15 Healing Relationships Through Action

20:25 Staying in Important Relationships

21:40 Final Thoughts and Resources