Uncomfy: Sticking with Moments That Challenge Us

• The Pain of Suicide Loss, and the Power of Naming It – Melissa Bottorff-Arey

  “We're not moving on — we're moving forward.” In this touching episode of Uncomfy, grief coach Melissa Bottorff-Arey opens up to host Julie Rose about losing her 21-year-old son Alex to suicide, and why she chose to name it in his obituary. Melissa shares how stigma, silence, and misunderstanding compound the pain of suicide loss, especially for mothers. She explains how simply showing up, even when you don't know what to say, can make all the difference, and how separating a person from the way they died can be a crucial part of healing. Melissa’s website and podcast, The Leftover Pieces - https://www.theleftoverpieces.com/ If you or someone you love is struggling, please reach out. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, free & available 24/7. Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-pain-of-suicide-loss-and-power-of.html CHAPTERS 00:00 Content Warning 00:25 Introduction 01:07 Meet Melissa Bottorff-Arey 01:21 Discussing Suicide Openly 04:20 Misconceptions About Suicide 08:19 Normalizing Suicidality 10:40 Supporting Grieving Mothers 13:15 Alex's Legacy 14:37 Conclusion and Resources

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• Why Small Acts of Kindness Matter More Than You Think – Nicole Karlis

  When was the last time you did a small act of kindness for someone else? In this episode of Uncomfy, award-winning journalist Nicole Karlis shares the surprising story that inspired her book, Your Brain on Altruism: The Power of Connection and Community During Times of Crisis. What began as an unusual, uncomfortable challenge from a Vedic astrologer in India turned into a life-changing exploration of how serving others impacts our mental, emotional, and even physical health. Learn more about Nicole’s book – https://www.nicolemkarlis.com Has someone shown you a little kindness lately? Share this episode with them! Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/08/why-small-acts-of-kindness-matter-more.html CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Meet Nicole Karlis: Journalist and Author 01:05 The Origin Story: A Journey in Rishikesh 02:05 The Prescription: Acts of Kindness 04:18 Exploring the Science of Altruism 07:00 The Benefits of Small Acts of Kindness 10:27 Imagining a Caring Community 11:51 Conclusion and Call to Action

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• Your Doctor Might Be Wrong: What Can You Do? — Dr. Erin Nance

  Why do so many patients feel dismissed by their doctors? In this episode of Uncomfy, orthopedic surgeon, podcast host, and FeelBetr founder Dr. Erin Nance pulls back the curtain on what really happens when doctors get it wrong and why it’s more common than we’d like to believe. From unconscious bias and misdiagnoses to the fear of admitting mistakes, Dr. Nance shares a rare, insider perspective on the discomfort many doctors face and the harm it can cause. She uncovers uncomfortable truths about the medical system, how patients can advocate for themselves, and why humility might be the most powerful medical tool we have. More from Dr. Erin Nance: Social media – https://www.instagram.com/doctorerinnance/ (Instagram) https://www.tiktok.com/@littlemissdiagnosed (Tik Tok) Book, Little Miss Diagnosed: A Surgeon’s Guide to Mending Bones and Breaking Rules – https://www.harpercollins.com/products/little-miss-diagnosed-erin-nance-md Podcast, The Medical Detectives – https://www.themedicaldetectivespodcast.com/ Health-focused social media platform, FeelBetr – https://www.feelbetr.health/ Have you chosen to own up to a mistake lately? Share your story with us - [email protected] Subscribe to Uncomfy for more powerful conversations! Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/07/your-doctor-might-be-wrong-what-can-you.html CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Introducing Dr. Erin Nance 01:06 Doctors Make Mistakes: Acknowledging Human Error 02:36 A Personal Story of Bias in Medicine 05:16 Addressing Bias and Improving Patient Care 08:02 The Role of Social Media in Medical Awareness 09:33 Defensive Medicine and Patient Trust 11:52 FeelBetr: A Platform for Health Literacy 14:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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• What American Culture Gets Wrong About Grief — Matthew Whoolery

  Why are Americans so uncomfortable around sadness and grief? Cultural psychologist Matthew Whoolery has lived and taught all over the world—from Egypt to India to Bulgaria—and he’s learned something surprising: in many cultures, emotional pain is shared, not hidden. In this episode of Uncomfy, Professor Whoolery chats with host Julie Rose about the time his Egyptian students cried with him after his father died and why their immediate response of closeness and community shocked his American sensibilities. He shares how our Western obsession with individualism can make grief worse and what we can learn from other cultures about caring for others in times of need. Matthew Whoolery’s most recent TEDx Talk, “We Are Not Okay” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOBkk3EU0_8 Matthew Whoolery’s Substack - https://substack.com/@culturalpsychologist Share this episode with someone who showed up for you when you needed them! Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/07/what-american-culture-gets-wrong-about.html CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Cultural Differences in Handling Grief 01:11 Personal Stories of Grief 02:44 Cultural Scripts and Empathy 04:16 Impact of Cultural Differences 06:04 Radical Empathy and Connection 14:34 Practical Steps to Support Others 16:34 Conclusion and Call to Action

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

  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 - [email protected] Subscribe to Uncomfy for more challenging but inspiring conversations. Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-most-uncomfortable-question-i-ever.html 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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