Show Notes for Apple/Spotify:
Have you ever avoided a hard conversation… or ghosted someone instead of working through the discomfort? In today’s raw and inspiring episode, I sit down with the vibrant and truth-speaking Justin Jones-Fosu—keynote speaker, TEDx powerhouse, social entrepreneur, and author of I Respectfully Disagree: How to Have Difficult Conversations in a Divided World.
Together, we unpack how to move from confrontation to conversation—whether you’re navigating family drama at the holidays, challenging dynamics in the workplace, or identity-based tension on social media. Justin shares his signature frameworks like the Circle of Grace and Asymmetric Insight, helping us understand why most of us get triggered and shut down when disagreement shows up—and what to do instead.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to disagree without disrespect, set healthy boundaries with compassion, and be brave enough to listen even when it’s hard.
What you’ll get out of this episode…
- Why we default to avoidance, ghosting, or shutting down—especially with the people we care about most
- A powerful question that can shift your entire approach to disagreement
- How to prepare yourself emotionally before a hard conversation even begins
- What neuroscience and social psychology reveal about why we assume others “just won’t get us”
- The real difference between boundaries and emotional walls—and how to tell which one you’re building
- How to navigate conflict with family members without losing your voice (or your peace)
- A framework for connecting with people you deeply disagree with—without betraying your own values
- Stories that will challenge your assumptions about what’s possible in healing conversations
Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome & why we need more than “just a little” respect
02:33 – Justin’s upbringing & his mother’s legacy of cultural bravery
07:22 – Why most conflict tools miss the heart: challenge your perspective
10:26 – Circles of Grace framework: How to prepare before disagreement arises
12:24 – A powerful story of forgiving his father (and reclaiming heritage)
17:48 – The “new winning”: learning instead of debating
20:06 – The Tortoise Principle: Healing takes strategy and consistency
24:28 – The psychology of asymmetric insight + naive realism
29:57 – Boundaries vs. Barriers: How to keep connection open
31:58 – One Meaningful Connection Per Week: the 1MC/W framework
35:08 – Why being open-hearted is more important than open-minded
39:35 – Stories of unexpected transformation (from hate to healing)
44:10 – Spill the Chai Q&A
45:30 – Where to connect with Justin & resources
Want more?
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Connect with Justin
WEB / https://workmeaningful.com/
IG / @iworkmeaningful
LINKEDIN / https://www.linkedin.com/in/iworkmeaningful/
BOOK / https://www.amazon.com/Respectfully-Disagree-Difficult-Conversations-Divided/dp/152300651X
FREE CHAPTER / https://howtorespectfullydisagree.com/
Follow along for more tips, community, and resources to brave a better you!
YOUTUBE / @TheBraveTable
IG / @neetabhushan
IG / @thebravetable
TIKTOK / @neeta.bhushan
WEB / https://neetabhushan.com
If you loved this episode, check out…
Ep. #305: Healing Family Relationships Through Radical Acceptance with Vasavi Kumar (Apple | Spotify | YouTube)
Ep. #277: The Secret to Thriving Relationships: Boundaries, Healing, and Connection with Simone Heng (Apple | Spotify | YouTube)
Ep. #228: Relationship Hacks Every Married Couple Must Know with Ajit Nawalkha (Apple | Spotify | YouTube)
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Dr. Neeta Bhushan is a 5x award-winning author, emotional health advocate, and host of The Brave Table podcast. CEO of Highest Self Institute and author of That Sucked, Now What, she’s been featured in Forbes, ABC, and more. A former dentist turned global speaker, Neeta’s work blends psychology, ancient wisdom, and resilience from her own life experiences. She’s also a mom, wellness lover, and chai enthusiast.
