Asking For A Friend with TalkDoc

#35: Family Survival Kit Part 2 - How to Manage Family Rules and Traditions

Have you ever unexpectedly bumped into a tradition at a family holiday gathering that seemed normal to everyone there except you?  A warning not to sit in a certain chair? An obligation to eat a slice of Aunt Mary’s fruitcake? Did it feel like a rule or expectation you were being forced to play along with? 

If you’ve had encounters of this kind (and most of us have), then you know the complications your potential responses can create for the relationships you have with those you care about and love.

In this episode of “Asking For A Friend,” Dr. Pamela Kreiser aka TalkDoc with her colleagues Meredith and Teighlor, discuss strategies for managing traditions and rules that may be the norm for one family but not ok with you. You’ll learn how planning ahead can relieve the tension created by expectations and what to consider when setting boundaries “in the moment.”  You’ll also learn the concept of “fractionation” - a powerful strategy for resizing potential conflict. Music by epidemic sound.

Available also on youtube.com - Asking For A Friend with TalkDoc Podcast

#034: Family Survival Kit Part 1 - How to Manage Expectations

The holidays are coming and if you’re like us, there’s gonna be some added stress around this season. In this episode, we begin our 6-part series: “Family Survival Kit for the Holidays.” Many of us have expectations of the perfect holiday, but that can be problematic for most. As TalkDoc suggests, we can minimize some of the expected conflict by planning ahead, especially by planning our communication. We want to be practical about what we can improve. We’ll start by unpacking what a communication survival kit entails and have a laugh at our expense as we share some of our own shortcomings. Looking back at what we’ve learned from previous episodes will help us manage expectations and guide us through this holiday season. Now available in video format on YouTube! Check out our YouTube channel: Asking For A Friend with TalkDoc Podcast. 

Music by epidemic sound.

 

#033: Blooper Reel 3

As we celebrate our 9 Month-A-Versary, we continue to grow our podcast now reaching 46 states and over 55 countries! Listen to TalkDoc, Teighlor and Meredith’s latest blooper reel to hear more of our uncoordinated moments. Special thanks to our listeners who have supported our first nine months of podcasting in spite of our imperfections. Thank you listening to Asking For A Friend with Talkdoc!

Check out new web page:   AFAFPodcast.com

Don't miss our upcoming series called "Family Survival Kit for the Holidays" coming on November 16, 2021.

Music by epidemic sound.

#032: Leading Questions - How to Ask Neutral Questions

“Did you have a good day at school?” 

“Did you like the service we provided you tonight?”

“Weren’t you sick on Tuesday?”

All of us have encountered questions like these - framed to lead us to answer in a specific manner. 

In this episode of “Asking For A Friend," Dr. Pamela Kreiser, aka TalkDoc, will help you identify the 4 types of leading questions.  Co-hosts, Teighlor and Meredith join TalkDoc for a conversation about the danger of responding as-is to these “question traps” and how to re-frame the questions to elicit  answers that build rather than control dialogue for healthier relationships with others.

Check out our new website:  AFAFpodcast.com

Music by Epidemic sound.

#031: Shhhhhhh: How to Manage Silence

From time to time we all experience silent moments during our conversations. How we utilize and respond to the quiet spaces between what we are saying to each other can either nurture or decelerate the progression of our everyday relationships. 

In this episode of “Asking For A Friend,” TalkDoc explores silence as a space for something new to happen.  You’ll learn how to manage the awkwardness and tension that silence can create to improve the quality of your interactions with others.  Meredith and Teighlor join TalkDoc to discuss silence from a variety of perspectives and provide practical advice on managing silence. 

 

Music by epidemic sound.

#030: AFAF with Jason Harper on How To Resolve Conflict

Are you experiencing conflict in a close, personal relationship?  Are you searching for ways to overcome communication roadblocks in order to bring your relationships to a new and better place?
 
In this episode of “Asking For A Friend,” join TalkDoc, Meredith and Teighlor as they interview Jason Harper, mediation expert and conflict coach.  Jason brings his wealth of credentials and experience to the conversation offering practical insights to better work through conflicts and find resolution. 
 
Jason shares his unlikely path and winding road through his legal and corporate experience and what it has taught him - there is no such thing as conflict prevention. He shares valuable lessons he’s learned on the way including the most helpful process steps to conflict resolution, how healing in community can overcome suffering in isolation, and the power of listening for unmet needs.

Music by epidemic sound.

#029: The Dance of Visibility (Part 3): Strategic Alignment - How to be a Better Communicator

In this episode, TalkDoc guides us through part 3 of the “Dance of Visibility." Wouldn’t it be great if there was a do over in conversation until we are satisfied with the results? Whether this be missed opportunities to speak or wishing you could delete an interaction altogether, learning to be strategic is a key element in this dance. It can be tempting to dump all responsibility on one person, but communication is a joint activity. This “dance” involves others and true competence is adaptive to the other. But what makes someone competent? TalkDoc challenges competence to be a joint activity not a one person blame game. This week, listen for TalkDoc’s 3 areas to improve your dance: select your communication behaviors, maintain image and goals for self and others. Remember each situation holds different demands; one communication tool may not work in every room. Ask yourself if you are adapting to help self and others become more visible. The challenge is to let go of the idea that a perfect set of skills will be the answer. So find your skill set and figure out what you want to accomplish. The goal of strategic alignment is coordination, adaptability and a space where authentic communication can happen. Let us know what you think: hello@afafpodcast.com

Music by epidemic sound

#028: The Dance of Visibility (Part 2): How to Stop Over Explaining!

In this episode, we tackle Part 2 of the “Dance of Visibility” discussing ways to reduce over explaining and over justifying our messages. Are you someone who finds yourself in moments of over explaining? This week is about the part of the dance where we speak up too much then regret the interaction altogether. TalkDoc challenges our emotion of worry in these moments. Perhaps you worry about others’ negative perceptions of you or worry about not belonging. Research show us four ways people confuse messages by repeating, false starts, filled pauses and unfilled pauses. These misfires confuse the listener. Strategies to combat these misfires, begin yet again with getting to know ourselves better, doing more planning instead of clean up and giving yourself permission to be bold. Those in powerful positions have greater responsibility to create spaces to reduce confusion and promote clarity.

Music by epidemic sound

#027: The Dance of Visibility (Part 1): How to Speak Up!

In this episode, TalkDoc begins our 3 part series, “The Dance of Visibility” with the effects of not speaking up, the consequences silence can have within ourselves and the world around us. Even a Supreme Court justice has admitted to electing not to speak up when she wanted to. So if you don't speak up, you’re not alone! When we don’t speak up when we want to, we lose alignment within ourselves - it’s the tinge of regret we’ve all felt before. But the cost can be so great! So how do we lean into correct the alignment? Start to notice where you feel regret inside yourself when you don’t speak up. Listen to that voice and learn with us! One of the key lessons this week is to consider positions of power (leaders, parents, teacher etc.) and start creating safer spaces where authentic communication can happen. Keep in mind the strategies and share with us your questions and experiences at: @hello@afafpodcast.com

Music by epidemic sound

#026: Perception Checking - How to Get People to Talk

Have you ever had a conversation go no-where or just end because of a short response? Do you get frustrated with these type of non responses? In this episode, TalkDoc and the team explain the 3-part format of perception checks using practical everyday examples. These 3 part perception checks help us move through frustrating conversations and find clarity in our interactions. As you develop these tools remember practicing them in advance is vital to relationship success. Consider making your TC4G for this week keeping your words and non-verbal expressions aligned. Be wary of a perception check followed by a baised facial expression and remember, having a plan to avoid placing another in a defensive position creates opportunities for growth. Growth is what we are here for on AFAF! Tell us the neutral responses you are practicing: @hello@afafpodcast.com

Music by epidemic sound