Workshop: How to Have Difficult Conversations w/o Losing Relationships

Ever had a conversation (about politics or some other touchy subject) suddenly go sideways with a friend, family member, coworker — or someone in your own community? In this interactive workshop we’ll explore why that happens and practice ways to stay in conversation without losing the relationship. Bring your curiosity and your own experiences with difficult conversations.

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ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP ….

Most of us have had the experience of a political\ conversation that suddenly becomes difficult — voices tighten, assumptions fly, and before long feelings are hurt and the conversation stalls. (\Not just electoral politics — any sensitive, controversial subject.) This half-day interactive workshop explores how we can talk about politics in ways that strengthen rather than strain our relationships. We’ll look at why conversations escalate, how our life experiences shape the way we see issues, how to identify shared values, and why differences themselves don’t have to divide us — often it’s how we respond to those differences that causes conversations to unravel. Through reflection, small-group exercises, listening practice, and guided dialogue, participants will try out practical ways to keep conversations going when views differ.

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ABOUT THE PRESENTER ….

Lee Evans (from Columbus, Ohio) sometimes jokes that she’s a “professional lesbian” and a veteran of more than a few lesbian community wars. She’s a longtime feminist activist and facilitator who has spent more than 30 years helping people navigate the kinds of difficult conversations most of us would rather avoid. Lee has presented workshops for groups including Indivisible, the Michigan Women’s Music Festival, Big Mouth Girl, Braver Angels, and a wide range of feminist, service, and progressive organizations. Her work blends social psychology, feminist thinking, and decades of movement experience. Lee’s workshops are thoughtful, practical, and occasionally funny — because staying in relationship with one another, especially when politics are involved, always requires a little humor.

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COST ….

Sliding scale $10-$40 (more if you can, less if you can’t)

Venmo — @Toni-ArmstrongJr

Zelle — 561-281-9552

PayPal — [email protected] - choose Send to Friend to avoid fees

Checks — Make out to/and mail to:

Toni Armstrong Jr.

1201 Sugar Sands Blvd. 6

Riviera Beach, FL 33404-3137

NOTE: Put WORKSHOP in memo line for all payment methods

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FOR MORE ABOUT BLAST … [email protected]

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JOIN BLAST POST-PANDEMIC PARTY ON FACEBOOK …

https://www.facebook.com/groups/910190896083857/

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BOOKMARK THE BLAST CALENDAR & CHECK IT OFTEN …

https://www.meetup.com/BLASTwpb/events/calendar/