Joseph Grenny: How to Have the Conversations You're Avoiding
Today, we are so thrilled to bring you a conversation with Joseph Grenny. If you’ve ever read Crucial Conversations, Influencer, or Change Anything, then you already know the immense impact of Joseph’s work. His books have sold millions of copies and become essential texts for building trust, improving relationships, and transforming the way we communicate in every area of life—from families to Fortune 500 companies.
Joseph is more than an author. He’s a social scientist, a business leader, and a force for good. He’s co-founded organizations like VitalSmarts and The Other Side Academy, the latter of which has redefined what it means to help people rebuild lives after addiction and incarceration. Joseph’s work is deeply practical and profoundly humane—it’s about understanding the moments that shape us, the conversations that define us, and the courage it takes to truly connect with each other.
In this episode, we explore how to navigate the most emotionally charged and high-stakes conversations—what Joseph calls "moments of disproportionate influence." He shares insights on why avoiding hard conversations only compounds harm, how to speak honestly without losing relationships, and the unexpected ways crucial conversations can lead to healing and deeper connection.
Joseph even offers tools for the moments we dread most: when values clash, when trust has eroded, or when we’re afraid our words will only make things worse. This conversation is full of wisdom, heart, and, yes, practical strategies you can use right away. Whether you’re looking to strengthen a marriage, or navigate a family faith transition, or just get better at work relationships, this one’s for you.
We are so grateful Joseph joined us to share his hard-won insights, and we can’t wait for you to hear this.
CHRISTMAS AT THE COMPASS
We have some amazing Christmas events coming up at The Compass that we don’t want you to miss, starting with an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling with Emma Nissen on December 9th. There are only 10 in-person tickets left, so act quickly! But if you can’t make it physically, we are providing an incredibly high-quality, interactive livestream that will make you feel like you’re right there with Emma. You’ll be able to ask Emma questions, vote for which songs you want to hear next, and hear every sumptuous note in high-definition.
On Friday December 20, in the spirit of traditions like midnight mass and choral evensong/vespers, we invite you to enjoy Christmas Evensong, performed by Sound of Ages (you might remember them from Restore). We'll enjoy exquisite vocal music and thoughtful narrations—plus carols to sing together. Christmas Evensong will infuse quiet beauty into your family's holiday celebration.
Our Compass events are subsidized and made possible by private rentals of the space for wedding receptions, business retreats, birthday parties, and more. If you or someone you know has an event coming up, consider supporting Faith Matters by recommending The Compass!
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