252 - How to Handle Tough Conversations with Mary Nestor, Author of Say it Now! Say It Right! episode artwork

EPISODE · Dec 19, 2025 · 1H

252 - How to Handle Tough Conversations with Mary Nestor, Author of Say it Now! Say It Right!

from The Amy Edwards Show · host Amy Edwards

Mary J. Nestor is a communications expert, award-winning speaker, and author of Say It Now! Say It Right! How To Handle Tough and Tender Conversations. In the episode, we explore the techniques of mindful conversations, speaking up, and reinventing yourself at any age. Mary shares her personal insights on recognizing triggers, timing conversations, and creating space for genuine understanding without trying to “fix” others. She also reveals how she has stayed active and joyful throughout her life—going so far as to start a business at 74!Mary J. Nestor knows firsthand the power of language. Her career as a manager, consultant, and human resources director inspired her second book, Say It Now! Say It Right! How to Handle Tough and Tender Conversations, first published in 2016 with a second edition in 2021.What you’ll learn in this episode:🔹The connection between self-awareness and effective communication🔹How to stay authentic while navigating challenging conversations🔹Ways to cultivate curiosity and openness in dialogue🔹Strategies to maintain confidence and presence when speaking up🔹The benefits of embracing lifelong learning and reinvention🔹Tips for nurturing joy and purpose at any stage of life🔹How to leverage creativity and personal passions in business and lifeListen to this episode with Mary Nestor to learn how to speak up, handle tough conversations, and embrace new experiences at any age. Subscribe to the channel for more insights on mindful conversations, finding your voice, preventing defensiveness, and personal growth—plus stories of reinvention and staying active and joyful throughout life.Timestamps:00:00:00 Guest intro: Mary Nestor00:03:06 Reinvention and speaking up - the connection00:07:00 Mary’s wake up call00:11:00 Timing in conversations00:16:18 How to prevent defensiveness00:28:01 Avoid “fixing” things in conversations00:33:23 Starting a business at 7400:42:21 How to encourage new experiences00:46:49 Voice and daily life00:51:20 Learn how to have tough conversations00:54:40 Mary Nestor’s books00:57:37 OutroLinks:Website https://www.maryjnestor.com/Books https://www.maryjnestor.com/booksInstagram https://www.instagram.com/maryjnestor/Please remember to rate, review, and follow the show – and share with a friend!Check out our new Comedy Wellness Podcast: Anything But Mid, cohosted with Whitney Stropp:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/anything-but-mid/id1849386215https://www.youtube.com/@AnythingButMidFind Amy’s affiliates and discount codes: https://amyedwards.info/affiliatepageSky Rock Sedona: https://www.skyrocksedona.com/20% Discount Link:https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1759866624184&key=CORP&app=resvlinkAll links: ⁠⁠⁠amyedwards.info⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@realamyedwards⁠⁠⁠Fight For Her: ⁠⁠⁠fightforher.net⁠⁠⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠ @themagicbabe⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠The Amy Edwards Show Podcast⁠⁠⁠Free Course:⁠⁠⁠ The Ageless Mindset⁠⁠⁠Full Course: ⁠⁠⁠The Youthfulness Hack⁠⁠⁠Work with Amy:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book a Call⁠⁠⁠ Let’s get you to your HAPPIEST and most RADIANT! Book a call to apply to work together one-on-one: ⁠https://amyedwards.as.me/15mincall⁠Amy’s hair by ⁠https://www.thecollectiveatx.com⁠Podcast editing by https://podcastmagician.com/Get my FREE course "The Ageless Mindset: The Ultimate Guide to Look Younger and Feel Happier!" HERE: ⁠https://best-you-life.teachable.com/p/the-ageless-mindset-the-ultimate-guide-to-look-younger-feel-happier⁠Get the full course “The Youthfulness Hack: The Secret System to Reverse Aging Fast and Create a New, Radiant You!” Out now! ⁠https://best-you-life.teachable.com/p/the-youthfulness-hack⁠

Mary J. Nestor is a communications expert, award-winning speaker, and author of Say It Now! Say It Right! How To Handle Tough and Tender Conversations. In the episode, we explore the techniques of mindful conversations, speaking up, and reinventing yourself at any age. Mary shares her personal insights on recognizing triggers, timing conversations, and creating space for genuine understanding without trying to “fix” others. She also reveals how she has stayed active and joyful throughout her life—going so far as to start a business at 74!Mary J. Nestor knows firsthand the power of language. Her career as a manager, consultant, and human resources director inspired her second book, Say It Now! Say It Right! How to Handle Tough and Tender Conversations, first published in 2016 with a second edition in 2021.What you’ll learn in this episode:🔹The connection between self-awareness and effective communication🔹How to stay authentic while navigating challenging conversations🔹Ways to cultivate curiosity and openness in dialogue🔹Strategies to maintain confidence and presence when speaking up🔹The benefits of embracing lifelong learning and reinvention🔹Tips for nurturing joy and purpose at any stage of life🔹How to leverage creativity and personal passions in business and lifeListen to this episode with Mary Nestor to learn how to speak up, handle tough conversations, and embrace new experiences at any age. Subscribe to the channel for more insights on mindful conversations, finding your voice, preventing defensiveness, and personal growth—plus stories of reinvention and staying active and joyful throughout life.Timestamps:00:00:00 Guest intro: Mary Nestor00:03:06 Reinvention and speaking up - the connection00:07:00 Mary’s wake up call00:11:00 Timing in conversations00:16:18 How to prevent defensiveness00:28:01 Avoid “fixing” things in conversations00:33:23 Starting a business at 7400:42:21 How to encourage new experiences00:46:49 Voice and daily life00:51:20 Learn how to have tough conversations00:54:40 Mary Nestor’s books00:57:37 OutroLinks:Website https://www.maryjnestor.com/Books https://www.maryjnestor.com/booksInstagram https://www.instagram.com/maryjnestor/Please remember to rate, review, and follow the show – and share with a friend!Check out our new Comedy Wellness Podcast: Anything But Mid, cohosted with Whitney Stropp:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/anything-but-mid/id1849386215https://www.youtube.com/@AnythingButMidFind Amy’s affiliates and discount codes: https://amyedwards.info/affiliatepageSky Rock Sedona: https://www.skyrocksedona.com/20% Discount Link:https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1759866624184&key=CORP&app=resvlinkAll links: ⁠⁠⁠amyedwards.info⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@realamyedwards⁠⁠⁠Fight For Her: ⁠⁠⁠fightforher.net⁠⁠⁠TikTok:⁠⁠⁠ @themagicbabe⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠Podcast: ⁠⁠⁠The Amy Edwards Show Podcast⁠⁠⁠Free Course:⁠⁠⁠ The Ageless Mindset⁠⁠⁠Full Course: ⁠⁠⁠The Youthfulness Hack⁠⁠⁠Work with Amy:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book a Call⁠⁠⁠ Let’s get you to your HAPPIEST and most RADIANT! Book a call to apply to work together one-on-one: ⁠https://amyedwards.as.me/15mincall⁠Amy’s hair by ⁠https://www.thecollectiveatx.com⁠Podcast editing by https://podcastmagician.com/Get my FREE course "The Ageless Mindset: The Ultimate Guide to Look Younger and Feel Happier!" HERE: ⁠https://best-you-life.teachable.com/p/the-ageless-mindset-the-ultimate-guide-to-look-younger-feel-happier⁠Get the full course “The Youthfulness Hack: The Secret System to Reverse Aging Fast and Create a New, Radiant You!” Out now! ⁠https://best-you-life.teachable.com/p/the-youthfulness-hack⁠

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252 - How to Handle Tough Conversations with Mary Nestor, Author of Say it Now! Say It Right!

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This episode was published on December 19, 2025.

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Mary J. Nestor is a communications expert, award-winning speaker, and author of Say It Now! Say It Right! How To Handle Tough and Tender Conversations. In the episode, we explore the techniques of mindful conversations, speaking up, and reinventing...

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