Ep. 121: Doing the Inner Work, with Jennifer Abrams

In this follow-up conversation with international consultant and author Jennifer Abrams, we go deeper than strategies and surface-level “tips” for conflict resolution. This episode is about the inner work—the courage, humility, and self-awareness required to engage in the hard conversations we’d often rather avoid.Building on our earlier episode (Ep. 102, “Successfully Navigating Hard Conversations”), Jennifer pushes us to look inward before we look outward. Together, we explore:The role of identity—how culture, race, gender, and lived experience shape the way conflict shows upHonoring what’s in the room—the emotions, histories, and immediate needs we often rush pastDeveloping a language of empathy that allows us to stay grounded while still being honestThe discipline of making space for discomfortWhy “being professional” means tending to our inner being, not suppressing itThis is one of those episodes that refuses to stay abstract. Jennifer challenges us—as educators, leaders, and humans—to recognize our own triggers, interrogate our assumptions, and build the internal muscles required for meaningful dialogue.If you work with people (and yes, that’s all of us), this episode will stretch you in the best waySocial Media:Youtube: ⁠⁠@SchurtzTies⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠SchurtzTies⁠⁠Show Sponsors:Schurtz and Ties is a proud partner with ⁠⁠⁠⁠TeachBetter.com⁠⁠⁠⁠:“The Teach Better Podcast Network is dedicated to supporting the entire school ecosystem through in-depth conversations around topics you care about. Covering a variety of areas in education, each podcast aims to support educators in creating and maintaining a progressive, student-focused classroom.”We’d love to hear your thoughts or ideas for future episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠#DoGreatThings | #KeepKnocking