Getting Discomfortable with Michaële Antoine

Michaële Antoine In Episode 89, I interview Michaële Antoine, creator and founder of Curios Consulting, a learning studio that equips teams and communities to have better conversations. Michaële is a self-described “conversation enthusiast” with a background in intercultural and rhetorical communication, business, and higher ed. Michaële had me as a guest on her Thoughtful Thursdays Instagram series last year and it became clear that our goals are very much aligned. This is from the about section of the Curios website: “While we respect anyone looking for those conversations (you know, the surface level ones), we aim to create brave dialogues, that allow for exploration of the differing, for the purpose of respect & mutual understanding.” Michaële and I discuss the power of curiosity and how it functions as a kind of opposite to shame. We talk about difficult conversations from our own lives as well as the new prevalence of difficult digital conversations in the modern world. We explore the challenging but rewarding terrain of bringing authenticity and vulnerability into the workplace and the need to integrate wellness and equity into our work lives as well. Michaële talks about the importance of learning to separate facts from feelings and the utility of meeting people on the level of universal needs. You can join the conversation with Michaële and Curios at one of her many community events by following Curios on Instagram where Michaële hosts conversations, interviews, and book clubs. For example, Curios is doing a Sunday Session on Feb 28th to discuss the theme of purpose! Note: this interview was edited for clarity and interest.