Why You Should Say the Thing You’re Afraid to Say | Leslie John

In this episode, Leslie John explores why you should say the thing you’re afraid to say and how opening up can strengthen trust, deepen relationships, and improve our well-being. She explains why we’re often biased toward keeping things to ourselves, the hidden costs of holding back, and how to decide when sharing is worth the risk. Leslie also shares practical ways to become more aware of what we’re not saying, navigate difficult conversations, and reveal more of ourselves without crossing the line into sharing something we might regret.

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Key Takeaways:

Why we often default to holding back without realizing it

How opening up can build trust and deepen connection

The hidden emotional and mental costs of keeping things to yourself

Why we tend to overestimate the risks of saying what we really think or feel

How to weigh the risks and benefits of speaking up versus staying silent

Why understanding your “why” can help you decide what to share and with whom

How putting difficult thoughts and feelings into words can make them more manageable

Why validation can make difficult conversations more productive

How sharing feelings instead of arguing over facts can reduce conflict

Why revealing wisely is a skill you can strengthen with practice

For full show notes, ⁠click here⁠!

If you enjoyed this conversation with Leslie John, check out these other episodes:

How We Can Improve Communication in Polarized Times with Charles Duhigg

Oren Jay Sofer on Mindful Communication

How to Unlock the Power of Deeper Connections with David Brooks

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