Recently, I got to be on Tammy Whitehurst’s show “Tammy and Friends” to talk about wrestling with relationships. And the sad state of conversation in America. Almost immediately, we jumped to changing the culture one conversation at time. Think American cultural renaissance.
Anytime Tammy and I get together, it’s high energy fun. Maybe like me, you wonder how our culture got so divided. Polarized. Angry. Argumentative.
In this video, Tammy and I jump right in to how to have better conversations. At home, at work, at church, and in our communities.
Sadly, difficult conversations are most often the way we all wrestle in our relationships. Those intense conversations with lots of opinions flying around. Or we simply quit talking altogether.
Most people believe shouting “their truth” will persuade, but rather gentle conversations bring unity. American culture is suffering, that’s for sure. July 4th is a great time to talk about how we can do better.
Yep, gentle conversations are the only way our culture will change. If we want to change the culture it’s going to take all of us working together. One conversation at a time. Freedom is paid for in sacrifice and self-restraint.
Wrestling with Relationships
As we talk to women all over the country, one topic keeps coming up, especially as people process the lasting effects of COVID: No one likes to feel isolated.
Of course, most women cherish a retreat occasionally to slow down and reboot their own hearts. But isolation? No thank you!
All Companionship is Communication
Yep, communication skills are going to hell in a handbasket, to put it Texas style. And our society is paying a big price. All companionship is communication. Lack of communication means isolation.
When Tammy introduced me on her show, she said I am “a little bit yee-ha and whole lot of truth. A candid conversation gone full throttle.” Keep reading to find out insider info on why that phrase turned out to be a funny conversation after the show!
BTW, Changing the Culture
Has God put a message on your heart that burns to be heard? If you want in on better culture-changing conversations, check out Christian Communicators.
Their annual conference is in Fort Worth this year. July 27-31. Tammy and her Co-Director, Lori Boruff, are both dear friends. You can find them both on Fireside Talk Radio.
Insider Friendship Scoop
Next, here’s the little friendship insider scoop I promised. After our conversation, Tammy emailed me with a couple of uncomfortable questions.
“Would you consider selling your cutline? How much would you charge me to buy your cutline?” she asked.
That made me quite nervous because “Truth with a Texas twang!” is not for sale for any price.
Then I found out she was really talking about: “A little bit of yee-ha and whole lot of truth. A candid conversation gone full throttle.”
“Tammy, you thought of that. I never even heard those phrases until they popped out of your mouth!”
Then, we both laughed so hard.
But isn’t it always like that when you find the people you LOVE to work with? You simply make each other better without even trying!
People I LOVE to Work With!
Speaking of people I LOVE to work with, I caught my educator/artist daughter during summer break plan some terrific surprises for you in the coming year!
Of course, no matter where we start Anna and I seem to always drift toward cultivating character in kids!
So, starting in July, rather than posting weekly, I plan to post monthly for the next few months. Please let me know how you like this new monthly format.
A monthly episode with Anna allows me to focus on the books we’re working on together. Please pray our passion for encouraging mommies hits the spot and stays practical. We’re focusing on art, history, and reading to develop character in kids. Easy ideas for raising creative, innovative, exceptional kiddos.
Culture-changing Conversations Start at Home
Yep, the gentle conversations we have with our kids now impact our families for many generations to come. Gentle conversations change the whole culture. Long after we’re gone.
Those conversations you have at home in your family, at work, at church, and in your community are impacting our culture for the better. We believe in YOU!
LOL Really Means “Lots of Laughter”
I hope you love today’s conversation. And I really hope you LOVE the folks God brings into your work and life.
Here’s wishing you lots of laughter today!
🙂
cathy
May we pray together?
Dear good Father, we do not want to be isolated. We want to be united. But the truth is we make it hard to unite sometimes. In fact, we give up on relationships, rather than practicing patience and wisdom. We withdraw and reject. Instead, help us find the courage to be authentic.
Your Son died on the cross for our freedom from sin. His resurrection confirms our opportunity to spend eternity with You. Help us understand what sacrifice really looks like. Have mercy on our great American culture. Teach us to be wise stewards of the freedom we enjoy. Freedom paid for in the blood and sacrifice of heroes.
Teach us to respond with respect and insight when we disagree with each other. Help us build families, churches, and communities where truth is honored and sought. We want a whole American cultural renaissance! We need revival. Give us humility like Your own beloved Son, who chose to pour Himself out for us. Bless us now because that is Your heart’s desire. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
We LOVE to hear from YOU!
What’s the best conversation you ever had? How has a conversation changed your life? What conversational adventures are you willing to make sacrifices for?
Favorite Quotes from Today’s Video
“One thing I’ve learned is people are about as happy as they set their minds to be.” ~Tammy Whitehurst from the podcast, Tammy and Friends, How to Change an Argument into a Conversation
“As a culture we’re not teaching the communication skills that draw people in. So, we think we’re connecting over this passionate issue, but really what we don’t know is the other person is shutting down and walking away as quickly as they can.” ~Cathy Krafve, from the podcast, Tammy and Friends, How to Change an Argument into a Conversation
On Friendship
“Things like friendships have become disposable.” ~Tammy Whitehurst on how people can tend to further isolate themselves, from the podcast, Tammy and Friends, How to Change an Argument into a Conversation
“Patience is a synonym for love.” ~Cathy Krafve, from the podcast, Tammy and Friends, How to Change an Argument into a Conversation
On Being Wrong
“It’s not a bad thing to find out early in the process that you’re actually wrong. I kinda would rather know earlier rather than later!” ~Cathy Krafve, from the podcast, Tammy and Friends, How to Change an Argument into a Conversation
“In my life I’ve developed a taste for crow because I’ve eaten so much of it!” ~Tammy Whitehurst from the podcast, Tammy and Friends, How to Change an Argument into a Conversation
On Better Conversations
“If you ask better questions, you’re going to have better conversations.” ~Cathy Krafve, from the podcast, Tammy and Friends, How to Change an Argument into a Conversation
“One clue is if I say my passionate opinion one time and the other person pushes back. In that moment, if I feel compelled to say it again the same way, I know I’m being argumentative.” ~Cathy Krafve, from the podcast, Tammy and Friends, How to Change an Argument into a Conversation
“I just don’t argue with my husband now. If we get to a point where, boom, boom, boom, we’re not agreeing, then we both take a step back. We both pause, ponder, we pray, and then we proceed.” ~Cathy Krafve, from the podcast, Tammy and Friends, How to Change an Argument into a Conversation
“There’s power in the pause. We have to let people wrap their minds around what we’re saying.” ~Tammy Whitehurst from the podcast, Tammy and Friends, How to Change an Argument into a Conversation
“Respect people enough to give them time to process your ideas.” ~Cathy Krafve, from the podcast, Tammy and Friends, How to Change an Argument into a Conversation
On Communicating
“I want people to run to me, not from me.” ~Tammy Whitehurst from the podcast, Tammy and Friends, How to Change an Argument into a Conversation
“Change the culture one conversation at a time!” ~Cathy Krafve, from the podcast, Tammy and Friends, How to Change an Argument into a Conversation
“Thankfully, I got to Christian Communicators. Y’all did such a nice job of teaching me how to present my story in a gentle and tender way. When you’re authentic with your own life, next thing you know everybody around you is telling you their own stories. That’s the big bonus. Being authentic draws people to you to have those authentic conversations.” ~Cathy Krafve, from the podcast, Tammy and Friends, How to Change an Argument into a Conversation
Cathy Krafve, host of Fireside Talk Radio and author of The Well: The Art of Drawing Out Authentic Conversations and Marriage Conversation: From Coexisting to Cherished. Your stories and thoughts welcomed here!
Recent Comments