Can Conflict Actually Make Our Relationships Stronger? with Priya Parker
Does conflict really have the power to bring us closer together? In this episode of The Curiosity Shop, facilitator and author Priya Parker joins Brené Brown and Adam Grant to rethink how we approach conflict. Drawing from her new book, The Art of Fighting, Priya explores why avoiding conflict can create distance in our relationships, how “healthy heat” differs from destructive conflict, and why practicing disagreement when the stakes are low can prepare us for the conversations that matter most. Together, they unpack toxic politeness and why meaningful relationships require us to embrace discomfort instead of avoiding it. They also explore how preparation and collective humanity can be powerful tools to de-escalate conflict. The conversation leads Brené and Adam to reflect on their own history and how some of their hardest conversations have ultimately deepened their friendship.
About Priya Parker | Her Story – Priya Parker, priyaparker.com (web page)
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters – Priya Parker, 2018, Riverhead Books (book)
Group Life – Priya Parker, n.d., Substack (newsletter)
Prentis Hemphill – Prentis Hemphill, n.d., prentishemphill.com (personal website)
Clear Is Kind. Unclear Is Unkind. – Brené Brown, 2018, brenebrown.com (article)
Working at Canlis – Canlis, n.d., canlis.com (careers page)
Do I stay or do I go? – Priya Parker, 2026, Group Life (newsletter post, Substack)
Festivus: The Airing of Grievances – Seinfeld, “The Strike,” 1997, YouTube (video clip)
The Rituals Of Reality TV Reunions: An In-Depth Examination – Gibson Johns, 2024, Betches (article)
Resources – Conscious Leadership Group, conscious.is (resource library)
How to Use the Drama Triangle at Work – Conscious Leadership Group, n.d., conscious.is (blog post)
Martin B. Copenhaver – The Christian Century, christiancentury.org (contributor page)
Open and Affirming – UCC Open and Affirming Coalition, openandaffirming.org (organisation page)
Open and Affirming – United Church of Christ, n.d., ucc.org (denomination page)
Robert's Rules of Order – Henry M. Robert, 1876, Project Gutenberg (book)
The 12 New Books to Spice Up Your Fall – Adam Grant, 2026, Granted (newsletter post, Substack)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More description
Does conflict really have the power to bring us closer together? In this episode of The Curiosity Shop, facilitator and author Priya Parker joins Brené Brown and Adam Grant to rethink how we approach conflict. Drawing from her new book, The Art of Fighting, Priya explores why avoiding conflict can create distance in our relationships, how “healthy heat” differs from destructive conflict, and why practicing disagreement when the stakes are low can prepare us for the conversations that matter most. Together, they unpack toxic politeness and why meaningful relationships require us to embrace discomfort instead of avoiding it. They also explore how preparation and collective humanity can be powerful tools to de-escalate conflict. The conversation leads Brené and Adam to reflect on their own history and how some of their hardest conversations have ultimately deepened their friendship.
About Priya Parker | Her Story – Priya Parker, priyaparker.com (web page)
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters – Priya Parker, 2018, Riverhead Books (book)
Group Life – Priya Parker, n.d., Substack (newsletter)
Prentis Hemphill – Prentis Hemphill, n.d., prentishemphill.com (personal website)
Clear Is Kind. Unclear Is Unkind. – Brené Brown, 2018, brenebrown.com (article)
Working at Canlis – Canlis, n.d., canlis.com (careers page)
Do I stay or do I go? – Priya Parker, 2026, Group Life (newsletter post, Substack)
Festivus: The Airing of Grievances – Seinfeld, “The Strike,” 1997, YouTube (video clip)
The Rituals Of Reality TV Reunions: An In-Depth Examination – Gibson Johns, 2024, Betches (article)
Resources – Conscious Leadership Group, conscious.is (resource library)
How to Use the Drama Triangle at Work – Conscious Leadership Group, n.d., conscious.is (blog post)
Martin B. Copenhaver – The Christian Century, christiancentury.org (contributor page)
Open and Affirming – UCC Open and Affirming Coalition, openandaffirming.org (organisation page)
Open and Affirming – United Church of Christ, n.d., ucc.org (denomination page)
Robert's Rules of Order – Henry M. Robert, 1876, Project Gutenberg (book)
The 12 New Books to Spice Up Your Fall – Adam Grant, 2026, Granted (newsletter post, Substack)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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