Curious how to handle tough conversations without losing your cool—or your power? We are re-releasing this episode of The Grit Show while host, Shawna, continues her healing from breast cancer surgery.

This episode spotlights internationally acclaimed mediator Hesha Abrams, who shares secrets from decades of resolving high-conflict cases. You’ll hear surprising, practical strategies to “hold the calm,” neutralize workplace tension, and manage challenging relationships—from dealing with difficult bosses to family drama at the dinner table.

Shawna reflects on the life-changing impact Hesha’s tools have had on her own coaching and training. Wondering how to disarm a gaslighter, stop a meeting hijacker in their tracks, or break free from toxic work dynamics? You’ll want to catch the memorable analogies (hint: spaghetti sauce) and actionable tips—like why “calm down” is the worst thing to say in heated situations, and how to lead with curiosity instead of judgment. Ready to upgrade your conflict resolution skills and empower yourself? Tune in!

Hesha Abrams is a professional peacemaker, an internationally acclaimed master attorney mediator, negotiator, and author, known for crafting highly creative settlements and resolutions in very difficult matters. With 30+ years in the trenches of resolving human conflict, she has recently distilled her skills into an easy-to-use tool kit, her new book, "Holding the Calm: The Secret to Resolving Conflict and Defusing Tension." Through stories and examples, she shares her secrets enabling anyone to learn how to approach tense situations to prevent explosions, disarm conflicts, and reduce drama. It is her mission to help make our world, our businesses, and our relationships less acrimonious and more harmonious.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hesha-abrams/

Facebook: Hesha Abrams

Youtube: Hesha Abrams - Holding The Calm

Website: www.holdingthecalm.com

Get your copy of Holding the Calm: The Secret to Resolving Conflict and Defusing Tension HERE

Shawna Rodrigues left her award-winning career in the public sector in 2019 and after launching The Grit Show, soon learned the abysmal fact that women hosted only 27% of podcasts. This led to the founding of the Authentic Connections Podcast Network intent on raising that number by 10% in five years- 37 by 27. Because really, shouldn’t it be closer to 50%? She now focuses on helping purpose driven solopreneurs find their ideal clients through podcasting. She believes that the first step is guesting on podcasts - check out her tip sheet and once you've built your business and are ready for the full-service support for podcasting production and mentoring, she'll help you launch the podcast you were meant for. Diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2025, much of this year will be prioritizing her fight, victory, and healing. If you would like to follow that journey and be one of her warriors you can learn more via Being Honest, and the

Are you someone who prides themselves on being logical, or do you find yourself more in tune with your emotions? In this episode of The Grit Show, Shawna Rodrigues challenges the conventional wisdom around being logical by exploring the often-overlooked counterpart: feelings. Drawing from personal experiences with breast cancer and her background in social work, Shawna explores the balance between intellectualism and emotional expression. If you've ever felt stuck in your head when you need to engage with your heart, this episode is your guide to navigating the complex interplay between thinking and feeling. Tune in to discover why sometimes the most logical step is to allow yourself to simply feel.

Looking for more ways to deepen your resilience in your emotional toolkit? Be sure to check out episode 99- Building Resilience with Dawson Church: Meditation, Tapping, and Growth.

Shawna Rodrigues left her award-winning career in the public sector in 2019 and after launching The Grit Show, soon learned the abysmal fact that women hosted only 27% of podcasts. This led to the founding of the Authentic Connections Podcast Network intent on raising that number by 10% in five years- 37 by 27. Because really, shouldn’t it be closer to 50%? She now focuses on helping purpose driven solopreneurs find their ideal clients through podcasting. She believes that the first step is guesting on podcasts - check out her tip sheet and once you've built your business and are ready for the full-service support for podcasting production and mentoring, she'll help you launch the podcast you were meant for. She still finds a little time for her pursuits as a best-selling author and shares the hosting of Author Express, a podcast that features the voice behind the pages of your favorite book. Find her on Instagram- @ShawnaPodcasts and learn more about the network and other happenings at https://linktr.ee/37by27.

Follow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcasts

Grab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you’ll get weekly email reminders when episodes come out!

https://ColoringPages.TheGritShow.com

You can also purchase the full-size gift worthy Color of Grit Adult Coloring Book here bit.ly/TGSMermaid

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Ever found yourself caught off guard by life's surprises? In this engaging re-release of The Grit Show, Shawna Rodrigues explores the phenomenon of turning up the “radio” in our lives to drown out signs that something might be off track. Through witty car analogies, she takes listeners on a journey of self-maintenance—helping identify those pesky “rattling noises” in life that deserve attention.

If you’re looking to enhance personal growth, this episode offers powerful reflections on prioritizing well-being while managing life's distractions. Tune in for Shawna’s personal stories and insightful tips to help you navigate the road ahead.

Want more ways to take care of yourself? Check out our past episodes featuring expert insights from Matt McKinnon:

🔹 Conquer the Stress Cycle & Focus on Your Well-Being – How to Escape Burnout: Part 1 (Ep. 57)

🔹 Actionable Solutions, Blissful Rest & Modern Stressors – How to Escape Burnout: Part 2 (Ep. 58)

Looking for a great fiction read that also makes you think about self-care?

The Me List by Julee Balko is a fantastic book club pick—perfect for reflecting on relationships, self-care, and how we prioritize ourselves. Check it out here:

📖 Amazon | Bookshop.org (Using these affiliate links helps support the podcast!)

Shawna Rodrigues left her award-winning career in the public sector in 2019 and after launching The Grit Show, soon learned the abysmal fact that women hosted only 27% of podcasts. This led to the founding of the Authentic Connections Podcast Network intent on raising that number by 10% in five years- 37 by 27. Because really, shouldn’t it be closer to 50%? She now focuses on helping purpose driven solopreneurs find their ideal clients through podcasting. She believes that the first step is guesting on podcasts - check out her tip sheet and once you've built your business and are ready for the full-service support for podcasting production and mentoring, she'll help you launch the podcast you were meant for. She still finds a little time for her pursuits as a best-selling author and shares the hosting of Author Express, a podcast that features the voice behind the pages of your favorite book. Find her on Instagram- @ShawnaPodcasts and learn more about the network and other happenings at https://linktr.ee/37by27.

Follow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcasts

Grab your copy of our Self-Care Coloring Pages & as a bonus, you’ll get weekly email reminders when episodes come out!

https://ColoringPages.TheGritShow.com

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