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Laughing Through The Uncomfortable

Laughing Through The Uncomfortable

Written by: Julie and Jeff Haslam
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About this listen

Honest conversations between a mom and a son about life, connection, and figuring it out.


Mission:

Our podcast creates space for honest conversations unedited about connection, belonging, and navigating a world that doesn’t always make room for differences — shared through the perspectives of a mom and a son.

© 2026 Laughing through the uncomfortable
Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Not Lazy. Not Broken. Just Wired Differently.
    Feb 8 2026

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    In this episode, we talk honestly about what it’s like to grow up neurodivergent in a system built for one kind of learner. From being labeled “lazy” or “unmotivated” to quietly carrying the belief that something must be wrong with you, we unpack the moments school missed — and the impact that still lingers into adulthood.

    This isn’t a teacher-bashing conversation. It’s a real one.
    About effort without understanding.
    About kids trying their best without the language to explain why it wasn’t working.
    And about what changes when we finally name the difference between not trying and not being supported.

    If you’ve ever felt misunderstood in school — as a student, a parent, or an educator — this conversation is for you.

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    30 mins
  • “Growing Pains, Grocery Runs, and Moldy Bread”
    Feb 1 2026

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    In this episode of Laughing Through the Uncomfortable, Jeff and Julie welcome special guests Ben and Katie to talk about what really happens when family lives together as adults.

    What starts as a practical decision, in saving money after college; quickly becomes a crash course in boundaries, communication, neurodivergence, and emotional growth. From moldy bread and grocery-store blind spots to sensory sensitivities and difficult conversations, this episode explores how good intentions can still lead to tension and how honesty, patience, and love can bring people closer.

    Together, they unpack:

    • The difference between being roommates vs. being family
    • How neurodivergence shows up in daily life and shared spaces
    • Why hard conversations matter (and how to have them without burning bridges)
    • The role of siblings, partners, and protectors in growth and independence
    • What everyone learned by navigating discomfort instead of avoiding it

    This episode is for anyone who has ever lived with family, moved in with others, struggled to communicate needs, or grown through uncomfortable—but necessary—change. Because no one has it all figured out… and sometimes the best way forward is to laugh through it together.

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    35 mins
  • Starting the Conversation: Why Social Can Feel Uncomfortable
    Jan 24 2026

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    In this episode of Laughing Through the Uncomfortable, Julie and her son Jeff continue the conversation about social connection—what it means to be “social,” why interactions can feel unexpectedly hard, and how misunderstandings happen when communication styles don’t align.

    Jeff shares what it’s like to feel overwhelmed in everyday settings: tracking the conversation, filtering background noise, reading cues, and trying to respond—all at the same time. Julie reflects on how common this experience can be, even for people who don’t talk about it, and why naming what’s happening matters more than “fixing” it.

    Together, they explore how social skills can be built through practice—sometimes by intentionally stepping into uncomfortable situations—and how humor, awareness, and curiosity can help create more genuine connection.

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    27 mins
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