Episode Summary

In this episode, Nyssa and Kelly talk about what it means to be together as a companion to their previous conversation on being different.

They share memories of how they met, how Thai massage shaped the early days of their connection, and how each of them first encountered the idea of conscious relationship.

The conversation moves through their personal histories, key teachings from John Welwood, and the role of Real Dialogue in navigating conflict, intimacy, and growth.

Main Topics Covered

• How a Thai massage class, grief, and a post-pandemic hug-fest led to a surprising love story
• What “conscious relationship” actually means (and why both hosts made it their #1 non‑negotiable)
• The three dimensions of conscious relationship from John Welwood: evolutionary, personal, and sacred
• Why your most intimate relationships might be your deepest spiritual path
• How unresolved childhood wounds show up in partnership—and what to do when they do
• Conscious vs. unconscious relationship: projection, blame, and “cleaning up your side of the street”
• A middle‑of‑the‑night Advil incident as a perfect example of taking ownership instead of blaming your partner
• The role of dialogue as the core of communication in conscious relationships
• How to honor “being different” while staying deeply together

Links:

• Episode 2: www.nyssahanger.com/podcast/ep2
• Ordinary Magic by John Welwood
• Love Between Equals by Polly Young-Eisendrath
• Bodhi Sangha Thai Massage School (Ariela Grodner)
• Matlock on CBS / Paramount+

Stay in Touch:

Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahanger

Kelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

Episode Summary

In this episode of Being Different Together, Nyssa and Kelly dive into what it means to be different and why our brains are wired to treat difference as a threat. They share personal stories from childhood, band days, identity, and relationships to highlight how difference can create conflict or become a catalyst for transformation. The conversation moves from instinct to intentionality, showing how Real Dialogue helps turn conflict into a play space for learning and connection.

Main Topics Covered

• Ever felt like the “odd one out”? Discover how embracing your differences could be your superpower.
• Honest and humorous personal stories about growing up feeling “different”—and why that’s totally normal.
• Find out why noticing differences is deeply human—and how it can shape our relationships for better or worse.
• What do pickles, band kids, and list-making reveal about partnership and individuality? Tune in for some relatable surprises!
• Hear how real dialog and intentional communication turn conflict from a “minefield” into a playground for growth.
• Learn how dialog therapy helped two people navigate their unique quirks and build a strong relationship.
• Get inspired to see everyday conflicts—in family, work, or love—not as threats, but as opportunities for discovery and self-improvement.

Links:

Episode 1 of Being Different Together: www.nyssahanger.com/podcast/ep1

Ani DiFranco’s song “IQ”: Ani DiFranco - My IQYouTube · HybridFalconOct 21, 2013

Cafe Hey (in Tampa): www.cafehey.com

Center For Real Dialogue: https://www.realdialogue.org/

Stay in Touch:

Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahanger

Kelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady

In this episode of Being Different Together, Nyssa and Kelly introduce the practice of Real Dialogue and share the story of how they became a “demo couple” for dialogue therapy training with Dr. Polly Young-Eisendrath and the Center for Real Dialogue.

They talk about why this work matters in a world of divorce, estrangement, and “neurotic polarization,” and lay out the core objectives, conscious contract, and three main skills of Real Dialogue.

The conversation weaves in their backgrounds in psychology, Buddhism, religious studies, and aromatherapy, all in service of learning to stay connected, stay curious, and be different together.

Main Topics Covered

• How we became the demo couple for dialogue therapy training with Dr. Polly Young-Eisendrath in Vermont
• The lineage of dialogue therapy and the creation of Real Dialogue
• The mission of the Center for Real Dialogue: “make the secrets for authentic dialogue, healthy conflict, and developing our self-awareness through our differences available to all”
• Why this work matters: divorce, “an epidemic of estrangement,” and a culture that’s “neurotically polarized”
• The four objectives of Real Dialogue: know myself, speak and listen responsibly, end dehumanization and war, and learn from failure, defeat, and death
• The Three Cs of a “conscious contract”: committing to being different together, constraining ourselves, and containing the extremes of our emotions and impulses
• The three core skills of Real Dialogue: speaking for yourself, listening mindfully, remaining curious
• “Why be furious when you can remain curious” as a playful mantra for working with conflict and strong emotions

Links:

Center For Real Dialogue: https://www.realdialogue.org/

Dialogue Decalogue by Leonard Swindler: https://dialogueinstitute.org/dialogue-principles

Stay in Touch:

Nyssa Hanger: www.nyssahanger.com | IG: @nyssahanger

Kelly Brady: www.kellybrady.me | IG: @drkellybrady