Uncomfortable Conversations?!

Who are we and how did we start?

2023

Uncomfortable Conversations was initially born when Matt Hocking and Verel Rodriguez shared an uncomfortable exchange. Together they had the opportunity to hear each other's sides and the first idea of what Uncomfortable Conversations could be was ignited. Then while Matt cycled with Rosie Riley of Adventure Uncovered , they discussed it further across their Hebridean Odyssey biking to COP26. Rosie who then got the role of content manager for Blue Earth Summit asked two things: Matt to be on the Blue Earth Summit Council of Wisdom, and the opportunity to host a first Uncomfortable Conversation at the Blue Earth Summit in Bristol in 2023. It is for that first edition that their good friend Charlotte Sewell joined as host and facilitator for the first ever five challengers and their provocations.

First ever Uncomfortable Conversations hosted by Matt Hocking, Verel Rodrigues and Charlotte Sewell

From left to right: Charlotte, Kai, Alexandra, Matt, Tess, Kara and John

We’ve created an inclusive, fluid space where speakers stood up ‘soap-box style’ and gave a perspective that has likely challenged and distilled a sense of unease. We listened, sat in silence and reflected, and thereby gently launched Uncomfortable Conversations into the world.

2024

For Blue Earth Summit 2024 we were back with our second iteration of Uncomfortable Conversations - this time with a new constellation of 15 amazing change-makers, rebels, instigators and humans comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Second Uncomfortable Conversations and provocations, hosted by Charlotte Sewell and supported by Matt Hocking, 16 October 2024 in London.

Group picture of most but not all challengers. From left to right; Jarvis, Tess, Kai, Matt, Nazia, Sulaiman, Saima, Kresse, Charlotte and James. Not pictured: Jo, John, Ellen, Tori and Ralph.

 As we prepared and curated this space, Tess Wehmeyer joined the Uncomfortable Conversations crew.

Tomorrow

In recent months, Charlotte and Tess have joined together to envision how we might take and lift Uncomfortable Conversations to new levels and spaces. Surrounded, supported and advised by Matt, and a small but nifty group of close and critical friends, we are collectively exploring where and with whom we can launch some further experiential uncomfortable conversations and spaces in the next months to come.

You ❤️

Please let us know in the comments if this resonates with you.
We want to unleash collective potential of being uncomfortable together!