E24: A Loaded Question from a Stranger Sparked by a T-shirt Slogan - Vanessa Otero

While going to pick up some food in a “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports” t-shirt, Vanessa Otero was approached by a stranger with a loaded question about “men in women’s sports.” The following exchange could have easily turned hostile or dismissive, but Otero chose a different path. Drawing on her experience in discussing polarizing issues, she asked clarifying questions and introduced new ideas to the conversation, hoping to build better understanding. Vanessa Otero is CEO and founder of Ad Fontes Media, known for its Media Bias Chart, which rates news outlets for bias and reliability. Can you think of a time when you felt your perspective or worldview challenged and instead of getting defensive or bailing out, you chose to lean into the discomfort and stick with it – and you’re glad you did? Email your story to uncomfy@byu.edu or share it on Instagram and tag us @uncomfy.podcast, and we’ll share it! Related Links: Ad Fontes Media Website - https://adfontesmedia.com/ The Media Bias Chart - https://adfontesmedia.com/static-mbc/ Vanessa Otero’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessaotero/ Follow us on social media! Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheUncomfyPod Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uncomfy.podcast Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theuncomfypodcast YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Uncomfy.Podcast Threads - https://www.threads.net/@uncomfy.podcast Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/uncomfypodcast.bsky.social X - https://x.com/TheUncomfyPod