This American Life: Try A Little Tenderness

Written By Julia Stephenson

This episode features two sisters, ages 6 and 8, who navigate conflict with surprising wisdom. After a disagreement, the younger sister directly expresses her feelings rather than acting on them, while the older sister responds with understanding instead of defensiveness.

Their exchange reminds us that sometimes the path through conflict isn't about changing our feelings, but expressing them honestly while remaining open to creative solutions. As the older sister explains, "I've been with her for six years of my life... I get to watch a whole entire movie about her in my mind."

Julia Stephenson

Julia Stephenson, LCPC, is a trained Internal Family Systems mental health counselor. She offers individual and group psychotherapy services, both online and in-person, to Maryland residents. Her experience includes working with individuals struggling with unresolved past experiences, anxiety, depression, and stress related to work, school, family, and relationships. She has also worked in inpatient settings, treating the more painful symptoms of addiction, eating disorders, and Complex-PTSD.

https://www.juliastephensonlcpc.com/
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