A Shot Of Inspiration

115. Clean Conflict

Greg Stephens Episode 115

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On A Shot of Inspiration podcast I sat down with Heather Linchenko to talk about how relationships actually grow—not by avoiding friction, but by learning how to clean it, learn from it, and speak in ways that lower defensiveness instead of escalating it. Heather’s experience with Stephen R. Covey, her work with families and executives, and the hard lessons from raising five kids gave us a practical, hopeful roadmap for turning everyday conflict into deeper connection.

3 Key Takeaways

  • Growth in relationships comes through mistakes, not perfection.
  • The words we choose shape safety, trust, and outcomes.
  • Real change begins when we go “solo” and model the principles ourselves.

About Heather:

Heather Linchenko is an author, educator, and relationship coach who helps leaders and parents turn everyday challenges into deeper connection. A former executive assistant to Stephen R. Covey, she contributed to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and now works with families and executives on trust, communication, and conflict.

She is the author of I Meant Well (And Other Words That Kill Relationships), Letters from Kazakhstan, and If Kids Were Cookies, and creator of the Expand Your Influence workshop and MathHacked program. Shaped by cross-cultural life, faith, and raising five children, Heather brings clear, practical insight to relationships at home, school, and work.

Resources:

heatherlinchenko.com

mathhacked.com

Books:

A Relationship Training Work Workshop for executives

Letters of Kazakhstan 

If Kids were Cookies 

I Meant Well