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Difficult conversations are unavoidable in animal welfare and advocacy—whether it’s with the public, clients, coworkers, or even within our own teams. But when emotions are high, how can we communicate in ways that are both clear and compassionate?

In this episode, I'm joined by Jacquie Grillon, who will help us explore healthy communication in the animal welfare field. From handling hostility without losing our cool, to setting boundaries with kindness, to navigating internal conflicts, we unpack practical tools that help us speak (and listen) in ways that strengthen relationships rather than fracture them.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What clear, compassionate communication looks like in real life, especially when emotions run high

• The most common communication traps in animal welfare—and how to avoid them

• How to respond when someone attacks you verbally, while still maintaining clarity and compassion

• The role of boundaries in tough conversations (and why being compassionate doesn’t mean being a doormat)

• Ways to address infighting between shelter staff, rescue groups, volunteers, and leadership without deepening the divide

• How to recognize when a hard conversation needs to happen and how to prepare for it

• Why self-reflection and regulation matter—especially if you’re carrying trauma or compassion fatigue

• Practical advice for finding balance between being too passive and too confrontational

Resources Mentioned:

Jacquie's website

Jacquie's socials:

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

Grab more resources for managing compassion fatigue here!