In the wake of tragedy, many choose silence and self censorship. I choose dialogue.

For years after whistleblowing, my life’s mission has been to explore the behavioural intersection of democracy, free speech, whistleblowing, and generative dialogues.

The murder of Charlie Kirk has added an urgency to this mission.

In times like these, the instinct is to self-censor, to reject dialogue and retreat into outrage. We ask: "Why should we talk to them now?" But counterintuitively—this is precisely when dialogue is most needed.

One unlikely source of insight? “Stuck! The Story of La Brea Tar Pits.” The tar pits represent a promise of easy wins in conflict. But they trap us. The more we fight, the deeper we sink—twisting, simplifying, shouting louder. The only way out? To do what feels unnatural.

That’s where Vulnerageousness comes in.

It’s the cultivated capacity to soften into vulnerability and humility in order to reach real courage. It’s not weakness. It’s a counterintuitive superpower—one that fuels generative dialogue and Courageous Conversations.

And if you still believe that courage belongs only to the powerful and empowered consider this:

• There are over 2,000 sabre-toothed tiger bones in the La Brea Tar Pits.
• They were strong.
• But strength without self-awareness and skill sinks.

Let's cultivate the counterintuitive and choose Vulnerageousity to embody Couragency.