Wednesdays Off

What if conflict could actually bring us closer together? In this episode of the Wednesdays Off Podcast, Stavros Michailidis sits down with Anna Lecat—a three-time global CEO, Amazon bestselling author of "Loving Conflict," and TEDx speaker fluent in four languages—to explore her unique approach to turning disagreements into opportunities for connection. Anna reveals her five-step "loving conflict" methodology, blending insights from her multicultural business journey and her passion for tango dancing to teach us how to navigate tension with kindness, clarity, and even playfulness. Discover how embracing conflict can transform relationships at work and at home, why sarcasm might be holding you back, and how humility and presence are at the heart of meaningful conversations. Dive into this episode for a fresh perspective on fighting kindly and building deeper connections.

Episode Timeline:
[02:03] Introduction to Anna Lecat: global CEO, bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and her multicultural background
[02:56] Anna’s mission: teaching people how to “fight kindly” and why conflict is essential for deeper understanding
[04:23] Cultural influences on conflict avoidance and the importance of learning healthy conflict skills
[05:25] Differentiating debate from interpersonal conflict; the role of non-violence in disagreements
[06:34] Martial arts and tango as metaphors for non-violent engagement and conflict resolution
[08:53] Introduction to the “Loving Conflict” methodology and its application in business and personal life
[09:55] The five steps of the Loving Conflict framework:
  1. Staying present and recognizing tension in oneself and others
  2. Assuming nothing and suspending judgment
  3. Listening deeply and being open to changing your mind
  4. The art of questioning without putting others on the defensive; the pitfalls of sarcasm
  5. The art of “us”—recognizing shared humanity and building trust
[23:44] Using tango and play in workshops to teach conflict resolution and connection
[25:58] How tango dancing shaped Anna’s approach to leadership, following, and humility
[31:36] The challenge of practicing humility and the importance of modeling vulnerability for children and teams
[34:29] Role-playing and perspective-switching as tools for empathy and better decision-making
[36:19] The value of intellectual humility and enjoying being wrong as a “black belt” skill
[44:01] Nature, art, and learning new skills as practices for staying humble
[47:01] Parenting stories: modeling conflict resolution and humility for the next generation
[49:54] Stavros shares his journey into creativity, leadership, and the pursuit of freedom
[57:42] Anna’s core value of being seen and how it relates to love, conflict, and collaboration
[01:04:26] Modeling behavior for children and the importance of learning from example
[01:09:21] Surrender, agency, and the balance between leading and following in relationships and teams
[01:11:42] Creativity, collaboration, and the parallels between tango, facilitation, and innovation
[01:14:42] Anna’s book “Loving Conflict” and her invitation to embrace friendly fighting and diverse friendships

Resources:
Routine Rebel: routinerebel.com
Anna Lecat’s website: annalecat.com
Book: Loving Conflict by Anna Lecat

Creators and Guests

Host
Stavros Michailidis
Stavros Michailidis is a freedom-driven entrepreneur dedicated to helping others escape the grind and build lives of clarity, autonomy, and impact. He’s the creator of Routine Rebel, a movement for entrepreneurs who want to design businesses that serve their lives—not the other way around. Known for his grounded approach and rebellious spirit, Stavros brings real-world experience, deep curiosity, and a bias toward action to every conversation. Wednesdays Off is his latest practice: a weekly invitation to rethink work, freedom, and what really matters.

What is Wednesdays Off?

Wednesdays Off is the freedom podcast from Routine Rebel.

It’s for the leaders who are done being consumed by the very businesses they are building. Through raw conversations, personal insights, and behind-the-scenes stories, we explore what it really means to reclaim your time, energy, and joy—without sacrificing success.

This isn't a hustle podcast.

It’s a call to adventure—to practice freedom in real time, to simplify what matters, to build systems that get you out of the weeds, and to connect with others doing the same.

Each episode helps you challenge old patterns, reconnect with what matters, and build a life that’s spacious, meaningful, and yours.

Because freedom isn’t the reward. It’s the requirement.