Physics of Conflict from a Black Belt Engineer | Karen Valencic
Download MP3What if mastering conflict could bring you more freedom, not friction? In this episode, Angela sits down with Karen Valencic—engineer, Aikido black belt, and author of Spiral Impact: The Power to Get It Done with Grace—to talk about why most of us misunderstand conflict and how to flip it into connection.
Karen unpacks the difference between force and power, shares why confrontation is rarely the answer, and explains how a screw and a spiral can teach you more about leadership than a business degree ever will. From childhood survival roles to executive boardrooms, this conversation rewires how we think about tension, communication, and impact.
Learn more about Karen Valencic at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenvalencic/
Website: https://www.karenvalencic.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@karenvalencic @karenvalencic
Podcast: https://valencic.substack.com,
Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1946533831
Substack: https://valencic.substack.com
Mentioned in this Episode:
The Magic of Conflict by Thomas Crum: https://amzn.to/4m9YAQX
Georgia Tech (Georgia Institute of Technology)
https://www.gatech.edu/
Butler University (where Karen has mentored students)
https://www.butler.edu/
Trine University (formerly Tri-State University) – Karen’s alma mater
https://www.trine.edu/
“The person who has a mind to fight has broken their connection with the universe.” – Aikido philosophy (Morihei Ueshiba)
“Power is rotational. Force is linear.” – Karen Valencic, explaining the Spiral vs. Hammer analogy
“Tell me more.” – A core practice Karen recommends to shift from confrontation to connection
“Conflict means to strike together.” – Latin root of conflict explained in Spiral Impact
Produced by: The AGN Group, Host: Angela Gill Nelms, Producer: Katie Hart
Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.
Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com
About The AGN Group:
At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.
@AngelaGillNelms
Social Media Channels:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/
Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2
Want to be a Podcast Guest?
If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, email brave@badassleaderspodcast.com
Karen unpacks the difference between force and power, shares why confrontation is rarely the answer, and explains how a screw and a spiral can teach you more about leadership than a business degree ever will. From childhood survival roles to executive boardrooms, this conversation rewires how we think about tension, communication, and impact.
Learn more about Karen Valencic at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenvalencic/
Website: https://www.karenvalencic.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@karenvalencic @karenvalencic
Podcast: https://valencic.substack.com,
Book: www.amazon.com/dp/1946533831
Substack: https://valencic.substack.com
Mentioned in this Episode:
The Magic of Conflict by Thomas Crum: https://amzn.to/4m9YAQX
Georgia Tech (Georgia Institute of Technology)
https://www.gatech.edu/
Butler University (where Karen has mentored students)
https://www.butler.edu/
Trine University (formerly Tri-State University) – Karen’s alma mater
https://www.trine.edu/
“The person who has a mind to fight has broken their connection with the universe.” – Aikido philosophy (Morihei Ueshiba)
“Power is rotational. Force is linear.” – Karen Valencic, explaining the Spiral vs. Hammer analogy
“Tell me more.” – A core practice Karen recommends to shift from confrontation to connection
“Conflict means to strike together.” – Latin root of conflict explained in Spiral Impact
Produced by: The AGN Group, Host: Angela Gill Nelms, Producer: Katie Hart
Tagline: Be Brave. Be Badass.
Websites: www.theagngroup.com and www.AngelaGillNelms.com
About The AGN Group:
At The AGN Group, we believe every individual, team, and company can unlock their inner badass, one brave step at a time. www.TheAGNGroup.com.
@AngelaGillNelms
Social Media Channels:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassleaderspodcast/
Twitter: https://x.com/BALeadersPod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@baleaderspod
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-leaders-podcast2
Want to be a Podcast Guest?
If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, email brave@badassleaderspodcast.com
Creators and Guests
Host
Angela Gill Nelms
Angela Gill Nelms is a founder, board leader, podcaster, and award-winning entrepreneur with a career spanning SaaS, medical devices, biotech, and clinical research. She builds high-impact teams and organizations rooted in culture, resilience, and strategic execution—helping innovators move ideas from lab to market and leaders grow with intention. She hosts three podcasts that reflect her mission to elevate leadership and accelerate biomedical innovation: Badass Leaders Podcast, Holy Shift! Biomedical Breakthroughs Shaping Tomorrow, and Recovery Advocate Network: Coffee & Conversation. Across each show, Angela creates space for honest conversations that drive impact, reduce stigma, and shape the future of leadership and health. A Georgia Tech Academy of Distinguished Alumni honoree and INC 500 award recipient, Angela serves on multiple boards across innovation and mental health ecosystems. Outside of work, she’s beekeeping, blacksmithing, turning wood, or training—6× IRONMAN and lifelong advocate for humans being human.
Producer
Katie Hart
Katie Hart is the Senior Client Relations Manager and Executive Podcast Producer at The AGN Group, where she leads podcast production, brand strategy, and client experience from concept to launch. Equal parts creative and operational powerhouse, she guides clients through branding, recording, and distribution while ensuring every detail runs seamlessly. Known as a customer experience magician, Katie is passionate about making every client and guest feel seen, supported, and celebrated—delivering a five-star experience that amplifies bold stories and builds meaningful impact.
