What nine months of silence taught me about conflict — and connection STEVE WALKER MAY 07, 2026 When I was fourteen, my father and I had a serious conflict. I don’t need to go into the details. What matters is what happened after: I stopped talking to him. For nine months, I gave him silence. At the time, the silence felt like control. Safety. Independence. Necessary. When it was over — my mother finally begged me to talk to him and I did — it wasn’t because anything had been

In an age of unique challenges, let's create a positive vision for ourselves and our kids. I'm Steve Walker — educator, life and leadership coach, consultant. I’m also a former US diplomat and activist. My entire life, I've been driven by the desire — the need — to make a difference, be it big or small. I’ve been quite fortunate to have done so along the way. I am hoping that this space will allow me to contribute to some important conversations moving forward. In 2003, I ret