Texas Conflict Coach

This is a special live episode held during the annual Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) conference. Mediation is a powerful process but is still largely society’s best kept secret outside of the litigated case arena.  Further professionalizing mediation promises to create public awareness and increase utilization.  We will examine the impact of taking the next steps for mediators and disputants alike.” Jennifer Kalfsbeek-Goetz received her B.A.S. in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, her M.A. in Sociology from the University of Maryland, and her Ph.D. in Education Administration from Capella University.  Dr. Kalfsbeek-Goetz is currently a Dean of Student Learning at Moorpark College in southern California and was formerly the assistant Dean of program development at California State University at Northridge.  Dr. Jack Goetz is a Lecturer in Law for the Judge Judith O. Hollinger Program in Alternative Dispute Resolution at USC Gould School of Law. As a neutral, Dr. Goetz serves the public privately as well as serving on various public panels. Dr. Goetz has advocated for increasing the public utilization of mediation by strengthening the protocols for practicing in the field through voluntary mediator certification.  He currently serves as the President-elect for the Southern California Mediation Association (SCMA) and is President of the Mediator Certification Consortium of California. 

Got Conflict? Are you a worker taking on short projects or "gigs?" Many temporary employees and independent consultants work in a Gig Economy. As the gig economy grows so do the challenges that employers, HR managers and workers face when it comes to communication and managing conflict. We will also talk about "At Will' employment and how it changes the employer's view of conflict and how they can 'throw the baby out with the bathwater' by quickly terminating employees vs. taking the time to work through the issues.

Got Conflict? In this episode, we will be talking with Dr. Debra Dupree, Relationships at Work, Inc. She is a certified master trainer for the Conflict Dynamics Profile (CDP). This profile identifies the hot buttons, and conflict behaviors that one uses when they are confronted by conflict. Are your behaviors constructive or destructive when you are confronted with conflict? How do we identify these behaviors and how do we begin to change? Dr.Debra Dupree, Founder and President of Relationships That Matter.  Relationships that Matter transforms people and companies into peace and profits. Debra is a former chairperson of the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) Workplace Section and Past-President of ADR-San Diego.  She professionally trains people internationally to become mediators, is a frequent speaker at local and national conferences, and is on the faculty of two major San Diego educational institutions.  Debra possesses a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology & Education from the University of California-Santa Barbara, Pre-doctoral training in Organizational Development & Disability Management from San Diego State University, and holds ACR’s designation for Advanced Practitioner in Workplace Mediation (AP).   She is a Master Trainer of Eckerd College’s Conflict Dynamic Profile (CDP) and currently specializes in “high conflict” relationships.

Conflict Chat with Pattie Porter, Stephen Kotev and Abigail R.C. McManus DiscussionTopics: "When you are emotionally hijacked like in the recent road rage incident and untimely death of NFL football icon, Will Smith, what do we learn about how we handle our intense rage and emotions?"  Will Smith Death Police ReportWill Smith Death  

Are you a parent of a college student or an educator dealing with campus conflict? Maybe YOU are a student who's gotten into some trouble on your campus? If so, this shows for you. We spoke with Dr. Nancy Giacomini and Jennifer Meyer Schrage, J.D., editors of their new book "Reframing Campus Conflict: Student Conduct Practice through a Social Justice Lens." Giacomini and Schrage addressed how the culture and diversity of the student population have changed over the years, and how unfortunately, the system for dealing with student conduct and conflict incidents has becoming increasingly legalistic. How do we re-frame campus conflict so that it is inclusive, fair and is an alternative to the costly legal system? Nancy Geist Giacomini, Ed.D. is a private educator, mediator, facilitator, and author based in Chester County, PA. Nancy completed her Educational Leadership Degree at the University of Delaware while a Conflict Resolution Program (CRP) Associate in the Institute for Public Administration. She taught in the Master’s Program, mediated special education disputes for the Delaware Department of Education, and facilitated state-wide dialogue.   Jennifer Meyer Schrage, J.D. provides leadership to the Office of Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR) within the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Michigan. During her tenure at UM, Jennifer led the OSCR Team in departmental realignment and championed a nationally recognized full-spectrum menu of conflict resolution pathways, including mediation, restorative justice, and related innovative methods. This Spectrum Model was introduced at the 2008 Gehring Academy (Schrage & Thompson, 2008), featured at the 2009 annual conference and has evolved into a collaborative publication due out this summer.  

Parent, you are your child's best advocate. Just like painting a room, the more preparation you do the better the result. It may seem like oversimplification when it comes to communicating to your school, especially if it has not always been the most positive process. Separating the facts, emotions, and results can be confusing. In this program we highlight three free resources that will help you: Gather the factsOrganize your informationIdentify effective ways to communicate with your child’s school /teacher Knowing your child’s learning style and being able to quantify and collaborate their interest and abilities to what is going on in the classroom is like having cliff notes for accelerated learning. If you are a parent who feels overwhelmed, dealing with the demands of work as well as your child’s school issues this conversation is for you. Angela Woodrow, whom as a coach, provides the opportunity for individuals and the organizations to discover distinctions, maintain focus, and develop and implement action plans. As a life long learner, she advocates for parents and teachers to build the bridge to positive education processes for all. Shehas over 20 years of experience in coaching individuals and organizations to success. An educational theater arts background gives her the passion to coach everyone to his or her utmost potential. Growing into the opportunities of tomorrow is how Angela sees everyone’s capabilities. A lifelong community volunteer with a personal philosophy to bloom where planted, Angela volunteers with her local faith-based education partners, and groups that promote scholarship for youth and the community arts.  She is an active member of the International Coach Federation, San Antonio Professional Coaches Association, and Business Networks International.

Got Conflict? If you have a conflict with someone and are not sure how to handle it, then let us know. Here is your opportunity to ask your question with Conflict Management experts who are mediators, conflict coaches and facilitators on how to think about, analyze or resolve your situation. Think about it. Are you currently engaged in an active conflict with your co-workers or boss? Ignoring your neighbor because of a conversation you don't want to have? In a disagreement with your spouse? Or simply afraid to bring up a concern with a friend in fear of stirring up problems. Discussion Topic: 17 Biggest Mistake That Killed Deals on Shark Tank Pattie Porter,  LCSW, AAP is the President of Conflict Connections®, Inc. in San Antonio, TX. Pattie has worked extensively in the dispute resolution field for nearly 20 years providing mediation, team facilitation, negotiation training, and conflict management and abrasive leader coaching services to executives, businesses, government agencies and higher education institutions. Stephen Kotev is a Washington D.C. based conflict resolution consultant offering mediation, negotiation and facilitation services, conflict coaching, training and somatic education to private and government clients. Helping people resolve problems and improve their performance is his passion and profession. Stephen has dedicated his professional career to the practice and study of conflict resolution. 

Listening is a skill. It is an art. It is a discipline. It is hard. It takes attention and practice. It takes awareness. It is particularly hard when you don't want to hear the person who is talking to you. It is particularly hard in disagreements, arguments, and conflicts. How do we listen without being caught by the judgments, opinions, desires, justifications and stories rumbling around in our heads? In this session, we will be talking with Susan Shearouse, Frameworks for Agreement. We will explore the 3 C's of listening: how to prepare yourself and enter a difficult conversation able to hear what is being said, to be able to listen more effectively.

Got Conflict? If you have a conflict with someone and are not sure how to handle it, then let us know. Here is your opportunity to ask your question with Conflict Management experts who are mediators, conflict coaches, and facilitators on how to think about, analyze or resolve your situation. Think about it. Are you currently engaged in an active conflict with your co-workers or boss? Ignoring your neighbor because of a conversation you don’t want to have? In a disagreement with your spouse? Or simply afraid to bring up a concern with a friend in fear of stirring up problems. Join us live. Here is how: Call 347-324-3591; press 1 and wait for a Host;Use the Reply box below to post your question or conflict situation;Join us in the chat room live on the night of the program. Post your comment or question here and we will bring it into the program;Join our LIVE Twitter chat using #ConflictChat every Tuesday night at 5 pm Pacific/ 7 pm Central/ 8 pm Eastern Tracy Culbreath King is an Alternative Dispute Resolution Coordinator at the Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO). Tracy also serves as a conflict coach, mediator, and promotes conflict resolution processes through trainings, outreach initiatives, and continuing education for conflict resolution practitioners. Stephen Kotev is a Washington D.C. based conflict resolution consultant offering mediation, negotiation and facilitation services, conflict coaching, training and somatic education to private and government clients. Helping people resolve problems and improve their performance is his passion and profession.

Stories of attacks on the way home from the bus stop, bullying in the classroom, and assaults in school hallways are all-too-frequent reminders that our community and many others throughout the US are still not safe places for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. Perhaps what is most heartbreaking is that some youth have come to believe that this is normal, that this is just part of growing up, or that this is how life is for LGBTQ individuals. SMYAL is working to change all that by providing an inclusive environment and empowering DC-area LGBTQ youth to be leaders and advocates for themselves and their peers in the broader community. We provide youth with the opportunities, support, and skills they need to de-escalate conflicts as they occur and to work within their community to root out these conflicts from their source. Andrew Barnett served as the Executive Director of SMYAL from 2009 to 2014, the only community-based organization solely dedicated to supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth in the metro Washington, DC area. Mr. Barnett joined the SMYAL staff in 2005 and as named Executive Director in February 2009. Native to the Washington, DC metro area, Barnett began his involvement in LGBT youth ad ocacy by co-founding a Gay-Straight Alliance as a senior in high school and continued his involvement in LGBT student organizing while obtaining his B.A. at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. In 2010, Barnett received the Metro Weekly Next Generation Award, which recognizes the accomplishments of LGBT activists, artists, and leaders under 30.

Got Conflict? If you have a conflict with someone and are not sure how to handle it, then let us know. Here is your opportunity to ask your question with Conflict Management experts who are mediators, conflict coaches, and facilitators on how to think about, analyze or resolve your situation. Think about it. Are you currently engaged in an active conflict with your co-workers or boss? Ignoring your neighbor because of a conversation you don’t want to have? In a disagreement with your spouse? Or simply afraid to bring up a concern with a friend in fear of stirring up problems. Join us live. Here is how: Call 347-324-3591; press 1 and wait for a Host;Use the Reply box below to post your question or conflict situation;Join us in the chat room live on the night of the program. Post your comment or question here and we will bring it into the program;Join our LIVE Twitter chat using #ConflictChat every Tuesday night at 5 pm Pacific/ 7 pm Central/ 8 pm Eastern Pattie Porter, LCSW, AAP is the President of Conflict Connections®, Inc. in San Antonio, TX. Pattie has worked extensively in the dispute resolution field for nearly 20 years providing mediation, team facilitation, negotiation training, and conflict management and abrasive leader coaching services to executives, businesses, government agencies and higher education institutions. Tracy Culbreath King is an Alternative Dispute Resolution Coordinator at the Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO). Tracy also serves as a conflict coach, mediator, and promotes conflict resolution processes through trainings, outreach initiatives, and continuing education for conflict resolution practitioners.  

As Americans are getting older, more and more issues arise relating to elder abuse in financial and health care settings.  Studies show that the majority of abuse occurs within the family.  What can be done to resolve these issues?  Talk with a respected elder abuse mediator and author, Steve Mehta, to address these difficult issues. Here are strategies for avoiding elder abuse: 1) Be vigilant and watch for the early signs in your senior family member that might indicate "diminished capacity." You can do this by... a) Visiting your elderly family member more often especially if you do not live close by b) Calling on a regular basis so as to prevent isolation from that senior member of the family c) Talking to friends and family to get more information on how the elderly family member and caregiver are doing2) Before making accusations about elder abuse or neglect, get knowledgeable about the situation and try to understand what is happening a) Don't jump to conclusions or accusations b) Try to understand from the caregiver's perspective whether it be a sister, brother or other family member who lives day-in and day-out with the elder person3) Change the words you use from "You should have" or "You did that" TO I-statements. Take ownership of your feelings and thinking by saying "I feel left out." or "I think mom needs.." or "I believe..." This will prevent putting the other person on the defense.4) Stop talking and LISTEN without interruption. Steven G. Mehta is one of California's premier award-winning attorney mediators thanks to his work in helping resolve disputes in a variety of types of civil litigation. Steve has been successfully mediating complex cases since 1999. 

Discussion Topics: 1) Travis Kalanick Pushes Uber and Himself to the Precipice 2) Bill O'Reilly Let Go from Fox News Channel Amid Sexual Harassment Claims 3) FX Television Series - Feud: Bette and Joan Join us live. Here is how: Call 347-324-3591; press 1 and wait for a Host;Use the Reply box below to post your question or conflict situation;Join us in the chat room live on the night of the program. Post your comment or question here and we will bring it into the program;Join our LIVE Twitter chat using #ConflictChat every Tuesday night at 5 pm Pacific/ 7 pm Central/ 8 pm Eastern Pattie Porter,  LCSW, AAP is the President of Conflict Connections®, Inc. in San Antonio, TX. Pattie has worked extensively in the dispute resolution field for nearly 20 years providing mediation, team facilitation, negotiation training, and conflict management and abrasive leader coaching services to executives, businesses, government agencies and higher education institutions. Abigail R.C. McManus is a graduate of the University of Baltimore obtaining her Master’s degree in Negotiation and Conflict Management. Abigail earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Stevenson University. Abigail is passionate about analyzing, managing, resolving, and transforming conflict in everyday life.

Often our Alarm bells go off, blood pressure rises and our capacity to listen stops, when we hear ideas and opinions that seem radically different than ours.  What techniques can we use to increase trust and create the foundation for truly Restorative Conversations?  How might we create an environment that encourages people to listen deeply and speak openly?  Join Rose Gordon, Restorative Justice Facilitator, in exploring these questions and tips for facilitating conversations that can make a difference. Rose Gordon has been facilitating Restorative Justice for youth for over a decade.  She’s facilitated Restorative Approaches trainings in New Mexico and Thailand and views Restorative Approaches as a way of building peaceful communities and an “inoculation” against violence. Rose is the Program Coordinator for the Taos County Juvenile Justice Continuum, has been interviewed on Peace Talks Radio, is a member of the International Community of Restorative Researchers, co-hosted the PeaceXPeace Western and Muslim Women’s Dialogues and was invited to participate in the East Meets West Restorative Justice Summit in Turkey. Abigail R.C. McManus is a graduate of the University of Baltimore obtaining her Master’s degree in Negotiation and Conflict Management. Abigail earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Stevenson University. Abigail is passionate about analyzing, managing, resolving, and transforming conflict in everyday life.

Conflict opportunities present itself in various ways. Often, we don't notice the impact of seemingly unimportant off-putting comments we make to others or the disagreements which brew in our minds leading to something bigger than it is. The key is communication and checking our assumptions about each other's motives and intentions instead of labeling, blaming and sitting in our hurt. The Founder and Host of the Texas Conflict Coach®, Pattie Porter, chats with special guest host Zena Zumeta about the lessons learned in how to embrace conflict constructively, courageously and with compassion. Zena Zumeta, internationally known as both a mediator and trainer of mediators. She is president of the Mediation Training & Consultation Institute, Zena Zumeta Mediation Services, and The Collaborative Workplace in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Zena is a lawyer and a former president of the Academy of Family Mediators.   Pattie Porter, LCSW, AAP is the President of Conflict Connections®, Inc. in San Antonio, TX. Pattie has worked extensively in the dispute resolution field for nearly 20 years providing mediation, team facilitation, negotiation training, and conflict management and abrasive leader coaching services to executives, businesses, government agencies and higher education institutions.

ot Conflict? The Texas Conflict Coach®, a division of Conflict Connections, Inc. provides consumer education and tools to build self-awareness, skills, and resources to manage conflict effectively. In this inaugural show, Pattie Porter connects with the audience by sharing her story of growing up in a high conflict family, and this led eventually to her work as a conflict management expert. Pattie sets the stage for future shows including the idea of giving fieldwork assignments. Zena Zumeta, internationally known as both a mediator and trainer of mediators.  She is president of the  Mediation Training & Consultation Institute, Zena Zumeta Mediation Services, and The Collaborative Workplace in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Zena is a lawyer and a former president of the Academy of Family Mediators. Pattie Porter,  LCSW, AAP is the President of Conflict Connections®, Inc. in San Antonio, TX. Pattie has worked extensively in the dispute resolution field for nearly 20 years providing mediation, team facilitation, negotiation training, and conflict management and abrasive leader coaching services to executives, businesses, government agencies and higher education institutions.  

Got Conflict? If you have a conflict with someone and are not sure how to handle it, then let us know. Here is your opportunity to ask your question with Conflict Management experts who are mediators, conflict coaches, and facilitators on how to think about, analyze or resolve your situation. Think about it. Are you currently engaged in an active conflict with your co-workers or boss? Ignoring your neighbor because of a conversation you don’t want to have? In a disagreement with your spouse? Or simply afraid to bring up a concern with a friend in fear of stirring up problems. Join us live. Here is how: Call 347-324-3591; press 1 and wait for a Host;Use the Reply box below to post your question or conflict situation;Join us in the chat room live on the night of the program. Post your comment or question here and we will bring it into the program;Join our LIVE Twitter chat using #ConflictChat every Tuesday night at 5 pm Pacific/ 7 pm Central/ 8 pm Eastern Pattie Porter,  LCSW, AAP is the President of Conflict Connections®, Inc. in San Antonio, TX. Pattie has worked extensively in the dispute resolution field for nearly 20 years providing mediation, team facilitation, negotiation training, and conflict management and abrasive leader coaching services to executives, businesses, government agencies and higher education institutions. Stephen Kotev is a Washington D.C. based conflict resolution consultant offering mediation, negotiation and facilitation services, conflict coaching, training and somatic education to private and government clients. Helping people resolve problems and improve their performance is his passion and profession.  

It seems that incivility has become the norm in our communities easily escalating to heated debates, protesting and violent riots. Civility is a human right in today's global society.  As global citizens, civility is vital to peaceful and harmonious co-existence of individuals, groups, organizations, and nations. Civility is a proactive approach to prevent incivility and maintain a safe and peaceful situation.  Civility gives dignity to human rights. Civility gives calmness to a potential explosive situation.  Civility is a positive response to a negative action that is mutually beneficial for all of us. In this episode, Dr. Ralph Steele addresses the questions such as,  “What is our role in responding in respectful ways? And How can each of us reverse the trend and incorporate daily strategies to revise civility?   Dr. Steele has over 10 years of experience in mediation of business and family issues. He has received two doctorate degrees; in Civil law and Mediation at Oxford University and has a Ph.D. in psychology. Dr. Steele is also a Board Certified Professional Counselor by American Psychotherapy Association and Texas Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. Ralph honorably served as a United States naval officer and is devoted to developing our youth as future leaders who make a positive impact on society. Having received his pilot license from the Lincoln Aviation Institute, one of his favorite hobbies is flying planes. Dr. Steele's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Philosophy: Mediation and arbitration are ADR processes in which if all parties fully engage with the help of skilled professionals true civility and peace along with workable solutions prevail.

Over the last 8 years, we have produced 310 podcasts with experts from all over the world. Each month we will feature one of these programs in our “The Best of the Past” episodes. Whether it’s a difficult co-worker, a demanding boss or an angry client, you can learn to handle conflict at work effectively by managing your internal reactions first. Kathi Elster and Katherine Crowley show us how to cool down, then find the words to move a potentially hazardous work situation forward in a constructive manner.  Join Kathi, Katherine and Pattie Porter for a lively discussion on how to apply proven techniques for successfully navigating your most challenging workplace relationships. Katherine Crowley is Harvard-trained psychotherapist and Kathi Elster is a management consultant and executive coach.  They are the co-authors of Mean Girls at Work – How to Stay Professional When Things Get Personal, Working with You Is Killing Me, and Working for You Isn’t Working for Me. Their firm, K Squared Enterprises, is dedicated to helping clients manage interpersonal relationships in the workplace.

Recognition and Appreciation are skills that leaders use every day, or should. Join Kathy Stark and Scott Russell as they discuss simple and effective ways to engage and recognize your employees and further your business goals in 2017 and beyond. Kathy Stark has extensive experience in developing and executing large global recognition strategies, managing program development and large events that support the recognition strategies for an international corporation.   Kathy has been involved with Recognition Professionals for many years she is currently the President and is a Certified Recognition Professional. Scott Russell is a 20-year veteran of event management and recognition from his days as a concert promoter in Southern California to his most recent 12-year stint in Operations (Employee Experience) with Verizon Wireless. Scott is currently the Director of Client Success for the C.A. Short Company based in North Carolina. He works day in and day out to promote the value of recognition and engagement to his staff, his clients, and others. Scott writes an ongoing web series on Random Acts of Engagement and is an accomplished public speaker. As a music lover and musician himself, Scott has worked over the years with many artists and you may even catch him singing a song or two at our annual RPI conference. He was instrumental in managing the recent overhaul of the CRP curriculum and is excited to see it brought to the masses with the launch of the online curriculum in 2017. Scott is an Executive RPI Board member and chairs the RPI Community Action Team. Scott loves this motto and swears he lives by it: If at first you don’t succeed, redefine success.

Got Conflict? If you have a conflict with someone and are not sure how to handle it, then let us know. Here is your opportunity to ask your question with Conflict Management experts who are mediators, conflict coaches, and facilitators on how to think about, analyze or resolve your situation. Think about it. Are you currently engaged in an active conflict with your co-workers or boss? Ignoring your neighbor because of a conversation you don’t want to have? In a disagreement with your spouse? Or simply afraid to bring up a concern with a friend in fear of stirring up problems. Tracy CulbreathKing has a passion for conflict resolution that began after pursuing her Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Central Florida in Interpersonal Organizational Communication. After observing the consequences of poor communication on a personal and professional level, she realized she needed additional skills to address the conflicts that often resulted from communication breakdowns. In 2014 Tracy graduated from the University of Baltimore with a Master’s of Science in Negotiation and Conflict Management. Abigail R.C. McManus is a graduate of the University of Baltimore obtaining her master’s degree in negotiation and conflict management. Abigail earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Stevenson University. Abigail is passionate about analyzing, managing, resolving, and transforming conflict in everyday life. She uses her education and understanding to resolve productively and efficiently conflicts both at work and at home. 

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights," this is the first statement of Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since this declaration's adoption in 1948, political rights have been foregrounded. Now the time has come for humankind to give dignity sustainable attention. Human rights are embedded in dignity, but dignity has a larger humanizing scope than rights. Dignity entails justice and peace, and it manifests as unity in diversity and supports an ethics of care. Evelin Lindner's work focuses on human dignity and humiliation. She is the Founding President of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies (HumanDHS), a global transdisciplinary fellowship of concerned academics and practitioners who wish to promote dignity and transcend humiliation. She is a Co-founder of the World Dignity University initiative.   She has a dual education as a Medical Doctor and a Psychologist and carries two PhDs (Dr. med. and Dr. psychol.). She teaches globally. She is a research fellow at the University of Oslo, Norway, is affiliated, among others, with Columbia University in New York City (with the Advanced Consortium on Cooperation, Conflict, and Complexity, AC4), and with the Maison des Sciences de l'Homme in Paris.

Join us as we talk with Dan Raisbeck, co-founder of The Cybersmile Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides support and education for people who are affected by online abuse and cyberbullying. Dan talks about the work that Cybersmile does and how people can lower the risk of becoming a victim of online bullies and learn more about keeping yourself, and those around you, safe online. Dan Raisbeck is the co-founder of The Cybersmile Foundation. He has worked extensively since 2010 in establishing Cybersmile as an effective resource in the fight against online hate and cyber bullying. Dan formed Cybersmile following a cyberbullying incident with his young son and set up the charity as a resource for parents, adults, teachers and most of all for the young people experiencing the problem. Previous to Cybersmile, Dan worked professionally for both the private and public sectors in health and safety and wellbeing management. Dan sits on the APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) for Young People and Social Technology in UK Parliament and is currently developing global awareness campaigns for cyberbullying education and online positivity incentives with Cybersmile. Stop Cyber Bulling Day is:  June 16, 2017

We often hear the term ‘social justice’ but what is it and why does it matter? In this world where’s there’s increasing hostility towards difference, how can we be upstanders for social justice not only in the workplace but also in our family and friendship networks? We talk to Dr. Greg Curran who was awakened to the need for social justice in his primary school years, and who continues to be driven by it in his teaching today. Dr. Greg Curran is an English Language Teacher, a Lecturer in teacher education, a blogger and podcaster. Greg's key teaching interests are digital storytelling, digital equity, and social justice.

Got Conflict? If you have a conflict with someone and are not sure how to handle it, then let us know. Here is your opportunity to ask your question with Conflict Management experts who are mediators, conflict coaches and facilitators on how to think about, analyze or resolve your situation. Think about it. Are you currently engaged in an active conflict with your co-workers or boss? Ignoring your neighbor because of a conversation you don’t want to have? In a disagreement with your spouse? Or simply afraid to bring up a concern with a friend in fear of stirring up problems. Join us live. Here is how: Call 347-324-3591; press 1 and wait for a Host;Use the Reply box below to post your question or conflict situation;Join us in the chat room live on the night of the program.  Post your comment or question here and we will bring it into the program;Join our LIVE Twitter chat using #ConflictChat every Tuesday night at 5 pm Pacific/ 7 pm Central/ 8 pm Eastern      Tonight's Discussion: Miss Universe Canada takes on body-shamers with a badass message Kristin Cavallari's NFL Husband Was Body-Shamed on Social Media          

Got Conflict? Based on the works of Dr. Dudley Weeks, we highlighted the key ingredients to conflict and the essential steps to conflict resolution based on the book "The Eight Essential Steps to Conflict Resolution." First, we examined a new way of thinking about conflict and defined what Week's describes as a conflict partnership. This kind of partnership is about resolving conflicts that are effective and sustainable and focuses both on the immediate conflict and the overall relationship Then, we reviewed the ingredients of conflict to include ?    Diversity & differences ?    Needs vs wants ?    Perceptions ?    Power ?    Values & principles ?    Feelings & emotions ?    Internal conflict Listeners then learned the 8 essential steps to conflict resolution as applied to a neighbor conflict. Most importantly, be PREPARED for your difficult conversation.  

In this program, our guest will discuss how 'isms' and words can have power in your everyday life. As an example: 'A problem well defined is half-solved'. And, what is complaining? Is it a statement of how you really feel? Or, are you boasting? Join Bob Berlin as he gives further insight to our use of words and what they really mean.  Bob Berlin has been mediating for the past 45 years with over 6,000 mediations under his belt. He is an arbitrator, trainer of neutrals, coach, former judge, and a legislator.  Currently, he is the vice-chair of the Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Georgia. He is a national and a statewide presenter. His hobby is collecting words and nuggets of wisdom that can be vehicles for a smoother life. Bob draws from an eclectic professional background in law, marriage and family therapy, communications and teaching. In addition to his present involvements, he is doing CE Trainings and Professional/Personal Coaching.

Every job has the opportunity to work for peace if you know how to look for it. Join professor, practitioner, and educator David J. Smith and Stephen Kotev as they discuss how to get a job as a Peacemaker. Whether it is thinking differently about the job you have or what types of jobs are out there. David J. Smith, JD, MS  has over 30 years’ experience as an educational consultant, lawyer, mediator, college professor, trainer, senior program manager, and author.  He works with groups and individuals in need of career and conflict coaching and conflict engagement assistance, and has consulted with nearly 400 colleges around the U.S. and has given over 500 talks on peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and international education.  He has been employed by the U.S. Institute of Peace, consulted for the Fulbright Association, and taught at Georgetown University, Goucher College, and currently at George Mason University's School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution.  David is the president of the Forage Center for Peacebuilding and Humanitarian Education. He is the author of Peace Jobs: A Student's Guide to Starting a Career Working for Peace (Information Age Publishing). Stephen Kotev is a Washington D.C. based conflict resolution consultant offering mediation, negotiation and facilitation services, conflict coaching, training and somatic education to private and government clients. Helping people resolve problems and improve their performance is his passion and profession. Stephen has dedicated his professional career to the practice and study of conflict resolution. He holds a Master of Science degree from George Mason University’s School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution and is certified in conflict coaching.

One in five adults each year are coping with a diagnosable mental health problem.  Even if our problems don't escalate to diagnoses, we all know what it's like to have a bad day.  How do we have effective communication when we're impacted by mental health issues, or just trying to talk about them? Dan Berstein, a mediator with bipolar disorder and an expert in mental health communication, will share insights to help you have empowering mental health conversations. Dan Berstein is a mediator living with bipolar disorder and an expert in mental health communication and conflict resolution.  He has traveled the country training mediators, government agencies, universities, mental health service providers, peers, and families to have empowered communication about mental health. Dan has been a Mental Health First Aid trainer, National Alliance on Mental Illness awareness speaker, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance support group facilitator, and many other roles in the world of mental health. He holds a master's degree in Mental Health and a certificate in Health Communication from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. Dan is always happy to field questions.  E-mail him:  dan@mhmediate.com  or Submit a question to his "Dear Dan podcast". Learn about Dan’s training program, Become an Effective Mental Health Communicator Sign up for free resources through MH Mediate’s mailing list by visiting MH Mediate and subscribing. Connect with Dan: @DanBerstein on Twitter and Facebook MH Mediate: @MHMediate, Website:  mhmediate.com

Listen to our Pre-Recorded program on December 27th at 7:00pm CST at Blog Talk Radio "During the month of December, please enjoy these previously recorded shows...The Best of 2016. We will return live every Tuesday night beginning January 3, 2017. Enjoy the Holidays!" Got Conflict? If you have a conflict with someone, and are not sure how to handle it, then let us know. Here is your opportunity to ask your question with Conflict Management experts who are mediators, conflict coaches and facilitators on how to think about, analyze or resolve your situation. Think about it. Are you currently engaged in an active conflict with your co-workers or boss? Ignoring your neighbor because of a conversation you don't want to have? In a disagreement with your spouse? Or simply afraid to bring up a concern with a friend in fear of stirring up problems. Articles of Discussion: 1.  The Massive Mango 2.  Chris Christie Offers a Key to Marital Success: Fight in a Walk-In Closet

Listen to our Pre-Recorded program on December 20th at 7:00pm CST at Blog Talk Radio. Guest: Maciej Tanski. "During the month of December, please enjoy these previously recorded shows...The Best of 2016. We will return live every Tuesday night beginning January 3, 2017. Enjoy the Holidays!" You feel it’s getting hot and you just cannot do anything to prevent the innocent exchange of opinions from boiling over and blowing up like a lump of lava thrown out by a volcano? And it hurts because it happens with people important for you, with whom you have a family, neighbor or work relationship. Join Maciej Tanski as he bring some examples of conflict escalation and a handful of tips how to prevent it. We will discover what it takes to keep focused during hot discussions and be aware of the other person’s and our own hot buttons. Maciej Tanskiis a mediator, trainer and conflict consultant leading the Partners Poland Mediation Center in Warsaw, Poland. For the last 15 years he has been helping people in conflict to find their own way out without losing face. Maciej mediates marital, family and divorce disputes, as well as business ones especially in family owned businesses. He consults and coaches couples, parents or co-workers on conflict prevention and resolution. He is also a trainer in mediation and social skills who designed and conducted workshops for thousands of civic and business leaders.  Outside of Poland, he led trainings in the Western Balkans, Caucasus, and Central Asia.  He wrote guidebooks for divorced parents and lone fathers.

Listen to our Pre-Recorded program on December 13th at 7:00pm CST at Blog Talk Radio. Guest: Robert Batista. "During the month of December, please enjoy these previously recorded shows...The Best of 2016. We will return live every Tuesday night beginning January 3, 2017. Enjoy the Holidays!" Our guest and author, Robert Batista will share his passion and journey to curb and stop gun violence through his writing and novellas called Street Angel and The City Game. He will talk about the “iron pipeline” and the collateral impact of gun violence. Gun violence is not the answer to disputes, disagreements, and differences. Robert will discuss non-violent approaches to dealing with these differences and share his stories. Robert Batista grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. After attending Brooklyn College, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. While stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California, he began his writing career; first with poetry, then short stories. In 1992 he founded Word Is Bond Press and began writing and publishing positive, uplifting stories for teenagers and young adults. His books ‘The City Game’, ‘Street Angel’, and ‘Brooklyn Story’ were picked up by the NYC Department Of Education, and Robert’s powerful message of self-determination and non-violence is now required reading in schools throughout the country. He is currently working on his new young adult novel, ‘Crisis At Central High’.  

"During the month of December, please enjoy these previously recorded shows...The Best of 2016. We will return live every Tuesday night beginning January 3, 2017. Enjoy the Holidays!" Verbal Aikido is a means of communication that enables the practitioner to transform verbal attacks, both effectively and peacefully. This philosophy comes from the Japanese martial art of Aikido that seeks to transform ‘attackers’ into training partners. It’s a fun and easy-to-learn approach that can be learned from ages as young as 5 years old. Regular practice of Verbal Aikido considerably increases self-esteem, altruism, and the confidence to manage conflict in a self-affirming and harmonious manner.   Luke Archer is an Irish-born teacher trainer, writer and public speaker on communication, conflict management, and education development. He’s been living in Lyon, France since 1995, where he has innovated and pioneered Verbal Aikido training since 2009. He continues to work with companies, schools and students of all ages internationally spreading this way of peaceful communication to one boardroom or classroom at a time.

Does your family argue or fight about money or finances during the Holidays? Expectations about what kinds of gifts to buy, how much you can afford to spend on travel or even when siblings or other family members ask for money can cause conflict. Dave and Pattie will talk about some of the causes of Holiday financial conflicts, some strategies to keep from being sucked into the drama and even some tips about how to calm family members down when emotions about money are high. Dave Hilton, the Financial Conflict Coach, is a Conflict Engagement Specialist, Mediator, Dispute Resolution Trainer and Speaker. He is the host of the "Financial Conflict Coach Show" and the "Conflict Specialists Show". Dave is also the founder and Chairman of the Texoma Dispute Resolution Center (a non-profit community mediation center serving parts of North Texas and Southern Oklahoma) and is a volunteer Mediator for the Southern Methodist University Mediation Center in Dallas, TX. For More Information:  Dave Hilton

According to recent statistics, almost 50% of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. Most divorced adults remarry and create blended families of yours, mine, and ours and include assorted, confused grandparents. Navigating the holidays can be stressful when arranging child custody agreements, table seating, and various cultural and religious beliefs among the families. Best-selling humor author Elaine Ambrose uses her own experiences to discuss how to focus on the joys of the season and prevent your blended family from exploding into a food fight. Elaine Ambrose is a #1 bestselling author of eight books, including Midlife Happy Hour and Menopause Sucks. Elaine exploits her life experiences to share humor with a crabby world. Publishers Weekly reviewed her book Midlife Cabernet as “laugh-out-loud funny!” She’s an internationally-known syndicated blogger and humorous speaker from Eagle, Idaho. Zena Zumeta, internationally known as both a mediator and trainer of mediators.  She is president of the  Mediation Training & Consultation Institute, Zena Zumeta Mediation Services, and The Collaborative Workplace in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Zena is a lawyer and a former president of the Academy of Family Mediators.  She is the recipient of the Michigan Lifetime Achievement in Mediation Award; the National Education Association/Saturn Corporation Award for Union-Management Collaboration; the John Haynes Distinguished Mediator Award; and the Kumba Award from the National Conference on Minorities in ADR.

More than a third of all new marriages now occur between people with different religious affiliations, or between religious and non-religious people. Whether the couple is Protestant and Jewish, or Catholic and atheist, or Buddhist and Hindu, they share a certain perspective as interfaith families. So how do interfaith families bridge those religious gaps, find support, and create plans for the religious education of their children? Susan Katz Miller is here with us today to describe a number of pathways that interfaith families can take. She also encourages interfaith families to see their relationships as a source of inspiration, creative energy, and peacemaking in the world, rather than simply as a problem or challenge to be solved.  Journalist Susan Katz Miller is a former Newsweek reporter, and the author of Being Both: Embracing Two Religions in One Interfaith Family. She is the founder of the national Network of Interfaith Family Groups on facebook, and a consultant who works with clergy, seminarians, religious educators, and religious communities to better appreciate the role of interfaith families today. Tracy CulbreathKing has a passion for conflict resolution that began after pursuing her Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Central Florida in Interpersonal Organizational Communication. After observing the consequences of poor communication on a personal and professional level, she realized she needed additional skills to address the conflicts that often resulted from communication breakdowns. In 2014 Tracy graduated from the University of Baltimore with a Master’s of Science in Negotiation and Conflict Management.

So this last contentious presidential election is finally over with. It is either the best or worst day for America. Some will gloat over the win, others exhibit anger for the loss, or maybe we just keep our mouth shut so as not to engage in conflict? So how do you talk to your friends, co-workers, and family about politics and not get burned in the process? Learn how two conflict resolution experts, Pattie Porter and Stephen Kotev, help others say what they really mean and hear what really matters from those they don't agree with. Pattie Porter, LCSW, AAP is the President of Conflict Connections®, Inc. in San Antonio, TX. Pattie has worked extensively in the dispute resolution field for nearly 20 years providing mediation, team facilitation, negotiation training, and conflict management and abrasive leader coaching services to executives, businesses, government agencies and higher education institutions. Stephen Kotev is a Washington D.C. based conflict resolution consultant offering mediation, negotiation and facilitation services, conflict coaching, training and somatic education to private and government clients. Helping people resolve problems and improve their performance is his passion and profession.

"It was the best of times, the worst of times...it was the season of light...it was the season of darkness..." quoted from Charles Dickens, Tale of Two Cities. The holidays often remind us of our best memories and our worst family reunion nightmares. The holiday season alone puts a lot of stress due to high expectations of meeting long-held family traditions and conjures up past resentments and unresolved conflict with family members. So when you add into the holiday mix, an aging parent with care-giving needs or a seriously or even terminally ill spouse, sibling or parent, then the stressors intensify. How do you get ahead of the curve now? How do you plan and prepare to reduce the stress, release the anxiety, and manage expectations? Call in live to speak with Dr. Joe Nowinski, blogger for Psychology Today and past contributor to the Huffington Post to discuss your concerns and learn practical strategies to step it up, without giving yourself all away.Joseph Nowinski is a clinical psychologist who has held positions as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco and Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Connecticut. He is the co-author, with Dr. Barbara Okun, of Saying Goodbye: A Guide to Coping with a Loved One’s Terminal Illness.

Got Conflict? If you have a conflict with someone and are not sure how to handle it, then let us know. Here is your opportunity to ask your question with Conflict Management experts who are mediators, conflict coaches and facilitators on how to think about, analyze or resolve your situation. Think about it. Are you currently engaged in an active conflict with your co-workers or boss? Ignoring your neighbor because of a conversation you don't want to have? In a disagreement with your spouse? Or simply afraid to bring up a concern with a friend in fear of stirring up problems. Join us live. Here is how: Call 347-324-3591; press 1 and wait for a HostUse the Reply box below to post your question or conflict situationJoin us in the chat room live at Blog Talk Radio on the night of the program. Post your comment or question here and we will bring it into the program.Join our Live Twitter chat using #ConflictChat every Tuesday night at 5 pm Pacific/7pm Central/8 pm Eastern Pattie Porter, LCSW, AAP is the President of Conflict Connections®, Inc. in San Antonio, TX. Pattie has worked extensively in the dispute resolution field for nearly 20 years providing mediation, team facilitation, negotiation training, and conflict management and abrasive leader coaching services to executives, businesses, government agencies and higher education institutions. Stephen Kotev is a Washington D.C. based conflict resolution consultant offering mediation, negotiation and facilitation services, conflict coaching, training and somatic education to private and government clients. Helping people resolve problems and improve their performance is his passion and profession.

Are you sick of people discussing politics at work? Or are you one of those folks who can’t seem to stop talking about the candidates? Political topics can be explosive, and it is difficult to predict which issues your colleagues may find to be truly upsetting. What starts as casual chat could spiral into an emotional brawl, upsetting people and disrupting working relationships. And even brief comments could offend some coworkers, harming your rep or setting you up for retribution down the road. Understanding how to manage workplace communications is key to building a resilient career. Often the best strategy is “communicate, communicate, communicate.” But when the office conversation is about politics, the smart choice is usually to stop talking. But sometimes it is not easy to deal with people who want to impose their views or tease you into reacting. In today’s program, our host will offer tips about how you can avoid becoming bogged down in political chatter at work. Beverly Jones, author of “Think Like an Entrepreneur, Act Like a CEO,” is a model of career resilience and reinvention. She started out as a public radio/TV writer, next created and led university programs for women, and then trail-blazed her career as a female Washington law firm partner and Fortune 500 energy executive. Bev is a popular speaker and facilitator, she creates workshops and other events around the needs of her clients, and her blogs and podcasts are found at Clearways Consulting and media sites such as WOUB. Tracy CulbreathKing has a passion for conflict resolution that began after pursuing her Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Central Florida in Interpersonal Organizational Communication. Tracy is an Alternative Dispute Resolution Coordinator at the Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office.

Join Marci Anavitarte-Jordan as she leads our listeners in an in-depth discussion on the importance of effective communication in the workplace that can break down barriers, avoid misconceptions, and diffuse situations. But if all else fails, your rights in the workplace and where to go for assistance. Marci Anavitarte-Jordan has been mediating for over 22 years with over 700 mediations conducted and with a success rate of 80%.   She has an Associate Degree in Legal Assistance from College of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, NV. Bachelor of Applied Science-Business Administration- University of Mary Hardin Baylor-Belton, Texas Masters in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation from Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas . Marci currently works for the Texas Workforce Commission-Civil Right Division as a Sr. Employment Discrimination Mediator for the state of Texas.  She handles all types of Title VII, age, and disability employment discrimination cases. Mediation to Marci is not a job but a passion and calling and true mediators want to assist all parties reach a resolution but more importantly get closure so that they can move on from this place of contention.  In her off time, she loves to read, walk, and just enjoy life.

Updates on Brav - the online platform to manage conflicts at school, work, home or more.  Brav ultimately becomes the first option in workplaces, schools, in lieu of HRs, deans and principals' standard policies. In this way, there is less work for everyone! In addition, teaming up with groups including schools, work places, police departments and task forces allow for accountability, where all parties are ensured to come together.  Remi Alli holds a JD, a Master's Degree in Health Law and a background in Psychology. She also is a national legal scholar having won first place in a recent AJA legal competition.

In a digitally connected world where diversity of identities is a reality which we must confront every time we log into our smart phones and social media accounts, academia has played a pioneering role in the way we learn how to be inclusive and embrace diversity. Nevertheless, recent demonstrations across American campuses as well as the growing expressions of hate and violence in online space worldwide, make question the preparedness of traditional education methods to tackle the virtual multicultural world we live in. Grassroots intercultural dialogue programs between citizens living in different societies have flourished over the past decade as a response to the growing antagonism between some of those societies. Those programs aim at building mutual understanding and a sense of empathy among participants, creating bridges and fostering a new culture of constructive engagement between young citizens. Lately, online dialogue programs carried out by organizations like Soliya have received an official acknowledgment of their relevance in a fast changing world. Panelists involved as implementors of Soliya’s Connect Program will engage in an interactive discussion with participants on the lessons learned from Soliya's 13 years experience, the current evolutions of dialogue processes and the value of virtual exchange as a growing field in the world of intercultural dialogue and conflict resolution education.  

Got Conflict? If you have a conflict with someone and are not sure how to handle it, then let us know. Here is your opportunity to ask your question with Conflict Management experts who are mediators, conflict coaches and facilitators on how to think about, analyze or resolve your situation. Think about it. Are you currently engaged in an active conflict with your co-workers or boss? Ignoring your neighbor because of a conversation you don't want to have? In a disagreement with your spouse? Or simply afraid to bring up a concern with a friend in fear of stirring up problems. Pattie Porter,  LCSW, AAP is the President of Conflict Connections®, Inc. in San Antonio, TX. Pattie has worked extensively in the dispute resolution field for nearly 20 years providing mediation, team facilitation, negotiation training, and conflict management and abrasive leader coaching services to executives, businesses, government agencies and higher education institutions. Stephen Kotev is a Washington D.C. based conflict resolution consultant offering mediation, negotiation and facilitation services, conflict coaching, training and somatic education to private and government clients. Helping people resolve problems and improve their performance is his passion and profession.Stephen has dedicated his professional career to the practice and study of conflict resolution.

What would it take to make you a more confident negotiator?   Would you like to know … -  Simple no-cost things you can do to save time, money and energy before you ever think about negotiating? -  The top 3 negotiation blunders, breakthroughs, and solutions -  Tips on handling counter-productive behavior and the #1 thing you must never negotiate Join Corine Wofford and discover how to Put Your Power On and Confidently Negotiate with Success for great results in your professional and personal life! Corine Wofford is known as America’s “Be the Difference” Business Mentor. She is the CEO and Master Facilitator with Corine Wofford International, an award winning training and development consultancy, providing high performance training in sales, negotiation, service, and teams. Corine is celebrating 30 years as a 100% woman owned enterprise, helping business leaders like Apple, IBM, USAA and women entrepreneurs worldwide share their gifts, make more money and create a meaningful difference in the world. Corine’s Wonderfully Outrageous Wealth Live Event is at the Eilan Hotel & Spa on Sept. 23 in San Antonio.

Couples often have differences about finances in their marriages, and those differences become exacerbated in divorce.  In this program, we will look at the issues in divorce financial planning, the emotional components of financial decision-making, and how couples can resolve financial differences in both marriage and divorce.  Pam Friedman has over 20 years of financial planning and investment experience. She is author of new book "I Now Pronounce You Financially Fit".  Prior to partnering with Silicon Hills Wealth Management, LLC, Ms. Friedman was on Wall Street in both New York and London structuring and raising capital for both public and private companies. Upon her return to Texas, Ms. Friedman spent six years on the faculty of the Finance Depart. in the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas. Ms. Friedman’s particular area of expertise is marital financial planning which includes planning for the risk of divorce and educating clients who may be unfamiliar with financial issues and investing during and after divorce. Pam is also a trained family law mediator. Pam holds an MBA, BBA and BA in Finance and Economics from The University of Texas at Austin.  Zena Zumeta, internationally known as both a mediator and trainer of mediators.  She is president of the  Mediation Training & Consultation Institute, Zena Zumeta Mediation Services, and The Collaborative Workplace in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Zena is a lawyer and a former president of the Academy of Family Mediators. 

By definition, negotiation is a conversation leading to agreement. But because we really have no need to negotiate unless we reach a dead end or an impasse, negotiation naturally occurs in the field of conflict, and this spells trouble for women, In this show negotiation trainers Victoria Pynchon and Lisa Gates will give you tips for dealing with your natural responses to conflict and strategies for faking it 'til you make it.   Lisa Gates is a negotiation trainer and coach who works with executive women and entrepreneurs to help them unravel the knot of business and knee-jerk to-do list living. She rigorously guides women to: show up powerfully and take a stand for themselves, design purposeful livelihoods that close the wage and income gap, and create a legacy of leadership and lasting change for themselves, their families and communities, and the world. Victoria Pynchon is a lawyer, mediator, negotiation trainer and author of the just released "A is for Asshole, the Grownups' ABCs of Conflict Resolution. Though she primarily helps lawyers, executives and managers negotiate better deals than they could achieve in a court of law, she also consults privately with women on their specific negotiation challenges.

Got Conflict? If you have a conflict with someone and are not sure how to handle it, then let us know. Here is your opportunity to ask your question with Conflict Management experts who are mediators, conflict coaches and facilitators on how to think about, analyze or resolve your situation. Join us live. Here is how: Call 347-324-3591; press 1 and wait for a HostUse the Reply box below to post your question or conflict situationJoin us in the chat room live on Blog Talk Radio.Post your comment or question here and we will bring it into the program.Join our Live Twitter chat using #ConflictChat. Pattie Porter,  LCSW, AAP is the President of Conflict Connections®, Inc. in San Antonio, TX. Pattie has worked extensively in the dispute resolution field for nearly 20 years providing mediation, team facilitation, negotiation training, and conflict management and abrasive leader coaching services to executives, businesses, government agencies and higher education institutions. Abigail R.C. McManus is a graduate of the University of Baltimore obtaining her master’s degree in negotiation and conflict management. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Stevenson University. Abigail is passionate about analyzing, managing, resolving, and transforming conflict in everyday life. She uses her education and understanding to resolve productively and efficiently conflicts both at work and at home. She recently took a position as a compliance associate at a mortgage company. 

Verbal Aikido is a means of communication that enables the practitioner to transform verbal attacks, both effectively and peacefully. This philosophy comes from the Japanese martial art of Aikido that seeks to transform ‘attackers’ into training partners. It’s a fun and easy-to-learn approach that can be learned from ages as young as 5 years old. Regular practice of Verbal Aikido considerably increases self-esteem, altruism, and the confidence to manage conflict in a self-affirming and harmonious manner. Luke Archer is an Irish-born teacher trainer, writer and public speaker on communication, conflict management, and education development. He’s been living in Lyon, France since 1995, where he has innovated and pioneered Verbal Aikido training since 2009. He continues to work with companies, schools and students of all ages internationally spreading this way of peaceful communication to one boardroom or classroom at a time. Stephen Kotev is a Washington D.C. based conflict resolution consultant offering mediation, negotiation and facilitation services, conflict coaching, training and somatic education to private and government clients. Helping people resolve problems and improve their performance is his passion and profession. He has dedicated his professional career to the practice and study of conflict resolution. Stephen is one of only two individuals to have been employed by both of the nation’s two largest Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) membership organizations – the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution and the Association for Conflict Resolution. 

The University of Michigan’s Rackham School of Graduate Studies has created a position of Resolution Officer which is responsible for assisting graduate students and faculty members who have issues and conflicts with each other to resolve those conflicts.  The Resolution Officer works directly with both faculty and students, and also facilitates conversations between them and mediates.  Her job includes counseling students about available options, supporting students through difficult situations, and connecting students to appropriate resources. Darlene Ray-Johnson, M.A., has been employed in higher education for 35 years.  She has served as student affairs professional at the University of Michigan for 27 years.   She currently serves as Graduate Student Affairs Officer and Resolution Officer in the Dean’s Office at Rackham Graduate School.  Her professional areas of expertise include social justice mediation, dispute resolution, conflict management and diversity issues.   Zena Zumeta, internationally known as both a mediator and trainer of mediators.  She is president of the  Mediation Training & Consultation Institute, Zena Zumeta Mediation Services, and The Collaborative Workplace in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Zena is a lawyer and a former president of the Academy of Family Mediators.  She is the recipient of the Michigan Lifetime Achievement in Mediation Award; the National Education Association/Saturn Corporation Award for Union-Management Collaboration; the John Haynes Distinguished Mediator Award; and the Kumba Award from the National Conference on Minorities in ADR.  

Join us to learn the key principles to building relationship and trust with any teenager, whether “troubled” or not. Want to know how to set effective boundaries, how to avoid ever getting into a power control battle, and how to have a whole lot of fun in the process? In a job where the average length of employment is measured in months, and many last only weeks, Mark Andreas not only survived but thrived while working round-the- clock with troubled teens. Whether you are a parent, a teacher, a youth leader, or anyone wanting to connect with and support the teens in your life, come learn how to build relationships that are simultaneously more empowering for you and the teens you work with. Mark Andreas trains NLP around the country and runs an NLP Change Coaching private practice, working with people around the world both in person and over Skype to resolve limitations and achieve life goals. Mark is Author of the books “Sweet Fruit from the Bitter Tree: 61 stories of creative and compassionate ways out of conflict,” a collection of true stories of creative responses to conflict, and “Waltzing with Wolverines: finding connection and cooperation with troubled teens,” a collection of stories and principles for working with youth based on his two years leading groups of at-risk teens 24-7 for three week shifts at a wilderness therapy program in Colorado.  Stephen Kotev is a Washington D.C. based conflict resolution consultant offering mediation, negotiation and facilitation services, conflict coaching, training and somatic education to private and government clients. Helping people resolve problems and improve their performance is his passion and profession.  More information at:  www.stephenkotev.com