The Other Chair Podcast

In this episode of the Other Chair, guest Eva Kaul explores the fascinating connection between personal and professional conflict dynamics, how unresolved family conflicts can manifest in workplace relationships, and the transformative role of mediation in fostering healthier, more collaborative teams. Eva is a mediator and trainer specializing in family conflict and workplace mediation with years of experience working with companies in Germany—from small businesses to corporate settings she brings a unique perspective to integrating the structure of mediation into professional environments.

In this episode of The Other Chair, guest Ian Warburg shares two vastly different mediation experiences—each offering a window into what conflict resolution can be, for better or worse. The first mediation, guided by a CUC-trained mediator, was a journey of healing and mutual recognition. The second, a divorce process managed by a legal-financial team using separate sessions, left wounds and widened divides. Ian's story is both intimate and instructive—an invitation to reimagine how we navigate conflict when the stakes are high and the relationships are real.

In this episode of The Other Chair, we explore how legal professionals in New York can integrate mediation into their practice, the path to becoming a mediator in New York, including the required training and next steps for joining court rosters, and how mediation techniques—like looping and understanding the dynamic—can enhance client relationships, improve litigation strategies, and support negotiations with opposing counsel. Our guests, Antoinette Delruelle and Joy S. Rosenthal, Esq., bring years of experience as mediators and attorneys in New York. They'll also share details about an upcoming opportunity to receive Part 146-approved mediation training through the Center for Understanding in Conflict's 40-Hour Conflict Resolution and Matrimonial Mediation Training in June 2025, designed specifically for practitioners looking to deepen their skills and qualify for court rosters.

In this episode of The Other Chair we welcome guests Cassie Lively, Executive Director of the Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR) in Chicago, and D.G. Mawn, President of the National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM). Cassie leads one of the country's most impactful community mediation organizations, working to provide free and accessible mediation services throughout Cook County, Illinois, while D.G. brings a national perspective on mediation, advocating for community-based conflict resolution programs and ensuring that local peacemakers have the resources, training, and support they need to thrive. In this episode, we'll explore the history of their organizations and the role of community mediation with practical steps for those looking to get involved in this essential work.

In this episode of The Other Chair, guest David Dörken shares his unique approach to conflict resolution, blending legal expertise with Zen principles of mindfulness and non-judgmental awareness. Discover how stillness and presence can transform conflict into opportunities for connection and growth. Learn practical tips for managing emotions and engaging in direct communication during mediation sessions. David discusses the importance of self-awareness and inner work for conflict professionals, offering insights into how anyone can cultivate these skills to improve their mediation practice.

In this episode of The Other Chair, guests Judge Raymond Kramer and Sethu Nair from the Center for Creative Conflict Resolution at OATH discuss their role in transforming how conflicts are managed across New York City government, emphasizing community impact and practical conflict resolution strategies. Together, they explore the frameworks and models CCCR employs, drawing connections to the understanding-based approach and offering insights for practitioners looking to enhance their own practice.

In this episode of The Other Chair, Gary Friedman, co-founder of the Center for Understanding in Conflict, explores the complexities of personal conflicts in today's ideologically divided society. Through the lens of the Understanding-Based Approach, Friedman discusses how deeply held beliefs, fears, and the “conflict traps” we set for ourselves create divisions not only between groups but also within individuals struggling to reconcile personal values with societal pressures. This episode will challenge listeners to reflect on the impact of polarized perspectives and provide tools to engage in constructive dialogue amid deep-seated differences.

In this episode of The Other Chair, guest Lisa Taubenblat, a seasoned psychotherapist and family mediator, shares her expertise in family and couple's therapy, explaining how her background in psychotherapy enhances her mediation work, particularly with families facing conflict. She also explores essential skills for relationship improvement, the challenges of working with diverse and marginalized communities, and practical strategies for emotional regulation during conflict. 

This episode of The Other Chair guest is Catherine Conner explores the value of ongoing professional development and the importance of refreshing core fundamentals for understanding-based mediators and conflict resolution practitioners, including peer support, continuous self-reflection work, and evaluating prior cases and model application.

In this episode of the other chair, Doctors Paul Natterson and Jeff Stuart join us to discuss the need for new approaches to addressing conflict within the healthcare system in American and how the understanding-based approach and other models are helping them pave the way in an industry where conflict resolution is rarely considered or utilized. Paul and Jeff are physician leaders and executives with formal conflict resolution training, advocating an institutional framework for collaborative problem solving techniques including mediation, to positively affect dispute outcomes, preserve relationships, and create a more transparent and supportive culture in healthcare settings.

In this episode of the other chair, Niyonu Spann, founder of Beyond Diversity 101, a workshop that exposes, stimulates, and transforms the dynamics of diversity at the root level, discusses her experience working to advance diversity and liberation as a trainer and facilitator, along with practical advice for how you can be mindful of this work in your practice.

This episode of The Other Chair explores how mediators, especially career practitioners, continue to learn, grow, and refine their skills after becoming established in the field and bringing together people in conflict for many years. Guest Catherine Conner, director and trainer at the Center for Understanding in Conflict, reflects on 20 years in the field of alternative dispute resolution and steps listeners can take to stay sharp as a conflict resolution practitioner.

Gary Friedman, author, mediator, and co-founder of the Center for Understanding in Conflict, joins The Other Chair to talk about the nuance of understanding-based matrimonial or divorce mediation and the human challenges faced by the mediator and parties that may be unique to other forms of conflict.

From working in war zones to teaching incarcerated persons, Caitlin Meredith has spent more time than most extreme in close proximity to those experiencing extreme conflicts. From these beginnings came a desire to learn how to understand others and herself better while gaining the tools to empower others to find a way through. On this episode of The Other Chair, learn about Caitlin's journey from learner and practitioner to teacher and advocate for bringing together people in conflict through empathy and understanding.

Join Catherine Conner on the Other Chair for a stimulating and informative roundtable discussion featuring industry leader insights from three of the world's most advanced technology firms: Intel, Roche, and SAP. Panelists discuss how the Understanding-Based Approach to Conflict has helped address human resource challenges while increasing Return on Investment (ROI) in people management systems through mediation programs that mediators can implement in small firms, non-profits, large corporations or other organizations.

Embarking on the journey from program participant to teacher can be challenging, with many rewards along the way for the instructor and the students who will be learning to bring together parties in conflict. Ivan Alter, attorney, mediator, and trainer for the Center for Understanding in Conflict, joins the Other Chair to discuss his experience becoming a teacher and his first time bringing the understanding-based model into a law school classroom.   

Gary Friedman, author, mediator, and co-founder of the Center for Understanding in Conflict, joins The Other Chair to talk about his impressions of how the field of conflict resolution and mediation has changed and the evolution of the understanding-based model and the nonprofit he founded to advance awareness and education of conflict resolution practice to bring together people in conflict in communities across the country and globally since 1982.

This episode of The Other Chair explores the six underlying concepts of the Understanding-Based model, which can guide a conflict resolution professional through difficult moments and help structure the process to minimize the challenging moments. In this webinar recording, Catherine Conner and Katherine Miller will describe the six underlying concepts, their meaning, and, most importantly, how to use them.

Suzanne Fest, attorney, mediator, and trainer at Mediation Fest, a conflict resolution educational institute in Cologne, Germany, has nearly 30 years of experience mediating business and personal conflict. She joins The Other Chair to talk about her experience and plans for a future aimed at bringing conflict resolution tools and education to individuals in communities across the world.

Catherine Conner, director and trainer at the Center for Understanding in Conflict and an attorney practicing mediation and collaborative practice in Santa Rosa, California, joins The Other Chair to discuss the evolution of the 2022 Teacher Training program, the impact that trainers can have on making a difference in the world, and plans for the next cohort. The CUC's training programs have been popular for over 40 years because the Understanding-Based approach resonates with many people. Our trainings are powerful experiential education, carefully designed and skillfully taught. The Teacher Training program is for those motivated to develop their ability to teach Understanding-Based conflict resolution skills to others. 

Katherine Miller, director and trainer at the Center for Understanding in Conflict and an attorney practicing mediation and collaborative practice in Westchester County, NY, joins The Other Chair to discuss the realities of working with emotions in mediation, including emotions in the room and the emotional reactions of the mediator.   When feelings begin to rise in the mediator, it can indicate that dynamics in the room are shifting, prompting a moment to bring the group together and identify and address the issues. For those in conflict, unpacking these charged and sensitive moments can lead to a resolution; for mediators, they can be vital to signaling when to push forward and when to suggest an alternative path. 

Gary Friedman, author, mediator, and co-founder of the Center for Understanding in Conflict, joins The Other Chair to discuss the inspiration for his book Inside Out: How Conflict Professionals Can Use Self-Reflection to Help Their Clients. Dive into the process conflict resolution professionals can take to be aware of their internal reactions, feelings, and emotions while being present to help parties in conflict, along with the value of finding support through peer groups to practice skills and grow in self-awareness.  

On this episode of The Other Chair, guest Aditya Arryan, mediator and chief of staff for YCM, talks about the work members are doing to create a culture of dispute prevention and resolution in India through co-creating conflict management policies, providing training, and mediation and conflict coaching services to uplift the community and avoid a difficult to access legal system which can take decades to give a ruling. YCM is India's first conflict management and mediation center for youth focused on promoting a more just and equitable future through understanding-based conflict resolution and prevention.

This episode of The Other Chair explores how advocates of restorative justice practices are working to bring together people and communities in conflict through mediation and coaching while addressing the realities of the criminal justice system, which often leaves victims and offenders without a path toward healing or understanding, only punishment and enduring lifelong trauma.  Earl Simms and Erin Kennedy from Restorative Community Solutions, a San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit organization, share their experience working within systems to encourage change through collaboration, conflict resolution, and community engagement to support individuals transitioning back into society from homelessness, incarceration, and treatment facilities.

This episode of The Other Chair is for those who have taken a conflict resolution or mediation training, have begun developing the skills needed to serve clients in conflict, and are wondering how to make it their day job. Trainers Catherine Conner and Melanie Rowen discuss concrete tips for starting your own practice that includes or is focused on conflict resolution or alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and collaborative practice. Listen for an understanding of the basic steps towards running your own practice, ideas for networking and marketing, and ways to identify opportunities to serve clients.

For many attorneys entering the legal profession, the reality that the system isn't as caring or altruistic as hoped can lead to disillusionment and a change of occupation. Join attorney, mediator, and teacher Ivan Alter on The Other Chair as he shares his experience overcoming the challenges of the adversarial system and how his transition to a career centered in mediation helped recapture a lifelong desire to be a force for positive change and healing for people who may see litigation as the only alternative to overcoming the conflicts that divide them.

A lot has changed in the past few years, and video conferencing technology has increasingly become the standard for conflict resolution and mediation practitioners to work with clients. Join attorney, mediator, and teacher Hansa Patel on The Other Chair as she discusses best practices for navigating this relatively new medium, overcoming technical issues, and maintaining authentic and meaningful connections with the people no matter where they may be when it comes time to tackle the conflict between them. 

Mindfulness and mediation can be vital to addressing suffering on both sides of a conflict while finding presence and calm in the mind of those tasked with bringing parties together. Zen Buddhist priest Norman Fischer reflects on his history of helping mediation professionals through mindfulness training, supporting Ukrainian mediators during his recent Inside Out training program, and tips for practitioners to find presence in the heart of the storm during this episode of The Other Chair.

When relationships end, there is often a lot of discussion, consideration, and animosity regarding children. But what happens when a pet dog, cat, or horse hangs in the balance? Expert Debra Hamilton joins The Other Chair to discuss how the court system doesn't often consider the life of the pet and the role that pet-based mediation brings in bridging the gap. Learn how an understanding-based approach can help people find harmony and ultimately create a better outcome for the furry friends so many people call their own. 

Guest hosts Jennifer Sullivan and Phuong Ertley interview journalist and New York Times bestselling author Amanda Ripley to talk about her book High Conflict and "what happens when discord distills into a good-versus-evil kind of feud, the kind with an us and a them." 

Welcome to The Other Chair. In this episode, Center for Understanding in Conflict co-founder Gary J. Friedman introduces listeners to the center while exploring the understanding-based approach to conflict and how it can help you bring people together in personal, professional, and practitioner settings.    Learn more at understandinginconflict.org