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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.