Common Ground

"Let's speak to a mediator." Wouldn't it be great if parties in a dispute said that to one another as their initial reaction to conflict? In this episode, Veronica chats with Linda Heng--CEO of ResoX--about the following topics: Examples of changing consumer behavior trends outside of dispute resolution How has the media shaped our perspective of what dispute resolution looks like? Is there public...

As a mediator, do you offer a bundle of services? Have you ever considered adding conflict management coaching as a service in addition to your current services (e.g. mediation and mediation training)? Guest, Cinnie Noble--founder of CINERGY® Coaching--comes back on the show to chat with Veronica about the business development side of adding conflict management coaching as a service.  Episode high...

Perhaps you are familiar with the concept of "psychological safety", but are you also familiar with the concept of "human dignity"? In this episode, host, Veronica Cravener, talks with guest, Camilo Azcarate, about this important topic. Camilo is the current Ombuds at the European Southern Observatory and an international dispute resolution expert with over 25 years of experience as ombuds, mediat...

Did you know that when given the option between in-person conciliation and online conciliation, most people in Colombia now prefer to use online conciliation? In this episode, Veronica talks with Nicolás Lozada, CEO of Redek--the first Colombian Digital Justice and Online Dispute Resolution startup--about online conciliation in Colombia.  Episode highlights include a discussion of the following: m...

There are different perspectives on the use of caucus in mediation. Maybe you use caucus early and often in your mediations or maybe you prefer joint-session and use caucus more as a tool of last resort.  In this episode, mediator LaTanya Moss chats with Veronica about reasons to use a caucus in family mediations, the logistics of managing the use of caucus with each mediation participant, and how...

Are you curious about mediating employment disputes?  In this episode, Tim Warner--mediator, arbitrator, and attorney--talks about how he made the switch from employment litigator to employment mediator and the unique aspects of employment mediation.  Questions answered during this episode include:   What is the most challenging aspect of pivoting from an employment litigator to an employment medi...

More and more, we are a connected world.  So when it comes to intercultural communication...Is it what you say? Or how you say it? Or both? In this episode, Veronica talks with Lynn Cole--founder and CEO of BRDGES Academy--about intercultural communication and why mediators need this skill. Episode highlights include: How culture is defined. A discussion of how culture influences communication and...

Did you know that as a mediator you help parties exercise a superpower?  It's the superpower of everyday negotiation! Listen to this episode as Veronica talks with Lucia Kanter St. Amour--attorney, author, mediator, and VP of Board of UN Women San Francisco--about various topics in her #1 rated new release book on Amazon, For the Forces of Good: The Superpower of Everyday Negotiation.  Episode hig...

As a mediator, you've probably come across the phrase "access to justice" when reading about or listening to discussions of mediation, but are you also familiar with the "procedural justice" aspect of mediation? And for the court-connected mediation programs that you mediate for...Do those programs collect data? In this episode, Veronica talks with Nancy Welsh--the Frank W. Elliott, Jr. University...

Have you ever considered how mediator practices impact the environment? In this episode, Veronica talks with Ian Macduff--mediator and host of the ICODR podcast--about an initiative he is part of--the Mediators Green Pledge. Questions answered during this episode include: What is the Mediators Green Pledge? What are steps that mediators can take to be more environmentally friendly? How can a media...

Mediators, be sure to take notes on this episode as Veronica talks to one of the founders of the modern legal dispute resolution field, Carrie Menkel-Meadow, about negotiation ethics, international dispute resolution, and online mediation.   Carrie is a Distinguished Professor of Law and Political Science at the University of California, Irvine and A.B. Chettle Jr. Professor of Law, Dispute Resolu...

In this episode, Veronica talks to Raven Cruz Loaiza, the Mediation Response Coordinator for the newly developed Mediation Response Unit (MRU) at the Dayton Mediation Center located in Dayton, Ohio.  Listen to this episode to learn about how this innovative program provides mediation in order to work on improving community police relations.   About the Dayton Mediation Response Unit:   "We are a C...

As a mediator, are you curious about other fields that use conflict resolution skills? Are you looking for a field that combines a systemic approach with conflict resolution skills? In this episode, Chuck Doran--experienced mediator, ombuds and Executive Director of MWI--provides an introduction to the ombuds role.  Questions answered in this episode include: What is an ombuds? What are the differ...

Have you ever thought about applying design principles to the delivery of your mediation services? In this episode, Veronica talks with guest Darin Thompson all about various design principles and how they can be applied to dispute resolution processes.  Darin is Legal Counsel with the Ministry of Attorney General in British Columbia, Canada, and he has helped to initiate several justice system in...

Chances are, one reason you got into mediation was to make a difference.  Have you ever thought about getting into special education mediation?  In this episode, Ashley Rosenthal--special education mediator, IEP facilitator, and alternative dispute resolution consultant--provides an overview of early dispute resolution in special education.  Episode highlights include: An overview of the key termi...

As a mediator, chances are you are familiar with EQ and IQ, but do you know about CONFLICT-IQ™?  In this episode, Yvette Durazo--the founder of Unitive Consulting and author of CONFLICT INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT "CONFLICT-IQ™"; The Missing Piece to Turbocharge Conscious Leaders' and Organizations' Emotional Intelligence--discusses the "what", "how" and "why" of CONFLICT-IQ™ for mediators.  Episode hig...

It is no secret that mediators work with parties when they are in the midst of difficult times.  As a mediator, are you aware of how the brain responds in a crisis?  Or have you ever wondered why it seems your mediation parties are not behaving 'rationally'?  In this episode, Lucia Kanter St. Amour--attorney, author, international negotiation lecturer & mediator, with specific training in behavior...

Preparation is key when it comes to all mediation, but especially workplace mediation.  Mediator and psychologist, Dr. Debra Dupree, who is known as the MINDSET Doc, is the Founder and CEO of Relationships at Work, Inc.  Her niche market is workplace mediation and facilitating the interactive process for employees with medical conditions. Episode highlights include: - What mediators should know ab...

In this episode, Teresa Harlow--author, speaker, and collaboration coach--discusses the importance of mindset when moving from "combative to collaborative".  Listen to this episode to learn: the "Lessons from Mom" that mediators can use to help parties prepare for a productive mediation, Teresa's four-step process to move from "combative to collaborative", and Teresa's personal experience in apply...

In this episode, Stephanie Hanna---attorney, mediator, professional development coach (founder of The Other 85), and co-host of the Capture Your Confidence podcast--discusses the following:   - Where 85% of career success comes from (hint:  chances are it is not something you learned in school!) - How you can develop the skill of confidence - The mindset you need to have to be good at networking a...

In this episode, Cinnie Noble--founder of CINERGY® Coaching--discusses conflict management coaching.  Episode highlights include:   - An overview of the one-on-one process of conflict management coaching - When and how conflict management coaching can be used - The importance of distinguishing between the skills and competencies required for conflict management coaching versus mediation -  An intr...

In this episode, Susan Guthrie--family law attorney and mediator in the United States, expert in online mediation, and co-founder of the Mosten Guthrie Academy for Mediation and Collaborative Training--discusses the path for professional development for mediators.  In this episode, we discuss the following:   - What mediators say they need for practice development. - How to find opportunities for...

In this episode, which is part 3 of a 3-part series, Natalie Armstrong-Motin---Founder and Managing Director of Marketing Resolution---discusses how mediators can build a thriving mediation practice.  This episode focuses on the master level mediator and covers the following:   - How you know when you are ready to "level up" from an intermediate mediator to a master mediator - Three ways to make m...

In this episode, which is part 2 of a 3-part series, Natalie Armstrong-Motin--Founder and Managing Director of Marketing Resolution--discusses how mediators can build a thriving mediation practice. This episode focuses on the intermediate level mediator and covers the following:   - How mediators can use permission-based marketing to promote their practice - The importance of finding the method of...

In this episode, which is part 1 of a 3-part series, Natalie Armstrong-Motin--Founder and Managing Director of Marketing Resolution--discusses how mediators can build a thriving mediation practice.  This episode focuses on the beginning mediator and covers the following:   - the importance of the entrepreneurial mindset - the questions you need to answer to determine strategy for building a thrivi...