The Other Chair Podcast

In this episode of The Other Chair, author, attorney, trainer, and understanding-based mediator Katherine E. Miller shares how the understanding-based model turns divorce from a fight into an opportunity for insight - helping parties name emotions, uncover priorities, and negotiate clearer outcomes. Drawing from her book The Emotionally Savvy Divorce Miller offers practical strategies for mediator...

In this episode Gary Friedman traces the evolution of mediation from a people-centered alternative to a lawyer-dominated process, explaining how courts and legal culture turned voluntary mediation into mandatory settlement practices. He describes the understanding-based model that returns decision-making to the parties, while showing how lawyers and the law can support - rather than control - cons...

Welcome to The Other Chair. Today, we’re exploring a familiar challenge in professional life - workplace conflict. Whether it’s friction between coworkers, breakdowns in communication, or tension between managers and team members, conflict at work can take a toll on trust, collaboration, and productivity. Our guest is Pat Lau, a longtime workplace mediator, conflict resolution trainer, and co-foun...

On this episode of The Other Chair, we are diving into the intersection of emotional intelligence, mediation, and joy, and how empathy can transform even the most challenging conversations into opportunities for connection.   Our guest is Misha Safran, trilingual mediator, keynote speaker, educator, and founder of the Center for Empathy and Emotional Intelligence. In this episode, Misha shares how...

Explore the transformative potential of understanding and navigating conflict in a healthier way. In this episode, Amanda Ripley, a New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of Good Conflict, shares her insights on how conflict can be not just managed but truly transformed. Join us in examining how personal insights can lead to broader systemic change, especially in educational and journali...

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...

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 widen...

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 nego...

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, Illin...

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 se...

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 under...

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 wi...

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...

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...

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 ste...

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...

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 th...

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 un...

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 co...

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...

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 p...