The Mediate.com Podcast

Negotiation Ethics, International Dispute Resolution, and Online Mediation with Carrie Menkel-Meadow [Ep. 24]

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 Resolution and Civil Procedure Emerita at Georgetown University Law Center.  Episode highlights include:
What it means to approach mediation as a "sensibility"
The importance of negotiation ethics for mediators, including discussion of a hypothetical that many mediators have probably faced 'in the mediation room'
What a "competent" mediator looks like
Examples of what mediation is/is not across the World
Online mediation--Where it works and what the challenges are
 
Carrie's Faculty Profile Page

Providing Mediation as an Alternative Response to Low Emergent 911 Calls—The Mediation Response Unit at the Dayton Mediation Center [Ep. 23]

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 City of Dayton program under the umbrella of the Dayton Mediation Center and are an alternative response team that responds to low emergent 911 calls within the City of Dayton. Our program was formulated after the police reform talks began in 2020 and the working groups identified recommendations for the community of Dayton. We are a team of five trained responders with a wealth of experience and certification in areas such as crisis response, de-escalation, conflict resolution and community development and relationship building."
 
Dayton Mediation Response Unit Website
 
About Raven Cruz Loaiza:
 
Raven is the Mediation Response Coordinator for the newly developed Mediation Response Unit (MRU) at the Dayton Mediation Center located in Dayton, Ohio. The MRU derived from the City of Dayton’s police reform initiatives and is in place to provide the community of Dayton with on scene alternate response options for non-violent incidences that arise. Raven has two decades of experience working in law enforcement, children’s services, juvenile probation and victim services. Raven is a Licensed Social Worker who holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Louisville as well as a Bachelor Degree in Social Work and a Bachelor in Criminal Justice from Wright State University. Raven is also a Registered Advocate in the State of Ohio.

An Introduction to the Ombuds Role for Mediators with Chuck Doran [Ep. 22]

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 different types of ombuds?
What is the difference between a mediator and an ombuds?
How can one get into the ombuds field?
Links mentioned in the show:
 
International Ombuds Association FAQ Section
Chuck's article: Mediator as Ombuds
A Practical Guide to Organizational Ombuds: How They Help People and Organizations by Chuck Howard
MWI Website
Connect with Chuck Doran on LinkedIn
The LinkedIn Group – Outsourced Ombuds Network can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14059472/
The Ombuds Blog
 
About Chuck:
Chuck Doran is an experienced mediator and ombuds specializing in the resolution of employment, franchise and other commercial disputes. A mediator since 1992, he is a member of the CPR Dispute Resolution Panel of Distinguished Neutrals and has provided mediation and other ADR services to a variety of clients including AT&T, Bose, BMW of North America, Coca-Cola, CVS Health, General Motors, Oxfam America, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), and the USPS REDRESS I and REDRESS II Mediation Panels. Chuck is a Certified Organizational Ombuds Practitioner (CO-OP) and a member of the International Ombudsman Association who completed ombuds training with the IOA in 1995. In 1993, Chuck completed a Specialization in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution at the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School. In 1994, Chuck founded MWI, a nationally recognized dispute resolution service and training organization based in Boston, MA that provides individual and corporate clients with mediation services, negotiation consulting and training, and mediation training. Chuck served as a member of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Dispute Resolution and was Chair of the Qualifications Subcommittee. He is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association's Dispute Resolution Advisory Group and is a past president of the Association for Conflict Resolution, New England Chapter. He is also a Distinguished Fellow with the International Academy of Mediators (IAM) and a past president of IAM's Board of Governors.

How To Leverage Design Principles To Elevate Your Mediation Practice with Darin Thompson [Ep. 21]

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 innovation projects including the British Columbia Civil Resolution Tribunal.  Episode highlights include:
 
A discussion of "end-to-end" design as it relates to dispute resolution
Examples of good uses of technology in dispute resolution
A discussion of "user-experience design"
How mediators can begin incorporating design thinking skills
 
Links mentioned in the show:
 
Darin's website: http://darinthompson.ca/
Civil Resolution Tribunal blog: https://civilresolutionbc.ca/blog/

Early Dispute Resolution in Special Education--An Overview for Mediators with Ashley Rosenthal [Ep. 20]

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 terminology that comes up when mediating special education matters.
A discussion of some of the challenges a mediator faces when mediating special education matters.
How a mediator can begin learning about the field of special education.
Connect with Ashley/Link to Resource Mentioned in the Show: 
Email: ashleylorenrosenthal@gmail.com
Personal website: https://www.rosenthalmediation.com/
Erhard & Associates Website: https://www.mediation-rje.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-rosenthal-769112203/

CONFLICT-IQ™ for Mediators with Yvette Durazo [Ep. 19]

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 highlights include:
An overview of CONFLICT-IQ™ and the behaviors of someone who has CONFLICT-IQ™
How CONFLICT-IQ™ shows up with online and text-based communication
Why mediators need to know their own CONFLICT-IQ™
Links to resources mentioned in the show:
 
Yvette's website: https://www.unitiveconsulting.com/
Yvette's book: https://www.conflictintelligentbook.com/Bookinfoandmastercourse

How Emotions, Behavioral Economics, and Neuroscience Factor into Decision Making for Parties in Mediation with Lucia Kanter St. Amour [Ep. 18]

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 behavioral science--provides a basic overview of behavioral science principles relevant to mediators and provides takeaways for how mediators can help keep parties on a productive path in mediation.  Episode highlights include:
A discussion on "the myth of rationality"
A discussion of the common "cognitive traps" (confirmation bias, reactive devaluation, reciprocity, and endowment effect) in conflict/negotiation/mediation
Facts versus emotions during conflict
Links to resources mentioned in the episode:
 
Lucia's website: https://www.pactumfactum.com/
Lucia's podcast: https://pactumfactum.substack.com/
 

Workplace Mediation: It’s all in the Preparation with Dr. Debra Dupree [Ep. 17]

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 about what happens to employees when there is a lack of “psychological safety.”
- An overview of the three assessments (conflict management styles, emotional intelligence, and communication styles) that Dr. Debra uses in her mediation process to help participants shift their mindsets in preparation for a workplace mediation.
- How mediators can incorporate assessment tools into their mediation process.

Focusing on Mindset to Prepare Parties for Mediation with Teresa Harlow [Ep. 16]

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 applying her principles with her co-parent.
 
Links mentioned in the show: 
Teresa's website: https://teresaharlow.com/
Teresa's books: https://teresaharlow.com/books/

Confidence, Networking, and Relationship Building for Mediators with Stephanie Hanna [Ep. 15]

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 and relationship building
- How storytelling and building your "whisper brand" impact your career success
 
Links mentioned in the show:
 
The Other 85 website: https://theother85.net/
Stephanie's podcast, "Capture Your Confidence": https://theother85.net/podcast/