Document Your Wishes: Divorce & Changing Life Insurance Beneficiaries

A surprising outcome that is noteworthy for Divorcing (or Divorced) Couples seeking to use Life Insurance Proceeds to assist their exes and or children.

SHOVEL 8 - Traditional Mediation and the Mirror….

A look back: have these articles been just a series of mind jostling thoughts about a tradition in the mediation world, a stirring up of the current culture, or was it something else?

Is the Mandatory Mediation Program in Ontario Still Viable?

When mandatory mediation was introduced in Ontario 27 years ago it was heralded as visionary as it offered many necessary benefits that could not be accommodated at the time, particularly a more efficient legal process. As with any reform, there is the need for revision over time.

Why Ethics Matter in Mediation

Is the legal profession in fact a noble profession?

Using Stone Soup

Out of the blue, I got an email from Peter Phillips saying, “John, just a note to report how much fun Stone Soup is.

Exploring Agreement - Readiness for Divorce Mediation

This article describes a private reflective exercise that may be helpful in assessing your current state of readiness to mediate your divorce.

Eviction Mediation Q&A w/ Christina Wright

This article is part of a series of perspectives on eviction mediation program development that is being supported by the American Arbitration Association-International Centre for Dispute Resolution Foundation.

Why is the Pandemic Causing a Spike in Divorce?

At the outset of the Covid-19 outbreak, many experts predicted a sharp increase in divorce rates. This has played out a bit differently than expected.

Do We Understand Traditional Mediation?

It looks like we’re coming to the end of this dig. I can see a part of the canister holding the remains of traditional mediation.

Interviewer or Volunteer? The best mix for difficult conversations

Are you naturally an interviewer or a volunteer in difficult conversations? A discussion on conflict and conversation styles.

The Law of Conformity - Conflict Lessons from 2021

Also known as the 95 percent law, Peter Sage calls it the law of conformity. If you hang out with nine motivated, go-getting, positive individuals you’re going to become the tenth.

How to Control Your Emotions During a Difficult Conversation - Video

Have you been wanting to up-level your negotiation skills and wondering how to control your emotions during a difficult conversation so you can get what you want?

[PODCAST] The Divided Community Project’s Commitment to Community Change Through Dispute Resolution

A podcast from JAMS featuring neutral Michael Lewis and Carl Smallwood and Nancy Rogers of the Divided Community Project (DCP) on the project’s goal of using dispute resolution tools to positively impact and empower communities across the nation.

Further Reflections on the last 525,600 minutes (x 2)!

What has the last 21 months taught me?

Eviction Mediation Updates, December 2021

As the state of eviction mediation continues to evolve, we wanted to share some notable developments from across the country.

“Hearing” the Other Side in Employment Mediations

Abby Silverman and Cyrus Dugger offer their thoughts on various topics related to employment mediation, including negotiation strategies, tax considerations and goodwill gestures.

Conflict Assessment and Management - Systemic Mediation

This article looks at how to address unconscious biases in order to tackle miscommunication and misbehavior. It begins with an examination of brain processes, and then looks at a practical understanding of how to tackle and change those processes.

How To Prepare For Your First Divorce Mediation Session

The decision to get divorced is often not an easy one. But what happens when you don’t want a full-blown series of court cases surrounding this experience?

Personal Histories in Conflict Resolution Interview Series: Howard Bellman

From the Mediate.com interview series -- a conversation with Howard Bellman about his chapter in the book "Evolution of a Field: Personal Histories in Conflict Resolution."

Mediate.com Great Reads Book Club - Grande Lum, interviewed by Colin Rule

Another episode from Mediate.com's Great Reads Book Club: Grade Lum talking about his book "America's Peacemakers: The Community Relations Service and Civil Rights," hosted by Colin Rule.

How to Have a Difficult Conversation with Your Boss

Have you wondered how to have a difficult conversation with your boss? If you'd like to know how to start a difficult conversation at work, whether it's difficult conversations with employees or bosses, this video is for you.

How To Have an Unsuccessful Mediation

Recently, I conducted a mediation which from the moment I introduced myself, I knew it would not settle. These signs gave it away.

Transformative Family Dialogue During the Pandemic – A Story from a Mediation Center in the Czech Republic

A Chance to Become a Special Master

What makes you a special master?

The Top Five Issues in Startup Co-Founder Separations

Perspectives from JAMS neutral Shirish Gupta and JAMS Diversity Fellow Genesis Fisher on navigating co-founder separation disputes.