The Other Chair Podcast

Mediation for New York Practitioners: Skills, Training, and Practice

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 negotiations with opposing counsel.

Our guests, Antoinette Delruelle and Joy S. Rosenthal, Esq., bring years of experience as mediators and attorneys in New York. They’ll also share details about an upcoming opportunity to receive Part 146-approved mediation training through the Center for Understanding in Conflict’s 40-Hour Conflict Resolution and Matrimonial Mediation Training in June 2025, designed specifically for practitioners looking to deepen their skills and qualify for court rosters.

Community Mediation: Finding the Center of Hope with Guests Cassie Lively (CCR) and D.G. Mawn (NAFCM)

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, Illinois, while D.G. brings a national perspective on mediation, advocating for community-based conflict resolution programs and ensuring that local peacemakers have the resources, training, and support they need to thrive.

In this episode, we’ll explore the history of their organizations and the role of community mediation with practical steps for those looking to get involved in this essential work.

Mindfulness and Understanding with Guest David Dörken

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 sessions. David discusses the importance of self-awareness and inner work for conflict professionals, offering insights into how anyone can cultivate these skills to improve their mediation practice.

Bridging NYC’s Divides: Conflict Resolution at OATH with Guests Judge Raymond Kramer and Sethu Nair

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 understanding-based approach and offering insights for practitioners looking to enhance their own practice.

Navigating Conflict in a Polarized World with Guest Gary J. Friedman

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 within individuals struggling to reconcile personal values with societal pressures.

This episode will challenge listeners to reflect on the impact of polarized perspectives and provide tools to engage in constructive dialogue amid deep-seated differences.

Family Therapy and Mediation with Guest Lisa Taubenblat

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 communities, and practical strategies for emotional regulation during conflict. 

Staying Fresh in the Field with Guest Catherine Conner

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.

Prescribing Mediation in Healthcare with Doctors Paul Natterson and Jeff Stuart

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 with formal conflict resolution training, advocating an institutional framework for collaborative problem solving techniques including mediation, to positively affect dispute outcomes, preserve relationships, and create a more transparent and supportive culture in healthcare settings.