by James Dykeman | Apr 17, 2025 | Blog, Top
Nonprofit organizations are often described as the backbone of civil society—trusted to care for communities, elevate marginalized voices, and respond to needs where government or market systems fall short. But today, that backbone is under immense strain. Recent...
by James Dykeman | Apr 9, 2025 | Book Review, Top
Tim Hicks’ Embodied Conflict offers a compelling and timely lens into how our brains and bodies participate in, perpetuate, and potentially release us from conflict. For anyone practicing or studying the understanding-based approach to conflict resolution, this book...
by James Dykeman | Mar 28, 2025 | Blog, Top
There was a time when the very idea of people in conflict sitting down together—not to argue, not to convince, but to truly understand one another—felt almost impossible. When Gary Friedman and Jack Himmelstein introduced what became known as the Understanding-Based...
by James Dykeman | Mar 12, 2025 | Blog, Book Review, Top
Jim Camp’s Start with No takes a hard-edged, tactical approach to negotiation—one that might work in high-stakes business deals but feels worlds apart from how understanding-based mediators and conflict professionals approach conflict. Camp’s philosophy is built...
by James Dykeman | Feb 19, 2025 | Blog, Top
Starting a mediation or conflict resolution practice is a journey filled with both excitement and uncertainty. For those drawn to this work, the desire to help others navigate conflict with understanding and dignity is a powerful force. But the path from passion to...
by James Dykeman | Feb 12, 2025 | Book Review, Top, workplace
Charles L. Howard’s A Practical Guide to Organizational Ombuds: How They Help People and Organizations offers a thoughtful and practical exploration of the ombuds role, making a compelling case for why organizations need independent, confidential, and informal...
by James Dykeman | Jan 16, 2025 | Blog, Top
When relationships shift and families face the uncertainty of separation, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, disconnected, and unsure of what lies ahead. Traditional divorce processes often add to that weight—turning heartbreak into battle, conversations into...
by James Dykeman | Jan 8, 2025 | Book Review, Top
CUC Co-Founder Gary J. Friedman’s Guide to Divorce Mediation offers a refreshing and compassionate perspective on navigating divorce. Instead of treating separation as a battle to be fought, Friedman approaches it as an opportunity for couples to work together,...
by James Dykeman | Dec 16, 2024 | Book Review, Top
Misha Safran’s A Teacher’s Companion is a thoughtful and practical guide that offers profound insights for educators and conflict resolution practitioners alike. As a conflict resolution professional and graduate of the Center for Understanding in Conflict’s teacher...
by James Dykeman | Nov 15, 2024 | Blog, Top
Most of us avoid difficult conversations. These exchanges often feel overwhelming, laden with tension and vulnerability, whether at work, with family, or in the broader societal context. Yet avoiding them rarely helps. Left unspoken, conflicts deepen, eroding trust...
