Texas Conflict Coach

Got Conflict? The Texas Conflict Coach, a division of Conflict Connections, Inc. provides consumer education and tools to build self-awareness, skills and resources to manage conflict effectively. In this augural show, Pattie Porter, connects with the audience by sharing her story of growing up in a high conflict family, and this led eventually to her work as a conflict management expert. Pattie sets the stage for future shows including the idea of giving fieldwork assignments. The first fieldwork assignment is reading the first two chapters in "Becoming a Conflict Competent Leader" by Craig Runde. Craig will be the next guest on April 15th at 5:30 pm CST. Texas Conflict Coach listeners heard Peaceful Co-Existence by Radio Orphan on this inaugural show.

Restorative Practices: Can ancient traditions of accountability and peacemaking create safer schools today Many schools need more practical and effective measures for ending violence and disruption and for promoting more cooperative behavior. Restorative Practices derive from indigenous cultures and are based on time-honored principles of respect, resolution and community. In schools, they promote problem solving, conflict resolution, personal accountability, and productive climates for learning. They can dramatically reduce reliance on suspensions. Our guests will discuss the recent, worldwide emergence of the ancient "Restorative Practices" and describe how they are improving schools in Michigan. Join my guest Host Zena Zumeta as she speaks with Bill Sower and Susan Butterwick. Bill Sower is a retired Michigan teacher and principal. Working with the International Institute for Restorative Practices, he has trained thousands of educators in restorative conferences and circles. He now directs the Christopher and Virginia Sower Center for Successful Schools. Susan Butterwick is an attorney and mediator in Michigan. She teaches mediation at Wayne State University and is the consulting Director of Family Programs for the Wayne Mediation Center, where she directs a child protection mediation program, restorative justice programs for juveniles, and programs in approximately 20 schools throughout Wayne County (Detroit area), Michigan. The school programs include a truancy prevention mediation program, restorative conferencing programs, and community building and mentorship circles. For more information visit: IIRP and The Sower Center

As a business are you engaging in SMART conflict management and dispute resolution? Embrace conflict on the road to greater profitability and improve relationships with employees, customers and vendors. Let's explore how intelligently managing conflicts with your key stakeholders can improve your bottom line and performance. Join my Guest Host Zena Zumeta as we talk with Dick Hurford, a litigation and Labor/Employment Attorney. Since 1980, Mr. Hurford has focused his practice on employment matters and the representation of corporate clients in litigation and claims in state and federal courts and administrative agencies.Throughout his career Mr. Hurford has been a frequent lecturer and presenter on employment law, ADR and litigation management techniques. In addition to his J.D. and Masters in History, Mr. Hurford has an MBA, has a Yellow Belt certification from Legal Lean Sigma, and is pursuing a Green Belt certification in Six Sigma processes. For more information go to: Ogletree Deakins or email him at: [email protected]

Are you in a business partnership that's having problems? Have you been in the past? What is it that makes for a good working partnership? Even good partnerships have periods of problems. Where can relationships go wrong? This show will discuss how to prevent partnership problems, and how to approach fixing them once they appear. Join us as we discuss with Zena Zumeta a lawyer and a former president of the Academy of Family Mediators. Internationally known as both a mediator and trainer of mediators, Zena is president of the Mediation Training & Consultation Institute, Zena Zumeta Mediation Services, and The Collaborative Workplace in Ann Arbor, Michigan. For more information go to Zena Zumeta Mediation Services

Being in business with your family can bring lots of rewards, including financial security and personal pleasure in working with people you know well and love. But it can also be the source of misunderstanding, antagonism and painful conflict. The show looks at common causes of conflict in family businesses and how that conflict can be resolved and even prevented. Join me as I talk with Jim Lea, a writer, speaker and advisor on family owned and closely held business. He’s the author of Keeping It In the Family: Successful Succession of the Family Business, a syndicated print and online family business columnist, and author of numerous articles. Jim advises family owned companies in the United States and other countries on human performance and relationships issues in management, including identifying, understanding and resolving causes of conflict. He is frequently invited to speak to trade and business groups. He’s a professor at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. For more information go to: Your Family Business