Mediate Your Life with John Kinyon

In this episode of the Mediate Your Life podcast, John speaks with Jeff Krasno, co-founder of Commune Media and a leader in the health and wellness world. Jeff shares deeply and movingly about his experiences facilitating difficult conversations during times of social and political turmoil, particularly in his recent efforts organizing a 5-day intensive peace initiative on the Israel-Palestine situation.   The discussion explores the challenges of navigating polarized viewpoints and the importance of creating safe spaces for dialogue. Jeff recounts powerful moments of connection that emerged from seemingly insurmountable differences, highlighting the transformative potential of empathy and active listening.   John and Jeff explore the application of Nonviolent Communication and Mediate Your Life principles in both global conflicts and personal relationships. In a vulnerable part of the conversation, Jeff opens up about his family of origin and relationship with his aging father.   The conversation also touches on Jeff's upcoming book, "Good Stress," and how embracing discomfort in controlled doses can lead to personal growth and improved communication skills.   Listeners will gain practical insights into managing difficult conversations, the importance of presence in conflict resolution, and how to apply these principles in their own lives. This episode holds value for anyone interested in personal growth, effective communication, and making a positive impact in an increasingly divided world.    Find Jeff Krasno here: https://www.jeffkrasno.com/ [https://www.jeffkrasno.com/]   Discover Jeff’s books here: https://www.jeffkrasno.com/book [https://www.jeffkrasno.com/book] https://www.onecommune.com/goodstressbook [https://www.onecommune.com/goodstressbook]   Read “Good Stress:” http://www.onecommune.com/goodstressbook [http://www.onecommune.com/goodstressbook]    Discover Commune Media: https://www.onecommune.com/ [https://www.onecommune.com/] Chapters:   00:00:00 - Introducing Jeff Krasno 00:04:09 - Discussion of political polarization and recent Israel-Palestine event 00:06:11 - Background on Commune platform and Jeff's newsletter 00:11:00 - Jeff's approach to responding to critical emails and inviting zoom conversations 00:20:06 - Learnings about difficult conversations and finding points of connection 00:25:00 - Building psychological immune system through exposure to criticism 00:29:00 - Creating safe containers for difficult conversations 00:42:00 - Background on Israel-Palestine Peace Summit 00:49:00 - Trauma and healing in Israel-Palestine dialogue 00:54:30 - Historical context and shared trauma between groups 01:03:30 - Biographical stories exercise 01:06:15 - Comforting a Palestinian participant who lost his cousin 01:13:00 - Difficult conversations with aging parents 01:16:00 - John guides Jeff through internal mediation process  01:23:50 - Strength and carrying others’ burdens 01:38:30 - Nurturing vs healing needs 01:43:00 - Discussion of Jeff's upcoming book "Good Stress" and its key themes 01:45:00 - Final thoughts on importance of difficult conversations for democracy   Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:   Good Stress with Jeff Krasno [https://commune.to/goodstress]: https://commune.to/goodstress [https://commune.to/goodstress]    Jeff Krasno on IG [https://www.instagram.com/jeffkrasno/]: https://www.instagram.com/jeffkrasno/ [https://www.instagram.com/jeffkrasno/]  Jeff Krasno on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/jeffpatrickkrasno/]: https://www.facebook.com/jeffpatrickkrasno/ [https://www.facebook.com/jeffpatrickkrasno/]

In this episode of the Mediate Your Life podcast, John Kinyon engages in a heartfelt conversation with Tejumo Ogouma, a conflict resolution professional with an international background. Tejumo opens up about a deeply personal family conflict, centered on his relationship with his sister in the wake of their parents' passing.   The discussion explores the complexities of sibling dynamics, estate management, and the profound impact of lost connection. John guides Tejumo through a process of self-empathy and compassion, helping him navigate the pain, sadness, and frustration he experiences in this difficult family situation.   This episode demonstrates how the tools and approaches used in professional mediation can be applied to our own intimate family conflicts. Tejumo's journey of self-reflection and his efforts to find compassion for both himself and his sister provide a powerful example of the transformative potential of empathy in healing relationships.   Listeners will gain practical insights for dealing with family conflicts, understanding the importance of self-compassion, and recognizing the universal human needs that underlie even the most challenging behaviors. This episode is a worthwhile listen for anyone grappling with family discord or seeking to deepen their understanding of conflict resolution in personal relationships.

In this episode of the Mediate Your Life podcast, John Kinyon engages in a heartfelt conversation with Jovanka Beckles, a seasoned community leader running for California State Senate. Jovanka shares her journey from mental health professional to political activist, highlighting how her experiences shaped her commitment to social justice and community healing.   The discussion covers the challenges of running a corporate-free campaign, the emotional impact of political conflict, and the importance of addressing root causes of societal issues. John guides Jovanka through a process of empathy and self-reflection, helping her navigate the hurt and frustration she feels when encountering opposition to her platform.   This episode offers listeners a unique perspective on political engagement, demonstrating how empathy and compassion can transform our approach to political differences. It provides practical insights for anyone seeking to engage in political discourse with greater understanding and connection, while also offering a compelling look at grassroots political activism in action.

In this episode of the Mediate Your Life podcast, John Kinyon engages in a deep conversation with Larry Rosen, a mediator who is creating a documentary series called, "The Enemies Project." Larry introduces his theory of the "enemy trance," explaining how empathy shutdown leads to misunderstanding and conflict escalation. He shares insights from the documentary he’s creating, which aims to bring together politically opposed individuals for transformative dialogues.    The discussion covers the neuroscience of conflict, the role of "enemy makers" in society, and how to break cycles of animosity. John also guides Larry through an internal mediation process, demonstrating Mediate Your Life principles and how these relate to the Enemies Project. This episode offers listeners an exploration of conflict dynamics on both societal and personal levels, providing practical insights for anyone seeking to navigate disagreements with greater compassion and understanding.   About Larry:   Larry’s experience with peacemaking is multifaceted and long. As the founder of the mediation law practice Through Understanding [https://www.throughunderstanding.com/], Larry has helped thousands craft stable solutions to crippling conflicts. In September 2024, Larry begins hosting the documentary film series The Enemies Project [http://www.enemiesproject.org/], whose goal is to help rivals and enemies see deeply inside each other. Larry’s TEDx, The Secret to Understanding Humans [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSlc9IxdBw8], viewed 1.5 million times, offers simple, profound insight into human psychology. His popular article series, Understanding Humans [https://medium.com/@larrycrosen], further illuminates the hidden human mind. In 2024, Larry completed writing the soon-to-be-published novel The Enemy Dance, posing the question: Can a society riven by tribalism heal itself or must it descend into war? Larry graduated in the top 10 from UCLA School of Law where he was Editor of the Law Review. His many projects share a common purpose: feeling what is inside our enemies — so that we know how to convert them into friends.     If you would like to participate in the documentary film series The Enemies Project [http://www.enemiesproject.org/], please visit the website and submit an inquiry.

In this episode of the Mediate Your Life podcast, John Kinyon engages in a deeply moving conversation with Ashira Darwish, a Palestinian activist, journalist, and founder of Catharsis Holistic Healing. She was also featured in the powerful documentary, Where Olive Trees Weep.    Ashira shares her experiences living in Jerusalem, and her personal journey of healing and activism. The episode explores themes of intergenerational trauma, the weight of bearing witness to seemingly insurmountable conflict, and the complex interplay of rage, guilt, and the need for self-care in the context of sustained activism.   John accompanies Ashira through a process of the Mediate Your Life approach, navigating the internal conflict between her intense drive to help her community and her personal need for self-care. This process reveals the challenges activists face in balancing their commitment to their cause with caring for their own well-being, and offers a compassionate framework for integrating these often seemingly opposing needs.   Watch “Where Olive Trees Weep:” https://whereolivetreesweep.com/ [https://whereolivetreesweep.com/] Visit Ashira’s Website: https://www.ashirapremrachana.com/ [https://www.ashirapremrachana.com/]