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.

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/

Visit Ashira’s Website: https://www.ashirapremrachana.com/

In this episode of the Mediate Your Life podcast, John Kinyon engages in a heartfelt conversation with Cory Tyler, exploring the transformative potential of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) in our politically divided world.

Cory, drawing from his background in show business and his journey to becoming an NVC practitioner, coach, and trainer, shares examples of navigating political disagreements within his own family. Through these personal stories, he illustrates the shift from reactive debate to compassionate curiosity.

John and Cory explore the nuances of self-empathy, the challenge of facing our inner judgmental thoughts, and the liberating process of translating these into compassionate understanding. They discuss the ongoing practice required to maintain presence in difficult conversations and the importance of having support systems.

This episode offers practical insights for anyone seeking to bridge divides in their personal relationships or broader communities. John and Cory explore these themes with candor and sensitivity, revealing how NVC can be a powerful tool for personal growth and social change.

Listeners will come away with concrete strategies for transforming potentially volatile interactions into opportunities for deeper connection and mutual understanding.