Training Mediators: Skills, Challenges, and Building Resilience in Conflict Management

Training Mediators: Skills, Challenges, and Building Resilience in Conflict Management

Author: Simon Goode February 18, 2026 Duration: 30:15
In this episode of the Conflict Skills Podcast, Simon Goode interviews Linda Kochanski, an experienced mediator and trainer, about her 33-year journey in mediation, her approach to training new mediators, and the importance of reflective practice and resilience in the field. They explore how mediation skills benefit professionals from diverse backgrounds, including HR and rehabilitation, and discuss the challenges and rewards of working with conflict, especially in family dispute resolution. ...

Simon Goode has spent years in the quiet, often tense rooms where professional mediation happens. He brings that experience directly into each episode of Conflict Skills, moving beyond theory to the tangible techniques that actually defuse tensions. This isn't about abstract concepts; it's a practical guide for the everyday disagreements that arise in boardrooms, between business partners, or even within your own team. You'll hear Simon break down real scenarios, analyzing where conversations fracture and how to steer them toward resolution. The podcast serves as a kind of audio toolkit, offering actionable steps you can apply immediately, whether you're an entrepreneur facing a partnership dispute, a manager navigating team dynamics, or simply someone looking to handle personal conflicts with more grace. Expect a focus on clear communication, de-escalation tactics, and the structural approaches used by professional mediators. By listening, you gain access to the kind of insights usually reserved for closed-door sessions, all framed within Simon's straightforward, experience-driven perspective. Tune in to transform conflict from a source of stress into an opportunity for constructive dialogue and stronger outcomes.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Conflict Skills
Podcast Episodes
When Clients Push for Discounts: Conflict Skills and Solutions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:23
In this episode, Simon Goode explores a real-life case study of a client requesting a discount for mediation services, analyzing the situation using conflict resolution frameworks. He breaks down the negotiation through…
Essential Ground Rules for Successful Workplace Mediation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:50
In this episode, Simon Goode outlines the importance of setting clear ground rules for workplace mediation to foster productive and respectful conversations. He explains his collaborative approach to developing these gui…
Four Restorative Questions to Stop Rumination After Conflict [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:35
In this episode, Simon Goode explores the topic of rumination, particularly in the context of conflict, and demonstrates his personal reflective practice to address intrusive thoughts. He walks through Terry O’Connell’s…
Insights on Conflict, Self-Regulation, and Philosophical Humility [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:41
Welcome to the Conflict Skills Podcast, hosted by professional mediator Simon Goode. This episode marks a personal milestone, as Simon Goode reflects on his 45th birthday and the lessons learned through years of mediatin…