Step Four: Creating Safety in Conflict with Dr. Peter T. Coleman

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This episode is step four in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations and features Dr. Peter T Coleman, a professor of psychology and education at Columbia University and a renowned expert on constructive conflict resolution, intractable conflict, and sustaining peace. Dr. Coleman has authored or edited a dozen books, well over 100 scientific articles and chapters, is the recipient of various awards, and his work has been featured in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Guardian, Nature, Scientific American, PBS Newshour, and Harvard Business Review. His most recent book, The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization (2021) focuses on breaking through the intractable polarization plaguing the U.S. and other societies.

In this episode, we:

• discuss the benefit of conflict
• explain how to navigate political discussions with family, friends, and strangers
• identify the importance of tolerance
• provide tools for conflict resolution

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Timestamps:
00:00 Intro

01:32 Insights from Dr. Peter T. Coleman on Conflict and Polarization

03:41 Understanding Polarization: Definitions and Implications

04:43 The Constructive Side of Political Differences

09:11 Personal Stories and the Power of Intention in Conversations

13:40 Dialogue vs. Debate: Strategies for Meaningful Conversations

20:23 The Role of Self-Awareness in Navigating Conflict

27:59 Practical Tips for Reducing Conflict and Enhancing Understanding

33:52 Exploring the Mind-Body Connection in Conflict Resolution

35:13 The Evolution of Human Conflict and Settlement

35:53 Navigating Political Discussions at Family Gatherings

36:48 Setting the Tone for Constructive Conversations

37:40 Conflict Resolution in the Classroom: A Case Study

39:41 The Challenge of Changing Minds and the Power of Listening

44:50 Complicating the Narrative: Beyond Two Sides

58:27 The Importance of Tolerance and Understanding in Conflict

01:01:14 Personal Interests Beyond Conflict Resolution

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Chapters

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. Insights from Dr. Peter T. Coleman on Conflict and Polarization (00:01:32)

3. Understanding Polarization: Definitions and Implications (00:03:41)

4. The Constructive Side of Political Differences (00:04:43)

5. Personal Stories and the Power of Intention in Conversations (00:09:11)

6. Dialogue vs. Debate: Strategies for Meaningful Conversations (00:13:40)

7. The Role of Self-Awareness in Navigating Conflict (00:20:23)

8. Practical Tips for Reducing Conflict and Enhancing Understanding (00:27:59)

9. Exploring the Mind-Body Connection in Conflict Resolution (00:33:52)

10. The Evolution of Human Conflict and Settlement (00:35:13)

11. Navigating Political Discussions at Family Gatherings (00:35:53)

12. Setting the Tone for Constructive Conversations (00:36:48)

13. Conflict Resolution in the Classroom: A Case Study (00:37:40)

14. The Challenge of Changing Minds and the Power of Listening (00:39:41)

15. Complicating the Narrative: Beyond Two Sides (00:44:50)

16. The Importance of Tolerance and Understanding in Conflict (00:58:27)

17. Three Captivating Things  (01:01:14)