Not by the Sword

Not by the Sword

Not by the Sword Can an act of kindness heal hatred and turn an enemy into an ally? Rabbi Michael Weisser’s experiences with a hate-filled white supremacist suggest the answer is yes. In 1991, the Jewish family of Rabbi Michael Weisser, newly arrived in Lincoln,...
A Listening Heart

A Listening Heart

A Listening Heart Active listening, compassionate listening, empathic listening, listening to understand, listening with the third ear, divine listening. These are all descriptions of the kind of high quality listening that can transform a conflict. A listening heart...
Choosing the Light of Hope

Choosing the Light of Hope

Choosing the Light of Hope Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, Diwali, Solstice—what do these holidays from different religious and cultural traditions have in common?  They all take place in the darkest part of the year, and they all bring light in their rituals. The return...
Culture Eats Policy for Breakfast

Culture Eats Policy for Breakfast

Culture eats policy for breakfast—Dr. Katina Sawyer. A number of workplaces these days have beautiful mission statements and written policies that promote effective conflict resolution, fairness, kindness and equity. But as Dr. Katina Sawyer, Associate Professor of...
Forgive and Walk Away

Forgive and Walk Away

Forgive and Walk Away It is perfectly ok to forgive someone AND still walk away. One of the persistent myths about forgiveness is that if you forgive someone, you have to continue being friends or colleagues. Sometimes continuing a relationship after forgiveness is...
Bean Soup and Conflict

Bean Soup and Conflict

Bean Soup and Conflict.  What in the world does bean soup have to do with conflict? A woman posts a recipe for a nutritious iron rich bean soup on TikTok. And in many comments, people complain that (gasp) the soup has beans in it. They ask how to make it without beans...