Conflict Managed

Think Little

What are we to do when faced with the problems of the world?
Today on Conflict Managed we are joined by Kirsti Nordstrom, Developmental Therapist. In the words of Wendell Berry, Kirsti encourages us to “Think Little” to make big and lasting changes. Also on this episode:
Kirsti shares her experience in a difficult work environment that taught her to find her voice and speak up
The important of asking and welcoming questions
Learning to not internalize other people’s poor management
Building capacity
Kirsti moved to Nashville in the summer of 2021 after graduating from the University of Tennessee - Martin with a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences. She is a Developmental Therapist coaching parents that have children with developmental delays and has recently begun to volunteer with AWAKE (Advocates for Women's and Kids' Equality). 
While Kirsti feels she is constantly in a questioning phase, trying to find long-term career goals, her desire is that whatever she does, she wants to inspire people to look for what is true, and ultimately good about their children, partners, community, and self.
You can find Kirsti online at:
Instagram @kirstisierra
LinkedIn @kirsti-nordstrom
You can find the National High School Ethics Bowl at nhseb.unc.edu
Conflict Managed is available wherever you listen to podcasts.
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.

Colleague Currency

What matters (most) to your coworkers?
Today on Conflict Managed we are joined by Peter Noll, General Manager and CEO at WLJT-TV Channel 11, West Tennessee PBS. Peter encourages us to get to know what matters most to the people we work with. If we understand their currency, our working relationships and communication will improve.
On this episode of Conflict Managed, Peter and I also discuss:
Good enough vs Perfect
“Merchandising” accomplishments
The vital importance of continued education
Reading your email (!)
Peter Noll has had the privilege of working in the television industry for the past 28 years, a journey that has taken him to 11 television stations, eight states, 11 cities and includes working for The Walt Disney Company at the ABC Network in Burbank as the Director of Affiliate Marketing and Promotion.
Prior to Peter’s position at West TN PBS, he was at WNBJ, West Tennessee’s local NBC and CW stations, where he served as General Manager since 2018 as well as the Group Director of Marketing and Promotions for Coastal Television, the station’s parent company.
Beginning as a newscast producer for six years and then moving into marketing and promotions, Peter eventually moved into management and group marketing.
A life-long viewer of PBS, beginning with Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood as a small boy, he regularly enjoys Frontline, anything Ken Burns produces and Masterpiece Theater.
A believer in life-long learning, he earned his undergraduate degree in Journalism from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota and a Master of Organizational Leadership from Woodbury University in Burbank, California.
Peter is a Minnesota native but has quickly fallen in love with West Tennessee and is very proud to call it his home.
Please like and subscribe to Conflict Managed wherever you listen to podcasts.
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.

Overcoming Self-Doubt

Today on Conflict Managed we are joined by Landy Fuqua, the director of the Regional Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (REED) Center which houses the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at the University of Tennessee Martin.
Landy Fuqua is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a Master of Business Administration.  Landy serves on the Northwest Tennessee Workforce Development Board, Weakley County Leadership committee and is president of the Martin Business Association board.  She is a graduate of the Delta Leadership Institute, WestStar Leadership, Weakley County Leadership, and served on the Delta Leadership Network’s Regional Advisory Council. In addition to serving as the full-time director, Landy is co-owner of Old Salem Farms, along with her husband of 44 years, Bill.  Together they have three daughters and eight grandchildren.
 
You can find Landy online at:
lfuqua@tsbdc.org
www.tsbdc.org
linkedin.com/in/landy-fuqua-mba-tcecd-babb7b4b
 
Please like and subscribe to Conflict Managed wherever you listen to podcasts.
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.

Resilient

Today on Conflict Managed we are joined by Chris Smith, Lifeline Peer Project Coordinator for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Chris shares his story of recovery and his work to build a sustainable recovery community.
Chris Smith is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Social Worker, Treasurer for UP Outreach, Committee member for West Tennessee Addiction Network, Part Restaurant Owner, Fitness Instructor, and Recovery Coach. Chris is passionate about helping individuals improve areas of their life they find themselves struggling in to become better and more productive for themselves, the people around them, and their community.
You can find Chris online at:
linkedin.com/in/chris-smith-10b837249
 
Please like and subscribe to Conflict Managed wherever you listen to podcasts.
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.

The Ongoing Effects of COVID at Work

Today on Conflict Managed we are joined by Tracey Mebane, Human Resource Administrator & Special Projects at Lane College. We discuss the continuing effects of COVID on the workplace, adapting to change, sharing knowledge, and the importance of listening and caring for our co-workers.
Tracey has more than 20 years of experience between the field of finance, banking, and human resources. She received several awards from First Tennessee Bank, now First Horizon and Citigroup, recognizing many of her accomplishments, particularly in leadership.
In 2014 Tracey re-entered higher education at the non-profit HBCU, Lane College. Planning, directing, developing, coordinating, training, thinking strategically of the welfare of the college so that the college can continue to grow and educate is only a small part of her duties.
Tracey has been a part of some amazing projects that took Lane College from paper to electronic processing, and she contributed to other cost saving projects. She led the development of the benefits and retirement committee that gives the faculty and staff a voice in decision making regarding health insurance and retirement benefits options. She is currently leading Lane College’s retirement transformation project. Tracey facilitates wellness lunch and learns focusing on balancing all aspect of life from spiritual, to financial to wellness and more.  She previously led the team that revised the employee handbook and she sits on the president’s leadership team.
Tracey is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and currently volunteers on the West Tennessee SHRM executive board and is on her second year as Community Outreach Director, raising over 10k for different community outreach projects in 2022. She is also a non-medical emergency volunteer for West Tennessee.
Tracey attended Airline School in Pompano, FL and worked at Memphis International after high school. She has an Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology from Jackson State Community College, a Bachelor of Science from University of Tennessee at Martin and a MBA with distinctions from Grantham University who as now joined the curriculum at the University of Arkansas.
Please like and subscribe to Conflict Managed wherever you listen to podcasts.
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.

Institutional Betrayal and Workplace Bullying

How do you feel on your way to work?
Today on Conflict Managed, we are joined by Jonathan Wilson. Jonathan has over 28 years’ experience working for the Metropolitan Police (United Kingdom) with much of that time in senior leadership roles. 
Jonathan’s police leadership required him to work with diverse communities, businesses, local authorities, across a number of government departments including the Home Office and Mayor of London’s office and internationally. 
He has considerable experience in prevention strategies, legislative changes, working with vulnerable groups, and partnership work.
During his police career Jonathan obtained a law degree at the University of Westminster Law School and an Economics with Cultural Studies degree at the School of African and Asian Studies, University of Sussex.
Jonathan recently retired from the Police Service in 2020 after a traumatic experience of workplace bullying, a period of his life that impacted on him considerably. He now dedicates much of his time to education and challenging workplace bullying behaviors which he says is entirely preventable and creating positive workplace culture.
Jonathan now talks widely across social media and to businesses in person about psychosocial safety at work.
He says, “Psychosocial safety is a leadership issue, and how you interact with people impacts their whole lives. It is therefore the most pressing issue of the contemporary workplace to master. Teaching your leaders interpersonal communications skills that empower not diminish. At the heart of bullying is always complex human dynamics and often unethical behaviours, corruption, discrimination, and harassment will emerge as the reason. Look deeper.”
Jonathan lives in Cornwall and has also established a business running holiday cottages which allows him to pursue the many outdoor activities he enjoys both on and off the water.
You can find Jonathan online at linkedin.com/in/jonathan-wilson-51a1407b
Resources mention on this podcast:
The Bullied Brain: Heal Your Scars and Restore Your Health by Dr. Jennifer Fraser
Bully-ology: How to use Martial Arts to Stand Up for Yourself, Defeat Bullies and Show the World What You Can Do by Ryan Johnson
Stop Hurt at Work: https://www.conductchange.co.uk/stophurtatwork
 
Please like and subscribe to Conflict Managed wherever you listen to podcasts.
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.

Autonomy & Freedom at Work

Today on Conflict Managed, we are joined by Courtney Echols, Director of Weakley County Prevention Coalition. Courtney tells us what it felt like to work for a boss that gave her both the guidance and autonomy to make significant decisions and execute her plans. Courtney encourages us to focus on what is in our control at work, such as taking care of ourselves. We also discuss the importance of clear communication, having a growth mindset, creativity, and the power of silence.
Courtney Echols, a Jackson, TN native, graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. She served as the WCPC Program Coordinator from 2015-2018 before assuming the director role. Her top goal is to ensure the coalition remains a well-known resource to community members and implement effective strategies to reduce substance misuse and abuse among youth and young adults in the county.  She has extensive experience in planning, leadership development, team facilitation, and cross-sector collaboration and engagement. She also is a certified Responsible Beverage Service instructor, Certified Prevention Specialist, and graduate of CADCA Academy. She lives in Martin, TN, with her husband, Kameron, and their two children, Jaylen and Allie. She serves on various civic and volunteer groups and is passionate about helping others and making the community safer.
You can reach Courtney at director@wcpcoalition.org
Please like and subscribe to Conflict Managed wherever you listen to podcasts.
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.

People Need to be Seen

Who should solve your workplace conflict?
Today on Conflict Managed, we are joined by D.G. Mawn, president of the National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM). He reminds us individuals involved in conflict should be the ones to resolve their conflict, rather than outside parties. If we want to really address issues at work, we need to not only listen to those in conflict but see them.
D.G. Mawn has served NAFCM in several roles, first as a member of the Board of the Directors (2012-2014) then as the JAMS Foundation Mini-Grant Program Manager (2014-2016), and currently serves NAFCM as the President of the membership association. He is an attorney licensed in Illinois and Kentucky.D.G. co-developed the Cultural Intuitiveness process and provides consultation and coaching to state, public and community-based organizations on human services/system development and effectiveness, leadership development, strategic planning and communication, cultural intuitiveness, sustainability and evaluation.D.G. has worked in the local, state and federal level health systems interweaving his background in anthropology, religion and law in a manner that connects well within the political setting as well as the community setting. Through-out his career he has sought to appreciate the culture and systems of community and follow empathetic processes that strengthen both the individual and the system in order to facilitate the creation of sustainable positive impacts.
 
Please like and subscribe to Conflict Managed wherever you listen to podcasts.
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.

The Magic of Appreciation

Today on Conflict Managed, Carolina Vela shares the impact of the best boss she’s worked for. He treated her as a leader, and that’s what she became. We discuss the power of appreciation, the reciprocal nature of leadership, and the importance of communicating and leading to produce self-confidence.
Carolina Vela, from León, México, is a 23-year-old international student with a bachelor’s degree in International Business from La Universidad de La Salle Bajío, and an international exchange experience in France, at IÉSEG School of Management. Vela, moved to Tennessee last year to start her MBA at UT Martin, and to immerse in her father’s small business, Marias Mexican Restaurant in McKenzie, TN. Vela is currently working for the UT Martin REED Center as a Graduate Assistant with hopes to learn, improve, and keep acquiring experience in the business field for the future. Vela is fluent in Spanish, English and French, and loves to travel the globe, facing new experiences and challenges, personal, cultural, and professionally.
You can find her online:
https://www.instagram.com/caro_vela/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/carolina.velarodriguez?mibextid=LQQJ4d
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-vela-rodriguez-6a73381b2/
Please like and subscribe to Conflict Managed wherever you listen to podcasts.
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.

Reflective Leadership

With so much to do, where should you focus your energy?
Today on Conflict Managed, Dr. Erik Nordberg shares his 10-year leadership journey and what he has learned along the way. He offers strategies for working with people we find difficult and the importance of really embracing DEI.
Erik Nordberg is Dean of the Paul Meek Library at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He holds an MSLS degree from Wayne State University and earned his PhD at Michigan Technological University. He was employed as a professional archivist at Indiana University of South Bend, Michigan Tech, and is former director of the Walter Reuther Library at Wayne State. Nordberg was dean of libraries at Indiana University of Pennsylvania before beginning his current role in February 2021. Nordberg was part of the 2022 cohort for Leadership Weakley County and is a member of the Weakley County Historical and Genealogical Society and the Friends of the Martin Public Library.  He and his wife, Jane Nordberg, live with their two cats in Martin, Tennessee.
You can find Erik online at https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-nordberg/
Please like and subscribe to Conflict Managed wherever you listen to podcasts.
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.
You can also find us on TikTok @3pconflictrestoration