Conflict Managed

Ep 145, Replacing Judgement with Knowledge

🎙 This week on Conflict Managed we welcome Executive Coach Thomas Gelmi. Join us as we discuss:
🔥 Belief as a Habit – The mindset we choose shapes our outcomes.🔥 The Grip of Negativity – Why the bad sticks while the good slips away.🔥 Differences at Work – Fuel for conflict or a catalyst for growth?🔥 Radical Acceptance – Making peace with what we can’t control.🔥 The Power of Assumption – What if we assumed good intentions first?🔥 Curiosity Over Defense – A mindset shift that transforms workplace conflict.
Conflict Managed is available wherever you listen to podcasts and to watch on YouTube @3pconflictrestoration.
Executive Coach Thomas Gelmi has been a trusted advisor to leaders and their teams for more than two decades. His programs, which have attracted roughly 10,000 participants from nearly 90 countries, reflect his adaptability and appeal across cultures and industries. Thomas works in four languages and his clients range from global corporations to SMEs and private individuals worldwide.
Thomas draws on an extraordinary biography with exciting milestones, such as his many years as a Maître de Cabine, leading cabin crew at Swissair, and eight years as operations manager of an international leadership development company. In addition to his extensive professional experience, he also gathered years of experience as a trained caregiver, providing psychological assistance to victims in crises, accidents, and other extreme situations.
Since 2020, Thomas Gelmi has been a member of the prestigious Forbes Coach Council, an invitation-only community of leading business coaches whose members are selected based on their extensive and diverse experience. He is a long-term member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), whose values and quality standards guide his work.
Conflict Managed is produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services and hosted by Merry Brown.

Ep 144, The Power of Belonging at Work

The Power of Belonging at Work
🎙 This week on Conflict Managed we welcome Karen Phillips.  Join us as we discuss:
💡 Leadership in Action: Spotting toxic, mediocre, and excellent leadership in the workplace💡 Unsung Heroes: How support staff shape a healthy work environment💡 Openness vs. Suspicion: Embracing differences to foster better workplace relationships💡 A New Path: Transitioning into mediation as a second career💡 The Strength of Restraint: The power of stepping away from workplace conflict instead of fueling it
Conflict Managed is available wherever you listen to podcasts and to watch on YouTube @3pconflictrestoration.
Karen Phillips, LBSW, MACR, is a highly experienced mediator with over 35 years of helping families, businesses, and communities navigate conflict and crisis. She has worked extensively in juvenile courts, schools, and community agencies, building strong relationships within the legal community across West Tennessee.
As a licensed social worker with an M.A. in Conflict Resolution, Karen provides mediation services in Memphis and surrounding areas. Karen serves as a board member of the Tennessee Association of Professional Mediators and is a member of the Memphis Bar and Tipton County Bar.
Conflict Managed is produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services and hosted by Merry Brown.
 

Ep 143, Adaptability, Humility, and Collaboration: Keys to Professional Growth

Adaptability, Humility, and Collaboration: Keys to Professional Growth
🎙 This week on Conflict Managed we welcome Jake Bynum.  Join us as we discuss:
📋 Practicing excellent management through clear communication and support📋 Fostering workplace growth by supporting others, even when they move on📋 Turning professional mistakes into opportunities for growth and learning📋 Responding thoughtfully and intentionally to workplace challenges📋 Navigating difficult decisions gracefully when “no” is necessary📋 Treating everyone with respect as a foundation for workplace relationships
Conflict Managed is available wherever you listen to podcasts and to watch on YouTube @3pconflictrestoration.
Jake Bynum serves as Chief of Staff to Chancellor Freeman at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he oversees daily operations, strategic initiatives, and leadership programs like WestStar and the McWherter Institute. Previously, he was the Mayor of Weakley County, holding the position for a decade and becoming the youngest to serve at that time in this role at age 30. Bynum has a degree in business administration from UT Martin and earned a master’s in Leadership and Public Service from Lipscomb University.
Active in his community, Bynum has held key roles with local organizations and has been recognized with several honors, such as the TNAchieves Mentor Hall of Fame and Jackson Sun's 40 Under 40. He is a founding member of the Weakley County Backpack Program, supporting food-insecure children, and serves on the board of the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation. Bynum, a dedicated family man, lives in Dresden with his wife Alyssa, a public-school teacher, and their two children, Ella and Nash.
Conflict Managed is produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services and hosted by Merry Brown.

Ep 142, Handling Unfair Work Situations

🎙 This week on Conflict Managed we welcome Eric Charran. Join us as we discuss:
💼 Prepare for Reality: Understand the real world of work—it’s not just about what you know but how you engage.
💼 Build Relationships: Prioritize dialogue, listening, and generosity to foster strong connections with colleagues and managers.
💼 Reflect and Grow: Use self-reflection to recognize patterns, address blind spots, and improve professionally.
💼 Navigate Challenges: Leverage coping mechanisms to handle bad boss behavior and prepare for the next level of work.
Conflict Managed is available wherever you listen to podcasts and to watch on YouTube @3pconflictrestoration.
Eric Charran is a visionary technology executive, author, and thought leader with over 25 years of experience in transforming global enterprises through digital innovation, data-driven strategy, and AI-driven solutions. Known for his ability to bridge the gap between business objectives and complex technology, Eric has spearheaded transformative initiatives at major organizations, including Microsoft and Capital One, where he served as Chief Architect, bringing substantial advances in cloud resilience, digital transformation, and data infrastructure efficiency. His strategic insights and leadership have driven high-impact changes across sectors, optimizing performance and fostering resilience in industries from finance to healthcare.
Check out his new book, Have You Ever Had a Boss That…: Succeeding in a Dysfunctional Workplace, available February 12, 2025.
Conflict Managed is produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services and hosted by Merry Brown.
#Careers #Leadership #ConflictResolution #ProfessionalGrowth #WorkplaceCulture

Ep 141, In Conflict, What Is the Question Between Us?

Ep 141, In Conflict, What Is the Question Between Us?
🎙 This week on Conflict Managed we welcome Dana Caspersen. Join us as we discuss:
⚡ Signal "It’s Me, Not You" – Develop one word (Cujo) or hand gesture to signal you’re having an off day, so others know it’s not about them.⚡ Spot Old Stories – Identify past narratives that block progress.⚡ Shift the Focus – Ask, “What matters to me?” instead of “What’s wrong with them?”⚡ Practice Curiosity Daily – Build curiosity through small, consistent actions.⚡ Make Conflict Habits Visible – Recognize and acknowledge your patterns in conflict.
Conflict Managed is available wherever you listen to podcasts and to watch on YouTube @3pconflictrestoration.
Dana Caspersen is a conflict engagement specialist, best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and award-winning performing artist. She works with individuals, organizations, and communities worldwide as a trainer, coach, consultant, and dialogue designer. Drawing on the knowledge and insight gained from her experience and training as a mediator and conflict analyst as well as her 40 years career as a performing arts innovator, Dana empowers people and organizations to navigate complex and challenging situations.Dana’s work integrates conflict engagement practices with choreographic design to create effective, impactful teaching and communication methods. In collaboration with businesses, communities, governments, and foundations, she has designed and facilitated action dialogues on challenging topics, bringing together thousands of people from diverse communities across the world.
Conflict Managed is produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services and hosted by Merry Brown.

Ep 140, What If It All Works Out?

Happy New Year!
🎙 This week on Conflict Managed we welcome Faye McCray. Join us as we discuss:
✨ Reframing "No" – Saying no makes room for the right yes.
✨ Imagining Positive Outcomes – Shift from worst-case thinking to what's possible.✨ Storytelling for Connection – Use your story to build trust and inspire action.
✨ Transferable Skills – Past experiences build your ability to adapt, thrive, and succeed.
✨ Empathetic Leadership – Create space, collaborate, and build psychological safety through action.
Conflict Managed is available wherever you listen to podcasts and to watch on YouTube @3pconflictrestoration.
Faye McCray is a dynamic leader, speaker, and consultant with a unique career trajectory that spans law, media, and wellness. With over a decade of experience practicing law in high-pressure environments, Faye has firsthand knowledge of the challenges professionals face in maintaining their personal identity while navigating demanding careers. This experience informs her passion for helping others protect their well-being and prioritize their values without compromising their ambition.
Faye has led content and communication strategies for major brands like Well+Good, Livestrong, Healthline Media, Psych Central, Medical News Today, Healthgrades, and Optum Perks, where she focused on health equity, wellness, and mental health in the workplace. Her expertise in developing high-level strategies has helped drive significant audience growth, engage diverse communities, and build resilient, inclusive work cultures. Faye’s leadership in crisis communications has further shaped her ability to address the intersections of race, gender, and equity in professional settings.
As a business adviser and consultant to executive leaders and prominent organizations like The Washington Post and Goldman Sachs, Faye helps teams and leaders craft authentic, impactful stories that resonate with their audiences. She is known for her ability to connect deeply with stakeholders and foster brand loyalty through innovative storytelling and strategic insights.
A sought-after speaker, Faye regularly engages audiences on topics such as mental health and wellness, professional identity, leadership, and equity in the workplace. She has been honored as an Aspen Ideas Fellow and named to the Cynopsis Digital <It> List for her innovation and leadership in digital media. Faye has also been featured on media outlets like Good Day NY, NBC News Now, and Fox 5 DC, and has spoken at major events including SXSW, ViVE, and Ad Week. Her writing has appeared in Authority Magazine, Healthline, Psych Central, HuffPost, Well+Good, and AARP Magazine.
Faye holds a B.A. in English from Binghamton University, an M.A. in Writing from Johns Hopkins University, and a JD from Howard University School of Law.
Conflict Managed is produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services and hosted by Merry Brown.

Ep 139, Navigating Conflict with Volunteers

🎙 This week on Conflict Managed we welcome Karastin Hancock. Join us as we discuss:
🔑 Avoiding conflict can silence your leadership voice
🔑 Understanding the "why" behind volunteer conflict
🔑 Balancing paid work (Work) with unpaid, purpose-driven work (work)
🔑 Eyes wide open: what can I learn from all those around me?
🔑 Flattening leadership structures for a more inclusive and collaborative work environment
Conflict Managed is available wherever you listen to podcasts and to watch on YouTube @3pconflictrestoration.
Karastin Hancock has spent the majority of her career working and volunteering with various non-profit and faith-based organizations. From a young age, she felt a strong calling to serve those around her. In her twenties, while attending university and ministry school, she worked with individuals experiencing homelessness, substance misuse, and those from underprivileged backgrounds. These experiences have only deepened her commitment to a life that bridges faith with the needs of the world.
Currently, Karastin is focused on community engagement across the Purchase District and Pennyrile regions of Kentucky. As a graduate of Graves County High School in Mayfield, KY, she felt a deep responsibility to get involved in recovery efforts following the devastating tornadoes that struck Western Kentucky and Western Tennessee on December 10, 2021. For the past three years, she has dedicated her time to volunteering with the local Long-Term Recovery Group. Over this period, she has served in many roles and now leads the Mayfield/Graves County Long-Term Recovery Group as the Executive Board Chair.
In her free time, Karastin enjoys sipping a good cup of coffee, rainy days, having deep and lingering conversations with friends and family, reading weather blogs, sitting on her front porch with her husband, and cuddling with her pets: two of the cutest cats you’ve ever met, Barry Swift Ninja and Harper "Money Cat" Freese, as well as her adorable Maltese mix, Charlie Wren Freese. 
Conflict Managed is produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services and hosted by Merry Brown.

Ep 138, Pause Before You React: Reducing Panic, Gaining Perspective

🎙 This week on Conflict Managed we welcome Robin Wheeler.  Join us as we discuss:
🔸 Taking a breath to shift panic into problem-solving🔸 Noticing issues, helping others, and staying curious🔸 Overcoming fear of public speaking and building confidence🔸 Brainstorming solutions with people in crisis🔸 Naming the problem to set expectations and boundaries at work
 
Conflict Managed is available wherever you listen to podcasts and to watch on YouTube @3pconflictrestoration.
Robin Wheeler joined the Nashville Conflict Resolution Center staff in spring 2019 after mediating with NCRC as a volunteer. She is a Rule 31 Listed Family/Family Mediators Specially Trained in Domestic Violence/General Civil mediator.
Prior to joining NCRC, Robin worked in Columbia, South Carolina where she was the South Carolina Bar’s Pro Bono Director and the South Carolina Access to Justice Commission’s first Executive Director. Prior to that, Robin worked as an attorney for Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities now known as Disability Rights South Carolina.  Robin has been licensed as an attorney in South Carolina since November 1999. Before law school, Robin worked as a travel agent, enabling her to see much of the world while maintaining her curiosity and love of travel.
She is keenly interested in mediation and its critical role in access to justice. Robin has observed firsthand how community mediation centers offer access to justice for families in crisis, particularly low-income families.
Conflict Managed is produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services and hosted by Merry Brown.

Ep 137, Surface vs. Substance: Managing Workplace Disputes Wisely

Ep 137, Surface vs. Substance: Managing Workplace Disputes Wisely
🎙 This week on Conflict Managed we welcome Marc Harwell. Join us as we discuss:
✨ Looking for the thread(s) in a conflict beneath the emotions to move forward✨ The value of listening as the foundation of understanding✨ Genuine love and empathy produce transformative results✨ Using AI thoughtfully to enhance problem-solving✨ Addressing issues promptly as a form of self-care✨ Developing imagination to be a better problem solver and colleague
Conflict Managed is available wherever you listen to podcasts and to watch on YouTube @3pconflictrestoration.
Marc Harwell is an attorney at Harwell & Hurst PLLC. Marc has primarily worked as a trial lawyer for over thirty years. He has tried over 100 jury trials and even more bench trials. He has successfully litigated cases of wrongful death, traumatic brain injury, alleged bad faith denials of coverage, major commercial developments and construction, products liability involving catastrophic injury, employment related class actions, etc.
Since 2014, Marc has served as an effective mediator handling a wide variety of complex cases involving commercial motor carriers, products liability, construction projects, professional malpractice, etc. He is an Arbitrator and Mediator through American Arbitration Association (AAA).
Marc is especially proud of the fact that though he is President Elect of one of the most well-respected defense-based organizations (The Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel) the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association has trusted him to speak about mediation at their annual conference. Reputation is everything.
He is President Elect of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC) and was a recipient of the FDCC’s President’s Award for Community Service related to his #FeedThePartnership campaign and was the recipient of the 2024 FDCC President's Award for Exemplary Service. He is also a Member of the Board of Directors of DRI.
Marc is a Tennessee Supreme Court appointed commissioner with the TN ADR Commission. In 2023, he was selected to be on the Board of Directors for Tennessee Association of Professional Mediators (TAPM). He is a Fellow of the Tennessee Bar Foundation and the Chattanooga Bar Foundation. In 2018, he served as the President of the Chattanooga Bar Association. He served on the Board of Directors of the American Law Firm Association – International (ALFA) from 2015 through 2017.
These examples of his work as an Advocate, as a Neutral, and as a Leader are illustrative of his ability to work effectively for clients in cases where the stakes are high, with competing advocates to bring reason and resolution to their disputes, and with an executive committee to accomplish excellent results for the overall good of the group.
Conflict Managed is produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services and hosted by Merry Brown.

Ep 136, The Power of Intentional Communication Rooted in Positive Regard

🎙This week on Conflict Managed we welcome Sandy Tarkington. Join us as we discuss:
📈The value of an excellent meeting
📊Navigating the changing world of work
📈Setting proper expectations for excellent leadership
📊Leadership transitions
📈Considering what are, and are not, your problems to fix
📊 Ongoing and curated communication with colleagues
Conflict Managed is available wherever you listen to podcasts and to watch on YouTube @3pconflictrestoration.
Sandy Tarkington is the Senior Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations at First Citizens National Bank. She is a West Tennessean whose community has invested in her, and she considers it a privilege to continually invest back in her community. She obtained a local education through Dyersburg State Community College and The University of Tennessee at Martin. She then immediately joined the workforce in her hometown, where she has grown throughout her thirty-year career in financial marketing.
Sandy has been widely recognized for her leadership and influence, receiving accolades such as the Sterling Award as one of the 20 Most Influential Women of West Tennessee, Distinguished Woman of the Year and Diplomat of the Year from the Dyersburg/Dyer County Chamber of Commerce, multiple Woman of the Year honors from the Dyersburg American Business Women’s Association, and the Outstanding Alumni Award from Dyersburg State Community College.
Continual learning is a goal that has been achieved through completion of American Bankers Association School of Banking Marketing & Management, earning Certified Financial Marketing Professional designation, and becoming a certified leadership coach. Through programs like Leadership Dyer County and WestStar, Sandy has built stronger relationships and local experiences. Her career has lent many opportunities to strengthen her community through numerous organizations, including American Business Women’s Association and Kiwanis.
She and her husband of over 30 years have three children and two grandchildren (plus another on the way!), who all currently make West Tennessee their home.
Conflict Managed is produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services and hosted by Merry Brown.