I believe mediation is at an inflection point. We know so much more now about how human beings actually function under stress, how trauma affects our capacity for dialogue, and how nervous systems regulate and dysregulate.

We can ignore this knowledge and keep practicing the way we were trained. Or we can integrate it and deepen our practice.

Trauma-informed mediation isn’t about abandoning facilitative principles. It’s about honoring them more fully. It’s recognizing that party self-determination requires parties that can access self-determination , which means nervous systems regulated enough to think clearly, communicate effectively, and make good decisions.

It’s understanding that neutrality doesn’t mean treating all emotional states as equivalent. It means ensuring both parties can meaningfully participate.

It’s creating safety not as politeness but as essential infrastructure for resolution.

Discover why setting boundaries isn’t a selfish act — it’s essential for your health, relationships, and sanity. This article explores the hidden costs of boundarylessness (from chronic stress to burnout), why many struggle to say no, and how healthy boundaries transform your life. For anyone tired of overcommitting, people-pleasing, or feeling invisible, this piece offers both permission and practical strategies to finally put your well-being first.

Recently, I have been reflecting on this issue, and here’s what I’ve come up with. Executive presence isn’t about charisma or confidence tricks. It’s about demonstrating a specific set of communication competencies that signal you can handle the complexity of leadership (Goffee & Jones, 2000). And the fastest way to reveal those competencies? Master the art of navigating difficult conversations in real time.

As a health communication professor and patient advocate, I’ve heard the experiences of my clients in which countless medical errors follow this predictable pattern. A critical safety issue arises, feedback is delivered poorly, the stress response is triggered, and for the next 26 minutes, the very people responsible for patient care are operating with compromised cognitive function.

Poor feedback isn’t just uncomfortable — in healthcare, it can be deadly. Research shows communication failures contribute to 70% of medical errors, costing lives and billions of dollars annually. Traditional feedback models like the “feedback sandwich” don’t work in high-stakes, hierarchical, culturally diverse healthcare settings where power dynamics and stress levels are high.

This article explores why communication breakdowns are a hidden patient safety crisis and introduces the BRIDGE Feedback Method, a neuroscience-based, evidence-informed framework designed to make feedback safer, clearer, and more actionable. Built on research in psychological safety, cognitive load theory, and conflict resolution, BRIDGE gives healthcare teams practical steps to speak up, address errors quickly, and transform tension into collaboration.

Whether you are a clinician, educator, or hospital leader, this piece will help you understand:

• Why poor feedback delivery leads to preventable harm

• How hierarchy, stress, and cultural differences block effective communication

• A proven, step-by-step model for giving feedback that actually works

If you care about patient safety, healthcare communication, or building resilient teams, this is essential reading.

Contrary to popular belief, conflict is not always a red flag. In fact, healthy conflict is essential for teams and relationships to grow. It is through conflict that trust is developed and strengthened, ideas are refined, and a culture of inclusion is not just talked about but observed. In mission-driven organizations such as hospitals, universities, and nonprofits, collaboration is often held up as the ultimate ideal. As a result, many people in such industries champion teamwork, preach harmony, and reward cohesion, but to what price? If we value harmony over friction or view conflict as a sign of failure, we risk creating environments where people’s voices are silenced, ideas withheld, and innovation stifled.

Laughter isn’t just fun—it’s good for your health! Discover the powerful benefits of humor, from boosting your immune system and reducing stress to improving heart health and pain tolerance. Learn how laughter enhances cognitive flexibility, strengthens social bonds, and even aids in healing. Find out why a daily dose of laughter can transform your well-being!

Facing a new diagnosis can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. This article explores the vital role of patient advocates in helping individuals understand medical information, communicate with healthcare providers, and access the care they need. Learn how advocacy empowers patients to take control of their health, reduce stress, and improve outcomes.

The healthcare system is a complex web that no one article could ever fix. But there are simple things that could help. Things that require no additional funds. Skills that have been researched and taught for decades. Skills that apply whether you are the patient, caregiver, or provider. Skills that, unfortunately, many overlook and underestimate.

As one might predict, a person’s health never begins with a visit to the hospital — it starts with a conversation. But this conversation isn’t just between you and your doctor; it’s happening inside your body every second of the day. Your body constantly sends signals about your health, and learning to “listen” to these messages can help you prevent illness, detect problems early, and maintain overall well-being.