Exploring the Path to Mediation: A Conversation with Sonja Wood

It’s All Your Fault: High Conflict People

Welcome to another insightful discussion with Bill Eddy and Megan Hunter as they welcome mediator Sonja Wood. Bill and Megan chat with Sonja about her fascinating journey from chemistry to mediation. Sonja discusses her experiences facing discrimination and a lack of conflict training in Europe that pushed her to study mediation. She shares navigating cultural differences working across countries and her transition to life in Texas. Bill and Megan are keen to learn how Sonja utilizes high conflict methods like BIFF in her work.

Sonja reflects on encountering closed doors trying to address issues at her former company and deciding to gain conflict resolution skills instead. She took German mediation training before attaining Texas certification and specializing in civil and business mediation. Sonja values continuing education, most recently in positive psychology. Bill and Megan admire Sonja actively supporting mediation across the Lone Star State in volunteer work and through her Texas Association of Mediators chairship.

Whether considering mediation or dealing with disputes yourself, tune in for valuable insight on constructive resolution from this esteemed guest. Sonja's perseverance achieving success across cultures proves issues are solvable when approached with understanding, like the high conflict methods advocated by the High Conflict Institute.

Links & Other Notes

• Guest Website: Sonja Wood website
• BOOKS
  • BIFF: Quick Responses to High-Conflict People, Their Personal Attacks, Hostile Email and Social Media Meltdowns
  • BIFF at Work: Your Guide to Difficult Workplace CommunicationMediating High Conflict Disputes
• ARTICLES
  • Should Workplace Conflicts use Mediation?
  • Don’t Ask “Why?” Ask “What’s Your Proposal?”
• POLLS
  • Marriage and Women
  • Joint Custody vs. Sole Child Custody
• Our website: https://www.highconflictinstitute.com/
• Submit a Question for Bill and Megan
• All of our books can be found in our online store or anywhere books are sold, including as e-books.
• You can also find these show notes at our site as well.

Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing patterns of behavior.

• (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
• (00:40) - Mediation with Sonja Wood
• (02:34) - Sonja and Mediation
• (15:52) - Coming to the US
• (17:14) - Challenges Finding Training
• (19:05) - Types of Mediation
• (23:00) - High Conflict Mediation
• (24:36) - BIFF
• (29:21) - Tips for New Mediators
• (31:23) - Wrap Up
• (32:00) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Poll Results!