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Transforming High Conflict Co-Parenting: Raising Thriving Teens with Kevin Chafin22 Aug 202400:51:58

In this insightful episode of "It's All Your Fault", Megan is joined by special guest Kevin Chafin, a licensed professional counselor from Kansas City, Missouri. With Bill away for the month, Megan and Kevin dive deep into the complexities of co-parenting, particularly when it comes to dealing with teenagers in high conflict situations. Together, they explore effective strategies for managing these challenging dynamics and provide valuable insights for parents navigating these difficult waters.

Understanding the Impact of Divorce on Teens
Megan and Kevin discuss how divorce can have a profound impact on teenagers, especially when it comes to their sense of security and emotional well-being. They emphasize the importance of parents providing a stable and supportive environment during this transformative period, even as the family system shifts from one household to two. Kevin shares his expertise on the developmental challenges that teens face during puberty and how these can be exacerbated by the stress of a family breakup.

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Parentification
One of the key themes explored in this episode is the concept of parentification – when children, particularly teens, are put into the role of a parent. Megan and Kevin delve into how this can happen when parents become emotionally needy and look to their children for support and validation. They discuss the importance of maintaining healthy boundaries and not burdening teens with adult responsibilities or expecting them to choose sides in parental conflicts.

Strategies for Effective Co-Parenting Communication
Megan and Kevin also share practical tips for improving communication between co-parents, drawing on their extensive experience working with families in high conflict situations. They highlight the value of using BIFF responses (Brief, Informative, Friendly, Firm) to keep interactions focused and productive, even in the face of hostility or misinformation. Kevin also shares insights from his work as a mediator and counselor, emphasizing the importance of staying child-centered and avoiding loyalty demands.

Questions we answer in this episode:

  • How does divorce impact teenagers differently than younger children?
  • What are the signs that a child is being parentified?
  • How can co-parents improve communication and reduce conflict?
  • What strategies can parents use to support their teens during a family breakup?
  • How can parents avoid putting their teens in the middle of adult conflicts?

Key Takeaways:

  • Divorce can be especially challenging for teens due to the developmental changes of puberty.
  • Parentification occurs when children are put into adult roles and expected to emotionally support their parents.
  • Using BIFF responses can help keep co-parenting communication focused and productive.
  • Parents should prioritize their child's emotional well-being and avoid loyalty demands.
  • Seeking support from counselors or mediators can be valuable for high conflict situations.

This episode offers a wealth of knowledge and practical strategies for parents navigating the challenges of co-parenting and raising teens in high conflict situations. With their combined expertise, Megan and Kevin provide a compassionate and informative perspective on these complex issues, offering hope and guidance for families struggling to find their way forward.

Links & Other Notes

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

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (00:39) - Kevin Chafin and Co-Parenting
  • (01:22) - Meet Kevin
  • (09:26) - The Learning Mind of a Child
  • (24:04) - Parentification
  • (34:23) - Clarity
  • (49:00) - Listen
  • (49:50) - Wrap Up
  • (50:10) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Co-Parenting By Design
Co-Parenting by Design with Lawyers Annette Burns and Nicole Siqueiros-Stoutner15 Aug 202400:47:47

Navigating the Challenges of Co-Parenting: Insights from Annette Burns and Nicole Siqueiros-Stoutner

In this episode of "It's All Your Fault," Megan is joined by two special guests, Annette Burns and Nicole Siqueiros-Stoutner, co-authors of the upcoming book Co-Parenting by Design: The Definitive Guide for Divorced or Separated Parents. Annette and Nicole, both experienced family law attorneys and parenting coordinators, share their insights on navigating the complexities of co-parenting and offer practical advice for parents facing high conflict situations.

Understanding the Role of Parenting Coordinators

Megan, Annette, and Nicole delve into the crucial role of parenting coordinators in helping divorced or separated parents resolve disputes and maintain focus on their children's best interests. They discuss how parenting coordinators act as referees, mediators, and educators, assisting parents in making decisions on issues such as parenting schedules, school choice, and healthcare.

Adapting to Change and Prioritizing Children's Needs

The guests emphasize the importance of adaptability in co-parenting, as children's needs and circumstances evolve over time. They highlight the challenges parents face when adjusting to new situations, such as remarriage, relocation, and changes in parenting time. Annette and Nicole stress the significance of prioritizing children's well-being and maintaining consistency in parenting approaches whenever possible.

Questions we answer in this episode:

  • What is a parenting coordinator, and how can they help divorced or separated parents?
  • How can parents navigate changes in their children's lives and adapt their co-parenting strategies?
  • What is parallel parenting, and when is it an appropriate approach?
  • How can parents handle disagreements over parenting styles and household rules?
  • What resources are available for parents struggling with high conflict co-parenting situations?

Key Takeaways:

  1. Parenting coordinators play a vital role in assisting divorced or separated parents in resolving disputes and focusing on their children's best interests.
  2. Adaptability is crucial in co-parenting as children's needs and circumstances change over time.
  3. Parallel parenting can be an effective approach for high conflict situations, but its implementation varies depending on the family's unique dynamics.
  4. Parents should strive for consistency in parenting approaches whenever possible while respecting each other's parenting time and decision-making authority.
  5. Seeking education, resources, and support from professionals can help parents navigate the challenges of high conflict co-parenting.

This episode offers invaluable insights and practical advice for divorced or separated parents facing the challenges of co-parenting. By learning from the expertise of Annette Burns and Nicole Siqueiros-Stoutner, listeners can gain a deeper understanding of how to prioritize their children's well-being, adapt to change, and navigate high conflict situations. Co-Parenting by Design promises to be an essential resource for parents, lawyers, and judges alike, providing guidance and strategies for creating a healthier co-parenting dynamic.

Links & Other Notes

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

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (00:39) - Co-Parenting by Design
  • (01:14) - Meet Annette and Nicole
  • (04:14) - How It Came About
  • (08:56) - Parenting Coordinators
  • (12:58) - Agreements
  • (16:53) - Different Rules
  • (22:00) - Parallel Parenting
  • (26:16) - Multiple Court Trips
  • (29:29) - Alienation
  • (38:40) - Advice on Family Law
  • (43:15) - The Book
  • (46:00) - Wrap Up
  • (46:18) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Co-Parenting By Design
World of Bullies #2: Unmasking Bullies in the Workplace and Mediation with Michael Lomax13 Jun 202400:41:04

Confronting Bullies in the Workplace and Mediation with Bill Eddy and Michael Lomax

In the second episode of the World of Bullies series, Bill and Megan welcome Michael Lomax to explore bullying in the workplace and mediation. As co-founders of the High Conflict Institute and an esteemed speaker, respectively, they share their expertise on handling high conflict personalities in professional settings.

Bill and Michael emphasize the importance of managers thoroughly investigating bullying allegations and understanding the key characteristics of bullies, such as a lack of self-restraint, empathy, and remorse. They also discuss how bullies use emotional tactics to manipulate their targets and recruit negative advocates. Michael shares his experience meeting with alleged bullies who often present themselves as victims.

Questions we answer in this episode:

  • What are the key characteristics of a workplace bully?
  • How can managers effectively respond to bullying allegations?
  • How can mediators handle high conflict personalities in mediation?

Key Takeaways:

  • Managers should approach bullying allegations with a healthy skepticism and thoroughly investigate complaints.
  • Bullies often lack self-restraint, empathy, and remorse, and may recruit negative advocates to help target their victims.
  • Mediators can effectively handle high conflict personalities by remaining calm, setting boundaries, and focusing on realistic objectives.

This episode provides valuable insights and strategies for navigating bullying in the workplace and mediation, equipping listeners with the tools needed to create a healthier work environment.

Links & Other Notes

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

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (00:41) - World of Bullies #2: Bullying in the Workplace and in Mediation
  • (01:22) - Michael Lomax's Background
  • (03:58) - Bullies in the Workplace
  • (22:17) - Bullies in Mediation
  • (38:53) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Bullies in Families
High Conflict in Education: Chaos, Attrition, and Fear with Guest Sandra Just09 Jun 202200:36:35

Throughout the pandemic, which we’ve now been in for a little over two years, the fight has been “on” in the education world. Education – especially public education – has always been at the crossroads of many social and cultural changes, from bussing students across town, to benchmark academic standards for school funding, to which books are approved for teaching classes.

Then with Covid, the conflict flame grew even brighter as parents, schools, unions, and more fought over – and continue to fight – over masks, vaccinations, virtual classes, school shutdowns, gender issues, parent rights, Zoom classes, and more. Conflict abounds.

Bill and Megan speak with Sandra Just, MEd, founder of Just Look Within Coaching and Consulting. Sandra is an educator with 30+ years’ experience in public education as a teacher, administrator, and HR director. She discusses the current state of education, given the many issues that everyone involved in the system are faced with, including:

  • How teachers cope and what keeps them going
  • Conflicts with parents over setting reasonable limits in class
  • School bullying and how, or whether, it can be dealt with effectively
  • Managing school board meetings
  • Conflict resolution training for teachers and administrators

Listen in as Bill and Megan talk with Sandra about school. As Sandra says, “We’re great at helping kids, but maybe we’re not so great at helping the adults in education.”

About Sandra Just

Sandra Just is the Founder and Principal of Just Look Within Coaching and Consulting. Sandra spent 31 years as an educator in the Denver Public Schools. During her time in DPS, she served as a teacher, counselor, performance management advisor, school leader, and interim regional assistant superintendent. She is known for developing her staff into leaders, supporting students to meet their goals, and creating a strong school culture. Sandra currently serves as a mentor for students in the para to teacher pipeline at the University of Northern Colorado Center for Urban Education. She also consults with School Works, as needed. Sandra earned her certificate as an Executive Coach in 2021 and is currently working toward Board Certification.

Sandra enjoys spending time with family and friends. She volunteers with the Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association.

Links & Other Notes

GUEST LINKS

BOOKS & AUDIO

CONFLICT INFLUENCER CERTIFICATION COURSE

ARTICLES

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
  • (00:27) - Sandra Just
  • (03:20) - How Are Teachers Coping?
  • (06:42) - How Are Teachers Responding?
  • (07:38) - Physical Threats
  • (09:28) - Percent of Parents With Issues
  • (13:46) - Connecting to Calm
  • (17:45) - Emotions Are Contagious
  • (18:42) - Bullying
  • (23:00) - Parents' Role as It Relates to Bullying
  • (26:48) - Dealing With School Board Meetings
  • (31:27) - Conflict Resolution Training
  • (34:10) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Revealing Someone's High Conflict
New Ways for Families02 Jun 202200:37:22

Parents divorcing in protracted battles. Crowded family court dockets. Kids who spend their childhood with nervous stomachs, anxiety, and a yearning for their parents to just get along. A typical high-conflict divorce and co-parenting situation.

Most parents are able to work things out amicably but around 15-20% comprise the cases on the family court dockets. They are seemingly unable to resolve disputes and bring disputes to the court that others can work out themselves.

What makes them different? And what works for them? Bill Eddy interviews Susie Rayner, GradDip FDRP, who is the New Ways Program Manager for the High Conflict Institute. Susie is visiting the U.S. for the Association of Family & Conciliation Courts conference from her homeland, Australia.

Bill and Susie dive into the program that Bill created back in 2009 to help high conflict divorcing or separated parents—New Ways for Families®. It’s different from other co-parenting and divorce education courses because it focuses on teaching skills to handle conflict instead of lecturing about the do’s and don’ts of co-parenting. Listen in as Bill and Susie discuss New Ways for Families and how it helps parents get along and save lots of time, frustration and money; and how it helps the courts reduce their caseloads as the parents learn to make decisions without court.

Links & Other Notes

THE NEW WAYS FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM

BOOKS

ARTICLES

GUEST BIO
SUSIE RAYNER, GradDip FDRP
Susie Rayner is the New Ways Program Manager for the High Conflict Institute. She manages each sub-brand of New Ways, including New Ways for Families, New Ways for Work, New Ways for Life, and New Ways for Mediation. Susie is a mediator, co-parenting coach, and was the founder of Mediate Negotiate, a family dispute resolution practice in Australia. Prior to becoming a dedicated family dispute resolution practitioner and family coach in 2018, she held positions in the corporate arena for 20 years. She also works in other areas of dispute resolution and volunteers with organizations that support people in crisis. She is the co-author of New Ways for Life™ Teacher Guide and Student Journal with Bill Eddy.

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
  • (01:22) - Meet Susie Rayner
  • (02:40) - New Ways for Families
  • (09:32) - Putting It Into Practice
  • (12:40) - Other Areas for Use
  • (15:30) - Helping Parents Make Big Decisions
  • (17:28) - Not Law-Based
  • (19:36) - Success Story
  • (25:22) - The New Ways for Life Method
  • (30:57) - The Four Big Skills
  • (34:34) - Reminders & Coming Next Week:
  • (34:34) - Last Thoughts
A High Conflict Divorce with a (rare) Successful Outcome26 May 202200:40:01

High conflict divorce is one the hardest trials one can go through. It’s so hard on parents and on their children. If you’ve ever wanted to know what it looks like from the inside, from someone who has been through it and come out the other side with good outcomes, listen to this episode featuring Bill and Megan’s guest, Shannon Jenkins from the podcast Starting Over with Shannon.

After hearing a bit of Shannon’s story, Bill and Megan will talk with her about:

  • these many downs and a limited number of ups in high conflict cases
  • strategies Shannon used in her own case that had positive results
  • what made the case seem high conflict to her
  • where she decided to go to get the best decisions in terms of parenting plans, finance, relocation efforts, and other major decisions (mediation, direct negotiations, court, out-of-court)
  • domestic violence and child abuse allegations, and other “distractions” and “manipulations” used in the case
  • some hopeful tips and encouragement for listeners who may be walking the path of high conflict separation, divorce and parenting/co-parenting

Links & Other Notes

BOOKS

ARTICLES

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
  • (01:50) - Meet Shannon Jenkins
  • (03:18) - Why Start Over?
  • (05:49) - What Made the Divorce High Conflict?
  • (09:44) - Finding How to Approach the Case
  • (12:21) - Business Law
  • (13:40) - The Hague Convention
  • (15:21) - Some of the High Conflict Issues
  • (18:47) - What Made It Work?
  • (22:44) - Her Support Structure
  • (28:05) - How Things Turned Out
  • (32:17) - Confusion
  • (34:31) - How Her Son's Doing
  • (36:01) - Wrapping Up
  • (38:23) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Susie Rayner
Johnny Depp & Amber Heard: Are Domestic Violence Allegations True or False?19 May 202200:33:14

The legal case between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp has been heard around the world. It’s a case rife with allegations of domestic violence on both sides, which will be challenging for the jury to make a decision.

In this episode Bill and Megan discuss the case and why it is important to focus on the big picture rather than being persuaded by a single picture or an isolated story. They will discuss:

  • What kind of case is it – family law or defamation?
  • Who will decide – a judge or a jury?
  • The four different types of domestic violence
  • Whether the jurors can keep an open mind or not
  • Can jurors avoid confirmation bias, assuming it’s always true, always false or always both?
  • Why do juries and judges need 3 theories of any case of allegations of abuse?

Links & Other Notes

WEBSITES

COURSE

BOOKS

ARTICLES

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
  • (01:22) - Johnny Depp and Amber Heard
  • (02:46) - Types of Domestic Violence
  • (07:10) - Trying to See the Big Picture
  • (14:01) - Confirmation Bias
  • (16:44) - Three Theories
  • (20:02) - True or False
  • (26:07) - Dating Radar
  • (30:09) - Reminders
  • (31:14) - Coming Next Week: DV Guest
Bullies at Work with Catherine Mattice12 May 202200:44:25

Workplace conflict is on the increase. According to a 2021 survey, 89% of employees from a diverse range of industries reported experiencing conflict at work, consuming 3.5 hours/week on average. Finding employees is challenging, making a calm workplace imperative if competitive advantage is to be gained. When incivility and bullies or other high conflict people are in the workplace, the impact goes deep.

In this episode Bill and Megan talk with guest Catherine Mattice, founder of Civility Partners, and author of Back Off! Your Kick-Ass Guide to End Bullying at Work. They will discuss:

  • whether bullying is increasing
  • the definition of bullying
  • causes of bullying
  • can it be eliminated?
  • impact on others of bullying
  • does coaching work?
  • should a bully be terminated?
  • should we have workplace bullying laws?
  • creating a psychologically safe work environment

Catherine has a wealth of experience specifically in bullying, including the latest research.

Links & Other Notes

WEBSITES

BOOKS

ARTICLES

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
  • (01:22) - Catherine Mattice
  • (02:49) - Catherine's Backstory
  • (07:28) - Defining Workplace Bullying
  • (10:17) - Causes of Workplace Bullying
  • (12:47) - Eliminating It
  • (15:04) - Those Who Are Impacted
  • (15:58) - Is a Bully by Default an HCP?
  • (18:44) - Reading the Population
  • (21:12) - Evaluations
  • (21:51) - Group Responses
  • (23:30) - If You Need to Get Rid of Them
  • (27:30) - How They Get There
  • (29:01) - BIFF Certification
  • (30:01) - What's Gratifying
  • (31:51) - Workplace Bullying Laws
  • (34:49) - Psychologically Safe Work Environment
  • (40:59) - Finding Catherine
  • (42:41) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Johnny Depp & Amber Heard
Q&A Lab - Answering Listener Questions05 May 202200:34:37

It’s time for the Q&A Lab again! In this episode, Bill and Megan answer listener questions on several topics, including:

  • dealing with high conflict family members who accuse you of not living up to their expectations. Should hurtful comments be ignored? Should EAR Statements be used?
  • similarities and differences of ADHD and personality disorders
  • can ADHD co-exist with a high conflict personality in the same individual
  • from a previous podcast on Russia’s Putin in which we suggested that he may suffer from malignant narcissism, and whether the term “psychopath” would be more accurate
  • deciding when to use EAR Statements and BIFF Responses to create connection with a person with a high conflict personality, and when to just take distance or avoid them
  • re-kindling an old friendship with someone with Borderline Personality HCP attributes

Listen as we break it down and answer these questions that truly have a significant impact on lives.

Links & Other Notes

BOOKS

It’s All Your Fault! 12 Tips for Managing People Who Blame Others for Everything

ARTICLES

The CARS Method® for Resolving High Conflict Situations

Don’t Let HCPs Ruin Your Life

You Can Strengthen Any Relationship With Empathy, Attention, and Respect

WEBSITE

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
  • (01:57) - Q&A Lab
  • (02:09) - Question 1
  • (09:29) - Question 2
  • (16:07) - Question 3
  • (21:46) - Question 4
  • (25:09) - Question 5
  • (31:54) - Links, Etc.
  • (32:53) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Catherine Mattice
Part 2: Borderline Personality Disorder for Family Members28 Apr 202200:30:18

Family members (and friends) of someone who suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder (or BPD) are typically mystified about how to interact with them, walk on eggshells around them, and generally feel overwhelmed and defeated because they don’t know what to do.

In this episode, Bill and Megan continue their discussion with BPD expert Amanda Smith, LCSW, founder of HopeforBPD.com. Amanda is a highly skilled BPD and Dialectical Behavior Therapy expert, having helped countless clients through their recovery. She’s helped family members learn the necessary skills for helping their loved one best while also taking care of themselves. Amanda also provides treatment consultation. She is the author of two books:

  • The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Wellness Planner
  • The Borderline Personality Disorder Wellness Planner for Families

In this episode – part 2 of 2 – Amanda gives hope and help to family members and friends of those with BPD. She discusses what to do and what to avoid. She will explain whether BPD is a hopeless situation with no resolution or whether something can be done to intervene – including whether an “intervention” can work.

Links & Other Notes

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
  • (01:40) - The Family of Someone With BPD
  • (02:43) - Avoiding Blame
  • (05:34) - Helping When They Don't See the Problem
  • (07:28) - When in a Marriage
  • (09:22) - Couples Counseling
  • (11:26) - Intervention?
  • (13:50) - Calling It Out
  • (15:18) - How to Approach It
  • (17:03) - In High Conflict Divorces
  • (20:42) - E A R Statements
  • (22:18) - Medication
  • (23:59) - Amanda's Book
  • (26:50) - Wrapping Up
  • (29:04) - Reminders
Part 1: Borderline Personality Disorder for Those Who Suffer21 Apr 202200:37:10

People throw around the term Borderline Personality Disorder (or BPD), but most likely don’t even know what it is, and many have no idea how to handle it, whether within themselves or with a family member. Relationships and interactions are somewhat of a mystery to those around them, and even to themselves. People with BPD often feel like the black sheep of the family, but once you have an understanding of what may be happening and use a set of skills that are typically quite opposite.

In this episode, Bill and Megan talk with BPD expert Amanda Smith, LCSW, founder of HopeforBPD.com. Amanda is a highly skilled BPD and Dialectical Behavior Therapy expert, having helped countless clients through their recovery. She’s helped family members learn the necessary skills for helping their loved one best while also taking care of themselves. Amanda also provides treatment consultation. She is the author of two books:

  • The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Wellness Planner
  • The Borderline Personality Disorder Wellness Planner for Families

In this episode – part 1 of 2 – Amanda discusses the basics of BPD and how to get help. In next week’s episode – part 2 – she will focus on what families can do to help.

Links & Other Notes

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
  • (01:34) - Amanda Smith
  • (03:19) - Successes
  • (04:12) - Trauma
  • (06:20) - BPD vs. PTSD
  • (08:18) - Emotion Disregulation
  • (12:22) - Treatment
  • (15:22) - In Parenting Cases
  • (22:05) - On the Rise and More Acceptance?
  • (24:11) - Resistant?
  • (26:11) - Online Course
  • (27:13) - Therapist Parameters
  • (30:12) - Complicating Factors
  • (32:51) - Amanda & Her Books
  • (35:38) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Part 2
Will Smith: High Conflict or Just Upset?14 Apr 202200:32:29

The slap heard around the world. Obviously this was a high conflict situation, but was it a one-off incident resulting from a highly stressed person, aka Will Smith? Or two highly stressed people, Smith and comedian Chris Rock? Or did either of them show signs of a potential high conflict personality?

In this episode, Bill and Megan break it down.

  • What could have been happening just before Will walked on stage?
  • What impact did Chris Rock’s responses have on Will and on the situation?
  • Were both of them exhibiting high conflict behaviors? Is there a history on either side showing a high conflict pattern?
  • Did Chris use what ultimately was an EAR Statement?
  • Were the consequences effectuated by the Academy effective?
  • If not, what should happen to effect actual change in high conflict behavior?

This is a behind-the scenes exploration into what could have been happening with Will Smith in this situation. We don’t diagnose. We don’t blame and shame. We just explore and focus on what to do next.

Links & Other Notes

BOOKS
Calming Upset People with EAR

ARTICLES
Can High Conflict People Change?

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
  • (01:23) - The Slap Heard Around the World
  • (07:28) - Background
  • (08:53) - Recognize and Adapt
  • (12:06) - Chris Rock
  • (14:00) - Breaking Down the Responses
  • (19:15) - What Happened Next
  • (23:12) - Consequences
  • (29:56) - Wrapping Up
  • (30:41) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Guest Amanda Smith
When a High Conflict Decision-Maker Uses BIFF & EAR on You07 Apr 202200:31:53

Continuing from the previous episode, Bill and Megan take a listener question about a high conflict situation in the workplace. Specifically, what do you do when actual high conflict people in management turn the “Bill Eddy” skills around and use them with others who are not high conflict.

Megan and Bill explain how their new Conflict Influencer™ Certification program can help in situations like this.

Links & Other Notes

CONFLICT INFLUENCER™ CERTIFICATION COURSE

BOOKS

ARTICLES

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
  • (01:22) - High Conflict Certification Course Recap
  • (02:29) - Listener Question: HCPs in Healthcare
  • (21:48) - The Course
  • (29:31) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: More BIFF
World of Bullies #1: Navigating the New World of Adult Bullying06 Jun 202400:45:06

World of Bullies: Bill Eddy's Groundbreaking New Book

In this first episode of our new "World of Bullies" series, based on Bill Eddy's new book, Our New World of Adult Bullies: How to Spot Them, How to Stop Them, Bill and Megan dive into the timely topic of adult bullying. As co-founders of the High Conflict Institute, they provide invaluable insights for listeners.

Bill shares that his inspiration for the book came during the COVID-19 pandemic when he noticed an increase in bullying behavior across society. He emphasizes the importance of understanding bullies and the need for structure, limits, and consequences to curb their destructive behavior.

Megan highlights that while society has generally evolved to be more cooperative, high emotion media has influenced people's thinking and behavior, leading to a concerning shift in culture.

Questions we answer in this episode:

  • What inspired this "World of Bullies" series and Bill's book?
  • How have the COVID-19 pandemic, the media, online culture, and more influenced bullying behavior?
  • How can we effectively deal with bullies in our lives?

Key Takeaways:

  • Bullies require structure, limits, and consequences.
  • High emotion media has contributed to a shift toward more bullying.
  • Bill’s new SLIC method (setting limits and imposing consequences) is effective for dealing with bullies.

This episode sets the stage for the "World of Bullies" series, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of adult bullying and equipping them with practical tools to navigate challenging situations. Bill and Megan's expertise makes this a must-listen for anyone seeking to create a more harmonious environment in their lives.

Links & Other Notes

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

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (00:35) - New Series: World of Bullies
  • (01:58) - The Reasons to Write It
  • (05:55) - Why Are We Devolving?
  • (08:41) - Mirroring
  • (11:02) - Finding Balance
  • (13:38) - Increase in Anxiety
  • (14:35) - Reacting Faster
  • (17:31) - Becoming Isolated
  • (18:08) - Unrestrained Personalities
  • (20:49) - SLIC Solutions
  • (25:11) - Prison and Weinstein Examples
  • (28:53) - Congress Example
  • (36:14) - Social Media Examples
  • (41:37) - Coaching to Not Bully
  • (43:18) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Bullys at Work and in Mediation
High Conflict Certification for the Workplace31 Mar 202200:27:40

High conflict situations in the workplace are increasing as workers return to the office. Global anxiety is higher than normal, and for those who may have a high conflict personality, the conflict may become even more unrestrained.

In this episode, Megan and Bill introduce a new initiative undertaken by the High Conflict Institute to help organizations and companies deal with high conflict situations, high conflict employees/stakeholders/boards, or just about anyone. They discuss the need for advanced high conflict training and why it’s beneficial for entire organizations to learn the necessary skills to unite and and reduce conflict. They discuss this new initiative, the Conflict Influencer™ Certification program in detail, in this and the next episode.

Links & Other Notes

CONFLICT INFLUENCER™ CERTIFICATION COURSE

BOOKS

ARTICLES

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
  • (01:17) - High Conflict in the Workplace
  • (04:45) - The Certification Course
  • (12:16) - The Goal
  • (25:58) - Reminders & Coming Up Next Week
Finally Figuring It Out: Learning From a Late-in-Life Bi-Polar Diagnosis with Dr. Jay Lieberman24 Mar 202200:45:57

A diagnosis of bi-polar disorder can be both devastating and liberating. Although such a diagnosis is unsettling because of the lifetime implications, it can also be a relief to have an answer and hope for a calmer future.

In this episode, Bill and Megan are joined by Dr. Jay Lieberman, a retired surgeon in the podiatry field who was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder later in life than most — at age 60. As one might expect, his professional and personal life took some major hits after some harrowing events that wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t been suffering with an undiagnosed mental illness.

Dr. Jay shares his journey – in a very transparent way – through the impacts of his behavior on his marriage, his career, and other relationships. It’s a journey marked with significant loss, but also with a great deal of new life, new purpose, forgiveness, and hope. Listen in as Bill and Megan talk with Dr. Jay about:

  • the similarities and differences between bi-polar behaviors and high conflict behaviors
  • domestic violence and incarceration
  • medications
  • what and who were most helpful
  • advice for members, friends, and colleagues regarding someone who may be exhibiting “high conflict” behaviors, whether from a bi-polar diagnosis or with a high conflict personality
  • helping others

Links & Other Notes

BOOKS

ARTICLES

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
  • (01:51) - Meet Dr. Jay Lieberman
  • (23:59) - What Worked
  • (27:30) - High Conflict with Bipolar
  • (32:44) - Extreme Behaviors
  • (35:26) - Domestic Violence
  • (36:03) - When It's Family
  • (37:50) - Don't Tell Them Directly
  • (38:51) - Respect and Suspect
  • (42:56) - Dr. Lieberman's Book & Wrap Up
  • (44:30) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: High Conflict in the Workplace
Putin’s Potential: Is Putin a Malignant Narcissist? Part 217 Mar 202200:31:22

Putin hasn’t stopped, as we predicted, and it doesn’t look like he’s going to stop. Is that because he’s backed into a corner? Because he’s trying to save face? Or because his malignant narcissism (yes, that means his narcissism grows over time) won’t allow him to stop?

Bill and Megan continue their discussion about what has become one of the worst disasters not only in modern times but in all recorded history, driven by a man who is willing to do what 99.9999% of the rest of the world would never do. In our work we teach that high conflict people do things that 90% of other people would never do. In this case, it’s even more extreme. Although there are other malignant narcissists as political leaders across the globe, he’s the only one engaging in actions that 99.9999% of other people would never do.

Listen as Bill and Megan discuss:

  • what makes a malignant narcissist and whether Putin fits the description (although we’re not diagnosing him)
  • what stops a malignant narcissist
  • whether Ukraine’s President Zelensky handling Putin’s narcissism in the correct manner
  • whether NATO and other nations are handling Putin’s narcissism in the correct manner
  • Bill’s book Why We Elect Narcissists and Sociopaths and How We Can Stop written in 2019 (he’s not different now in 2022, he’s just worse)
  • the fantasy triad and whether/how it applies in this escalation
  • how much of this bad news is harmful for us to watch

Links & Other Notes

BOOKS

ARTICLES

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
  • (01:36) - Week Three
  • (03:17) - What Is a Malignant Narcissist?
  • (08:27) - Will He Stop?
  • (10:15) - Suicide?
  • (12:17) - Manipulations
  • (15:11) - Zelensky's Leadership
  • (16:36) - How Everyone's Handling Him
  • (19:10) - Bill's Research for His Book
  • (23:20) - How This Affects Us
  • (28:57) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Dr. Jay Lieberman
Is Putin a Malignant Narcissist? If So, Can We Predict His Future Actions?10 Mar 202200:31:37

Putin’s attack on Ukraine. Why is he doing it? What drives him to act with such ferocity to destroy a county, innocent civilians, children? In this episode, Bill and Megan discuss whether Putin is a malignant narcissist, what that means, and whether his future actions can be predicted with this knowledge.

To get insight into this personality type and how it manifests in Putin’s framework, listen in as Bill and Megan discuss The Heart of Man: Its Genius for Good and Evil by Erich Fromm wherein Fromm explains malignant narcissism in leaders, along with these important notes:

  • What do malignant narcissists want?
  • Do they want unlimited power over others?
  • Are malignant narcissists unusual and rare? Or do we find them in the workplace and in political leadership?
  • Why is this happening now?
  • Does Putin think he can get away with what he’s doing?
  • Does he have the ability to stop himself?
  • What is needed by Ukraine and by the world to stop him?

This is one of our most important episodes — one that everyone should hear to gain an understanding of the realities of what the world is dealing with and what, if anything, can be done to stop him.

Links & Other Notes

BOOKS

ARTICLES

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.

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

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (02:30) - What is Malignant Narcissism?
  • (06:11) - Diagnosis in public... for the public good.
  • (09:47) - Have there been signals in public?
  • (16:05) - Gaslighting
  • (19:30) - The Nuclear Option
  • (23:04) - What can we do?
  • (25:36) - Why is this happening now?
  • (27:20) - Ukranian Leadership
  • (29:41) - Final Thoughts
Using Empathy, Attention and Respect to Calm Current Conflicts03 Mar 202200:32:36

In this episode, Bill and Megan discuss the use of EAR Statements to calm current conflicts experienced by people across the globe. Anger, accusations, and opinions flying everywhere. People having conversations that most would have not engaged in a few years ago but now seem to be unable to stop themselves. Megan starts off with a recent example from the show ‘Sister Wives’ about the need for the use of empathy in relationships and conversations.

Bill explains what an EAR Statement is and how to use them in various scenarios in every day life, such as:

  • reducing political polarization
  • arguments over vaccines, masks, and social distancing during this pandemic
  • family and marital conflict
  • curriculums in your children’s schools
  • law enforcement encounters
  • protests
  • customer service

Listen in and learn how to use EAR Statements in any walk of life.

Links & Other Notes

BOOKS

ARTICLES

Our website

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 on 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
  • (01:41) - EAR Statements
  • (04:25) - What Is EAR?
  • (08:30) - EAR in a Non-High Conflict Situation
  • (09:47) - Today's Conflicts
  • (13:38) - An Example
  • (16:09) - Using EAR in Today's Conflicts
  • (20:31) - Using EAR Calming a Protest
  • (27:05) - Listener Question
  • (30:24) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Guest Dr. Jay Lieberman on Being Bi-Polar, with Domestic Violence
Q&A Lab: Dating Edition24 Feb 202200:35:43

If you are curious about love and romance with challenging – or even toxic – partners, this is your opportunity to hear questions from our listeners and Bill’s and Megan’s answers. In this episode, they answer questions about:

  • partners who make life hell for awhile and then can be okay and very loving for awhile
  • extreme jealousy and whether it’s okay to allow partners to read your private texts and emails
  • threats of financial and reputational ruin when the romance is about to end
  • threats of suicide to prevent a partner from breaking up
  • lack of empathy as a sign of someone with a high conflict personality
  • warning signs in the Jodi Arias case

Megan and Bill answer these questions and more in this final episode of the Dating Radar series.

Links & Other Notes

BOOKS

DATING RADAR TEST & SURVEY RESULTS

COURSE

ARTICLES

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
  • (01:49) - Dating Radar Q&A
  • (02:18) - Question 1
  • (04:47) - Question 2
  • (10:49) - Question 3
  • (19:22) - Question 4
  • (22:40) - Question 5
  • (26:21) - Question 6
  • (32:09) - Final Thoughts
  • (34:03) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: The Current Conflict Atmosphere
Dating Radar: Your Blind Spots17 Feb 202200:37:04

Watch Those Blind Spots!

The very qualities that help us fall in love can at the same time be the on-ramp for the highway to hell. Avoiding a high-conflict relationship requires looking beyond attraction, chemistry, availability & compatibility, and recognizing your own particular blind spots.

Bill and Megan talk about three types of ‘blind spot’ fact-finding and how to understand how your vulnerabilities can blind you.

Links & Other Notes

BOOKS

DATING RADAR TEST & SURVEY RESULTS

ARTICLES

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
  • (01:46) - Avoiding Toxic Relationships a
  • (03:20) - Why Our Brain Says Yes
  • (04:25) - Low Self-Esteem
  • (06:03) - Loneliness or Grieving
  • (08:08) - Naïve Beliefs
  • (12:36) - Mistaking Warning Signs for Love
  • (27:18) - Last Thoughts
  • (34:34) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Dating Radar Q&As
Dating Radar: How HCPs Jam Your Radar10 Feb 202200:33:01

In the first episode of this Dating Radar four-part series, Megan and Bill discuss how people with high conflict personalities (HCPs) can destroy your life. In this episode, listen in as they discuss how HCPs jam your radar. We’d all like to think we’re wise to it, but there are several factors that make us susceptible, which Megan and Bill discuss.

They delve into a Dating Radar survey with over 650 responses from people who have been in high conflict romantic relationships. Respondents shared their experiences and lessons learned, including the “spark” that should have been a red flag but was experienced as a sign of true love and compatibility. And Bill and Megan also discuss the issue of fake compatibility often experienced by those who fall for HCPs.

This series is for everyone, but especially for young people or parents of young people who need to pay attention to dating radar before it’s too late.

Links & Other Notes

BOOKS

ARTICLES

DATING RADAR TEST & SURVEY RESULTS

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
  • (02:09) - Dating Radar
  • (03:50) - Survey Question – That Spark!
  • (09:18) - The Power of Desperation
  • (11:54) - Charm
  • (16:15) - Compatibility
  • (18:29) - Overt Sexuality
  • (22:22) - Protectiveness
  • (27:05) - Other Attractive Qualities
  • (29:50) - Quick Tips
  • (31:30) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Blind Spots
Dating Radar: High Conflict Types You Might Want to Avoid03 Feb 202200:35:19

There are people you shouldn’t marry, have children with, or have a financial entanglement – people with high conflict personalities. They blame, gaslight, lie, deny, make false allegations, and some will seek to destroy you or your reputation.

These are relationship destroyers – the people who can ruin your life and make you wish you’d never had children with them.

So why do we get involved with them? Why does the brain say ‘yes’ to people who will make your life a living hell? It’s because we don’t have good dating radar and we don’t think we are so stupid that we’d fall into such a horrible relationship.

Megan and Bill discuss the five high conflict personality types and how they behave in romantic relationships, including:

  • Borderline HCPs
  • Narcissistic HCPs
  • Antisocial (sociopath) HCPs
  • Histrionic HCPs
  • Paranoid HCPs

Caveat: Not everyone with these personality disorders has a high conflict personality, but some do. How can you tell? They are the blamers, and they’re no fun in relationships. Listen in as Megan and Bill start this four-part series on Dating Radar.

Links & Other Notes

BOOKS

DATING RADAR TEST & SURVEY RESULTS

ARTICLES

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
  • (02:06) - Dating Radar
  • (05:31) - What Is an HCP?
  • (07:16) - Narcissistic Personalities
  • (09:32) - Borderline Personalities
  • (14:37) - Histrionic Personalities
  • (17:06) - Paranoid Personalities
  • (18:30) - Antisocial Personalities
  • (21:23) - Overlap
  • (23:35) - The Survey
  • (33:43) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: How HCPs Jam Your Radar
High Conflict Emotion Contagion27 Jan 202200:39:30

The challenge of being emotional creatures

Did you know that emotions are contagious? We like to think we are in complete control of our emotions, but lots of research shows that emotions are contagious and it’s how we handle our own emotions once we’re emotionally hooked.

In this episode we’ll break down emotion contagion. If you’re a brain nerd like us, or you simply want to have a better understanding of human behavior and the impact of unmanaged emotions on others, you’ll enjoy this episode. Specifically, we’ll discuss:

  • Can you get emotionally “hooked?” and “unhooked?”
  • How exactly are emotions contagious? How does that work in our brains?
  • Can emotions lead us to make bad decisions?
  • How do High Conflict People deal with emotions?
  • How do High Conflict People communicate differently using their emotions?
  • Are emotions part of why we have such angry polarization today in families and in politics?
  • What can we do to calm down emotions

Links & Other Notes

BOOKS

ON DEMAND COURSE

ARTICLES

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
  • (01:42) - Emotionally Hooked & Unhooked
  • (05:22) - Getting Hooked
  • (07:16) - Emotional Persuasion
  • (13:13) - In the Brain
  • (21:33) - Emotions Leading to Bad Decisions
  • (24:48) - HCPs Dealing With Emotions
  • (27:57) - Communicating with Emotions
  • (29:23) - Polarization
  • (34:40) - Calming Emotions
  • (36:46) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: HCPs in Love
Bringing It to Life #6: Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder Part Two with Guest Amanda Smith30 May 202400:20:16

In the second part of their conversation with Amanda Smith, Bill and Megan explore the challenges faced by families of individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). They discuss the importance of education, self-care, and strategies for navigating high conflict situations.

The Importance of Family Support and Self-Care
Amanda emphasizes the significance of family support and education in the long-term success of individuals with BPD. She highlights the positive impact of informed and understanding family members and the importance of self-care for those living with someone with BPD. Amanda encourages family members to prioritize their well-being, serving as positive role models for their loved ones.

Navigating Fear and Creating Safety Plans
Megan raises the issue of fear that many family members experience when their loved one with BPD engages in self-harm or expresses suicidal thoughts. Amanda suggests creating safety plans and checklists to help families navigate crisis situations and feel more prepared to prioritize physical, environmental, and relational safety.

Questions we answer in this episode:

  • How can family support contribute to the success of individuals with BPD?
  • What strategies can families use to find common ground?
  • How can family members prioritize self-care while supporting their loved one?
  • What steps can families take to address fear and create safety plans?

Key Takeaways:

  • Family support and education play a crucial role in the long-term success of individuals with BPD.
  • Prioritizing self-care is essential for family members to effectively support their loved one.
  • Creating safety plans can empower families to handle crisis situations.
  • Seeking support from trained therapists is important for healthy recovery.

This episode offers invaluable insights and practical strategies for families affected by Borderline Personality Disorder. Listeners will gain the tools necessary to support their loved ones while maintaining their own well-being.

Links & Other Notes

GUEST

BOOKS

COURSE

ORGANIZATIONS

ARTICLES

OUR WEBSITE: https://www.highconflictinstitute.com/

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

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (00:36) - Part Two: Borderline Personality Disorder with Amanda Smith
  • (01:34) - How to Support BPD Family Members
  • (07:23) - Fear and Safety
  • (10:33) - The Danger of Being Reinforced in Social Groups
  • (14:33) - Confusing Gaslighting
  • (17:59) - Wrap Up
  • (18:33) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: An Increase in Bullying
Q & A Lab20 Jan 202200:29:40

You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers.

In this episode we host our very first Q & A Lab where we answer your questions about high conflict people. We focus on three questions:

  • Narcissists who get it backwards What do you do when they turn it around and accuse you of being the narcissistic HCP?
  • Bosses who complain and blame e-v-e-r-y-d-a-y) What do you do to get your HCP boss to stop?
  • Parents who blame and make extreme accusations, such as kidnapping What do you do in the aftermath?

Listen in as we answer your questions by identifying whether it’s a high conflict behavior or not, providing insight into the behaviors, and making suggestions for handling them.

We’ll be doing a monthly Q & A Lab. Submit your questions anytime!

Links & Other Notes

BOOKS

  • It’s All Your Fault at Work! Managing Narcissists and Other High Conflict People (Paperback or e-Book)
  • Calming Upset People with EAR: How Statements Showing Empathy, Attention and Respect Can Quickly Defuse a Conflict (Paperback or e-Book)
  • Don’t Alienate the Kids: Raising Resilient Children While Avoiding High-Conflict Divorce (Paperback or e-Book)

AUDIO

ARTICLES

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
  • (01:58) - Q&A Lab
  • (02:33) - Question One
  • (07:44) - Question Two
  • (20:22) - Question Three
  • (27:06) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: High Conflict Emotions
Domestic Violence in Family Law: Part 213 Jan 202200:47:31

Domestic Violence

Megan and Bill are joined by the Honorable Karen Adam and Annette Burns to discuss domestic violence. This is part two of this conversation.

Links & Other Notes

THE VIDEO THAT WAS DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE

BIOS

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EXPERTS INTERVIEWED IN THE VIDEO

  • Abi Ajibolade, Executive Director, The Redwood, Toronto, Ontario
  • Amy G. Applegate, JD, Clinical Professor of Law, Maurer School of Law, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
  • Linda Bortell, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist, Bortell Psychological, Inc., Los Angeles, California
  • Melissa Brickhouse-Thomas, LCSW, Manager, Victim Services, Glendale Police Dept., Glendale, Arizona
  • Gabrielle Davis, JD, Legal and Policy Advisor, Battered Women’s Justice Project, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Loretta M. Frederick, JD, Senior Legal & Policy Director, Battered Women’s Justice Project, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Anna Harper-Guerrero, LMSW, Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse, Tucson, Arizona
  • Amy Holtzworth-Munroe, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Dept. of Psychological & Brain Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
  • Hilary A. Linton, JD, LLM, Mediator, President, Family Mediation Services (mediate393) Toronto, Ontario
  • Jan Maiden, JD, Family Law/Domestic Violence Attorney, Law Office of Jan Maiden, San Diego, California
  • Wendy Million, City Magistrate, Tucson City Court Domestic Violence Court, Tucson, Arizona
  • Charles A. Sawchenko, MSW, Police Lieutenant (Ret), Delaware State Police, Dover, Delaware
  • William Spiller, Jr., JD, Family Lawyer and Minor’s Counsel, Law Offices of William Spiller, Jr., Los Angeles, California
  • Nancy Ver Steegh, MSW, JD, Professor of Law, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota
  • Neil Websdale, PhD, Director, Family Violence Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
  • David Wexler, PhD, Director, Relationship Training Institute, San Diego, California

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 highconflictinstitute.com/podcast 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
  • (01:44) - Part II: Domestic Violence in Family Law
  • (02:23) - Why Screen Cases for DV
  • (06:52) - Importance for Courts to See Full Picture
  • (10:16) - Avoiding Bias
  • (13:47) - Impacting Cases
  • (17:42) - Therapists' Role
  • (22:25) - Mediation
  • (26:01) - Dealing With Children's Concerns
  • (34:31) - Parenting Plans
  • (37:09) - Treatment
  • (39:14) - Self-Care
  • (43:50) - If You're Currently in a DV Situation
  • (45:27) - Coming Next Week: Listener Questions
Domestic Violence in Family Law: Part 106 Jan 202200:43:22

Domestic Violence

Megan and Bill are joined by the Honorable Karen Adam and Annette Burns to discuss domestic violence. This is part one of this conversation.

Links & Other Notes

THE VIDEO THAT WAS DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE

BIOS

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EXPERTS INTERVIEWED IN THE VIDEO

  • Abi Ajibolade, Executive Director, The Redwood, Toronto, Ontario
  • Amy G. Applegate, JD, Clinical Professor of Law, Maurer School of Law, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
  • Linda Bortell, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist, Bortell Psychological, Inc., Los Angeles, California
  • Melissa Brickhouse-Thomas, LCSW, Manager, Victim Services, Glendale Police Dept., Glendale, Arizona
  • Gabrielle Davis, JD, Legal and Policy Advisor, Battered Women’s Justice Project, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Loretta M. Frederick, JD, Senior Legal & Policy Director, Battered Women’s Justice Project, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Anna Harper-Guerrero, LMSW, Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse, Tucson, Arizona
  • Amy Holtzworth-Munroe, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Dept. of Psychological & Brain Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
  • Hilary A. Linton, JD, LLM, Mediator, President, Family Mediation Services (mediate393) Toronto, Ontario
  • Jan Maiden, JD, Family Law/Domestic Violence Attorney, Law Office of Jan Maiden, San Diego, California
  • Wendy Million, City Magistrate, Tucson City Court Domestic Violence Court, Tucson, Arizona
  • Charles A. Sawchenko, MSW, Police Lieutenant (Ret), Delaware State Police, Dover, Delaware
  • William Spiller, Jr., JD, Family Lawyer and Minor’s Counsel, Law Offices of William Spiller, Jr., Los Angeles, California
  • Nancy Ver Steegh, MSW, JD, Professor of Law, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota
  • Neil Websdale, PhD, Director, Family Violence Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
  • David Wexler, PhD, Director, Relationship Training Institute, San Diego, California

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 highconflictinstitute.com/podcast 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
  • (01:40) - Dealing With Domestic Violence
  • (03:27) - Meet Our Guests
  • (05:24) - Impetus Behind DV Video Series
  • (06:19) - Overall Objective
  • (07:31) - Surprises
  • (08:54) - Karen's Motivation
  • (12:46) - Survivor vs. Victim
  • (15:56) - Annette's Motivation
  • (18:28) - Biggest Issues in Divorce & Co-Parenting
  • (28:40) - Intimate Partner Violence vs. DV
  • (30:50) - Coercive Control
  • (33:20) - HCPs
  • (40:19) - Last Words
  • (41:58) - Coming Next Week: Part 2
Harm Reduction with YouTube Influencer & Author Dr. Todd Grande30 Dec 202100:44:39

Do you love reading thrillers and mysteries? Or binging shows like Dexter on Netflix? If you do, you’re going to love this episode! We’re interviewing our very first podcast guest, Dr. Todd Grande, who is the author of Harm Reduction, a thriller of extraordinary psychological depth that explores the interactions of a therapist, a narcissistic serial killer, and a detective. Their lives intertwine and revolve around leveraging and holding a secret.

Dr. Grande is a content creator on YouTube, with 950k subscribers (he’ll likely reach 1 million before this episode airs). On his channel, he discusses the details of various news events, court cases, celebrities, serial killers, personality theory, mental health and much more.

Dr. Grande joins Bill and Megan on this episode to discuss his new book and to take a deep dive into the pathology of serial killers. Are they all narcissistic? Sociopaths? Psychopaths? All of the above? What are intricacies of various types, and do they overlap with other types of mental illness. For example, have you ever wondered about serial killers who also have OCD? Dr. Grande and Bill will discuss the personality types, led by Megan who will also discuss Dr. Grande’s other books, a series titled The Notorious Series. They will talk about:

  • The Psychology of Notorious Serial Killers (2021)
  • The Psychology of Notorious Church Killers (2022)
  • The Psychology of Notorious Celebrity Deaths (2022)

Don’t miss this fascinating talk with Dr. Grande.

Links & Other Notes

YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Dr. Todd Grande

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 highconflictinstitute.com/podcast 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
  • (01:42) - Dr. Todd Grande and His Book Harm Reduction
  • (03:56) - What's It About?
  • (04:46) - Why These Characters?
  • (06:49) - Narcissistic Serial Killers
  • (11:15) - Clusters A, B, & C
  • (15:19) - Low Numbers
  • (17:34) - Addiction
  • (18:15) - Tech and Serial Killers
  • (20:32) - Cues to Watch For
  • (23:01) - Dramatic Interests
  • (23:31) - Lack of Empathy
  • (26:12) - Serial Killer Character in Book
  • (28:41) - Not First Person
  • (30:38) - Inspiration for Writing Fiction
  • (31:54) - What would a mental health clinician learn from this book?
  • (34:08) - Any Follow-Up Planned?
  • (35:59) - Movie Adaptation?
  • (36:39) - Wrapping Up
  • (37:11) - The Notorious Series
  • (42:13) - Closing
  • (42:58) - Coming Next Week: Domestic Violence in Relationships 2-Part Interview
Holiday Conflict Reduction23 Dec 202100:29:35

What causes conflict? Differing ideas and opinions do, but most people can manage it, although extraordinary circumstances, time pressures and stress can click the conflict dial to max for just about anyone. But when you’re dealing with someone with a high conflict personality, you can expect the any gathering, especially holidays gatherings, to have some dramatic or even explosive situations.

In the 2020-21 global pandemic, most people are on edge. Anxiety is high. Arguments over the efficacy of masks; whether vaccines will save you, harm you or kill you; lockdowns as a necessity or a loss of fundamental human rights. These are all important topics and impact almost everyone but only a fraction will end up shouting, slamming doors, ending conversations, throwing phones, and telling you that you’re wrong. It doesn't matter what the topic is, people with high conflict personalities will likely create some conflict around it.

This episode focuses on how to handle the person who wants to discuss and debate over the dinner table. Bill Eddy will give his best tips for shutting those conversations down in an non-confrontational way that will save your sanity and keep the conflict low through the holidays.

The second half of the episode deals with handling loneliness during the holidays, as many parents, grandparents and even kids spend them alone, isolated from the people they love. Whether a regular divorce keeps you from your kids, or a high conflict divorce with alienation has kept you from them for a long time — it’s hardest to cope during the holidays. Bill and Megan touch on these sensitive topics with some helpful information to help you through the holidays and beyond.

Links & Other Notes

BOOKS

ONLINE COURSE

ARTICLES

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
  • (01:42) - Holiday Conflict
  • (02:34) - Tips to Stop Holiday Conflict
  • (08:54) - Assumptions
  • (09:53) - One More Tip
  • (10:37) - A Family of Multiple HCPs
  • (12:24) - The Overly Sensitive Person
  • (14:34) - The Narcissist
  • (15:50) - When Alone
  • (24:59) - HCP Whiplash
  • (27:54) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Dr. Todd Grande
Living on the Edge: Borderline High Conflict People16 Dec 202100:48:08

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is an often misunderstood and unfairly maligned mental health issue. Years of misinformation on the Internet, filled with scary details or an impossible life cast a dark shadow. Unfortunately, those who struggle with it would be helped if more people understood what it is and how to help. Many with BPD tend to isolate, but those who also blame may have a borderline high conflict personality.

What is it like on the other side of the relationship? What do you do when faced with explosive rage? How do you handle the mood swings and need for constant attachment? What do you do when someone you love seems beyond help? Or how do you help your client in the best way when it seems they sabotage their own case?

This type of personality is driven by a fear of being abandoned, so the rules of their operating system direct them to try to remain connected with the people closest to them. Once their fear button is triggered, whether perceived or real (it feels very real to them), their mood can take a wild swing, which is when high conflict behaviors surface: blame, all-or-nothing thinking, unmanaged intense emotions and extreme behaviors. Sadly, this can drive people away, unless you develop some skills to help you manage the relationship. Without diagnosing or labeling, Bill and Megan discuss the borderline high conflict personality type, including:

  • What it means to feel abandoned
  • What this looks like in relationships
  • How past trauma may cause or contribute to the development of a borderline high conflict personality
  • How to identify someone who may have a borderline high conflict personality
  • Tips for interactions that will help everyone involved
  • Statistics on Borderline Personality Disorder in the U.S.

There’s a gift side to every person, including those with a borderline high conflict personality, but becoming aware and educated are keys to helping them and helping yourself. In this episode, we explore the borderline high conflict personality — the final in the ‘five types of people’ series. In the previous four episodes we talked about Narcissistic, Antisocial, Paranoid, and Histrionic HCPs (high conflict people). Listen in as Bill and Megan explore the basics of this personality type. You will likely learn something new, gain some insight and a few basic tips on managing relationships with them that benefit everyone.

Links & Other Notes

BOOKS

ARTICLES

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
  • (00:55) - Borderline Personality Disorder
  • (06:38) - What Is BPD?
  • (09:19) - Main Characteristics
  • (13:41) - BPDs vs. Borderline HCPs
  • (15:53) - What does High Conflict mean?
  • (17:46) - Stats
  • (21:10) - Bipolar vs. Borderline HCPs
  • (26:02) - Where does it come from?
  • (29:51) - Relationships with BPDs
  • (34:55) - Empathy
  • (37:59) - Jealousy
  • (40:03) - Summary
  • (41:35) - Is there hope?
  • (46:26) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Listener Questions
Living With Suspicion: Paranoid High Conflict People09 Dec 202100:29:43

Ever been around someone who was ultra-suspicious? Not just the typical accusatory behaviors, but someone who suspects conspiracies against them or that someone doesn’t like them or feels a certain way about them ... all based on an assumption or jumping to conclusions from a facial expression? Well, you just may have been around someone with a paranoid high conflict personality.

This type of personality is driven by a fear of being betrayed, so the rules of their operating system direct them to be suspicious of others. Once their fear button is triggered, whether perceived or real (it feels very real to them), they attack first. The behaviors of those with high conflict personalities all come out at that time: blame, all-or-nothing thinking, unmanaged emotions, and extreme behaviors. Bill and Megan discuss the paranoid high conflict personality type, including:

  • Their need to be in control of their surroundings and fear of being betrayed and need to hold grudges
  • The differences between paranoid high conflict personality and other paranoias
  • How to spot people who may have a paranoid high conflict personality
  • Tips for interacting with them, using an EAR Statement™ and BIFF Response®
  • Statistics on Paranoid Personality Disorder and Paranoid HCPs in the U.S

Being around someone like this can wear on your nerves and become draining, but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, we continue talking about the five types of people who can ruin your life. In the previous three episodes we talked about Narcissistic, Antisocial and Histrionic HCPs, or high conflict people. In this episode we are talking about Paranoid HCPs. This one has always been a little confusing for people because the other four types can also appear to have paranoia, and other mental health disorders may also experience the same. Paranoid Personality Disorder is a little different.

Links & Other Notes

BOOKS

ARTICLES

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
  • (01:42) - Paranoid HCPs
  • (02:25) - What is Paranoid Personality Disorder?
  • (08:35) - Paranoia in HCPs
  • (09:48) - Stats
  • (10:24) - How They Present Themselves
  • (11:48) - The Fear That Drives Them
  • (12:47) - Relationships With Paranoids
  • (14:30) - Social?
  • (18:05) - In the Workplace
  • (20:05) - What NOT to Do
  • (21:11) - Revenge
  • (22:08) - In Summary
  • (25:06) - Dealing With Paranoid HCPs
  • (28:19) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Borderline HCPs
Dealing with Drama: Histrionic High Conflict People02 Dec 202100:29:19

Histrionic Personality Disorder. It’s all about the drama.

Drama abounds online, on television, in movies, and in everyday life. But have you been around a person who is all drama all the time? With loads of storytelling and emotional persuasion? You may have been around someone with a histrionic high conflict personality.

This type of personality is driven by an intense need to be the center of attention, and when they aren’t, the blame and anger begin. But in the beginning, you may have been charmed by their sometimes flirtatious behavior (not all are this way) and later experienced and been exhausted by their non-stop drama and attention-seeking. Bill and Megan discuss the histrionic high conflict personality type, including:

  • Their need to be the center of attention and fear of feeling ignored
  • The differences between a self-absorbed person and someone with histrionic high conflict personality traits and behaviors
  • Why they exhaust those around them and how others experience their high conflict behaviors
  • How to spot them
  • Statistics on Histrionic Personality Disorder and histrionic HCPs in the U.S.

Understanding and dealing with Histrionic HCPs takes time, but learning about their fear-based operating system as well as learning a few simple skills – like setting limits – will help calm your life and prevent you from burning out.

If you’ve spent much time around someone with a histrionic high conflict personality, you know how exhausting interactions with them can be. Plus, their M.O. in life is it’s all about me, creating lop-sided relationships and one-way interactions. Setting limits is a key skill in turning that around. The first step is to understand their behavior patterns, starting now.

Send us your stories!

We’d love to hear your stories so we can talk through them on the show! Please visit our site and click the ‘Submit a Question’ button at the top of the page. You can also send us an email at podcast@highconflictinstitute.com or send us a note on any of our socials.

Please rate, review and share this show!

Links & Other Notes

Books:

Conflict Communication Series

On Demand Courses:

Submit a Question for Bill and Megan

You can also find these show notes on our website as well.

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (01:50) - Histrionic Personality Disorders
  • (03:30) - What Is Histrionic Personality Disorder?
  • (06:27) - Superficial Speech
  • (09:08) - Histrionic Fear
  • (10:56) - How Does It Develop
  • (12:49) - Helping Your Children Avoid Becoming Histrionic
  • (15:36) - Stats
  • (17:59) - When In a Relationship With a Histrionic
  • (19:11) - In Romantic Relationship
  • (20:47) - In the Workplace
  • (22:10) - In Summary & Tips
  • (23:22) - Common Areas
  • (24:50) - Persuasive
  • (26:07) - Histrionic vs. the Other Four Types
  • (27:02) - Wrapping Up
  • (27:49) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Paranoid
The Sociopath: Antisocial High Conflict People25 Nov 202100:39:38

The Antisocial Personality Disorder

Have you met this person? Someone who:

  • tries to dominate you
  • disruptive/volatile
  • disregard for laws/social rules
  • frequently lie and mislead you
  • manipulates
  • confuses you
  • lacks remorse/empathy/respect for your rights

If so, you might have been around someone with an Antisocial personality. This isn’t the person who stands in the corner during parties –which is often top of mind with the term antisocial. It’s actually Antisocial Personality Disorder (used interchangeably with sociopath). You know... it’s the guy (or gal) who thinks they’re special. He thinks he can park his car anywhere and not be towed. She embezzles from the company or fakes cancer to raise money. He blows up if he does not get the superior treatment he apparently deserves. She has an opinion about everything, hijacks conversations, poo-poos your thoughts and emotions and will lie though her teeth even when she knows she can get caught. Most of all – he wants something from you!

If you think you’ve never been around someone like this, you probably have been... but weren’t aware of what you were dealing with. Those who are married to them or have them as bosses know the confusion they cause and likely have experienced the terror in the pit of your stomach. But, surprise, you were most likely charmed in the beginning. Bill and Megan do a deep dive into the antisocial personality type, exploring:

  • their fear-based need to dominate and manipulate others
  • why they present with charm at first but are willing to hurt others for personal gain
  • why they disregard the rules and laws of society, lack remorse, and have a reckless disregard for risk and danger
  • how to spot them
  • statistics on Antisocial Personality Disorder and Antisocial HCPs in the U.S

Understanding and dealing with Antisocial HCPs come in layers, and understanding the why they behave that way is the first step.

If you’ve been the Target of Blame for an Antisocial HCP, you know the terror and helplessness they exact and the toll they take. Because they’re highly manipulative and charming, it’s easy to get conned by them. Instead, learning what to watch for is imperative. And if it’s too late and you’re already involved with one, it’s a good idea to get help from an expert. The first step is to understand their behavior patterns, starting now.

Send us your stories!

We’d love to hear your stories so we can talk through them on the show! Please visit our site and click the ‘Submit a Question’ button at the top of the page. You can also send us an email at podcast@highconflictinstitute.com or send us a note on any of our socials.

Please rate, review and share this show!

Links & Other Notes

Books:

BIFF at Work

5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life: Identifying and Dealing with Narcissists, Sociopaths, and Other High-Conflict Personalities

All of our books can be found in our online store or anywhere books are sold, including as e-books and some in audio format.

Training:

Articles:

Submit a Question for Bill and Megan

You can also find these show notes on our website as well.

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (01:49) - The Anti-Social Personality
  • (02:49) - What Is the Anti-Social Personality?
  • (06:54) - Why Do They Rise to the Top?
  • (09:19) - Anti-Socials in Divorce
  • (14:18) - How They Fool You – An Example
  • (23:56) - Lying
  • (28:30) - Back to Megan's Example
  • (30:36) - Why Do They End Up This Way?
  • (33:16) - Backing Out of a Situation Wtih an Anti-Social
  • (35:51) - When They're in Your Life
  • (37:17) - Avoiding When Dating
  • (38:38) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Histrionic People
Narcissistic High Conflict People18 Nov 202100:43:36

When an HCP is a Narcissist...

Do you know someone whose moods swing wildly? Do they act unreasonably suspicious or antagonistic? Do they blame others for their own problems? When a high conflict person (HCP) has one of five common personality disorders – borderline, narcissistic, paranoid, antisocial, or histrionic – they can lash out in risky extremes of emotion and aggression. And once an HCP decides to target you, they’re hard to shake.

Most everyone has been around a narcissist, but not everyone understands how to handle a narcissistic HCP. Bill and Megan do a deep dive into this personality type, exploring:

  • Their fear-based need to be superior and makes others feel inferior
  • The differences between vulnerable, narcissistic and malignant types
  • Why they see themselves as a hero and protector while those around them experience them as bullies
  • How to spot them
  • Statistics on Narcissistic Personality Disorder and narcissistic HCPs in the U.S

Understanding and dealing with Narcissistic HCPs come in layers, and understanding the why they behave that way is the first step.

If you’ve been the Target of Blame for a narcissistic HCP, you know the devastating impact it can have. It’s easy to get emotionally hooked by their aggressive behaviors and respond with aggression or avoidance, which emboldens them. Instead, learning the necessary skills –that don’t always feel natural – is the ticket to managing interactions with them. The first step is to understand their behavior patterns, starting now.

Send us your stories!

We’d love to hear your stories so we can talk through them on the show! Please visit our site and click the ‘Submit a Question’ button at the top of the page. You can also send us an email at podcast@highconflictinstitute.com or send us a note on any of our socials.

Please rate, review and share this show!

Links & Other Notes

Books:

Training:

Articles:

Submit a Question for Bill and Megan

You can also find these show notes on our website as well.

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (01:45) - Last Time...
  • (02:10) - HCP Refresher
  • (05:05) - The Narcissistic HCP
  • (07:38) - Statistics
  • (08:53) - Dealing With an Narcissistic HCP
  • (09:57) - Sexual Abuse
  • (10:21) - Genetic Component?
  • (12:47) - Empathy Factor
  • (14:57) - How They See Themselves
  • (17:44) - Types of Narcissists
  • (23:55) - Lack of Self-Awareness
  • (26:06) - Treatment
  • (28:59) - Dealing With a Narcissistic HCP in Your Life
  • (32:26) - Getting Support
  • (33:39) - Gender Breakdown
  • (35:17) - Don't Tell Them They're an HCP
  • (36:03) - Narcissists vs. Narcissistic HCPs
  • (36:49) - Are HCPs bad people?
  • (39:00) - Raising Healthy Kids
  • (42:05) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Antisocial HCPs
Bringing It to Life #6: Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder Part One with Guest Amanda Smith23 May 202400:33:27

In this episode of It's All Your Fault, Megan Hunter and Bill Eddy are joined by special guest Amanda Smith to discuss Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), continuing our Bringing It to Life series. They explore the common experiences of individuals with BPD, such as intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, and self-destructive tendencies.

The Power of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Amanda highlights the effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in treating BPD, emphasizing the importance of group therapy in conjunction with individual therapy. She shares success stories of individuals who have made significant progress through court-ordered DBT treatment.

Questions we answer in this episode:

  • What are the common experiences of individuals with BPD?
  • How can individuals with BPD work towards recovery?
  • Is court-ordered DBT treatment effective for individuals with BPD?

Key Takeaways:

  • BPD is characterized by intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, and self-destructive tendencies.
  • DBT, which combines individual and group therapy, is a highly effective treatment for BPD.
  • Individuals with BPD can make significant progress towards recovery through consistent and dedicated treatment.

This episode offers valuable insights into understanding Borderline Personality Disorder, exploring effective treatment options, and discussing the emotional struggles faced by individuals with BPD. Listeners will gain knowledge and strategies for supporting their loved ones on the path to recovery.

Links & Other Notes

GUEST

BOOKS

COURSE

ORGANIZATIONS

ARTICLES

OUR WEBSITE: https://www.highconflictinstitute.com/

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

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (00:39) - Borderline Personality Disorder with Amanda Smith
  • (02:11) - Amanda’s Background
  • (03:18) - Diagnoses From Which You Can Work Your Way Free
  • (06:03) - Common Experiences in BPD
  • (10:38) - What Can Be Done?
  • (14:43) - Being Held Accountable
  • (19:59) - Court-Ordered Therapy?
  • (22:08) - When They Don’t Change
  • (25:47) - What Are They Feeling?
  • (30:12) - Dissociation
  • (31:54) - Wrap Up
  • (32:12) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Part Two With Amanda
The 5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life11 Nov 202100:42:57

When an HCP also has a personality disorder...

Personality disorder or not, people with a high conflict personality (HCPs) have a pattern of high-conflict behavior that increases conflict rather than reducing or resolving it. This pattern usually happens over and over again in many different situations with many different people. The issue that seems in conflict at the time is not what is increasing the conflict. The “issue” is the high-conflict personality and how the person approaches problem-solving. With HCPs, the pattern of behavior often includes a lot of these four characteristics:

  • Blaming others
  • All-or-nothing thinking
  • Unmanaged emotions
  • Extreme behaviors

HCPs also seem to have personality disorders or some traits of these disorders. This means that they have long-term patterns of:

  • Interpersonal dysfunction
  • Lack of reflection on their own behavior
  • Lack of change

Mental health professionals have identified ten personality disorders. Five of these have a tendency to become HCPs: those with narcissistic, borderline, antisocial, paranoid, or histrionic personality disorders or traits. This helps us understand why they stay stuck in conflict – namely because of two reasons: they don’t reflect on their part of the problem, and they don’t change. So, the conflict continues or gets worse.

Perhaps you know someone with this pattern. Someone who insists that you – or someone you know – is entirely to blame for a large or small (or non-existent) problem. If so, he or she may be an HCP and you likely have felt targeted by them and unsure what to do.

In this episode, Bill and Megan give an overview of the five types and why the ways we interact with them don’t work, and why you can’t get them to reflect on themselves.

Send us your stories!

We’d love to hear your stories so we can talk through them on the show! Please visit our site and click the ‘Submit a Question’ button at the top of the page. You can also send us an email at podcast@highconflictinstitute.com or send us a note on any of our socials.

Please rate, review and share this show!

Links & Other Notes

Books:

Training:

Articles:

Submit a Question for Bill and Megan

You can also find these show notes on our website as well.

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (01:42) - HCPs In Your Life
  • (02:46) - Four Key Characteristics
  • (05:26) - All or Nothing Thinking
  • (07:47) - Personalities
  • (09:10) - Unmanaged Emotions
  • (10:55) - Giving It Time
  • (12:21) - They Don't Stop Themselves
  • (14:06) - Look for the Pattern
  • (16:41) - Five Personality Disorder Types
  • (20:45) - Range of HCP?
  • (22:33) - They're Everywhere
  • (25:31) - HCPs in Court Cases
  • (27:06) - Antisocial
  • (29:42) - Always Check Yourself
  • (31:56) - Where These Types Pop Up
  • (34:37) - When These Overlap
  • (37:07) - Bipolar
  • (40:42) - Wrapping Up
  • (41:52) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: The Narcissistic HCP
HCPs in the Workplace & Using BIFF at Work04 Nov 202100:35:13

We’re looking at HCPs in the workplace and how to use BIFF at work.

A narcissistic boss. Have you had one? It’s pretty common, so you’re lucky if you haven’t experienced the dread of waking every morning knowing you must face your boss for the next eight hours. Condescending comments and zingers. Out-of-control narcissistic rage from a narcissistic injury. Storming off to HR, their manager, the CEO — anywhere they go to let out their frustrations — which are many. It seems there’s always a dilemma, which obviously is a major time suck. What’s behind this? And what can be done to manage it? Is termination the only option for a high conflict employee? Or do you just remain in misery? Should you quit or should you stay?

Knowing how challenging it can be to handle a narcissistic supervisor, manager, or boss of any kind, Bill and Megan talk about the driving forces behind this high conflict personality type and discuss some specific tips for managing the HCP instead of letting them make you miserable. The good news: it is possible to turn things around using the right skills. Your life gets easier if you use these when dealing with a hostile boss, an undermining co-worker, a disruptive team member or any high conflict situation.

Bill and Megan also discuss their thoughts on media observations about whether Steve Jobs from Apple was a high conflict personality, as well as Elizabeth Holmes, who is currently standing trial in federal court for her alleged misdeeds as CEO of Theranos.

If you’re in a situation with a Narcissistic HCP at work, try one of these communication tools: an EAR Statement™ or BIFF Response®.

Empathy • Attention • Respect: an EAR Statement is all you need to remember when communicating verbally with a Narcissistic HCP.
Brief • Informative • Friendly • Firm: use a BIFF Response when communicating in writing. They’re easy to learn, but can be hard to do in the moment, so it will take some practice, especially if you’re emotionally hooked.

We’d love to hear your stories so we can talk through them on the show! Please visit our site and click the ‘Submit a Question’ button at the top of the page. You can also send us an email at podcast@highconflictinstitute.com or send us a note on any of our socials.

Please rate, review and share this show!

Links & Other Notes

Submit a Question for Bill and Megan

You can also find these show notes at highconflictinstitute.com/podcast as well.

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (01:43) - High Conflict Personalities in the Workplace
  • (02:57) - The Narcissistic Boss
  • (07:19) - Is There Healthy Narcissism?
  • (09:33) - Narcissistic CEOs
  • (10:45) - Emotional HCPs
  • (16:58) - A Few Examples Within Organizations
  • (20:12) - Steve Jobs
  • (22:39) - Using EAR Statements
  • (25:41) - An Example and 'Sorry'
  • (28:21) - Using BIFF Responses
  • (30:25) - An Example Using BIFF
  • (33:29) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: 5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life
Using BIFF Responses28 Oct 202100:38:29

In today’s episode, we talk about how to tackle hostile communications with BIFF Responses.

What is a hostile communication? It usually contains blame and personal attacks. You read it. Your heart rate doubles. You either want to blast back or instantly delete. Mostly, you never want to hear from that person again. It was far less common pre-electronic communication. Now it’s a matter of daily life, especially on social media or even more so when the communication is coming from someone with a high conflict personality.

The challenge with dealing with HCPs, or people with High Conflict Personalities, is that they wage war wherever they can, including on your screen. The problem is that most people respond right away. Why? Because they think they need to defend themselves. We talk about why people do that; why the HCP sends it in the first place; whether or not you need to respond; and if you do, how to do it differently using a BIFF Response.

Do you need to respond?

Much of hostile e-communication does not need a response. Letters from (ex-) spouses, angry neighbors, irritating co-workers, or attorneys do not usually have legal significance. The letter itself has no power, unless you give it power. Often, it is emotional venting aimed at relieving the writer’s anxiety. If you respond with similar emotions and hostility, you will simply escalate things without satisfaction, and just get a new piece of hostile mail back. In most cases, you are better off not responding.

If you do have to respond, use a BIFF Response.

Some letters and emails develop power when copies are filed in a court or complaint process – or simply get sent to other people. In these cases, it may be important to respond to inaccurate statements with accurate statements of fact. The best way to handle hostile communications from an HCP is with a BIFF Response. BIFF reminds you to be Brief, Informative, Friendly, and Firm, assuming you need to respond.

We’d love to hear your stories so we can talk through them on the show! Please visit our site and click the Submit a Question button at the top of the page. You can also send us an email at podcast@highconflictinstitute.com or send us a note on any of our socials.

Please rate, review and share this show!

Links & Other Notes

You can also find these show notes at highconflictinstitute.com/podcast as well.

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (01:42) - High Conflict in the Written Word
  • (04:45) - Using BIFF
  • (07:30) - What's Happening in the Brain?
  • (11:13) - When to Respond
  • (13:08) - An Example
  • (16:14) - Not Taking It Personally
  • (17:23) - Three As
  • (23:53) - BIFFing That Example
  • (30:00) - BIFF in High Conflict Divorce
  • (34:19) - Being Disciplined to Use BIFF
  • (35:25) - BIFF Certification
  • (36:29) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Using BIFF at Work
Who Are High Conflict People?21 Oct 202100:33:54

In today’s episode, we look at what makes up a high conflict person and talk about EAR Statements.

Blamers. Narcissists. Accusers. Ragers. These are all people who may fall into the category of High Conflict Personality. Most of us don’t act this way, but these people don’t often realize they’re acting this way and can’t control themselves. So should you engage? Or should you learn how to deal with them? If you guessed the latter, you’d be right.

Many people say these people are unpredictable, but Megan and Bill talk about how these people actually are very predictable... if you know what to look for. Several things can lead to people becoming HCPs. It could be genetic or could come from how they were raised. And because of this, HCPs can exist anywhere in the world. So how do you deal with them?

Well, the first step is learning to identify them. They will usually blame anyone but themselves, and they’ll never be able to connect the dots back to themselves. They rarely take responsibility for their own actions. But the feelings are so strongly in them that they can’t have their mind changed. Once you realize you’re dealing with an HCP, definitely don’t tell them they’re an HCP. It’s likely going to trigger them further.

If you’re in a situation with an HCP, try an EAR Statement.

Empathy. Attention Respect. These tools may seem opposite to how you’d normally deal with a person who is confronting you, but remember, you’re not an HCP. The HCP needs this so you can get out of the situation you’re in. It’s hard, but give it a try.

We’d love to hear your stories so we can talk through them on the show! Please visit our site and click the Submit a Question button at the top of the page. You can also send us an email at podcast@highconflictinstitute.com or send us a note on any of our socials.

Please rate, review and share this show!

Links & Other Notes

You can also find these show notes at highconflictinstitute.com/podcast as well.

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (01:41) - What is a High Conflict Person?
  • (05:28) - Why and How are HCPs Different?
  • (08:48) - Why Are They Like This and Why Don't They Change?
  • (12:43) - Why They Blame
  • (15:24) - How to Deal With HCPs
  • (20:16) - Getting Hooked
  • (24:09) - Breaking Down Megan's Story
  • (27:44) - Using EAR Statements
  • (32:13) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: BIFF Response
Welcome to It’s All Your Fault!07 Oct 202100:02:13

Welcome to It’s All Your Fault, the show about dealing with the High Conflict People in your life. The first episode drops in two weeks so subscribe now so you don’t miss any episode when they release! Episodes drop every Thursday during the season. We’ll be talking about all aspects of dealing with HCPs in your life, and we welcome questions! Please submit questions at our site using the link below. We just may be answering your question in an upcoming episode. 

Links & Other Notes

You can also find these show notes at highconflictinstitute.com/podcast as well.

  • (00:00) - Chapter 2
Bringing It to Life #5: Navigating Money and Corporate Complexities in High Conflict Divorces with Guest Kate Merrill16 May 202400:43:04

High Conflict Cases and Money: Navigating the Complexities

In this episode of It's All Your Fault, Bill and Megan are joined by special guest Kate Merrill, a California attorney specializing in complex divorce cases involving stock options and other business and corporate issues. As part of the Bringing It to Life series, they explore the intricacies of high conflict divorces involving money and finances.

Kate shares her unique perspective, having transitioned from a corporate attorney in Silicon Valley to a family law attorney. Her background in corporate law and MBA in finance enable her to approach these cases with a fresh perspective, uncovering hidden assets and untangling complex financial structures.

Bill and Megan discuss the common patterns of behavior exhibited by high conflict individuals in divorce cases involving money, including controlling finances and using manipulation tactics to hide assets or mislead their partners.

Questions we answer in this episode:

  • How can a background in corporate law and finance benefit high conflict divorce cases?
  • What are the common patterns of behavior exhibited by high conflict individuals in divorce cases involving money?
  • Why is it crucial for clients to be their own advocates and educated consumers of legal services?

Key Takeaways:

  • Understanding corporate structures, compensation packages, and investment vehicles is essential in high conflict divorce cases involving money.
  • Clients must be their own advocates and educated consumers of legal services, as most family lawyers may not have the specialized knowledge required to navigate complex financial matters.
  • Conducting a thorough investigation into the financial history of a relationship can uncover hidden assets and manipulative tactics.

This episode offers invaluable insights for anyone navigating a high conflict divorce involving money and finances, providing strategies to uncover the truth and achieve a fair outcome.

Links & Other Notes

GUEST

BOOKS

ORGANIZATIONS

ARTICLES

OUR WEBSITE: https://www.highconflictinstitute.com/

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

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (00:35) - Bringing It to Life: Kate Merrill
  • (41:32) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: How to Help Those Who Struggle with Borderline Personality Disorder
Bringing It to Life #4: Dealing with High Conflict Personalities in Academia09 May 202400:28:58

Surviving Academia: Navigating High Conflict Personalities in Higher Education

In this episode of "It's All Your Fault," the fourth installment of the Bringing It to Life series, Megan Hunter and Bill Eddy tackle the unique challenges of dealing with high conflict individuals in academia. Drawing from a listener's question about a bullying boss in a university setting, Bill and Megan explore the dynamics of toxic work environments in higher education and provide strategies for navigating these treacherous waters.

The Ivory Tower's Dirty Secret: High Conflict Personalities in Academia

Bill and Megan discuss the prevalence of high conflict personalities in academia, noting that the tolerant and helping nature of the industry can attract and enable difficult individuals. They highlight the specific challenges of dealing with tenured professors who exhibit high conflict behaviors, as well as the emotional toll this takes on colleagues and the institution as a whole.

Navigating the Minefield: Strategies for Dealing with High Conflict Colleagues in Higher Education

Bill introduces the CARS method – Connect, Analyze options, Respond, and Set limits – as a framework for managing interactions with high conflict individuals in academic settings. He emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, providing useful information without arguing, and imposing consequences when necessary, while acknowledging the limitations of individual action in the face of institutional tolerance.

The Delicate Dance of Leaving a Toxic Academic Environment

Bill and Megan address the challenges of leaving an academic position due to a high conflict colleague, particularly in the context of an exit interview. They discuss the potential risks of speaking openly about the reasons for departure, the judgment calls involved in deciding what to share, and the importance of securing another position before leaving.

Questions we answer in this episode:

  • Why do high conflict personalities seem to thrive in academia?
  • How can I manage interactions with a high conflict colleague in a university setting?
  • What are the unique challenges of dealing with tenured professors who exhibit high conflict behaviors?
  • How can I navigate leaving an academic position due to a toxic work environment?

Key Takeaways:

  • Academia's tolerant and helping nature can attract and enable high conflict personalities
  • The CARS method provides a framework for managing interactions with difficult colleagues in higher education
  • Individual action may be limited in the face of institutional tolerance of high conflict behaviors
  • Carefully consider the risks and benefits of sharing reasons for leaving in an academic exit interview
  • Secure another position before leaving an academic job due to a high conflict colleague

This episode offers valuable insights and practical strategies for anyone navigating the complex world of high conflict personalities in academia. By understanding the unique dynamics at play in higher education and employing the techniques discussed by Bill and Megan, listeners can better protect themselves and their careers while working in this challenging environment.

Links & Other Notes

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

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (00:37) - Bring It to Life: High Conflict in Academia
  • (01:10) - The Question
  • (03:20) - Signs of High Conflict Behavior
  • (09:52) - CARS Method
  • (15:07) - When You Leave
  • (19:33) - What Not to Do
  • (23:25) - What If We Snap?
  • (27:33) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: A Special Guest!
Bringing It to Life #3: Dealing with Parental Alienation02 May 202400:33:07

Parental Alienation: What It Is and How to Handle It

In this episode of It's All Your Fault, Bill and Megan dive into the complex topic of parental alienation in divorce and separation cases. They answer a listener's question about an extreme case of alienation and provide insights on what alienation is, how it differs from estrangement, and most importantly, what can be done about it.

Understanding Alienation and Estrangement
Bill explains that alienation occurs when a child resists or refuses contact with a parent, not because of that parent's actions, but due to the other parent's influence. In contrast, estrangement happens when the child's resistance is caused by the rejected parent's own behavior, such as violence or emotional abuse. Bill emphasizes the importance of taking a scientific approach rather than a blame approach to understand what may be happening in each case.

Treating Alienation and Estrangement
Bill discusses the different treatment approaches for alienation and estrangement. In estrangement cases, the focus is on helping the rejected parent learn new skills and rebuild the relationship with the child through step-by-step counseling. However, in alienation cases, the child needs to be removed from the alienating parent's influence and have intensive time with the rejected parent to re-establish their normal relationship.

Bringing the Listener's Case to Life
Bill and Megan analyze the listener's question, which involves an extreme case of alienation where the father shot the mother's new husband in front of their son. They discuss the importance of investigating the case thoroughly and ensuring the mother is a safe and stable parent. 

Questions we answer in this episode:

  • What is parental alienation and how does it differ from estrangement?
  • What are the different treatment approaches for alienation and estrangement?
  • How can a child heal from the effects of parental alienation?
  • What steps can be taken in extreme cases of alienation?

Key Takeaways:

  • Alienation occurs when a child resists contact with a parent due to the other parent's influence, while estrangement is caused by the rejected parent's own behavior.
  • Treatment for estrangement focuses on helping the rejected parent learn new skills, while treatment for alienation involves removing the child from the alienating parent's influence.
  • In extreme cases of alienation, the child may need to spend intensive time with the rejected parent, possibly in a psychiatric hospital setting, to re-establish their relationship.
  • The goal is to achieve a healthy balance in the child's life, with both parents supporting moderate thinking, behavior, and emotions.

This episode provides valuable insights into the complex issue of parental alienation and offers practical advice for those dealing with this challenging situation. By understanding the differences between alienation and estrangement, and learning about effective treatment approaches, listeners can take steps to help children heal and maintain healthy relationships with both parents.

Links & Other Notes

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

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (00:36) - Bringing It to Life: Alienation
  • (02:09) - The Listener Question
  • (03:36) - Alienation vs. Estrangement
  • (14:47) - Stressful?
  • (17:42) - Isolation
  • (22:41) - Digging Into the Situation
  • (28:07) - The Child
  • (31:04) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Belittling and Bullying
Bringing It to Life #2: Dealing with High Conflict Personalities in the Workplace25 Apr 202400:30:40

Bill and Megan continue their “Bringing It to Life” series, discussing how to identify and manage high conflict personalities in the workplace. They provide insights and strategies for leaders to improve workplace culture.

Bill and Megan aim to help listeners learn skills to keep conflict small and maintain healthy work environments. In this episode, they focus on limiting the damage caused by toxic employees.

Recognizing High Conflict Behavior Patterns

  • Bill explains the typical behavior patterns of high conflict personalities. These include blaming others, black-and-white thinking, uncontrolled emotions, and taking extreme actions.
  • Megan notes that toxic employees can split work groups and harm morale. Their behavior tends to be rigid and repetitive.
  • They discuss methods to identify whether one or more employees are exhibiting these disruptive patterns.

Managing High Conflict Employees

  • Bill and Megan explore options like coaching, setting limits, and imposing consequences. They note that firing toxic staff may be necessary.
  • They stress the importance of intervening early before the situation escalates. Allowing bullying and chaos enables bad behavior.
  • The hosts explain how removing one high conflict person can calm tensions and shift workplace culture.

Questions we answer in this episode:

  • How do you spot high conflict behavior patterns?
  • Should you keep or fire toxic employees?
  • What happens after a high conflict employee leaves?

Key Takeaways:

  • Look for patterns like blaming, black-and-white thinking, uncontrolled emotions.
  • Don't wait years to address high conflict employees.
  • Removing bullies can transform workplace culture.

This practical episode provides valuable insights for improving morale and productivity by minimizing the damage caused by high conflict personalities. Bill and Megan offer useful strategies to create a thriving workplace.

Links & Other Notes

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

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (00:36) - Bring It to Life #2: Impact of HCPs on the Workplace Culture
  • (01:06) - The Scenario
  • (06:54) - One or Both?
  • (09:38) - Contagious
  • (13:05) - Resistant to Change
  • (15:23) - Productivity
  • (17:40) - Aftermath
  • (29:26) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: High Conflict Divorce
Bringing It to Life #1: Navigating High Conflict Mediation Part Two18 Apr 202400:36:34

In this episode of It's All Your Fault, Bill and Megan continue their "Bringing It to Life" series with special guest Elaine Richardson, a solicitor and mediator from the UK. Continuing their conversation from the previous episode, they dive deep into the challenges of managing high conflict personalities in family law and mediation, offering practical strategies for professionals and individuals alike.

Identifying High Conflict Personalities
They discuss the importance of considering three possibilities when faced with accusations of high conflict behavior: the allegation may be true, it may be a projection, or both parties may be engaging in high conflict behavior. They emphasize the need for professionals to maintain an open mind and avoid blindly believing one party's claims.

Navigating High Conflict Clients and Mediation
Elaine shares her experiences as a solicitor and mediator, highlighting the importance of setting clear boundaries with high conflict clients. She discusses strategies for managing difficult situations, such as challenging clients when necessary and recognizing the "personality in waiting" that may emerge during the process.

Effective Communication Strategies
Bill talks again about the BIFF (Brief, Informative, Friendly, Firm) communication method as a tool for managing high conflict interactions. He explains how using BIFF can help de-escalate tensions and encourage mirror behavior from the other party. Elaine and Bill also discuss the importance of focusing on behavior rather than labels when addressing high conflict individuals.

Questions we answer in this episode:

  • How can professionals identify high conflict personalities?
  • What strategies can solicitors and mediators use to manage high conflict clients?
  • How can individuals communicate effectively with high conflict people?
  • What role does setting boundaries play in managing high conflict situations?

Key Takeaways:

  • Maintain an open mind when faced with accusations of high conflict behavior
  • Set clear boundaries with high conflict clients
  • Use BIFF communication to de-escalate tensions and encourage positive mirror behavior
  • Focus on behavior rather than labels when addressing high conflict individuals
  • Be prepared for the "personality in waiting" to emerge during the process

This episode of It's All Your Fault offers invaluable insights for professionals and individuals navigating the challenges of high conflict personalities in family law and mediation. Bill, Megan, and Elaine provide practical strategies and real-world examples that listeners can apply to their own situations, making this a must-listen episode for anyone seeking to manage high conflict interactions more effectively.

Links & Other Notes

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

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (00:33) - Part 2 with Elaine Richardson
  • (01:46) - Approaching a Potential High Conflict Mediation Case
  • (05:55) - Three Possibilities of the Case
  • (10:22) - When Your Client Is High Conflict
  • (18:45) - Handling High Conflict Between Lawyers
  • (26:41) - New Law in UK
  • (31:15) - Shared Parenting Scotland
  • (33:59) - Wrap Up
  • (35:19) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Workplace Conflict
Bringing It to Life #1: Navigating High Conflict Mediation & Poll Results11 Apr 202400:45:38

Poll Results, Case Studies, and Strategies: Navigating High Conflict Mediation

In this episode of It's All Your Fault, Bill and Megan kick off a new periodic series called "Bring It to Life," where they dive into real-life case studies and provide practical strategies for navigating high conflict situations. They also share the results of recent polls on child custody and women in marriage. Joined by special guest Elaine Richardson, a family solicitor from the UK, Bill and Megan explore the challenges of mediating cases involving high conflict personalities.

Revealing Poll Results and Introducing "Bring It to Life"

Bill and Megan begin the episode by discussing the results of two recent polls conducted on their website. The first poll focuses on child custody, revealing insights into the perspectives of family law professionals and family members. The second poll explores the topic of women and marriage, shedding light on the experiences and opinions of their listeners.

Following the poll results, Bill and Megan introduce their new series, "Bring It to Life," where they will examine real-life case studies to provide listeners with practical advice and strategies for handling high conflict situations.

Navigating the Complexities of High Conflict Mediation

In the first installment of "Bring It to Life," Bill and Megan, along with Elaine Richardson, delve into a specific case study involving a high conflict personality in mediation. They discuss the challenges posed by individuals who engage in manipulative behavior, cause delays, and create difficulties for mediators and legal professionals. By examining this real-life scenario, they offer valuable insights and techniques for preventing further delays and effectively managing high conflict personalities in mediation.

The episode also explores the concept of hybrid mediation, with Elaine explaining how it differs from traditional family mediation in the UK. Bill and Megan highlight the benefits of having lawyers present during mediation sessions and emphasize the importance of maintaining confidentiality throughout the process.

Recognizing and Addressing Bullying Behavior

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing projection and bullying behavior in high conflict cases. Bill and Megan share their expertise on recognizing these behaviors and provide strategies for negotiating with individuals who exhibit them. They stress the importance of understanding the spectrum of bullying behaviors, ranging from reputation smearing to more extreme cases of violence and destruction.

Questions we answer in this episode:

  • What do the recent poll results reveal about child custody and women in marriage?
  • How can mediators and legal professionals effectively handle high conflict personalities in mediation?
  • What are the advantages of hybrid mediation compared to traditional family mediation?
  • How can one recognize and address projection and bullying behavior in high conflict cases?
  • What strategies can be employed when negotiating with individuals who exhibit bullying behavior?

Key Takeaways:

  • The poll results provide valuable insights into perspectives on child custody and women in marriage.
  • High conflict personalities can significantly impact the mediation process, causing delays and challenges.
  • Hybrid mediation offers benefits by involving lawyers in the mediation process.
  • Recognizing and understanding the spectrum of bullying behaviors is essential for effective negotiation.
  • Mediators should educate parties on their options and consequences while maintaining confidentiality and managing expectations.

This episode of It's All Your Fault offers a wealth of information and practical advice for anyone dealing with high conflict personalities in mediation or legal settings. By sharing poll results, introducing the "Bring It to Life" series, and discussing real-life case studies, Bill and Megan provide listeners with valuable insights and strategies to navigate these challenging situations effectively.

Links & Other Notes

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

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (00:35) - Guest Elaine Richardson and Poll Results
  • (01:18) - Meet Eialne
  • (03:41) - Bring It to Life Series Introduction
  • (04:14) - Poll #1 Results and Discussion
  • (09:21) - Poll #2 Results, Feedback, and Discussion
  • (13:40) - Bring It to Life
  • (43:10) - Wrap Up
  • (43:55) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: A Continuation
Asked and Answered: Navigating High Conflict Personalities with Practical Strategies08 Aug 202400:30:55

In this solo episode, Megan Hunter dives into the world of high conflict personalities. With co-host Bill Eddy away, Megan takes the opportunity to answer listener questions and provide valuable insights on identifying and dealing with individuals who exhibit high conflict behaviors. Throughout the episode, she offers practical strategies for managing these challenging interactions and maintaining your own well-being.

Understanding the Five Types of High Conflict Personalities
Megan begins by explaining the five high conflict personality types: those who fear feeling inferior, abandoned, ignored, dominated, and paranoid. She emphasizes that while each type has unique traits, they all share a common pattern of behavior driven by fear. By understanding these underlying fears, listeners can develop more effective approaches to communicating and setting boundaries with high conflict individuals.

Navigating Family Dynamics with High Conflict Personalities
One listener asks for guidance on dealing with a high conflict family member who acts as an "emotional bully." Megan advises using the EAR (Empathy, Attention, Respect) method to connect with the individual and help them regulate their emotions. However, she also stresses the importance of setting clear limits and imposing consequences when necessary to avoid being manipulated or bullied.

Strategies for Professional Settings
Another listener, who works in public relations for a municipality, seeks advice on interacting with a high conflict council member. Megan recommends implementing a respectful meeting policy and using the CARS (Connecting, Analyzing options, Responding to misinformation, Setting limits) method. By employing these strategies consistently, staff and department heads can maintain a productive work environment while minimizing the impact of disruptive behavior.

Coping with a High Conflict Adult Child
A listener shares their experience with a mid-30s daughter who exhibits high conflict behaviors consistent with borderline personality disorder. While Megan acknowledges the complexity and emotional challenges of such a situation, she offers hope by suggesting strategies to maintain a loving relationship while setting necessary boundaries. This includes focusing on one's own well-being, seeking support from professionals and support groups, and consistently applying the communication techniques discussed throughout the episode.

Questions we answer in this episode:

  • What are the five types of high conflict personalities and how do they differ?
  • How can I foster a connection with a high conflict individual without enabling their behavior?
  • What strategies can I use to set boundaries with a high conflict family member?
  • How should staff and department heads interact with a high conflict council member in a professional setting?

Key Takeaways:

  1. High conflict personalities are driven by underlying fears that shape their behavior patterns.
  2. The EAR method can help establish a connection and regulate emotions in high conflict situations.
  3. Setting clear limits and imposing consequences are crucial for preventing manipulation and bullying.
  4. The CARS method and respectful meeting policies are effective tools for managing high conflict individuals in professional settings.

This episode offers invaluable insights for anyone struggling to navigate relationships with high conflict personalities. By understanding the root causes of their behavior and employing the strategies discussed, listeners can develop healthier, more productive interactions with these individuals. Megan's expertise and practical advice make this an essential listen for anyone seeking to improve their communication skills and maintain their well-being in challenging situations.

Links & Other Notes

“LIVE” CLASSES/COURSES

BOOKS

ARTICLES

OUR WEBSITE: https://www.highconflictinstitute.com/

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

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (00:42) - Listener Questions
  • <...
Exploring the Path to Mediation: A Conversation with Sonja Wood04 Apr 202400:33:18

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

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!
Defusing Workplace Drama: Expert Advice for Managing High Conflict Personalities28 Mar 202400:41:04

Navigating High Conflict Personalities in the Workplace

In this episode of "It's All Your Fault", Megan Hunter and Bill Eddy are joined by special guest Cherolyn Knapp to answer listener questions about dealing with high conflict personalities at work. As experts in the field of high conflict resolution, Bill and Megan provide valuable insights and strategies for managing challenging workplace interactions.

Identifying and Responding to High Conflict Behavior
The hosts and their guest discuss how high conflict individuals may present in the workplace, noting that they don't always yell or argue overtly. Passive-aggressive behavior, spreading rumors, and sabotaging others are common tactics used by high conflict personalities. Bill and Megan emphasize the importance of recognizing these behaviors and offer techniques for responding effectively, such as using "EAR" statements (empathy, attention, respect) to connect with the person and defuse the situation.

Supporting Targets of High Conflict Behavior
Megan, Bill, and Cherolyn address a listener's question about feeling unsupported when targeted by a high conflict individual at work. They acknowledge the pain and difficulty of such situations and provide guidance on how to cope. The hosts suggest looking at personal choices and options, seeking support from others, and considering whether the current work environment is ultimately sustainable for one's well-being.

Questions we answer in this episode:

  • How can I protect my team from a high conflict individual in another department?
  • What does high conflict behavior look like when it's not overt yelling or arguing?
  • How can I get support when I'm being targeted by a high conflict person at work?
  • What role do enablers play in perpetuating high conflict behavior?

Key Takeaways:

  • High conflict behavior isn't always loud and aggressive; it can be passive-aggressive, such as spreading rumors or sabotaging others.
  • Using "EAR" statements (empathy, attention, respect) can help defuse high conflict situations and connect with the person.
  • When targeted by a high conflict individual, it's important to assess your choices and options, and seek support.
  • Enablers, whether supervisors, coworkers, or something else, can perpetuate high conflict behavior by siding with the high conflict person.

This episode offers valuable insights and practical strategies for navigating the challenges of high conflict personalities in the workplace. Whether you're a manager looking to protect your team or an individual feeling targeted by a high conflict coworker, Bill, Megan, and Cherolyn’s expertise can help you identify problematic behaviors, respond effectively, and prioritize your well-being.

Links & Other Notes

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

  • (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
  • (01:34) - Welcome Back Cherolyn
  • (03:05) - Listener Question #1: Dealing With a Workplace Bully
  • (09:38) - EAR Statements and Connecting
  • (11:57) - What to Say
  • (13:57) - How High Conflict ‘Presents’
  • (17:04) - Passive Aggressive
  • (19:36) - How to Deal With Them
  • (22:43) - Dealing With Abuse Enablers
  • (28:55) - New Ways for Work
  • (35:50) - New Ways for Work Leaders
  • (39:42) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Another Guest!
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