Explore every episode of the podcast Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brain States When You Should NOT Try to Resolve a Conflict | 31 août 2026 | 00:12:18 | |
We spend a lot of time learning how to resolve conflict. But almost nobody talks about when not to. Sometimes, the smartest thing you can do in a difficult conversation is wait. In this episode, I break down seven brain states that can compromise our ability to communicate clearly, regulate our reactions, and actually resolve anything. Being tired or hungry can weaken self-control. Chronic stress can leave us hypervigilant and more likely to perceive threats. And when we’re actively escalated, the parts of the brain we rely on for reasoning, perspective, and impulse control become harder to access. Other factors are less obvious. An unmet need for safety, belonging, or self-worth can put us on the defensive before a conversation even begins. And simply having an audience can quietly shift the goal from resolving the issue to defending ourselves or winning. I'll also explain the neuroscience behind all seven states, how to recognize when you’re not in the right state for a difficult conversation, and what to do instead. Because knowing when to address a conflict can be just as important as knowing how. This episode draws from Jeremy’s new book, Wired for Peace: Using 7 Neuroscience-Based Principles to Resolve Conflicts. 📘 Get Wired for Peace: Dealing with conflict on your team or in your workplace? Pollack Peacebuilding Systems helps organizations resolve conflict, strengthen communication, and build healthier workplaces. Learn more or request a free consultation: About Jeremy Pollack, Ph.D. 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance. Connect with Me
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| Why Bad News Is Addictive (Doomscrolling)—and What to Do About | 24 août 2026 | 00:16:56 | |
It’s late. You’re tired. Every headline makes you feel worse, and somehow you still can’t stop scrolling. Why is bad news so hard to put down? In this episode, I break down the neuroscience behind doomscrolling and why it has less to do with willpower than we might think. Our brains evolved to pay close attention to potential threats, but today that ancient survival system has access to something it was never designed to handle: an endless stream of alarming information. We will explore how negativity bias makes threatening information feel especially important, while threat bias keeps our attention locked onto potential danger. Then there’s dopamine, not simply a “pleasure chemical,” but part of the brain’s motivation and pursuit system, which can keep us searching for the next piece of information, especially when we don’t know what we’ll find. Add in the body’s own stress response, and the cycle can become self-reinforcing. You read something alarming. Your body reacts. Those uncomfortable sensations can make the world feel even more threatening, which gives your brain another reason to keep searching for information. The problem? Most of what we encounter while doomscrolling isn’t something we can actually do anything about. Our nervous system prepares us to respond to a threat, but there’s often no meaningful action to take. So how do you break the cycle without feeling like you’re choosing ignorance, or that putting down your phone means you simply don’t care? I will help you rethink your relationship with bad news, recognize when staying informed has turned into compulsive threat monitoring, and learn how to step away without disengaging from the things that genuinely matter. This episode draws from Jeremy’s new book, Wired for Peace: Using 7 Neuroscience-Based Principles to Resolve Conflicts. 📘 Get Wired for Peace: Dealing with conflict on your team or in your workplace? Pollack Peacebuilding Systems helps organizations resolve conflict, strengthen communication, and build healthier workplaces. Learn more or request a free consultation: About Jeremy Pollack, Ph.D. 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance. Connect with Me
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| Why We Can't Look Away From a Public Meltdown | 19 août 2026 | 00:09:46 | |
You know you probably shouldn’t watch. A celebrity melting down. A viral argument. A stranger losing it in a parking lot while someone films. Some part of you knows it’s none of your business, and yet, you watch the whole thing. Maybe you even send it to a friend. So why are public meltdowns so hard to look away from? In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Pollack breaks down the neuroscience behind our fascination with other people’s public conflicts. Our brains are wired to detect threats, and negativity bias naturally pulls our attention toward anything that seems dangerous, unpredictable, or socially significant. For most of human history, paying attention to conflict within the group was useful information. Who’s angry? Who’s dangerous? Who broke the rules? What does this mean for me? But there’s an important distinction: watching this kind of drama doesn’t necessarily feel good. In fact, it often makes us uncomfortable. The pull isn’t always about pleasure; it’s about information, and that discomfort can actually be part of what keeps our attention locked in. The problem is that this ancient system evolved to keep track of a relatively small social world. Today, technology can feed it an endless stream of conflict involving strangers whose lives have little or nothing to do with ours, and our brains aren’t particularly good at recognizing the difference. This episode draws from Jeremy’s new book, Wired for Peace: Using 7 Neuroscience-Based Principles to Resolve Conflicts. 📘 Get Wired for Peace: Dealing with conflict on your team or in your workplace? Pollack Peacebuilding Systems helps organizations resolve conflict, strengthen communication, and build healthier workplaces. Learn more or request a free consultation: About Jeremy Pollack, Ph.D. 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance. Connect with Me
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| Why Online Arguments Are Impossible to Win (Neurologically) | 13 août 2026 | 00:12:32 | |
Why do online arguments seem to go nowhere? You start with the hope of having a thoughtful discussion. Minutes later, you're frustrated, the other person is even more entrenched, and neither of you has changed your mind. In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Pollack explains why that's not simply a failure of communication, it's the way our brains respond to online interaction. Drawing on neuroscience, he explores how text strips away tone, facial expressions, body language, and other essential cues our brains rely on to interpret meaning. Without them, we naturally fill in the blanks with our own assumptions, often interpreting neutral messages as hostile or dismissive. Dr. Pollack also explores how anonymity, public audiences, and social media dynamics make productive conflict resolution even more difficult, creating environments that often reward winning over understanding. You'll learn:
This episode is based on one of the seven neuroscience-based principles from Jeremy's book, Wired for Peace: Using 7 Neuroscience-Based Principles to Resolve Conflicts, offering practical insights you can use in your work, relationships, and everyday conversations. 📘 Learn more about Wired for Peace: https://a.co/d/02XFwbCC 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance. If your organization is looking to improve communication, reduce conflict, and build healthier workplace cultures, learn more at https://pollackpeacebuilding.com. Connect with Me
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| The Neuroscience of Road Rage | 10 août 2026 | 00:09:32 | |
Why do calm, reasonable people sometimes become furious behind the wheel? In this episode, Jeremy Pollack explores the neuroscience of road rage and explains why driving creates the perfect conditions for our brain's threat response to take over. Learn how biases like hostile attribution bias and the fundamental attribution error cause us to interpret other drivers' actions as personal attacks, why stress makes these reactions even more likely, and how nervous system regulation can help interrupt the cycle. Most importantly, Jeremy shares one surprisingly simple strategy that can dramatically reduce the likelihood of road rage before your drive even begins. Whether you're interested in neuroscience, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, or simply becoming a calmer driver, this episode offers practical, research-informed insights you can apply immediately. To learn more, visit pollackpeacebuilding.com or explore Jeremy's book, Wired for Peace: Using 7 Neuroscience-Based Principles to Resolve Conflicts. 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance. Connect with Me
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| How Politicians Use Threats to Rewire Your Brain | 30 juil. 2026 | 00:05:51 | |
Why do fear-based political messages work so well? The answer has less to do with politics than with neuroscience. In this episode, Jeremy Pollack, Ph.D., explores how fear-based messaging can shape the brain and why it is such a powerful tool for influencing beliefs and behavior. Drawing on neuroscience and the principles from his new book, Wired for Peace, Jeremy explains how neuroplasticity allows the brain to form new patterns during moments of heightened emotional arousal. When political leaders, media personalities, or online influencers repeatedly frame the world as dangerous and present themselves as the source of safety, they may be conditioning audiences to associate them with nervous system regulation. This episode explores:
Rather than telling you what to think, this conversation offers a framework for understanding how our brains respond to fear and how greater awareness can help us make more intentional choices. 📘 Wired for Peace: Using 7 Neuroscience-Based Principles to Resolve Conflicts is available now. If you're looking to build healthier conflict dynamics within your team or organization, learn more about Pollack Peacebuilding Systems and schedule a free consultation at pollackpeacebuilding.com. 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance.
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| The Prediction That Will Change How Companies Handle Conflict in the Next 10 Years | 27 juil. 2026 | 00:06:51 | |
The way organizations handle conflict is about to change, and the companies that recognize it first will have a significant advantage. Unresolved workplace conflict costs U.S. businesses an estimated $359 billion every year in lost productivity. Not because of lawsuits or turnover, but because people struggle to navigate tension effectively. In this episode, Jeremy Pollack, Ph.D., shares his prediction for how conflict resolution will evolve over the next decade and why traditional communication and conflict training often falls short. The missing piece? Most approaches assume people stay calm and rational during conflict. Neuroscience tells us otherwise. Drawing from his new book, Wired for Peace, Jeremy explores:
Whether you lead a team, manage an organization, or simply want a better way to navigate difficult conversations, this episode offers a practical, science-based perspective on the future of conflict resolution. 📘 Wired for Peace: Using 7 Neuroscience-Based Principles to Resolve Conflicts is available now. If your organization is ready to transform the way it handles conflict, learn more about Pollack Peacebuilding Systems and schedule a free consultation at pollackpeacebuilding.com. 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance. Connect with Me
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| The SAPIEN Model: The 6 Needs Behind Every Fight You've Ever Had | 27 juil. 2026 | 00:09:59 | |
What if the conflict you're dealing with isn't really about the schedule, the budget, or that comment someone made in a meeting? Most conflicts begin on the surface, but they're driven by something much deeper. In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Pollack introduces the SAPIEN Model—a neuroscience-informed framework for understanding the six core psychological needs that shape human behavior and drive conflict. You'll learn how threats to these needs can trigger the brain in ways that closely resemble threats to physical survival, making even small disagreements feel intensely personal. In this episode, you'll discover:
Once you begin to recognize these six needs, conflict stops feeling random and starts becoming readable. That shift can transform the way you approach difficult conversations at work, at home, and everywhere in between. This episode explores one of the foundational ideas behind Jeremy's book, Wired for Peace: Using 7 Neuroscience-Based Principles to Resolve Conflicts. If you're interested in building healthier relationships, leading more effectively, or resolving conflict with greater confidence, this episode offers a practical framework you can begin using immediately. 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance. Connect with Me
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| The 5 Cs of Conflict Resolution: Secrets of a Peacebuilder | 24 juil. 2026 | 00:07:13 | |
Why do some people seem able to step into almost any conflict and help people find a way forward? It isn't magic. It's actually a set of learnable skills. In this episode, Jeremy Pollack, Ph.D., introduces the 5 Cs of Conflict Resolution—the essential capacities that professional peacebuilders rely on to navigate difficult conversations and transform conflict into collaboration. You'll learn how curiosity, communication, care, collaboration, and creativity work together to create better outcomes, whether you're leading a team, navigating workplace disagreements, or working through conflict at home. These five skills all depend on your prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain responsible for thoughtful decision-making, empathy, and problem-solving. When stress or conflict escalates, that part of the brain becomes less accessible, making it harder to respond the way you want to. That's why understanding the neuroscience behind conflict is just as important as learning conflict resolution techniques. This episode explores one of the seven neuroscience-based principles from Jeremy's new book, Wired for Peace: Using 7 Neuroscience-Based Principles to Resolve Conflicts, offering practical insights you can begin applying immediately. In this episode, you'll learn:
📘 Get your copy of Wired for Peace: https://a.co/d/02XFwbCC 📘 Get your copy of Wired for Peace: https://a.co/d/02XFwbCC 🤝 Looking to improve conflict resolution in your organization? Learn more about Pollack Peacebuilding Systems or schedule a free consultation at https://pollackpeacebuilding.com. Jeremy Pollack, Ph.D., is a social-organizational psychologist, speaker, author, and the founder of Pollack Peacebuilding Systems. Through neuroscience-based training and consulting, he helps leaders, teams, and organizations transform conflict into opportunities for stronger communication, collaboration, and lasting peace. 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance. Connect with Me
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| Train Your Brain to Stay Calm During Conflict | 22 juil. 2026 | 00:10:02 | |
What if the person who frustrates you most could actually help you become better at handling conflict? In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Pollack introduces a surprising neuroscience-based exercise that uses a controlled trigger, like a podcaster, news anchor, or public figure who reliably irritates you, to train your brain to respond more calmly and constructively during real-life disagreements. Rather than avoiding conflict, you'll learn how to use manageable moments of tension to recondition your nervous system, build emotional resilience, and prepare for the conversations that matter most. In this episode, you'll learn:
This episode explores one of the seven neuroscience-based principles from Dr. Jeremy Pollack's book, Wired for Peace: Using Seven Neuroscience-Based Principles to Resolve Conflicts. Whether you're navigating workplace disagreements, family tension, or challenging conversations in everyday life, this practical exercise will help you strengthen your ability to stay calm, curious, and constructive when conflict arises. Resources
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who wants to build greater resilience and confidence in difficult conversations. 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance.
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| 7 Neuroscience-Based Principles That Can Transform How You Handle Conflict | 20 juil. 2026 | 00:20:38 | |
Why do so many conflict resolution strategies work for a while only to fall apart when emotions run high? According to Dr. Jeremy Pollack, the missing piece isn't better communication. It's understanding the brain and the nervous system. Until we address conflict at that level, lasting resolution remains difficult to achieve. In this foundational episode, Dr. Pollack introduces the seven neuroscience-based principles that form the core of his Wired for Peace framework. Drawing on years of experience mediating conflicts between executives, business partners, workplace teams, couples, and families, he explains how understanding the brain can fundamentally change the way we approach disagreement. In this episode, you'll learn:
These seven principles form the foundation of Dr. Jeremy Pollack's book, Wired for Peace: Using Seven Neuroscience-Based Principles to Resolve Conflicts, offering a practical, science-based roadmap for resolving conflict in the workplace, at home, and in every important relationship. Whether you're a leader, manager, HR professional, mediator, or simply someone who wants to navigate conflict with greater confidence and clarity, this episode provides a powerful introduction to a neuroscience-based approach to building lasting peace. Resources
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who's ready to transform the way they think about conflict. 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance.
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| Why Empathy Is Overrated as a Conflict Resolution Tool | 16 juil. 2026 | 00:07:04 | |
We've all heard that empathy is the key to resolving conflict. But what if the version of empathy most people practice is actually making difficult conversations harder? In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Pollack challenges one of the most common assumptions in conflict resolution. Drawing on neuroscience and peace psychology, he explains why absorbing another person's emotions can leave both people dysregulated and why a different approach is far more effective. Rather than taking on someone else's emotional state, you'll learn how to understand the deeper psychological needs driving their behavior, allowing you to stay calm, think clearly, and respond more skillfully during conflict. In this episode, you'll learn:
This episode explores one of the seven neuroscience-based principles from Dr. Jeremy Pollack's book, Wired for Peace: Using Seven Neuroscience-Based Principles to Resolve Conflicts. Whether you're leading a team, managing workplace conflict, or navigating challenging personal relationships, this conversation offers a more sustainable way to build trust, reduce defensiveness, and resolve conflict without carrying everyone else's emotions. Resources
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who wants to approach conflict with greater clarity, compassion, and resilience. 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance. Connect with Me 🌐 Website: PollackPeacebuilding.com
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| We're Wired for Peace, Not War. Here's the Neuroscience Behind It. | 13 juil. 2026 | 00:11:05 | |
Are human beings naturally wired for conflict or for cooperation? Conventional wisdom often tells us that people are inherently aggressive, competitive, and tribal. But what if the opposite is true? What if our brains and nervous systems were actually designed for connection, and conflict is meant to be a temporary survival response rather than our default state? In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Pollack explores the neuroscience behind human cooperation and explains why peace, not conflict, is our biological baseline. You'll learn what happens in the brain during moments of connection, why conflict feels so consuming when our threat response is activated, and the four key factors that keep individuals and organizations stuck in cycles of tension. In this episode, you'll learn:
This episode introduces the central premise of Dr. Jeremy Pollack's book, Wired for Peace: Using Seven Neuroscience-Based Principles to Resolve Conflicts. Whether you're leading a team, navigating difficult relationships, or simply curious about the science of human behavior, this conversation offers a new way to understand conflict and a hopeful vision for resolving it. Resources
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who believes there has to be a better way to navigate conflict. 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance.
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| Why Most Workplace Mediation Fails and What Actually Resolves Conflict | 09 juil. 2026 | 00:07:03 | |
When conflict erupts at work, the default response is often simple: get everyone in a room, let each person share their perspective, and work toward an agreement. So why do so many workplace conflicts return just weeks later? In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Pollack challenges one of the most common assumptions in conflict resolution, that bringing people together to "talk it out" is the best place to start. Drawing on neuroscience and peace psychology, he explains why traditional mediation often addresses the symptoms of conflict without resolving the underlying threat response driving it. You'll discover why effective conflict resolution begins long before people sit down at the same table. In this episode, you'll learn:
This episode explores one of the seven neuroscience-based principles from Dr. Jeremy Pollack's book, Wired for Peace: Using Seven Neuroscience-Based Principles to Resolve Conflicts. Whether you're a leader, HR professional, mediator, or someone who wants to build healthier workplace relationships, this episode offers a fresh perspective on what it really takes to transform conflict into lasting trust and understanding. Resources
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a leader or colleague who's ready to rethink how workplace conflict is resolved. 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance. Connect with Me
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| The 10-Second Brain Reset That Can Stop Conflict from Escalating | 06 juil. 2026 | 00:04:53 | |
Why do difficult conversations seem to spiral so quickly, even when you're trying to stay calm? One reason lies in the way your brain interprets what's happening inside your body. As your heart rate rises and your breathing changes during conflict, your brain can mistakenly read those physical sensations as evidence that you're in even greater danger, creating a cycle that makes clear thinking increasingly difficult. In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Pollack explains the neuroscience behind this stress loop and introduces a simple 10-second technique that can help you interrupt it. By shifting your attention from interoception—your awareness of internal bodily sensations—to exteroception—your awareness of the world around you, you can regulate your nervous system, think more clearly, and respond more intentionally during difficult conversations. In this episode, you'll learn:
This episode explores one of the seven neuroscience-based principles from Dr. Jeremy Pollack's book, Wired for Peace: Using Seven Neuroscience-Based Principles to Resolve Conflicts. Whether you're leading a team, navigating workplace disagreements, or simply trying to have more productive conversations at home, this practical technique can help you stay grounded when emotions begin to take over. Resources
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who wants practical, neuroscience-based tools for handling conflict with greater clarity and confidence. 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance.
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| The Simple Mantra That Can Calm Your Brain During Conflict | 02 juil. 2026 | 00:07:08 | |
Why do some disagreements feel like a personal attack, even when they aren't? When conflict triggers your nervous system, your brain shifts into a threat response, making it harder to think clearly, stay present, or respond the way you intended. The good news is that you can interrupt that process. In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Pollack explains why conflict activates the brain's threat circuitry and shares four simple mantras designed to help you regulate your nervous system in the moment. More importantly, you'll learn how to identify which psychological need has been threatened so you can choose the mantra that's most effective for your situation. In this episode, you'll learn:
This episode explores one of the seven neuroscience-based principles from Dr. Jeremy Pollack's book, Wired for Peace: Using Seven Neuroscience-Based Principles to Resolve Conflicts. Whether you're navigating conflict at work, at home, or anywhere in between, these simple mental tools can help you stay grounded, think more clearly, and build stronger relationships. Resources
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who wants to handle conflict with greater calm, confidence, and resilience. 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance. Connect with Me
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| The 60-Second Brain Hack to Regain Control During Conflict | 30 juin 2026 | 00:08:10 | |
Have you ever said something in the middle of an argument that you immediately wished you could take back? In those moments, it's easy to think you simply lost your temper. But according to neuroscience, something else is happening: your nervous system has shifted into a threat response, temporarily taking your brain's higher reasoning offline. In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Pollack shares a simple, neuroscience-based technique that can help you regain composure in about 60 seconds, even in the middle of a difficult conversation. He also explains how to train a subtle physical cue that helps your brain return to a calm, thoughtful state before conflict escalates. In this episode, you'll learn:
This episode explores one of the seven neuroscience-based principles from Dr. Jeremy Pollack's book, Wired for Peace: Using Seven Neuroscience-Based Principles to Resolve Conflicts. If you're looking for practical, science-backed tools to navigate conflict with greater clarity, confidence, and connection, this episode is for you. Resources
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who wants to handle difficult conversations with greater calm and confidence. 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance.
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| Has Psychological Safety Made Your Team More Fragile? | 26 juin 2026 | 00:08:27 | |
Psychological safety has become one of the most talked-about ideas in leadership, but what if we've misunderstood it? In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Pollack explores how the popular interpretation of psychological safety may actually be making teams less resilient by encouraging conflict avoidance rather than healthy disagreement. Drawing from neuroscience, organizational psychology, and conflict research, he explains why real psychological safety isn't about eliminating discomfort; it's about building relationships that can withstand it. You'll learn:
If your team values harmony but struggles with honest conversations, this episode offers a practical framework for building trust that holds up under pressure, not just when everything is going well. Resources Mentioned:
If you found this episode valuable, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a leader who wants to build a stronger, more resilient team. 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance. Connect with Me If this episode resonated, share it with a colleague or leader. Follow Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack for practical tools that create healthier, more effective workplaces.
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| Business Partner Problems: When Trust Starts Breaking Down | 16 juin 2026 | 00:07:09 | |
When co-founders stop having honest conversations, the business often feels the impact long before anyone addresses the problem. In this episode, we explore a common but rarely discussed leadership challenge: growing resentment between co-founders. What happens when one partner begins making major decisions without collaboration? How do you raise concerns without triggering defensiveness, blame, or a complete breakdown in the relationship? And how can leadership teams protect company culture when employees can sense tension at the top? Using a realistic founder scenario, we unpack three critical questions: ✅ How to start a difficult conversation before conflict escalates ✅ How to distinguish between a partnership that can be repaired and one that may have reached its natural conclusion ✅ How much transparency leaders should have with employees when leadership relationships become strained This discussion is especially relevant for founders, business partners, agency owners, consultants, executives, and leadership teams who want to navigate conflict constructively while preserving trust, accountability, and organizational stability. In this video, you'll learn: • Common warning signs of co-founder resentment Healthy organizations are built on healthy relationships. The goal isn't to avoid conflict—it's to develop the skills and conversations that allow people to move through it productively. If you're facing co-founder conflict, partnership tension, leadership misalignment, workplace communication challenges, or organizational trust issues, this episode offers practical insights to help you move forward. 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance.
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| How Great Leaders Handle Accountability | 01 juin 2026 | 00:08:43 | |
Why do so many leaders avoid accountability conversations, even when they know those conversations matter?
This video is especially helpful for: 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance. Connect with Me 🌐 Website: PollackPeacebuilding.com 🌐 Dr. Pollack’s Courses: peacefulleadersacademy.com/courses/ 📣 Subscribe & Share:
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| Why Timing Matters in Conflict Management | 05 mai 2026 | 00:08:44 | |
Most leaders don’t struggle with conflict because they lack authority. Step in too late, and conflict becomes layered, emotional, and harder to untangle. I will break down the real leadership challenge behind conflict management:
If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Should I step in or let this play out?” Because effective conflict management isn’t reactive. It’s about knowing when a situation can still resolve on its own and when it needs structure to move forward. Description: 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance. Connect with Me 🌐 Website:PollackPeacebuilding.com 🌐 Dr. Pollack’s Courses: peacefulleadersacademy.com/courses/ 📣 Subscribe & Share:
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| Why Workplace Conflicts Escalate (And How to Stop It) | 07 avr. 2026 | 00:13:53 | |
Why do workplace conflicts escalate so quickly, even when no one intends harm? 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance. Connect with Me 🌐 Website: PollackPeacebuilding.com 🌐 Dr. Pollack’s Courses: peacefulleadersacademy.com/courses/ 📣 Subscribe & Share:
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| Conflict Isn’t the Problem, Lack of Training Is | 23 mars 2026 | 00:06:59 | |
In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, we challenge one of the most common misconceptions in the workplace: conflict itself isn’t the problem—lack of training is. Dr. Jeremy Pollack explains how recurring tension is rarely about difficult people, but instead reflects a gap in conflict competency. Without a structured pathway for developing communication and de-escalation skills, everyday friction escalates into costly dysfunction. This episode reframes conflict as a skill-based issue and shows how the right training can transform workplace dynamics, strengthen trust, and improve organizational health. Dr. Pollack introduces the Peaceful Leaders Academy and walks through the core competencies that help individuals and teams navigate conflict with clarity and confidence. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Core Skills Covered:
Dr. Pollack also outlines a practical approach to embedding these skills into organizations:
The outcome is measurable improvement in communication, morale, and relational health. 🎧 Listen now to learn how building conflict competency can transform tension into trust, alignment, and stronger performance. Connect with Me 🌐 Website: PollackPeacebuilding.com 🌐 Dr. Pollack’s Courses: peacefulleadersacademy.com/courses/ 📣 Subscribe & Share:
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| QUICK TIPS: The Importance of Humility for Conflict Resolution | 10 août 2025 | 00:09:53 | |
In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, we explore one of the most overlooked yet essential qualities in conflict resolution—humility. Far from being a sign of weakness, humility is a strategic skill that opens the door to trust, collaboration, and lasting solutions. Dr. Pollack breaks down how humility depends on two key sub-traits—confidence and curiosity—and why both are necessary to make it an active, powerful force in peacebuilding. Through hypothetical workplace examples, you’ll learn how humility can transform tense conversations into opportunities for understanding. Plus, Dr. Pollack shares four actionable tools you can use immediately to approach conflict with a balanced mindset. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Key Tools from the Episode:
Listen Now to discover how to combine humility, confidence, and curiosity for better conflict resolution, stronger relationships, and a more collaborative workplace. Connect with Me 🌐 Website: PollackPeacebuilding.com 🌐 Dr. Pollack’s Courses: peacefulleadersacademy.com/courses/ 📣 Subscribe & Share: #humility #stayhumble #confidence #Peacebuilding #Leadership #ConflictResolution #curiosity #Psychology
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| QUICK TIPS: How Not to Take Things Personally | 03 août 2025 | 00:08:07 | |
Episode Summary: What You’ll Learn: Key Takeaways:
Connect with Me 🌐 Website: PollackPeacebuilding.com 🌐 Dr. Pollack’s Courses: peacefulleadersacademy.com/courses/ 📣 Subscribe & Share: #donttakeitpersonally #resentment #Peacebuilding #Leadership #ConflictResolution #offensive #Psychology
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| QUICK TIPS: 3 Primary Steps to Negotiation | 19 juil. 2025 | 00:08:06 | |
Episode Summary: What You’ll Learn: Key Takeaways:
Scenario Highlighted: Useful Tools:
Perfect For:
Connect with Me 🌐 Website: PollackPeacebuilding.com 🌐 Dr. Pollack’s Courses: peacefulleadersacademy.com/courses/ 📣 Subscribe & Share: #Negotiation #Collaboration #Peacebuilding #Leadership #ConflictResolution #WorkNegotiation #Psychology
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| QUICK TIPS: Do's and Don'ts of Work Friendships | 14 juil. 2025 | 00:08:15 | |
🗓️ Episode Summary: 🔑 What You’ll Learn:
📌 Key Takeaways:
🧰 Tools You Can Use:
💬 Favorite Quote: Connect with Me 🌐 Website: PollackPeacebuilding.com 🌐 Dr. Pollack’s Courses: peacefulleadersacademy.com/courses/ 📣 Subscribe & Share: #WorkplaceBoundaries #HealthyRelationships #Peacebuilding #Leadership #ConflictResolution #WorkFriends #PsychologicalSafety
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| COURSE: Fight the Urge to Be Right | 05 juil. 2025 | 00:36:18 | |
This is a short course on the human psychological tendency to be right, and how that tendency fuels conflict. It’s designed to help you understand the cognitive underpinnings of this common human drive toward being right, how it influences workplace conflict, and how we might mitigate its negative effects at work.
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| QUICK TIPS: 4 Steps to Use Assertiveness and Set Boundaries at Work | 29 juin 2025 | 00:09:38 | |
Episode Summary In this episode, Jeremy explores how to use assertiveness—not passivity or aggression—to set clear, respectful boundaries at work. You’ll learn practical tools to protect your time, reduce burnout, and improve communication with colleagues and supervisors.
Episode Highlights 🔹 [00:44] — The difference between passive, aggressive, and assertive communication Connect with Us 🌐 Website: PollackPeacebuilding.com 🌐 Dr. Pollack’s Courses: peacefulleadersacademy.com/courses/ 📢 Share this episode with a colleague who needs support setting healthy boundaries!
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| QUICK TIPS: 7 Steps to Deal with Workplace Bullying | 23 juin 2025 | 00:07:44 | |
🔎 Episode Summary: Being bullied at work—whether by a peer or supervisor—can be isolating, frustrating, and deeply stressful. In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Pollack shares 7 practical, research-backed steps to help you recognize, respond to, and recover from workplace bullying. You’ll hear real-world examples, learn how to protect your mental health, and gain tools to take back your power—while staying professional and calm. Whether you’re currently being bullied or supporting someone who is, this episode offers clear guidance for navigating a toxic workplace dynamic. 🛠️ Key Steps Covered:
📌 Resources & Links:
💬 Notable Quote: "Bullying is never your fault—but addressing it is your right. One small step can lead to real change."
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| QUICK TIPS: 8 Ways New Leaders Can Build Trust with Their Teams | 16 juin 2025 | 00:10:09 | |
🔍 Episode Summary In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, Jeremy dives into a critical skill for every new manager and team lead: building trust. Trust isn't automatic—it’s something you intentionally earn. Without it, even the best plans falter. But with it? You can prevent conflict, foster resilience, and lead with influence instead of authority. Whether you’re stepping into a team for the first time or trying to rebuild broken trust, this episode offers 8 actionable strategies you can implement immediately. Real-world examples from business, healthcare, tech, and nonprofit leadership illustrate each point and help bring the ideas to life. 🧭 What You’ll Learn
📌 Key Takeaways
🧠 Episode Quote “Trust isn’t built in overnight—it is built over time in small, repeated, intentional actions.” — Dr. Jeremy Pollack✅ Action Step Pick two of the trust-building strategies discussed and commit to practicing them this week. Write them down. Schedule them. Build the habit—and the trust. 📬 Stay Connected If you found this episode helpful, share it with a fellow leader. Subscribe for weekly insights on building peace, trust, and clarity in the workplace. Dr. Pollack's Courses: peacefulleadersacademy.com/courses/
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| COURSE: Using Conflict Style Assessment Tools at Work | 09 juin 2025 | 00:36:17 | |
This is a short course on the efficacy and use cases of Psychometric Assessment Tools for Conflict Management. It’s designed to help you understand how conflict style assessments work and how you might use them in an organizational setting to help employees and leaders better understand themselves and each other with regard to their conflict management styles. Dr. Pollack's Courses: peacefulleadersacademy.com/courses/
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| CALLER: Stuck in a Toxic Job? How to Cope While Planning Your Exit | 25 nov. 2024 | 00:09:20 | |
In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, Saima shares her struggle with a toxic work environment, where her boss seems to be undermining her due to office politics and possible budget cuts. Frustrated and feeling gaslit, Saima is looking for a way to cope while actively applying for new roles. Dr. Pollack provides strategies to help her stay grounded, set boundaries, and maintain self-worth as she plans her exit.
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| CALLER: How to Handle Job Insecurity at a Failing Company | 18 nov. 2024 | 00:07:52 | |
In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, Marcus seeks guidance on dealing with job insecurity as his current company shows signs of potential failure. After switching jobs for career growth, Marcus now finds himself in a challenging situation where he wonders whether to stay or start looking for new opportunities. Dr. Pollack walks him through strategies for having open conversations with management, assessing his job stability, and exploring options without burning bridges.
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| CALLER: How to Handle a Bully Coworker When Management Won't Step In | 11 nov. 2024 | 00:08:19 | |
In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, Jenna shares her frustration with a bullying colleague whose domineering behavior disrupts team dynamics and goes unchecked by their boss. Despite repeated complaints, her boss continues to overlook this behavior, leaving Jenna and her team feeling unsupported. Dr. Pollack offers strategies for approaching this difficult situation, including taking a collective stance, documenting incidents, and escalating the issue through HR if necessary.
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| CALLER: Being Asked to Meet Too Often? How to Set Boundaries with Your Boss | 04 nov. 2024 | 00:11:04 | |
In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, Sam shares his frustration with a boss who insists on daily and weekly meetings that disrupt his sales performance. Despite being the company’s top salesperson, Sam feels micromanaged and unable to focus on what he does best. Dr. Pollack provides insights on how to approach the conversation with a collaborative mindset to reduce meeting frequency, set boundaries, and improve the relationship with his boss.
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| CALLER: How to Manage Scope Creep and Ask for More Pay | 21 oct. 2024 | 00:06:35 | |
In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, William shares his experience of being contracted to develop software for a school, only to face constant requests for additional features that weren't part of the original agreement. Struggling to balance client satisfaction and his own workload, William seeks advice on how to handle scope creep and how to ask for fair compensation for the extra work.
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| CALLER: Dealing with a Supervisor Who Won't Take Responsibility? | 21 oct. 2024 | 00:08:05 | |
In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, Alexandra shares a frustrating workplace conflict where her supervisor consistently makes order mistakes but refuses to take accountability, leaving her to deal with the fallout. Dr. Pollack provides strategies to approach the situation as a team effort, align on processes, and frame the conversation in a way that fosters collaboration rather than conflict.
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| CALLER: How to Overcome Age Discrimination Hiring Challenges at 55+ | 14 oct. 2024 | 00:07:43 | |
In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, we meet Daryl, who is struggling to find employment at 55 after a successful career in real estate finance. He suspects age discrimination may be affecting his job search and seeks advice on how to improve his chances of getting hired. Dr. Pollack offers actionable strategies, from optimizing resumes to leveraging LinkedIn and networking connections, to help Darrell break through the barriers.
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| CALLER: Your Boss is Mean to You. Now What? | 07 oct. 2024 | 00:06:31 | |
In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, we hear from Crystal, who is facing a tough workplace challenge with her newly promoted supervisor. Crystal feels singled out by her boss, who seems to pick on her unfairly, and she's unsure if the behavior is racially motivated. Dr. Pollack offers actionable strategies to help Crystal rebuild trust, improve communication, and navigate the complexities of workplace bias.
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| CALLER: How to Handle a Blame-Shifting Manager | 30 sept. 2024 | 00:05:23 | |
In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, Paris calls in to discuss a frustrating issue with his manager, who refuses to take responsibility and constantly blames her staff. Dr. Pollack offers practical advice on how to approach a difficult conversation with a supervisor, providing tips on maintaining professionalism and focusing on solutions. If you’re dealing with a boss who never owns up to their mistakes, this episode will give you the tools to navigate the situation with confidence.
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| CALLER: How to Ask for a Raise Without Creating Conflict | 23 sept. 2024 | 00:07:33 | |
In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, Mary calls in seeking advice on a tricky situation—she discovered that a newer co-worker is making significantly more money despite having less seniority. Unsure of how to approach her boss for a raise, Mary worries about damaging relationships or being denied. Dr. Pollack walks her through a practical, thoughtful approach to asking for a raise while maintaining professionalism and advocating for her worth. If you’ve ever struggled with salary negotiations, this episode is full of valuable advice on how to navigate it successfully.
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| CALLER: Married and Attracted to a Coworker? Navigating This Emotional Dilemma | 16 sept. 2024 | 00:06:53 | |
In this thought-provoking episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, we tackle a sensitive issue many people may face: developing feelings for a coworker while being in a committed marriage. Our caller, Paul, finds himself in this challenging situation, struggling to balance his feelings and the love he has for his wife. Dr. Pollack offers compassionate and practical advice on how to manage these emotions, focus on strengthening the marriage, and avoid potential pitfalls.
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| CALLER: What to Do When Your Boss Doesn't Like You | 09 sept. 2024 | 00:06:54 | |
In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, we explore the challenges faced by Ray, a new employee at a steakhouse, who is struggling with a manager that seems to have a bias against her. Ray feels singled out, overlooked for training, and treated differently compared to her coworkers. Dr. Pollack provides insightful advice on how to approach this difficult situation, offering strategies to build trust, open communication, and potentially turn a strained relationship into a supportive one.
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| CALLER: The Boss Has Unfair Expectations: What to Do? | 02 sept. 2024 | 00:10:47 | |
In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, we dive into a challenging workplace conflict with ShaunPaul, a freelance filmmaker from Los Angeles. ShaunPaul finds himself caught in a tough situation where he's expected to take on multiple roles beyond what was originally agreed upon, and when things go wrong due to technical issues outside of his control, the blame is placed squarely on him. Dr. Pollack offers practical advice on how to navigate this conflict, preserve professional relationships, and protect one's reputation in the competitive world of freelance filmmaking.
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| CALLER: How to Get Clear About Ambiguity at a New Job | 26 août 2024 | 00:10:43 | |
In this episode, Dr. Pollack helps Jozlyn navigate uncertainties at her new hospitality job, including unclear pay rates and parking challenges. Tune in to learn effective ways to approach management and set boundaries.
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| CALLER: Handling Difficult Customers: How to Get Your Boss to Set Boundaries | 19 août 2024 | 00:09:11 | |
In this episode, Dr. Pollack assists Steve, a big box hardware store employee, in managing a persistently difficult customer. Discover practical steps for setting boundaries with problematic clients and how to get your boss to support you.
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| CALLER: Navigating a Hostile Work Environment: Practical Advice | 12 août 2024 | 00:09:40 | |
In this episode, Dr. Pollack guides Andrew through the complexities of dealing with a hostile work environment. Tune in to hear strategies for setting healthy boundaries, documenting incidents, and seeking help from HR.
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| CALLER: How to Price Your Services Correctly to Avoid Conflict | 05 août 2024 | 00:10:25 | |
In this episode, Dr. Pollack helps JD, a business owner, navigate the challenges of setting the right prices for services amidst competition, particularly when a competitor has already messed things up prior to starting his work. Listen as they discuss strategies to ensure fair pricing while maintaining high-quality standards.
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| CALLER: How to Handle Feeling Underappreciated After Years of Work | 29 juil. 2024 | 00:09:25 | |
In this episode, Dr. Pollack helps Alfred, a long-time employee who felt unappreciated at his job, work through his feelings and find closure. Listen in as they discuss strategies to cope with workplace dissatisfaction and the importance of self-validation. If you’re struggling with a lack of appreciation and can’t give that feedback to your supervisor, here’s one idea: Play the role of the perfect supervisor--the kind of boss who truly recognizes you for all the hard and great work you do. Now, say out loud in second person (i.e., talking to yourself, using your own name) what you would love to hear from a great leader. For example, you might say to yourself: “Janet, I can see how hard you are working. And what great work you are producing. You’re so creative, so easy to work with, and you always get the job done on time. I truly appreciate it.” Practice this often. You might even write it down, like in a letter to yourself. When appreciation is not forthcoming from others, give it to yourself. Remind yourself just how valuable you are, and do it on a regular basis.
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