Stulberg, the Michael E. Moritz Chair in Alternative Dispute Resolution at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and an Adjunct Professor of Law at Cardozo School of Law, draws on decades of experience to reflect on the challenges of mediating deeply charged disputes rooted in identity, values, and public perception. As tensions escalated and divisions hardened, the stakes extended beyond individuals to an entire community.

Through this story, Stulberg explores what it takes to create space for dialogue when emotions run high and positions feel irreconcilable. He offers insight into the role of a mediator in navigating complex social conflict and the importance of process, patience, and principled engagement in moments that test the limits of understanding.

Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution at Cardozo School of Law

John shares how he learned the power of negotiation early in his career—and why preparation remains at the core of every successful outcome. From understanding the full range of possible outcomes to knowing the strengths and weaknesses of your case, he explains why “preparation is everything” when stepping into any negotiation.

The conversation also explores how and when to push back effectively, and why even a little bit of math can make a big difference in evaluating offers and making strategic decisions. Drawing on his experience in high-stakes personal injury and civil rights cases, John offers practical insights into balancing advocacy with strategy.

A 2009 graduate of Cardozo and a member of its Board of Overseers, John remains deeply committed to mentorship and expanding opportunities for the next generation—bringing the same focus and purpose to his negotiations as he does to his broader work in the community.

This episode is a grounded, real-world look at negotiation from the perspective of a litigator who stakes everything on getting it right.

Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution at Cardozo School of Law

A pioneer in mediation and a judge with decades of experience, Simac has handled hundreds of disputes across a wide range of contexts . In this conversation, he reflects on how something as simple as arranging the physical space can shape the tone of a mediation, and how finding even the smallest piece of common ground can begin to shift entrenched positions.

Through a memorable interaction with a particularly resistant participant, Šimac illustrates how patience, creativity, and empathy can break down barriers that at first seem immovable. Drawing inspiration from The Rolling Stones and their lyric “you can’t always get what you want,” he offers a powerful reminder about expectations, compromise, and what resolution can truly look like.

This episode highlights the art of mediation in practice, and the unexpected ways connection can emerge even in the most personal and challenging disputes.

Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution at Cardozo School of Law

From high-stakes disputes to everyday conversations, Bob shares what great negotiators consistently do and how to navigate even the most challenging conversations with clarity and purpose.

Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution at Cardozo School of Law

A respected leader in the field, Shaw devoted decades to advancing dispute resolution across courts, nonprofits, and academia. Her work included launching innovative mediation programs, contributing to groundbreaking research on court-connected mediation, and mentoring generations of practitioners. She passed away in 2017 and left a lasting legacy in the ADR community.

Through these two stories, listeners encounter the surprising and deeply human moments that often shape mediation. Unexpected conversations, chance encounters, and small shifts in perspective can transform conflict in meaningful ways. This episode honors Shaw’s enduring influence and the curiosity and compassion she brought to the practice of mediation.

Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution at Cardozo School of Law

Caryn dives into a compelling negotiation story from her own practice, mentoring a client through a tricky dispute over who owned the rights to an educational course and whether it could be sold. By getting to the heart of what was truly driving the negotiation (each party’s “why") they were able to break through the stalemate and find a resolution.

Then, Caryn reflects on her life as an athlete and negotiator, sharing lessons from life in the boat that have shaped her approach to feedback, teamwork, and conflict. From knowing the right and wrong times to give feedback after a race to the core lesson that “we’re all in the same boat,” she reveals how competitive rowing taught her more than just how to win, it taught her how to collaborate, communicate, and negotiate under pressure.

Caryn Davies is a decorated American rower, earning two Olympic golds and a silver over three Games, and a leader with deep experience in high-stakes environments both on and off the water.

Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution at Cardozo School of Law

As student protests intensified—escalating from hunger strikes to building occupations and arrests—university leaders sought help amid mounting concerns about student safety, academic futures, and institutional reputation. Liebman stepped in to work with both administrators and student leaders as deadlines loomed and emotions ran high.

What followed was a tense, deeply human negotiation process that tested trust, resilience, and the power of dialogue. In sharing this story, Liebman offers insight into mediating institutional conflict and the unexpected connection that can emerge when people commit to staying in conversation.

Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution at Cardozo School of Law

Ruth shares the behind-the-scenes story of negotiating her book advance and publishing deal, offering candid insights into what it takes to advocate for your value. She reflects on the early days of working remotely—long before it was common—and how creating flexibility sometimes requires negotiating norms that don’t yet exist. The conversation also dives into salary negotiation strategies, especially for high achievers who may struggle to ask for more.

At the heart of the episode is Ruth’s powerful framework for opportunity creation: find a need, show the need, and demonstrate how you can fill that gap. Drawing on her research studying Nobel Prize winners, astronauts, Olympic and NBA champions, and senior executives, she explains how top performers don’t wait for doors to open; they build them.

Dr. Ruth Gotian is a globally recognized expert in mentorship and leadership development. Named a top 20 mentor worldwide and ranked the #1 emerging management thinker by Thinkers50, she is the award-winning author of The Success Factor and The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring.

A former Chief Learning Officer and mentoring dean at Weill Cornell Medicine, she now serves as Managing Director of her advisory and executive coaching practice, helping leaders and organizations unlock sustained high performance.

Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution at Cardozo School of Law

What unfolds in the mediation room -- where lawyers and insurance adjusters are bargaining about damages -- becomes a powerful example of how honest dialogue between the actual parties can transform conflict into unexpected moments of humanity and healing. This episode reflects the heart of Stories Mediators Tell: the profound ways conversation can open paths forward even after profound loss.

Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution at Cardozo School of Law

Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution at Cardozo School of Law

Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution at Cardozo School of Law

Hosted by negotiation expert Professor Andrea Schneider, How My Friends Negotiate explores how negotiation actually works in practice.  The podcast features candid conversations with people Andrea admires, all of whom negotiate every day. Guests share career-defining lessons, successes, and mistakes, offering practical insight into how negotiation skills evolve over time.

Mediators and Trainers, Professors Lela Love and Robyn Weinstein, are the co-hosts of Stories Mediators Tell, which opens a rare window into the confidential world of mediation. Each episode centers on a guest “storyteller” who shares a real mediation story, followed by reflection and discussion on key moments, challenges, and lessons learned. Through storytelling, audience members are invited to connect with the world of mediation and learn about the power of dialogue to transform conflict. The podcast was inspired by the books Stories Mediators Tell and Stories Mediators Tell: World Edition both edited by Lela Love.

Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution at Cardozo School of Law