Are you tired of painful disagreements in which others don’t get your point, regardless of your tone or language? Do you avoid conflicts because you don’t learn from them? Are you dealing with estrangement, divorce, or alienation in your family? Do you get discouraged by endless disputes at work? Do you feel hopeless about political polarizations?

Real Dialogue — a skill and method of transforming conflict — was designed specifically to address the challenges of polarization and conflict avoidance when differences are important and passionate. Polarization and conflict avoidance are not problems of communication. They are problems of dehumanization. We humans must master our natural enemy-making tendencies if we want to live sustainable and satisfying lives together.

In this two hour didactic and experiential introduction, you will learn about human emotions and our tendency to develop and confirm bias and stereotypes, as well as how to work with your own emotional triggering during conflict in order to become a more authentic speaker and a better listener.

You will be introduced to the Skill of Real Dialogue – Speaking for Yourself, Listening Mindfully and Remaining Curious – a practice that increases problem-solving and reduces polarization at home, at work, and in the world. This immersive two-hour workshop is transformative and fun! See you there!

Presenters:

Polly Young-Eisendrath Ph.D. is an internationally recognized psychologist, writer, speaker, and Jungian analyst who has published 19 books including, The Self-Esteem Trap (2009) and Love Between Equals (2019). She is the originator of Real Dialogue and the founder and executive director of the new Vermont non-profit (501.c.3) Center for Real Dialogue. Her most recent book, co-authored with Jean Pieniadz Ph.D, is Dialogue Therapy for Couples and Real Dialogue for Opposing Sides (2021). She is the co-host and originator of two popular podcasts available on all podcast channels: (1) Enemies: From War to Wisdom  (50 episodes, completed); and (2) Waking Up is Not Enough: Flourishing in the Human Space (18 episodes, continuing). She is also Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UVM Medical Center, a lifelong Buddhist practitioner, and a Mindfulness teacher.

Reverend Robin Junker-Boyce is Pastor at First Congregational Church UCC in Thetford, Vermont. She has a BS in Biology and a Masters Degree in Psychogy and Religious Studies, with an extended focus on hospital chaplaincy. Previously she completed a twelve-year ministerial post at Bethany Church UCC in Randolph, Vermont. She is a Real Dialogue Specialist and studying to become a Dialogue Therapist for Couples. Her passions are preaching, community building, contemplative prayer, and the intersection between science and spirituality.