hmTv at HMTC Podcasts Ep 458: Habits of a Whole Heart with Arnie Herz and guest Simeon Baum P2 on hmTv
Habits of a Whole Heart
Episode 458 (Part 2): From Conflict to Clarity – Practical Tools for Resolving Disputes
Host: Arnie Herz
Guest: Simeon Baum
Conflict is unavoidable. Destructive conflict is not.
In Part 2 of this thoughtful conversation, mediator and trainer Simeon Baum returns to move from philosophy into practice. After exploring the inner mindset of a mediator in Part 1, this episode focuses on the real-world mechanics of resolving disputes, whether between spouses, business partners, coworkers, or even parents and children.
Drawing on more than three decades of mediation experience and thousands of cases, Simeon explains why traditional win-lose thinking often traps people in expensive, emotionally draining battles. He shares how the legal system can unintentionally fuel division, and how a collaborative approach can open pathways to resolution that litigation rarely achieves.
Through stories, including the classic “two sisters and the oranges” example and an actual business partnership mediation, Simeon demonstrates a powerful principle: most disputes are not really about what people say they are about. Beneath positions lie interests, needs, fears, and goals. When those are heard and understood, solutions expand dramatically.
Arnie and Simeon also discuss emotional escalation, the role of lawyers, and why redefining “winning” is the turning point in nearly every successful mediation. Listeners will learn how deep listening, empathy, and curiosity help people move out of entrenched anger and toward creative agreements that allow everyone to move forward.
This episode offers practical insight you can apply immediately, from family disagreements to workplace tensions to major negotiations. The takeaway is simple but profound: when people feel heard, they become capable of change, and when they become capable of change, resolution becomes possible.
Habits of a Whole Heart is part of the Humanity Matters series on hmTv, produced at the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center, bringing conversations that help listeners live with greater awareness, purpose, and understanding.