Strangers In A Tangled Wilderness Pocket Guide to Conflict Mediation by Casandra
Sep 5, 2025
Casandra, a conflict mediation expert and creator of the 'Pocket Guide to Conflict Mediation', shares her insights on navigating disputes in radical communities. She highlights the importance of non-violent communication and establishing safe spaces for dialogue. The conversation delves into effective strategies for mediation, emphasizing active listening and the dynamics between mediators and participants. Casandra also explores the role of restorative justice and tailored approaches for resolving conflicts, particularly in diverse group settings.
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Co-Mediation And Recusal In Practice
- At the mediation center Casandra worked for, mediators always co-mediated so accountability and balance were easier to maintain.
- She also recused herself when conflicts involved people she was too close to, preserving fairness.
Conflict Skills Are Community Infrastructure
- Conflict is inevitable in communities, and practicing resolution is infrastructure for sustainable organizing.
- Normalizing low-stakes conflicts prepares groups to survive larger disputes without tearing apart.
Practice NVC While Doing Chores
- Casandra and friends practiced Nonviolent Communication while trimming weed to role-play conflicts and build skills.
- The practice normalized low-stakes conflict and trained both communication and nervous-system responses.
