So pleased to be in conversation with my friend and mentor Dr. Soni Werner. My first live interview I didn’t keep great track of the time, so this is a long one! It’s worth it!
Dr. Soni Werner was a Professor at Byrn Athyn College for nearly 20 years, as well as an Adjunct Instructor at Elmira College, Corning Community College and Alfred University, in NY. During her time at Corning Community College she also taught off campus inside a maximum security prison in Elmira, NY. Dr. Werner's specialties include developmental psychology, organizational psychology, forensic psychology and conflict management. She has also written other books entitled: Growth of the Female Mind: Sincerity and Severity, Altruism, and Searching for Mary Magdalene. Dr. Werner is also certified as a Mediator, Conflict Coach and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer advocating for abused children.
Keywords mediation, conflict resolution, psychology, spirituality, eudaimonia, communication, trust, family dynamics, community, personal growth, new church, joy, utility, community service, resilience, mentorship, technology, conflict, creativity, grief
Summary Dr. Soni Werner discusses her journey in mediation, exploring her background in psychology and Swedenborgian theology. She emphasizes the importance of mediation in resolving conflicts, particularly in family and community settings. Through her experiences in education, teaching in prisons and universities, she highlights the challenges faced in these environments and the transformative moments that arise when individuals begin to communicate effectively. Soni introduces the concept of eudaimonia, emphasizing the role of spirituality in mediation and the importance of trust and communication. She also addresses the obstacles to healthy exchanges and the dynamic of reciprocity in relationships, ultimately advocating for a balance between inner and outer callings in life. In this conversation, Sage and Soni discuss the vision of a new church, emphasizing the importance of joy, utility, and community service. The conversation delves into the significance of courage in advocacy, the role of mentorship, and the impact of technology on spiritual connections. Soni and Sage also discuss navigating conflict within diverse communities, the importance of creativity and personal expression, and the necessity of choosing joy and perspective in life. Finally, Soni reflects on grief, change, and the new beginnings that come with embracing life's transitions.
Takeaways
* Mediation is a crucial skill for resolving conflicts.
* Trust in a higher power can guide us through difficulties.
* Eudaimonia emphasizes the importance of spiritual influence.
* Winning can hinder healthy communication.
* Transformative moments often arise in mediation sessions.
* Effective communication is key to resolving family disputes.
* Spirituality plays a significant role in mediation.
* Communities must be willing to address their conflicts.
* Inner and outer callings are both important in life.
* Reciprocity in relationships fosters a sense of community. Joy and utility are essential in a new church vision.
* Being useful contributes to our joy in life.
* Challenges are opportunities for growth and learning.
* Courage is vital in community service and advocacy.
* Building inner resilience helps navigate life's difficulties.
* Mentorship fosters learning and connection among individuals.
* Technology can enhance spiritual connections and community.
* Diversity in community can lead to both conflict and growth.
* Creativity is a form of personal expression that enriches life.
* Grief is a natural part of change and new beginnings.
Titles
* Inner and Outer Callings: A Path to Purpose
* Trust, Spirituality, and the Art of Mediation
* Grief and Change: Embracing New Beginnings
* The Role of Technology in Spiritual Growth
Sound Bites
* "Trusting that God has a plan."
* "Mediators help people hear each other."
* "I learned mediation skills to help people."
* "What helps it to go well?"
* "Being useful is going to be part of your joy."
* "We get to the good thing by going through the hard thing."
Chapters
00:00 Exploring Personal Formation and Background
02:47 The Role of Mediation in Conflict Resolution
05:47 Experiences as an Educator in a Prison
09:06 Challenges in Family and Church Mediation
11:58 Transformative Moments in Mediation
14:53 The Importance of Communication and Trust
17:59 The Concept of Eudaimonia and Its Relevance
21:03 Obstacles to Healthy Communication
23:55 The Role of Spirituality in Mediation
26:50 Navigating Community Conflicts
30:09 The Balance of Inner and Outer Callings
33:07 The Dynamic of Reciprocity in Relationships
44:26 Exploring the Vision of a New Church
47:30 The Four Levels of Joy and Utility
49:59 Life Lessons from Challenges and Growth
52:22 Courage in Advocacy and Community Service
56:5 4Building Inner Resilience and Faith
01:00:21 The Role of Mentorship and Learning
01:02:42 The Impact of Technology on Spiritual Connection
01:06:05 Navigating Conflict and Diversity in Community
01:10:05 Creativity and Personal Expression in Life
01:14:26 Choosing Joy and Perspective in Life
01:19:11 Grief, Change, and New Beginnings
Our Theme Music is “I Love it,” by Luke Concannon www.lukeconcannon.com
