Conflict Coach with Dr. Emily Taylor

Join Dr. Emily Taylor as she does something a little different this week—she sits down with her mom, Miriam, to talk about what conflict looks like across a lifetime. Perhaps you have someone older in your life, a parent, grandparent, or older friend who you look up to in your life? Having a conversation with them like the one Emily has with her mother can be a great way to gain new insights into your own conflicts.

They explore how Miriam’s strict upbringing shaped her into a conflict-avoider, and how freedom and “coming of age” helped her see that adults get to choose the kind of life they want. Miriam shares her practical guide for deciding when to engage: ask whether it will matter next week or next month, and prioritize relationships and peace of mind over being right. She also offers a way to talk about tough issues without escalating—share personal experiences, listen for common ground, and validate that you may never fully understand the other person, but you genuinely want to. Dr. Emily closes by highlighting the power of “family weavers,” vulnerability, gratitude, and connection—especially when we don’t agree.

Let us know how you like this episode! Email Dr. Emily at [email protected] or connect with her on social media: @conflictcoachwithdremily

CHAPTERS

(0:00) Welcome to Conflict Coach

(0:53) Introducing Today's Special Guest

(2:17) Recurring Conflicts Across Generations

(5:05) Coming of Age

(9:02) Choosing Your Battles

(11:05) Talking About Difficult Topics

(12:19) The Power of Listening

(13:14) Family Weavers

(14:14) Advice for Younger Generations

(20:13) Guiding Principles for Disagreement

(21:02) Closing Reflections

(25:45) Season Wrap Up

Join Dr. Emily as she coaches Vicky, who has reached a breaking point in a long-simmering conflict with a fellow volunteer leader in her church congregation. It’s a conflict that will feel familiar to anyone who has been a leader in a volunteer organization like a PTA or neighborhood board where passionate people with different communication and leadership styles all try to do good things together. A series of frustrating encounters has led Vicky to distrust another volunteer leader she must work with closely. In this coaching session, Dr. Emily helps Vicky explore how to rebuild that trust and find a path forward, using all of the conflict management skills we’ve learned this season.

In this episode, we’ll review how to:

- Identify the root of a conflict

- Recognize the story you’re telling yourself about the conflict

- List and express your needs

- Use nonviolent communication to meet your needs

Dr. Emily recommends this resource from the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Academy to help you name your needs and feelings: https://nvcacademy.com/media/NVCA/learning-tools/NVCA-feelings-needs.pdf

Let us know how these strategies work in your own life! Email Dr. Emily at [email protected] or connect with her on social media: @conflictcoachwithdremily

CHAPTERS

(0:00) Introduction to Conflict Coach

(0:52) Introducing Vicky’s Conflict

(2:23) Vicky’s Story: The Flashpoint

(8:19) Exploring Vicky’s Needs

(12:00) Formulating a Plan with Nonviolent Communication

(27:12) Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Join Dr. Emily Taylor as she coaches Clay who is estranged from his sister and ambivalent about reconciling. Like Clay, you may have conflicts that you don’t feel motivated to resolve, but also feel a little guilty about that. “I know I should want to fix this,” says Clay. Dr. Emily helps him explore the reasons for his indifference and assess whether it’s something he wants to honor or ignore. Sometimes indifference toward a conflict is healthy self-regulation. But sometimes it’s rooted in unhealthy avoidance.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

- Sort out your internal conflict (what you want vs. what you think you should want)

- Identify healthy vs. unhealthy indifference

- Create a framework for reengaging with estranged loved ones

Let us know how these strategies work in your own life! Email Dr. Emily at [email protected] or connect with her on social media: @conflictcoachwithdremily

(0:00) Introduction to Conflict Coach

(0:53) Introducing Clay’s Estrangement

(3:50) Clay’s Internal Conflict: Indifference vs. Reconciliation

(10:59) Exploring Healthy and Unhealthy Indifference

(18:58) Creating a Framework for Reengagement

(23:03) Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Join Dr. Emily Taylor as she coaches Maya through her complex family estrangement. Like Maya, you may have estranged relatives or friends that you’d like to reconnect with, but fears of manipulation or accidentally worsening the conflict may make you hesitant. Dr. Emily helps Maya understand her hesitations, and gives her concrete skills for moving forward. Tune in to glean practical strategies and insights on handling your own conflicts.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

- Review your push and pull factors

- Build on previous relationship success through small interactions

- Incorporate your spiritual beliefs into your conflict strategy

Let us know how these strategies work in your own life! Email Dr. Emily at [email protected] or connect with her on social media: @conflictcoachwithdremily

CHAPTERS

(0:00) Introduction to Conflict Coach

(0:53) Introducing Maya’s Family Conflict

(6:16) Exploring Push and Pull Factors

(8:45) Reconnecting Through Small Steps

(15:56) Incorporating Spiritual Beliefs

(21:00) Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Dr. Emily Taylor kicks off the new year by introducing five essential skills for managing conflicts more effectively in 2026. With the new year, you may have goals or resolutions related to conflicts in your life. Listen along as she offers insights pulled from previous episodes of Conflict Coach.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

- Focus on your relationship

- Work towards repair in small steps

- Identify your “why” in a conflict

- Role-playing from someone else’s point of view

- Create a positive personal narrative

Let us know how these strategies work in your own life! Email Dr. Emily at [email protected] or connect with her on social media: @conflictcoachwithdremily

CHAPTERS

(0:00) Introduction

(1:13) Skill 1: Focus on the Relationship, Not the Conflict

(6:46) Skill 2: Take Smaller Steps to Repair the Relationship

(13:49) Skill 3: Identify Your ‘Why’ in a Conflict

(17:51) Skill 4: Role-Playing from the Other Person’s Point of View

(22:13) Skill 5: Creating a Positive Narrative of Conflict Failures

(26:37) Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Watch video of this episode on the Conflict Coach YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@ConflictCoachPodcast

Listen to the full episodes referenced in this episode:

S1E5: What Role Are You Playing in the Conflict? (Tyler)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conflict-coach-with-dr-emily-taylor/id1790957419?i=1000697558934

S1E8: How Can You Mend an Estranged Relationship? (Morgan)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conflict-coach-with-dr-emily-taylor/id1790957419?i=1000703559303

S2E1: How Do You Navigate Difficult Relationships When You’re Grieving? (Stacie)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conflict-coach-with-dr-emily-taylor/id1790957419?i=1000729214824

S2E3: Are You The Source of Tension in Your Conflicts? (Laura)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conflict-coach-with-dr-emily-taylor/id1790957419?i=1000733809885

S2E6:How Do I Make the Change I Want in My Life? (Spencer)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conflict-coach-with-dr-emily-taylor/i

Dr. Emily Taylor coaches Naomi, who is struggling with her father's distance from their shared faith. Religious or not, you’ve likely been in a scenario where you wished someone else shared your deeply-held conviction. Naomi shares her heartfelt desire to reconnect with her father through her faith, and Dr. Emily offers insights into distinguishing between persuasion and manipulation. Together, they explore the power of active listening and creating structured dialogues to foster mutual understanding and respect. This episode is a must-listen for anyone facing conflict around deeply held beliefs or values.

In this episode you’ll learn how to:

- Know the difference between manipulation and persuasion

- Become a better active listener

- Create a structure for difficult conversation topics

Let us know how these strategies work in your own life! Email Dr. Emily at [email protected] or connect with her on social media: @conflictcoachwithdremily

CHAPTERS

(0:00) Introduction to Conflict Coach

(1:04) Meet Naomi: Struggling with Faith Difference with her Father

(9:02) Persuasion vs. Manipulation

(12:35) Switch to a Loving Approach

(17:10) The Power of Active Listening

(22:35) Structuring Difficult Conversations

(27:52) Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Dr. Emily Taylor coaches Spencer, a young professional feeling unappreciated at his job. At some point or another, you’ve probably felt stuck in a job, a relationship, or some other situation, and didn’t know how to get out of it. This episode dives into navigating how to align your goals and aspirations with what’s going on in your life. Whether you're facing similar issues at work or in other areas of your life, listen in to gain valuable insights and practical strategies for resolving conflicts and fostering personal growth.

In this episode you’ll learn how to:

- Identify when expectations are out of alignment

- Know when to bend or hold firm to a boundary

- Create a positive personal narrative out of negative experiences

Let us know how these strategies work in your own life! Email Dr. Emily at [email protected] or connect with her on social media: @conflictcoachwithdremily

(0:00) Introduction to Conflict Coach

(0:56) Meet Spencer: Struggles at Work

(5:19) Navigating Expectation Alignment

(7:15) Spencer’s Realizations and Adjustments

(13:45) Knowing Your Limits

(15:17) Creating a Positive Personal Narrative

(20:53) Conclusion and Key Takeaways

In this special episode, Dr. Emily Taylor is joined by producer Mitchell Tousley to share tips for handling five common conflicts that happen around the holidays. Together, they discuss practical strategies for managing family expectations, balancing time between multiple families, navigating gift-giving differences, recognizing holiday labor, and respecting diverse beliefs and traditions.

Whether you’re struggling to split time between relatives, feeling overwhelmed by holiday preparations, or facing generational differences in how you celebrate, Dr. Taylor offers actionable tips to help you approach the holidays with confidence, compassion, and a little less stress.

In this episode you’ll learn how to:

- Align your holiday time to your highest priorities

- Identify the time vs. money differential in gift-giving conflict

- Prioritize and delegate holiday labor

- Maintain boundaries around work and family commitments during the holidays

Let us know how these strategies work in your own life! Email Dr. Emily at [email protected] or connect with her on social media: @conflictcoachwithdremily

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Introduction: Setting the Stage for Holiday Conflict

00:26 – Balancing Time Between In-Laws

04:14 – Navigating Gift-Giving Expectations

10:49 – Recognizing and Sharing Holiday Labor

17:26 – Respecting Differences in Belief and Tradition

23:24 – Managing Work and Family Commitments

26:50 – Final Thoughts and Holiday Wishes

Watch video of this episode on the Conflict Coach YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@ConflictCoachPodcast

Dr. Emily Taylor coaches Sarah, who is feeling increasingly frustrated with the inconsistency of her long-time friend Julie. We all have cherished friendships that we’d like to last forever, but knowing when it’s time to let one go is an important part of maintaining healthy boundaries.

In this episode, Dr. Emily helps Sarah understand the signs of growing out of a friendship and the opportunity to establish several layers of friendships that can receive different levels of her time and attention. Together, they develop a strategy to realign Sarah’s friendship with Julie to better match her current stage of life.

In this episode you’ll learn how to:

- Recognize when a friendship has become one-sided

- Triage your friendships to different levels of intimacy

- Appropriately respond when a boundary is crossed

Let us know how these strategies work in your own life! Email Dr. Emily at [email protected] or connect with her on social media: @conflictcoachwithdremily

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Conflict Coach

00:53 Meet Sarah: Frustration with a Close Friend

06:44 Signs You’re Growing Out of a Friendship

14:53 Triaging Friendships

16:28 Sarah’s Plan for Setting Boundaries

24:19 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Dr. Emily Taylor coaches Laura, who is having conflict with a new coworker and wonders if she’s the cause of the tension. If you're someone who likes to be liked - and most of us are! - it's easy to slip into blaming yourself for conflicts in your life. In this coaching session, Dr. Emily helps Laura to unpack why she sees herself as the cause of the tension and how that limits the options Laura has for resolving the conflict with her coworker. Together they explore Laura’s needs in the conflict and role-play to uncover what the coworker’s needs might be. Then they brainstorm ways Laura could engage with her coworker to resolve their friction.

In this episode you’ll learn how to:

- Name your needs in a conflict

- Uncover your conflict partner’s needs through role-play

- Effectively brainstorm your options

- Resolve conflict through negotiation, rather than competition

Dr. Emily recommends this resource from the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Academy to help you name your needs and feelings: https://nvcacademy.com/media/NVCA/learning-tools/NVCA-feelings-needs.pdf

Let us know how these strategies work in your own life! Email Dr. Emily at [email protected] or connect with her on social media: @conflictcoachwithdremily

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Conflict Coach

00:53 Meet Laura and Her Workplace Conflict

03:17 Understanding the Root of the Conflict

08:16 Role-Playing to Gain Perspective

16:50 Brainstorming Solutions

25:33 Key Takeaways and Conclusion