Today I am joined by Kim Best, a nurse turned divorce mediator in Tennessee. Kim walks us through how she got into mediation and what opportunities she sees through mediation. She focuses on the opportunity and the positive ways to handle conflict and divorce vs. feeling regret years later. Kim talks with us about how our difficult circumstances impact our legacy and some of the great examples she has gotten to be a part of with mediation. This episode is full of juicy nuggets and great takeaways, so make sure to tune in!

In this episode:

[3:07] How did Kim get to where she is today? [10:04] What are the benefits of mediation? [13:56] What does Kim see as uses for mediation? [15:52] How do these moments create our legacy? [17:58] Kim gives some examples of good divorces she has witnessed.

Key Takeaways:

Mediation can be the difference between hope and regret. You can choose to look back and be proud of how you handled the divorce, or you can look back and regret how things happened. Mediation isn’t just for divorce. Mediation can be used for family issues, such as for elderly parents or other things going on where you need a mediator in the room. You can't control the outcome of what the other person does, but you can control who you're going to be during the process, and nobody can take that choice away from you.

Quotes:

“We are all never so narcissistic as when we’re in pain. Because when we’re in pain, it's all about us, and it's all about protecting us, even when we don't know we need protected. Biologically our brains and bodies don't know the difference between an insult and someone holding a gun to our head; both of those actions feel like life-threatening.” - Kim Best

“Good people have terrible moments because we’re people. We’re more than our worst moment.” - Kim Best

Guest Bio:

Kimberly Best  RN, MA is a TN Rule 31 listed Civil mediator and a TN Rule 31 trained Family Mediator, owner of Best Conflict Solutions (http://www.bestconflictsolutions.com ) focusing on Collaborative Problem Solving in Healthcare, Small Business Mediation and Conflict Management, Organizational Conflict, Elder Mediation, Family and Relationship Mediation, Dialogue Facilitation, and Conflict Coaching. She spent the first season of her career as a Registered Nurse in intensive care, trauma, and emergency medicine, where she cared for people in extreme need and gained valuable experience in the medical system. Kim attended graduate school at the University of North Carolina Charlotte in Clinical/Community Psychology.  She obtained a master’s degree in Conflict Management from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. Kim also trained in Transformative Mediation at Hofstra University, Healthcare Mediation at the University of South Florida, and Restorative Practices at the International Institute of Restorative Practices. She is an active member of Mediators Beyond Borders International and a working member of the ACR Elder Mediation Professional Development Group.  She also serves on the board of the Tennessee Association of Professional Mediators.

Resources:

Best Conflict Solutions Website

Lesa Koski Website

Lesa’s Online Courses

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Mentioned in this episode:

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