The Conflict Tipping Podcast

In this episode of the Conflict Tipping podcast, Laura May speaks with conflict scholar Joshua Akintayo, whose research explores how communities in Nigeria are rebuilding peace amid violent extremism. Josh’s work examines what “local peace” actually means—through both traditional mediation practices and deeply taboo issues that shape conflict and recovery. As a bonus, you'll hear some local Nigerian birds in the background.

Why Study Violent Extremism?

Taboos and Silence

Sex Trafficking and Power

What’s the “Local” in Local Peace?

Top-Down vs. Ground-Up Peace

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joshua-akintayo-a50074229

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=JuIHLfEAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao

ResearchGate: Joshua Akintayo on ResearchGate

In this episode of the Conflict Tipping podcast, Laura May speaks with political neuroscientist and psychologist Dr Leor Zmigrod, author of incredible new book The Ideological Brain. Leor’s groundbreaking research explores what makes our brains susceptible to rigid beliefs, ideological extremism, and group identity—drawing from cognitive science, psychology, and neuroscience.

Key Highlights:

Why This Research?

What She Found

Intelligence vs. Rigidity

The Role of Culture and Stress

Emotional Impulsivity and Extremism

So What? Practical Takeaways

Note from Laura May: due to circumstances beyond our control, a chunk of the recording where we talked about the brain on social media, and about even more findings from Leor's fantastic book, was lost—so I insist you buy a copy of her book!

About the Book

Leor’s new book, The Ideological Brain, takes readers on a journey through the psychology and neuroscience of belief, showing how dogmatic ideologies can shape not just our thinking, but our biology—and why this matters now more than ever.

Where to Find Leor:

Website: www.leorzmigrod.com

Twitter/X: @LeorZmigrod

Instagram: @LeorZmigrod

Book available at your favourite independent bookstore or online. Find a store using Leor's LinkTree: http://linktr.ee/leorzmigrod

Inside Conflict Transformation with MBBI's Prabha Sankaranarayan

Host Laura May speaks with Prabha Sankaranarayan, president and CEO of Mediators Beyond Borders International, on her journey spanning child advocacy to conflict mediation. Recorded in June 2024 and including discussion of societal conflict in the United States, this episode has become even more relevant today.

The episode starts with an exploration of Prabha's transition from therapy to mediation, her commitment to creating spaces for transformation, and the formation of the Trust Network to build a peace infrastructure in the U.S. Prabha emphasizes the importance of community, ongoing self-awareness, and the global shift towards pluralistic cultures. The conversation concludes with an invitations for listeners to get involved in transformative conflict work.

Useful links:

Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction 

In this episode of the Conflict Tipping podcast we welcome Fleur Ravensbergen, mediator, author, and co-founder of the Dialogue Advisory Group. Fleur shares stories and lessons from her work mediating violent armed conflicts in some of the world’s most challenging regions, including Northern Ireland, Iraq, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her book Disarmed, newly available in English, provides a rare glimpse into the important work of facilitating dialogue in violent conflict zones.

Highlights:

Links:

Timestamps:

This episode offers insights into the often unseen work of peace mediation and the transformative power of dialogue in violent conflict.

In this episode of the Conflict Tipping podcast, host Laura May welcomes Dr Rachel Adams, founder and CEO of the Global Center on AI Governance and author of The New Empire of AI: The Future of Global Inequality. Rachel’s book explores how AI is reshaping global inequalities and examines its historical ties to colonialism. Together, Laura and Rachel explore the complexities of AI governance, the AI divide, and the ethical challenges facing emerging technologies.

Key Highlights:

[00:00:00] Rachel’s journey into AI and governance: From her PhD on transparency and surveillance to becoming a global thought leader on AI governance, Rachel shares her professional journey.

[00:05:10] Why isn't AI transparent?: What makes AI systems so complex and why transparency in AI remains a critical and elusive goal.

[00:08:16] AI, inequality, and colonialism: How AI’s development and supply chains echo historical patterns of extraction and exploitation, and its disproportionate impact on the Global South.

[00:18:21] The AI divide: Examining the stark disparities in access to AI technologies and their benefits, and the resulting social and economic inequalities.

[00:23:26] Who does the work, and where?: Exploring the human cost of AI production, from data labelling to e-waste, and the economic challenges for workers in the Global South.

[00:28:36] AI governance and policy-makers: The need for international regulation, capacity-building in the Global South/Global Majority Countries, and empowering oversight institutions to create fairer systems.

[00:36:35] What can we do to help?: Concrete steps for individuals to support more equitable AI development and the importance of raising awareness about AI’s impact on global inequality.

Links:

Key Takeaway: Dr Rachel Adams argues that AI’s inequalities cannot be fully understood without recognising their roots in colonialism. Her book challenges us to rethink AI’s role in society and invites us to join the conversation about building a more equitable future.

"Making Friends Among the Taliban" with Ankur Delight

In this episode of the Conflict Tipping podcast, host Laura May is joined by returning guest Ankur Delight, mediator and founder of a funk collective, to discuss Making Friends Among the Taliban by Jonathan Larson. The book tells the story of Dan Terry, a Methodist missionary who dedicated his life to development work, building relationships and trust in Afghanistan.

Highlights:

Learn how Dan's lack of judgment and dedication to finding common ground allowed him to build bridges with communities that held vastly different beliefs, all in pursuit of shared goals like clean water access.

Ankur reflects on the deep lessons of perseverance, optimism, and non-judgment that come from Terry’s life and work, and how these lessons have inspired him in his own journey.

Links:

• Ankur's podcast, 10k heroes: http://10kh.show/

Rwanda’s Gacaca Courts and Gender-Based Violence with Dr Judith Rafferty

In this episode of the Conflict Tipping podcast, host Laura May speaks with Dr Judith Rafferty, an expert mediator and researcher, about the complex role of Rwanda’s Gacaca courts in addressing sexual violence in the aftermath of the Rwandan Genocide. Dr Rafferty draws on her extensive experience and research to explore how these community-based justice mechanisms handled gender-based violence cases and whether they met the justice needs of survivors.

Key Highlights:

Dr Rafferty’s Journey into Sexual Violence Research: Discover what led Dr Rafferty to focus on conflict-related sexual violence, beginning with her work in the Central African Republic and her exposure to informal justice systems.

Understanding the Gacaca Courts: Learn about the history and purpose of Rwanda’s Gacaca courts, traditional community-based justice processes that were reimagined to address the aftermath of the genocide.

Sexual Violence in the Gacaca Courts: Dr Rafferty explains how sexual violence cases were eventually incorporated into the Gacaca system, and the challenges this brought for victim-survivors.

Justice Needs of Survivors: Explore the justice needs identified in Dr Rafferty’s research, including safety, validation, and perpetrator accountability, and how the Gacaca courts succeeded or fell short in meeting these needs.

Social Cohesion and Healing: A discussion on whether the Gacaca courts were able to foster societal healing and reintegration for survivors of sexual violence, and the ongoing challenges faced by survivors today.

This episode provides valuable insights into the intersection of traditional justice systems, gender-based violence, and post-conflict recovery in Rwanda.

Links:

• TEDx Talk: When Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word. But I Don’t Care | Judith Herrmann

Full Citations:

• Herrmann, J. (2017). When sorry seems to be the hardest word, but I don’t care. TEDxJCUCairns. Link to TEDx Talk

Timestamps:

• [00:00:00] Introduction

Reframing Peace Mediation with Dr Owen Frazer: A Deep Dive into Conflict Transformation

In this episode of the Conflict Tipping podcast, host Laura May engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr Owen Frazer, a seasoned conflict resolution expert and Senior Advisor for Conflict Transformation at Helvetas. Dr Frazer, with over two decades of experience and a new book titled Reframing Peace Mediation, shares invaluable insights into the art and science of mediation in conflict settings.

Key Highlights:

Dr Frazer's Journey and Motivation: From Belfast to becoming a leading voice in peace mediation, explore Owen's motivations and how his experiences shaped his approach to conflict resolution.

The Gaps in Mediation Literature: A critical look at the disconnect between academic research on mediation and practical, on-the-ground conflict resolution. Discover why Dr Frazer embarked on his PhD to bridge these gaps.

The El Salvador Peace Process: An in-depth exploration of Dr Frazer’s research on the 1989-1992 peace negotiations in El Salvador, focusing on the complexities of facilitative mediation and the power dynamics at play.

Framing in Mediation: Uncover Dr Frazer's innovative framework that explains how mediators can effectively influence outcomes through strategic framing actions—naming, claiming, and gaming.

The Role of Pragmatism in Peacebuilding: A discussion on how pragmatic decision-making impacts the longevity and acceptance of peace agreements, particularly in the context of political mediation.

Dr Frazer's Current Work: Insights into Owen’s current role at Helvetas, where he advises on conflict transformation across various contexts, from grassroots peacebuilding to navigating complex political landscapes.

This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in the evolving practice of peace mediation and the intricate dance of framing that underpins successful conflict resolution.

Links:

• Reframing Peace Mediation by Dr Owen Frazer: Routledge

Timestamps:

• Introduction and Welcome - [00:00:00]

Innovating Peace with Stephen Gray: Embracing Inclusive and Adaptive Strategies

Join host Laura May in this episode of the Conflict Tipping podcast as we explore the world of inclusive peacebuilding with Stephen Gray, Director of Adapt Peacebuilding and Doctoral Researcher at the University of Sussex. With 18 years of experience in developing non-violent solutions for conflict zones, Stephen shares his journey and insights on transformative approaches to peace. Highlights include:

• Stephen's journey from New Zealand to various global conflict zones, exploring his motivations and experiences.

This episode offers a profound look at the evolving landscape of international peacebuilding, emphasising the need for innovative, inclusive, and adaptive strategies in addressing modern conflicts.

Links

• Adapt Peacebuilding: https://adaptpeacebuilding.org/

Bookmarks

• Introduction to the Conflict Tipping Podcast - [00:00:00]

Bridging Divides: Conflict Resolution with Rob Fersh and Mariah Levison

In this episode of the Conflict Tipping Podcast from Mediate.com, host Laura May interviews Rob Fersh and Mariah Levison about their work and their co-authored book, 'From Conflict to Convergence: Coming Together to Solve Tough Problems.' Rob, founder and senior advisor at Convergence, and Mariah, the president and CEO, discuss their extensive experience in conflict resolution, spanning policy differences and community mediation. They share powerful case studies from their book, including successful collaborations on healthcare and police-community relations. The episode includes the methodologies they use to foster trust, build relationships, and achieve consensus, as well as the challenges in convening people and implementing solutions. The conversation highlights the importance of collaborative leadership and offers practical advice for listeners dealing with conflicts in their own lives.

"From Conflict to Convergence" comes out on 30 July 2024, and you can order and pre-order it wherever you buy good books.

• Convergence website: https://convergencepolicy.org/

Chapters

• 00:00 Meet the Authors: Rob Fersh and Mariah Levison

About the guests

MARIAH LEVISON serves as the President and CEO at Convergence. Mariah uses a deep understanding of human relations to build trust and relationships across differences which lead to consensus-based solutions to complex and contentious issues. Prior to joining Convergence, Mariah led the Minnesota State Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution and has worked for several nonprofit dispute resolution centers. Additionally, Mariah has been teaching collaborative problem-solving for twenty years in settings ranging from community trainings to law schools to trainings for foreign governments.

ROBERT FERSH is the Founder and Senior Advisor of Convergence Center for Policy Resolution, which he started in 2009 to promote consensus solutions to issues of domestic importance. Convergence has successfully addressed a wide array of national and state level concerns including health care, K-12 education, incarceration, economic mobility, nutrition and wellness, and more. Previously, Rob served on the staffs of three Congressional committees, directed a national anti-hunger organization, and served as the U.S. country director for Search for Common Ground, an international conflict transformation organization.