Free NVC Learning Resources

Amidst the Israel/Palestine war we see polarizing media portrayals and the battle for public opinion. Read how one person shares his deep, personal connections to the Israel/Palestine conflict, expresses the trauma and viewpoints of both Palestinian and Israeli experiences -- in a way that aims to transcend polarizations, hold compassion, and understand the complexity on both sides. Despite the immense challenge that defies easy resolution, he holds hope, noting historical reconciliations such as the ones between Germans and Jews.

For many, spending time with relatives over the holidays may be challenging. In addition to the love and care we may feel, family gatherings can bring up old hurts or expose painful differences. How many family meals have been marred by tense silence or devolved into harsh argument?

What's my intention? What needs am I trying to meet? What do I want the other person to know or understand? How can I say it in a way they are most likely to hear? These are four questions we can use in preparation for an important conversation. Read on for more on this, plus four accompanying practices.

So many of us have been taught to solve conflicts by what is “fair.” However, Miki Kashtan states that fairness is a separating concept. In this video, she describes how when we do not have the conditions to care for all needs involved, when we live within separation, fairness is second best.

Mary Mackenzie dives into the heart of change with an explanation of the 3 Phases of Transition. We have all experienced changes in our families, communities, work, and the world. How is it impacting you? How are you coping? Learn about the 3 Phases of Transition: the ending, the neutral zone, and the new beginning— and how this process can support you in navigating change.

Sophie Docker shares how, through dialogue, we can start developing more consciousness, skills, and capacity for embracing conflict as a way to move beyond separateness and restore our interdependence. The way we engage with conflict can support us in finding our way to interdependence.

Roxy Manning shares some strategies to support a child's natural curiosity when asking questions about physical differences using NVC skills.

Sarah Peyton uses Brene Brown's definition of vulnerability and expands to offer additional precision in her own definition. She explores the concept of vulnerability and its relation to the instrumental brain.

Overriding our individual or collective capacities can sustain oppressive systems. Honoring limits better aligns with life and is more likely to dismantle patriarchal culture. Accepting, respecting and staying within capacity instead of constantly pushing beyond limits allows for increased individual and collective capacity -- this can lead to more sustainable agreements and a shift towards a more interdependent, gifting paradigm.

The purpose of setting boundaries is to prevent harm to yourself and others. In this video, Yvette Erasmus describes how and why exquisite self-care requires exquisite boundaries.

When a participant disagrees, corrects you, or offers a suggestion for improvement, how do you respond? As a facilitator, you need to make decisions in the moment of what you will choose to respond to and what you choose to let go of. In this video, Mary offers her insight into how she chooses to respond in these situations. 

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to talking about power and privilege. Context, purpose, who is present and why all play a part in how you can orient to these conversations. In this video, Miki describes the deep considerations she makes when discussing this topic with others and in her leadership training.

Some people assume that restorative circles and mediation are synonymous. Ceri, Jo, and Sarah are here to show that they are much more different than some may think. Watch this video to understand the distinctions around roles, settings, processes, and the people involved in mediation versus restorative circles.

The human species is trained and habituated towards separation. This model encourages humans to either give up on their needs or fight for their needs. In this short video, Miki shares how increasing capacity shifts habits of separation and supports holding of all needs.