Putin’s attack on Ukraine. Why is he doing it? What drives him to act with such ferocity to destroy a county, innocent civilians, children? In this episode, Bill and Megan discuss whether Putin is a malignant narcissist, what that means, and whether his future actions can be predicted with this knowledge.To get insight into this personality type and how it manifests in Putin’s framework, listen in as Bill and Megan discuss The Heart of Man: Its Genius for Good and Evil by Erich Fromm wherein Fromm explains malignant narcissism in leaders, along with these important notes:What do malignant narcissists want? Do they want unlimited power over others?Are malignant narcissists unusual and rare? Or do we find them in the workplace and in political leadership?Why is this happening now? Does Putin think he can get away with what he’s doing?Does he have the ability to stop himself?What is needed by Ukraine and by the world to stop him?This is one of our most important episodes — one that everyone should hear to gain an understanding of the realities of what the world is dealing with and what, if anything, can be done to stop him.Links & Other NotesBOOKS5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life: Identifying and Dealing with Narcissists, Sociopaths, and Other High-Conflict PersonalitiesWhy We Elect Narcissists and Sociopaths―and How We Can StopARTICLESPutin Attacking Ukraine: Is this Malignant Narcissism? If so, Can We Predict His Future Actions?‘Yes, He Would’: Fiona Hill on Putin and Nukes: Submit a Question for Bill and MeganAll of our books can be found in our online store or anywhere books are sold, including as e-books.Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing patterns of behavior. (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault (03:30) - What is Malignant Narcissism? (07:11) - Diagnosis in public... for the public good. (10:47) - Have there been signals in public? (17:05) - Gaslighting (20:30) - The Nuclear Option (24:04) - What can we do? (26:37) - Why is this happening now? (28:21) - Ukranian Leadership (30:41) - Final Thoughts Learn more about our New Ways for Mediation Coaching Sessions. Get started today!

In this episode, Bill and Megan discuss the use of EAR Statements to calm current conflicts experienced by people across the globe. Anger, accusations, and opinions flying everywhere. People having conversations that most would have not engaged in a few years ago but now seem to be unable to stop themselves. Megan starts off with a recent example from the show ‘Sister Wives’ about the need for the use of empathy in relationships and conversations.Bill explains what an EAR Statement is and how to use them in various scenarios in every day life, such as:reducing political polarizationarguments over vaccines, masks, and social distancing during this pandemicfamily and marital conflictcurriculums in your children’s schoolslaw enforcement encountersprotestscustomer serviceListen in and learn how to use EAR Statements in any walk of life.Links & Other NotesBOOKSCalming Upset People with EARARTICLESEAR Statement Can Calm Anyone7 Tips for Dealing with Difficult People During This CrisisOur websiteSubmit a Question for Bill and MeganAll of our books can be found in our online store or anywhere books are sold, including as e-books.You can also find these show notes on our site as well.Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing patterns of behavior. (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault (02:42) - EAR Statements (05:25) - What Is EAR? (09:31) - EAR in a Non-High Conflict Situation (10:47) - Today's Conflicts (14:38) - An Example (17:10) - Using EAR in Today's Conflicts (21:31) - Using EAR Calming a Protest (28:05) - Listener Question (31:25) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Guest Dr. Jay Lieberman on Being Bi-Polar, with Domestic Violence Learn more about our New Ways for Mediation Coaching Sessions. Get started today!

If you are curious about love and romance with challenging – or even toxic – partners, this is your opportunity to hear questions from our listeners and Bill’s and Megan’s answers. In this episode, they answer questions about:partners who make life hell for awhile and then can be okay and very loving for awhileextreme jealousy and whether it’s okay to allow partners to read your private texts and emailsthreats of financial and reputational ruin when the romance is about to endthreats of suicide to prevent a partner from breaking uplack of empathy as a sign of someone with a high conflict personalitywarning signs in the Jodi Arias caseMegan and Bill answer these questions and more in this final episode of the Dating Radar series.Links & Other NotesBOOKSDating Radar: Why Your Brain Says Yes to "The One" Who Will Make Your Life Hell5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your LifeDATING RADAR TEST & SURVEY RESULTSCOURSEConversations About Domestic Violence in Family Law with 16 Experts: A 6-PART VIDEO SERIES on Domestic Violence (DV) / Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) best practices in the family law environment in the United States and CanadaARTICLESDating Radar: Your X-Ray Vision In A New RelationshipPossible HCP kills former boss, insures lawyer after mediationSubmit a Question for Bill and MeganAll of our books can be found in our online store or anywhere books are sold, including as e-books.You can also find these show notes at our site as well.Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing patterns of behavior. (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault (02:50) - Dating Radar Q&A (03:18) - Question 1 (05:47) - Question 2 (11:49) - Question 3 (20:23) - Question 4 (23:41) - Question 5 (27:21) - Question 6 (33:09) - Final Thoughts (35:04) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: The Current Conflict Atmosphere Learn more about our New Ways for Mediation Coaching Sessions. Get started today!

Watch Those Blind Spots!The very qualities that help us fall in love can at the same time be the on-ramp for the highway to hell. Avoiding a high-conflict relationship requires looking beyond attraction, chemistry, availability & compatibility, and recognizing your own particular blind spots.Bill and Megan talk about three types of ‘blind spot’ fact-finding and how to understand how your vulnerabilities can blind you.Links & Other NotesBOOKSDating Radar: Why Your Brain Says Yes to "The One" Who Will Make Your Life Hell5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your LifeDATING RADAR TEST & SURVEY RESULTSARTICLESDating Radar: Your X-Ray Vision In A New RelationshipSubmit a Question for Bill and MeganAll of our books can be found in our online store or anywhere books are sold, including as e-books.You can also find these show notes at our site as well.Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing patterns of behavior. (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault (02:47) - Avoiding Toxic Relationships a (04:21) - Why Our Brain Says Yes (05:26) - Low Self-Esteem (07:04) - Loneliness or Grieving (09:09) - Naïve Beliefs (13:37) - Mistaking Warning Signs for Love (28:18) - Last Thoughts (35:35) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Dating Radar Q&As Learn more about our New Ways for Mediation Coaching Sessions. Get started today!

In the first episode of this Dating Radar four-part series, Megan and Bill discuss how people with high conflict personalities (HCPs) can destroy your life. In this episode, listen in as they discuss how HCPs jam your radar. We’d all like to think we’re wise to it, but there are several factors that make us susceptible, which Megan and Bill discuss.They delve into a Dating Radar survey with over 650 responses from people who have been in high conflict romantic relationships. Respondents shared their experiences and lessons learned, including the “spark” that should have been a red flag but was experienced as a sign of true love and compatibility. And Bill and Megan also discuss the issue of fake compatibility often experienced by those who fall for HCPs.This series is for everyone, but especially for young people or parents of young people who need to pay attention to dating radar before it’s too late.Links & Other NotesBOOKSDating Radar: Why Your Brain Says Yes to "The One" Who Will Make Your Life HellARTICLESDating Radar: Your X-Ray Vision In A New RelationshipDating RadarDATING RADAR TEST & SURVEY RESULTSSubmit a Question for Bill and MeganAll of our books can be found in our online store or anywhere books are sold, including as e-books.You can also find these show notes at our site as well.Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing patterns of behavior. (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault (03:09) - Dating Radar (04:51) - Survey Question – That Spark! (10:19) - The Power of Desperation (12:54) - Charm (17:15) - Compatibility (19:30) - Overt Sexuality (23:23) - Protectiveness (28:06) - Other Attractive Qualities (30:50) - Quick Tips (32:30) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Blind Spots Learn more about our New Ways for Mediation Coaching Sessions. Get started today!

There are people you shouldn’t marry, have children with, or have a financial entanglement – people with high conflict personalities. They blame, gaslight, lie, deny, make false allegations, and some will seek to destroy you or your reputation.These are relationship destroyers – the people who can ruin your life and make you wish you’d never had children with them.So why do we get involved with them? Why does the brain say ‘yes’ to people who will make your life a living hell? It’s because we don’t have good dating radar and we don’t think we are so stupid that we’d fall into such a horrible relationship.Megan and Bill discuss the five high conflict personality types and how they behave in romantic relationships, including:Borderline HCPsNarcissistic HCPsAntisocial (sociopath) HCPsHistrionic HCPsParanoid HCPsCaveat: Not everyone with these personality disorders has a high conflict personality, but some do. How can you tell? They are the blamers, and they’re no fun in relationships. Listen in as Megan and Bill start this four-part series on Dating Radar.Links & Other NotesBOOKSDating Radar (paperback, audio, e-book)DATING RADAR TEST & SURVEY RESULTSARTICLESDating DenialDating Radar: Your X-Ray Vision In A New RelationshipSubmit a Question for Bill and MeganAll of our books can be found in our online store or anywhere books are sold, including as e-books.You can also find these show notes at our site as well.Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing patterns of behavior. (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault (03:06) - Dating Radar (06:32) - What Is an HCP? (08:17) - Narcissistic Personalities (10:32) - Borderline Personalities (15:38) - Histrionic Personalities (18:06) - Paranoid Personalities (19:30) - Antisocial Personalities (22:24) - Overlap (24:36) - The Survey (34:44) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: How HCPs Jam Your Radar Learn more about our New Ways for Mediation Coaching Sessions. Get started today!

The challenge of being emotional creaturesDid you know that emotions are contagious? We like to think we are in complete control of our emotions, but lots of research shows that emotions are contagious and it’s how we handle our own emotions once we’re emotionally hooked.In this episode we’ll break down emotion contagion. If you’re a brain nerd like us, or you simply want to have a better understanding of human behavior and the impact of unmanaged emotions on others, you’ll enjoy this episode. Specifically, we’ll discuss:Can you get emotionally “hooked?” and “unhooked?”How exactly are emotions contagious? How does that work in our brains?Can emotions lead us to make bad decisions?How do High Conflict People deal with emotions?How do High Conflict People communicate differently using their emotions?Are emotions part of why we have such angry polarization today in families and in politics?What can we do to calm down emotionsLinks & Other NotesBOOKSBIFF for everyoneBIFF for Coparent CommunicationBIFF for WorkplaceCalming Upset People with EARON DEMAND COURSEThe Brain 101: For Lawyers & AnyoneWho Are High Conflict People?ARTICLESManaging EmotionsKeep the Conflict Small! (With Managed Emotions)Submit a Question for Bill and MeganAll of our books can be found in our online store or anywhere books are sold, including as e-books.You can also find these show notes at our site as well.Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing patterns of behavior. (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault (02:42) - Emotionally Hooked & Unhooked (06:22) - Getting Hooked (08:16) - Emotional Persuasion (14:13) - In the Brain (22:33) - Emotions Leading to Bad Decisions (25:49) - HCPs Dealing With Emotions (28:57) - Communicating with Emotions (30:23) - Polarization (35:41) - Calming Emotions (37:47) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: HCPs in Love Learn more about our New Ways for Mediation Coaching Sessions. Get started today!

You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers.In this episode we host our very first Q & A Lab where we answer your questions about high conflict people. We focus on three questions:Narcissists who get it backwards What do you do when they turn it around and accuse you of being the narcissistic HCP?Bosses who complain and blame e-v-e-r-y-d-a-y) What do you do to get your HCP boss to stop?Parents who blame and make extreme accusations, such as kidnapping What do you do in the aftermath?Listen in as we answer your questions by identifying whether it’s a high conflict behavior or not, providing insight into the behaviors, and making suggestions for handling them.We’ll be doing a monthly Q & A Lab. Submit your questions anytime!Links & Other NotesBOOKSIt’s All Your Fault at Work! Managing Narcissists and Other High Conflict People (Paperback or e-Book)Calming Upset People with EAR: How Statements Showing Empathy, Attention and Respect Can Quickly Defuse a Conflict (Paperback or e-Book)Don’t Alienate the Kids: Raising Resilient Children While Avoiding High-Conflict Divorce (Paperback or e-Book)AUDIOManaging High Conflict Situations in the Workplace: For EmployeesARTICLESManaging Your Narcissistic Boss7 Tips for Managing Your Narcissistic BossSubmit a Question for Bill and MeganAll of our books can be found in our online store or anywhere books are sold, including as e-books.You can also find these show notes at our site as well.Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing patterns of behavior. (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault (02:58) - Q&A Lab (03:33) - Question One (08:44) - Question Two (21:22) - Question Three (28:06) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: High Conflict Emotions Learn more about our New Ways for Mediation Coaching Sessions. Get started today!

Domestic ViolenceMegan and Bill are joined by the Honorable Karen Adam and Annette Burns to discuss domestic violence. This is part two of this conversation.Links & Other NotesTHE VIDEO THAT WAS DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODEConversations About Domestic Violence in Family Law with 16 ExpertsBIOSBios for Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq., Honorable Karen Adam, and Annette Burns, J.D.DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EXPERTS INTERVIEWED IN THE VIDEOAbi Ajibolade, Executive Director, The Redwood, Toronto, OntarioAmy G. Applegate, JD, Clinical Professor of Law, Maurer School of Law, Indiana University, Bloomington, IndianaLinda Bortell, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist, Bortell Psychological, Inc., Los Angeles, CaliforniaMelissa Brickhouse-Thomas, LCSW, Manager, Victim Services, Glendale Police Dept., Glendale, ArizonaGabrielle Davis, JD, Legal and Policy Advisor, Battered Women’s Justice Project, Minneapolis, MinnesotaLoretta M. Frederick, JD, Senior Legal & Policy Director, Battered Women’s Justice Project, Minneapolis, MinnesotaAnna Harper-Guerrero, LMSW, Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse, Tucson, ArizonaAmy Holtzworth-Munroe, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Dept. of Psychological & Brain Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IndianaHilary A. Linton, JD, LLM, Mediator, President, Family Mediation Services (mediate393) Toronto, OntarioJan Maiden, JD, Family Law/Domestic Violence Attorney, Law Office of Jan Maiden, San Diego, CaliforniaWendy Million, City Magistrate, Tucson City Court Domestic Violence Court, Tucson, ArizonaCharles A. Sawchenko, MSW, Police Lieutenant (Ret), Delaware State Police, Dover, DelawareWilliam Spiller, Jr., JD, Family Lawyer and Minor’s Counsel, Law Offices of William Spiller, Jr., Los Angeles, CaliforniaNancy Ver Steegh, MSW, JD, Professor of Law, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, St. Paul, MinnesotaNeil Websdale, PhD, Director, Family Violence Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, ArizonaDavid Wexler, PhD, Director, Relationship Training Institute, San Diego, CaliforniaSubmit a Question for Bill and MeganAll of our books can be found in our online store or anywhere books are sold, including as e-books.You can also find these show notes at highconflictinstitute.com/podcast as well.Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing patterns of behavior. (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault (02:45) - Part II: Domestic Violence in Family Law (03:24) - Why Screen Cases for DV (07:53) - Importance for Courts to See Full Picture (11:16) - Avoiding Bias (14:48) - Impacting Cases (18:42) - Therapists' Role (23:25) - Mediation (27:02) - Dealing With Children's Concerns (35:31) - Parenting Plans (38:10) - Treatment (40:14) - Self-Care (44:50) - If You're Currently in a DV Situation (46:28) - Coming Next Week: Listener Questions Learn more about our New Ways for Mediation Coaching Sessions. Get started today!

Domestic ViolenceMegan and Bill are joined by the Honorable Karen Adam and Annette Burns to discuss domestic violence. This is part one of this conversation.Links & Other NotesTHE VIDEO THAT WAS DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODEConversations About Domestic Violence in Family Law with 16 ExpertsBIOSBios for Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq., Honorable Karen Adam, and Annette Burns, J.D.DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EXPERTS INTERVIEWED IN THE VIDEOAbi Ajibolade, Executive Director, The Redwood, Toronto, OntarioAmy G. Applegate, JD, Clinical Professor of Law, Maurer School of Law, Indiana University, Bloomington, IndianaLinda Bortell, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist, Bortell Psychological, Inc., Los Angeles, CaliforniaMelissa Brickhouse-Thomas, LCSW, Manager, Victim Services, Glendale Police Dept., Glendale, ArizonaGabrielle Davis, JD, Legal and Policy Advisor, Battered Women’s Justice Project, Minneapolis, MinnesotaLoretta M. Frederick, JD, Senior Legal & Policy Director, Battered Women’s Justice Project, Minneapolis, MinnesotaAnna Harper-Guerrero, LMSW, Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse, Tucson, ArizonaAmy Holtzworth-Munroe, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Dept. of Psychological & Brain Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IndianaHilary A. Linton, JD, LLM, Mediator, President, Family Mediation Services (mediate393) Toronto, OntarioJan Maiden, JD, Family Law/Domestic Violence Attorney, Law Office of Jan Maiden, San Diego, CaliforniaWendy Million, City Magistrate, Tucson City Court Domestic Violence Court, Tucson, ArizonaCharles A. Sawchenko, MSW, Police Lieutenant (Ret), Delaware State Police, Dover, DelawareWilliam Spiller, Jr., JD, Family Lawyer and Minor’s Counsel, Law Offices of William Spiller, Jr., Los Angeles, CaliforniaNancy Ver Steegh, MSW, JD, Professor of Law, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, St. Paul, MinnesotaNeil Websdale, PhD, Director, Family Violence Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, ArizonaDavid Wexler, PhD, Director, Relationship Training Institute, San Diego, CaliforniaSubmit a Question for Bill and MeganAll of our books can be found in our online store or anywhere books are sold, including as e-books.You can also find these show notes at highconflictinstitute.com/podcast as well.Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing patterns of behavior. (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault (02:41) - Dealing With Domestic Violence (04:28) - Meet Our Guests (06:24) - Impetus Behind DV Video Series (07:19) - Overall Objective (08:32) - Surprises (09:54) - Karen's Motivation (13:47) - Survivor vs. Victim (16:57) - Annette's Motivation (19:29) - Biggest Issues in Divorce & Co-Parenting (29:41) - Intimate Partner Violence vs. DV (31:51) - Coercive Control (34:20) - HCPs (41:19) - Last Words (42:58) - Coming Next Week: Part 2 Learn more about our New Ways for Mediation Coaching Sessions. Get started today!