It’s All Your Fault: High Conflict People
Hosted by Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq. and Megan Hunter, MBA, It’s All Your Fault! High Conflict People explores the five types of people who can ruin your life—people with high conflict personalities and how they weave themselves into our lives in romance, at work, next door, at school, places of worship, and just about everywhere, causing chaos, exhaustion, and dread for everyone else. They are the most difficult of difficult people — some would say they’re toxic. Without them, tv shows, movies, and the news would be boring, but who wants to live that way in your own life! H...
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Can High Conflict Relationships Ever Become Truly Mutual? Setting Realistic Expectations and Boundaries
<p>Bill Eddy and Megan Hunter explore one of the most challenging questions faced by people in relationships with partners who demonstrate high conflict behaviors: Is it possible to develop a genuinely mutual and healthy relationship through proper communication techniques and boundary setting, or is managed stability the best achievable outcome?</p><p>Understanding Relationship Dynamics with High Conflict Partners</p><p>The episode examines the reality that while using specialized communication techniques can help reduce conflict and create more stability, these relationships often remain fundamentally one-sided. The hosts address the emotional toll of being the only partner actively working...
Beyond No-Contact: High Conflict Skills for Family Relationships
<p>The Evolution of Family Estrangement: Understanding Adult Children Cutting Ties</p><p>Bill Eddy and Megan Hunter explore the growing phenomenon of adult children severing relationships with parents, examining research, societal shifts, and potential solutions. Drawing from their experience at the High Conflict Institute, they analyze Oprah's recent YouTube conversation with Dr. Joshua Coleman about family estrangement, offering professional insights into this complex dynamic affecting millions of families.</p><p>Understanding Modern Family Estrangement</p><p>Research indicates approximately one-third of Americans experience parent-child estrangement. The hosts examine how smaller family sizes, increased mobility, and social media influence these...
SLIC Solutions for Limits: How to Set Boundaries That Actually Work (with Ekaterina Ricci)
<p>Setting Effective Limits: A Conversation About SLIC Solutions for Conflict</p><p>Bill Eddy and Megan Hunter welcome co-author Ekaterina Ricci to discuss their new book "SLIC Solutions for Conflict," exploring practical approaches to setting limits and consequences with individuals who demonstrate challenging behaviors.</p><p>The episode introduces the "two and a half steps" approach: establishing clear boundaries, implementing consequences, and selectively using empathy, attention, and respect (EAR) statements. Traditional empathy-focused approaches may sometimes enable rather than resolve difficult situations, particularly with individuals who demonstrate manipulative behaviors.</p><p>Bill Eddy outlines five crucial questions for establishing consequences...
Self-Compassion and DBT: How New Treatment Approaches Transform BPD Recovery with Amanda Smith
<p>In this episode of It's All Your Fault, host Megan Hunter interviews Amanda Smith, LCSW, about her groundbreaking new book on self-compassion and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills for people who have borderline personality disorder traits. The discussion explores how incorporating self-compassion into treatment can enhance recovery and improve outcomes.</p><p>Understanding Self-Compassion in BPD Treatment<br>The conversation delves into how self-compassion serves as a vital but often overlooked component in treating borderline personality disorder traits. Amanda Smith draws on 19 years of clinical experience to explain why traditional confrontational approaches often backfire, while self-compassion can help reduce...
Worth Repeating: Protecting Elderly Loved Ones from High Conflict Manipulation
<p>In this classic episode from the archives, Bill and Megan examine the growing challenges faced by elderly populations dealing with individuals who demonstrate high conflict behaviors. As global demographics shift toward an aging population, understanding how to protect vulnerable seniors becomes increasingly critical.</p><p>The hosts explore how individuals who exhibit manipulative personality traits may target elderly people through isolation, financial exploitation, and emotional manipulation. They discuss why traditional support systems may miss these subtle forms of control, and how societal changes have created new vulnerabilities.</p><p>Key Vulnerabilities Addressed:</p>Increasing isolation in elderly populationsFinancial exploitation...
Worth Repeating: Setting Limits Without Public Exposure to Manage Difficult Behavior
<p>Exposure and Public Shaming as Conflict Management Tools: A Critical Analysis</p><p>In this back episode from the High Conflict Institute podcast, Bill Eddy and Megan Hunter tackle a challenging question that many face when dealing with difficult workplace situations: Is exposing someone's problematic behavior an effective strategy for creating change? While the impulse to "name and shame" may feel justified, especially when facing reputation damage or distortion campaigns, the hosts explore why this approach often backfires with high conflict personalities.</p><p>When dealing with individuals who demonstrate high conflict behavior patterns, the threat of exposure frequently...
Worth Repeating: Skills Over Discipline to Transform Workplace Conflict with Cherolyn Knapp
<p>Managing High Conflict in Today's Workplace</p><p>In this episode from the High Conflict Institute archives, Bill Eddy and Megan Hunter welcome Cherolyn Knapp, a lawyer, mediator, and workplace investigator who brings fresh perspectives on handling workplace conflict. While the discussion captures workplace dynamics during an earlier phase of post-pandemic adjustment, the insights on conflict management remain remarkably relevant for today's organizations.</p><p>Understanding Workplace Conflict Patterns<br>The discussion explores how traditional workplace conflict resolution methods often fall short with certain behavioral patterns. Cherolyn shares insights from her extensive experience, noting that while standard approaches work...
Worth Repeating: Finding Your Path Forward with High Conflict Parents
<p>Young Adults Navigating Life with High Conflict Parents</p><p>In this classic episode from the archives, Bill and Megan explore why many young adults struggle to launch successfully into independent life, particularly those raised by parents who demonstrate high conflict behaviors. They examine how today's interconnected world, while offering unprecedented opportunities, can also amplify feelings of inadequacy and isolation for young people trying to find their path.</p><p>The hosts discuss how growing up with a parent who exhibits self-focused personality traits can leave young adults feeling responsible for managing their parent's emotions instead of developing their...
Worth Repeating: Turning Down High Conflict at Work with Cherolyn Knapp
<p>In this classic episode from the archives, special guest Cherolyn Knapp joins Bill and Megan to tackle listener questions about managing challenging workplace dynamics. They explore how high conflict behavior manifests in professional settings - from overt confrontations to more subtle forms of workplace disruption.</p><p>The hosts examine why traditional disciplinary approaches often backfire, discussing instead how skills-based interventions can transform difficult workplace relationships. They emphasize the importance of recognizing that problematic behavior doesn't always present as obvious conflict.</p><p>Key Workplace Challenges Addressed:</p>Managing interdepartmental tensionsResponding to passive-aggressive behaviorSupporting targeted team members<p>Essential...
Worth Repeating: High-Conflict Holiday Guide
<p>Holiday Peace: Managing High Conflict Personalities During Celebrations</p><p>Bill Eddy and Megan Hunter return to explore practical strategies for handling challenging personalities during holiday gatherings. As many of our longtime listeners enjoy revisiting this timeless discussion during our winter programming, we're pleased to reshare these essential tools for maintaining peace while preserving relationships during family events.</p><p>Understanding high conflict personalities requires both preparation and practice. Through real-world examples and expert insights, this conversation illuminates the complex dynamics that often emerge during holiday celebrations. Whether managing others' behaviors or our own stress responses, the techniques shared...
