In this six-month program I train, mentor and coach practitioners and organization leaders through a self-paced curriculum, live training sessions and online group coaching and mentoring. For more information see my dedicated web site: https://www.transforming-dialogue.com/

I help groups and organizations to heal wounds related to identity differences by facilitating dialogues, consulting to leaders, training and coaching in-house facilitators. I also work with conflict engagement professionals in small groups to mentor, train and coach them to advance their practice of designing and facilitating dialogues to repair identity-based divisions. I have trained over 30,000 professionals in communication and dialogue facilitation skills in the US and abroad, drawing on my long experience of facilitating dialogues across divides of identity, religion, and values. Over the space of 22 years, I helped build the Public Conversations Project (now known as Essential Partners) –a pioneer of the modern dialogue movement- from a small local group to an internationally-renowned team of practitioners, trainers and consultants. I advise leaders on preventing and engaging conflict and was one of the original mediator trainers of the US Postal Service’s innovative REDRESS mediation program. For 15 years I also consulted to the Harvard Negotiation Project at Harvard Law School and I've taught in the dispute resolution programs of the law schools of Mitchell-Hamline and Pepperdine universities. I co-founded The Family Dinner Project which now resides at Massachusetts General Hospital and I sit on the Executive Board of The Democracy Imperative. As part of the PCP/EP team, I have been honored by the American Family Therapy Academy, the Society for Professionals in Dispute Resolution, and the University of Massachusetts Boston’s Graduate Program in Dispute Resolution. My web site is www.bobstains.com

I currently serve as Senior Associate, training and mentoring other practitioners in the US and abroad, designing training programs and facilitating challenging conversations where identity differences are at the core. I helped build the organization over the space of 22 years holding several positions, but throughout my tenure have always had the development of training programs as a key responsibility.

Exchange research methods and learning with other researchers; collaborate with School of Theology faculty around research priorities, share learnings with STH faculty, students and alums.

Taught a course, "Bridging and Bonding: The Power and Practice of Dialogue" and a colloquium on "Expanding Simple Stories."

Taught the course, “Transforming Conversations: Dialogue for Ministry”

Led two, 6-day intensive workshops for the Religions and the Practice of Peace program: "Engaging Conflict: Reflective Structured Dialogue and the Inner Resources of the Facilitator."

Coached business, political and NGO leaders from the US and other countries on developing more effective interpersonal communication skills to overcome negotiation challenges as part of the Interpersonal Skills component of the Harvard Negotiation Summer Institute and the Harvard Negotiation Project Spring session.

Taught course in "Communication and Conflict"

REDRESS was an innovative EEO mediation program based on Bush and Folger's model of "Transformative Mediation." It became one of the most well-researched and effective mediation programs as measured by parties' satisfaction with process, outcome and practitioner effectiveness. I served on a team that consulted to the originators of the model on the creation of the mediator training program and was in the original cohort of mediator trainers, the so-called "Transformative Thirty." I mediated disputes in postal facilities of all sizes, from small local post offices to huge regional plants where I also consulted on management/labor impasses and mental health issues.

Created the training function of this organization which was established by Better Homes and Gardens magazine and dedicated to improving the lives of homeless families. Responsible for mounting, staffing and managing training for shelter staff across the country; consultation to medical, psychiatric, education and social work professionals and training of trainers.

Created, staffed and oversaw the first hospital-wide training program: three-week orientation for all new staff including psychiatrists; Grand Rounds by Harvard Medical School; the Clement Walker Institute for continuing education with 26 trainers; inservice training for all professions on all shifts in all wards.