Podcast Interview: Max Rivers – Author of “Loving Conflict”, Marriage Mediator, Creator of the Teamwork Method

Cheers Sexy People!

I am just delighted to share my latest podcast interview Part One and Part Two that I recorded recently with my colleague, friend, mentor, and just all around amazing human, Max Rivers. We recorded this in his home in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area, which happens to be my hometown. Max is the author of his recent book, “Loving Conflict” where he teaches what he calls embodied non-violent communication (E-NVC). You can think of this as NVC (non-violent communication) on steroids! I first met Max at Poly Living Philadelphia 2018 – my first time going to that conference ironically since it is where I grew up! He did an amazing workshop that year, and brought some early copies of his book. I immediately bought a copy, insisted that Max sign it (which seemed to surprise him), and dove into the book as quickly as possible! I’ve been following his work ever since. Delighted with all this magic, I went to Poly Living Philadelphia 2019 again earlier this year. What a blast I had as well as an enlightening experience! Max and his wife Elise again offered another workshop called “Win-Win-Win Negotiations”. I was once again in the audience. To my shock and surprise, Max selected my storyline as the example to illustrate to the entire room. I was asked to name my personal “movie”, Max selected the “actors” from the audience, I was prompted to explain the movie script / story, and then I directed the “play.” WOW! My heart was pumping out of my chest as this all played out in front of me! I felt like I was floating on top of the room watching my life play out. It was trippy telling a 6’2″ dude – who was playing ME – how I feel in that scenario and watching him expertly play it out with feeling, compassion, and some hilarity. After the workshop, Max and I happened to go to Jessica Cooley’s Secure Attachment workshop, and continued to connect after both of these powerful amazing workshops. What a gift and well done! MAX! Oh my goodness, I am so dang happy you and your work are in the world. I feel so fortunate and lucky to have found this life-changing and love-filled concepts. I am able to learn from you and then turn around and assist my own coaching clients very powerfully. Yes! It feels like… wait for it… WINNING!!!

Here is Max River’s bio:

Max Rivers was one of the pioneers in the shift from marriage counseling to marriage mediation. He has developed a six-session process which he calls the Teamwork Method. In 9 hours or less, he can teach people in intimate relationships how to use Embodied-Nonviolent Communication (E-NVC) to translate their conflicts into what they really are: opportunities to deepen the intimacy of the relationship. He is the author of “Loving Conflict,” a book about this work which is available (in paperback, Kindle, audio and other formats) on his website. He is available worldwide over video conferencing. Appointments can also be made at his website: maxrivers.net. His book “Loving Conflict” can also be found on Amazon.com as well.

Some topics we discuss in this educational, fun, and fascinating interview:

— Max shares how he met his wife at age 50, and how he came to the profession he enjoys today, helping couples and poly-pods all over the world. Max’s previous career was as a medical robotics programmer, and his wife used to be lawyer turned acupuncturist. When they were still dating, they decided to take a 30-hour marriage mediation course. He shares how it changed everything for them as a couple, but it also sent Max down the trajectory that he finds himself on now. 
— With his wife, Max shares how they have quiet, truthful conversations, and this eventually led them to study NVC finding that partners can mediate themselves using this powerful communication tool. So cool! Instead of dealing with the issue that the conflict is about, it takes partners down to the needs, the cause, and true root of the conflict.
— He teaches couples to speak to each other about what they are needing instead of ways that create conflict, such as with judgments. He works towards Win-Win-Win situations, which is very mediation focused. Partners work towards talking about what they are wanting/needing inside versus what they are each DOING WRONG, pointing at the other!
— Max patiently and lovingly describes the difference between NEEDS versus STRATEGIES, and explains why that is so important.
— Tune in to listen to this awesome podcast episode!

Thank you Max, for being so awesomely generous with your time, for taking the time and energy to write your amazing book “Loving Conflict” and for creating the Teamwork Method, and for sharing your wisdom and insights with us via the podcast interview Part One and Part Two. It was enlightening, deeply informative, and so fascinating! Follow his work and schedule an appointment with Max at his website: maxrivers.net.

If you would like to be interviewed either in written form or via audio on the podcast, please feel free to contact me and we will set something up. Thank you!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. SEXY SUMMER GIVEAWAY —> LWB PODCAST CONTEST for NEW or UPGRADED PATRONS

We have some exciting goings on here at Loving Without Boundaries (LWB). We offer exclusive content for you via the LWB podcast and my Patreon page for those who choose to become a patron. I have updated our awesome offerings to give you even more value. I invite you to check out how you can come join the party over at Patreon! Want to hear more from our amazing interviewees? You got it! Want to dig deeper into the community and your fellow poly folk? Right on, let’s do it! Want free coaching sessions? It’s all there! Read on to find out more…

OUR BIG AUDACIOUS GOAL: To get to $250 a month to help cover the cost of broadcasting fees and our amazing sound engineer. Once we reach this milestone, I will be doing the happy dance! I’ll even video it for our new patrons! Yes that’s right! I’ll video me jumping up and down celebrating YOU and helping us get to this important milestone for the podcast. Go to this post to learn find out how you can win prizes by becoming a patron and supporting the continuation of this work.

2. GUEST PODCAST APPEARANCES

I recently have had the honor of being featured on three other podcasts:

Curios Fox Podcast – Episode 4 on Metamours (Your Lover’s Lover) – which was recorded live in Brooklyn, NY
Seek, Discover, Create with Lexi Sylver
Core Confidence Life with Dennis Sumlin
With PolyAnna, Episode 7 – which was recorded live at Southwest Love Fest 2019, which was attended by Marla!

Check them out! We talk about all things jealousy, consensual non-monogamy, and living an alternative lifestyle while maintaining healthy relationships. On “With PolyAnna”, I vulnerably share a story about why pole dancing changed my life! Tune in to find out more!

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT OFFER – We continue to have some exciting goings on here at Loving Without Boundaries (LWB). We now have exclusive content for you via the LWB podcast and my Patreon page for those who choose to become a patron. Please visit the link to check out how you can come join the party over at Patreon! Want to hear more from our amazing interviewees? You got it! Want to dig deeper into the community and your fellow poly folk? Right on, let’s do it! Want monthly “Hangouts” with yours truly and other patrons? Cool! Let’s do it! It’s all there! Come join us, and enjoy exclusive content made just for you, our patrons of this work!

NOTE: Monthly group “hangout” and coaching calls for all of our podcast patrons at any level are under way. If you are supporting the podcast, I am supporting you on your journey. Come join us and meet like-minded folks on the same journey you are!

UPCOMING POLYAMOROUS-FRIENDLY EVENTS

Free LWB Facebook Group for Healthy, Sex Positive, Open Relationships — Ready to explore healthy, deeply connected (and virtually jealousy-free) open relationships? It’s all possible – especially when surrounded by a community of people already doing it. Many in newly open relationships experience roller coaster emotions of jealousy, insecurity, and feel alone on their journey. That’s why I created this free Facebook group where people are coming together to share actionable tips for succeeding in multiple loving relationships, explore deeper love, and find mutual understanding and support. There’s an abundance of rock star information posted in the group daily by our amazing members. We create a safe place to engage that’s fun and thrilling! Click here and request to join our free group!

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Wishing you peace, love and happiness
(and thrilling, fun sex too!)

Kitty

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