đź“ť Episode Overview:
In this episode, Laura welcomes Kimberly Best, a professional family mediator and former trauma nurse, to talk about one of the most stressful parts of caregiving: family conflict. Together, they explore practical ways to stay grounded, communicate effectively, and navigate emotionally charged situations with clarity and compassion.
Whether you’re feeling stuck in a family disagreement or just want to avoid future tension, this episode is packed with tools to help you maintain your cool and preserve peace.
👤 Meet Kimberly Best:
Kimberly Best is a trained family mediator and owner of Best Conflict Solutions. She specializes in conflict resolution within families, elder care, healthcare teams, and small organizations. Drawing from her experience as a trauma and ICU nurse, Kimberly brings both compassion and structure to emotionally complex situations. She is also the author of How to Live Forever: A Guide to Writing the Final Chapter of Your Life Story and is passionate about guiding people through meaningful, values-based conversations.
đź“Ś Topics Discussed:
- What causes family conflict during caregiving
- Tips to de-escalate and stay calm in tense moments
- How to approach emotionally charged conversations
- The role of mediation in dementia and elder care
- Understanding grief, guilt, and family dynamics
- Why boundaries are an act of care—for everyone involved
⏱️ Timestamps (Approximate):
00:00 – Introduction and meeting Kimberly Best
01:38 – From ICU nurse to family mediator
04:44 – Common causes of conflict in caregiving
07:32 – The emotional landscape behind family disagreements
10:15 – Tips for staying grounded during family tension
14:08 – The difference between reacting and responding
16:42 – What transformative mediation really means
20:11 – How to begin difficult conversations with family
24:30 – Why “being right” can get in the way of resolution
28:19 – The role of grief and unspoken pain in conflict
31:47 – Setting boundaries and protecting your peace
35:04 – How to know when mediation might help
38:40 – Final encouragement and how to connect with Kimberly
đź’ˇ Key Takeaways:
- Family conflict is common in caregiving—but it’s not inevitable
- You can learn to respond instead of react, even in high-stress moments
- Mediation creates space for healing, not just problem-solving
- Clear communication starts with emotional awareness
- Peace doesn’t mean avoiding conflict—it means navigating it with intention
đź“š Resources Mentioned:
- Best Conflict Solutions – Kimberly’s website
- Book: How to Live Forever: A Guide to Writing the Final Chapter of Your Life Story by Kimberly Best
🤝 Connect with Kimberly Best:
Website: bestconflictsolutions.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kimberlybestmediator
Instagram: @kimberly_a_best
Facebook: Best Conflict Solutions
🌿 Connect with Laura Vaillancourt & the Life on Repeat Podcast:
Website: https://lifeonrepeatpodcast.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/lifeonrepeatpodcast
Facebook: https://facebook.com/lifeonrepeatpodcast
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeonRepeatPodcast
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