ABA DRS Idle Chat: Red Cross Ombuds on the Importance of Listening

The American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution has shared its latest episode of "Idle Chat" and it features Dawn Miller Sander, Assistant Ombuds at the American Red Cross. Miller's chat with host Natalie Armstrong-Motin is casual and relaxed, and eventually delves into the professional significance of their work in conflict resolution. In the final portion of the interview Miller She emphasizes that her "whole job" is listening. She explains that by being a patient, active listener and asking the right probing questions, she empowers people to resolve their own conflicts and find their own way forward. (YouTube.)

Another New Ombuds Podcast: Spoken in Confidence

Sana Manjeshwar, who served as the Ombuds at Chevron and AllianceBernstein and now consults as the principal of OmbudSana International, has launched her own podcast: "Spoken in Confidence." Manjeshwar plans a series of monthly interviews with leaders "who chose to handle conflict differently, sharing real-world scenarios, hard conversations, and practical tools. The target audience are executives, compliance leaders, managers, and employees. (YouTube.)

Hidden Pulse Podcast: Dina Eisenberg on Coaching Executive Teams

Dina Eisenberg is the latest guest on Crissy Mangrum's podcast, "Hidden Pulse." Eisenberg has a wealth of knowledge based on her three decades of work in conflict resolution including stints as the Ombuds for Twitter, Berklee College of Music, Boston Law Collaborative, Bank of America (Fleet Bank), and numerous private clients. In the interview, she discusses how thoughtful preparation, effective communication, and better decision-making can help leaders and individuals navigate conflict, high-stakes choices, and major life transitions with greater clarity and confidence. 

Ombuddy Podcast Interviews Mount Holyoke College Ombuds

Vivian Hsu is the latest guest on Brooke Wichmann's podcast, "Ombuddy." Hsu, the Ombuds for Mount Holyoke since 2017, reflects on the personal and professional experiences that led her to Ombuds work and the skills she carries from her background in law and organizational consulting. Wichmann says that Hsu emphasized knowing what “hat” you are wearing and having the clarity and discipline to stay in the appropriate lane.

Podcast: Insights from a Longtime Ombuds

Reece Ramos, the University Ombuds at Virginia Tech and founder of the Ombuds Academy is the guest this week on "Conflict Managed," a podcast hosted by Merry Brown. Ramos has been an Ombuds for 25 years and is a past president of IOA. In this podcast, he shares insights from his years of work as an Ombuds.

Podcast: Staying Grounded with Heavy Cases

Joe Johnston is the latest guest on Brooke Wichmann's podcast, "Ombuddy." Johnston, the Ombuds at the Rochester Institute of Technology, talks about his three decades of experience in higher education, including roles in residence life, student conduct, and now Ombuds. The thread through all of these jobs: "His commitment to deep listening and, at times, dark humor." 

Podcast: Ombuds as Chief Vibe Officer

Sana Manjeshwar is the latest guest on Vibecast, a podcast by HR consultant, Kristi Skutvik. Manjeshwar explained how the Ombuds is distinct from HR, EAP, and therapy, and its value in surfacing concerns before they escalate. Majeshwar describes Ombuds as a “canary in the coal mine,” offering real-time cultural insight and a trusted space—often used by leaders themselves—while emphasizing that empathy, conflict awareness, and intentional leadership remain essential in ways AI cannot replicate. (YouTube.)

Podcast: Career Pivots and Holding Space

Tom A. Kosakowski, a University Ombuds and author of The Ombuds Blog, joined the Blessed Be Podcast (hosted by Robert Polanco, Dawn Sander, and Jacqueline Villafañe) to discuss career transitions and the skills that support navigating professional uncertainty. Kosakowski reflects on his own path and the broader relevance of Ombuds-informed practices beyond formal roles. 

Podcast: Personal Crisis, Perspective, and Conflict

Kira Nurieli, an Organizational Ombuds and conflict resolution consultant, joined the hosts of the Blessed Be Podcast to discuss how unexpected personal crises can reshape the way people experience and approach conflict. Reflecting on how sudden disruptions challenge assumptions about control and stability, Nurieli discusses how stress can intensify everyday tensions and how stepping away from routine responsibilities can foster greater presence, patience, and compassion in difficult conversations.

Podcast: Sana Manjeshwar on Global Ombuds Leadership

Sana Manjeshwar is the latest guest on a podcast by composer and pianist Leonardo Le San, "Modus Operandi." Manjeshwar talked about building and leading Ombuds programs for global organizations across six continents, drawing on her background in organizational psychology, employment litigation, human resources, coaching, mediation, and Ombuds practice. Manjeshwar is also a singer and the episode features one her first songs.

Ombuds Launches New Podcast: "Ombuddy"

A new podcast, "Ombuddy," hosted by Brooke Wichmann, spotlights the people and pathways behind Organizational Ombuds work. The show features conversations with Ombuds about what drew them to the role, formative moments in their practice, and the ideas that sustain them. Blending professional reflection with a relaxed format, Ombuddy aims to bring greater visibility to the work often done quietly and behind the scenes. 

Online Course Surveys the Ombuds Field

A new course, "Ombudsman: A Unique Role in Dispute Resolution," is now available on Coursera, a global online learning platform that provides access to courses from leading universities and organizations. Developed in partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder, a Coursera partner that served as the academic and production home for the course, and co-curated by Liz Hill and Ken Skodacek, the course offers an accessible introduction to Ombuds roles, models, and the shared values that guide the work across sectors and countries. Nearly 150 ombuds from around the globe participated in and supported the development of the content. The course is designed for those exploring the ombuds field, as well as colleagues, leaders, and decision-makers seeking a clearer understanding of how ombuds programs function.

Podcast: Ombuds and Coach Talks About Intersecting Conflict

Lexi Wolfe, CO-OP, is the most recent guest on the Blessed Be Podcast hosted by Robert Polanco and Dawn Sander. (She is the fourth Ombuds to be featured on the pod.) Wolfe shares insights from more than a decade of experience as an Ombuds, International Coaching Federation Certified Coach, and consultant working with individuals, teams, and organizations engage conflict more productively.

Podcast: Ombuds and MWI Founder

Chuck Doran is the most recent guest on the Blessed Be Podcast. (He is the third Ombuds to be featured on the pod. Hosts Robert Polanco and Dawn Sander say that, "This episode is especially valuable if you’re early in your career or if you’re mentoring others and want to pass on wisdom that goes beyond technique."

Podcast: Ombuds Building Trust in K-12 Education

Stacey Aliasso Rowcliffe was a guest on a recent episode of Brian Graham's podcast, "Achieving Joy and Mastery in Public Schools." Rowcliffe is the inaugural Ombuds for Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES and she was joined by the District Superintendent and CEO, David O'Rourke. They explored "the quiet but transformative impact of Ombuds Services in education." 

Podcast: Starting the Hype for Ombuds Day 2025

Alec Chapa is the most recent guest on Chinwe Egbunike-Umegbolu's vid/podcast show, Expert Views on ADR. As Co-Chair of the ABA Dispute Resolution Ombuds Committee, he focused on the upcoming Ombuds Day on October 9, 2025. They discussed the history, goals, objectives, and impact of the annual event, especially Chapa's work on the many state proclamations received in recent years. (YouTube.)

Podcast: Ombuds for Dental Services

Dina Eisenberg was a recent guest on The Raving Patients Podcast. The focus of the podcast is dental practice management and Eisenberg was able to share her expertise working with dentists and dental service organizations. Eisenberg has been working as an Ombuds for decades, serving a wide range of businesses including large corporations, health systems, colleges, and small companies, so she has more than enough wisdom for a half hour show. (Raving Patients.) 

Podcast: Ombuds and IOA Board Member

Jacqueline Villafañe was a recent guest on the Blessed Be Podcast. She shared her experience and insights on managing conflict drawn from her work as an organizational psychologist and Ombuds. Villafane is a current member of the IOA Board of Directors and also serves as the Ombuds for The MacArthur Foundation and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, among other clients. (Blessed Be Podcast.) 

Grand Rapids Schools Ombuds Launches Podcast

Maleika Joubert Brown, the inaugural Ombuds for Grand Rapids Public Schools in Michigan, has started her own podcast. The pod focuses on her work: "The Ombuds Outlook: Perspectives in Practice." The first episode explores how effective communication builds trust and connection, allowing people to move beyond transactional exchanges to transformational dialogue.

Virginia Tech Ombuds Featured on Two Podcasts

Both of Virginia Tech's Ombuds have been guests on podcasts recently. Bryan Hanson, VT's Graduate School Ombudsperson, was the guest on the National Association for Community Mediation's #Here2Hear podcast on April 17, 2025. (NAFCM YouTube.) Reese Ramos, VT's University Ombuds & Director, was a guest on the Blessed Be podcast on May 2, 2025. (Spotify.)