Surviving the Holocaust: How to Deal With Survivor’s Guilt

a woman by a tall barbed wire fence in the 1940s illustrates surviving the Holocaust and how to deal with survivor’s guilt

Do you feel guilty for surviving a traumatic experience? What might you learn about survivor’s guilt from a victim of the Holocaust? In her memoir, Dr. Edith Eva Eger delves into the arduous process of reconstructing her existence following the genocide of World War II. She highlights the obstacles that survivors encountered and the routes they took to achieve meaning and purpose. Continue reading to learn how to deal with survivor’s guilt by understanding what surviving the Holocaust means to Eger.

Edith Eger: Auschwitz on the Outside—Freedom on the Inside

a sketch of a young woman looking up with birds flying overhead illustrates psychological freedom in Auschwitz

How did Edith Eger survive the Holocaust? How did she create a tolerable existence amid unthinkable horrors? According to Edith Eger, Auschwitz was a prison only for her body. Incredibly, she found ways to maintain psychological freedom while she faced cruelty, dehumanization, the loss of loved ones, and very little hope. Read more to discover how this remarkable woman persevered through one of history’s darkest chapters.

Edith Eva Eger’s The Choice: Embrace the Possible (Overview)

a drawing of a woman sitting by a window and reading a book

How does someone recover from an experience like the Holocaust? What inspiration can we draw from a life rebuilt? In her memoir, Dr. Edith Eva Eger provides a profoundly touching and insightful account of her life during the Holocaust. She talks about her time at Auschwitz and her efforts to reconstruct her existence after the war. Keep reading for an overview of Edith Eva Eger’s The Choice: Embrace the Possible.

Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion (Overview)

A young man reads a book in a cozy library or bookshop with tall bookshelves and a bright window

What if you applied martial arts principles to communication? What difference could it make in your ability to make your message heard? George Thompson argues that Verbal Judo is the most effective way to resolve conflicts and respond to confrontations. He explains each of his method’s principles and how to apply them, even under pressure. Continue reading for an overview of Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion by George Thompson.

Verbal Judo for Law Enforcement: Using Words, Not Force

A police officer talks calmly and compassionately with a troubled man, illustrating Verbal Judo for law enforcement

How is Verbal Judo applied to law enforcement? What happens when police officers practice empathy? Law enforcement trainer and English professor George Thompson wrote Verbal Judo to explain how to handle any tense situation calmly. He argues that, in a high-pressure situation, it’s most effective to act as if you’re practicing judo. Keep reading to learn about Verbal Judo for law enforcement.

The Importance of Empathy in Communication (+ Tips)

Two men talking pleasantly in a cafe illustrate the importance of empathy in communication

What difference does empathy make in communication? How can it help you de-escalate tense moments? According to law enforcement trainer and English professor George Thompson, empathy is a powerful tool when you need to introduce calm into a high-stress situation. He presents empathy as a fundamental tool in the Verbal Judo toolbox. Continue reading to learn about the importance of empathy in communication and how to use it to read people.

What Is Mushin? Cultivating Calm in the Middle of the Storm

A calm man with his eyes closed sits in a chair, practicing mushin in the middle of chaos

What is mushin? Is it the same as mindfulness? How can it help you remain calm and even de-escalate a high-stress situation? A core skill in Verbal Judo is cultivating a mindset called mushin (wushin in Chinese), which practitioners of many Japanese and Chinese martial arts aim to achieve. In his book Verbal Judo, George Thompson explains mushin and how you can cultivate it and use it to great advantage. Read more to learn what mushin is and how to apply it.

How to Let Go of Your Ego and Break Through to Solutions

Smiling man and woman talking, illustrating how to let go of your ego and communicate effectively with each other

Are your feelings easily hurt? Are you more focused on protecting yourself than solving bigger problems? When people come at us, it’s easy to react in ways that end up making the confrontation worse. Our ego is often to blame. Law enforcement trainer and English professor George Thompson says that Verbal Judo offers a way out of this mindset. Continue reading to learn how to let go of your ego and move forward in a positive direction.

How to Improve Active Listening: 3 Tips From Verbal Judo

A white-haired bearded man sitting in a restaurant and listening to someone talk illustrates how to improve active listening

Do you listen more than you talk? What’s your primary goal when you communicate? What can you learn about listening from an octopus? It probably comes as no surprise that listening well is important. Active listening is a specific skill that’s invaluable in all aspects of life, and it’s part of the practice of Verbal Judo—a set of techniques that help you handle any tense situation calmly.  Read more for George Thompson’s threefold advice on how to improve active listening and communicate more effectively as a result.

How to Analyze a Situation: 4 Tips to Navigate a Tense Moment

A thoughtful young professional woman in a cityscape knows how to analyze a situation

How can you keep your judgment from getting clouded during a high-stress situation? What must you understand before you can resolve the issue? George Thompson developed Verbal Judo to help people handle tense situations at work, home, and elsewhere. Not only do you need to understand the personalities involved, you must fully and accurately ascertain the scenario you’re dealing with. Keep reading to learn how to analyze a situation using Verbal Judo principles and techniques.