What If Peace Were Possible?
With Nonviolent Communication, we can access inner self-connection and conflict resolution—to experience more fun, flow and play—in all areas of life.
Hi, I’m Karen Starz
I believe that all people can learn to connect with their feelings and get their needs met.
I’m a consultant, coach, speaker, facilitator and CNVC Certified Trainer, and I bring this work to individuals, organizations and communities.
My work centers around transforming Native American communities, because these are the roots of my Mother and there is so much pain and trauma within them. They are also the originators of a circle process and how to dialogue and listen deeply to coexist with people and nature. This lineage informs my particular approach Non-Violent Communication.
I have a rich faith. The process of non-violent communication is practical spirituality to me and and it pains me to see spiritual communities fighting/firing/separating over “right and wrong”. Therefore, helping spiritual communities supplement their beliefs with a concrete, doable process—like NVC—is what I find inspiring.
I see us all of us as one, and I admire LGBTQ+ communities who have this sense of "we-ness" that I want the rest of the world to emulate.
Upcoming
Intensive Retreat in New Mexico, Sept 6-15
Join us for this residential retreat in New Mexico, United States (6 to 15 September 2024 ) that will help you bring nonviolence and peace into all areas of your life. You will discover skills that will help you improve the quality of your relationships, deepen your inner peace, and increase your contribution to the world.
Upcoming NVC Programs (Fall 2024)
NVC programs are great to to practice the fundamentals with an intentional group of other learners from all walks of life. We use Marshall Rosenberg’s seminal teachings as an anchor, and practice many useful activities to express feelings and needs, and make requests.
Resources
My resources are a great companion for participants already doing the work. The theory and concepts help reinforce your NVC practice in your real lives and communities.
What People Are Saying
“From my first practice group where her empathy brought me to tears, Karen has been a pillar for me to lean on, a deep source of safety and expression, and a place for me to go with all my questions. Nothing is too much, no emotion too big. She has this uncanny ability to intuit what people need and to give it to them right there on the spot. The safety I've experienced from this is immense, but it's so much more than that. I've felt my joy unfold. From there, love, connection, and learning have been able to come out from all the creeks and crevices within me. It's been a joy and an honor - but most of all, it's been so fun.”
— Anna, Austria
“Working with Karen and the NVC process over the past six months has really transformed our workplace. Numerous staff members have commented about how much the communication has improved. We were able to get through some challenging situations and transitions. It has really helped to meet our company's need for stability, cooperation, and trust. We are still implementing many of the practices we learned in our weekly team meetings. I’m so grateful for the transformation that was facilitated and also the deep into work that is continuing.”
— Lisa F. , Albuquerque, NM
“Learning NVC from Karen Starz has been such a treat. Her command of the material and how seamlessly she weaves it into all our interactions is so helpful as we try to gain some mastery. Moreover, her compassion, humor and authenticity bring such a depth to the work and learning. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
— Linda P., San Diego, CA.
“I attended the NVC Fundamentals training last fall, led by Karen Starz, a CNVC Certified Trainer. She is an engaging, well-organized, and a very competent teacher. I felt the weekend of learning was time well spent.
It warms my heart that there are people who want to learn this language of connection in these times where so much seems to want us to be disconnected and fighting against each other. This language, this practice builds bridges.”
- Theressa, Silver City, NM
I had the pleasure to work with and get to know Karen over a 5 week period of weekly trainings.
I really appreciated they way she led the trainings that offered meaningful engagement and inclusion for people of all ages. She helped us bridge talking about this to actual ways to do this, in a nonjudgmental gentle way. Karen led playful activities that brought out the talent of younger people and opportunity for our community to relate and value each other amongst our age differences.
Karen’s compassionate perspective inspired me to connect more with myself and my own needs and this easily bridged to more connection to the needs of my family. I appreciate the NVC tools in my parenting journey and am using the ‘power with’ strategies she introduced. As I shifted my goal to ‘power with’ my husband and children and beyond ‘right and wrong’, our relationships are improving. I am committed to practicing and sharing giraffe language with my family and friends!
- Amy L, Home School Mother, San Diego, CA