Carol Barkes, MBA, CPM
Boise Area and Travels
Carol Barkes has an MBA in Conflict Management and Negotiation and is currently pursuing a PhD in peak performance psychology with an emphasis in Neuroscience and Conflict Management. Her approach to conflict is brain-based, so her information is fresh, relevant, and highly effective. She travels extensively and is available for interviews globally.
  • Carol is a conflict resolution expert, mediator, national speaker, educator and best-selling author uniquely applying neuroscience to the fields of conflict resolution and negotiations.
  • Carol has spoken at the United Nations and is a lecturer at Boise State University.
  • Previously a firefighter, entrepreneur, bank manager, and wine-bistro owner, Carol leverages a multitude of experience to provide cutting edge knowledge—all of which helps people move beyond conflict faster, easier, and with less re-occurrences. Because of her diverse background, she can naturally connect with a wide variety of audiences.
Carol Barkes Has Been Featured On:
Email Carol Barkes Directly: carol.barkes@mediaambassadors.com
 100% Secure. We Never Share Your Email.


Available for Stories Involving Conflict, Non-verbal communication, Negotiations, Sales, and Communication (with a neuroscience emphasis)
BIO: Carol Barkes holds an MBA in Negotiation & Conflict Management, a BBA in Global Leadership & Influence, an AA in Fire Science, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Peak Performance Psychology.

Carol Barkes is a trend-setting mediator, business executive and educator specializing in the use of neuroscience to improve business performance, interpersonal communications, negotiation and conflict resolution processes for optimally successful results. She mediates hundreds of cases annually with an industry-leading 90%+ resolution rate. Barkes is well-versed in the latest techniques to create productive change in the most compassionate manner possible. She is an experienced public speaker with book co-authored with Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup for the Soul series) due out 7/2018.

Having direct knowledge of the public sector, private sector, non-profit, and government business perspectives gives Barkes a solid base for workplace and business mediation, negotiation, and arbitration. Also, skilled in handling mediation concerning child custody, divorce, children with special needs, domestic violence, and mediation agreement modifications.

It can be hard to imagine someone would choose to surround themselves daily with conflict, yet that is exactly what Carol Barkes does. Not only does she work with conflict, she positively glows about it. Those who work with Carol immediately find her approachable, kind, and spirited style both engaging and effective. As a result, she has become a sought-after conflict resolution leader who dynamically guides people through conflict in a more efficient and empowered manner.   

Carol’s ability to transform difficult situations and positively change lives is her absolute passion. This passion drives her goal of helping clients, whether organizations or individuals, prevent conflict before it begins and embrace conflict as a portal to positive change and progress when it cannot be avoided. But her goal doesn’t stop here; she also intends to reshape how the world approaches conflict. Her motto, RETHINK CONFLICT, embodies her purpose.

A lofty purpose such as changing the world is not new to Carol. As an American Academy of Achievement Golden Scroll Award recipient, Carol received the award with the promise of achieving success like the famous personalities present at the award ceremony. This was no small promise, as past attendees included wine mogul Robert Modavi, the prince of Bavaria, Henry Heimlich, President Ford, Walter Peyton, Elizabeth Taylor, astronaut Chuck Yeager, several Nobel peace prize recipients and many others. 

Throughout life, Carol’s promise has driven her as she pursued a diverse variety of careers in search of the most meaningful way to make her contribution. For instance, she managed financial institutions, was a firefighter/engineer in the San Francisco Bay Area, directed a therapeutic riding center, was a hospice caregiver and became an entrepreneur who created a manufacturing company, lifestyle store, and wine bistro.

While all very rewarding in their own way, these careers did not completely lend themselves to the higher purpose she knew was within her; until now. Her latest chapter arose from a difficult period in life which shook every aspect of Carol’s world. In search of insight derived from the experience, she discovered neuroscience. In neuroscience, she found answers; answers that helped her and ultimately help those whom she serves. Carol has observed first hand how the knowledge of our brain (and how it processes information) can be life-changing. Consequently, she crafted a spirited and scientifically-based approach to conflict resolution that is refreshing and powerfully informative, while also straightforward and enjoyable. Her presentations are engaging and powerful additions to anyone’s toolbox.

Professionally, Carol is a certified professional mediator, peak performance specialist, public speaker, and educator focused on neuroscience and conflict resolution. She runs a private practice/consulting business while also serving as the Mediation Services Coordinator for the Idaho’s largest District Court. She also teaches at Boise State University.


Carol Barkes Bestselling Author:

Kissing is Good for Your Health

That's where kissing comes in, says Mimi Secor, a nurse practitioner specializing in women's health at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Massachusetts. “Kissing definitely helps people lower stress levels, and takes us out of that 'fight or flight' state. We are always on 24/7 and nobody has down time anymore, ....

Click to View Story:

63-Year-Old Bodybuilder Publishes Book to Inspire Lifestyle Change

She's 63 years old, a mom of one, a published author and an Onset resident. Oh, and she's a bodybuilder. Dr. Mimi Secor may not be your average bodybuilder, but she is dedicated and wants to share her knowledge and experience with others in her new book, “Debut a New You.” She didn't get seriously ...

Click to View Story:

SUCCESS BREAKTHROUGHS by Jack Canfield and Carol Barkes

Carol Barkes is a coauthor to the recent book, Success Breakthroughs: Leading Entrepreneurs and Professionals Reveal Their Secrets for Breaking Through to Success with Jack Canfield (August, 2018). Barkes wrote on neuroscience and conflict resolution and received an Editor’s Choice Award for her contribution. Canfield is best known as the author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. 

Click to View Carol Barkes LinkedIn Profiled:
Your Kids' Brain on School:
Brain Science (NBC, Part 1)
Your Kids' Brain on School:
Brain Science (NBC, Part 2)
What Is Mediation, Why Try It, and How to Find a Great One?
Mediation, Conflict & Neuroscience with Carol Barkes on Times Square Today
Carol Barkes In the News
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Story Ideas

★ 5 Ways to Use Neuroscience to Resolve Conflicts Faster and Less Painfully

★ The Root of Lying and Why It’s So Popular in Politics

★ 5 Ways to Fine-Tune Workplace Communication

★ How to Have Difficult Conversations in an Increasingly Volatile Environment

★ Child Custody: How to Move Forward

★ How to Have to Conversations About Racial Issues in a Dignified Manner

★ 5 Techniques to Make You a Better Listener

★ Difficult Business Relationships: Exploring Solutions

★ How Couples Can Fight Fair

★ Anxiety-Free Negotiation Tips to Succeed With Anyone


Media Ambassadors
Copyright © 2022. All Rights Reserved.