Scott Howard Swain’s Bio

Relational

Scott Howard Swain has been actively studying communication, and conflict resolution since 1990, and people/systems management since 1995. He has spoke on these topics in front of large groups around the world (see videos on this site).

He has been designing and facilitating communication and conflict resolution training programs based on cognitive empathy for businesses, at conferences, in schools, and workgroups since 2005. These courses have ranged in length from 13 weeks to one day to 3 hours.

Writing

With a love of writing since youth, Scott has written many stories, including a sci-fi novel  and handbook based on cognitive empathy (see here). He has also written thousands of pages of technical documentation, tutorials, and articles ranging from philosophical to whimsical to instructional (see Articles written by Scott’s Creative Robot, ones written by Scott, and Tutorials).

Design

Since the web began, Scott has been designing logos, web sites, ads, banners, fliers, and more. See some of his favorites.

Animation & video editing

Scott has been creating 2D and 3D animation and creating/editing videos for over 29 years, sometimes in a professional capacity, sometimes for entertainment, and sometimes to spread the practice of cognitive empathy. See the latest.

Technical

Scott’s been writing code in various languages/platforms for over 40 years (yes since early teens), with a hobby project being the continued evolution of an advanced “Personal Coach” AI chatbot at EmpathyBot.net he created and began training in 2018. No sign-up or sign-in needed. Free to chat with.

Professional software developer since 1995.

See a few of the more impressive applications.

Self-discipline

Finally, Scott has two decades of martial arts training under his Shaolin Kung Fu black belt earned in 2005, awarded title of “Shaolin Monk, Initiate” at that time. Prior to that, four years of karate with two years consensual garage fighting, and numerous tournaments.

Some highlights

– Founded Practical Empathy Practice Group on May 6, 2015, which has met 1 to 4 times per month since that date for a total of over 650 meetings and over 2100 members. Details: https://meetup.com/practical-empathy

– Leading Voluntaryists of Austin group: https://meetup.com/voluntaryaustin

– Training wide range of ages and abilities in self-defense using Shaolin black belt and other experience.

– Teaching NVC* in a class format, from 13 week classes to weekend classes to one day classes to talks and one hour intros, starting in 2006.

– Led “Intro to NVC*” course for Zaaz’s customer service department.

– Created Play to Evolve card game and the EmpathyBot AI personal coach chatbot.

– Assisting couples and families in resolving conflicts, increasing responsibility, understanding, and deepening communication in the home.

– “NVC* in Business: Its Time Has Come” – NVC * Academy 4-day course – 2014.

– Business mediation between Voice & Exit and a client of theirs – 2014.

– Trained owners (partners) and staff at LIGHTfaktor in clear & efficient communication, internal and external. Included management, negotiation, and client relations – Austin, TX – 2014.

– Trained contract managers, negotiators, and other staff from National Contract Management Association – Austin, TX – 2012.

– Trained staff at Active Life Healing Clinic – Austin, TX – 2011.

– Taught “Empower Your Communication” class at Rethinking Everything Conference – Dallas, TX – 2013.

– Taught using NVC* at Children’s Discovery Center – Austin, TX – 2013.

– Motivational speaking and public speaking at business, parenting, and relationship building events.

– Attended Six-week NVC* course by Pat Siebert – 2005.

*NVC: Nonviolent Communication, precursor to the Practical Empathy system I created.