The Mike Litton Experience

The Mike Litton Experience


How Doug Noll Turned Trauma, Law, & Neuroscience Into Life-Changing Conflict Mastery

December 02, 2025

Discover the extraordinary journey of Doug Noll — award-winning lawyer, mediator, author, martial artist, neuroscience researcher, and co-founder of the groundbreaking Prison of Peace project. In this powerful episode of The Mike Litton Experience, Doug reveals how childhood disabilities, elite education, a 22-year legal career, martial arts training, and neuroscience transformed him into one of the world’s leading experts in de-escalation, empathy, and conflict resolution.

From helping settle impossible disputes to training thousands of incarcerated men and women with a zero recidivism rate, Doug shares insights that will completely reshape how you think, lead, and communicate—especially in an age dominated by AI.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
  • How Dartmouth’s early computer science program shaped Doug’s analytical mind

  • The case that used linguistics and AI-style analysis decades before AI existed

  • Why a law degree builds unmatched critical-thinking skills

  • How martial arts and Tai Chi broke his arrogance and reshaped his worldview

  • The emotional-listening breakthrough that changed his life in 2005

  • The neuroscience behind conflict, emotions, and why rationality is a myth

  • The origin and global expansion of Prison of Peace

  • Why empathy is the most powerful leadership skill of the 21st century

Whether you’re a leader, a parent, a communicator, or simply someone who wants deeper human connection, this episode delivers practical wisdom you can apply immediately.

If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to The Mike Litton Experience so you never miss inspiring conversations that push your life and career forward.

Connect with Doug Noll: Doug@DougNoll.com
Learn more: DougNoll.com