Kaz T. Anderson

Communication Trainer (B.A. Mgt. Comm), Melbourne, Australia

I’m Kaz T. Anderson, a communication trainer in Melbourne, Australia, and part of the NVC community since 2009. I coach NVC social change teams and for-purpose coaches through the tension between wanting financial sustainability and working inside economic and marketing systems that don’t fit their values, so that they can enjoy a deeper sense of wellbeing in their business or community development, without setting their values aside.

The tension this work is for

Many people in the NVC community and in for-purpose or social change work carry the same heavy heartedness about wanting to be financially sustainable but not being able to work out a way to feel good about pricing, selling and marketing. I’ve known that bind deeply myself. Under that pressure of a domination culture, familiar coping patterns appear: over-giving, enduring without pay, accepting powerlessness, withdrawing. I work with these as inherited power-over and power-under patterns, not as personal failings.

What the work involves

I use NVC alongside my own Activate Wellbeing framework. It builds on Stephen Karpman’s Drama Triangle to be able to identify the patterns in our conditioning and then embeds compassion, gratitude, generosity and dignity into your business, project or community building operations.

What people work toward

• Resolving shame, anger, grief and fear obstacles that hold practitioners back in their business or social projects.
• Clearer boundaries and improved requests for the support you need to do the work that matters to you at home and in the business
• Earning from what you’re creating in ways that stay aligned with your values
• Enjoying wellbeing in your business

Why it works

With the Activate Wellbeing processes and companionship, your skills compound into real change in your relational capacities with your purpose, finances, time and technology as well as your social and physical health needs. As you make advancements in one area of your wellbeing you’ll experience flow on benefits in others.

Who I work with

• NVC social change teams
• For-purpose coaches, social entrepreneurs and social enterprises
• Purpose-led and not-for-profit organisations
• NVC learners, practitioners and trainers wanting to start businesses

Services

• Coaching packages
• Consulting
• Community sessions
• Speaking and storytelling

Current research: Wellbeing Teams

I’m currently researching Wellbeing Teams in the NVC community. The research year runs from August 2026 to June 2027. Follow along on Substack: kaztanderson.substack.com

For my wider work in the Social Change sector, subscribe or check out the most recent article here: kazthompsonanderson.substack.com

Common questions

What is Power With? In Marshall Rosenberg’s framing, power-over, power-under and power-with are three ways of relating. Power With is shared power, where everyone’s needs are valued.

How is this different from NVC training? NVC builds communication skill. This work adds a practice to address the belief systems and power patterns that can take those skills offline under stress.

Who do you coach? NVC social change teams and for-purpose coaches, along with social entrepreneurs and purpose-led organisations.

How do I start? write to kaz@activatewellbeing.com and share what you’re working on.

Testimonials

Bridget Blackford, Executive Coach: “Kaz has an uncanny ability to speak to all aspects of your being.”

Louise Schapp, Carers Coach: “Coaching with Kaz develops a new level of self-dialogue and personal advocacy.”

Elizabeth Diacos, Consultant: “Not only a philosophy but a methodology for a new way of being and speaking that is truly empowering.”

Experience, since 2009

Training and study

• NVC Introduction Session with Jim Lord (2009)
• Foundation Training with Dorset Campbell-Ross (2009)
• Robert Gonzales Australian Residential Retreat (2011)
• Training with Mel Sears (2011)
• ZENVC weekend training with Catherine Cadden and Jessie Weins (2012)
• Restorative Justice weekend training with John Cunningham and Cat Gilliam (2012)
• IIT NVC International Intensive Training, 10 days, Queensland (2013)

Training and facilitation

• Volunteer Assistant, Foundation Trainings and One-Day trainings with Cherie Scott, Certified Trainer (2010)
• Host and facilitator, NVC practice group (2010 to 2011)
• Facilitator, NVC Parenting program, 10 weeks (2011)
• Facilitator, parents’ fortnightly NVC Empathy Circle, Collingwood College (2012)
• Co-facilitator, Compassionate Parenting Day training with Alistair McKinnon (2012)
• Assistant Trainer, Foundation Trainings with Chez Scott (2012)
• Co-facilitator, NVC Foundation Trainings (2014 to 2016)
• Facilitator, Compassionate Wellbeing Program for Entrepreneurs (2016)
• Facilitator, NVC and Yoga collaboration (2017)

Founding and community

• Event host, Global Internet Conference for the NVC community, three days of panels and presentations (2014)
• Co-founder, NVC Melbourne, with Certified Trainers Chez Scott and Alistair McKinnon (2014 to 2016)
• Founder, Wise Women Rising, empathy and practical support for women creating workshops in their purpose work (2018 to 2020)
• Volunteer, Digital and Community Development, Nonviolent Communication Community in Australia (2022 to 2025)

Speaking

• Guest speaker, Nonviolence event, Melbourne (2011)
• Speaker, Australian and NZ Addiction Conference, on the power of compassionate language as a reality tool (2021)
• Speaker and storyteller, 100 Speakers Event with Kaley Chu (2023)
• Speaker and storyteller, Weaving Togetherness NVC Community Event (2024)
• Speaker and storyteller, Stories of Living Peace, CNVC Event (2026)

Current

• Founder, Activate Wellbeing (2016 to present), coaching and consulting
• Research & Community Development, NVC Community Australia (2026-2027)

Find Kaz T. Anderson

• Activate Wellbeing with Kaz T. Anderson on Substack
• Instagram: @kazt.anderson
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kaz-t-anderson

Interests

Communication Trainer (B.A. Mgt. Comm), Melbourne. I coach NVC social change teams and for-purpose coaches through the tension between financial sustainability and systems that don’t fit their values so they can enjoy wellbeing in their business. Currently researching Wellbeing Teams in NVC community – follow along on Substack: kaztanderson.substack.com or contact kaz@activatewellbeing.com