Mending Fences

Mar 06 2024

Mending Fences Podcast artwork

Mending Fences is a podcast about dispute resolution and effective ways to communicate and live across differences. Hosts Patrice Brymner and Jennifer Hawthorne are both family mediators and collaborative law attorneys, but their conversations go well beyond family law. They explore the personal, interpersonal, legal, and cultural impact of conflict. Intro/outro: "North Oakland Extasy," by Squadda B

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GUEST: Karen Van Kooy on the Language of More Peaceful Dispute Resolution

Mar 06 2024 20 mins

Discover the transformative power of words with our guest Karen Van Kooy in an episode that may reshape your approach to conflict resolution and legal negotiations. We engage in a dynamic dialogue, breaking down how subtle shifts in terminology can steer conversations from deadlock to collaboration. As we dissect the impact of word choice, from "proposal" to "settlem

GUEST: Daniele Ozeri on Family Mediation

Feb 01 2024 21 mins

Divorce and Family Mediator Daniele Ozeri joins Jen and Patrice to discuss strategies for mending the complex dynamics within families—be it the bond between parents and children or among adult siblings. Daniele explains the subtle nuances that differentiate family mediations from divorce mediations, emphasizing the importance of cultivating understanding and empathy. Her approac

Buyer Beware: Unraveling the Complexity of Friendly Divorce Mediation

Jan 17 2024 9 mins

So you thought mediation would be easy. Well, even amicable divorces can be stressful and participants may feel at times like they are lost in uncharted territory. That's exactly what Jen Hawthorne Kelsey and Patrice Brymner delve into in this episode of Mending Fences. As seasoned guides, family law mediators, and collaborative law attorneys, Jen and Patrice illuminate the co

Is There a Difference Between Review Counsel and Settlement Counsel?

Dec 13 2023 15 mins

Join us as we unpack the essential roles, differences, and overlapping concepts of these legal representatives and how, with their assistance, successful conflict resolution is achievable. We explain how attorneys in the "Settlement Counsel" role can work directly on their client's behalf to achieve an out-of court resolution, and how attorneys in "review Counse

GUEST: Maria Natapov on the Dynamics of Step-Parenting

Oct 02 2023 31 mins

Join us as we journey through the delicate web of step-parenting with our guest, step-parenting coach Maria Natapov. What does it truly mean to be a step-parent and how can you navigate this dynamic, emotion-filled terrain? Maria sheds light on these questions and provides pragmatic guidance to help you transform family uncertainty into harmonious co-parenting. We'll unpack th

Taking Charge of Tough Talks: Tools for Success

Sep 12 2023 15 mins

Are you shying away from initiating those tough conversations? This episode is filled with practical wisdom and guidance that will empower you to start tough conversations with anyone. Hosts Patrice Brymner and Jen Hawthorne dive into the nuances of understanding your own motives and goals, identifying the right people to participate in the conversation, and whether you might want

Finding Your Way (again): Strategies for Preserving Progress When You Change Course

Sep 05 2023 20 mins

Is your dispute resolution stuck? Is your divorce mediation stalled? Your collaborative divorce just not moving? As your hosts for this episode of Mending Fences, Patrice Brymner and Jen Hawthorne, we’ll guide you on how to breathe new life into stalled conflict resolution processes. We’ll share practical advice, from introducing a lawyer to mediation to using a mediator as a s

GUEST: Karen Van Kooy on Navigating Coercion and Empowerment in Collaborative Divorce and Mediation

Jul 21 2023 45 mins

Can collaborative divorce or divorce mediation address pressure, coercion, and power imbalances more effectively than litigation? Join us for a deep dive into these questions with collaborative divorce attorney and mediator, Karen Van Kooy. We share our experiences and insights, contrasting the stark differences in handling a court-based divorce versus a collaborative law or mediat

Don't Make Things Worse! What to Avoid in Difficult Conversations

Jul 14 2023 17 mins

Jen and Patrice each share three things to avoid in any difficult conversation. At Mending Fences, we always encourage people to keep talking, but when should you stop talking? Of course it makes sense to avoid blaming and defending, but how do you do it? Patrice and Jen talk through practical tips for productive communication in difficult situations.

GUEST: Allyson Clemmons, LICSW, on Discernment Counseling

Jun 15 2023 33 mins

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Allyson Clemmons joins Jen and Patrice to discuss discernment counselling, a way for couples considering divorce to gain clarity about the direction of their marriage. In this approach, couples engage in a limited number of individual sessions to gain a deeper understanding of what has happened in the relationship, as well as each spouse's contrib