Did you know that menopause can have a profound impact on how we act, think, and handle conflict? 

Hormones have a huge impact on our mood, our relationships and how we deal with difficult situations.

As women we often think that it's not just “part of life” to feel irritable or low before your period or to suffer through menopause symptoms. ( I know I thought this). 

But I am finding out that it doesn’t have to be this way.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Louise Newson, a renowned menopause specialist, to discuss the truth about hormones and their impact on women’s lives. 

We talk about everything from mood swings and irrational behaviour to the life-changing benefits of proper hormone treatment.

Key takeaways:

•  Hormones affect more than physical health—they influence mood, cognition, and emotional well-being.
•  Only 14% of Australian women use hormone replacement therapy, often due to misinformation or lack of education.
• It’s time to stop normalising unnecessary suffering and start addressing the root causes and in the process save relationships.
• Partners: Help the women in your life get the care they need—it can make all the difference.

Dr. Newson shares her expertise and resources like the Balance app, helping women take charge of their hormonal health.

Learn more about the app here:
https://www.balance-menopause.com/balance-app/

In this episode I interview Annabelle Daniel OAM, Founding CEO of Women’s Community Shelters, to delve into the critical issues of domestic violence and women’s homelessness.

Annabelle shares her extensive experience working with local communities in New South Wales to establish crisis shelters, transitional housing, and homes for older women experiencing homelessness. 

We discuss the complexities of domestic violence, the challenges faced by women navigating conflicting advice from various organizations, and the ongoing efforts to create more shelters and preventative programs.

Annabelle has a world of knowledge and I got a lot out of this conversation and I hope many others will do too.

Resources that Annabelle mentioned for practitioners and anyone that is listening are listed below:

1. NSW Police Risk Assessment Tool

https://sydneynorthhealthnetwork.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Domestic-Violence-Safety-Assessme...

2. A very good, evidence-based risk assessment tool. Victoria uses a similar one called MARAM.

3. Why Men Choose to Use Abuse: An insightful article discussing the benefits perceived by abusive men.

https://voicemalemagazine.org/abusive-men-describe-the-benefits-of-violence/

4. One of the best books on this subject is Lundy Bancroft’s ‘Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men’. Lundy worked in Men’s Behaviour Change programs for decades and provides some absolutely fantastic insights into the nature of abusive men, and the genesis of behaviours. Here is the link for interested:.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Why-Does-He-That-Controlling/dp/0425191656

Please share this episode far and wide as we need to educate as many people as we can.

I loved recording this episode with Ella Hickman from Hickman Family Lawyers. 

Ella is not only a great human being but also a great lawyer. 

She practices almost exclusively in family law, dealing with both parenting and property issues. Ella is a firm believer in mediation, and resolving matters sensibly and commercially without the need for lengthy, expensive, and stressful court proceedings. She is absolutely committed to getting clients the best outcomes, with her focus being on reaching practical outcomes, and reducing stress and financial cost so people can move on with their lives as easily as possible.

We talk about why people should not go to the Family Court, what you can do to prevent going to the family court and how you can get out of the system when you have entered into it.

This is a great episode for anyone who is a separated parent in conflict and it is also a great episode for any professional that is working with separated parents in conflict but is not a lawyer.

I enjoyed recording this conversation. 

It is full of brilliant information. 

Have a listen and let me know your thoughts!

I have had the pleasure of interviewing Nurit Zubery in this episode of Conversations To Cut The Conflict. 

I sat in Nurit's presentation at the Mediation Conference in New Zealand last year and I asked her to come on the podcast as this is not a topic that gets talked about a lot.

Women deal with challenges in the family court system, in mediation and men do as well.

In this episode we explore the research of Nurit who researched the experience dads have in the mediation and family court system.

Listen to this episode to get tips on how as professionals we can improve dad's experiences of the system and mediation, which leads to them engaging more in mediation.

I enjoyed the conversation.

It is always great to reflect on our practice as professionals to see what we can do better and see situations from a different perspective.

You can read the full article that Nurit mentions in the interview here:
https://bit.ly/3TKbhqj

For more information about Nurit and her works, visit her website:
www.beyondconflict.co.nz

I have recorded a quick episode for you to give you some tips on how to get through the next couple of weeks without losing your sanity. 

I also cover how to negotiate with your family in the lead up and on Christmas Day so you can have a great holiday break without family conflict and fill your cup.

Please share it with anyone who needs a little extra support right now.

Listen to my conversation with my fellow mediator and coach Anne-Marie Cade.

We delve into the vital role of coaching in high-conflict separation and her parenting coordination research. Find out what parenting coordination is and what Anne-Marie's recommendations are for the future of parenting coordination in Australia

To find out more about The Mediation Practice Program and join the waitlist, visit www.themediationpracticeprogram.com.

Money is one of the most common reason that people are in conflict.

I have recorded a short and sweet episode for you on how to best deal with conflict relating to money.

Have a listen and let me me know your thoughts. I hope it helpful

In this episode, I interview Paul Eliseo, co-founder of Evolve & Relaunch.

Paul trains coaches in becoming masterful at NLP, timeline therapy and hypnosis.

 This episode is one of my favourite episodes ever!

 We cover so much in 45 minutes it is packed with value for you.

Paul and I discuss various topics, including how to work with triggers and resolve conflict, even when people have different values. Why it is important.

This conversation is a must listen for anyone who wants to understand more about why humans behave the way they do and why others behave the way they do and how to better work with people to help them resolve conflict.

Unlock your child's full potential with the help of a Kids Coach!

Listen to our latest podcast episode in which I chat with Nichole Hamilton, a clinical hypnotherapist and master practitioner in timeline therapy and NLP who specializes in coaching kids.

Discover why coaching is important for children and learn tips and tricks to help your child work through difficult emotions and anxiety and get access to free resources to support your children. 

Nichole is offering a 5-day Kidz Coaching Challenge where you can learn the skills, strategies and games for your children; regulate your emotions in a healthy way and connect with your children.

Click the below link to join the free course:
https://www.thekidzcoach.com.au/free-coaching

I loved having a conversation with Faiza Gabriel, director of Lighthouse Legal. 

Having observed her parents go through a messy divorce as a teenager, Faiza knew early on that there had to be a better way, and that her calling was to guide people in that direction. 

Since being admitted as a solicitor and barrister in 2008, she has worked predominantly in family law. Over the years she has gained extensive experience in family law matters, including advising and representing clients in complex financial settlements and arrangements for children at the Family Court. 

In 2020, she established her own practice, Lighthouse Legal, and remains committed to helping her clients find safe passage through the storm after a separation.

We are both passionate about helping people through their family conflict and keeping people out of the family court. And if they have to go through court to support them in how to do it in the least damaging way.

What is special about this episode is that Faiza shares openly what it was like to be the child of parents who had a high conflict divorce as a child but also as an adult now as they still do not get along. 

It is so powerful to hear from an adult who has lived through a high conflict divorce what it is like and what parents can do to make it easier for their children when they go through a divorce.

We also talk about what an ICL is (independent children's lawyer) and what they do. There are lots of myths out there and this episode will give you insight on what the role of an ICL is and how the process works.

This episode is great for anyone who is separating, or in conflict with their ex-partner but also for practitioners, lawyers and mediators as we need to keep reminding ourselves of why we do what we do and how we can make a difference to families in the best way possible.