The Trauma-Informed Lawyer

Angela Sterritt is an award-winning Gitxsan woman and former journalist who has been  recognized for her groundbreaking reporting on Indigenous issues. Her memoir Unbroken has been hailed as both heartbreaking and inspiring, weaving her own story of survival with broader systemic patterns of violence against Indigenous women and girls. In this episode, Angela and Myrna talk about:

The power of naming and telling our stories.

What it means to carry responsibility as a storyteller.

Finding strength in truth and justice.

The responsibility settlers have to confront colonialism - and heal their traumas.

Hope, healing and dreaming.

Lessons from Unbroken. 

You can buy Unbroken here: https://greystonebooks.com/products/unbroken?srsltid=AfmBOoqhuCNYtQusjdLaUrhMK40ubfBurFr4fRpCXe7mfEIpHuc6w42K and to learn more about Angela Sterritt, please visit her website at: https://angelasterritt.com/

To watch the panel with Angela from the 2025 Justice as Trauma Conference, please visit Myrna's video library: https://www.myrnamccallum.co/video-library

To get pre-sale tickets to the next Justice as Trauma Conference in Vancouver from April 7-9 (where Angela will be speaking) please visit: https://www.myrnamccallum.co/jat2026

You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

In this episode, I bring listeners back to the Justice as Trauma Conference held last week in Vancouver, by sharing a compilation of feedback and testimonials from attendees. Their reflections highlight the deep impact of the conference and the importance of integrating trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices into our work. I also share my keynote, which explored healing, humility, and humanity in the legal profession. I invite listeners to pause and reflect on these essential questions:

➡️ If not you, then who?
➡️ If not now, when?

This keynote which begins at 21:40 serves as both a reflection and a challenge to step into the work of creating safer, more compassionate spaces in law, leadership, and advocacy. 

Healing Through Justice: Integrating trauma-informed practices into systems and relationships.

Humility as Strength: Embracing lifelong learning and acknowledging our limits.

Humanity in Leadership: Creating authentic, compassionate spaces where safety and trust can thrive.

Discover upcoming trainings at www.myrnamccallum.co

Subscribe to The Trauma-Informed Lawyer podcast for future episodes.

Connect with me on LinkedIn, IG and TikTok to continue the conversation.

You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

In this episode, I sit down with personal injury lawyer Jordan Assaraf to discuss his role as co-counsel for the plaintiffs in the Ukraine Airlines case. Jordan shares his insights on the challenges of advocating for victims of large-scale tragedies and how his willingness to adapt has shaped his approach to trauma-informed legal work.

We explore:
🔹 The complexities of the Ukraine Airlines case and the commitment to do no further harm to the families of the victims
🔹 How Jordan’s background in personal injury law informs his work in mass litigation
🔹 The importance of a trauma-informed approach when working with survivors and their families
🔹 What it means to adapt as a lawyer in high-stakes, emotionally charged cases

Join us for a powerful conversation on justice, resilience, and the evolving role of legal professionals in supporting those impacted by tragedy. If you can join us at the Justice as Trauma Conference, visit www.myrnamccallum.co for more info and tickets. 

You can check out the Ukraine Airlines case and the trauma informed guidelines Jordan helped create here: https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2024/2024onsc3303/2024onsc3303.html

Jordan Assaraf is a personal injury lawyer with extensive experience in complex litigation. His work on the Ukraine Airlines case reflects his commitment to advocating for those who have been harmed and ensuring a trauma-informed approach to legal representation. 

You can learn more about Jordan's work at www.gluckstein.com 

You can also read Jordan's blog post here: https://www.gluckstein.com/news-item/are-we-seeing-a-positive-paradigm-shift-in-our-justice-system--trauma-informed-trial-guidelines-for-ukraine-international-airlines-flight-752 

Gluckstein also has their very own podcast: https://www.gluckstein.com/resources/videos-and-podcasts 

You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

In this powerful episode, we welcome the brilliant Nkem Ndefo, founder of Lumos Transforms and creator of The Resilience Toolkit. Nkem is a visionary leader in the fields of trauma-informed care, resilience, and organizational healing. Together, we explore the intersections of compassionate communication, trauma-informed leadership, and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), offering insights that can transform not only our personal lives but also the way we lead and build workplaces and communities.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

- What resilience truly means and how to cultivate it in times of stress  

- How trauma-informed leadership can create healthier, more effective organizations  

- The power of compassionate communication in fostering meaningful connections  

- The role of DEI in creating sustainable, inclusive workplaces  

- Practical strategies for organizational healing and cultural transformation  

About Our Guest:

Nkem Ndefo is a certified nurse-midwife, trauma expert, and founder of Lumos Transforms. With a background in nursing, midwifery, and somatic healing, Nkem has dedicated her career to helping individuals and organizations navigate trauma, build resilience, and create systemic change through compassionate and sustainable practices. She will also be a featured speaker at the Justice as Trauma 2025 Conference in Vancouver, bringing her expertise to a global stage. For more info on this event, visit: www.myrnamccallum.co/jat2025

Resources & Links:

- Learn more about Nkem Ndefo and her work at [Lumos Transforms](https://www.lumostransforms.com)  

- Explore The Resilience Toolkit: [Resilience Toolkit](https://www.resiliencetoolkit.co)  

- Follow Nkem on [LinkedIn] (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nkemndefo) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/lumostransforms)  

Join the Conversation:

Have thoughts on this episode? We’d love to hear from you! Share your reflections on social media using #ResilienceToolkit and tag us. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps more people find these important conversations!

You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

Heather Hart, host of the I'm Human Too podcast and Spokane area therapist stops in to chat with me about psychedelic assisted therapy. For more info on psychedelic assisted therapy or to find a therapist, visit maps.org and https://firesideproject.org/ And be sure to check out Heather's podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/imhumantoo/episodes/Introducing-Im-Human-Too-with-Heather-Hart-e2hgom5 Please also check out: www.myrnamccallum.co/jat2025 for info about my upcoming conference, where Heather will be speaking on how psychedelics are studied and used to heal trauma. 

You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

Today's conversation is with Asha Frost, published author, speaker, spiritual mentor and modern day medicine woman. To learn more about Asha, please check out her website: www.ashafrost.com To learn more about the Justice as Trauma Conference, visit: www.myrnamccallum.co/jat2025

You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

Exploring Racial Trauma and Transforming Justice with Robert Seymour Wright. Join Myrna McCallum, a Métis Cree lawyer and passionate advocate for trauma-informed lawyering, in this compelling episode of The Trauma-Informed Lawyer podcast. Myrna sits down with Robert Seymour Wright, a queer, African Nova Scotian social worker and sociologist, to discuss the profound impact of racial trauma and the importance of integrating trauma-informed practices within the legal profession.

Robert shares his remarkable journey and insights, shedding light on the systemic challenges faced by Black and Indigenous communities. He delves into the significance of Impact of Race and Culture Assessments (IRCAs) in the justice system, highlighting their role in addressing systemic racism and promoting fair sentencing. Robert's candid reflections on his personal experiences and professional mission provide a powerful narrative on resilience, advocacy, and the transformative potential of trauma-informed approaches.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the intersectionality of racial trauma, the importance of community, and the need for holistic support systems. Robert's engaging storytelling, combined with his profound knowledge and humor, makes this episode a must-listen for anyone committed to fostering a more equitable and compassionate legal system.

You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

This episode is emotional, raw, real and it isn't my regular content and deals with heavy subject matter including addiction, death, overdose, suicide, self-harm, sexual abuse, residential schools and my Indigenous lived experience. Listen with care. Seek support at 988 if you are in crisis and/or need support. 

RIP my brother Ty Iron. May the spirit world deliver what your life could never. 

You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

This episode with Jen Yong, Myrna's business partner delves into deep and meaningful topics including career changes, life changes, spiritual partnerships, friendship and healing trauma. Jen Yong is a lawyer and transformational coach. If you would like to connect with her, please email [email protected] AND If you are interested in our upcoming events: please visit www.myrnamccallum.co 

Dimple Dhabalia began her career as a lawyer but after a stint at the Attorney General's office in Denver, she found her calling as an asylum officer. Working for almost two decades at the crossroads of the government and humanitarian sectors, Dimple found her job fulfilling, but it also led to vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, moral injury, and burnout. 

With a mission to put the word “human” back in “humanitarian,” she started “Roots in the Clouds” which - among other things - supports humanitarians around the world in challenging the narrative of service before self  and normalizes improving and protecting mental health in the workplace.

Dimple’s book is titled, Tell Me My Story: Challenging the Narrative of Service Before Self. You can find here on Twitter @dimpstory  And don’t forget to check her website: rootsintheclouds.com

You can also listen to Dimple's podcast, Service Without Sacrifice: Conversations on Hope and Healing here: https://pod.link/1720788849

You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca