Episode 12: Empathy in Action: Dr. Heather Saunders on Family Mediation, ACE’s, & Education

Episode Summary

Mindfulness is the key to:

• Happiness
• Empathy
• Withholding judgement

Triggers that lead to familial conflict

• How Dr. Saunders approaches these triggers, uncovers them, and addresses them during mediation
• Who seeks out mediation services
• Are the themes in cases that you deal with relatively similar? Is everyone struggling with the same sorts of issues?

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s)

• What are ACE’s
• How do ACE’s impact family dynamics?
• What is the importance of empathy and compassion in your work?

How does our societal structure influence familial conflict?

• How do you support people through navigating these challenges
• Does mediation look the same for Caucasian people as it does for different ethnicity’s

Dr. Saunders background in education

• How do you approach mediating conflicts involving children or adolescents
• What role do you believe education plays in preventing future familial conflict
• Currently, how do schools support students who may be experience family conflict? What would be your vision for this?

We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know

• How do you facilitate awareness and insight among participants during mediation, particularly when they may be resistant to acknowledging their blind spots or unconscious biases

Guest Bio

💛 LinkedIn: Heather Saunders

www.linkedin.com/in/heather-saunders-7960b042maesconsulting.ca

Heather, an accomplished Family Mediator with over three decades of experience, is dedicated to effective communication and resolution within families. With a background in education spanning 30 years, she brings invaluable skills to mediating complex family issues. Heather prioritizes open, empathetic communication, creating safe environments where parties can express concerns and collaborate for solutions. Recognized as an Accredited Family Mediator by Family Mediation Canada, she upholds high ethical standards. Outside work, Heather enjoys yoga, hiking, and family time, reflecting her commitment to well-being and family bonds. With degrees from the University of New England, Yorkville University, and the University of New Brunswick all in education, Heather stays current with ongoing professional development. She is a trusted choice for sensitive family matters, dedicated to fostering positive outcomes.

Host Bio

💛 @questforwholenesspodcast

From a young age, Lexi Burt embodied qualities of being bossy, loud, and energetic. While not much has changed, she's learning to channel this spirited energy into more focused and appropriate areas. With a profound passion for holistic health, psychology, exercise, and nutrition, Lexi earned her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with Honours from Mount Royal University. A proud British Columbian, she finds solace and joy in nature through activities like camping, hiking, invigorating cold water swims, and her newfound love for outdoor rock climbing. Lexi holds a deep appreciation for concepts such as Hygge, the Blue Zones philosophy, and the overall tranquility of nature. Catch her outdoors, relishing moments with friends, family, her Corgi, and her lovely partner.

Resources Mentioned

• Article: “Rethinking the Use of Caucasian” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8876079/am

Credits

💛Intro music cred to @chrizpychriz

💛Braden and Troy at Amplifyou for supporting me in bringing this project into fruition, thank you guys.

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💛 Questions? Email me at lexirbut@gmail.com or DM me @questforwholenesspodcast