Episodes
Family Matters 2011/2012
Episodes 1-5: https://createspace.com/327510
Episodes 6-10: https://createspace.com/327541
Episodes 11-15: https://createspace.com/327542
Category: Episodes
By Nancy - January 25, 2012No CommentsEpisode 115: Fairway Divorce
DVDs of our episodes are now available. This episode can be found at: https://www.createspace.com/327542. In recent years, members of the legal and mental health community have been exploring new ways to assist parents in conflict to resolve disputes in a non-adversarial, cooperative and cost-effective way. In this episode, Justice Brownstone, who has long advocated for keeping parents and children out of family court, will interview Karen Stewart, CEO of Canada?s biggest and most popular dispute resolution company, FAIRWAY, about their unique and innovative process of spousal dispute resolution. Guest: Karen Stewart.
Category: Episodes
By Nancy - December 24, 2011No CommentsEpisode 114: Divorce with Dignity
DVDs of our episodes are now available! This episode can be found at: https://www.createspace.com/327542. Have you ever heard of the term ?the divorce from hell?? Probably every marriage breakdown has hellish aspects to it, but everything is relative, even high conflict divorces. In this episode you will meet author Karen Stewart, who emerged from 'divorce hell?' with a mission: to ensure that no one ever makes the same mistakes that she and her ex-husband made. Her book, Clean Break, urges separating couples to learn from her "poor choices and misplaced trust?". In this episode she will explain the pitfalls that so many couples contend with as they navigate the complicated and often frustrating family justice system. Her own experiences form the foundation for the innovative process she founded as CEO of Fairway Divorce Solutions. Guest: Karen Stewart.
Category: Episodes
By Nancy - December 24, 2011No CommentsEpisode 113: Online Security
DVDs of our episodes are now available. This episode can be found at: https://www.createspace.com/327542. In today's world everyone, even children, have daily multiple Internet connectivity, in the form of social networking, banking, shopping and a variety of other transactions. And the experts tell us this is just the beginning of the huge potential that the Internet has to impact the way we live our lives and conduct our businesses. How safe and secure is our confidential information that is stored online? Every once in a while we hear about major corporate databases being hacked, and mass breaches of online security. We are told that identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes. What can we do to protect ourselves from these risks? Guests: Omar Ha-Redeye, Guy Rosario.
Category: Episodes
By Nancy - December 24, 2011No CommentsEpisode 112: Family Law Access
DVDs of our episodes are now available. This episode can be found at: https://www.createspace.com/327542. One of the most contentious issues that can arise for separated parents in conflict is the question of how to divide a child?s time between parents. Regardless of who has custody, and even in cases of joint or shared custody, the fact remains that a child cannot be in two places at once. Many parents have great difficulty devising a parenting schedule which maximizes the child?s time with each parent, in a way that best meets the parents? schedules and most importantly, the best interests of the child. This can be particularly challenging in cases involving very young infants, or where there is not a strong pre-existing relationship between the parent and child, and in cases where parents do not live close to each other. A complicating factor can also arise where one parent alleges that the other parent poses a risk to the child?s safety and well-being, and is requesting that access be supervised. In this must-see episode, Justice Brownstone and Judge Jane Cartwright of the British Columbia Provincial Court will discuss the legal principles and practical considerations that apply when a court is asked to make decisions about parental access to children. Guest: Judge Jane Cartwright.
Category: Episodes
By Nancy - December 24, 2011No CommentsEpisode 111: Remarriage after Divorce
DVDs of our episodes are now available. This episode can be found at: https://www.createspace.com/327542. What are the potential obstacles to achieving a lasting happiness the second ? or third ? time around? What are the pitfalls you should be aware of in creating a blended family? It looked so easy on the Brady Bunch, but our guests are here to tell us that real life can be very different. What are the special needs of people who are contemplating or already in a new relationship, especially if there are children and ex-partners involved in the big picture? Guests: Paula Bisacre, Karina Sacca.
Category: Episodes
By Nancy - December 24, 2011No CommentsEpisode 110: Domestic Abuse
Now available on DVD: https://www.createspace.com/327541. Although this topic only infrequently receives public attention, it is a sad reality of North American life that many homes are fraught with domestic violence. Quite apart from the trauma that this imposes upon victims, it is now well-accepted that when children witness their parents arguing and fighting, this is a form of child abuse. How prevalent is domestic violence? Why does it occur? Can it be prevented and treated? What can be done to insulate children from this situation. How effective are the courts in addressing this serious social issue? Justice Brownstone will address all of these issues in this much-anticipated episode. Guests: Judge Gary Cohen, Carolyn Fast.
Category: Episodes
By Nancy - December 24, 2011No CommentsEpisode 109: Pets and Divorce
DVDs of our episodes are now available. This episode can be found at: https://www.createspace.com/327541. Any pet owner will agree that pets are family too! What happens to pets when family breakdown occurs? What is the best way to keep children and their pets emotionally bonded even if they can?t live together? How do you get pets to become accustomed to living in two (or more) different homes? How do you ensure a harmonious household if new pets (for example, a parent?s new partner?s dog or cat) are introduced into the home? Is it a good idea to give a pet to a child experiencing the angst of parental separation, to help relieve the child?s stress and loneliness? Do pets experience grief and anxiety when a family breaks up? Guests: Rebeka Breder, Dr. Rebecca Ledger.
Category: Episodes
By Nancy - December 24, 2011No CommentsEpisode 108: Mens Issues in Family Law
Now available on DVD: https://www.createspace.com/327541. In the last half-century, parenting dynamics in many families have changed, as more moms have entered the workforce, requiring more dads to share the parenting duties. In fact, it?s no longer that uncommon to find some families with stay-at-home dads, with moms who are the breadwinners. How has this shifting culture been reflected in parenting arrangements after separation? Courts make custody and access decisions based on the best interests of the child, not the parents. But many people continue to express a very disturbing perception of the law and the justice system, and there?s a lot of advocacy for 50-50 shared parenting. What does the law have to say about that? And what can be done to make mothers and fathers more child-focused in their parenting decisions? Guests: Theo J. Boere, Elisabeth Strain.
Category: Episodes
By Nancy - December 24, 2011No CommentsEpisode 107: Sex Addiction
Now available on DVD: https://www.createspace.com/327541. Given the advent of the Internet with its seemingly limitless availability of sexually explicit content, it should come as no surprise that this can be a serious challenge for many people suffering from potentially addictive personalities. What are sexual addictions? How does such an addiction develop? What is the impact on relationships and families when a parent is suffering from a sexual addiction? What are the signs that partners and loved ones should look for if a sexual addiction is suspected? How, if at all, do sexual addictions affect one?s parenting capacity? What help is available for people suffering from sexual addictions and their partners? Join Justice Brownstone as he probes all of these issues with experts in the field. Guests: Doris Vincent, Cathy Patterson-Sterling, Andrew McWhinnie.
Category: Episodes
By Nancy - December 24, 2011No CommentsEpisode 106: A View from the Bench
This episode is now available on DVD. Please go to: https://www.createspace.com/327541 to order copies.
This episode provides the rare privilege of hearing from an outspoken retired family court judge from Alberta who spent 22 years resolving all kinds of parental disputes. We will have a frank and candid discussion and I have invited him to unleash his most forthright insights into the family justice system. He will also tell us why he left the court in 1997 to pursue what he believes is a much healthier and effective way to help parents resolve their conflicts. Guest: Judge Michael Porter (ret?d) Judge Porter was admitted as an English solicitor in 1964 and called to the Bar of Alberta in 1968. He practiced a wide variety of law in Jasper, Alberta, up to his appointment as a Provincial Judge in 1975. He sat in the Provincial Court on a rural circuit for 15 years and then from 1990 to 1997, in Calgary. He thereafter sat as Deputy Judge part time in the Tax Court of Canada over the next 10 years. Since 1997, Judge Porter has developed an extensive private mediation and arbitration practice and has conducted over 3000 mediations and arbitrations, in matters as diverse as insurance, construction, business and family matters. He has sat chairman of a National Professional Disciplinary Committee. He remains actively involved in his conflict resolution business, helping to settle and adjudicate on all kinds of matters. Guest: Judge Michael Porter (Ret'd)Category: Episodes
By Nancy - December 13, 2011No CommentsEpisode 105: The Smart Divorce
This episode is now available on DVD. Please go to: https://www.createspace.com/327510 to order copies.
This is a one-on-one conversation with Debrah Moskovitch, author of THE SMART DIVORCE. Learn how to minimize conflict and enter into child-focused decision-making. Learn how to reinvent yourself from an ?ex-partner? to a ?co-parent?. And best of all, learn how to surround yourself with the people you need to maximize your opportunities for success in dealing with an ex-partner.Category: Episodes
By Nancy - December 2, 2011No CommentsEpisode 104: Marriage Confidential
This episode is now availalbe on DVD. Please go to: https://www.createspace.com/327510 to order copies.
What is happening with marriage in North America today? Both as an institution and as an evolving construct for relationships and partnerships? In this episdoe, we explore all aspects of family and marriage. The guest is Pamela Haag, author of MARRIAGE CONFIDENTIAL: The Post-Romantic Age of Workhorse Wives, Royal Children, Undersexed Spouses, and Rebel Couples who are Rewriting the Rules. Guest: Pamela HaagCategory: Episodes
By Nancy - November 30, 2011No CommentsEpisode 103: Parenting Coordinators
This episode is now available on DVD. Please go to: https://www.createspace.com/327510 to order copies.
One of the most exciting new fields that has arisen in recent years is parenting coordination. A growing number of separated and divorced parents have opted to resolve their disputes privately, without going to court, by relying on the assistance and expertise of specially trained social workers and mental health professionals who serve as parenting coordinators. What are the pros and cons of using this form of alternative dispute resolution? How much does it cost? What kinds of parental disputes are best suited to parenting coordination? How do you find parenting coordinators in your community? Join Justice Brownstone and his expert guests for a lively and highly informative episode where all of these issues will be discussed, and much more. Guests: Shelagh Kinney, John-Paul BoydCategory: Episodes
By Nancy - November 28, 2011No CommentsEpisode 102: Grandparents' Rights
This episode is now available on DVD. Please go to: https://www.createspace.com/327510 to order copies.
In this new age of “cyberlove” and casual relationships, the family law world is seeing an avalanche of short term relationships that fizzle out quickly – but they last long enough to produce children. There is a new-found emphasis on the rights and responsibilities of grandparents, particularly when people become parents at an early age. What does the law say about the role that grandparents are allowed to play in the lives of their grandchildren following a family breakdown? How do the courts treat grandparents? Join Justice Brownstone in this episode featuring experts who will share their advice on this increasingly important topic. Guests: Manny Witzman and Daphne JenningsCategory: Episodes
By Nancy - November 26, 20111 CommentEpisode 101: Parental Alienation
This episode is now available on DVD. Please go to: https://www.createspace.com/327510 to order copies.
In recent years a new “buzz word” has evolved in the family law world: parental alienation. This is a term which refers to the very concerning practice among many separated parents of doing everything within their power to turn their children against the other parent. Why is it so difficult for some parents to accept that their children have a right and a need to enjoy a happy, healthy, loving relationship with both parents? How effective is the family justice system in addressing this serious problem? There are some very innovative and ground-breaking solutions being implemented by the mental health profession. What are they and do they succeed in re-integrating alienated children with their non-custodial parents? Learn all about this fascinating phenomenon in this special episode of Family Matters.
Guests: Lorne MacLean, Rhonda PisanelloCategory: Episodes
By Nancy - November 25, 20114 CommentsIntroductory Episode
This episode is no longer available. Look for this season's episodes coming soon.
This is a new kind of talk show, created to Educate and enlighten parents and families about issues that are of importance to the modern North American family. Justice Brownstone wants parents to get the best possible information, directly from a judge, about the realities of family court and the alternatives available to litigation, so that parents could make informed decisions about how to resolve parenting disputes in a way that meets the best interests of their children.Category: Episodes
By Family Matters - December 10, 20108 CommentsChild Protection
This episode is no longer available. Please look for this season's episodes coming soon.
What is child abuse? What is child neglect? Why does it happen? How does the justice system protect children, and what happens when a child protection agency intervenes in a child’s life? Justice Brownstone interviews two child protection lawyers from Victoria, BC: Crystal Buchan and Jennifer Barrett. This is a touchy subject but Justice Brownstone tackles it head on to find out what parents should do when a protection agency becomes involved in their lives.Category: Episodes
By Family Matters - December 5, 201010 CommentsPrenups: What are they? Why get one?
This episode is no longer available. Please look for this season's episodes coming soon.
Should you have a prenup or co-habitation agreement? Everybody knows that the divorce rate is almost 40% in Canada and almost 50% in the United States, and that’s just the people that get married. We don’t even know what the breakup rate is for couples who just live together in common law relationships, but it could be even higher than 50%. And yet, very few couples enter into contracts before getting married or moving in with each other. Why is that?
Justice Brownstone interviews two lawyers from Victoria, BC to find out whether it's worth getting a prenuptial agreement before marriage.Category: Episodes
By Family Matters - November 8, 20103 CommentsFamily Law Lawyers
This episode is no longer available. Please look for this season's episodes coming soon.
What does a lawyer charge? Is the first consultation free? What does a family law lawyer do? Most family court judges spend a lot of time trying to persuade self-represented litigants to get a lawyer or at least get some legal advice. It seems that many people involved in family law disputes do not really understand exactly what family lawyers do and why it’s important to have one. Also, many people who have lawyers do not always make the best use of them.
Justice Brownstone interviews two family law lawyers from Saskatchewan to give an overview of what to expect from your lawyer. He finds out what they do and how much they charge.Category: Episodes
By Family Matters - November 8, 20103 CommentsElder Abuse
This episode is no longer available. Please look for this season's episodes coming soon.
What is elder abuse? What does it entail? Most of us dream of living to a ripe old age, living a life of comfort and security, surrounded by loving family and friends. But sadly, this is not the reality for many seniors, who have become victims of elder abuse. What is elder abuse? Who are the perpetrators? What can be done about it? And how can we protect ourselves before it’s too late?
Justice Brownstone interviews Ron Winter, author of 'Granny Snatching;' Carol Pickup (registered nurse); and James Clapp (lawyer) on the topic of elder abuse.Category: Episodes
By Family Matters - November 8, 20103 CommentsFamily Law Mediation
This episode is no longer available. Please look for this season's episodes coming soon.
Using mediation to resolve a family law dispute? Most people who resolve their family law disputes by going to court, will tell you that the experience was time-consuming, expensive, complicated, and very stressful.
Many of the parents that go to family court may have resolved their disputes in a much more positive and healing way, if they’d gone to mediation. What is mediation? How does it work? How long does it take? How much does it cost? And how do you know if it’s right for you?
Justice Brownstone interviews a lawyer mediator and a non-lawyer mediator from Victoria, BC to give an introduction to mediation as an alternative to court.Category: Episodes
By Family Matters - October 23, 20105 CommentsThe Collaborative Divorce
This episode is no longer available. Please look for this season's episodes coming soon.
Can you have a collaborative divorce? Collaborative law is luring thousands of lawyers and their clients away from the court system. Why? What is collaborative law and why are so many people flocking to collaborative lawyers? How do you know if collaborative law is right for you?
Justice Brownstone interviews two of Canada's most prominent collaborative law lawyers, Trudi Brown and Robert Klassen, to give an insight into the collaborative law process as an alternative to court.Category: Episodes
By Family Matters - September 21, 201014 CommentsThe Smart Divorce
This episode is no longer available. Please look for this season's episodes coming soon.
Is there such a thing as a 'smart divorce?' Please enjoy this audio-only episode in which Justice Brownstone interviews Deborah Moskovitch, author of The Smart Divorce.
"This is by far, is one of my most personal and best interviews. I share details about what it’s like to be a single mother, the difficulties of choosing the”right lawyer” when you are too emotionally distraught, and the frustrations which go along with litigating. Justice Brownstone knows how to ask the right questions without being too invasive, he drew out the information in a smart way, so that I could share with you what drives me to educate others about having The Smart Divorce."
(Deborah Moskovitch).
Category: Episodes
By Family Matters - August 27, 20104 CommentsWhen do Children Need Lawyers?
This episode is no longer available. Please look for this season's episodes coming soon.
Justice Brownstone speaks with two lawyers from the Ontario Office of the Children's Lawyer (Katina Kavassalis & Dan Goldberg) about when children need their own lawyer; and what it is like to represent children. This is a rare opportunity to meet two lawyers that you would normally not get to hear from.
Category: Episodes
By Family Matters - August 30, 20104 CommentsThe Fundamentals of Child Support
This episode is no longer available. Please look for this season's episodes coming soon.
Child support is a hot topic! There is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding out there about the law of child support in Canada. What about shared custody arrangements, adult children in university, undue hardship; and so much more? Justice Brownstone gives an overview of these common questions.
Category: Episodes
By Family Matters - August 31, 20106 Comments