Thinking Boldly

In the most challenging moments of life, particularly those involving family law, the court system can feel foreign and frightening. But what if the judge presiding over your case saw their role as an opportunity to build peace and help your family “restructure”?Join us for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation with Judge Kelley Southerland, a leader in family law who is helping shape a more compassionate court experience for families across Colorado. Since taking the bench in 2017, Judge Southerland has been a steady champion for families—and especially for children—ensuring that every voice is heard during some of life’s most challenging moments.Today, Judge Southerland shares the unconventional path that led her to the bench, emphasizing that her goal is to make sure litigants feel seen and heard in a welcome space. She discusses the critical importance of listening to children’s voices, the power of collaboration between the Bench and the Bar, and her commitment to judicial wellness, which includes waking up before 5 am to exercise and read. Learn how she uses her human perspective and heart to ensure the court process leads to true resolution and success for families.

Family law involves personal matters that are often riddled with emotions, trauma, and extremely high stakes. Therefore, those who assist families in such legal matters must know how to take a human-centered approach instead of simply treating them as mere clients. Julie Field sits down with family law attorneys Lindsay Reilly and David Vandenberg of Reilly, Vandenberg & Biggers, who share how they transitioned from their leadership roles in the district attorney’s office to leading families through the restructuring process by applying the Consilium Process every day, in every case. Together, they talk about their mission to reach resolutions outside the courtroom that contemplate long-term solutions and a holistic approach to restructuring families. Find out how they empower their clients to be their own deciders and set themselves up for the next chapter of their lives.

In a world saturated with quick fixes and surface-level advice, true personal transformation often feels like an elusive goal. But what if the key to profound change—the spark—is already within you? We sat down with Stephanie James, a true pioneer at the intersection of psychology, spirituality, and modern transformation. As a renowned Transformation Coach, Psychotherapist, acclaimed Author of Becoming Fierce and Your Big Fat Juicy Life, and host of the Igniting the Spark podcast, Stephanie brings decades of wisdom to helping individuals move beyond mere coping and into radical self-expansion. In this candid interview, Stephanie demystifies the role of a Transformation Coach, shares her deeply personal journey from feeling rejected to becoming fierce, and explains why self-kindness is the most powerful tool for navigating life’s most painful transitions, including divorce. Get ready to discover the “infuser” philosophy, the power of befriending yourself, and the ancient-meets-modern modalities Stephanie uses to help you excavate your inner light. If you’re ready to shift from “good enough” to truly thriving, this conversation is your ignition point.

Divorce is often described as a chaotic, emotionally draining process. But what if there was a way to approach this challenging life transition with more clarity, respect, and even collaboration? Today, we sit down with Jennifer Meyer, LPC, NCC, CFRC, a certified Consilium practitioner, who specializes in guiding individuals and couples through the complex emotional landscape of separation and post-divorce recovery. Jennifer introduces us to the unique world of discernment counseling—a crucial first step for couples on different pages about staying together—and shares how a truly collaborative approach, involving attorneys and financial experts, can lead to a more peaceful, self-governing, and healing outcome for the entire family. From navigating the profound grief of loss to the power of co-ed group recovery (and yes, even the thrill of skydiving as a metaphor for post-divorce empowerment), Jennifer provides an inspiring, deeply compassionate perspective on turning one of life’s toughest experiences into a journey of growth and resilience. Ready to understand how discernment and collaboration can redefine your path through divorce? Read on.

Colorado is quickly becoming a bellwether for innovation in family law, moving away from adversarial traditions toward a system focused on family restructuring and hopeful outcomes. We sat down with Colorado Supreme Court Justice Melissa Hart—a leading voice in the access to justice movement and the champion behind the state’s proposed Rules of Family Procedure—to discuss this monumental shift.Justice Hart explains why replacing the rigid Rules of Civil Procedure with a tailored, less-adversarial framework is essential for the 75-80% of unrepresented parties navigating divorce and custody. She shares how this cultural change, which moves away from “plaintiff” and “defendant” language, is empowering judges and fostering collaboration between the bench and the bar.Listen in to learn about the presumptive “informal family pre-trial procedure” (and its non-I-dirt name), the inspiration drawn from states like Alaska, and the critical next steps in the adoption process. Find out how you can lend your voice to this transformative process before the public hearing on May 13th.Proposed Colorado Rules of Family Procedure-https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/supreme-court/adopted-proposed-rule-changes

When a Jewish couple marries in the U.S., they are often creating not one, but two legal unions: a secular marriage recognized by the state and a religious marriage governed by Jewish law. While many are aware of the beautiful rituals of a traditional Jewish wedding, few grasp the profound implications—especially concerning divorce—where gender inequality can emerge, creating opportunities for coercive control. In this thought-provoking deep dive, retired Judge Julie Field and Consilium Institute co-founder Heidi Webb sit down with Dr. Lisa Fishbayn Joffe, a leading expert on women’s rights under Jewish Family Law and the Shalom Reinhart Director of the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute (HBI).Join us as Dr. Lisa Fishbayn Joffe illuminates the complex history and modern reality of the get (religious divorce document), explaining why a husband’s capacity to withhold it can become a powerful tool for extortion and domestic abuse, leaving women “chained” to a dead marriage (agunah). From the unique legal landscape in Israel, where religious courts are state-supported, to the emerging use of U.S. and U.K. domestic violence laws to address get refusal, this essential conversation offers secular law professionals and community members critical insights into this complex area of law and human rights.