Join us as we talk with Consilium Practitioner and author Oona Metz, who specializes in treating women navigating divorce. Oona brings together her 30 years of experience running divorce support groups and captures the challenge of the divorce journey by setting out the five stages of divorce grief. She also talks about her new book, Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women, where she breaks down how to ride – and eventually get off – the roller coaster of divorce. Discover what it takes to get through this emotionally and financially challenging phase of your life and ultimately rediscover your authentic self.

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, 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.

Discover how Chief Justice John Casey transformed the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court from a system “in crisis” into a national model for innovation. In this compelling conversation, he shares the strategic vision behind groundbreaking initiatives like the Pathways Case Management System and award-winning virtual case conferencing, while candidly addressing challenges such as limited resources, judicial burnout, and the complexity of family litigation. More than a story of court reform, this is a masterclass in adaptive leadership, showing how prioritizing family well-being, access to justice, and alternative dispute resolution can drive lasting change—along with a look at what’s next in his work expanding online dispute resolution for low-income families.

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

What do ancient Babylonian rabbinic debates, Millennial feminist commentary, and Lord of the Rings analogies have in common? They all collide in the incredible work of Miriam Anzovin, a content creator and self-described huge Jewish nerd. In our latest interview, Miriam shares her journey from a formerly Orthodox, deeply shy young woman to a viral sensation who is making the dense, 2,711-page Babylonian Talmud accessible, joyful, and deeply personal.

In this piece, we explore how Miriam’s Daf Reactions project—her daily, heartfelt, and comedic video responses to her study of the Talmud—is breaking down historical barriers, giving voice to forgotten women in ancient texts, and helping thousands reclaim their Jewish identity. We also touch on her personal, cathartic experience navigating both secular and religious divorce, and how ancient conversations about divorce echo modern struggles with power and coercive control.

Dive into this fascinating world where ancient text meets modern internet culture, and discover how Miriam Anzovin is truly lighting up the world with insights from the Talmud.

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.