Collaborative Conversations – Featured Episodes

Collaborative Conversations is a podcast from the Australian Association of Collaborative Professionals (AACP), the national body representing Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice (ICP) in Australia, and is a C2M Podcast production.

The series exists to introduce ICP as an option for couples to consider when separating – giving families a clearer, more confident way to approach both financial and parenting matters in a way that reduces stress, manages costs, and minimises the impact on children.

Separation and divorce touch every part of life – emotions, finances, parenting, communication, and legal decisions. Collaborative Conversations brings together experienced Collaborative Professionals to explain how Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice (ICP) can help couples navigate separation in a more respectful, constructive way.

If you’re new to the podcast, these featured episodes are a good place to begin. Each one focuses on a core aspect of Collaborative Practice and what it means for families going through separation and divorce.

1. The value of three professionals working together

Why this episode is featured

This episode gives a clear, practical picture of how an ICP team works in real life. It’s the best starting point if you want to understand how different professionals combine their expertise to support separating couples.

What you’ll hear

• • Why separation and divorce have emotional, financial, legal, parenting, and communication dimensions
  • How Mediator/Coach Bernie Bolger, Lawyer Susan Warda, and Financial Advisor Simeon Levin work together as a team
  • How bringing three perspectives together can help families find more balanced, workable solutions

2. Why choose Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice?

Why this episode is featured
This episode focuses on the choices couples have when separating and why Collaborative Practice can be a better fit than more adversarial approaches.

What you’ll hear

• • The main options available to couples when they separate
  • How Coach Bernie Bolger and Lawyer Jamie Burreket explain the ICP approach in plain language
  • How couples can shape solutions that suit both their needs, rather than having outcomes imposed on them

3. How to best support and include your children following parental separation

Why this episode is featured
If you’re concerned about how separation affects children, this episode is essential listening. It shows how a child‑inclusive approach can be built into Collaborative Practice.

What you’ll hear

• • The impact separation can have on children and ways to lessen that impact
  • Child Consultant Bianca Roche‑Bolger’s explanation of a child inclusive approach within the ICP framework
  • How families can ensure children are heard and not forgotten during separation

4. The benefits of including Professional Neutrals in your negotiations

Why this episode is featured
This episode introduces the role of Professional Neutrals, independent experts who help both parties, and explains why they can be so valuable in Collaborative negotiations.

What you’ll hear

• What Professional Neutrals are and how they fit into the Collaborative Team
• Psychologist Danielle Lundberg and Financial Advisor Julie Gray’s explanation of their neutral roles
• How independent psychological and financial support can make negotiations fairer and more constructive for both parties

5. Making divorce less traumatic for children

Why this episode is featured
Here the focus is squarely on children and how the ICP process can reduce trauma and support better long‑term outcomes.

What you’ll hear

• Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners Gloria Hawke and Valerie Norton on the benefits of ICP for couples and their children
• How children are managed throughout the ICP process
• Real examples of outcomes that have addressed the specific needs of children and their families

6. Building your Collaborative Practice

Why this episode is featured
This episode is especially valuable for professionals interested in Collaborative Practice. It tells the story of building a Collaborative service from the ground up.

What you’ll hear

• How Marguerite Picard moved from adversarial lawyer to Collaborative lawyer
• What drove her to establish MELCA, a Collaborative Practice
• How she partnered with Collaborative Financial Planner Tricia Peters and Family Consultant Dr Tina Sinclair to build an interdisciplinary service