Conflict to Connection: A Guide to Divorce, Coparenting & Relationships

Most parents going through separation believe they're protecting their children by keeping them out of it. But what if that instinct is actually silencing the one voice that could change everything? In this episode, host Mitch Wilkins is joined by Bill Hewlett and Helen Adam, founding partner of Wells Family Mediation and a leading figure in UK family law policy. Helen spent years as a family...

In this episode of Conflict to Connection , Mitch Wilkins and Bill Hewlett speak with Professor Anne Barlow (University of Exeter) about the gaps in the family justice system and how current separation processes can unintentionally increase conflict. Drawing on decades of socio-legal research, Anne reflects on why reforms designed to encourage mediation have instead led to confusion and reduced ac...

What this episode is about In this Q&A episode of Conflict to Connection , the team answers real questions from parents about separation, children, and conflict. The discussion challenges the belief that separation harms children and explains why ongoing parental conflict is the real risk factor. The episode also explores children’s attachment to their parents, the limits of legal solutions, a...

Children don’t need to be in the middle to be heard. In this episode, Mable Edge from Children 1st Mediation joins Conflict to Connection to unpack the realities of Child Inclusive Mediation - What works, what doesn’t, and why the system still struggles to centre children’s voices. A powerful conversation about reform, responsibility, and doing better for families. This episode is essential listen...

The Greatest Gift You Can Give Your Children Have you ever wondered what the greatest gift you could give your child might be? Most parents think it’s love, protection and stability. Of course, those things matter. But in this episode of Conflict to Connection , we explore something deeper. Something harder. What if the greatest gift you can give your child… is the ability to cope, even when every...

Welcome back to Conflict to Connection for Season 2!We're kicking off with a really interesting conversation with Samantha Woodham, Co-Founder of The Divorce Surgery, about why good lawyers don't let you go to court. Most families don't need litigation when they divorce, they need compassion, clarity on the legal and financial aspects, and support from other professionals with differen...

When families separate, the default assumption is often to "lawyer up", but is the courtroom really the best place to resolve family conflict? In this episode, we speak with James Pirrie, family lawyer, mediator and arbitrator at Family Law in Partnership about the limitations of the legal system, the emotional realities of separation, and how multidisciplinary collaboration can better s...

Navigating Blended Families - Strategies for Successful Transitions Blending families after separation or divorce can be one of the most rewarding but also one of the most complex parts of post-separation life. In this episode of Conflict to Connection , Mitch, Bill, and Bella from Civilised Separations unpack the emotional, relational, and practical challenges that come with forming blended famil...

In this episode of Conflict to Connection: A Guide to Divorce, Separation & Coparenting , we’re exploring the topic of Attachment Theory and how it affects our relationships In this episode of Conflict Connection, Mitch, Bill, and Bella dive into the significance of attachment theory in relationships and how it impacts conflict, especially during divorces. They explore the origins of attachmen...

In this episode of Conflict to Connection: A Guide to Divorce, Separation & Coparenting , we’re tackling the question so many people face once the legal process is over: “We’re divorced—now what?” Mitch, Bill, and Bella discuss what really happens after a divorce is finalised. From emotional recovery to reimagining your future, we explore how to rebuild your identity, support your children, an...

Telling your children about your divorce or separation is one of the hardest conversations a parent can face. In this first episode, Mitch, Bill, and Bella from Civilised Separations explore how to approach this pivotal moment with clarity, compassion, and care. Drawing from their experience in child-inclusive mediation , post-separation family repair, and relational support, they offer practical...

Conflict to Connection: A Guide to Divorce, Coparenting and Relationships In this episode, Mitch, Bill, and Bella explore why so many of our conflicts—especially with those closest to us—seem to spiral for no reason. They discuss how unconscious childhood experiences and old emotional wiring can drive our arguments, and what we can do to change that. You’ll hear: – Why we get stuck in the same arg...

Conflict to Connection: A Guide to Divorce, Coparenting and Relationships In this episode, Mitch, Bill, and Bella from Civilised Separations unpack what's fundamentally broken in the way separation and divorce are handled in the UK—and what a better, more compassionate approach could look like. Drawing on Bill’s experience managing Family Relationship Centres in Australia, they discuss how a m...