The Trauma-Informed Lawyer

Myrna's conversation with Vina Brown of Copper Canoe Woman Creations will uplift and inspire you. Vina Brown is a force, a healer, a helper, an artist and a successful Indigenous business owner. This conversation explores healing trauma for Indigenous people including the long-silenced/secret many carry: childhood sexual abuse (trigger warning) and the need for communities to heal together. CW: Th...

Myrna discusses why psychological safety is an imperative in all our relationships and invites listeners to prioritize the same. She also shares a recent experience where no safety was present or promised, as well as, an entirely different experience with a group of Indigenous people who knew exactly how to hold a safe space for her and each other.  You can learn more about Myrna and her work at:...

Season 3 is here thanks to a generous gift from the BC Law Foundation! Thank you BC Law Foundation. Dr. Amar Dhall is back for round 2 to talk about introception, bio-hacking the nervous system, the importance of trauma-informed practice, emotional intelligence and to share details on our upcoming retreat in Whistler BC from April 11-13, 2023. Join us!  You can learn more about Myrna and her work...

Myrna recaps 2022 and highlights holiday depression, suicidal ideation, grief, gratitude, Gabor Mate and the healing we need in the legal profession. Caution: Myrna also drops a couple F bombs.  You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

Natalie Netzel of Mitchell Hamline Law School explains why trauma-informed lawyering is the way forward for law schools, legal educators and future lawyers. You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

Bonus episode. Myrna gave a talk to the women of the Trial Lawyers Association of BC in Whistler, BC on October 22, 2022. She discussed boundaries, self-regulation, the consequences of never saying no and feeling like a smeagol in a room full of frodos. Enjoy!  You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

Ontario Court of Justice Patrice Band discusses trauma in the courtroom and his decision in R. v. Marratt which is the first of its kind to comment on vicarious trauma in the courtroom in the context of CP cases. This episode is Justice Band's call for everyone in the legal profession to learn more about trauma, its impacts on all of us and to explore how we can reduce its frequency. If you have a...

This is an emotional episode which discusses Indian Residential Schools, child rape, the memories that haunt us and the hard stories we have to tell. It also focuses on healing and empathy and the choices we must make in order to heal. This episode also offers listeners ideas on how they can connect to Canada's Day for Truth and Reconciliation.  Support this podcast at: https://ko-fi.com/thetrauma...

This episode discusses the recent murders which occurred on James Smith Cree Nation and the town of Weldon in Saskatchewan. The focus of this conversation with Dan Jones is primarily on the subject of racism and stereotyping Indigenous communities as we have sometimes seen in the justice system, media reports and Corrections Canada as well as the National Parole Board of Canada decisions.  You can...

"The retributive focus of the colonial legal system results in much trauma, particularly with respect to criminal justice. The enlightenment that comes with becoming trauma-informed can assist lawyers, decision makers and others involved in addressing conflict to overcome deep-rooted systemic hurdles. Viewing conflict through a relational lens which embraces principles of restorative justice suppo...

Dr. Amar Dhall shares his wisdom, insights and data on emotional intelligence and the art of living. The conversation is critical for those in occupations which value IQ over EQ.  You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

Myrna and a few of her friends and colleagues are delivering a course on trauma-informed justice which will be delivered via Zoom Events from July 20-22. This course is for everyone, not just lawyers. This course is open for registration. Register today at www.myrnamccallum.co  You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

Dan Jones and Nicole Whiskeyjack share their story of hope and healing in the criminal justice system. Nicole was sent to prison for kidnapping and Dan was the officer who arrested her. Many years later, Dan has become Nicole's father and the two of them educate law makers, law students, police officers and lawyers on the importance of possibility, healing and relationship building in policing.  Y...

This episode is a reproduction of Myrna's closing Keynote for the 16th Annual Family Law Summit sponsored by the Law Society of Ontario and their Continuing Professional Development Department, originally delivered via Zoom on March 29, 2022. You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

This episode reflects on an earlier episode called, The Duty to Do Better: The Law Student Version. Law professors and instructors offer their perspectives on teaching in a trauma-informed way, lawyer and law student mental health, and modern legal education in Canada and the USA. This conversation includes Claudia Pena (UCLA), Anna Lund (UofA), Sarah Katz (Temple Uni), Andrew Pilliar (TRU), Zara...

Fritzi Horstman of the Compassion Prison Project discusses prisoners, policing, trauma, ACES, intergenerational trauma, the justice system, racism, and how our humanity can get lost in our occupations. This episode references acts of violence.  You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

Chantel Sparklingeyes offers criminal court actors advice on how to decolonize the unjust legal system known for its dehumanizing practices when working with Indigenous people as victims, survivors, offenders and witnesses. CW: This talk covers subjects of sexual abuse, IPV and intergenerational trauma. You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

This solo episode explores concepts of healing, humility, humanity and collective trauma put forward by Thomas Hubl, Sherri Mitchell, CJ Robert Bauman, US Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger and Nelson Mandela.  You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren describes her pathway to creating the first Mental Health Court in America and offers compelling insight into how education, understanding, compassion and dignity can transform lives for lawyers, judges and defendants who appear in her courtroom. This episode discusses mental illness, mental health, decriminalization and justice as healing.  You can learn more about Myrna...

This episode includes a discussion about mental health, wellness, vicarious trauma, mindfulness, yoga and collective care practices among police officers within the Edmonton Police Service.  You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

CW: This episode mentions suicide, sexual abuse of children and other acts of violence.  You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

CW: This episode discusses violence and victimization.  You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

September 30th is Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada, will you be a witness?  You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

The episode discusses Canada's genocide against Indigenous people, sexual assault cases and culture as  healing tool for Indigenous people.  You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca

This episode discusses racism, sterotyping and the harm legal educators and legal institutions can sometimes cause racialized, Black and Indigenous law students - as well as those experiencing mental health challenges.  You can learn more about Myrna and her work at: www.myrnamccallum.ca