David C. Sarnacki published The Essence of Writing Persuasive Trial Briefs: Big Ideas for Mastering Mediation, Arbitration & Trial Briefs. The short, practical book is available in both ebook and paperback form on Amazon and other retailers. A wealth of…
It’s preventable: the leading cause of U.S. children and adolescent deaths
The New England Journal of Medicine reported our new #1 cause killing our kids: gun deaths, rising for nearly every racial and ethnic group. Jason E. Goldstick, Ph.D., Rebecca M. Cunningham, M.D., and Patrick M. Carter, M.D., all from the…
A lover, not a fighter: arming yourself with loving, honest and open communication
CNN Health counsels couples on effective arguments. “One of the most important things we’ve seen in our research is that people benefit most from being direct,” said [FSU psychology professor] Jim McNulty . . . . “Beating around the bush,…
Professional Review and Rating: David C. Sarnacki, 2022 Top Rated Litigator
ALM Media/Martindale-Hubbell selected David C. Sarnacki as a 2022 Top Rated Litigator. With 37 years experience in problem solving and powerful advocacy, he is a top-rated attorney and mediator in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mr. Sarnacki’s Grand Rapids practice helps clients…
Emotions & meltdowns–the lesson plan for teaching children
CNN Health offers us tips on helping children process emotions and feelings. with assistance from Indianapolis behavioral pediatrician Dr. Nerissa Bauer and Professor Marc Brackett, also the director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. Megan Marples writes that parents…
Relationship Rescue: another joy of reuniting opportunity
Retrouvaille in Grand Rapids is scheduled for March 4-6, 2022. The program is designed to help married couples who are in the midst of difficult challenges. For more information, call 616-635-1046 or email retrograndrapids@gmail.com. Note: If you’re not near Grand…
Courageous hospitality: learning through deep listening
Pádraig Ó Tuama writes in On Being’s The Pause Newsletter about the difference between person-to-person mediation and group mediation. Ó Tuama writes (excerpt): What you’re trained to do, in group mediation, is to help people continue to practice the art…
Parent’s protecting hope: what science says
CNN Health lets us listen in on an interview with author and psychologist Lisa Damour. Damour reveals how science helps us understand the teenage brain and facilitates support to our loved ones. Jessica DuLong writes (excerpt): CNN: You say parents…
Criticizing, blaming and shaming backfire and reinforce beliefs: instead, to promote change, try empathy and curiosity
CNN Opinion reveals one method of persuasion that promotes change: the use of empathy and curiosity. So much more effective than criticizing, blaming and shaming. Those backfire and reinforce the existing beliefs. Peter Bregman and Howard Jacobson write (excerpt): In…
Ratings & Reviews: 2022 Lawyer of the Year in Family Law Mediation in Grand Rapids
Best Lawyers in America announced that David C. Sarnacki has been recognized through its peer-review process as the 2022 Lawyer of the Year award in Family Law Mediation in Grand Rapids. Best Lawyers reported “extremely high voter feedback” for his…
Play: letting go of everything else
CNN Relationships highlights the value of giving up “egos, worries and agendas” to play with our children, play with adults, just plain play. Elissa Strauss writes (excerpt): “Play for adults is absolutely necessary if you are going to have a…
Parental Duties: creating positive, post-separation family culture
CNN Relationships offers up 5 truths to embrace if you wish to diffuse divorce conflict and create a less stressful environment for your children. Psychologist John Duffy writes (excerpt): Your kids identify with you both. . . . Your kids…
How to escape the endless overthinking cycle: 5 tips
CNN Health offers us 5 ways to escape being trapped by our thoughts, based on the work of Deborah Serani and her five-step process. Megan Marples writes (excerpt): Step one: The first step is to become aware when you’re overthinking…
Diving into connection: work through awkward relationship moments
CNN Health offers tools for repairing relationships in the face of conflict. Christine Koh culls these five tips from the professionals (excerpt): 1. Reflect and write down the good [start with positive intention] 2. Choose a different way to communicate…
Divorce or separation?: Or the joy of reuniting after a long separation
For those suffering in their marriage, Retrouvaille Grand Rapids offers an alternative. The program offers couples the tools needed to rediscover their loving relationship. The next Retrouvaille weekend is May 21-23, 2021. For more information on registration or for sponsoring…
When you make room in your heart for LOVE, how much room do you save for hate?
“Keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply; expect little; give much; sing often; pray always. Fill your life with love. Scatter sunshine.” –Malcolm James McLeod, The Culture of Simplicity
Gifts over grief: a worthy obsession
On Being’s weekly newsletter The Pause includes Poetry Unbound host Pádraig Ó Tuama’s reflection on his counseling experience in his twenties. Pádraig Ó Tuama writes (excerpt): I told him how angry I’d been with him the first time I saw…
A forgiveness formula: powerfully perfect apologies
CNN Health helps us understand how to apologize. Jessica DuLong writes (excerpt): In her new book, “The Forgiveness Tour: How to Find the Perfect Apology,” Susan Shapiro explains that a full apology includes four essential elements: acknowledgment of the offense,…
“On the Pulse of Morning”: Maya Angelou’s reflection on her inaugural poem
The Atlantic has Brian Resnick/National Journal’s May 28, 2014 article on Maya Angelou’s reflection on her 1993 “On the Pulse of Morning”: “In my work, in everything I do, I mean to say that we human beings are more alike…
2021: what about health, happiness and peace in your life?
Good Housekeeping shares a few dozen ideas for starting off 2021 on the right foot. Here are two of Zee Krstic and Kate Rockwood’s “Achievable New Year’s Resolutions” (excerpt): Write to yourself. When your inner critic picks up her bullhorn,…