Mark Wilson
Linda Sargent
Kenneth Heidenrich
Andrea Golden-Pogue
The holiday season brings families together, but it can also create opportunities for difficult conversations about sensitive issues. Knowing how to approach those discussions can make the difference between family conflict and meaningful understanding.
The November Positive Aging seminar, “Family Dynamics: How to Have Hard Conversations and Communication Tools That Work,” will explore strategies for effective communication within a family. The free program from Villages OKC is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Conference Center at Metro Technology Centers, 1900 Springlake Dr. in Oklahoma City.
“Heading into the holidays, many families will seek opportunities to address concerns that have been weighing on them,” said Julie Davis, seminar organizer. “We want to provide practical tools that can change the narrative and lead to healthier, more productive conversations.”
The program will feature four professionals offering perspectives drawn from financial planning, end-of-life issues, emotional intelligence and communication.
Panelists include Kenneth C. Heidenrich, financial planner; Linda M. Sargent, president of Directors Life Assurance Co.; and Andrea L. Golden-Pogue and Mark N. Wilson, co-founders of EQ World USA.
Heidenrich and Sargent will share real-world client experiences involving financial concerns and end-of-life planning. Golden-Pogue and Wilson will provide communication strategies designed to help families navigate difficult discussions with greater empathy and understanding.
Topics will include recognizing emotional triggers, choosing appropriate times and settings for sensitive conversations, listening without becoming defensive, managing emotions and knowing when to postpone a discussion.
The panel also will address what happens when conversations go badly and how families can repair relationships afterward.
Davis said the goal is to equip participants with practical skills they can use immediately, particularly as families gather for the holidays.
“Sometimes the most important conversations are the hardest to begin,” Davis said. “We hope attendees leave with greater confidence, compassion and the tools to make those conversations productive.”
The seminar will include audience questions and discussion. The program is free and open to the public. Registration is available on www.villagesokc.org/positiveaging or by calling (405) 990-6637.