Conflict stories are multifaceted

We approach conflict with tried and tested methods that allow us to understand each other, to be able to see and hear the other and make one another feel seen and heard. 

Let us tell you a story about troubles at work and in people’s families. 

Parable stemmed from our experience providing a labour union with de-escalation training. People were getting injured on the picket lines, which was not only affecting the workers’ safety but also damaging the relationship between the workers and the public. We saw both the importance of safety for workers and their relationship with the public. Addressing de-escalation with practical skills led to a complete elimination of violence on the picket lines. 

This work was so successful and was so well received that we were asked to provide additional workshops on resolving conflict through dialogue. These workshops quickly turned into conversations about family conflicts. People attended our workshops wanting to know ‘how do I talk to a family member about the way she talks about LGBTQ folks?’, ‘how do I talk to my teenage daughter about her smoking habits without her storming off every time?’, ‘how do I talk to my sister about my mom’s care when we have such different views on life?’ We turned those workshops into addressing people’s family needs and worked through family conflicts that they were facing. 

Conflict is universal. There is value and a great need to address conflict but oftentimes people don't know where to start. Parable provides concrete tools and effective strategies that move people forward from their conflict-laden stories towards collaborative problem-solving.

We are Barry and Sara, the people behind Parable.

Together we have 15 years of combined teaching experience, and close to 25 years of direct service work experience. We are both trained mediators. Our teaching and research experience combined creates action plans with effective and concrete tools to manage conflict. Using tried and tested methods we rely on research and data to guide our work.

A fundamental part of who we are is our existence as an interracial couple with firsthand experiences of both privilege and oppression affecting the same household. Race and gender are issues we talk about daily at work and in our personal lives. Because of this experience we can reach across any aisle and speak to a diverse audience. The skills we teach are the ones we use everyday, and although we were born on opposite sides of the globe, we are united in our mission to transform conflict.