I recently experienced a nourishing and eye-opening workshop on Interventive Interviewing, led by the brilliant Jomo Phillips, MSSW, RMFT (Canada). His teaching style blended warmth and expertise, making every concept feel practical and human.

Three Central Learnings

1. Questions as interventions
   Every question we choose is more than information gathering — it has the potential to spark insight, shift negative patterns, and foster change.
2. Circular & reflexive questioning
   These styles broaden perspective, inviting clients to see their relationships and dynamics in new ways and tap into their strengths.
3. Presence over force
   How we ask matters: tone, curiosity, and genuineness can transform a question into an invitation for growth.

This workshop reaffirmed for me that healing and connection often unfold in the questions we ask — and the spaces we hold when we ask them. I left inspired to integrate these practices into my work with couples, families, and individuals.

About Jomo Phillips, MSSW, RMFT.
Jomo is a Fulbright Scholar and ICEEFT-certified Emotionally Focused Therapist and Supervisor with over 25 years in systemic therapy, couples and family practice, social work, and EMDR. An Approved Supervisor with the AAMFT, he is Founder and Clinical Director of The Relational Practices Ltd., co-founder of the Caribbean EFT Community, and leads the Caribbean EFT Project. Known for his clinical skill, cultural insight, and inclusive approach, Jomo mentors across the region and creates affirming spaces for all.

There has been a noticeable increase in the casual reference to the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar as simply “Kamla” in both print and broadcast media. While informality may seem harmless or relatable, it becomes problematic when used by individuals who have held — or currently hold — high public office.

Titles such as “Prime Minister,” “Opposition Leader,” and “The Honourable” are not optional niceties. They acknowledge public service, constitutional responsibility, and the dignity of office. Referring to a national leader by first name alone, especially in serious political analysis, undermines the office and may suggest a lack of respect, intentional or not.

“The Honourable” is typically used in formal first references, official documents, and ceremonial contexts — for example: “The Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, former Prime Minister…” Thereafter, “Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar” or “Mrs. Persad-Bissessar,” depending on context, is more appropriate.

As someone who lectured for 18 years in Business Communication at The University of the West Indies, including modules on protocol and professional presentation, I know that language shapes perception. The media’s tone sets an example, especially for younger audiences who learn how to show (or withhold) respect based on what they see and hear in public discourse.

Perhaps it is time for editors and commentators to revisit training in protocol and public communication. Maintaining consistency and professionalism in how we refer to public figures reinforces civility in our national conversation.

Words matter — and so does the tone we set for the next generation.

The Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP — Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

In this interview, Marsha Walker, a devoted Christian, wife, mother, and homeschooling advocate, shares her journey from homeschooling her daughter with sensory processing challenges to becoming an accidental activist.

She highlights the shortcomings of the traditional education system and advocates for a more personalized, interest-driven approach to learning. Walker discusses her activism, inspired by the poor conditions in various schools she visited while promoting her children’s book, ‘If I Can You Can Too,’ which shares the stories of successful individuals who overcame hardships. She calls for less government involvement in education and healthcare, emphasizing free-market solutions and good governance as means to reduce corruption.

Walker stresses the importance of public involvement in politics and fostering a moral society to ensure a better future for the next generation.