THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE DIALOGUE
ONE STORY.
TWO REALITIES.
A former victim and his former bully returned to the school where their story began—and created a conversation that refuses easy answers.
01 / THE ORIGIN
THE PEOPLE BEHIND BULLY DIALOGUES
A CONVERSATION
WITHOUT A NEAT ENDING.
Bully Dialogues was created in May 2022 by Bryan Schimmel and Clinton Fein, two former classmates whose lives were shaped by the same history from opposite sides.
When Clinton transferred to King David High School in Johannesburg at fourteen, he singled Bryan out for name-calling, mockery and physical intimidation. Decades later, a mutual friend brought them together for lunch. Bryan arrived ready to confront the person who had bullied him. Clinton arrived seeking atonement.
The conversation did not produce a neat redemption story. It became the foundation for a different kind of dialogue—one that recognises the damage bullying causes without reducing people to simple heroes and villains.
Their first presentation took place at King David High School in May 2022: a return to what they describe as the “scene of the crime.”
Today, Bryan, a multi-award-winning music director, arranger and performer, and Clinton, a writer and artist whose work has engaged questions of communication, privacy and civil liberties, bring their shared story to schools, businesses and conferences.
Through the keynote and podcast, they examine bullying through lived experience, context, accountability and harm reduction.
BOOK THE KEYNOTE. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST. ENTER THE DIALOGUE.
02 / FOUR MOMENTSFROM THE SCHOOLYARD
FROM THE SCHOOLYARD
TO THE STAGE.
SCHOOL YEARS
Clinton transfers to King David High School in Johannesburg and targets Bryan through name-calling, mockery and physical intimidation.
2019
A mutual friend arranges a lunch. Bryan sees an opportunity to confront his former bully. Clinton approaches it as an opportunity for atonement.
MAY 2022
They return to King David High School—the “scene of the crime”—to give the first Bully Dialogues presentation.
TODAY
Bully Dialogues has delivered more than 60 presentations and expanded into a live keynote, Q&A format and podcast.
BRYAN SCHIMMEL
Co-founder · Keynote Speaker · Podcast HostBryan Schimmel is a celebrated and multi-award-winning South African music director, arranger and musical performer who has conducted major productions around the world.
Within Bully Dialogues, Bryan brings the lived perspective of the person who was targeted. His contribution refuses to reduce victimhood to a passive identity or to present forgiveness as a required conclusion. He speaks directly about the long-term effect of bullying, confrontation, responsibility and what it means to carry those experiences into adulthood.
VIEW BRYAN'S SUBSTACK ↗CLINTON FEIN
Co-founder · Keynote Speaker · Podcast HostClinton Fein is a writer and artist who spent 38 years in the United States, with work showcased in major cities internationally. He has shaped precedent-setting communications and privacy policies and challenged the US Navy and US Government in matters that reached the US Supreme Court.
Within Bully Dialogues, Clinton speaks from the perspective of the person who caused the harm. His role is not to seek easy absolution, but to examine accountability, shame, responsibility and the conditions that allow bullying behaviour to take hold.
VISIT CLINTONFEIN.COM ↗WHY THE APPROACH IS DIFFERENT
BEYOND BLAME
AND PUNISHMENT.
Bully Dialogues does not resemble a conventional zero-tolerance campaign or a standalone victim testimonial.
By placing the former victim and former bully in the same conversation, the keynote exposes the emotional, psychological and social complexities of bullying: why it happens, how it shapes lives and what can reduce the harm.
The approach does not excuse harmful behaviour. It introduces context, accountability and the possibility of meaningful change.
CONTEXT
Understanding the circumstances and systems surrounding harmful behaviour.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Naming the harm without simplifying the people involved.
HARM REDUCTION
Moving beyond punishment alone towards interventions that reduce future harm.
Learners, parents, educators, businesses and conferences
Raw stories and honest dialogue
Context, accountability and change
ORGANISATIONAL CREDIBILITY
WHERE THE DIALOGUE
HAS TRAVELLED.
Bully Dialogues has been presented to learners, parents, educators and corporate audiences, and commissioned for major education, leadership and business conferences.
PRESENTED TO ORGANISATIONS INCLUDING
INVESTEC
FIRSTRAND BANK
ANGLO GOLD
ISTORE
CONFERENCE KEYNOTES INCLUDING
SAHISA
ADvTECH GROUP
ENTREPRENEURS ORGANISATION
SUPPORTED INITIATIVE
South Africa's National Arts Council provided funding for presentations at selected government schools and for the keynote to be adapted and made accessible to Deaf learners.
03 / AUDIENCE RESPONSESWHAT STAYS
WHAT STAYS
WITH THE ROOM.
“Bryan and Clinton's conversation navigates this tough subject with compassion and elegance. Recommended for businesses and schools alike.”
RICHARD MULHOLLANDGlobal Speaker and Founder, Missing Link
“Gifted orators who leave the audience challenged and equipped with valuable insights they can apply immediately.”
SANELE MAJOLASAHISA Central Region Chair
2023 SAHISA National Conference Chair
“A hard-hitting performance tackling issues that are hard to talk about, but so very important. Thank you for adapting the performance and making it accessible to Deaf learners.”
INGRID PARKINPrincipal, St. Vincent School for the Deaf
BOLD CONVERSATIONS. STRONGER COMMUNITIES.
BRING THE DIALOGUE
INTO THE ROOM.
Bully Dialogues is available for schools, parent communities, businesses, leadership teams and conferences.
VIEW ALL BULLY DIALOGUES LINKS ↗