Episodes

  • High Conflict Divorce, or Post-Separation Abuse? with Ksenia Muench

    High Conflict Divorce, or Post-Separation Abuse? with Ksenia Muench
    Oct 8 2026
    What happens when divorce doesn’t actually end the conflict? For some families, the dynamics that made a relationship difficult continue long after separation—through communication, finances, the court system, parenting disagreements, and the children. In this episode of Coparenting Beyond Conflict, Sol sits down with high-conflict divorce coach Ksenia Muench to explore whether what we commonly call “high conflict divorce” is sometimes better understood as post-separation abuse.Ksenia shares her own experience navigating a high-conflict divorce and explains how she learned to move from emotional reactivity toward clarity, discipline, and strategy. She and Sol discuss why traditional advice to “just get along for the kids” can sometimes make things worse, how parallel parenting and strong boundaries can reduce conflict, and why learning to disengage can be one of the most powerful things a parent can do.The conversation also explores the practical realities of high-conflict family court cases, choosing an attorney, the Gray Rock method, and the ways AI can help parents communicate more neutrally—while also creating new risks when AI simply validates each parent’s version of events. Ultimately, Ksenia and Sol return to a powerful idea: you may not be able to change the other parent, but you can change your relationship to the conflict and reclaim your own power.LinksThrive Again Divorce Coaching: ThriveAgainDivorceCoaching.comHigh Conflict Playbook: https://www.HighConflictPlaybook.comUncoupled and Unfiltered podcastBestInterest — the co-parenting app: ⁠BestInterestGet 10% off BestInterest: Use code Beyond10Subscribe to our newsletter to hear about new episodes and build community: https://bestinterest.app/subscribe-podcast/Keywordshigh conflict divorce, post-separation abuse, high conflict co-parenting, parallel parenting, Gray Rock method, divorce, high conflict personality, narcissistic abuse, emotional reactivity, co-parenting communication, family court, divorce attorney, parenting plan, boundaries, financial abuse, child alienation, co-parenting apps, AI and co-parenting, BestInterest, divorce recovery, divorce coaching, Ksenia MuenchKey TakeawaysHigh-conflict dynamics don’t necessarily end when a divorce is finalized. Conflict can continue through communication, finances, parenting disputes, and the court system.What is commonly called “high conflict divorce” can sometimes involve patterns of post-separation abuse and continued attempts to maintain control.One of the most important shifts is moving from being reactive to being strategic.Parallel parenting can sometimes be more appropriate than trying to force collaboration between parents who have a highly conflictual relationship.The Gray Rock method can help reduce conflict by making your communication neutral, brief, and uninteresting to someone seeking an emotional reaction.Strong boundaries and disciplined communication can help parents avoid unnecessarily escalating conflict.Choosing the right attorney matters, particularly when a divorce involves significant conflict or safety concerns.AI can help parents neutralize emotionally charged messages and think through difficult situations—but it can also reinforce a person’s existing perspective if used uncritically.You don’t have to change the other parent to change your experience of high-conflict co-parenting.Healing from a high-conflict relationship can ultimately become an opportunity for personal growth, greater self-awareness, and a different way of living.Chapter Highlights00:00 — Welcome & Meet Ksenia Muench01:11 — Where Ksenia Finds Peace04:06 — Ksenia’s Journey Through Divorce06:22 — Would You Still Get Divorced If You Knew How Hard It Would Be?07:51 — Why Parenting Plans Can Fail Over Time08:44 — Should Parallel Parenting Come First?10:28 — How Ksenia’s Background Helped Her Navigate Divorce12:12 — What Is High-Conflict Divorce, Really?14:15 — How to Become Less Reactive15:58 — How Parents Sabotage Themselves in Court17:26 — When the Mask Starts to Slip19:28 — Choosing the Right Divorce Attorney20:53 — How to Choose an Attorney for a High-Conflict Divorce22:21 — The High Conflict Playbook23:40 — Why the Conflict May Continue After Divorce25:32 — Taking Back Your Power26:46 — The Gray Rock Method28:41 — What Happens When You Stop Reacting?30:18 — Can AI Help With High-Conflict Co-Parenting?32:32 — The Dark Side of AI Validation34:22 — Using AI to See Another Perspective36:45 — Is High-Conflict Divorce Really Abuse?37:05 — What Divorce Changed About Sol37:35 — From Survival to Awakening38:40 — Finding Growth After High-Conflict Divorce39:42 — You’re Not AloneWhat if your co-parent’s toxic messages never even reached you? Thousands of parents are already finding peace with the BestInterest Coparenting App. As a listener, you can too. Claim 40% off an annual subscription here: https://...
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    42 mins
  • When Blended Families Get Complicated: Boundaries, Exes & In-Laws with Alicia Krasko

    When Blended Families Get Complicated: Boundaries, Exes & In-Laws with Alicia Krasko
    Sep 24 2026
    What happens when you fall in love with someone who already has a family?In this episode, Sol and Louise sit down with stepmom coach and Stepmom Side podcast host Alicia Krasko to explore the realities of blended family life—including the parts nobody prepares you for. Together, they talk about finding your role as a stepparent, navigating exes and in-laws, managing the emotional intensity of custody transitions, and building a strong partnership when conflict from the other household inevitably affects your family.Alicia shares her own journey from feeling overwhelmed and unsure of her place in her stepfamily to finding confidence, setting boundaries, and learning what she could—and couldn’t—control. She explains why connection needs to come before correction, why stepparents don’t need to be best friends with the other parent, and why the strength of the couple relationship is one of the most important foundations of a peaceful blended family.Whether you’re a stepparent, dating someone with children, or trying to understand how blended family dynamics affect your coparenting relationship, this conversation offers an honest look at the challenges—and the possibility of finding peace without needing everything around you to change.Learn more about Alicia Krasko: https://AliciaKrasko.comListen to the Stepmom Side podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-stepmom-side-podcast/id1698216989Get the BestInterest Coparenting App: https://bestinterest.app/Subscribe to our newsletter to hear about new episodes and build community: https://bestinterest.app/subscribe-podcast/KeywordsBlended families, stepparenting, stepmom, high-conflict co-parenting, coparenting, stepparent boundaries, family systems, custody transitions, co-parent communication, parenting after divorce, stepmom burnout, in-law boundaries, parental alienation, emotional regulation, blended family dynamics, child wellbeingHighlightsWhy Alicia prefers “stepmom” over “bonus mom.” The unexpected challenges of entering a family in the middle of its storyWhy stepparents can feel pressure to immediately love, parent, and fit into an established family system.How insecurity can make ordinary blended-family conflicts feel like emergencies.Why the couple relationship is the foundation of a peaceful blended familyHow asking “How can I support you?” can change the way partners navigate conflict.Why custody exchanges can be emotionally intense for both children and adults.How children can seem like different people as they transition between households.Why clear house expectations can actually help children feel more secure.The difference between connection and correction—and why connection should come first.Why stepparents shouldn’t take either affection or rejection from their stepchildren personally.How to set boundaries with grandparents and in-laws who undermine parental authorityWhy you don’t have to be friends with your partner’s ex to have a healthy coparenting relationshipHow comparing your blended family to seemingly perfect families on social media can create shame.Why trying to control everything can lead to stepmom burnout.How to focus on what you can control when the other household is high conflict.The five-day, five-week, five-year question that can help put conflict into perspective.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:07 Meet Alicia Krasko02:06 Why “Stepmom” Instead of “Bonus Mom”?03:12 The Biggest Surprise About Becoming a Stepmom05:08 Navigating the Ex and Finding Your Role08:41 What Changes in a High-Conflict Situation?09:01 Keeping the Couple Relationship Strong11:14 How Partners Can Support Each Other13:41 The Emotional Intensity of Custody Transitions16:36 How Kids Adapt Between Two Households18:23 House Rules, Structure, and Boundaries20:26 When a New Stepparent Changes the Family Dynamic24:29 BestInterest AI Coparenting App25:11 Grandparents and In-Law Dynamics29:24 Setting Boundaries With Extended Family33:16 Alienation and Grandparents Choosing Sides36:20 Stepmom Lightning Round36:41 The Biggest Mistake Stepmoms Make37:28 What to Do When a Stepchild Pushes Back38:14 Does a Stepmom Need a Relationship With the Biomom?40:55 How Stepparent Burnout Happens41:16 Building Connection With a Stepchild 43:08 Alicia’s Advice for Stepparents in the Thick of It43:48 Where to Find Alicia Krasko44:18 ClosingWhat if your co-parent’s toxic messages never even reached you? Thousands of parents are already finding peace with the BestInterest Coparenting App. As a listener, you can too. Claim 40% off an annual subscription here: https://bestinterest.app/beyond
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    45 mins
  • When One Parent Is High Conflict: How to Protect Your Kids with Hallie Strauss and Kate Alcamo

    When One Parent Is High Conflict: How to Protect Your Kids with Hallie Strauss and Kate Alcamo
    Sep 10 2026
    What happens when the conflict between co-parents becomes the center of family life—and the kids get caught in the middle? In this episode, Sol sits down with Hallie Strauss and Kate Alcamo, co-founders of The Co-Parent Collective, to explore how parents can reduce conflict, protect their children’s emotional wellbeing, and build healthier post-divorce family dynamics.Hallie brings the perspective of a psychologist, parenting coordinator, custody evaluator, and mediator who works with families navigating high-conflict dynamics. Kate is a licensed marriage and family therapist and child specialist who helps parents understand divorce from the child’s perspective. Together, they offer complementary insights into everything from parenting coordination and parallel parenting to communication, identity shifts, and the ways children experience parental conflict.They discuss why “spouse mind” can keep parents stuck in old relationship dynamics, why parallel parenting can sometimes be a healthy stepping stone rather than a failure, and how one parent de-escalating can dramatically change the temperature of a co-parenting relationship. They also share practical communication strategies, including BIFF (Brief, Informative, Friendly, Firm), writing messages as though a judge—or your child—might read them, and using technology to create boundaries around difficult communication.The conversation also explores AI and co-parenting, the growing role of parenting coordinators, when professional teams can help support families, and The Co-Parent Collective’s Child-Centered Divorce Playbook.LinksWatch the full episode on YouTubeLearn more about the Co-Parent Collective: ⁠thecoparentcollective.comFollow the Co-Parent Collective on Instagram: ⁠@TheCoparentCollectiveBestInterest — the co-parenting app: ⁠BestInterestGet 10% off BestInterest: Use code Beyond10Coparenting Beyond Conflict: ⁠CoparentingBeyondConflict.comSubscribe to our newsletter to hear about new episodes and build community: https://bestinterest.app/subscribe-podcast/Keywordsco-parenting, high-conflict co-parenting, divorce, parenting coordination, parenting coordinator, parallel parenting, collaborative parenting, child-centered divorce, child specialist, custody evaluation, co-parenting communication, BIFF communication, spouse mind, parent mind, emotional regulation, divorce and children, co-parenting apps, AI and co-parenting, identity shifts after divorce, conflict de-escalation, parenting plansKey TakeawaysKids are affected more by how parents navigate divorce than by divorce itself. Shift from spouse mind to parent mind. Parallel parenting isn’t necessarily a failure. You don’t have to engage in every conflict. De-escalation can start with one parent. Write every message as if someone else will read it. BIFF can help keep communication focused: Regulate before you respond.Children may know more than parents realize. Children have their own divorce timeline.Parenting coordinators can provide structure and help keep professionals out of the conflict.Acceptance can be empowering. When a child shares something alarming, start with validation. Self-regulation and connection are powerful first steps. Chapter Highlights00:00 — Welcome to Coparenting Beyond Conflict01:04 — Finding Moments of Peace02:10 — How Hallie and Kate Found Their Way Into Divorce Work05:28 — What Does a Parenting Coordinator Do?07:46 — Building a Professional Team Around High-Conflict Families08:17 — Managing Triangulation in High-Conflict Cases10:04 — When Does a Parenting Coordinator Have Binding Authority?11:15 — How High Conflict Impacts Children13:04 — Does It Take Two to Tango?14:37 — The Power of De-Escalation15:30 — Separating the Court Battle From the Co-Parenting Relationship17:33 — How Parental Conflict Affects Kids Over Time18:53 — Parallel Parenting vs. Collaborative Parenting21:21 — Rebuilding Trust After Divorce21:37 — The Identity Shifts of Divorce22:37 — When You’re Afraid Everything Will Be Used Against You23:49 — How to Communicate Without Escalating Conflict25:36 — Write It as If Your Child Will Read It26:27 — AI and the Future of Co-Parenting Communication28:03 — The Child-Centered Divorce Playbook30:02 — Lightning Round: The Biggest Co-Parenting Lessons31:36 — The Three H’s: Hugged, Heard, or Helped?32:28 — When Co-Parenting With a High-Conflict Ex Gets Easier33:28 — What You Can Do Today34:20 — Connect With The Co-Parent CollectiveWhat if your co-parent’s toxic messages never even reached you? Thousands of parents are already finding peace with the BestInterest Coparenting App. As a listener, you can too. Claim 40% off an annual subscription here: https://bestinterest.app/beyond
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    35 mins
  • Bill Eddy on High-Conflict Co-Parenting: Stay Calm, Set Limits & Protect Your Kids

    Bill Eddy on High-Conflict Co-Parenting: Stay Calm, Set Limits & Protect Your Kids
    Aug 27 2026

    High-conflict co-parenting can leave you feeling like you’re constantly walking on eggshells—every text message, exchange, or court filing has the potential to pull you into another cycle of conflict. In this episode, Sol sits down with Bill Eddy, co-founder of the High Conflict Institute, therapist, family lawyer, mediator, and creator of the internationally recognized BIFF® communication method.

    Bill shares four decades of practical wisdom on how to communicate without escalating conflict, why trying to “teach the other parent a lesson” almost always backfires, and how parents can protect their children by modeling emotional regulation instead of getting pulled into reactivity. They also explore the promises and pitfalls of AI in co-parenting communication, Bill’s new SLIC framework for setting boundaries that actually work, and why the skills we teach our children today can help break cycles of conflict for generations to come.

    Whether you’re navigating a difficult co-parent, supporting clients through family conflict, or simply looking for a more peaceful way forward, this conversation is packed with practical tools you can begin using immediately.

    Learn more about Bill Eddy and the High Conflict Institute: https://highconflictinstitute.com/

    Explore Conflict Influencer and the New Ways for Families program: https://conflictinfluencer.com/

    Get the BestInterest Coparenting App: https://bestinterest.app/

    Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/r_Cktp5OGvk

    Subscribe to our newsletter to hear about new episodes and build community: https://bestinterest.app/subscribe-podcast/

    Keywords

    Bill Eddy, High Conflict Institute, BIFF method, SLIC, high-conflict co-parenting, difficult co-parent, narcissistic co-parent, parallel parenting, co-parent communication, family court, emotional regulation, boundaries, setting limits, consequences, conflict resolution, AI communication, New Ways for Families, parenting after divorce

    Key Takeaways

    • The BIFF method (Brief, Informative, Friendly, Firm) helps reduce conflict without expecting the other person to change.
    • One of the biggest communication mistakes is trying to teach the other person a lesson.
    • Avoid the “Three A’s” in high-conflict communication: advice, admonishments, and apologies.
    • Writing your own BIFF responses builds the mental habits that make conflict feel less overwhelming.
    • AI can be a useful editing tool, but it shouldn’t replace developing your own communication skills.
    • Children learn conflict patterns from their parents, including emotional regulation and relationship skills.
    • Hostility and unpredictability are especially damaging for children in high-conflict homes.
    • Teaching children flexible thinking, emotional regulation, moderate behavior, and self-reflection helps build lifelong resilience.
    • Setting boundaries without meaningful consequences rarely changes high-conflict behavior.
    • You’re not responsible for managing another person’s emotions—you are responsible for protecting your own peace.

    Chapter Highlights

    00:00 – Introducing Bill Eddy and the BIFF Method
    03:25 – How BIFF Was Created
    07:13 – Common BIFF Mistakes and the “Three A’s”
    09:56 – AI, Communication, and Building Your BIFF Muscle
    16:53 – How High Conflict Affects Children
    22:41 – Teaching Kids the Four Big Skills for Life
    25:21 – Can High-Conflict People Change?
    27:20 – Introducing SLIC: Setting Limits & Imposing Consequences
    30:14 – Real Co-Parenting Boundary Examples
    34:03 – How Family Court Has Changed Over Four Decades
    38:05 – The Future of High-Conflict Family Court
    40:14 – Where to Learn More About Bill Eddy

    What if your co-parent’s toxic messages never even reached you? Thousands of parents are already finding peace with the BestInterest Coparenting App. As a listener, you can too. Claim 40% off an annual subscription here: https://bestinterest.app/beyond
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    42 mins
  • The Emotional Divorce Most Parents Never Complete with Dr. Lee Baucom

    The Emotional Divorce Most Parents Never Complete with Dr. Lee Baucom
    Aug 13 2026

    What if the legal divorce is over—but the emotional relationship is still running the show?

    In this episode, Sol sits down with relationship coach, therapist, author, and Save the Marriage podcast host Dr. Lee Baucom to explore why high-conflict dynamics often continue long after a marriage ends. Together, they unpack the hidden emotional systems that keep co-parents stuck in the same painful patterns and explain how lasting change can begin with just one person choosing to respond differently.

    You’ll learn why reacting to your co-parent often reinforces conflict, how to reclaim your sense of agency even in difficult legal battles, what an “emotional divorce” really means, and why letting go of the need to control your ex can create a healthier future for both you and your children.

    Whether you’re navigating a high-conflict co-parenting relationship or simply want to build healthier relationships going forward, this conversation offers practical insights and hope.

    Learn more about Dr. Lee Baucom: http://SaveTheMarriage.com

    Get the BestInterest Coparenting App: https://bestinterest.app/

    Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PB-SEy2dadY

    Subscribe to our newsletter to hear about new episodes and build community: https://bestinterest.app/subscribe-podcast/


    Keywords

    High-conflict co-parenting, emotional divorce, family systems, co-parent communication, conflict resolution, emotional regulation, relationship dynamics, divorce recovery, family court, forgiveness, trust, parenting after divorce, personal responsibility, child wellbeing

    Highlights

    • Why divorce doesn’t end the relationship when you share children.
    • The difference between reacting emotionally and responding from your values.
    • How one parent can change the co-parenting dynamic—even if the other doesn’t.
    • The three things you can actually control in a high-conflict relationship.
    • Why trying to control your ex often keeps conflict alive.
    • Understanding “emotional divorce” and why it matters.
    • How resentment and disconnection fuel ongoing conflict.
    • The difference between forgiveness, trust, apology, and reconciliation.
    • What children need most during and after divorce.
    • Practical ways to reduce regret and parent with integrity.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction
    01:00 Meet Dr. Lee Baucom
    04:45 Why Conflict Continues After Divorce
    08:25 Responding vs. Reacting
    12:10 Breaking People-Pleasing and Conflict Cycles
    13:40 The Three Things You Can Control
    15:34 BestInterest AI Co-Parenting App
    15:58 Regaining Agency During High-Conflict Divorce
    21:00 Family Systems and Emotional Patterns
    28:35 Olive Branches, Forgiveness, and Moving Forward
    31:00 Rebuilding Trust After Divorce
    33:10 Helping Children Through Divorce
    37:25 What Emotionally Healthy Co-Parents Do Differently
    38:50 What Is an Emotional Divorce?
    40:55 Final Advice for Parents Navigating Divorce
    42:30 Where to Find Dr. Lee Baucom

    What if your co-parent’s toxic messages never even reached you? Thousands of parents are already finding peace with the BestInterest Coparenting App. As a listener, you can too. Claim 40% off an annual subscription here: https://bestinterest.app/beyond
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    44 mins
  • Why So Many Adult Children Cut Off Their Parents (And How to Prevent It) with Catherine Hickem

    Why So Many Adult Children Cut Off Their Parents (And How to Prevent It) with Catherine Hickem
    Jul 30 2026

    Nearly one in four adult children are estranged from at least one parent—a trend that’s becoming increasingly common, yet rarely discussed.

    In this episode of Coparenting Beyond Conflict, Sol sits down with parenting expert Catherine Hickem, founder of Parenting Adult Children Today and author of It’s Never Too Late to Be a Great Parent. Together they explore why parent-child relationships break down in adulthood, how divorce impacts family relationships across generations, and what parents can do now to build lasting trust with their children.

    Whether you’re raising young children, navigating a divorce, or supporting an adult child through one, this conversation offers practical guidance for creating stronger family relationships that endure through life’s biggest transitions.

    Learn more about Catherine Hickem: https://www.parentingadultchildrentoday.com/

    Get Catherine's book, It’s Never Too Late to Be a Great Parent: https://www.amazon.com/Its-Never-Late-Great-Parent/dp/197179502X

    Get the BestInterest Coparenting App: https://bestinterest.app/

    Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/H8pqZswdibE

    Subscribe to our newsletter to hear about new episodes and build community: https://bestinterest.app/subscribe-podcast/

    Keywords

    adult child estrangement, parent-child relationships, parenting adult children, divorce and adult children, family estrangement, co-parenting, high-conflict divorce, grandparents and divorce, family communication, healthy boundaries, unconditional love, relationship repair, emotional safety, parenting after divorce, family healing

    Key Takeaways

    • Why adult-child estrangement is becoming so common
    • The parenting mistakes that unintentionally push adult children away
    • How divorce affects relationships across multiple generations
    • What adult children really need from their parents during a divorce
    • How grandparents can provide support without making conflict worse
    • Why honesty, curiosity, and respect matter more than taking sides
    • The “Four Pillars” of healthy relationships with adult children
    • How unconditional love creates lifelong trust

    Chapter Highlights

    00:00 Introduction
    01:40 The growing epidemic of parent-child estrangement
    04:10 The most common reasons adult children cut off parents
    08:20 Catherine’s own divorce and what it taught her about parenting
    11:55 What adult children need from their parents during divorce
    14:55 How grandparents can best support a child going through divorce
    19:20 When your adult child asks you to cut off their ex
    25:05 The transition from parenting children to parenting adults
    25:30 The Four Pillars of healthy relationships with adult children
    31:55 How parents can become a safe harbor instead of a source of judgment
    33:40 Where to learn more from Catherine Hickem



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    What if your co-parent’s toxic messages never even reached you? Thousands of parents are already finding peace with the BestInterest Coparenting App. As a listener, you can too. Claim 40% off an annual subscription here: https://bestinterest.app/beyond
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    35 mins
  • How Dads Can Show Up Better After Divorce with Larry Hagner

    How Dads Can Show Up Better After Divorce with Larry Hagner
    Jul 16 2026

    What does it mean to be a “legendary” father—especially when you’re navigating divorce, co-parenting, and the daily pressures of work and life?

    In this episode of Coparenting Beyond Conflict, Sol interviews Larry Hagner, host of the Dad Edge podcast and author of The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood. Larry shares practical insights on what children truly need from their fathers: presence, emotional safety, and the willingness to repair after mistakes.

    Larry explains why great parenting is a learnable skill, how staying together “for the kids” can sometimes do more harm than good, and why children often see us in a far more forgiving light than we see ourselves. He also offers concrete tools for becoming more present with your children, regulating your emotions during conflict, and communicating more effectively with both partners and co-parents.

    Whether you’re a divorced dad carrying guilt, a parent struggling to stay calm under stress, or anyone who wants to create a more peaceful home, this conversation is full of compassionate and practical guidance.

    Learn more about Larry Hagner and The Dad Edge: https://thedadedge.com/

    Get Larry's book, The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood: https://thedadedge.com/legendary-fatherhood-book

    Get the BestInterest Coparenting App: https://bestinterest.app/

    Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yY2JEqn0ses

    Subscribe to our newsletter to hear about new episodes and build community: https://bestinterest.app/subscribe-podcast/

    Keywords

    legendary fatherhood, divorced dads, co-parenting, emotional regulation, presence, fatherhood skills, repair, psychological safety, parenting after divorce, conflict resolution, The Experience Cube, effective communication, parenting guilt, emotional safety, Dad Edge

    Key Takeaways

    • Children often see their parents more compassionately than parents see themselves.
    • Great fatherhood is not innate—it is a skill that can be learned and strengthened.
    • Repair after mistakes is one of the most important ways to build trust with children.
    • Staying together “for the kids” is not always healthiest if the relationship is toxic.
    • Kids spell love as T-I-M-E.
    • Presence can be cultivated by fully engaging your senses in the moment.
    • Conflict improves when you focus on what you want, rather than what you don’t want.
    • Unspoken expectations are a major source of resentment.
    • A peaceful home environment supports both parents and children.
    • The quality of your life depends on the quality of the questions you ask yourself.

    Chapter Highlights

    00:00 – Introducing Larry Hagner and Legendary Fatherhood
    01:11 – Why Your Kids See You Better Than You See Yourself
    04:47 – Should Parents Stay Together for the Kids?
    07:45 – Fatherhood as a Learnable Skill
    11:39 – The Power of Repair
    13:20 – Work Stress and Being Present with Your Kids
    19:19 – Navigating Conflict and Emotional Triggers
    21:57 – The Experience Cube Communication Tool
    26:41 – Why Speaking Up Matters
    27:04 – Creating Psychological Safety for Kids
    27:58 – One Message for Parents Feeling Defeated
    29:08 – Where to Find Larry Hagner

    What if your co-parent’s toxic messages never even reached you? Thousands of parents are already finding peace with the BestInterest Coparenting App. As a listener, you can too. Claim 40% off an annual subscription here: https://bestinterest.app/beyond
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    31 mins
  • How to Divorce Without Going to Court with Amanda Singer

    How to Divorce Without Going to Court with Amanda Singer
    Jul 2 2026

    What if divorce didn’t have to mean years of litigation, mounting legal fees, and a judge deciding your family’s future?

    In this episode of Coparenting Beyond Conflict, Sol speaks with Amanda Singer, a family law mediator and attorney who has spent more than 13 years helping couples resolve divorce and custody issues outside of court.

    Amanda explains how mediation offers families a more collaborative and cost-effective path through separation. Rather than battling through attorneys, couples work with a neutral professional to create agreements around parenting plans, support, and property division while staying in control of the outcome.

    They discuss what makes mediation successful, how therapists can improve outcomes, how to handle high-conflict personalities, and why parenting agreements should include a framework for future changes. Amanda also shares insights into premarital mediation and how prenuptial agreements can strengthen relationships before marriage.

    Whether you’re facing divorce, navigating a challenging co-parenting relationship, or planning a future marriage, this conversation offers practical tools for reducing conflict and making thoughtful decisions.

    Learn more about Amanda Singer and West Coast Family Mediation: https://westcoastfamilymediation.com/

    Get the BestInterest Coparenting App: https://bestinterest.app/

    Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YY1hp4ocAYs

    Subscribe to our newsletter to hear about new episodes and build community: https://bestinterest.app/subscribe-podcast/

    Keywords
    family mediation, divorce mediation, co-parenting, parenting plans, family law, child custody, high-conflict divorce, conflict resolution, alternative dispute resolution, prenup, premarital mediation, child support, spousal support, blended families, bonus parents, divorce without court, custody agreements, emotional regulation, therapy and divorce, California mediation

    Takeaways

    • Conflict is normal, but how you handle it determines whether your family can move forward.
    • Mediation allows parents to stay in control instead of leaving decisions to a judge.
    • Couples do not need to agree on everything to benefit from mediation; they only need a shared commitment to work things out.
    • Therapy can help parents regulate emotions and communicate more effectively during mediation.
    • Parenting plans should include a process for revisiting decisions as children grow.
    • Common future issues include screen time, social media, driving, and introducing new partners.
    • Mediators can help balance power when one parent is more dominant or controlling.
    • Blended family mediation can help bonus parents become part of the solution.
    • Premarital mediation gives couples a collaborative way to create prenuptial agreements.
    • Getting support early can prevent conflict from escalating.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Amanda Singer
    02:06     Why Conflict Is Normal
    04:17     What Mediation Really Looks Like
    07:24     Who Is a Good Fit for Mediation?
    09:28     How to Convince a Reluctant Co-Parent
    11:06     Returning to Mediation as Children Grow
    12:46     What Parenting Plans Often Miss
    15:25     Managing Power Imbalances
    17:14     Navigating High-Conflict Dynamics
    19:00     Blended Families and Bonus Parents
    23:03     Why Therapy Helps Mediation
    27:39     Premarital Mediation and Prenups
    31:58     Lightning Round Insights
    35:08     One Final Piece of Advice

    What if your co-parent’s toxic messages never even reached you? Thousands of parents are already finding peace with the BestInterest Coparenting App. As a listener, you can too. Claim 40% off an annual subscription here: https://bestinterest.app/beyond
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    37 mins