Been There Got Out Podcast

There's a moment most people in our community know well. Your phone lights up with a message from your ex. Or you're sitting in the parking lot outside the courthouse. Or you're on the phone with your attorney and your voice starts shaking. You know the response you want to give. You know the person you want to be in that moment. And then something happens — a thought spiral, a surg...

If your spouse owns a business — or if you co-own one together — your divorce just got significantly more complicated. The business isn't just a job. It's potentially a marital asset, a hidden income source, and a leverage point all at once. And if your ex controls the books? You may have no idea what it's actually worth. In this episode, we sit down with Sara Nanchanatt, a forensic...

Sara Vandenburg brings a perspective you won't find anywhere else: she's both a highly credentialed therapist specializing in childhood sexual abuse AND a survivor who has done the deep healing work to talk about her own experience "like the weather." In this profoundly important conversation with Lisa Johnson, Sara shares insights that could literally save children's live...

Making critical decisions in high-conflict divorce when you can barely trust your own judgment? This interview is essential viewing.   After experiencing gaslighting, manipulation, and betrayal in a toxic relationship, many people struggle to trust their instincts—especially when the stakes are highest. Should you push for a custody evaluation? Is your ex really alienating the kids, or are you bei...

"I'll never trust again." That's what Lisa thought after discovering the truth about her nearly 20-year marriage—the serial affairs, the unprotected sex that put her health at risk, the father-in-law who helped finance the betrayals while smiling at Sunday family dinners. For two years, she told only three friends, consumed by shame and terrified that if others knew the truth,...

Is your child struggling with your separation or divorce? Wondering if they need professional help? Licensed play therapist Jenny Hornby joins Lisa to discuss the critical signs that children need therapeutic support during high-conflict divorce - and why getting help for yourself might be even more important. In this essential conversation, you'll discover when therapy becomes necessary, wha...

🎯 "What does a custody evaluator actually look for?" If you're terrified of your upcoming custody evaluation, attorney Tracy Galloway has the answer—and it might not be what you think. Tracy has been a Massachusetts child custody and divorce attorney for over 30 years. She started at the Department of Children and Families working child welfare and abuse/neglect cases before transi...

🎯 "Mediation? With a NARCISSIST? Are you crazy?" If that's your reaction, you're not alone. Most people in high-conflict divorce assume mediation is pointless when dealing with someone who has a personality disorder or active addiction. But according to Liz Merrill—who spent 20 years married to a narcissist scientist before becoming a divorce mediator herself—it's worth t...

"I finally got out of that toxic relationship! I'm never doing that again!" Six months later: Same person, different body. If this pattern sounds familiar, you're not alone—and according to trauma therapist Sherry Gaba, it's not your fault. But it is something you need to understand if you ever want to break free. "Love addicts are in love with love," Sherry expl...

🎯 "If I don't get validation from my partner (or - yikes - my ex), I can't function. I'm a mess unless I get that feedback, that positive reinforcement." That's validation addiction, and according to Ralph Brewer, founder of Help for Men and author of five books including "The Dead Bedroom Fix" and "Rebuild: The Complete Guide," it's an epide...

🎯 **"90% of families with special needs children end up divorcing. And when they do, those children become incredibly vulnerable to gatekeeping behaviors that can lead to parental alienation."** Ashish Joshi—one of our most frequently cited experts and a leading attorney specializing in family violence, parental alienation, and neurodivergent family cases—returns to explain the critical...

🎯 "Just pretend they are dead." That's what a psychiatrist told Steven Eichenblatt's biological father—advice he followed when he dropped seven-year-old Steven and his twin sister off one day and never came back. Steven is now an attorney with 37 years of experience, a guardian ad litem who represents children pro bono in custody cases, and the author of "Pretend They Are...

🎯 "Loss is loss. And we lose not only loved ones, but we lose a lot of different aspects in our life. Losing a child through disconnection... that is a really serious aspect of grief." Jock Brocas—spiritual medium, psychologist researcher, ex-military, and grief expert—explains the unique grief of alienated parents during what he calls the "Bermuda Triangle" of holidays (Thank...

🎯 "I couldn't sleep. I couldn't eat. It was all because of what I was doing—what we were doing—to my kids." If that sounds familiar, this conversation is for you. Jill Barnett Kaufman is a licensed therapist, divorce coach, certified mediator, and co-parenting expert who's been helping parents since the 90s. But she's also been exactly where you are—terrified that di...

🎯 If divorce paperwork makes you want to crawl under your desk and never come out, you're not alone—and you're not broken. Jorie Houlihan, a certified life coach specializing in ADHD (and diagnosed herself at age 49), explains why so many people in high-conflict divorce situations struggle with the organizational demands—and what actually helps. Even if you don't have an ADHD diagn...

🎯 If your child is drowning in anxiety from family stress and you're tired of adding more therapy appointments, this conversation will open new possibilities.   Brian Barry, Program Manager at Clay Art Center in Port Chester, NY, explains why anxious kids don't need fancy tools or expensive art supplies—they just need curiosity, enthusiasm, and a chance to get their hands messy.   Lisa...

🎯 If your adult child has cut contact and you think it's too late, this interview will change everything. Ginger Gentile, director of the documentary "Erasing Family" (free on YouTube), has helped reunite 180 families—including cases where parents had NO contact with adult children for up to 12 years. No email access, no phone number, didn't even know where their kid lived. An...

Danny Karon, fondly known as "your lovable lawyer," offers a fresh perspective on the legal system by championing accessibility and empowerment. In this enlightening conversation, Danny shares his journey and mission to demystify legal complexities and reduce the prohibitive costs associated with legal services. With insights from his book "Your Lovable Lawyer's Guide to Legal...

What if the child who seems to have it all together is actually struggling the most? Join us as we sit down with Colorado therapist Stacy Schaffer, who offers her expertise on the hidden emotional battles children face during parental conflict and divorce. We examine the façade of the "shiny kid," outwardly thriving yet internally wrestling with feelings of guilt and responsibility. Stac...

Dr. Elizabeth Polinsky, a distinguished psychologist and marriage and family therapist, returns to share her invaluable insights on one of the most challenging issues faced by military couples: infidelity. With infidelity rates climbing by 22% during deployments, Dr. Polinsky unveils the seven distinct types of affairs that can arise, offering a clearer understanding of the underlying motivations....

Comedian and relationship coach Paul Roseberry joins us for a candid chat about the transformative power of confidence in relationships. Discover the "security method," a fresh perspective on understanding personal worth and the courage to walk away from toxic dynamics. Through Paul's blend of humor and wisdom, we address the all-too-common fear that keeps people stuck in need-based...

Unlock the secrets to nurturing resilient children with insights from our special guest, Olaolu Ogunyemi, a dedicated Marine officer, mentor, and parenting advocate. Learn how community support can be the cornerstone of raising well-rounded individuals as Olaolu shares his transformative journey from a self-proclaimed "knucklehead" to a respected figure in mentorship. We tackle the isola...

Join us as we welcome Ron Platt, the founder of the National Association for Single and Divorced Families (NASDF), to discuss the innovative ways this organization is transforming support for single and divorced families. Inspired by the success of AARP, NASDF offers a $19 monthly membership that provides access to a host of benefits aimed at alleviating the financial and emotional burdens faced b...

Could personality disorders be more flexible than we think? Discover surprising insights with psychotherapist Marissa De Sa as she dismantles the misconception that personality disorders are unchangeable. Marissa's expertise in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) reveals how our environments and early experiences shape these conditions, providing a pathwa...

Join us for a compelling discussion with Alexa Sasha, a dedicated narcissistic abuse healer and results coach, as we explore the nuances of emotional and narcissistic abuse and the path to healing. Alexa shares her unique journey from high school special education teacher to a coach focused on helping individuals actualize their dreams. Her background in education has equipped her with the skills...