Beyond Divorce: Embracing Change

In this episode, Michael Flores sits down with financial planner, author, and speaker Donna Jean Kendrick to discuss her book, The Divorce Money Map. Part workbook and part guide, the book helps newly divorced individuals organize their finances, make informed decisions, and begin dreaming about their future again. Donna walks through the Five W's that serve as the foundation of the book: Who need...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Armando Martinez, LPC, discuss the unique challenges that arise when therapy is court-ordered. For many clients, counseling feels different when they've been told to attend rather than choosing it on their own. While the circumstances may be different, Michael and Armando explain that the purpose of therapy remains the same: to promote growth, healing, a...

This episode is a replay from Diana Romanov's YouTube Channel Divorce Like A Boss with Diana. Diana is a Certified Family Law Specialist and founder of Romanov Law. In this episode she interviews Michael Flores, a licensed professional counselor based in Texas who works with families navigating high-conflict divorce and custody disputes. Courts sometimes order co-parenting counseling when parents...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Arrianna Cervantes, LPC-Associate, tackle a topic that often shows up in divorce conversations but doesn't get discussed enough: money and children. In our offices, children of all ages bring up financial concerns, which usually means they're hearing about money struggles directly or indirectly from the adults around them. Michael and Arrianna explain wh...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Armando Martinez, LPC, discuss the guilt many parents experience after divorce. Parents often worry about how the changes will affect their children and may feel responsible for the pain their children are experiencing. Michael and Armando explore the difference between having compassion for your child and overcompensating because of guilt. Overcompensat...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Arrianna Cervantes, LPC-Associate, discuss the powerful role play has in helping children navigate divorce and stressful family transitions. Parents often say they want their children to “just be kids,” but during divorce, children can unintentionally get pulled into adult emotions, conversations, and conflict in ways that force them to grow up too quick...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Jinohn Marr, LMFT, discuss what self-care actually looks like during divorce—especially when you’re overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and just trying to make it through the day. They start with the physical foundations that are easy to neglect during stress: getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, eating consistently, moving your body through walks or ex...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Arrianna Cervantes, LPC-Associate, explore the deeply personal journey people go through in divorce—and why some feel stuck while others begin to move forward. Michael shares how, in his work, he often sees patterns in behavior that show up during this “storm,” and how identifying those patterns can reveal the root hurt keeping someone from healing. He b...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Armando Martinez, LPC, continue the conversation around introducing a new partner—this time focusing specifically on how to talk to your children about it. (Be sure to also check out their related episode, Episode 75, “What to Do When a New Partner Enters,” for more on navigating this transition.) Armando emphasizes that timing matters more than anything...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Jennifer Nobles, LCSW-S, break down some of the most common myths people believe about divorce—and how these beliefs can quietly keep you stuck. They start with the idea that healing means you won’t be triggered anymore, explaining that even when you’ve done the work, certain moments, memories, or situations can still bring up old emotions. They also cha...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Armando Martinez, LPC, dive into a pattern many people don’t realize they’re repeating—how the same unresolved issues from your marriage can quietly show up in your divorce. Even though your relationship has changed, the dynamic often hasn’t. Instead of relating as co-parents, many people find themselves slipping back into the same arguments, reactions,...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Arrianna Cervantes, LPC-Associate, explore the messages children absorb during divorce—and how the “soundtrack” parents create can shape a child’s emotional experience and long-term relationships. They discuss the difference between what kids need to hear and what they don’t, highlighting how parents often share information with good intentions, believin...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Jennifer Nobles, LCSW-S, explore how decision making during divorce is often driven more by emotion than logic—whether we realize it or not. Using insight from the book Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss, they unpack the idea that people don’t decide with logic, they decide with emotion and then justify with logic. In a season filled with uncertain...

Please rate this podcast to help us reach more listeners like you! In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Jinohn Marr, LMFT, take an honest look at one of the most emotionally charged parts of divorce: custody battles and the idea of the “best interest” of the child. They explain how that phrase can mean very different things depending on who you ask—parents, children, judges, attorneys, and...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Arrianna Cervantes, LPC-Associate, dive into one of the most common—and often overlooked—causes of conflict in relationships: the gap between what someone actually says and what the other person hears or interprets. Whether you’re communicating with your child, partner, co-parent, family member, or coworker, this dynamic plays a major role in how convers...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Armando Martinez, LPC, tackle a topic many divorced parents eventually face: introducing a new romantic partner into the family system. They discuss the questions parents often wrestle with, including whether you need to tell your co-parent about a new relationship and when it may be appropriate to do so. Michael and Armando explain that while every situ...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Jennifer Nobles, LCSW-S, explore the different roles parents often fall into during divorce—and how those roles shape the experience their children have in each home. They begin by discussing a common reality many parents notice: children often behave differently at each parent’s house. Even though both parents are raising the same child, they may feel l...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Jennifer Nobles, LCSW-S, unpack what codependent behavior looks like—especially in the context of divorce. When you’ve spent years in a codependent relationship, untangling from that dynamic can feel disorienting. As the marriage ends, you may realize how much of your identity was wrapped up in managing the other person’s emotions, avoiding conflict, or...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, is joined by family law attorney Diana Romanov from the YouTube channel Divorce Like a Boss to talk about how technology is changing the divorce process. Diana shares how some attorneys are beginning to use AI to streamline paperwork, organize information, and increase efficiency—often saving clients time, stress, and legal costs. She and Michael discuss bot...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, is joined by Dr. Kalima Charway, Ph. D., L.S.S.P., L.P., to unpack one of the most common claims heard in therapy and divorce conversations: “My ex is a narcissist.” Dr. Charway, who conducts court-ordered psychological evaluations, explains why personality disorders are actually rare, affecting only a small percentage of the population, and why diagnosing t...

Divorce doesn’t just change family structure—it changes how children experience safety, loyalty, and emotional connection with both parents. In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, Jinohn Marr, LMFT, and Armando Martinez, LPC explore divorce from the child’s point of view, helping parents understand what kids often feel but struggle to say. They discuss how a mother’s fear and anxiety can unintent...

Divorce can leave dads questioning their role, their influence, and their place in their children’s lives. In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Armando Martinez, LPC speak directly to the fears and frustrations many divorced dads experience during and after divorce. They explore the identity shift from married dad to single dad, common complaints and fears dads carry, and how fear often sho...

When your kids are with their other parent, it can bring up anxiety, fear, and a sense of loss—especially for moms who have carried the emotional weight of parenting. In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC, and Jinohn Marr, LMFT explore why letting go feels so hard and how control often grows out of fear, not failure. Together, they discuss how control shows up during co-parenting, how kids experien...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Arrianna Cervantes, LPC-Associate, explore a question many people quietly carry: “Will therapy actually work for me?” Whether you’ve had a disappointing experience in the past or you’re unsure how counseling is supposed to help, this conversation invites listeners to shift from fear-based expectations to a fit-based mindset. Michael and Arrianna discuss...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Jinohn Marr, LMFT, break down the often misunderstood role of CPS (Child Protective Services, as it’s called in Texas) and how it intersects with family court and the therapeutic process. They explain what CPS is, when and how it becomes involved in family law cases, and the role it may play alongside therapists when concerns about a child’s safety arise...