Beyond Divorce: Embracing Change

As we enter a new year, Arrianna Cervantes, LPC-Associate, and Jennifer Blake, LCSW-S, remind us how essential self-care is during divorce—and how this season can also be an opportunity to build the habits that help you become the person you want to be. Jennifer begins by highlighting the physical foundations of wellness, including nourishing your body with food that supports you, incorporating mo...

In this episode, Jinohn Marr, LMFT, and Armando Martinez, LPC, take over to discuss a topic many parents struggle with: why children often fall apart after transitioning back from the other parent’s home. They explain that these transitions can be emotionally demanding because children are shifting back into a different set of expectations, routines, and emotional needs. Armando reminds us that th...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S and Jennifer Blake, LCSW-S, talk about the importance of intentionally planning for your family in the event of divorce. Just like a wedding requires coordination and preparation, a divorce—especially when children are involved—benefits from thoughtful, collaborative planning. Michael and Jennifer discuss how communication between both parties can make all th...

Register for the Countering Alienation course to protect your relationship with your child and gain the tools you need to navigate high-conflict dynamics with clarity and confidence here: https://www.beyonddivorcecourses.com/offers/LoSnQoUH/checkout In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Armando Martinez, LPC, explore what happens with in-laws when a divorce occurs between you and your spouse...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Arrianna Cervantes, LPC-Associate, explore how to truly hear your child during and after divorce—without leading, influencing, or burdening them. They talk about the importance of asking open-ended, neutral questions that create the emotional space children need for genuine honesty. Arrianna reminds us that you don’t have to fix everything your child sha...

In this episode, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Jinohn Marr sits down with Michael Flores, LPC-S, for an in-depth conversation about one of the most painful challenges parents face during high-conflict divorce: alienation. Jinohn flips the script and interviews Michael about what alienation really is, how to recognize it early, and the emotional impact it has on both children and the targe...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, sits down with Jennifer Blake, LCSW-S, to help parents understand how divorce can affect children and when it may be time to seek professional support. They discuss the different ways kids may show that they are struggling — from emotional changes like sadness or irritability, to behavioral shifts, physical symptoms such as stomachaches, or academic decline....

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S and Armando Martinez, LPC unpack one of the most common — yet often misunderstood — emotional experiences during divorce: anxiety. They explore the difference between angst — that sense of restlessness, unease, or tension — and anxiety, which is a more persistent state of fear or dread often focused on the future. Divorce can bring a sudden loss of predictabi...

Children hear more than our words — they hear our tone, our silence, and the energy we bring into a room. In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S and Arrianna Cervantes, LPC-Associate dive into how kids are always listening, even when you’re not directly talking to them about their other parent. They explore how your nonverbal cues — your calmness, reactions, and overall demeanor — shape your child...

In this episode, we explore why taking a family approach to therapy can be one of the most powerful ways to create lasting change—especially for families navigating divorce. We talk about how parents often come into therapy hoping the counselor will “see” their perspective or prove the other parent wrong. But real healing begins when we shift the focus toward curiosity, trust, and the bigger pictu...

Love doesn’t always end when a marriage does—and that leftover love can show up in surprising ways during co-parenting. In this episode, we share some of the things we, as counselors, notice when one or both parents may still be in love with the other. Sometimes it shows up not as affection, but as intense anger. We talk about how people often set you up to feel what they’re feeling, and how holdi...

Forgiveness is one of the most powerful yet misunderstood parts of healing after divorce. In this episode, we explore what forgiveness truly is—and what it isn’t. Forgiveness is about letting go of anger and hurt, finding peace instead of seeking revenge, and releasing the other person’s power over your emotions. Just as importantly, forgiveness is not about approving of hurtful or harmful behavio...

The back-to-school season can feel overwhelming for any family—and even more so when you’re navigating co-parenting. In this episode, we dive into how parents can support their child’s school life while managing life between two homes. We talk about why school routines matter and how to keep them consistent across households. You’ll hear a simple rule of thumb for when parents don’t agree on rules...

Divorce is more than a legal process—it's an emotional rollercoaster. In this powerful episode, we unpack the Top 5 Fears in Divorce that so many parents silently carry. We explore common emotional fears, including: Being alone Regret and doubt Loneliness and second-guessing yourself ("Could I have saved this?" or "Was this a mistake?") Anxiety about finding love again We also dive into financial...

When you walk into court-ordered counseling expecting support—and find yourself at odds with the therapist’s approach—it can feel like everything is working against your goals. In this episode, This Isn’t What I Asked For, we explore the tension that can arise when a parent’s expectations don’t align with the counselor’s role or the court’s intention. We dive into the different types of counseling...

What does it really mean to win in family court? In this episode, we dive into what winning looks like—from three unique perspectives: an internet search engine, a family law attorney, and a therapist. While each viewpoint offers different strategies and advice, one message is clear across the board: Keep the focus on your child and what is best for them. We’re not attorneys or therapists ourselve...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Robinson back to the podcast! Together, Dr. Robinson and Armando dive into the emotional landmines of blended families—especially the tension that often arises between biological parents and stepparents. If you've ever heard (or said), "Why does my mom hate my stepmom?"—this one's for you. We explore the underlying dynamics that make these relationships so complex,...

We’re bringing back your #1 favorite episode of all time—and for good reason. This one is packed with practical tools and a step-by-step process to help you have more productive, collaborative conversations with your co-parent—even when things feel tense or communication feels impossible. In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S and Dr. Jacobie Robinson, Ph. D., LPC-S break down how to approach toug...

What do you do when co-parenting requires trust—but you don’t have it? In this episode, we unpack one of the hardest truths of divorce and shared parenting: trust isn’t always present, but collaboration still needs to happen. We explore the Trust Formula—Consistency + Predictability, Over Time = Trust—and what it means when you're the one who needs to give trust… or the one trying to earn it back....

We're continuing our Most Loved Episode Summer Series, and coming in at number two is a listener favorite that continues to resonate with so many families: True Lies: When Kids Get Conflicting Messages from Their Divorced Parents. In this powerful episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Jinohn Marr, LMFT, unpack one of the most common—and emotionally charged—issues divorced parents face: what to do wh...

Leave us a review! Would you take a second to rate our podcast! Your reviews and ratings are so helpful to us and getting the information out to more people, just like you! In this episode, we dive into the concept of near enemies and far enemies—a psychological and emotional framework originally from Buddhist teachings and explored further through the research of Brené Brown. We break down what t...

This episode continues to be one of the most referenced conversations we’ve had — and for good reason. When children are navigating divorce, they often adopt certain roles in the family to cope with the emotional shifts happening around them. We reference these roles in other episodes as these roles show up throughout so many situations and dynamics of divorce -- so take a listen or re-listen... t...

In this episode, Michael Flores sits down with Karen McNenny, The Good Divorce Coach and host of The Good Divorce podcast, to unpack what it really means to have a “good divorce.” Karen shares how the way you start your divorce often sets the tone for how it ends—and why being intentional from the beginning matters. They explore the idea of an “elegant exit,” how and when to talk to your children...

Summer Replay Series — #4 Most Played Episode: Am I the Problem? How to Monitor Yourself This episode was one of the most impactful conversations we’ve had — and we’re bringing it back as part of our Summer Replay Series. Whether you're hearing it for the first time or revisiting it with fresh ears, this one is worth your time. In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S, and Armando Martinez, LPC, exp...

Summer break can bring major shifts in schedules, especially for families navigating co-parenting. In this episode, we explore how parents can support their children through summer transitions—whether that means extended time with the other parent, travel, or changes to daily routines. We talk about the importance of clear communication between co-parents, the need for flexibility, and how to prio...