Beyond Divorce: Embracing Change

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...

Content Warning: This episode discusses suicide and may be distressing for some listeners. If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out. Call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline—available 24/7, free and confidential. Divorce is hard on families—but for some children, the emotional weight of divorce can go deeper, especially when mental hea...

This episode is a fun and different one—we're doing a live reaction and deep dive into a powerful Instagram reel by @coachkasabo titled “Adults are accelerating the anxiety crisis at an alarming rate.” You can watch the reel here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJK3bZgtxLg/ In the reel, Coach Kasabo explores how adults unintentionally **enable anxiety** in children and teens by: - Labeling - Over-pro...

Would you rate this podcast?! Your rating helps us get this valuable information in front of more people, just like you! In this episode, we explore how to give children the space to be their authentic selves during and after divorce. We talk about the importance of keeping adult issues between adults, recognizing that kids are people too—with their own thoughts, feelings, and opinions—and how to...

In this episode, we dive into one of the toughest decisions divorcing parents face: what, when, and how to tell their children about the divorce. We explore the intentions behind sharing details—whether it’s for clarity, justification, or emotional release—and the potential consequences of saying too much. You’ll learn how over-sharing can unintentionally burden children with adult concerns, leadi...

Going through a divorce can shake your sense of identity — but it doesn't have to erase who you are. In today’s episode, we dive deep into how to stay connected to your true self during and after divorce. We’ll walk you through a powerful strengths exercise you can do right along with us to help you: Identify your core values and personality traits Understand how you want to be seen by the people...

Parenting is hard enough — throw divorce and differing parenting styles into the mix, and it can feel impossible. In this episode, we break down the four main parenting styles — authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved. You’ll hear guidance on how to navigate parenting with someone who has a very different approach than you, along with thoughtful questions to consider and practical...

In this powerful episode, we’re sharing real success stories from families and individuals who found their way through the hardest chapters of divorce and high-conflict relationships — and came out stronger on the other side. Each story highlights transformation, healing, and what’s possible when people commit to doing the work. These aren’t just therapy success stories — they’re deeply human mome...

Reunification therapy is a structured process that helps repair and rebuild the parent-child relationship after estrangement, conflict, or prolonged separation. In high-conflict divorce or strained family dynamics, reunification work can offer a lifeline toward reconnection and trust. In this episode, we break down the 5 key steps of reunification—Acknowledge, Validate, Apologize, Collaborate, and...

Are you struggling with trust issues—whether with your children, co-parent, or spouse? Trust is the foundation of all relationships, but after divorce, betrayal, or conflict, it can feel impossible to rebuild. In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S and Armando Martinez, LPC break down The Trust Formula—a powerful framework for understanding, restoring, and maintaining trust in all areas of life. W...

In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S sits down with Joe Lettieri, the co-founder of Family Based Solutions, a charity in the UK dedicated to supporting families affected by domestic abuse. With a Solution Focused approach, Joe has helped countless families navigate challenges by harnessing their strengths and building collaborative solutions. Joe and Michael dive deep into the realities of ineff...

In this episode, we tackle a common source of tension for divorced families: technology and cell phones between homes. 📱 Technology can easily become a battleground between co-parents. Many parents feel like the other parent uses the phone as a tool to undermine them — creating confusion, conflict, and resentment. We explore how to navigate this tricky dynamic with thoughtful communication and cl...

Divorce is tough on kids of all ages, but for teens, it can be especially challenging. Adolescence is already a time of self-discovery, and when their family is going through a divorce, questions like Who am I? and Where do I fit in? become even more complicated. In this episode, Michael Flores, LPC-S and Jennifer Blake, LCSW-S explore the developmental milestones of teens (ages 12-18) and how div...

Divorce and co-parenting can be challenging, especially when your child tells you they don’t like being at their other parent’s home. But how do you know what’s really going on—and what’s the right way to respond? In this episode, we break down three common scenarios parents face when their child expresses distress about time at the other parent's house. You’ll learn how to handle: ✅ When a child...

Divorce is more than just a legal process—it’s a life transition that affects millions of families each year. But what do the numbers really say about it? In this episode, we break down the latest divorce statistics and uncover the real-life impact behind the data. As a family therapist specializing in high-conflict divorce, Michael Flores, LPC-S and Jennifer Blake, LCSW-S go beyond the numbers to...