From Foster Care to Family Law - A Child Welfare Focus

What if handling your own divorce is possible, but nobody tells you how overwhelming the process can actually be? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with Casey Zidek to unpack the realities of navigating divorce pro se, from confusing court procedures and rejected filings to parenting plans, financial affidavits, and final hearings. You will hear what it feels like to manage the process wit...

What if the biggest financial mistakes in divorce aren’t just about money but about missing information? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with Steven Bryant to unpack how financial blind spots, poor planning, and a lack of analysis can cost families years of stress and thousands in unnecessary legal fees.  You’ll hear why divorce decisions are often made using incomplete or inaccurate num...

What happens when parents fight so hard to win that they lose sight of what their children actually need? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with Olivia St. Clair Long to unpack high-conflict custody, coercive control, and how the family law system can unintentionally shift focus away from children’s well-being.  You’ll hear how these dynamics play out in real cases, why many parents lose s...

What if the greatest threat to your child isn’t a stranger in the shadows—but someone they already trust? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with Erin Williamson to unpack the uncomfortable realities parents, caregivers, and professionals often miss when it comes to child exploitation. Through real-world experience and deeply human stories, you’ll gain clarity on how grooming actually happe...

What really happens inside a family courtroom — and what does a judge wish every parent understood before stepping inside? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with Judge Anthony Miller for an honest and eye-opening conversation about the realities, pressures, and human side of judicial decision-making. You’ll hear how he approaches children’s safety, manages high-conflict cases, and balances...

What happens when caring for a child means fighting the system that’s supposed to help them? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt talks with Peter Mutabazi, a foster father to over 47 children and international advocate, and Mica Phillips, a healthcare leader improving Medicaid access and dignity in care. They share the hidden struggles of foster care, healthcare barriers, and what it truly takes to pr...

What happens when divorce doesn’t just end a marriage but reshapes an entire family? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with nurse, coach, and podcaster Lisa Sander to uncover how faith, forgiveness, and hard conversations can transform even the most painful family transitions. Together, they dig into the realities of blended families, co-parenting challenges, and what it really takes to br...

What happens when you're accused of something you didn’t do—and the system treats you as guilty from the start? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with Maryland attorney Todd Mohink to expose the often unseen legal traps that destroy families. Together, they pull back the curtain on the devastating impact of false allegations, weaponized protective orders, and the courts' dangerous...

What if divorce could be not just less painful, but genuinely transformative? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with Beth Proudfoot, a seasoned child therapist, parenting coach, and collaborative divorce expert, to explore what it means to truly lead your family through crisis. You'll hear how reframing roles, tuning into your child's unspoken needs, and building communication skills can h...

What happens when a criminal defense attorney decides his job isn't to win cases, but to transform lives? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with Georgia defense attorney James Dutton to expose the unseen consequences of our justice system, from broken paperwork and false charges to billion-dollar surveillance schemes hiding behind school safety. But this conversation isn’t just about probl...

What if your biggest source of fear could become your greatest power? In this episode, Noel Thompson shares how he turned decades of personal struggle with anxiety and depression into a transformative program that helps others do the same. With a unique approach blending coaching, comic book storytelling, and mental fitness tools, Noel offers more than just insight—he gives you a strategy.  Whethe...

In the turbulent world of high-conflict divorces, two seasoned attorneys pull back the curtain on family law's most challenging battlefield. Sandra Fava and Susan Chesnutt reveal the hidden emotional landmines that devastate families, offering raw insights into protecting children, managing conflict, and navigating the treacherous path of separation with compassion and strategy. In this episod...

Dive into the complex and emotional world of child sexual abuse cases with renowned attorney Benjamin Andreozzi. Discover the challenges of securing justice, the importance of creating safe environments for victims, and the powerful ways attorneys can empower survivors to reclaim their lives. Gain insights into the nuances of criminal, civil, and administrative avenues for accountability, and lear...

When minors are involved in personal injury settlements, who ensures their best interests are protected? This episode unpacks the critical role of the guardian ad litem in safeguarding minors' funds and advocating for fair settlements. From statutory triggers to strategies like structured settlements and restricted accounts, the conversation dives deep into how these guardians balance the child’s...

Owning property with someone else can quickly become a legal minefield, but one real estate attorney has made it his mission to guide clients through the treacherous terrain of partition actions. In a captivating discussion, Jordan Lulich pulls back the curtain on this complex process, from the nuanced differences between owners to the thorniest scenarios involving uncooperative ex-spouses. With a...

In a world filled with uncertainty and challenges, one woman's journey into child advocacy and foster care took an unexpected turn that changed her life forever. Her personal revelation ignited a passion that led to a remarkable 13-year relationship with a young man in foster care, setting her on a path of unwavering commitment and compassion. As her story unfolds, the impact she has made on the l...

SUMMARY: Susan Chesnutt interviews author Janell Jones about her memoir "Shattered."  Her memoir talks about her experience with adopting a foster child with undisclosed conditions and the foster system's difficulty in supporting her efforts to raise the child. 

Susan Chesnutt interviews Matthew Brickman from ITAP Mediation. Matthew and Susan discuss the path to becoming a Mediator and the importance of using the mediation process to achieve the best resolutions. 

Summary: Susan Chesnutt interviews her high school teacher, Daniel Nixon Taylor, about the positive influences of educators and the lifelong impact she had in her experience participating in a mock trial in high school. 

Susan Chesnutt and former divorce attorney, Jennifer Stoler, the CEO and Founder of The Divorce Chick™ Tribe discuss the process of divorce. They review approaches that can help you evolve your divorce into a therapeutic effort to help your family move forward.

SUMMARY: Susan Chesnutt interviews a long time colleague Dawn Kirk who has been practicing family law for 30 years and mediation for 15 years. As a mediator Dawn’s primary focus is on the children, understanding the family dynamic to find an outcome in the child’s best interest. HIGHLIGHTS: [00:02:00] Dawn explains what it takes to become a mediator and the certification process. You do not need t...

SUMMARY: Susan Chesnutt and her special guest Martin Kofsky talk about his recent article that focuses on the rights of grandparents. Martin has been litigating and working in family law for 30 years. Sit back and settle in for some good information and food for thought. HIGHLIGHTS: [00:01:45] The discussion begins with Martin describing his experience with offending and non offending parents and...

Summary: Susan Chesnutt has a heartwarming conversation with Jackie Pilossoph on talking with your children about your divorce. What to say and who to say it to, will help guide you through the tough process. Jackie is an author, former journalist and the creator of Divorce Girls Smiling, a resource for men and women going through the divorce process. HIGHLIGHTS: 02:49 Susan and Jackie dive into w...

SUMMARY: Susan Chesnutt and Dr. Alan Blotcky tackle the topic of parental alienation which are behaviors, tactics or strategies that one parent will use to undermine the child's relationship with the other parent.  HIGHLIGHTS:   [00:01:00] Susan introduces Dr. Alan Blotcky who is a clinical and forensic psychologist, a freelance journalist published in USA today, Psychology Today in many...

SUMMARY Child welfare attorney Susan Chesnutt’s and Certified Divorce Lending Professional and John Whitbeck discuss mental health and the divorce experience. Buckle up for a lot of helpful information about navigating issues from COVID shots to clients in crisis. ------------------------------ HIGHLIGHTS [01:23] Introduction to John Whitbeck, former professor at the George Mason Law School, pract...