Kids First Co-Parenting with Dr. Royster

Twenty-six episodes. Thousands of listeners. Moms sharing this podcast with their sisters, their friends, the woman down the street who just got served papers. Season 1 of this podcast has been one of the most meaningful things I have built and I built it for YOU. For the mom who is exhausted and scared and doing this mostly alone. For the mom who just needed someone to tell her she was not crazy....

If you have a custody evaluation coming up or you've just been told one has been ordered this episode is a must listen. Custody evaluations are one of the most high stakes (and stressful) moments in any family law case, and most moms walk in under-prepared and over stressed. In this solo episode, licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Karalynn Royster, breaks down what happens inside a custody evalua...

Money is one of the most powerful tools used in high conflict divorce and coparenting dynamics. For many women: the narrative that they are "bad with money" is not a personal failure: it is a story they have been told to keep them feeling small or stuck. In this episode: I am joined by Leah Hadley (a financial expert OG). We are dismantling the shame around finances and giving you the clinical and...

In this insightful interview, child psychologist & co-parenting coach, Dr. Karalynn Royster, and Licensed Clinical Social worker, Alexandra Harrison LCSW, explore the complexities of stepfamily dynamics, blending families, and effective coaching strategies. Discover practical tips, research-backed insights, and compassionate approaches to navigate the challenges of blended families and co-pare...

In this episode, Dr. Karalynn Royster and divorce coach Andra Davidson explore the emotional landscape of divorce, effective co-parenting strategies, and how to turn challenging experiences into opportunities for growth. Whether you're in the thick of divorce or just contemplating it, this conversation offers practical advice and reassurance. Key Topics: The importance of emotional support during...

Dr. Karalynn Royster delves into the impact of gaslighting and manipulation on children in high-conflict co-parenting situations. The podcast introduces the Anchor Method as a framework for supporting children and reinforcing their self-trust in challenging family dynamics. Takeaways Gaslighting and manipulation impact children's sense of reality The Anchor Method provides a framework for supporti...

Send a text When the floor drops out after a separation, most parents don’t need platitudes; they need a lifeline. We sit down with Joy Reed from the National Association for Single and Divorced Families to unpack a practical, AARP‑style model built for families: national mediation you can trust, real childcare discounts with priority placement, mental health sessions that actually start the heali...

Send a text We face the quiet fear many moms hold: will my child turn out like my ex. We explain why mimicry isn’t destiny, how processing experience shapes character, and how one steady adult can outweigh chaotic modeling, even in high-conflict homes. • naming the hidden fear without shame • modeling versus processing and why it matters • the role of one steady, safe caregiver • influence versus...

Send a text We look at why “just ignore it” fails kids in high-conflict homes and show how brief, blame-free validation protects their trust and nervous system. We share practical scripts to name the hard thing, contain it, and co-regulate without fueling new fights. • why silence teaches kids to doubt themselves • difference between ignoring a co-parent and ignoring a child • when non-engagement...

Send a text We walk through how to decide if your attorney is the right fit by focusing on your next 60 to 90 days, your case’s unique needs, and the communication systems that keep you steady. We compare junior and senior counsel, map specialties to real problems, and share steps to repair or replace without chaos. • reframing “best attorney” as best for your needs • defining immediate goals like...

Send a text We explore how to face holiday grief and ambivalence when the kids are with a co-parent and the house feels too quiet. We share a clear plan to cope ahead, micro-skills for spirals, and when to bring in extra support while modeling regulation for our kids. • naming grief and ambivalence during holidays • separating feelings from behaviors • building a coping ahead plan that fits you •...

Send a text We explore how to support kids through holiday ambivalence without putting them in the middle, and why naming, validating, and coping rituals reduce stress for both kids and parents. We reframe “bad behavior” as stress signals, unpack loyalty pulls, and share simple connection rituals that steady transitions. • normalizing mixed feelings during holiday co‑parenting  • naming and valida...

Send a text We explore how a therapist-led, process-oriented divorce recovery group helps women move through grief, confront shame, and build real co-parenting skills when conflict runs high. Join us for the bonus conversation with Dr. Kristen Hick (Center for Shared Insight) .  Along the way we name false summits, choose the right hills to die on, and find a steadier path forward. What's in this...

Send a text Holiday tables can be tender ground when you’re parenting from two homes. We dig into practical, child-first strategies to keep Thanksgiving calm and drama-free, and be connected to the people that although they are being nosey...probably care a lot too. From boundary-setting texts you can send before you arrive to on-the-spot scripts that shut down gossip, comparisons, and invasive qu...

Send a text The kids stay home, the parents rotate—simple to say, hard to do well. We unpack nesting with straight talk on what it is, when it helps, and how to make it work without sliding back into the same conflicts that made separation necessary. From early-stage divorce logistics to keeping bedtime steady for a neurodivergent child, we share a practical blueprint anchored in safety, trust, an...

Send a text A single notification shouldn’t hijack your nervous system. When co-parenting gets high-conflict, though, even a short text can set off a cascade of stress that steals focus from your kids. We sat down with founder Sol Kennedy to unpack Best Interest, the first AI‑moderated messaging app for co-parents, built from his own divorce and supported by Dr. Ramani’s expertise. Think of it as...

Send a text Court-ordered FaceTime, late-night pings, and surprise speakerphone moments can turn tech into a battleground—unless you have a plan built for high-conflict co-parenting. We break down a practical five-decision framework that transforms chaos into clarity: precise call windows, allowed platforms, device-free anchors, clear privacy norms, and a calm problems protocol for when things go...

Send a text Ever watched your child’s face twist with confusion? Up at night worrying about gaslighting and how to protect your child from the exact dynamics you experienced?  We’re tackling the quiet damage of gaslighting in high-conflict co-parenting and sharing the exact words you can use to steady your kid without badmouthing your ex or dragging them into the middle. We start with validation o...

Send a text What happens when the already intense world of competitive youth sports collides with the complexities of co-parenting after divorce? Dr. Alec Baker, a psychologist specializing in both sports psychology and family dynamics, joins Dr. Royster to explore this challenging intersection where parental dreams, financial pressures, and children's wellbeing often compete for priority. Drawing...

Send a text Ever wondered if your child is being gaslit by their other parent? Manipulated into questioning their own reality? You're not alone, and you're not being paranoid. Gaslighting - that subtle psychological manipulation where someone makes you question your own perceptions and memories - can be devastating for children caught in high-conflict co-parenting situations. When a child starts d...

Send a text Overwhelmed by the advice to "document everything" in your high-conflict co-parenting situation? You're not alone. In this practical episode, Dr. Karalynn Royster tackles the documentation dilemma head-on, offering clear strategies to transform that mountain of screenshots into a manageable, effective system. Documentation serves three crucial purposes: creating an objective record of...

Send a text Show Notes:  Dr. Karalynn Royster invites child psychologist Dr. Julianne Monday to explore the connection between anxious moms and anxious kids, discussing how parental regulation impacts children's emotional development. They share practical strategies for breaking generational patterns and creating emotionally safe homes while addressing the pervasive issue of mom guilt. Key Points:...

Send a text Summary: Dr. Karalynn Royster explores how to respond when your child returns from their co-parent's home repeating confusing or inaccurate information. This episode provides practical guidance on validating your child's experience while maintaining appropriate boundaries that protect them from adult conflicts. Takeaways: • Children asking difficult questions shows they trust you enoug...

Send a text Summary: Our neurobiological response to co-parenting stress often mirrors evolutionary survival mechanisms, triggering fight, flight, freeze, or fawn reactions when we receive messages from difficult ex-partners. Recognizing these pattern is the critical first step to interrupting automatic responses and choosing more intentional communication. Key Takeaways: • The "four Fs" (fight, f...

Send a text Summary Parallel parenting provides a structured approach for co-parenting with high-conflict exes by creating strong boundaries and limiting communication. This episode explores different co-parenting styles and helps you determine if parallel parenting might be the right approach for your situation. Key Takeaways: • Different co-parenting styles exist on a spectrum from nesting to co...