The JudgeMental Podcast

JudgeMental Podcast – Episode 59: Flippant In this episode, Christine and Hugh dive deep into the challenging and often heartbreaking realities of de facto custodianship in Kentucky family courts. They discuss a current case in Judge Lori Goodwin’s court, exploring what it means to be a de facto custodian, the rights and limitations that come with that status, and the inconsistencies in how courts...

JudgeMental Podcast – Episode 58: “Temporary Hell” In this episode, Hugh and Christine dive deep into the realities of “temporary order land” in family court. They discuss how temporary orders can become long-term fixtures, the challenges litigants and attorneys face, and the strategic use (and abuse) of temporary orders by judges. The conversation covers the roles of FOCs (Friend of the Court), G...

JudgeMental Podcast – Episode 57 Be Nice In this episode, Christine and Hugh dive into the evolving landscape of courtroom transparency, focusing on the challenges attorneys and the public face in accessing complete court records and videos. They discuss the implications of policy changes that limit access to full motion hour recordings, the importance of transparency in the justice system, and ho...

JudgeMental Podcast – Episode 56: S%*t Happens In this episode, Christine and Hugh dive deep into a recent and troubling family court case out of Kentucky. They break down the procedural missteps, discuss the importance of affidavits in contempt and custody motions, and reflect on the broader implications for pro se litigants and the legal community. The conversation covers: The critical role of p...

JudgeMental Podcast – Episode 55 Emergency Ward In this episode, Christine and Hugh dive deep into a troubling family court case out of Louisville, Kentucky, where a pro se mother was sentenced to 180 days in jail—without an attorney present and possibly while hospitalized. The hosts break down the constitutional issues at play, including the right to counsel, due process, and the requirements for...

JudgeMental Podcast – Episode 54: S-Y-B-A-M (Shut Your B*#ch Ass Mouth?) In this episode, hosts Hugh and Christine dive deep into the controversial world of gag orders in family court. Drawing from their own legal experience, they discuss the difference between legitimate restraining orders and blanket gag orders, the constitutional balance between a fair trial and free speech, and the real-world...

JudgeMental Podcast – Episode 53: Feed the Machine In this episode, Hugh and Christine tackle the complexities and controversies of family court, focusing on recent cases that highlight judicial overreach, attorney-client conflicts, and the challenges faced by children and parents in the system. Episode Highlights: The Christine Ward Case: A deep dive into Judge Ward’s decision to restrict what a...

Episode Notes: The JudgeMental Podcast – "In a Mood" Welcome to another candid and unfiltered episode of The JudgeMental Podcast! Hosts Hugh and Christine, the minds behind the revolutionary app and website judge-y, dive deep into the realities of family court, judicial accountability, and the ongoing challenges facing parents, attorneys, and children in the legal system. In This Episode: Hugh and...

Episode 51: Due Process Dumpster Fire The JudgeMental Podcast In this explosive episode of The JudgeMental Podcast, Christine and Hugh dive deep into the latest developments in a high-profile billionaire divorce case, focusing on a controversial 60-page Friend of the Court (FOC) report. The hosts break down the troubling due process issues, the role of cross-examination, and the broader problems w...

Episode Notes for The JudgeMental Podcast Welcome to Episode 50: "Home Cookin’" of The JudgeMental Podcast! In this highly requested episode, Christine and Hugh take a deep dive into the realities of Oldham County Family Court. Drawing from their own legal experiences and listener questions, they offer candid, judge-y insights into the challenges, quirks, and controversies that define this Kentuck...

Episode 49: Seriously Lauren? Welcome to another episode of The JudgeMental Podcast! Hosts Hugh and Christine—two passionate lawyers and the minds behind the judge-y app—dive deep into the latest controversy shaking up the Louisville family court system. This week, they dissect the actions of Judge Lauren Ogden in a high-profile, high-asset custody case. Christine and Hugh break down the legal mis...

Episode 48: Happier Holiday — The JudgeMental Podcast In this special holiday episode of The JudgeMental Podcast, hosts Hugh and Christine—two seasoned lawyers and the minds behind the judge-y app—dive into the emotional rollercoaster that is the holiday season for families navigating divorce, custody battles, and family court. They share personal and client stories about the unique challenges tha...

Episode 47: Making Faces Welcome to another episode of The JudgeMental Podcast with your hosts, Hugh and Christine—the minds behind judge-y, the revolutionary app and website empowering you to judge the judges and bring transparency to the courtroom. In this episode, Hugh and Christine dive deep into the challenges faced by pro se litigants—individuals representing themselves in court without an a...

The JudgeMental Podcast – Episode 46: Happy F'ing Friday Welcome to Episode 46 of The JudgeMental Podcast! Hosts Hugh and Christine, the minds behind judge-y, bring you another candid and insightful discussion on the realities of family court, judicial accountability, and the ongoing quest for justice. In This Episode: Mommy Jail Case Update: Hugh and Christine provide the latest developments in t...

Episode 45 – The JudgeMental Podcast In this powerful episode of The JudgeMental Podcast, Christine and Hugh dive deep into the realities and challenges of the family court system. Drawing from their own experiences as attorneys and advocates, they discuss the trauma, frustration, and systemic issues that plague family courts—not just in Louisville, but nationwide and even globally. Key topics inc...

Episode 44 – The JudgeMental Podcast In this episode of The JudgeMental Podcast, Christine and Hugh dive deep into the question: Should there be a public defender’s office—or its equivalent—in family court? They explore the differences between criminal and family court representation, the constitutional rights at stake for parents, and the real-world impact of not having independent legal counsel...

The JudgeMental Podcast – Episode 43: "Crystal Clear" In this episode, Christine and Hugh dive back into the complexities of Jefferson County Family Court, sharing updates and insights on recent cases and court decisions. Christine opens up about her recent 24-hour fast and addresses rumors, before the hosts turn their attention to the latest developments in family law. Key topics discussed includ...

Episode 42: Sittin' in a Tree Welcome to another eye-opening episode of The JudgeMental Podcast! This week, Christine and Hugh dive deep into the tangled web of judicial ethics and conflicts of interest in family court, focusing on a real-life scenario involving Judge Gatewood and attorney Jim Murphy. The hosts break down how a judge being a landlord to an attorney who regularly appears before the...

The JudgeMental Podcast – Episode 41: "Put the Shovel Down" In this episode of The JudgeMental Podcast, hosts Christine and Hugh dive deep into the latest developments surrounding Judge Santry and the controversy over her attendance at a political fundraiser. The discussion unpacks the ethical implications, the judicial response, and the broader issues of accountability in the family court system....

The JudgeMental Podcast – EP 41: Mommy Jail In this gripping episode of The JudgeMental Podcast, Christine and Hugh break down a shocking incident in family court where a mother was abruptly jailed by Judge Ogden. The hosts recount the courtroom drama, including the judge’s reaction to claims of due process violations, the role and neutrality of the Friend of the Court (FOC), and the controversial...

The JudgeMental Podcast – Episode 39: "Society Loses" In this episode of The JudgeMental Podcast, hosts Hugh and Christine—two lawyers on a mission to bring transparency and accountability to the courts—dive into one of the wildest days in family court. They break down the drama surrounding a high-profile recusal motion, the culture of courtroom banter, and the sometimes shocking realities of judi...

Welcome to another episode of The JudgeMental Podcast! In this episode, we dive deep into the world of judgment, decision-making, and the stories that shape our perspectives. Join us as we explore thought-provoking discussions, real-life scenarios, and expert insights that challenge the way we think about right, wrong, and everything in between. Highlights from this episode include: Engaging conve...

The JudgeMental Podcast – EP 37 Become the Media Episode Notes In this episode of The JudgeMental Podcast, Christine and Hugh dive deep into the troubling lack of transparency in the family court system, focusing on recent emergency orders and judicial decisions that have gone unpublished and unchecked. They discuss the case of Judge Lauren Ogden, highlighting repeated interventions by the Court o...

Episode 36: Tantrum — The JudgeMental Podcast In this episode of The JudgeMental Podcast, hosts Hugh and Christine dive deep into the latest drama from Louisville Family Court. They break down a recent order from Judge Santry, which, in their words, reads like a "temper tantrum on paper." The hosts discuss the culture of the Louisville Family Bar, judicial accountability, and the importance of due...

Episode 36: Classic Ogden Welcome to another hard-hitting episode of The JudgeMental Podcast with your hosts, Hugh and Christine—the legal minds behind the revolutionary app and website, judge-y. This week, they dive deep into the latest controversy surrounding Judge Lauren Ogden and the Kentucky family court system. In this episode: Hugh and Christine break down a shocking case where Judge Ogden...