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As 2025 draws to a close, I sat down with my partner and producer Louise to reflect on what has been a truly transformative year for our coparenting podcast. When we started this journey, we knew we wanted to have honest conversations about co-parenting, but we didn’t realize just how deep we would go.
From navigating the legal trenches to understanding the nervous system of a traumatized child, this year was about equipping you with the tools and techniques available to survive and thrive. Louise and I talked about the challenges of co-parenting and the incredible resilience of this community. We laughed, we got serious, and we looked back at the valuable insights our guests brought to the table.
If you are looking for a divorce survival guide podcast, this recap is it. Below, I’m diving deeper than we did in the recap episode, revisiting every episode of the season to ensure you have the strategies that you can use to create peace in high conflict.
Understanding the High-Conflict Divorce Podcast Landscape
We kicked off the year by addressing the elephant in the room: the personality types that make this process so difficult. We wanted to help you move past the conflict by understanding who you are dealing with.
In Episode 1, the incredible Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a world-renowned narcissism expert, joined us. She validated what so many of us feel but are afraid to say: sometimes, collaboration isn’t possible. She introduced us to the necessity of parallel parenting. Her quote still rings in my ears:
“I don’t know that we could ever let any guide someone to let go of what is such a basic need, which is closure. I think it’s letting go of the idea that it will ever happen.”
Later in the season, in Episode 12, Wendy Behary deepened this conversation. She explained the underpinnings of narcissism, helping us see the shame behind the rage so we can emancipate ourselves from self-blame. She reminded us:
“Every child needs one good healthy parent who’s doing a lot of hard work to steer the ship.”
We also had Heather Wolfe in Episode 19, who differentiated between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. She advocated for “radical acceptance”—a tool I use constantly. As Heather said:
“Radical acceptance… You’re not agreeing with it. You’re accepting it. It is what it is.”
These divorce podcast episodes are essential listening if you are trying to navigate a narcissist.
Family Law: Navigating the Legal System
One of the most daunting aspects of a high conflict divorce is the court system. We wanted to make sure you had the family law knowledge to protect your children.
In Episode 3, attorney Ron Gore gave us a reality check. He emphasized that litigation never truly ends while children are minors, so we must act as if we are under a magnifying glass. He urged us to subsidize good behavior:
“Whatever you subsidize, you get more of. So, take every opportunity you can to subsidize good behavior by your co-parent.”
We often hear horror stories about attorneys escalating fights. In Episode 20, Elise Buie warned us against hiring “bulldog” attorneys who throw “hand grenades” into families. She reminded us that we have the power to stop the tug-of-war:
“The conflict almost cannot exist when the other person isn’t holding the rope.”
Similarly, in Episode 24, Bridget Bennett broke down the incentives of the legal system, noting that attorneys often bill by the hour, meaning de-escalation isn’t always in their financial interest. Her advice on “gray rocking” was a game-changer.
“If your attorney deescalates the conflict, they really don’t have an incentive to do so because they’re then taking you off of their payroll.”
We also covered strategic communication in Episode 16 with Chris & Lisa from “Been There Got Out.” They taught us to write every message as if a judge is reading it—because they probably will.
“We say that once you’re out of the day-to-day relationship, they can’t still get at you. So they’re limited to just these three things: money, kids, and the court.”
For the dads out there, Episode 25 with David Pisarra was a standout. He discussed how fathers can advocate for themselves by replacing anger with evidence.
“It’s not a court of justice, it’s a court of law.”
And finally, Kirk Stange in Episode 22 hammered home the importance of getting the parenting plan right the first time to avoid costly returns to court.
“Better to get it done right than get it done quick and it not be right.”
Co-parenting With Confidence and Child-Centric Focus
Ultimately, this parenting podcast is about the kids. We want to help you parent with a focus on their well-being, even when the other home is chaotic.
In Episode 21, Christina McGhee gave us hope with the “Power of One.” She reassured us that we don’t need to control the other house; our stability is enough.
“Kids are gonna fare better if one parent gets it together than if nobody gets it together.”
This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Karalynn Royster in Episode 26, who distinguished between gaslighting and alienation, reminding us that one secure attachment figure can change a child’s life.
“We know that it takes one regulated, attuned, securely attached person to change a child’s life.”
Dr. Amy J.L. Baker joined us in Episode 5 to tackle the terrifying topic of alienation. She redefined success for targeted parents: it’s not about the child’s response, but about the act of reaching out.
“It’s, I’ve succeeded because I’ve sent the text. It’s not a failure because your child doesn’t respond.”
We also looked at loyalty binds with Dr. Donald A. Gordon in Episode 7. He used the airplane oxygen mask analogy to explain why self-care is a prerequisite for good parenting.
“When you’re flying on a plane, they’ll tell you when the oxygen masks drop down from the ceiling, you put yours on first before you help your child.”
And in Episode 23, Todd Sarner helped us reframe our fears about divorce damaging our kids. It’s not the divorce; it’s the conflict and the attachment rupture we need to watch for.
“I don’t need to agree with you to empathize with your experience.”
How to Become a Confident Co-Parent and Heal Yourself
You cannot co-parent with confidence if you are running on empty. A major theme of 2025 was personal recovery and building a foundation for a more peaceful life.
In Episode 8, Erika Wright challenged us on codependency. She taught us that we must accept the reality of who our co-parent is today, not who they were.
“Non-codependency is the acceptance of holding multiple opposing truths all at the same time.”
Tamara Rowles in Episode 11 beautifully reframed divorce as a “hero’s journey.” She spoke about keeping your side of the street clean to avoid shame.
“If you can keep your side of the street clean, then you have that much better shot of getting to the end of this process without shame, without guilt.”
For those dealing with smear campaigns, Anne Wintemute in Episode 9 offered the powerful strategy of “starving the fire.”
“You cannot fight fire with fire… You have to starve the fire, rob it of the oxygen.”
Stephanie McPhail shared her harrowing story in Episode 18, reminding us to stop waiting for a savior. You have to be your own knight.
“You have to stop waiting for someone to come and save you and you have to save yourself.”
And Greg Wheeler in Episode 17 gave us a vision of the future, sharing how he eventually reached a place where he could celebrate holidays with his ex, proving you can break generational trauma.
“If you don’t capture the learning from what went wrong in your marriage, you’re bound automatically, subconsciously, to repeat that pattern in your next relationship.”
Practical Tools to Live the Blended Family Life
Sometimes, you just need logistics. We covered the practical side of how to navigate co-parenting and live the blended family life you really want.
In Episode 4, Heather Tannenbaum gave us the “business partner” mindset. She advised treating your ex like a colleague.
“Divorce does not mess up your children. Conflict does.”
Jill Barnett-Kaufman in Episode 6 reinforced this with the BIFF method (Brief, Informative, Friendly, Firm).
“Why rush into another marriage unless you are absolutely 100 % sure you’re not going to get divorced?”
Paulette Rigo took it a step further in Episode 10, advising us to treat a co-parent like a stranger at a grocery store to maintain composure.
“Do you hate your spouse more than you love your children? Or do you love your children more than you hate your spouse?”
We also touched on money with Melissa Murphy-Pavone in Episode 14, who reminded us to prioritize retirement over college funds.
“You can take loans for college, but you can’t take loans for retirement.”
And Vicky Townsend in Episode 15 discussed the financial incentives for conflict, specifically advocating for first responders.
“There’s a lot of money to be made in conflict and chaos.”
Finally, regarding new relationships, Hope Petrow in Episode 13 gave us the golden rule for dating:
“If someone’s not genuinely interested in literally the most important thing in your life, which is your children, that’s never going to be a connection.”
Looking Ahead: Coparenting Beyond Conflict in 2026
As we look toward next year, our mission remains the same: to provide actionable steps and proven strategies for parents like you. Whether you listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, we want to be one of your top divorce podcasts for support.
We know that co-parenting doesn’t work when you are dealing with high conflict divorce, which is why we focus on parallel parenting and nervous system regulation. We want to help courageous moms who want to heal, and dads who want to advocate for their kids.
There are many parenting resources out there for 2026—whether you take a course on adopting the principles of parallel parenting, listen to the work of Kate Anthony, or subscribe to other great coparenting podcasts. You might look for a free high conflict diversion program. You might even read the high conflict diversion program booklet. All of these are valid paths.
But here at BestInterest, we are dedicated to helping you gain the skills you need to become a confident co-parent. Coparenting Beyond Conflict is more than just a podcast for courageous moms and dads or a surviving divorce podcast; we are a community.
If you are ready to build healthier relationships and develop a more resilient mindset, keep listening. We will continue to bring you expert guests, from a divorce coach to a family law attorney, covering divorce recovery topics such as grief and the complexities of co-parenting.
Thank you for letting Louise and me be part of your co-parenting journey. Here is to a peaceful 2026 for us all.
