In this week’s Friday Coaching Corner, I respond to a mom’s heartfelt question that so many survivors share:

“How do I support my children’s relationship with their dad—because the court says I have to—while knowing he is emotionally and psychologically abusing them every week?”

This episode dives deep into one of the hardest balancing acts for protective parents: offering emotional honesty and safety without crossing into parental alienation.

You’ll hear strategies and validation around:

• How to build felt safety for your children when the other home is unsafe.
• Why it’s vital not to gaslight your kids—and what to say instead.
• How to reflect what you see (“Your body looks like it needs to move after visits”) instead of judging or rescuing.
• Using simple rituals and routines to help kids regulate after contact with the abusive parent.
• How to teach emotional intelligence and discernment so your kids can identify safe people and unsafe behaviors.
• Ways to contrast your safe home environment with the other parent’s behavior—without speaking negatively about them.
• The truth that children need one consistent, unconditional, loving caregiver to build resilience—and that person can be you.
  
  

This episode is a compassionate guide for every survivor-parent navigating the impossible tension between protecting your children and being forced to “support” a relationship that hurts them.

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If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

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If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

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How do you communicate with someone who continues to abuse you post separation?

I cannot stress how important it is to learn how to communicate with your “high conflict” co-parent in ways that will protect you and your mental health in order to better protect your children.

In this episode I talk with Jill Kauffman about how she supports those going through a “high conflict” divorce and post separation abuse find peace in their lives while also having to communicate with their coparent about their children. We discuss the pitfalls that many survivors fall into, how to pick your battles, and how to stop taking everything said personally to protect your peace.

Jill Kaufman is a Therapist, Divorce Coach, Mediator & Co-parenting Expert. After going through her own difficult divorce, she made it her life’s mission to help others not have it so tough. Her book, online course and transformative group coaching program help parents navigate the overwhelming process of divorce both emotionally and strategically with less stress, more confidence and a greater sense of peace.

Connect with Jill:

• Website: www.divorcecoachjill.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcecoachjill/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jill.kaufman.353, https://www.facebook.com/groups/separationanddivorcesupportcommunity

If you are struggling with communicating with your ex, Rising Beyond Power and Control offers many resources including our Canned Responses that can help when you just can’t find the words.

Register here for the workshop happening November 11th, 2025 - Family Court Doesn't Have to Break You: Practical and Emotional Preparation for Survivors |
https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/courtprep

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

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Family court can feel like it’s designed to wear you down. The long waits, the unpredictability, the endless back-and-forth with your ex — it can seem impossible to get through without breaking.

But what if you didn’t have to let court define you?

In this episode, Sybil shares how survivors can walk through family court with steadiness and strength. Instead of waiting for one big “final win,” you’ll learn how to find momentum in small victories, focus your energy where it counts, and adopt key mindset shifts that protect your well-being along the way.

You’ll hear about:

• Small wins that matter — how to recognize progress in the middle of a long battle.
• Control vs. no control — a practical way to separate what deserves your energy from what doesn’t.
• Mindset shifts that sustain you, including:
  • Court is a chapter, not your whole story.
  • Your strength is not defined by the outcome.
  • Preparation is power.
  • The courtroom doesn’t define your parenting.
  • Endurance over perfection.
  • Anchoring in values when the process feels chaotic.

Court is difficult — but with these strategies, it doesn’t have to break you.

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

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In this week’s Friday Coaching Corner, I respond to a listener who’s six years post–custody loss and doing her best to stay connected with her teen daughter—while being accused of crossing boundaries and “embarrassing” her.

This mom wonders: “Am I doing okay? Or am I being walked over by my child and my ex?”

It’s a question many protective parents ask themselves when trying to balance compassion, boundaries, and the constant pressure to appear “perfect” under the court’s microscope.

In this episode, I explore:

• What it means to show unconditional love without losing your footing.
• How to reframe communication to focus on love, connection, and curiosity instead of control.
• The difference between compassionate boundaries and compliance.
• How to handle teens who use “therapy language” to push back or deflect.
• Why you can (and should) stop caring what outsiders think.
• Hope for parents who’ve lost time with their kids—how consistent, grounded love can bring them back in the long run.

This episode is for every parent who’s been told they’re “too soft,” when in reality, they’re showing incredible restraint and resilience in the face of impossible systems and emotionally complex parenting.

Want your question featured in a future Friday Coaching Corner? Send a short paragraph explaining your situation and 2–3 specific questions to info@risingbeyondpc.com.

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

Where to find more from Rising Beyond:
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Walking into family court is intimidating enough — and then your ex smirks, rolls their eyes, or drops a lie designed to rattle you. On top of that, opposing counsel may throw you questions that feel like traps or come out of nowhere.

In this episode, Sybil breaks down how to keep your composure in court when your ex tries to provoke you, and how to handle curveball questions during cross-examination.

You’ll learn:

• Why abusers use provocation in court and how judges often notice your reaction more than the provocation itself.
• Simple emotional defense strategies — like the “poker face,” grounding tools, and focusing only on the judge.
• The most common types of curveball questions attorneys ask (from vague to rapid-fire) and how to respond without being trapped.
• Practical scripts for redirecting with calm and keeping the focus on your child’s needs.

These strategies don’t make court easy — but they can help you feel steady, credible, and prepared in a system that often feels stacked against you.

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

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Family court is often the last place survivors expect to or actually find safety, yet for so many, it’s where their battle continues. What if we could do something to change that?

I’m talking with Jill Montes and Dr. Ramona Probasco from the Healing While Living Free Foundation to talk about the systemic failures of family court, why survivors often lose their voice in the process, and what can actually be done to shift things, starting with training attorneys.

Together, we dive into:

• Why family court isn’t designed for abuse cases and how survivors end up at a disadvantage from the start.
• How abusers present in court vs. how survivors show up in trauma—and why courts often misinterpret both.
• The dangerous myths that persist, like “mutual abuse” or “false reporting,” and how they harm protective parents.
• Their new resource for attorneys and judges: practical do’s and don’ts to represent survivors safely and effectively.
• The role of “super traits” like empathy and loyalty that make survivors vulnerable to abuse—and how to reclaim them as strengths.
• Why training attorneys now matters for the future of family court.

We share with full honesty, lived experience, and hope for change. If you’re navigating family court or supporting someone who is, you’ll walk away with clarity, validation, and concrete ideas for next steps.

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

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In this week’s Friday Coaching Corner, I respond to a heartbreaking listener story that highlights just how overwhelming it can feel to keep fighting for your child when the family court system and even your own attorney seem to be standing in the way.

This listener’s ex-partner is refusing to comply with the court order requiring their child to participate in family therapy, therapy that could be covered by Medicaid, while continuing to manipulate both the child and the process. The result is devastating: a protective parent with only a weekly phone call and a mountain of grief, legal obstacles, and financial strain.

Questions Answered in this Episode:

• How to use the exact language in your court order to advocate for family therapy.
• The difference between family therapy and reunification therapy (and why it matters for insurance coverage).
• Practical steps for documenting refusals and setting up a motion to compel, rather than just contempt proceedings.
• Strategies for getting your unresponsive attorney to act, including how to organize your communications using the Rocks in a Jar method.
• Where to turn for ADA accommodation requests or grievances in Colorado.
• Speaking to the grief of being kept from your child—and why your early bond still matters.

This is a tough but important conversation. If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the whole burden of advocacy while the system lets you down, I hope you find both validation and practical direction here.

Referred Links:
Rocks in a Jar video - https://www.canva.com/design/DAGv_UPUPeA/aGbiC6yT5hNhbsoevU-cQQ/edit
Project Justice USA Survey - https://www.projectjusticeusa.com/

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

Where to find more from Rising Beyond:
Rising Beyond Facebook
Rising Beyond LinkedIn
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What happens when you bring a passionate male advocate for survivors of domestic violence into a space that’s usually led by women? That’s what we're doing in this episode!

I talk with Michael, a rare but powerful male voice in this movement, to talk about the complexities of abuse, how children really experience it, and what it looks like for men to step into prevention and healing work.

Together, we cover:

• An unexpected start: How a “mess around job” at a domestic violence shelter shifted Michael’s path and purpose.
• Kids always know: Why children absorb far more than we think when abuse is happening at home.
• The gender gap: What keeps men out of advocacy spaces—and what could change that.
• Breaking cycles: Michael’s stories from working with boys and men, and how change actually happens.
• Parenting through it: How survivors can support their children in building healthy relationships and identities.
• The role of women: What’s yours to carry, and what isn’t, when it comes to men’s healing.

This conversation is honest, challenging, and full of hope. If you’ve ever wondered how to raise compassionate boys, how to include men in real culture change, or how to support your kids after abuse, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Michael Brasher, PhD, PCIC is a men's coach, researcher, and author working at the intersection of public health, gender, and racial justice. He helps men and boys unlearn toxic conditioning to build safe, equitable relationships with women, and engages them as allies in ending gender-based violence. His work focuses on the socialization of masculinity as a public health issue, with a research emphasis on domestic violence and anti-Blackness.

Connect with Michael:

• Is Your Partner a Robot? Take the free quiz: https://michael-odkf51tb.scoreapp.com/
• Free Healthy Masculinity Men’s Monthly Talking Circle: https://michael-uwrnhoyd.scoreapp.com
• Social Media: @lifeunboundcoaching
• Book some time with Me: https://dot.cards/michaelbrasher

Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people.

If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc

If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community.

If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/

Where to find more from Rising Beyond:
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If you're interested in guesting on the show please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7

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• ...