Akiona Law Podcast

In this episode of the Akiona Law podcast, Ululani “Lani” Akiona speaks with addiction counselor Amber Hollingsworth, creator of Put the Shovel Down, to explore the hidden dynamics of addiction within relationships and its toll on the sober spouse. Drawing on two decades of clinical experience, Amber breaks down the cycles of defensiveness and denial, offering strategic communication tools, guidance on setting boundaries through natural consequences, and practical steps for families navigating recovery or divorce.

In this episode of the Akiona Law podcast, Ululani “Lani” Akiona speaks with Jody Bauer, a certified High-Conflict Divorce Coach, and the founder of Solidarity Consulting. She’s also the founder of That’s What She Said, a storytelling event built to give women’s voices the space they deserve. Together they dismantle common misconceptions around “high-conflict” divorces, exposing how the label often masks targeted patterns of emotional abuse and manipulation rather than mutual pettiness. Together, they discuss actionable steps for protecting your well-being, from setting firm boundaries and documenting evidence for legal proceedings to building a targeted support network of coaching and therapy.

In this episode of the Akiona Law podcast, Ululani “Lani” Akiona speaks with Jennifer Keilin, MSW, LICSW, a Washington-based mental health specialist with over two decades of experience helping families transition from conflict to cooperation. Ululani and Jennifer dive into the nuance of high-conflict family dynamics, distinguishing between justified rejection and parental alienation, and emphasizing why a child’s mental health and trauma-informed care must take center stage. Tune in for an empathetic, deeply informative discussion on restoring family connections.

 In this episode of the Akiona Law Podcast, Ululani “Lani” Akiona speaks with Aubrie De Clerck, an International Coaching Federation (ICF) certified coach, 18-year industry veteran, and the founder of Coaching for Clarity. Aubrie specializes in helping people navigate the "rough seas" of major life disruptions—including divorce, job layoffs, health milestones, and career changes. Known for her deeply practical yet highly inspirational approach, Aubrie explains how to find your footing when your life's trajectory suddenly changes. 

In this episode of the Akiona Law podcast, Ululani "Lani" Akiona speaks with Mark Martinez, a Marine Corps veteran and founder of Red-3 CPA and Forensic Accounting. Mark uses his sharp eye for financial discrepancies to help individuals and legal teams find "the truth behind the numbers." Tune in as we break down exactly what a forensic accountant does, how they uncover assets people are trying to hide, and what you should do if you suspect financial dishonesty in your own case.

In this episode of the Akiona Law podcast, Ululani “Lani”  Akiona speaks with Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and owner of Serene Divorce Planning, Jesse Deason.

Jesse explains how financial neutrals use "what-if" modeling to help clients in Collaborative Divorce navigate real estate and cash flow considerations. She outlines the essential prep work required, from gathering tax returns to building a realistic post-divorce budget. While Jesse emphasizes the value of neutrals for complex assets such as equity compensation, she also clarifies when a simpler case might not need one. The conversation highlights how professional financial guidance provides clarity and confidence during a difficult life transition.

Jesse Deason, CFP®, CDFA®, EA  
www.serenedivorce.com
www.sereneplanning.com

In this episode of the Akiona Law podcast, Ululani “Lani”  Akiona speaks with Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and owner of Serene Divorce Planning, Jesse Deason.

Jesse explains how financial neutrals use "what-if" modeling to help clients in Collaborative Divorce navigate real estate and cash flow considerations. She outlines the essential prep work required, from gathering tax returns to building a realistic post-divorce budget. While Jesse emphasizes the value of neutrals for complex assets such as equity compensation, she also clarifies when a simpler case might not need one. The conversation highlights how professional financial guidance provides clarity and confidence during a difficult life transition.

 In this episode, of the Akiona Law Podcast, Ululani “Lani” Akiona speaks with health and wellness coach, and certified divorce coach, Kathleen Burgler. Kathleen is also the author of “Forge Your Path: a workbook for intentional growth during end of marriage, divorce, and healing." The discussion highlights five essential keys to healing—including grounding and self-compassion—designed to help individuals reclaim their personal power through structured exercises.

In this episode of the Akiona Law Podcast, Ululani “Lani“ Akiona, speaks with Emotion-Focused Trained Counselor and Collaborative Divorce Coach, Beth Hirnle. Beth is a board member of King County Collaborative Law (KCCL), and a member of Collaborative Professionals of WA (CPW), International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), and Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC).  

Beth and Lani dive into the transformative role of a collaborative divorce coach. Beth explains how collaborative divorce coaches manage the emotional dynamics and communications between couples. When children are involved, a collaborative divorce coach supports the transition from spouses to co-parents. She describes how coaches work alongside legal and financial professionals to create comprehensive divorce solutions that focus on the parties' long-term well-being. Beth emphasizes collaborative divorce coaches are not therapists. Instead, a collaborative divorce coach provides tools and strategies for effective communication during the divorce process, helping couples make informed decisions while maintaining respect and dignity. Lani’s conversation with Beth highlights how divorce coaches add value by making the process more efficient and cost-effective, while also providing support to the parties through individual meetings separate from the main collaborative team sessions. 

Website: https://www.bethhirnlecoaching.com/

In the final installment of our four-part series on parenting plans, Akiona Law Podcast host Ululani "Lani" Akiona and co-parenting coach and host of “Welcome to the Other Side” podcast, Meg Gluckman explore crucial aspects like child safety, effective communication strategies between parents and children, and maintaining open dialogue about family values. Lani and Meg provide practical advice for managing school and medical appointments, introducing new partners, and customizing plans to fit your family's unique traditions. 

Update 8/19/2025: Since the recording of that podcast, Washington courts have released a new parenting plan form.

Specifically, the section we referred to as "Section 14. Other" in the podcast is now designated as “Section 10. Other” in the court’s new parenting plan form.