If you've gone through divorce, are contemplating it, or you're smack in the messy middle, you already know: one of the hardest parts isn't the paperwork. It's learning how the hell to communicate with your ex. This is someone you likely have a lot of emotional heat with: toxic, irritating, disappointing, or all of the above and communication might even be one of the reasons you're not together anymore.

And if you share kids? The communication doesn't end just because the relationship does. You still have to find a way to talk calmly, clearly, and with as much emotional self-protection as possible.

That's why I brought on today's guests:Tessa Noel and Heather Ruiz from Talking Parents, a platform designed to reduce the chaos, conflict, and emotional landmines that come with co-parenting. Tessa is a certified divorce transition coach and a co-parent who's lived through a brutally high-conflict divorce. Heather brings 20+ years of communications and leadership experience, and her own co-parenting journey, to the work she does shaping Talking Parents' mission.

At the end of the day, healthy communication isn't about fixing your ex, it's about reclaiming your power and creating the calm your kids need.

✨ If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode, you can find it here.

What you'll hear about in this episode:

• The biggest mistakes people make when they first start co-parenting with a difficult or high-conflict ex (11:45)

• Real-life communication patterns that support healthier outcomes for kids (16:00)

• How boundaries changed everything for Tessa and why Heather says they're essential to set early, even when things feel amicable (23:45)

• Tessa's children's book Stella's Two Homes and how it helps kids navigate two-household families (28:45)

Learn more about Tessa Noel and Heather Ruiz:

Tessa Noel is a certified divorce transition and recovery coach with extensive knowledge in multiple life coaching frameworks. She holds a degree from California State University of San Marcos and has firsthand experience in the family courts of California. Tessa is also a co-parent with two children. In her free time, she loves to take them on adventures around their home state of California.

With over 20 years in marketing and communication, Heather Ruiz is at the forefront of software services as TalkingParents Marketing Director, shaping the narrative around a pivotal time when digital platforms are redefining how co-parents coordinate, collaborate, and care for their children.

Resources & Links:

Focused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch

The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube!

Talking Parents Talking Parents on Facebook Talking Parents on Instagram Talking Parents on LinkedIn Talking Parents on TikTok Talking Parents on YouTube Tessa on Instagram Stella's Two Homes

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DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-345-how-to-communicate-with-your-ex-without-losing-your-mind-with-the-pros-at-talking-parents/