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This is your go-to Podcast, where we help parents navigate the complexities of family life. Hosted by Ali Kessler of Greyson’s Choice, we’ll cover everything from understanding domestic violence to navigating the legal system, finding the right therapists, life hacks, family law, mental health, custody battles, and how to protect children in dangerous situations.
Ali Kessler speaks with Michael Volpe, a freelance journalist, and discusses his journey into investigative journalism, focusing on political, police, corporate, and nonprofit corruption. He shares insights into the systemic issues within family courts, the abuse of power by Child Protective Services (CPS), and the impact of whistleblowers. Volpe highlights significant cases, including the St. Louis family court corruption and the consequences of reunification therapy, emphasizing the need for reform in the system. In this conversation, Michael Volpe discusses the complexities and challenges of the child custody system, highlighting the rise of reunification camps, the excessive power of judges, and the role of lawyers in perpetuating conflict. He proposes several reforms aimed at simplifying the system and reducing the influence of money and third-party appointees. The discussion also touches on specific cases, including the Kassenoff case, and the broader implications of family court decisions on children and parents alike. Volpe emphasizes the growing awareness of these issues and the momentum for reform in the legal system.
Takeaways
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Grey Minds Think Alike
00:03 Meet Michael Volpe: Investigative Journalist
00:32 Michael's Journey into Journalism
01:03 Exposing Corruption in Family Courts
02:36 The Emory University Scandal
04:03 Whistleblowers and CPS Abuses
07:37 The Chris Macney Tragedy
10:20 Uncovering the AFCC Racket
11:58 St. Louis Family Court Corruption
16:56 Reunification Therapy Controversies
22:38 David Segee's Fight for Justice
25:55 The Guardian Item Racket
26:28 Legal Reforms and Exposure
26:44 Reunification Therapy and Custody Battles
28:14 Systemic Issues in Family Courts
28:50 Proposed Solutions to Fix the System
31:32 Scummy Divorce Lawyers
39:24 The Kassenoff Case
44:21 Father's Rights Movements and Gender Stereotypes
46:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
About Michael Volpe
After spending more than a decade in finance, Michael Volpe changed course entirely in his professional career and became a freelance journalist. Since 2009, he's been published locally in Chicago in newspapers and magazines like New City, Times of Northwest Indiana, Inside Booster, Welles Park Bulldog, Chicago Reader, and Chicago Heights Patch. He's also expanded into national stories. On the national level, his work has been published in such places as the Daily Caller, WND, CounterPunch, Crime Magazine, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Newsletter, Front Page Magazine, and Big Government.
In 2009, his expose of Dr. Anna Chacko led in part to her termination from the Pittsburgh VA. His expose of Dr. Chacko also received coverage in the Pittsburgh Tribune as well as the radiology website Aunt Minnie. In October 2012, he published his first book entitled "Prosecutors Gone Wild: The Inside Story of the Trial of Chuck Panici, John Gliottoni, and Louise Marshall."
Contact:
Website
About Ali Kessler: Ali Kessler is a writer, marketing professional, passionate parent advocate, and founder of Greyson’s Choice, a 501(c)(3) created to raise awareness about the risk of domestic abuse on children. Greyson’s Choice was founded by Ali Kessler in memory of her sweet, vibrant, and fearless 4.5-year-old son, Greyson, who was murdered by his biological father in a murder-suicide during an unsupervised, court-approved visit in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in 2021. This came just hours after her petition for a domestic violence injunction was denied by a Broward County judge, citing that the “petitioner has failed to allege any overt acts by the respondent which would constitute domestic violence under Florida Statute.”
Ali’s advocacy efforts culminated in successfully passing Greyson’s Law during the 2023 legislative session. This bill now requires the court to consider threats against ex-partners or spouses when making child visitation and custody determinations in the court, expanding to include the following factors: evidence of domestic violence, whether a parent in the past or currently has reasonable cause to believe that they or a minor child is, or has been in imminent danger of becoming the victim of domestic/sexual violence by the other parent, even if no other legal action has been brought or is currently pending in court.
Contact Ali:
Website
In this episode of Grey Minds Think Alike, host Ali Kesler engages in profound discussions with Tina Swithin, founder of One Mom's Battle, to expose the deep-rooted issues within the family court system. Ali and Tina discuss the challenges faced by mothers in family court, particularly those dealing with narcissistic partners, and the systemic issues that prioritize the abuser's rights over child safety. Tina shares her personal journey from being a victim of abuse to becoming an advocate for family court reform, highlighting the importance of awareness and community support. They delve into the complexities of recognizing abuse, the impact of parental alienation, and the need for accountability within the family court system. The discussion also touches on the controversial father's rights movement and its implications for family court dynamics and the importance of empowering children in high-conflict situations. They highlight the challenges faced by both everyday individuals and celebrities in navigating domestic violence and custody battles, emphasizing the need for awareness, education, and support. Tina shares her personal experiences and insights from her work, advocating for children's rights and the necessity of empathy in healing, along with initiatives like Family Court Awareness Month.
Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Family Court Challenges
01:37 Tina's Journey: From Victim to Advocate
02:25 Personal Experiences and Challenges in Family Court
05:11 Understanding Abuse: Recognizing the Signs
09:24 The Role of Family Court: A Broken System
12:46 Awareness and Advocacy: Family Court Awareness Month
18:05 The Impact of Parental Alienation and Systemic Issues
20:03 The Impact of Financial Constraints on Family Court Outcomes
20:20 The Father's Rights Movement: A Controversial Perspective
23:47 The Impact of Celebrity Cases on Domestic Violence Awareness
28:18 Divorcing a Narcissist: Book Series and Personal Stories
30:18 Advice for Women in Abusive Marriages
34:27 Empathy Bootcamp: Raising Compassionate Children
39:08The Role of Therapists in Healing and Recovery
41:16 Final Thoughts and Reflections
About Tina Swithin: Tina Swithin is an author, blogger, speaker, and advocate for Family Court Reform. She is the founder of One Mom’s Battle, a community and resource for all moms fighting to protect their children and themselves in family court. In 2020, Tina Swithin founded “Family Court Awareness Month.” Tina is the author of Divorcing a Narcissist (series) and founder of the High Conflict Divorce Coach Certification Program. Tina Swithin has been awarded honors such as the “Top 20 Professionals Under 40” and the “Top 40 Professionals Under 40” in several regional California newspapers. Tina resides in San Luis Obispo, California, with her husband and her two daughters.
Contact:
One Mom’s Battle
Tina Swithin Books
About One Mom’s Battle:
In 2009, One Mom’s Battle (OMB) began with one mother, Tina Swithin, navigating a high-conflict divorce in the California Family Court System in pro se (self-represented). Against all odds, Tina successfully protected her daughters - she refused to accept that 50-50 custody was her destiny or in the best interest of her children. She spent countless hours sitting in courtrooms learning the system and studying the professionals. She created an intricate documentation system and learned to see things through a lens of strategy versus emotion. Tina has now dedicated her life to teaching others everything she learned and is advocating for change through Kayden's Law.
One Mom’s Battle is the intersection of narcissistic abuse and child custody issues. The mission at One Mom’s Battle is to raise awareness and educate family court professionals on post-separation abuse as it relates to co-parenting and the family court system (divorce, paternity, and child custody battles). Education on high-conflict individuals and post-separation abuse will allow family court professionals (Judges, Commissioners, Magistrates, CPS workers, Guardian ad Litems (GAL), Parenting Coordinators (PC), Custody Evaluators, therapists, and attorneys) to recognize the abusive dynamics that play out in the family court system so they can make decisions that are in the best interest of children.
One Mom’s Battle (OMB) has grown from one mom to a community of over 250,000 members worldwide. Whether you are in need of a documentation system for your custody battle or a consultation with a divorce coach (trained by me), you will find everything you need right here.
About Ali Kessler
Ali Kessler is a writer, marketing professional, passionate parent advocate, and founder of Greyson’s Choice, a 501(c)(3) created to raise awareness about the risk of domestic abuse on children. Greyson’s Choice was founded by Ali Kessler in memory of her sweet, vibrant, and fearless 4.5-year-old son, Greyson, who was murdered by his biological father in a murder-suicide during an unsupervised, court-approved visit in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in 2021. This came just hours after her petition for a domestic violence injunction was denied by a Broward County judge, citing that the “petitioner has failed to allege any overt acts by the respondent which would constitute domestic violence under Florida Statute.”
Ali’s advocacy efforts culminated in successfully passing Greyson’s Law during the 2023 legislative session. This bill now requires the court to consider threats against ex-partners or spouses when making child visitation and custody determinations in the court, expanding to include the following factors: evidence of domestic violence, whether a parent in the past or currently has reasonable cause to believe that they or a minor child is, or has been in imminent danger of becoming the victim of domestic/sexual violence by the other parent, even if no other legal action has been brought or is currently pending in court.
Contact Ali:
Website
Subscribe, donate, listen, learn.
This is your go-to Podcast, where we help parents navigate the complexities of family life. Hosted by Ali Kessler of Greyson’s Choice, we’ll cover everything from understanding domestic violence to navigating the legal system, finding the right therapists, life hacks, family law, mental health, custody battles, and how to protect children in dangerous situations.
In this compelling episode of Grey Minds Think Alike, we feature an in-depth conversation with Linda Parker, president and CEO of Women in Distress (WID) in Broward County, Florida. Linda shares her journey as a domestic violence survivor and advocate. The discussion spans the complex reasons behind why victims, especially women, stay in abusive relationships, highlighting tactics like coercive control and the impact of socioeconomic factors. Practical advice for recognizing red flags, preparing to leave abusive relationships, and protecting children is offered. The challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and false abuse claim narratives are addressed. The importance of therapy, support systems, and not giving up on loved ones is emphasized. Listeners will also learn about October Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities, the impact of Greyson's law, and the significance of judicial training and voter awareness. The episode closes by celebrating WID's 50-year legacy of empowering survivors, their thrift store, emergency shelter, crisis hotline, and upcoming events like a gala fundraiser. This is a don’t-miss episode! Listen now!
In this episode:
About Linda Parker, Ph.D:
Linda Parker is the President and CEO of Women in Distress, with 16 years of professional experience both in human service and domestic violence services and as an educator and administrator at the university level.
Since 2017, she has been the Executive Director of Victim Services at the Peace River Center, which serves three counties surrounding Lakeland, one of 41 state-certified domestic violence centers in the state of Florida. Peace River includes two domestic violence shelters and a rape recovery center.
Prior to relocating to Florida from Iowa in 2016, Parker held director and vice president positions at William Penn University in West Des Moines, Iowa, where she led efforts to expand online learning. She also continues as an adjunct professor at William Penn and at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, New Hampshire. Earlier in her career, she was a domestic violence advocate at Children and Families of Iowa and worked as a counselor for women transitioning from prison. Parker earned her BA degree from Grandview University in Des Moines and has master's and doctorate degrees in psychology from Walden University in Minneapolis.
Contact:
Women in Distress www.widbroward.org
Linda Parker LinkdeIN
Women In Distress is the only nationally accredited, state-certified, full-service domestic violence center serving Broward County, Florida. Our mission is to stop domestic violence abuse for everyone through intervention, education, and advocacy.
24-Hr Crisis Hotline: 954.761.1133 | 711 TDD/TYY
About Ali Kessler: Ali Kessler is a writer, marketing professional, passionate parent advocate, and founder of Greyson’s Choice, a 501(c)(3) created to raise awareness about the risk of domestic abuse on children. Greyson’s Choice was founded by Ali Kessler in memory of her sweet, vibrant, and fearless 4.5-year-old son, Greyson, who was murdered by his biological father in a murder-suicide during an unsupervised, court-approved visit in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in 2021. This came just hours after her petition for a domestic violence injunction was denied by a Broward County judge, citing that the “petitioner has failed to allege any overt acts by the respondent which would constitute domestic violence under Florida Statute.”
Ali’s advocacy efforts culminated in successfully passing Greyson’s Law during the 2023 legislative session. This bill now requires the court to consider threats against ex-partners or spouses when making child visitation and custody determinations in the court, expanding to include the following factors: evidence of domestic violence, whether a parent in the past or currently has reasonable cause to believe that they or a minor child is, or has been in imminent danger of becoming the victim of domestic/sexual violence by the other parent, even if no other legal action has been brought or is currently pending in court.
Contact Ali:
Website
Empowering Women Through Family Law: A Conversation with Heather Quick
In this episode of 'Grey Minds Think Alike,' host Ali Kessler interviews attorney Heather Quick, founder and CEO of the Florida Law Firm Women's Law Group. They discuss the unique challenges faced by women during divorce and family law proceedings, the importance of laws like Greyson's Law, and the necessity of specialized training for judges handling cases of domestic abuse and coercive control. Heather emphasizes the significance of legal representation that truly understands and advocates for women, recounting various cases and common patterns of power imbalance in relationships. Additionally, the conversation explores the complexities of custody battles, the potential difficulties in divorce proceedings, and resources available for women seeking help.
Chapters:
About Heather Quick:
Heather B Quick is the founder and CEO of Florida Women’s Law Group. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Florida (1998) and a Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law (2000). Before starting Florida Women's Law Group, Heather was an Associate Professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an Adjunct Professor at Florida Coastal School of Law. With 24 years of legal experience, including 19 years specializing in family law, Heather is a current member of the Florida Bar Association, Jacksonville Bar Association, and Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association.
Contact:
Website
About Ali Kessler
Ali Kessler is a writer, marketing professional, passionate parent advocate, and founder of Greyson’s Choice, a 501(c)(3) created to raise awareness about the risk of domestic abuse on children. Greyson’s Choice was founded by Ali Kessler in memory of her sweet, vibrant, and fearless 4.5-year-old son, Greyson, who was murdered by his biological father in a murder-suicide during an unsupervised, court-approved visit in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in 2021. This came just hours after her petition for a domestic violence injunction was denied by a Broward County judge, citing that the “petitioner has failed to allege any overt acts by the respondent which would constitute domestic violence under Florida Statute.”
Ali’s advocacy efforts culminated in successfully passing Greyson’s Law during the 2023 legislative session. This bill now requires the court to consider threats against ex-partners or spouses when making child visitation and custody determinations in the court, expanding to include the following factors: evidence of domestic violence, whether a parent in the past or currently has reasonable cause to believe that they or a minor child is, or has been in imminent danger of becoming the victim of domestic/sexual violence by the other parent, even if no other legal action has been brought or is currently pending in court.
Contact Ali:
Website
Subscribe, donate, listen, learn.
In this conversation, Dr. Christine Cocchiola chats with hosts Ali Kessler and Erin Cooper to discuss the critical issue of coercive control in abusive relationships, emphasizing its insidious nature and the challenges victims face in the legal system. They explore the spectrum of abusers, the impact of coercive control on families, and the difficulties protective parents encounter in navigating family court. The discussion highlights the need for greater awareness and systemic change to support victims and hold abusers accountable.
Takeaways:
Sound Bites
Chapters
Chapter 1: Understanding Coercive Control
Chapter 2: The Spectrum of Abusers
Chapter 3: The Impact of Coercive Control on Families
Chapter 4: Recognizing Coercive Control
Chapter 5: Navigating the Court System
Chapter 6: The Role of the Legal System
Chapter 7: The Challenges of Parental Alienation
Chapter 8: The Court's Perception of Abuse
Chapter 9: The Epidemic of Abuse
Chapter 10: Creating Change and Awareness
About Dr. Christine Cocchiola:
Dr. Christine Marie Cocchiola, DSW, LCSW, is a Coercive Control Educator, Researcher, and survivor. She has been a tenured college professor teaching social work for the last twenty years and has been a social justice advocate since the age of 19, volunteering for a local domestic violence/sexual assault agency.
She supports protective parents in strategizing how best to navigate the family court system, including divorce proceedings and custody arrangements. Our family court system is often set up to harm further and betray adult victims-survivors and their children, unacknowledged child abuse victims.
Most importantly, Dr. Cocchiola is a protective parent. Through her own clinical expertise, research, and personal experiences, she understands the impact that coercive control has on children. She coaches victims and survivors as they navigate parenting their harmed children. She has created programming to educate Allies, including protective parents, clinicians, coaches, and court professionals, on the experiences of children victims of the coercive controller.
Dr. Cocchiola is a Founding Member of the International Coercive Control Conference and a member of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Board. She has actively supported codifying coercive control, writing numerous policy briefs to support these efforts.
Contact: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/
Instagram: @dr.cocchiola_coercivecontrol
Get her new book, “FRAMED” at: www.narcfreepress.com
About Ali Kessler
Ali Kessler is a writer, marketing professional, passionate parent advocate, and founder of Greyson’s Choice, a 501(c)(3) created to raise awareness about the risk of domestic abuse on children. Greyson’s Choice was founded by Ali Kessler in memory of her sweet, vibrant, and fearless 4.5-year-old son, Greyson, who was murdered by his biological father in a murder-suicide during an unsupervised, court-approved visit in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in 2021. This came just hours after her petition for a domestic violence injunction was denied by a Broward County judge, citing that the “petitioner has failed to allege any overt acts by the respondent which would constitute domestic violence under Florida Statute.”
Ali’s advocacy efforts culminated in successfully passing Greyson’s Law during the 2023 legislative session. This bill now requires the court to consider threats against ex-partners or spouses when making child visitation and custody determinations in the court, expanding to include the following factors: evidence of domestic violence, whether a parent in the past or currently has reasonable cause to believe that they or a minor child is, or has been in imminent danger of becoming the victim of domestic/sexual violence by the other parent, even if no other legal action has been brought or is currently pending in court.
Contact Ali:
Website
Subscribe, donate, listen, learn.
This is your go-to Podcast, where we help parents navigate the complexities of family life. Hosted by Ali Kessler of Greyson’s Choice, we’ll cover everything from understanding domestic violence to navigating the legal system, finding the right therapists, life hacks, family law, mental health, custody battles, and how to protect children in dangerous situations.
Episode 1: Meet Your Host, Ali Kessler
For our very first podcast at Grey Minds Think Ali.Ke, we thought it would be helpful to learn more about your host, Ali Kessler. Not only is she the founder of Greyson’s Choice and a passionate parent advocate, but Ali is also a survivor of Domestic Violence. In 2021, Ali’s son Greyson was murdered by his father during a court-ordered timesharing in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Hosted today by Erin Cooper, Greyson’s Choice board member and lifelong friend of Ali’s, listen to Erin and Ali have an insightful conversation about Ali before and after her worst nightmare came true. You will hear Ali share the story of what she was like before motherhood, how she met Greyson’s father, and some truly heartbreaking revelations that became her new norm. Greyson was the present that Ali couldn’t keep, but she perseveres and now finds comfort in helping others fighting similar battles. This is a don’t-miss episode! Listen now!
In this episode:
· Chapter 1: Introduction and Ali’s Life Before Motherhood
· Chapter 2: Ali Moves to NYC
· Chapter 3: Ali’s Pregnancy & Decision to Have a Baby
· Chapter 4: Welcome to the World, Greyson Kessler & Co-Parenting Challenges
· Chapter 5: Escalating Negative Behaviors from Greyson’s Father
· Chapter 6: Alarming and Erratic Behavior that Led to Greyson’s Death
· Chapter 7: The Impact of Coercive Control
· Chapter 8: Loss and Grief– The Aftermath
· Chapter 9: Advocacy and Greyson’s Choice
· Chapter 10: Upcoming Projects and Fundraising
About Ali Kessler
Ali Kessler is a writer, marketing professional, passionate parent advocate, and founder of Greyson’s Choice, a 501(c)(3) created to raise awareness about the risk of domestic abuse on children. Greyson’s Choice was founded by Ali Kessler in memory of her sweet, vibrant, and fearless 4.5-year-old son, Greyson, who was murdered by his biological father in a murder-suicide during an unsupervised, court-approved visit in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in 2021. This came just hours after her petition for a domestic violence injunction was denied by a Broward County judge, citing that the “petitioner has failed to allege any overt acts by the respondent which would constitute domestic violence under Florida Statute.”
Ali’s advocacy efforts culminated in successfully passing Greyson’s Law during the 2023 legislative session. This bill now requires the court to consider threats against ex-partners or spouses when making child visitation and custody determinations in the court, expanding to include the following factors: evidence of domestic violence, whether a parent in the past or currently has reasonable cause to believe that they or a minor child is, or has been in imminent danger of becoming the victim of domestic/sexual violence by the other parent, even if no other legal action has been brought or is currently pending in court.
Contact Ali:
Website
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