Coercive control isn't just about abuse, it's about power, manipulation, and psychological warfare, especially when children are involved. Dr. Christine Cocchiola has spent over 20 years advocating for survivors of coercive control, domestic abuse, and child welfare. A trauma-trained therapist and creator of The Protective Parenting Program, she's on a mission to educate parents about the hidden dangers of coercive control and how to protect their children from its long-term effects.

In this eye-opening conversation, Christine reveals the insidious ways coercive controllers operate, how they manipulate children, and why family court often fails to protect the most vulnerable.

Understanding coercive control and how it impacts children:

• What coercive control actually is and why it's the foundation of all abuse
• The subtle but dangerous ways coercive controllers manipulate kids
• Why family court often sides with abusers, and how to fight back
• The hidden ways coercive controllers turn kids against the protective parent
• How to support your children if they're being manipulated or emotionally abused

Coercive controllers don't just abuse their partners, they weaponize children to maintain control. Dr. Cocchiola explains how to recognize it, protect your kids, and regain your role as their safe parent.

How to protect your child from coercive control:

• Prioritize connection over correction. Your child's attachment to you is key.
• Recognize when your child is aligning with an abuser for survival.
• Stay emotionally regulated. Your child needs to see you as their safe space.
• Document everything. Coercive control thrives on secrecy and misinformation.
• Work with professionals who understand coercive control, not just standard custody cases.

Get Dr. Cocchiola's FREE guide, Clinical Interventions for Children of Coercive Control: https://drchristinemarie.kartra.com/page/childvictimofccgrowthguide

Dr. Cocchiola's Protective Parenting Program is designed to equip parents with the tools they need to navigate these incredibly difficult situations: https://go.drcocchiola.com/ppp-accelerated

If you're facing a high-conflict custody battle or worried about your child's safety, don't miss this interview.

Divorce can leave you feeling crazy, but what if you could turn that energy into strength? Erica Bennett, founder of The Crazy Ex-Wives Club, is here to help women harness their emotions for personal growth, healing, and empowerment. With nearly 20 years of behavioral training and a decade of coaching experience, she's an expert in rewiring the mind and moving through emotional pain.

Erica believes that emotions aren't something to be feared. They're powerful tools for transformation and self-discovery. Whether you're grieving a divorce, struggling with co-parenting, or just feeling stuck, this episode will show you how to shift your mindset and turn pain into progress.

How to reclaim your emotional power:

• Why feeling "crazy" during divorce is completely normal—and how to channel it for good
• The most common emotional roadblocks that keep women stuck in pain
• How to process anger, guilt, and grief in a way that actually helps you heal
• Simple strategies like breathwork, meditation, and movement to release emotional baggage

Erica's coaching and community are designed to support women through one of the most emotional transitions of their lives.

Take Erica's quiz, Finding Your Way Forward, to see where you are in your relationship journey and get strategies for moving forward: https://www.thecrazyexwivesclub.com/quiz-what-phase-are-you

If you're ready to stop feeling lost and start stepping into your power, connect with Erica today.

Divorce is life-changing for anyone... But when you're also running a business, the challenges multiply. How do you keep your business afloat when your personal life is crumbling? How do you rebuild when your entire future vision just disappeared?

Jen Yip, the founder of Lunch Money, shares how she built Lunch Money from a side project into a thriving business, only to have her entire life plan upended by an unexpected divorce. Instead of giving up, she reinvented her business, redefined her purpose, and turned her pain into a powerful reset.

Lessons from Jen's journey:

• How Jen turned a side project into a thriving, scalable business The emotional and financial challenges of running a business while going through a divorce How she kept her business alive when she barely had the energy to function The power of community and why her business thrived even when she stepped away Why divorce forced her to redefine success on her own terms The four major business changes she made after divorce to ensure long-term success How she rebuilt her confidence while running a company

🚀Jen shares how she turned her personal struggles into the fuel she needed to scale her business and regain her independence. Through a difficult divorce, she was able to sustain her business and ultimately the company was stronger because of that.

Check out Lunch Money, a personal finance management app: https://lunchmoney.app

Talking about money in relationships can feel awkward, stressful, or even scary. But what if it didn't have to be? What if, instead of tension, financial conversations could bring couples closer together?

If you ever wished your relationship came with a financial blueprint… Jessica and Brandon Norwood, hosts of The Sugar Daddy Podcast and a powerhouse financial couple, are here to share their D.R.E.A.M. Framework, a step-by-step system for couples to manage money together in a way that strengthens their relationship.

Most couples struggle with money because they never learn how to talk about it. Jessica and Brandon reveal how they built wealth together, are becoming work-optional, and have created a financial plan that supports their dream life.

From this interview, you're going to learn:

• How to uncover your personal "money story"... the beliefs and experiences that shape how you handle finances today.
• Why so many couples fight about money and how to have healthier conversations.
• How to set long-term financial goals that actually excite you.
• The key to balancing different money personalities (spender vs. saver, anyone?).
• Why the concept of retirement is outdated and how to plan for a "work optional" lifestyle instead.

The D.R.E.A.M. framework for couples:

• Dive into your past and uncover your money mindset
• Reflect on how your past influences your financial habits today
• Engage in open, honest money conversations with your partner
• Act on your plan, with clear steps to build the life you want
• Manage money as a team and keep adjusting your financial goals as life changes

Jessica and Brandon help couples get on the same page financially and build wealth without resentment. Sign up for the Sugar Daddy Podcast newsletter and receive the DREAM Big Quiz to help you understand how aligned you and your partner are with your goals and finances: https://www.thesugardaddypodcast.com/

Check out financial planning with Brandon through his company, Oak City Financial: https://www.oakcityfinancial.us/

Divorce mediation can be a great way to settle things without stepping into a courtroom --but only if you're prepared. In this solo session, Tracy Coenen walks you through what to expect in mediation, how to prepare financially, and the biggest mistakes to avoid when negotiating. Whether you're hoping for a peaceful resolution or just trying to get through the process without losing what's rightfully yours, this episode is packed with must-know tips.

Mediation puts you in control of your divorce agreement, but you have to be ready to advocate for yourself. Tracy shares how to prepare your financials, understand your negotiation power, and avoid common mistakes that could cost you in the long run.

What you need to know before mediation:

• What mediation really is and how it works
• The key financial documents you need before stepping into mediation
• Why you should never agree to anything without proof (and what to ask for)
• Smart strategies to negotiate for what you deserve
• When mediation is a waste of time and money and how to know if it's right for you

The more prepared you are, the better your mediation experience will be. Don't go in blind!

Check out the Divorce Money Guide and other courses here: https://www.divorcemoneyguide.com

Marriage is supposed to be a partnership, but too often, women give up financial power without even realizing it. From career sacrifices to financial transparency, how we handle money in marriage can have long-term consequences... especially if the marriage ends.

Cindy DiTiberio is the creator of The Mother Lode, a feminist Substack newsletter exploring motherhood, marriage, and divorce. Cindy shares her personal journey of financial awakening, the hidden costs of motherhood, and why every couple should consider a postnuptial agreement.

Things you'll learn from this interview:

• The #1 financial mistake women make in marriage and how to fix it
• Why financial transparency is key, even if your partner "handles the money"
• The real cost of stepping back from your career for caregiving (it's bigger than you think)
• How financial infidelity happens and why so many women don't see it until divorce
• Why a postnuptial agreement might actually save your marriage

Money conversations aren't just about budgets. They're about power. Cindy shares how to rethink financial roles in marriage, advocate for yourself, and ensure you don't wake up one day financially vulnerable.

Key points for you:

• Stepping out of the workforce impacts your future earnings, so you should plan for it.
• If you don't know the details of your household finances, it's time to ask.
• Spousal support isn't a handout. It's repayment for unpaid labor in the marriage.
• A postnuptial agreement can actually strengthen a marriage by creating fairness.

Listen now and learn how to take control of your financial future, whether you're married, divorcing, or somewhere in between!

Follow along with The Mother Lode newsletter here: https://cindyditiberio.substack.com/

What if instead of waiting until your 60s to retire, you could take meaningful breaks throughout your life? Imagine pausing your career for a month or two to travel, pivot careers, learn something new, or simply rest and reset.

In this episode, Tracy Coenen sits down with Jillian Johnsrud, host of the Retire Often podcast and author of the new book Retire Often. Jillian has taken more than a dozen "mini-retirements" and is on a mission to help others escape burnout, reclaim their time, and build wealth and meaning along the way. From traveling the world to raising six children to buying real estate during a month off, Jillian has redefined what retirement looks like and why it shouldn't be something we save for the end of life.

If you're navigating a big transition like divorce or career change, this episode will challenge how you think about work, money, and your timeline for success.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• What a mini-retirement really is and how it works
• How even a modest income can support intentional time off
• Why you don't need to be wealthy or self-employed to take a break
• Ways to budget, save, and plan for your own mini-retirement
• How these breaks can actually increase your lifetime income

Whether you're burned out, at a crossroads, or simply craving more purpose, Jillian offers practical, inspiring advice for pressing pause now, not someday. You don't have to wait until 65 to live the life you've imagined.

How to Make a Mini-Retirement Work for You:

• Plan a month off every few years instead of dreaming about "someday"
• Negotiate time away with your employer or schedule between jobs
• Think creatively about where and how you can afford to take time off
• Use your break to invest in yourself, your health, or your next chapter
• Focus on building a career and a life you don't need to escape from

Tune in now to learn how mini-retirements can help you avoid burnout, discover new possibilities, and live a more intentional life.

Get Jillian's new book Retire Often (out September 9): https://amzn.to/4jFtBdN

Listen to her podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/retire-often/id1701353628

Follow Jillian on Instagram: @jillianjohnsrud

Financial abuse is one of the most common but least recognized forms of domestic abuse. It's also one of the most effective ways to keep someone trapped in a marriage. If you've ever been denied access to money, restricted in your spending, or told you're "bad with money" while your spouse controls every financial decision, you may be experiencing financial abuse.

Kate Anthony, host of The Divorce Survival Guide podcast and author of The D-Word: Making the Ultimate Decision About Your Marriage, is here to expose the hidden ways financial control traps women in toxic relationships... and how to break free.

Signs and solutions for financial abuse:

• How to identify financial abuse, even when it's disguised as "helping"
• The most common financial control tactics used in marriages
• How abusers sabotage your financial independence. From ruining your credit to blocking you from working
• The subtle ways financial abuse can show up in marriages that seem "normal" on the surface
• What to do if your spouse is hiding money or controlling access to finances
• Steps to reclaim financial independence before, during, and after divorce

Many women don't realize they're experiencing financial abuse until they try to leave. Kate breaks down the red flags, the power dynamics, and the steps you must take to regain financial independence. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who feels financially trapped in their relationship.

Kate's coaching programs empower women to make smart, informed decisions about their marriages and finances.

If you're feeling stuck and need guidance, check out Phoenix Rising, Kate's group coaching program designed to walk you through some of the hardest parts of your divorce, in community with other women who are going through it too:https://kateanthony.com/decided/

Get Kate's book, The D-Word: Making the Ultimate Decision About Your Marriage: https://amzn.to/41f7OTd

Your career isn't just a single path—it's a series of chapters, reinventions, and pivots. But for many midlife professionals, the idea of starting over can feel overwhelming. Whether it's by choice or by force, navigating career changes in your 40s, 50s, and beyond requires a whole new approach.

Bradley Richardson is living proof that career shifts don't mean failure—they mean growth. As a five-time bestselling author, speaker, and coach, Bradley helps people navigate the complexities of midlife career changes with confidence. From internet sales in the '90s to headhunting to personal development, he has embraced reinvention time and time again.

In this episode, we break down the fears and myths around career changes in midlife, discuss why identity is so tied to work, and uncover the biggest mistakes people make when shifting careers.

What you'll walk away with from this conversation with Bradley:

• Why midlife career changes feel so personal, and how to separate your identity from your job
• The biggest mistake people make when trying to pivot— and what to do instead.
• How to fight back against age discrimination and position yourself as an asset in today's job market
• Why traditional job applications won't cut it and how to tap into the hidden job market
• How to leverage your experience and network to land new opportunities—without starting from scratch
• The key to negotiating your worth in a new industry

Reinvention isn't about starting over—it's about using everything you've learned to create a new path forward. Bradley shares the mindset shifts and tactical strategies you need to take control of your next career move.

Check out the Advanced Adulting Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCogmTgcdf7QjZGnWGXTvTtQ?sub_confirmation=1

New episodes drop every Thursday, and the podcast offers a raw, unfiltered look at the realities, challenges, and joys of navigating life for those aged 45-65+.

If you've ever wondered why you keep paying off debt, only to rack it right back up... you're not alone. The debt cycle is real, and it's keeping millions of people trapped in financial stress. But breaking free isn't just about cutting expenses or making bigger payments, it's about changing your entire approach to money.

Haley Brown-Woods, financial coach and co-founder of Price of Avocado Toast, helps people break the cycle of debt without extreme penny-pinching or deprivation. If you're tired of making payments but never making progress, this episode is for you!

Whether it's credit cards, personal loans, or legal fees from your divorce, debt can feel like an endless trap. Haley reveals the most common mistakes people make when trying to get out of debt—and why most "quick fixes" only make things worse.

What you'll learn in this conversation:

• Why you keep falling back into debt even after paying it off
• The sneaky ways society pushes you into debt (hello, credit card points and balance transfers!)
• Why consolidating debt can actually make it harder to pay off
• How debt cycles work and why they're so hard to escape.
• Why paying off debt isn't just about numbers, it's about psychology and behavior.
• The difference between spending mindfully and spending mindlessly.

Getting out of debt isn't just about making payments, it's about changing the behaviors that put you there in the first place. Haley shares her personal story of overcoming massive debt and gives practical steps to help you stop the cycle once and for all.

How to finally break the debt cycle:

• Stop relying on willpower and build a real plan instead.
• Cut the shame. Debt is a financial problem, not a moral failing.
• Get clear on your spending habits. Awareness is the first step to change.
• Make saving a priority. Having cash on hand stops you from turning to credit.
• Set up a system that makes debt freedom sustainable, not just temporary.

Haley has helped families pay off over $3 million in debt and now she's sharing her strategies with you.

Get your free budgeting template here: https://priceofavocadotoast.kit.com/145c68dadc

Check out Haley's financial coaching services: https://www.priceofavocadotoast.com/coaching