Modern Arizona

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It’s hard to talk with an ex under emotionally charged circumstances, yet moms and dads still need to coordinate schedules for the kids while keeping down the drama. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were some kind of tool to keep everyone on track and still civil?

In this episode of the Modern Divorce Podcast, host Billie Tarascio is joined by Tracy Krall, a former family law attorney and current representative of Our Family Wizard, an innovative app designed to make co-parenting easier by streamlining communication and reduce conflict.

Tracy details the app's multifaceted features, including the journal, Infobank, and calendar tools. The app allows parents to share memories, store essential information like insurance details, and manage schedules. For parents still dealing with legal issues, tracking everyday activities and behaviors of both parties can be an important element.

For instance, the app includes a reimbursement system and the innovative Tone Meter feature, which helps co-parents communicate more effectively and respectfully. The discussion also covers the app’s customizable notifications and GPS check-ins, which provide additional layers of accountability and transparency. 

Billie and Tracy also discuss the app's cost and its fee waiver programs, ensuring that financial constraints don’t stop families from benefiting from using its features. For more information, check out OurFamilyWizard.com/modernlaw

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In the latest episode of the Modern Divorce Podcast, host and attorney Billie Tarascio welcomes Lalani Hunsaker, a first-time political candidate running for the Arizona State House in Legislative District 14. As a party outlier running on the Republican side, Lalani kicks off the conversation explaining why local residents are seeing controversial campaign signs featuring an unflattering personal photo, used without her consent, and clarifying her role in public policy rather than lobbying for the American Leadership Academy (ALA). 

Lalani reflects on her early political experience as an intern and later a staffer for Senator Harry Reid. Despite her lifelong Republican stance, she recounts her valuable learning experience working for a Nevada Democrat and addresses how her opponents have misrepresented this part of her history. Lalani expresses her commitment to addressing local issues such as safety, border security, and water resource management, emphasizing her goal to bring common sense solutions and fresh conservative leadership to the Arizona State House.

Lalani elaborates on her candidacy, mentioning her 19 years of residence in Gilbert and her decision to run as a Republican for an open seat in the district. With early voting starting at the end of June and the primary election on July 30th, she emphasizes the importance of voter participation, particularly since all candidates in her race are Republicans, making the primary election a decisive event. 

The conversation delves into Lalani's background with ALA, addressing accusations and smear campaigns related to her professional affiliations and her time working in public policy. She refutes claims of being a lobbyist and discusses her role in implementing a kindness campaign across ALA campuses to combat violence and promote safety among students. This initiative involved collaboration with local law enforcement, school administrations, and student bodies to create a supportive and safe educational environment.

For more information about Lalani and her campaign go to VoteLalani.com.

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Is parental alienation real? Definitely, says Madison Wellborne, who discusses how her mother manipulated her into rejecting her father through false accusations and lies, leading to long-lasting emotional and psychological effects. In this episode of the Modern Divorce Podcast, host Billie Tarascio and Madison explore the effects of parental alienation on children, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and self-destructive behaviors.

Madison describes the emotional turmoil and the impact on her relationship with her father, whom she once considered her best friend. She explains how she mourned her father's absence as if he had died and the significant challenges she faced as the only child among her siblings who was alienated. Madison also delves into the psychological effects of parental alienation, including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, and shares her journey toward healing and reclaiming her life after discovering the truth.

Rebuilding Relationships: Madison emphasizes the importance of rebuilding relationships with alienated parents and speaks about the formation of the Anti Alienation Project. She highlights the need for adult children of parental alienation to speak out and support each other. The episode also provides practical advice for parents to avoid alienating behaviors and foster healthy relationships with both parents.

Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to reach out to Madison by email at [email protected], and the Anti Alienation Project for support and resources.  

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What makes for an abusive marriage? In this episode of the Modern Divorce podcast, host Billie Tarascio welcomes Belle Blake Phillips, a divorced mom, domestic violence survivor, and recent internet sensation who shares her shocking stories and the red flags of an abusive relationship. While she was taken by surprise by sudden online fame, she found her stories connecting with legions of domestic violence survivors.

Her internet fame began with a simple video about her engagement ring, highlighting the emotional manipulation she faced from her ex-husband. Belle emphasizes that abuse isn't always physical; it often starts with emotional, psychological, and financial control. She recounts the progression from verbal abuse to physical violence, culminating in a shocking incident where her ex-husband tasered her while she was pregnant. Her resilience shines through as she describes how she eventually escaped the abusive environment, secured an order of protection, and rebuilt her life.

A significant part of the discussion focuses on Belle's advocacy for the Address Confidentiality Program, also known as Safe at Home, which helps protect domestic abuse survivors by providing them with a decoy address to keep their real location confidential. The program has been instrumental in her own safety and she strongly encourages other survivors to consider it.

For more information, find Belle  Blake on TikTok  and on Instagram.

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In this episode of the Modern Divorce podcast, host Billie Tarascio sits down with Gina Godbehere, candidate for Maricopa County Prosecutor, to discuss local crime and the justice system. The conversation begins with a focus on the Gilbert Goons, a group recently classified as a gang, and the complications of prosecuting their crimes without sufficient evidence to prove gang-related motivations.

Gina elaborates on the difficulties in tying crimes to gang activities, noting that traditional gang identifiers, such as markings and territorial threats, are missing in this case. Despite the group’s gang-like intimidation tactics, there was insufficient evidence to charge them under gang-related statutes. This nuanced explanation sheds light on the frustrations felt by the community regarding the prosecution of these crimes.

The discussion then shifts to recent plea deals offered to members of the Gilbert Goons, including notable cases involving Christopher Fantastik, DeLeon Haynes, Jacob Pennington, and Garrett Bagshaw. Gina explains the implications of these deals, particularly how some offenders might only end up with misdemeanors, raising concerns about the potential for future criminal activity without a lasting felony record.

A significant portion of the podcast is devoted to Gina’s critique of Rachel Mitchell, the current county attorney', and her more lenient approach to diversion programs and plea deals. Gina emphasizes the need for a balanced justice system that ensures accountability and protects victims' rights. Gina also touches on supervised probation and the challenges in effectively monitoring offenders to prevent recidivism.

The episode wraps up with Gina’s reflections on her campaign and her commitment to restoring balance in the justice system, advocating for both victim support and fair prosecution. For more information about Gina, go to Gina for Justice, to learn more.

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In this powerful episode, Modern Divorce Host and Attorney Billie Tarascio interviews Jennie Gage, who found herself divorced and broke after adhering to traditional wife
roles dictated by her Mormon faith. Jennie recounts her journey from being a stay-at-home mom to a domestic violence advocate and social media influencer.

She emphasizes the importance of self-sufficiency and shares how she rebuilt
her life through side hustles, including furniture flipping and social media, and her recent work with a law firm helping victims of child sex abuse in the Mormon Church.

Jennie’s story serves as a cautionary tale for women who rely solely on traditional roles without safeguarding their futures. She discusses the pressures she faced to conform to her religious community's expectations and the devastating financial and emotional impacts following her divorce. Billie provides practical legal advice on the importance of post-nuptial agreements and maintaining relevant skills, even for stay-at-home moms, to ensure financial independence.

This episode highlights the need for ongoing self-reliance and preparation for unexpected life changes. Jennie’s advocacy work and her partnership with attorney Andrew Van Arsdale aim to support victims and bring about institutional change. Billie and Jennie conclude with insights into how women can better protect themselves and their children.

Find Jennie Gage on Tiktok and Instagram

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In this special episode of the Modern Divorce Podcast, host and attorney Billie Tarascio interviews Colonel Frank Milstead, a 25-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department and candidate for Maricopa County Sheriff. They delve into Frank's extensive law enforcement background, his leadership roles, and his vision for improving the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and managing the crime that keeps us up at night. The discussion also touches on pressing issues like public trust in policing, crime reduction strategies, and school safety.

If you’ve been following the Gilbert Goons saga and the murder of teen Preston Lord, Frank shares his own experience losing a teen brother and how that impacted his family growing up.

Key Topics:

• Frank Milstead’s Background: Frank shares his journey from growing up in Phoenix to his extensive career in law enforcement, including his time as the Chief of Police in Mesa and the Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
• DOJ Oversight: Frank explains the ongoing Department of Justice oversight of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, its origins, and his strategy to resolve these issues and restore trust.
• Challenges in Policing: They discuss the current challenges in policing, including media portrayal, public trust, and recruitment difficulties. Frank offers his perspective on how to rebuild trust and support for law enforcement.
• Crime Reduction Strategies: Frank outlines his plans for crime reduction in Maricopa County, emphasizing collaboration between various law enforcement agencies and transparency in communication.
• School Safety Initiatives: The conversation highlights Frank’s involvement in developing early warning systems for schools to enhance safety and his views on the importance of proactive measures.

This episode provides a deep dive into the critical issues facing law enforcement in Maricopa County from the perspective of a seasoned professional. Whether you're a concerned parent, a law enforcement professional, or a voter, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the key topics affecting your community.

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In today’s episode of the Modern Divorce Podcast, host Billie Tarascio talks with Modern Law attorney Hannah Bustos who opens up about her victim advocacy work in Mississippi and how it still influences her work in family law. The conversation also covers her personal experience with divorce and why she takes a special interest in building strong relationships with her clients.

• Hannah Bustos’ Background: Hanna shares her story of growing up in Arizona, attending the University of Mississippi, and immersing herself in the local culture and advocacy scene. She talks about the influences that led her to pursue a career in law.
• Experience with the Innocence Project: Hannah describes her work with the Innocence Project in Mississippi, helping to review cases of wrongful conviction and advocate for post-conviction relief. She highlights the impact of this experience on her legal perspective.
• Transition to Family Law: Hannah explains why her parents' divorce guided her towards a career in family law. She emphasizes the importance of providing compassionate and supportive legal assistance to families in transition.
• Building Client Relationships: Divorce is deeply personal and gut wrenching. Billie and Hannah discuss why trust and rapport with clients, particularly as they experience high-stress and emotional situations like divorce and custody battles is key.

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Should teens be allowed to choose which parent they want to live with? And how do step parents manage their spouse’s kids effectively? These are just some of the burning questions that get answered in latest episode of the Modern Divorce podcast, where host Billie Tarascio sits down with experienced attorney and divorced mom Ruby Becker to explore the intricacies of family law and juvenile justice.

Ruby shares her lifelong ambition to become a lawyer while a mother of a three year old. The two attorneys go over the solutions to challenges faced by individuals who cannot afford legal representation, contrasting the support provided in juvenile court – albeit with the gaps in family law. 

Ruby talks about the necessity of legal counsel in family court to protect fundamental
parental rights and improve outcomes for children while handling cases
involving the Arizona Department of Child Safety. 

She also shares her personal experiences as a divorced mother and stepmother, offering success tips for co-parenting and blended family dynamics. She underscores the importance of maintaining amicable relationships with ex-spouses for the benefit of the children involved. The key, she says, is staying out of disciplinary roles and focusing on building supportive relationships with stepchildren.

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It’s primary season in Arizona, and this episode of the Modern Divorce Podcast features Mike Crawford, retired law enforcement officer and candidate for sheriff in Maricopa County. Host Billie Tarascio and Crawford explore the challenge of running for sheriff, including Mike's motivations, his law enforcement career, his campaign journey and the unchecked teen violence that has rocked so many suburban communities.

Crawford shares why a police officer with 28 years of service decided to run for sheriff. They discuss the personal and family considerations involved in running for political office, highlighting the community impact. 

Additionally, they delve into the infamous Gilbert Goons case, offering perspectives on police and prosecutorial challenges. This episode provides a candid look at the challenges facing law enforcement in Maricopa County and offers practical insights into addressing the issue of teen violence. 

The discussion sheds light on the financial mismanagement within the Sheriff's Office, Crawford's plans for transparency and efficiency, and the ongoing DOJ lawsuit affecting the Sheriff's Office. He explains his strategy to bring the department into compliance and end costly fines. He also outlines his plans to implement mentoring programs targeting youth to prevent them from turning to violence.

Whether you are a parent concerned about your community, an
engaged citizen interested in local politics, or someone curious about the
inner workings of a sheriff’s campaign, this episode is packed with valuable
information.

Listen to the full episode to hear more about Mike Crawford’s vision for a safer, more transparent Maricopa County.

Related Links:

• Support Mike Crawford's Campaign
• Mike Crawford On Facebook
• Our Family Wizard – Where you can set up communications with your ex in a safe way