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Finding a way to escape the unending stress of divorce can be a very real issue. The stress begins to take a toll on your body, creating mental and physical impacts. A couple glasses of wine might be an easy fix, but that's temporary, and doesn't solve the problem. Then along comes Morgan Rysdon, our guest today on the Modern Divorce Podcast who tells host Billie Tarascio about who she became a practitioner of The Alexander Method and why this century-old technique can teach you how to unplug effectively from the strain divorce.

Morgan, a nationally certified Alexander instructor, demonstrates 4 free techniques in her video here.  She's suggests using the Alexander Technique to manage and reduce anxiety, and stay present with your body with ease and comfort during even the most difficult of times.  Having accessible skills to better manage one's stress levels in the midst of (the chaos that is) divorce can be life-saving. 

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After divorce, it's not so uncommon for a child to pick the parent they want to be with,  and avoid - or even stop speaking to  - the other. In this episode, we dive deep into the complex and emotionally charged topic of parental alienation. Join us as we explore the nuances of this issue and discuss its impact on families, legal proceedings, and the lives of children caught in the crossfire. Your host, Family Law Attorney Billie Tarascio, answers questions we've collected and shares the realities of how parental alienation manifests, its controversies, and potential solutions.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction to Parental Alienation: We begin by defining parental alienation and its historical context, touching on its emergence over the years and its increasing relevance in family court proceedings.
• Courtroom Dynamics: Billie sheds light on how parental alienation is perceived within the courtroom. We discuss whether it helps or hinders the resolution of family disputes and the role of judges in identifying and addressing cases of alienation.
• Debunking Misconceptions: Billie Tarascio shares her perspective on the term "parental alienation" as a potentially misleading buzzword. She emphasizes the importance of approaching the concept with nuance and unpacks the controversies surrounding its validity.
• Classic Parental Alienation Cases: In a classic parental alienation case example, Billie discusses the red flags judges look for, such as drastic changes in a child's relationship with one parent and complete rejection of the targeted parent by the child.
• Real-life Example: A recent case involving a 14-year-old caught in a parental alienation scenario is explored, highlighting the court's decision to enforce a reunification camp as a means of intervention.
• Challenges and Impact: The emotional toll on children and families affected by parental alienation is discussed. We explore the lasting impact of severed relationships and the complex web of loyalty binds that ensue.
• Prevention and Resolution: Practical strategies for preventing parental alienation and rebuilding relationships without relying solely on legal channels are explored. The importance of maintaining boundaries and enforcing parenting time is emphasized.
• Parallel Parenting: We delve into the concept of parallel parenting for situations where cooperative co-parenting is not feasible. The benefits and challenges of parallel parenting are discussed as an alternative approach.

This episode is packed with even more pearls on what to do about the problem and and when you should avoid going to the court for help. Whether you're a parent navigating a divorce or simply interested in understanding the intricacies of parental alienation, this episode offers valuable insights, expert opinions, and potential avenues for healing fractured family dynamics. Join us for this enlightening conversation that sheds light on an issue affecting countless families worldwide.

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What does a legal paraprofessional do, and why is this new professional designation saving people money? In this episode of the Modern Divorce Podcast, host Billie Tarascio talks about the behind the scenes work that goes into managing the divorce process with Legal Paraprofessional Rebekah Chapman. As part of the support team at Modern Law, she works directly with attorneys and can even act as an attorney does in the courtroom. Having this kind of support team is a game changer when it comes to divorce.

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Tough guys need a break sometimes. Since men are often encouraged from an early age to suppress their emotions, it can significantly and detrimentally affect their emotional intelligence. Studies show this can affect their earning power as well. So how do you fix that?

Dr. Audra Horney, a Mesa, Arizona-based psychologist, says her clientele is mostly men who need to find a safe space to cry, unload, process and delete some of the emotional turmoil of a divorce. In this episode of the Modern Divorce Podcast, host Billie Tarascio hears from a therapist in the trenches with men, who are finding it's okay for them to seek mental health assistance through a particularly trying time.

Dr. Audra can be found online at Modern Therapy AZ.  

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Dr. Carolyn Kurle joins Modern Divorce Podcast Host Billie Tarascio to talk about the mental and emotional challenges that come with a divorce, like knowing when to leave, understanding your urge to stay, and when it's okay to let yourself off the hook for decisions made when you first decided to marry.

It's a complicated process, but one Dr. Kurle says is pressured by false stories we tell ourselves. If we can learn how to quiet our minds and listen to our gut level instincts  that come from wisdom rather than outside influences, then we can understand whether leaving a marriage and dealing with the future from this new perspective is something we're ready for.

Dr. Kurle’s book,  The Guidance Groove, teaches how to recognize our internal false stories  so we can learn to discover where they come from and how they breed inauthenticity. 

For anyone who is second guessing their choice to leave a marriage, this podcast promises to shed some clarity on those decisions.

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"Leave him," they say (Or her, as the case may be) when there's violence and abuse involved. It's not a switch you can turn off easily, says Dr. Lisa Fontes, who specializes in trainings to resolve domestic violence cases and abuse. In today's podcast, with host Billie Tarascio of Modern Law, Dr. Fontes talks about the very complicated issues involving domestic violence and coercive control before, during and after divorce.

Especially when it comes to the legal process of divorce, coercive control can continue through frivolous and expensive court filings, parental visitation and support manipulations. Dr. Fontes calls them out, talks about their signs, and what can be done about it.

Dr. Fontes, author of Invisible Chains: Overcoming Coercive Control in Your Intimate Relationship, also works as an expert witness in legal cases related to child abuse and intimate partner violence (or coercive control), particularly where cultural issues are relevant.  As a fluent speaker of Spanish and Portuguese, she researches and trains in these languages as well as English, across the U.S. and other countries.

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Today's podcast episode features Modern Divorce host Billie Tarascio talking with our featured guest, Shane Ross, the latest addition to the talented team of attorneys at Modern Law. Shane arrives with an impressive track record in commercial real estate, which is proving to be an invaluable background for those who are divorcing.

Understanding real estate is crucial in the realm of family law as it often involves determining who retains ownership of various assets and how these assets are divided. Shane's expertise makes him an invaluable resource for anyone finding themselves in such complicated situations, especially when it pertains to residential properties.

In addition to his professional credentials, Shane also enjoys acquiring land in his personal life, furthering his understanding of real estate dynamics. In this podcast, he shares his personal journey into this and other areas today.

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Lacking the funds to hire an attorney is a big problem in the U.S., but a new alternative to using an attorney for your divorce was recently made legal in Arizona. Combining the detail work and "heavy lifting" of document preparation from a paralegal, and mixing in the courtroom work of an attorney, is the newly designated licensed Legal Paraprofessional.

In today's Modern Divorce Podcast, host Billie Tarascio talks with Christy Farmer, one of the first LP's licensed in Arizona and already taking on divorce cases that would otherwise need an attorney. Christy describes what it takes to step into this new role and how she has adapted from being a paralegal to standing up in court and arguing cases for clients. Hint: She loves that part!

So far, Arizona, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, New Hampshire, and Minnesota have active licensing programs, while California, New Mexico, South Carolina and North Carolina are considering creating of similar programs to help legal consumers. 

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Divorce can be the most dangerous time for those who have experienced domestic violence. It can also be tricky inside the law office working on your case, if your ex is crazy, angry and ready to lash out.

In this special episode of the Modern Divorce Podcast, Host Billie Tarascio talks with Caitlin Lindahl, a law office manager who has had to create safety plans and manage the crazies who might think they'll come by the office (or yours!) to do something foolish. Caitlin talks about the training and steps to take to protect yourself both at your workplace and your home.

Recommended Safety Resources:
Check out these affordable locks for your home that are a must-have for your safety, and the portable lock that goes on any door. Also, on sliding doors or windows, check out the 'go anywhere' barricade bar here.