If you are thinking about dating someone who has a toxic or high-conflict ex… or you’re already in it and starting to feel the weight of it… this episode is for you.

This is one of the most common questions I get — can a relationship actually work when one or both people have a narcissistic or high-conflict ex?

And the answer is yes… but it’s not simple.

There’s a version of this that works really well — where both people are self-aware, intentional, and have done the work. And then there’s a version of this that will absolutely drain you if you don’t know what you’re walking into.

So today we’re going to walk through some honest questions you need to ask yourself before getting into — or staying in — a relationship like this.

Because here’s the part people don’t talk about enough:

These relationships can actually be incredibly strong. A lot of people who have come out of toxic or narcissistic relationships become very self-aware, very empathetic, and very intentional about how they show up in a partnership.

But… they also come with real-life complications.

And I’m not speaking about this in theory.

Both me and Leo have high-conflict exes. We’ve dealt with the court system, custody schedules, accusations, parenting stress — all of it. So this is coming from lived experience, not just coaching.

We’re going to get into things like:

What it actually looks like to deal with conflict you didn’t create
How to support your partner without becoming another source of pressure
What happens when you become the “enemy” in someone else’s narrative
The reality of legal stress and custody battles
What it feels like to step into a bonus parent role in a high-conflict situation
Why parallel parenting is often the healthier option in these dynamics

And probably the most important piece — the one thing your partner has to be willing to do for this relationship to actually work.

Because these relationships can work.

In fact, some of the strongest, most connected relationships I’ve seen come out of people who have survived really toxic dynamics.

But they don’t work by accident.

They require clarity, emotional maturity, and really strong boundaries.

So if you’re in this… or considering it… this episode is going to help you get a lot more honest about what you’re stepping into.

Spring break and summer travel should be simple…

But if you have a high-conflict or narcissistic ex, you already know—it’s never that easy.

Suddenly they need constant updates. Everything becomes “urgent.”

And somehow, the chaos always starts right when you’re about to relax.

It’s not a coincidence.

In this video, I break down 8 practical travel tips to help you stay in control, protect your peace, and stop getting pulled into unnecessary conflict while you’re away.

You’ll learn:

• How to handle fake urgency and last-minute demands
• What you actually have to respond to (and what you don’t)
• How to stop getting pulled into endless back-and-forth
• Why your ex ramps things up during travel—and how to shut it down

If you’re co-parenting with a narcissistic or high-conflict ex, this is how you travel without losing your sanity.

If this helped you, make sure to:
👍 Like
💬 Comment your experience (I read them all)
🔔 Subscribe for more real strategies on high-conflict co-parenting

If you’re dealing with this in real life and want support:
👉 https://unfuckyourcoparenting.com/book-your-call

#coparenting #narcissisticex #highconflictcoparenting #parallelparenting #coparentingtips #narcissismrecovery #toxicrelationships #familycourt #divorcehelp #coparentingproblems

Coaching Couch: Travel, passports, fake urgency, and the fear they won’t bring your kids back

Travel should be simple. You plan the trip, coordinate the schedule, pack the bags, and go.

But when you’re dealing with a high-conflict co-parent, travel turns into something else entirely: last-minute demands, passport drama, withheld information, fake urgency, guilt trips, control tactics, and sometimes very real fear.

In this Coaching Couch episode, I break down why travel becomes one of the most explosive issues in high-conflict co-parenting, what’s actually happening underneath the logistics, and how to handle it without getting pulled into chaos.

I cover:

• why “concern” is often really about control
• how toxic exes use information as leverage
• manufactured urgency and last-minute sabotage
• the difference between real risk and emotional discomfort
• 8 practical tools to stay grounded and strategic
• what to think about with international travel
• and how to handle the terrifying fear that they might not bring the kids back

I also answer real listener questions about permission, passports, check-ins, travel demands, international trips, and the emotional spiral that can come with all of it.

If travel with your co-parent feels like a fight before the trip even starts, this episode is for you.

Send your questions to: [email protected]
DM me: @unfuckyourcoparenting

Take a breath. Don’t take the bait.

If you feel like people are looking at you differently after your breakup… you’re not imagining it.Smear campaigns are real—and they usually don’t start when the relationship ends. They start quietly, over time, while you’re still in it.In this episode, I break down:how smear campaigns actually workwhy reactive abuse gets used against youwhy you start questioning everyone around youand the biggest mistake people make trying to “fix” their reputationBecause here’s the truth:Trying to control what people think about you will drain you—and often makes things worse.The real strategy? Emotional regulation.Not reacting. Not over-explaining. Not playing detective.Just showing up consistently as yourself—and letting that speak over time.If you’re dealing with a high-conflict ex and feel like your name is constantly being dragged behind the scenes, this episode will help you stop spiraling and start taking your power back.👉 Subscribe for more real talk on high-conflict co-parenting👉 Share this with someone who needs to hear itAnd if you’re ready to stop reacting and start feeling in control again, check out the resources below.Tune in next week as we continue to talk about how to unfuck your coparenting.#coparenting#highconflictcoparenting#narcissisticabuse#smearcampaign#reactiveabuse#emotionalregulation#parallelparenting#divorcerecovery#toxicrelationships#healingjourney#covertnarcissist#familycourt#coparentingtips#mentalhealthawareness#selfregulation

Thinking about going pro se (representing yourself) in family court against a narcissistic or high-conflict ex? You’re not alone. A lot of people reach the point where legal fees are overwhelming, attorneys don’t seem to understand the manipulation, and it feels like no one knows the case better than you do.But going pro se has both serious advantages and serious risks, especially when the other parent thrives on conflict and may be willing to weaponize the legal system.In this video, I break down the real pros and cons of representing yourself in court against a high-conflict narcissist, including:• Why knowing your case better than anyone can help you — and hurt you• The hidden cost of going pro se that most people don’t talk about• Why controlling strategy can be empowering but also dangerous• How narcissistic personalities often weaponize court procedures• Why settlement can become harder when you represent yourself• The 3 things you absolutely need before going pro se• A hybrid legal strategy most people don’t realize exists that can save thousands in legal feesIf you’re navigating high-conflict divorce, custody battles, or parallel parenting with a narcissistic ex, understanding how the court system actually works can make a huge difference in protecting yourself and your kids.This channel is all about helping you stop playing the narcissist’s game and start building a more stable, peaceful life for you and your children.If that’s the kind of content you need, make sure to subscribe.#highconflictdivorce #narcissisticex #familycourt #prose #custodybattle #parallelparenting #narcissisticabuse #divorcetips #coparenting #selfrepresentedlitigant high conflict divorce, narcissistic ex, going pro se in family court, representing yourself in court, custody battle tips, narcissist in court, parallel parenting, self represented litigant, family court strategy, divorce advice, narcissistic abuse recovery, coparenting with a narcissist, family court tactics, how to deal with narcissist in court, pro se litigant tips

Smear campaigns don’t start when the relationship ends—they usually start long before.

In this first Coaching Couch episode, I answer real listener questions about what it actually looks like when a toxic or narcissistic ex starts shaping a narrative behind your back—and why trying to defend yourself often makes it worse.

We talk about:

• how smear campaigns show up in real life (teachers, friends, kids, work)

• how reactive abuse gets used against you

• why you start second-guessing everyone around you

• and what to do instead of trying to “fix” what people think

Because the goal isn’t to control the narrative.
It’s to stop feeding it.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re being quietly painted as the problem, this episode will help you understand what’s happening—and how to handle it without losing your mind.

📩 Submit questions for future episodes: [email protected]