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

• Michael Volpe has been a journalist since 2010, focusing on corruption.
• He investigates family court abuses and CPS misconduct.
• Volpe's work includes wrongful convictions and high-profile cases.
• He started journalism after a career in mortgage brokering.
• Whistleblowers play a crucial role in exposing corruption.
• CPS often operates without proper judicial oversight.
• The family court system can perpetuate abuse for financial gain.
• Reunification therapy can be harmful and traumatic for children.
• Volpe's investigations have led to significant media coverage.
• There is a growing movement for reform in family court practices. Reunification camps have gained attention, with some states banning them.
• Child custody cases are complex and require individualized attention.
• Judges hold excessive power in custody decisions.
• The financial incentives in custody cases complicate outcomes.
• Eliminating court appointees could simplify the custody process.

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...

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

• Tina Swithin is an advocate for family court reform.
• Family court often fails to prioritize children's safety.
• Recognizing different forms of abuse is crucial.
• The family court system can feel like a business transaction.
• Awareness and community support are vital for change.
• Parental alienation is a controversial and harmful concept.
• Accountability in family court is desperately needed.
• The father's rights movement complicates family court issues.
• Media attention on family court is increasing.
• Reform requires a multi-faceted approach. When exposed, family court issues will be seen as a major scandal.
• Parental rights should prioritize children's rights.
• Leaving a toxic relationship is crucial for children's well-being.
• Documenting experiences is essential in family court cases.
• Therapists must understand trauma and narcissistic abuse.
• Empathy can be taught and modeled to children.
• Children need to know their truth to combat gaslighting.
• Celebrities face unique challenges in family court.
• Support from therapists can significantly impact recovery.
• Empowering children helps break the cycle of abuse.

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 “

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:

• Linda Parker has been with Women in Distress for four years.
• Her personal experience as a victim shapes her advocacy work.
• COVID-19 has changed the landscape of domestic violence cases.
• High lethality cases have increased significantly since the pandemic.
• Collaboration with law enforcement is crucial for effective intervention.
• Abusers often manipulate victims through psychological tactics.
• Many survivors stay in abusive relationships due to fear and financial dependency.
• Education about domestic violence is essential for prevention.
• Women often do not know about available resources and support.
• Creating a safety plan is vital for those considering leaving an abusive situation. The timing of leaving an abusive relationship is crucial.
• Children may inadvertently reveal the location of a fleeing parent.
• Support systems are vital for survivors of domestic violence.
• Therapy can help survivors cope with PTSD from domestic violence.
• Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity for advocacy.
• Legal frameworks like Greyson’s Law are evolving but face challenges.
• Community engagement and voting can influence change in domestic violence laws.
• Crisis hotlines provide essential support for those in need.
• Shelters offer comprehensive services to help survivors rebuild their lives.
• Fundraising events are crucial for sustaining support services for survivors.

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

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:

1. Introduction and Guest Welcome
2. Impact of Greyson's Law
3. Challenges Women Face in Divorce
4. Addressing Domestic Violence and Coercive Control
5. Legal Strategies and Support Systems
6. Difficulties in Co-Parenting
7. Trends and Challenges in Divorce Without Children
8. Resources and Final Thoughts

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:

Email

LinkedIn

Website

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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:

• Coercive control is the foundation of all forms of abuse.
• Abusers often mirror their victims to gain trust.
• The legal system frequently fails to protect victims of coercive control.
• Victims should document abusive behaviors to recognize patterns.
• Coercive control can escalate into physical violence over time.
• Many judges and court professionals lack an understanding of coercive control.
• Parental alienation is often misused in court to discredit protective parents.
• The court system tends to favor fathers, even in abusive situations.
• Victims are often disbelieved when reporting abuse in family court.
• There is a pressing need for advocacy and education on coercive control.

Sound Bites

• "Coercive control is the underpinning of all abuse."
• "Abusers are very good at mirroring who they are with."
• "The court system contributes to the abuse."

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...

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:...