Courageous Custody

Real Stories, Real Solutions

Episode 1

Your Lawyer is not Your Savior

30 minutes

Many protective parents spend time and energy hiring a lawyer with the goal of keeping their children safe. But they then put their case in their lawyer's hands and the constant stress of failed court appearances continues a downward spiral. Listen in to learn tools and action steps so this isn't your story.

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Episode 2

The Stonewalling Co-Parent

40 minutes

You plan out what to write to your combative co-parent, being careful to be brief, factual, even friendly. You get crickets in return, and the request for your child you put out there is on hold while you wait. Learn how to self-regulate so you don't make the wrong move in an attempt to take your child's life off of standstill.

Episode 3

The Narcissist in the Courtroom

30 minutes

Narcissistic abusers are excellent with impression management. In this episode, we talk about how to handle the emotions that rise up within you while being in the same room and a high-stakes situation with your charming ex, and what strategies to use to try to get the court to see through your co-parent's facade.

Episode 4

Ways to Become the Ideal Client

30 minutes

If a protective parent doesn’t know how to show up in a way that will allow the court to not just hear their story but understand it, it can very much stand in the way of a parent’s success in their custody case. Listen in to learn about the ways in which clients unknowingly get in their own way when it comes to their court battle.

Episode 5

The Right Moments to Be Brave!

20 minutes

Custody hearings. Settlement conferences. Meetings with court professionals. There are moments where you do want to say NO. You do want to say, "I don't agree" or "I'm not willing to do that." And they are usually the big moments, the pivotal moments, in your case. Listen in to learn when it's strategically wise to say No, and when to watch and wait or take other action...and what's behind the choice to cave against your own instinct.

Episode 6

How to Create Strong Parenting Agreements & Proposals with a Narcissist

30 minutes

Join our discussion here to hit upon what to keep in mind when creating your parenting plan, and how to deal with the often-unexpected triggers of simply creating the ideal plan for parenting your children...when there's a controlling, abusive narcissist involved.⁠ ⁠

Episode 7

The Best Way to Approach Mediation with a Narcissist

30 minutes

Mediation is supposed to be an opportunity to come together and create an agreement. But with a narcissist, the main goal is to say No to everything you suggest.

Join our discussion to learn how to create an action plan to increase your chances of achieving success in mediation.

Episode 8

What to Do When Your Narcissistic Co-Parent Won't Move Out During the Divorce

40 minutes

If it's bad enough that you know it's over, what's worse is when it's over but they won't leave. Join our discussion as we talk about the problems that come up and best ways to deal with an abusive co-parent who refuses to leave and creates a new level of terror in the home.

Episode 9

How to Know What You Don’t Know at the Start of Your Custody Case

20 minutes

In this episode, we delve into a crucial aspect of custody battles: how protective parents can navigate the complexities of their cases with clarity. We explore strategies for understanding blind spots and uncovering crucial information that can influence the outcome of custody disputes. Join us as we discuss practical tips and insights to empower protective parents in advocating for their children's best interests.

Episode 10

How to Deal With Child Neglect in Your Co-parent

30 minutes

Neglect in your co-parent during custody arrangements can have profound effects on your children's well-being and development. Join us as we discuss what kinds of neglect protective parents see. How should you talk to your co-parent about it? How do you deal with the helplessness of what your children is going through on the other parent's "watch"? Get answers to these questions as well as valuable tips.

Episode 11

How to Present Neglect in Family Court: What’s important to the court and how to present it

15 minutes

Within the realm of family law, cases involving neglect pose unique challenges, often intertwining legal intricacies with emotional complexities. Understanding what matters most to the court and how to effectively present neglect cases is paramount for any party navigating the family court system.

Episode 12

Ways to Fight the Narcissist's Narrative That You are "Mentally Unstable"

30 minutes

By understanding how to challenge these accusations effectively, mothers can protect their parental rights and ensure the well-being of their children. It's all about arming yourself with strategies to push back against the harmful "mentally unstable" label that narcissistic partners might try to pin on you.

Episode 13

How to Overcome the Narcissist's Mother's Day Shenanigans

20 minutes

Learn the strategies for maintaining emotional resilience and setting healthy boundaries to protect yourself and your children from the toxic influence of a narcissist during the holiday season. Find ways to prioritize self-care and create a positive, loving environment for the children on this special day, despite the challenges posed by the narcissist's behavior.

Episode 14

Fighting Allegations of PPD, Munchausen and Other "Mental Instability"

25 minutes

Learn about navigating the complex and emotionally charged landscape of fighting allegations of postpartum depression (PPD), Munchausen syndrome, and other claims of "mental instability" during a custody battle.

Episode 15

How Anxiety and Other Issues Show Up in the Courtroom and How to Handle Them

30 minutes

Learn about how anxiety and other mental health issues can surface during custody battles and impact your courtroom experience. We know this journey is incredibly challenging, and our goal is to support you with empathy and actionable insights.

Episode 16

When and Why to Consult a Parenting Coordinator

30 minutes

Learn the vital role that parenting coordinators play in resolving disputes and ensuring the well-being of children amidst challenging family dynamics.

Episode 17

How to Prepare for a Session with Your Parenting Coordinator

15 minutes

Learn how to approach these meetings with a problem-solving mindset, the importance of clear communication, and ways to stay focused on the best interests of your children.

Episode 18

How to Handle Yourself in a PC Session

25 minutes

Learn valuable tips on how to navigate and handle yourself effectively in a parenting coordinator session.

Episode 19

Nailing Your First Meeting with the Guardian ad Litem (GAL)

30 minutes

Learn how to effectively prepare for your initial meeting with the GAL, including essential documents to bring, ways to present your case confidently, and strategies to build a positive rapport.

Episode 20

Ways to Overcome Bias in the GAL

30 minutes

Learn ways to overcome bias in the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) during your custody battle.

Episode 21

Holiday Shenanigans - Dealing with a Ruined Holiday Thanks to a Narcissistic Co-Parent

25 minutes

Learn practical strategies to navigate the emotional turmoil and ensure that your holiday remains as joyous as possible, despite the difficult circumstances.

Episode 22

Screentime in the Narcissistic Parent’s Household - Will the Family Court care?

25 minutes

Learn about the potential concerns courts may have regarding excessive screen time and its effects on children.

Episode 23

Why Every Message You Send to Your Narcissistic Co-parent Matters to the Court

20 minutes

Learn about the crucial role communication plays in co-parenting disputes.

Episode 24

Do Child Support Arrears Affect Who Gets Child Custody

30 minutes

Learn that arrears alone do not determine custody outcomes, as courts consider a range of factors in their decisions.

Episode 25

How to Deal with Back to School Shenanigans

25 minutes

Learn how to approach the back-to-school season including drop-off and pick-up, staying informed through school communications, and building a constructive relationship with your child’s new teacher.

Episode 26

How to Deal with Back-to-School Shenanigans: Part 2

20 minutes

Learn how to stay ahead of summer tasks and prepare effectively for the new school year. Listen to our practical tips to ensure you're organized and proactive, helping you handle whatever comes your way.

Episode 27

How to Deal with Back to School Shenanigans: Part 3

15 minutes

It’s essential to normalize the back-to-school transition while establishing new routines, managing the emotions that come with change, and creating a consistent environment for both you and your kids as the new season unfolds.

Episode 28

Mini-Me or Mini-Ex? Decoding Your Child's Similarities to Your Narcissist Ex

20 minutes

Learn how to deal with your child's behaviors that may mirror those of a narcissistic ex. It’s crucial to understand that these behaviors are often survival mechanisms rather than reflections of your child’s true identity.

Episode 29

How Child Support Fuels a Child's Educational Journey Beyond Dollars

20 minutes

Child support and education are treated separately. To get money for education, you’ll likely need to file a motion. Ensure your child support is garnished through your state or province's agency. Check full episode for more takeaways!

Episode 30

Self-Care and Stress Management for Moms in Custody Battles

15 minutes

Learn how to reduce stress, build resilience, and prioritize your well-being with practical strategies designed to help moms navigate the challenges of custody battles.

Episode 31

How to Deal with Allegations in a Custody Battle

15 minutes

Stay calm and do not react impulsively to allegations. Document allegations from multiple sources and be prepared to respond. Document allegations from multiple sources and be prepared to respond. Tailor your response based on the type of allegation: true, partly true, or entirely false. Check the full episode for more takeaways!

Your Hosts

Courageous Custody is a collaboration between two fearless moms and coaches. Our goal is to reach protective parents to take away hopelessness, and to instead give hope and empowerment, through tools and strategy. We share stories and have conversations designed to get your own strategic juices flowing...so that you can strengthen your family court case to get the outcome that's best for your children. Bonus: you get to be an amazing survivor too. 

Meet The Custody Blueprint® experts below!

Reneé Rodriguez

Certified DV Advocate, Custody Strategist

The founder of Best Foot Forward Consulting, Reneé is driven by her own past and personal experience with domestic abuse, and takes pride in providing the best strategy possible for her clients’ cases. As the creator of The Custody Blueprint®, her goals include helping protective parents who are in a custody dispute with a high-conflict co-parent to get the custody arrangement that is best for their children, through assessing potential strategies for their case, designing their presentation of their evidence, and preparing them for how they should appear to the court and court professionals throughout their court case.

Achara Tarfa

IFS & Trauma Recovery Coach

With over 25 years of experience in leadership, mentorship and communication disorders, Achara uses compassionate coaching for complex trauma to support survivors of sexual abuse, cultural trauma, racial trauma, religious trauma, narcissistic abuse, domestic violence, and high-conflict divorce. As a sexual abuse, domestic violence, and narcissistic abuse trauma survivor herself, using her education, unique skills of courage and resilience, and lived experience, she is able to provide safe spaces for her clients to be seen and heard in order to develop secure attachments within themselves and in relationships.