If you’re deep in a high-conflict case and feel like everything you do somehow gets used against you, you’re not imagining it. The family court system is not what most of us think it is—and fighting it the way we naturally want to can sometimes make things worse. This conversation offers a different playbook.

When betrayal impacts a marriage, children feel it too. But how do you protect your kids without pulling them into adult pain? In this episode, betrayal trauma expert Sarah McDugal (MSA-ID, MCPC, High Conflict Divorce and Custody Coach) shares how parents can teach children to recognize manipulation, unhealthy behaviors, and emotional red flags—without trashing the other parent.

Today, Dr. Stephanie and Barb talk with Sarah McDugal about women and children in abusive situations, navigating the courts and the Church.

There are various forms of abuse that can take place within a faith community. One scenario is the church as the abuser. Another often seen is using the church as a weapon of abuse. This episode discusses how abuse shows up within the church and what we can do to change the narrative.

This episode talks about the four seasons of healing. The first season is Safety which is of critical importance to understand for our upcoming safety planning podcasts. Sarah also explains how we need to be in a position of strength, season 3, before we are able to forgive.

On this episode, they continue their discussion on gaslighting. Sarah explains the term hoovering and they go over some ways to recognize and avoid gaslighting. They also talk about how Sarah's resources and coaching can help in the healing process.

On this episode, Sarah explains what gaslighting is in detail. She also talks about the four tools of abuse and how they relate to gaslighting. They discuss blame shifting and describe how it is emotionally abusive.

Sarah McDugal explains how we can begin to discover the systems of abuse that are often used in abusive relationships. She breaks down ways women can identify these systems so they can feel more empowered to discern and navigate these situations to live their lives in freedom and safety.

Leaving an abusive and traumatic relationship can bring self-doubt and parenting guilt. Research shows that if kids have the trust and love of their caregiver, they fare better in life—whether in the real or virtual world. This webinar reviews self-regulation, creating trust and connection with your kids, as well as bringing awareness to how screens can be used to numb or avoid feelings.

Yani Alfonso welcomes Sarah McDugal, a clarity coach and expert in protective parenting. They discuss the need for proactive education for children and the complexities of navigating high-conflict family court dynamics while ensuring child safety.

Sarah McDugal was late-diagnosed on the autism spectrum, who believes everyone is responsible for their actions, regardless of their neurotype. Today, we discuss:

• the challenges of divorce when you are in ministry

• why being autistic does not give anyone a pass in their behavior

• the importance of staying well or leaving well

Sarah McDugal was late-diagnosed on the autism spectrum, who believes everyone is responsible for their actions, regardless of their neurotype. Today, we discuss:

• the challenges of divorce when you are in ministry

• why being autistic does not give anyone a pass in their behavior

• the importance of staying well or leaving well

Lisa and Sarah discuss the reality that leaving an abusive marriage can be far more difficult for women of faith than for others. They also discuss practical tips for ways to find your thriving mode after you leave.

Learn how to recognize the five stages of any abusive relationship that every teenager should know:

1. the crack that gets you hooked

2. the affection that fakes a bond

3. the withdrawal that makes you insecure

4. the manipulation that gets you to take the blame, and...

5. the cruelty that makes you think you deserved it.

You didn't go into your marriage looking for this conversation. But if you're here, something brought you. Maybe it's a feeling you can't quite name. Maybe it's a pattern you've been explaining away. Maybe you already know — and you just need someone to say it clearly. Here's how to recognize when what you're living in falls short of healthy.