The High Conflict Co-Parenting Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 316: Disengaging From The Psychopath with Attorney and Author Kerrie Droban Zhivago Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

In this powerful episode, Brook Olsen is joined by attorney and author Kerrie Droban Zhivago to unpack the terrifying yet often hidden reality of dealing with a partner who exhibits psychopathic traits. Drawing from her book Surviving a Psychopath, Kerrie shares hard-earned insights on how to recognize psychological abuse, protect yourself in court, and begin the long road to emotional recovery. They discuss the difference between narcissists, sociopaths, and psychopaths, how these individuals manipulate the legal system, and why disengagement—both emotionally and legally—is the key to reclaiming your life. If you've ever felt gaslit, emotionally trapped, or unsure how to co-parent with someone deeply harmful, this episode offers validation, strategy, and a way forward.
Learn more about Kerrie Droban Zhivago at her website: https://kerriedroban.com/
For exclusive membership perks join our membership site the Disengagement Zone at https://disengage.highconflict.net/

For classes or one on one consults with Brook please visit our highconflict.net website to register.

Free High Conflict Diversion Program Booklet: "When Co-Parenting Doesn't Work."

https://www.highconflict.net/booklet

Join our mailing list:

Disengage and Thrive: One Email at a Time

https://www.highconflict.net/emails

Episode 314: Reconnecting to Yourself The Spiritual Journey of Divorce with Tamara Rowles Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Brook Olsen sits down with attorney, mediator, and DivorceWave founder Tamara Rowles to explore divorce as a spiritual journey and an opportunity for self-reinvention. Together, they dive into how high-conflict separations—while painful—can also become a gateway to growth, self-awareness, and long-term peace. Tamara shares how mindfulness, nervous system regulation, and intentional disengagement can shift the entire divorce dynamic, protect your kids, and help you reclaim your power. Whether you're just entering the process or stuck in cycles of reactivity, this episode offers practical tools, insight, and a powerful reminder: healing starts from within.

Learn more about Tamara Rowles at her website: https://www.divorcewave.com/
For exclusive membership perks join our membership site the Disengagement Zone at https://disengage.highconflict.net/

For classes or one on one consults with Brook please visit our highconflict.net website to register.

Free High Conflict Diversion Program Booklet: "When Co-Parenting Doesn't Work."

https://www.highconflict.net/booklet

Join our mailing list:

Disengage and Thrive: One Email at a Time

https://www.highconflict.net/emails

Episode 307: Body Language and Conflict with John Riley Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Brook speaks with John Riley from Gentle Response about the impact of body language in high-conflict co-parenting. They explore the ACE method—Appearance, Communication, and Engagement—and how small adjustments in posture, tone, and presence can de-escalate tense situations, whether in court, mediation, or daily interactions.

Brook and John also discuss the power of self-awareness and emotional regulation in reducing conflict. By staying composed and intentional, parents can shift dynamics, model healthy behavior for their children, and create a more stable environment. Tune in for practical strategies to navigate conflict with confidence.

Learn more about John Riley at his website: https://gentle-response.com/

For exclusive membership perks join our membership site the Disengagement Zone at https://disengage.highconflict.net/

For classes or one on one consults with Brook please visit our highconflict.net website to register.

Free High Conflict Diversion Program Booklet: "When Co-Parenting Doesn't Work."

https://www.highconflict.net/booklet

Join our mailing list:

Disengage and Thrive: One Email at a Time

https://www.highconflict.net/emails

Episode 301: The Science and Art of Engagement with Author Rich Carr Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

In this episode Brook has guest Rich Carr author of Surprised: The Science and Art of Engagement. Rich brings a bright and engaging look at how we as humans respond or react to an outside stimulus and in understanding the workings of the various part of the brain dictate how you will engage in or disengage with that stimulus. In high conflict or for that matter any relational interaction, getting to the solution with the least amount of conflict and the optimal exploration is the goal. Rich goes into how you can install intention and preprogram action to reduce the reactivity in your system and access the parts of the brain that problem solve. Enjoy!!!
Rich Carr can be reached at through his website. https://braincentricdesign.com/

Want to hear the full episode? Join our membership today and take advantage of our exclusive offer: your first month is completely free! Coupon code: 30DAYSFREEACCESS

For classes or one on one consults with Brook please visit our highconflict.net website to register.

Free High Conflict Diversion Program Booklet: "When Co-Parenting Doesn't Work."

https://www.highconflict.net/booklet

Join our mailing list:

Disengage and Thrive: One Email at a Time

https://www.highconflict.net/emails

Episode 302 Conflict Detox_ Reducing Emotional Reactivity with Lisa Johnson and Chris Barry from Been There Got Out Dec 11, 2024

Show notes

In this episode Brook and his guests Lisa Johnson and Chris Barry from the podcast Been There Got Out discuss the notion of High Conflict Detox. This is where a person/parent is stuck deeply in the habitual cycle of conflict and the nervous system maintains a high level of chronic activation. In order to break the cycle one must endure the discomfort of disengagement, develop a self awareness of the cycle in order to break free of the strong impulse to engage in and continue the conflict. This conflict pattern is very much physiological and can be mastered. Enjoy!!!

You can contact Lisa through their website beentheregotout.com or follow them on instagram, Youtube and Facebook.

Download our Free High Conflict Diversion Program Booklet: "When Co-Parenting Doesn't Work."

https://www.highconflict.net/booklet

Join our mailing list:

Disengage and Thrive: One Email at a Time

https://www.highconflict.net/emails

And join our membership site at
Disengage.highconflict.net

Episode 294 Legal Abuse and Going it Pro Se With Chris Barry and Lisa Johnson from Been There Got Out Aug 09, 2024

Show notes

In this episode Brook has special guest Lisa Johnson from Been There Got Out to discuss how High Conflict Personalities can drive legal abuse in the family court system and how to organize yourself to be able to go it with out an attorney. Lisa brings some good information to a scary subject.

You can contact Lisa through their website beentheregotout.com or follow them on instagram, Youtube and Facebook.

Join "The Disengagement Zone" Membership!

Gain access to:

•daily value-packed emails
•exclusive podcast episodes
•free masterclasses
•personalized recommendations for lawyers and therapists
•live Q&A sessions
•special discounts
•meditation sessions
•and fresh content every month

All designed to help you master high-conflict co-parenting. Start your transformation today! https://disengage.highconflict.net

Please download or free booklet "When Co-Parenting Doesn't Work" @ https://www.highconflict.net/booklet

and join our mailing list
@ https://www.highconflict.net/emails

For classes or one on one consults with Brook please visit our https://www.highconflict.net to register

Episode 293 High Conflict Co-Parenting Combating Harassment and Abuse An Interview with Talking Parents Jul 19, 2024

Show notes

In this episode Brook Olsen and Kelli Avallone Join the Talking Parents team on their Co-Parenting and Coffee webinar to discuss Parallel Parenting and the use of Co-Parenting Apps. During High Conflict Co-Parenting and dealing with Narcissism and other personality disorders the use of Co-Parenting Apps like Talking Parents can be a useful tool in getting the conflict under control and tracking the conversation between parents. The use of such apps can all so help when going to court to show the level of conflict and who is in may ways causing the conflict to continue. This is a rich conversation that I think will help listeners understand the value in using these tools. Enjoy!!!

You can find Talking Parents at https://talkingparents.com ›

Join "The Disengagement Zone" Membership!

Gain access to:

All designed to help you master high-conflict co-parenting. Start your transformation today! https://disengage.highconflict.net

Please download or free booklet "When Co-Parenting Doesn't Work" @ https://www.highconflict.net/booklet

and join our mailing list
@ https://www.highconflict.net/emails

For classes or one on one consults with Brook please visit our https://www.highconflict.net to register

Episode 212 Holding Boundaries, Keeping Aware, Utilizing Timing and Opportunity (Don't Miss It) Oct 28, 2022

Show notes

In this episode Brook and Michelle have a conversation about the importance of staying aware of when important events and occur and boundaries crossed that you are able to take the proper action in a timely manner so you don't loose an important window that could enhances or change the course or overall outcome of your case.

If you are finding these podcast of value and would like to continue receiving this free content, commercial free please consider donating using the Donate button on your podcast page. Enjoy!!!

Donate Here

Join "The Disengagement Zone" Membership!

Gain access to:

All designed to help you master high-conflict co-parenting. Start your transformation today! https://disengage.highconflict.net

Free High Conflict Diversion Program Booklet: "When Co-Parenting Doesn't Work."

https://www.highconflict.net/booklet

Join our mailing list:

Disengage and Thrive: One Email at a Time

https://www.highconflict.net/emails

Episode 81 Covid 19 and Beyond_ Everything Has Changed, Orienting to The New Realities Apr 03, 2020

Show notes

In this episode Brook and Charlie discuss the dramatic changes the cover-19 pandemic have created for everyone, especially those caught in high conflict divorce and custody cases. It is forcing everyone to think and rethink their actions regarding exchanges, travel and communications around containment. If you are finding these podcast of value and would like to continue receiving this free content, commercial free please consider donating using the Donate button on your podcast page. Enjoy!!!

Join "The Disengagement Zone" Membership!

Gain access to:

All designed to help you master high-conflict co-parenting. Start your transformation today! https://disengage.highconflict.net

Free High Conflict Diversion Program Booklet: "When Co-Parenting Doesn't Work."

https://www.highconflict.net/booklet

Join our mailing list:

Disengage and Thrive: One Email at a Time

https://www.highconflict.net/emails

Episode 74 Players in the Drama Triangle (What is Your Role) Feb 14, 2020

Show notes

In this episode Brook and Charlie discuss the Drama Triangle and how each of us enter the triangle and perpetuate the cycle of conflict. This is a simple model to rap your head around. Enjoy!!!

Join "The Disengagement Zone" Membership!

Gain access to:

All designed to help you master high-conflict co-parenting. Start your transformation today! https://disengage.highconflict.net