The High Conflict Co-Parenting Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 315: Children In Between with Dr. Donald Gordon Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Brook Olsen welcomes Dr. Donald Gordon, founder of the Center for Divorce Education and creator of Children in Between, to discuss how parents can reduce conflict and protect their kids during and after divorce. With decades of research and real-world experience, Dr. Gordon shares how even small shifts in communication, emotional regulation, and mindfulness can make a lasting impact on children's well-being. You'll learn how chronic conflict affects kids' brain development, how to model emotional stability, and why co-parents don't need to be perfect—just intentional. If you're navigating high-conflict parenting or want to break generational cycles of stress and disconnection, this episode is packed with tools and hope.
Learn more about Dr. Donald Gordon at his website: https://divorce-education.com/classes/children-in-between-class/
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 313: Narcissist's Counterpart Echo with Author of Rethinking Narcissism Dr.Craig Malkin Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Brook Olsen is joined once again by Dr. Craig Malkin, author of Rethinking Narcissism, to explore the lesser-known counterpart to narcissism: echoism. Through the lens of Greek mythology and modern psychology, they unpack how those who fear being "too much" often find themselves entangled in toxic dynamics with narcissistic partners. Dr. Malkin explains how echoism—marked by self-silencing, people-pleasing, and a fear of taking up space—is a survival response rooted in early family systems. Together, they discuss how cultivating healthy anger, reclaiming agency, and practicing mindful disengagement can break the cycle of negative intimacy and lead to lasting change. A must-listen for anyone navigating high-conflict relationships or healing from emotionally abusive dynamics.

Learn more about Dr. Craig Malkin at his website: https://www.drcraigmalkin.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 312: Unraveling old patterns and reconnecting to self With AnnMarie Chereso Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Brook talks with conscious relationship coach Annmarie Chereso about how to break free from unconscious patterns that fuel conflict—especially in co-parenting. Annmarie shares her personal journey through divorce and how parts work and nervous system regulation helped her reclaim her power. They explore the role of self-awareness, compassion, and learning to respond from presence rather than fear. A powerful conversation for anyone looking to heal and build healthier relationships with their children—and themselves.

Learn more about AnnMarie Chereso at her website: https://annmariechereso.me/
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 305: Creating Better Outcomes: The Power of Initial Conditions with Karen McNenny Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Brook welcomes Karen McEnany, The Good Divorce Coach, to discuss how setting the right foundation in divorce can significantly impact long-term outcomes. Divorce inherently carries conflict, but the way we navigate the early stages—our initial conditions—can determine whether the process will be calm, moderately contentious, or high-conflict.

Brook and Karen explore how parents can approach divorce not as a battle, but as a transformation—one that prioritizes family over finances, mitigates unnecessary pain, and fosters healthier co-parenting relationships. They discuss the importance of intention, emotional regulation, and recognizing the difference between what truly matters and what is simply ego or control.

If you're looking for a new framework to approach divorce—one that fosters cooperation, minimizes conflict, and protects your children's well-being—this episode is for you. Enjoy!
Learn more about Karen McNenny at his website http://www.karenmcnenny.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 295 Finding Refuge From The Email Carpet Bombing Aug 23, 2024

Show notes

In this episode Brook and Michelle discuss the narcissistic practice of email Carpet Bombing. This is the practice of incessantly sending repeated emails in order to hook you into an argument, to tell you are doing it wrong, to harass and demean you and to cause as much chaos as possible to get you to engage. This is an important concept to understand and to get the tools needed to navigate the barrage. Enjoy!!!

You can follow Michelle on instagram @coachmichellesd.

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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

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

Episode 106 The Step Parent Trap Part 1 Step Mom Oct 02, 2020

Show notes

In this episode Brook and Charlie bring in a guest Step Mom to have a conversation of the perils of being a Step Mom and a look at the different perspectives of being a Step Mom. 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 49 Rat Tangle with Eric Sjoberg Aug 23, 2019

Show notes

In this episode Brook and Charlie are joined again with Eric Sjoberg as they discuss the concept of the Rat Tangle. The Rat tangle has a great deal to do with the unconscious parts of our beliefs and behaviors as it pertains to our ancestry and family of origin. 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 40 Divorce and Finance Jun 21, 2019

Show notes

In this episode Brook and Charlie talk about how finances can be a major factor in conflict and some of the ways to get a perspective on how to maximize what you have and strategies to build on for a more secure future. 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 35 Children in the Middle (Don't Let It Happen) May 17, 2019

Show notes

In this session Brook and Charlie discuss the pitfalls of putting the children in the middle of the conflict and the unconcious ways many parents do it. 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

HCCP Episode 000-What This Podcast is About Sep 11, 2018

Show notes

Co-Parenting is the relationship that never ends. If your ex is difficult to deal with, if you are are experiencing high-conflict and/or the children are being hurt by the behavior of your ex partner, than this show is for you. You may not be able to change them but you CAN change everything that your child needs to be healthy and happy. Listen in as Charlie and Brook discuss the principles, tools and techniques available in order to create peace in high conflict co-parenting relationships.

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