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In this episode, Billie speaks with Susan Magestro, a criminologist, interventionist, and expert witness who specializes in one of the most challenging and underreported issues facing families today: domestic violence perpetrated by children against their parents. Susan brings decades of experience working with families where parents live in fear of their own children, along with her expertise in crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies.

This conversation addresses the uncomfortable reality that many parents face but rarely discuss—when their child becomes violent, threatening, or abusive within the home. Susan explains the difference between explosive and implosive rage, shares red flags that parents should recognize, and discusses her innovative tools like the "anger wheel" for de-escalating volatile situations. The discussion also covers how divorce and family trauma can manifest in children's behavior, when reunification therapy is appropriate, and practical strategies for families caught in these devastating cycles.

What You'll Learn
✔ How to recognize the difference between explosive and implosive rage in children, and why many parents miss the warning signs of escalating dangerous behavior
✔ The "anger wheel" technique and other de-escalation strategies that help identify root causes of children's violent behavior and create pathways for healing
✔ Why parents often hide their fear of their own children due to professional concerns, community judgment, and family dynamics, preventing them from seeking help
✔ How divorce trauma and poor co-parenting communication can fuel children's anger and violent behavior, and the importance of "good divorce" practices
✔ When to pursue reunification therapy versus other interventions, and how to determine the best custody arrangements when children are struggling with anger and violence

Where to Find Susan Magestro
Learn more about Susan's work and access her resources, including her book "Raging From Within" and upcoming YouTube tutorials on the anger wheel technique. Susan provides expert witness services and crisis intervention throughout the United States.
www.susanmagestro.com

#DomesticViolenceAwareness #BreakTheSilence #EndTheCycle #FamilyViolence #StopTheViolence #AbuseAwareness #HealingJourney #SilentStruggle #YouAreNotAlone #love #family #life #kids #motherhood
#babies #mother #mentalhealth #positivity #motivation

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In this episode, Billie sits down with Nathan Williams, a professional counselor at Arizona Counseling Collective who specializes in forensically informed therapy and high-conflict co-parenting situations. Nathan brings years of experience working with families navigating the complex intersection of therapy and family court, including therapeutic intervention (TI) appointments, court testimony, and helping parents transition from dysfunctional spousal dynamics to effective co-parenting relationships.

This conversation tackles the challenging questions that attorneys and their clients face daily: When should therapists maintain confidentiality versus reporting to parents? How can parents move from adversarial dynamics to neutral co-parenting? What's the real success rate of therapeutic intervention, and why do so many therapists avoid this work entirely? Nathan provides practical insights on everything from parental alienation concerns to the reality of 50-50 custody arrangements, offering both legal professionals and parents a clearer understanding of how mental health intervention actually works in family court cases.

What You'll Learn
✔ The key differences between court-appointed therapeutic intervention and private therapy, including confidentiality boundaries and reporting requirements
✔ Why the "neutral co-parent" approach is essential for moving beyond dysfunctional spousal dynamics into effective business-like co-parenting relationships
✔ How to properly communicate with your co-parent about children's concerns using the BIFF method (Brief, Informative, Friendly, Firm) without creating additional conflict
✔ The realistic success rates of therapeutic intervention (approximately 50%) and what factors determine whether families will benefit from court-ordered counseling
✔ Practical strategies for helping children maintain relationships with both parents while teaching them healthy conflict resolution skills rather than withdrawal patterns

Where to Find Nathan Williams
williams-coach.com

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In this episode of the Modern Arizona Podcast, host Billie Tarascio sits down with Ruby Becker, Family Law and Juvenile Law attorney at Modern Law, to pull back the curtain on Arizona’s juvenile court system. Ruby shares her firsthand experience representing both parents and children in dependency, guardianship, and termination cases, and exposes the critical differences between family court and juvenile court.

From the power of DCS to the constitutional rights of parents, to the heartbreaking realities of foster care, Ruby provides an unfiltered look at what really happens when the state steps in. If you’re an attorney, paralegal, or anyone working in child welfare, this episode offers must-know insights into protecting families and upholding rights inside the courtroom.

Here’s What You’ll Learn from Ruby:
✔ Why children in juvenile court have stronger legal voices than in family court
✔ How to challenge DCS placement decisions and push for family custody
✔ The difference between temporary and permanent guardianships, and when each applies
✔ The hidden dangers of foster care and why private dependency may be a safer option
✔ Practical steps parents should take when DCS shows up at their door

Where to Find Ruby Becker
mymodernlaw.com/out-team/ruby-becker