The hardest truth about addiction and mental health struggles is that families become casualties too. Yet no one talks about their recovery. Lisa Katona Smith, TEDx speaker and the author of Parallel Recovery, has pioneered a unique approach to healing that recognizes families as the forgotten participants in the recovery process.

What’s even more unique is that Lisa’s approach doesn't depend on whether the struggling person wants to change or not. Instead, Lisa advocates for what she calls "loving better"—a combination of sustainability and connection that allows families to maintain healthy boundaries while staying emotionally present for their struggling loved one.

Through structured reflection, strong communication tools, and addressing the underlying fears that drive reactive parenting, Lisa shows that families can learn to create an environment where healing becomes possible for everyone involved.

If you or anyone you know is a parent who’s trying to navigate the complex terrain of adolescent mental health challenges, this episode can change your world. It emphasizes the importance of curiosity over interrogation, validation over toxic positivity, and the recognition that sometimes the most loving thing parents can do is examine their own triggers and responses rather than focusing solely on changing their child's behavior.

About Lisa

Lisa Katona Smith, M.Ed., is a TEDx speaker, educator, and author of Parallel Recovery—a family-centered model that empowers loved ones to heal alongside someone facing mental health and substance use challenges. Known for her clarity, compassion, and systems-level insight, Lisa helps families and professionals build sustainable, connection-based recovery through consulting, training, and transformative conversations.

Connect with Lisa

You can connect with Lisa on LinkedIn at Lisa Katona Smith and on Instagram at Parallel Recovery. To find out how to work with Lisa visit her website at Lisa Katona Smith and catch her TEDx Talk The Power Of Parallel Recovery.

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Parallel Recovery - A Guide For Those Who Love Someone With Substance Use Disorder

Karen Covy is a Divorce Coach and Consultant, Lawyer, Author, and Speaker who is dedicated to helping people make the best decisions possible for themselves, their families, and their future - especially in stressful times. You can check out Karen's videos on YouTube.

You can connect with Karen on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and on her own website at karencovy.com.

When Caitlin made the difficult decision to separate from her husband, she discovered that untangling their shared mortgage would be far more complicated than ending their marriage. Less than a year after purchasing their home together, both names remained on the loan with a crushing $5K mortgage payment each month. Meanwhile, the house has already lost value, leaving them underwater.

Working 60 hours a week between her full-time job and part-time work, plus receiving VA disability benefits, Caitlin technically earns enough to cover the mortgage—but barely, and with no safety net for emergencies or unexpected expenses.

Caitlin’s husband refuses to pay for divorce or refinancing costs, leaving Caitlin to navigate loan assumptions, separation agreements, and the terrifying prospect of going it alone financially. But in this coaching session, she discovers she has more options and negotiating power than she realized.

Karen Covy is a Divorce Coach and Consultant, Lawyer, Author, and Speaker who is dedicated to helping people make the best decisions possible for themselves, their families, and their future - especially in stressful times. You can check out Karen's videos on YouTube.

You can connect with Karen on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and on her own website at karencovy.com.

The moment you’re begging over a $72 reimbursement is the moment you realize the paperwork isn’t the problem—the power dynamic is. That’s exactly what Samantha Boss, high-conflict parenting coach and mediator, discovered. Four years, three attorneys, five judges, and over $100k+ later Samantha’s initial “this is just paperwork” mindset morphed into years of litigation and financial abuse. Now, Samantha helps other moms who are battling high conflict divorces design airtight high conflict parenting plans built for conflict, not fantasy.

The difference between “standard parenting plans” and a high-conflict one isn't just a few extra pages. While typical parenting plans run from 4 -10 pages with a lot of vague, boilerplate language, Samantha’s detailed plans span 18-30 pages and cover everything from "diapers to diplomas."

In this podcast episode Samantha reveals the psychology behind negotiating with difficult exes, how to choose a lawyer who really understands high conflict divorce, and how to choose your divorce process intentionally.

If you’re embroiled in a high conflict divorce, and you have children, this episode is pure gold.

About Samantha

As a certified divorce mediator and coach, Samantha empowers moms to protect themselves and their children's future by providing expert guidance on parenting plans and navigating high-conflict exes.

Connect with Samantha

You can connect with Samantha on LinkedIn at Samantha Boss and on Facebook at The Ugly Truth of Divorce. You can follow Samantha on YouTube at The Ugly Truth of Divorce, on Instagram at The Ugly Truth of Divorce and on her podcast Divorce with Sam and Leah. You can find out how to work with Samantha at Samantha Boss.

Karen Covy is a Divorce Coach and Consultant, Lawyer, Author, and Speaker who is dedicated to helping people make the best decisions possible for themselves, their families, and their future - especially in stressful times. You can check out Karen's videos on YouTube.

You can connect with Karen on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and on her own website at karencovy.com.