Navigating court-ordered visitation can be overwhelming for children, especially when they're required to spend time with predatory parent. Many kids cope by masking their true emotions, staying compliant during visits, and then unraveling once they're safe at home—often exhibiting behaviors like anger, withdrawal, people-pleasing, or even sudden aggression. These responses leave protective parents feeling confused, guilty, and drained.

In this episode, we review Dr. Christine Cocchiola’s insightful children's book, Every Moment of Every Day, and delve deeper into what’s really going on beneath the surface for mothers and children navigating custody orders. Dr. Cocchiola, a clinician, protective parent, and author, sheds light on how coercive control intentionally disrupts a child’s attachment to the safe parent through shame, manipulation, and false narratives. She explains the four stress responses—fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—and why children may mimic an abuser, appear "fine" when they're not, or act out upon returning home.

The conversation offers practical strategies for navigating transitions, such as co-regulation instead of interrogation, empowering children with choice, and using rhythmic, relational activities like music, dancing, trampoline play, drumming, or pillow forts to help them release stress. We also discuss Dr. Cocchiola’s “three Ps” for managing high-stakes handoffs and acknowledge the difficulty of healing when court-mandated contact persists. Still, Dr. Cocchiola reminds us that meaningful recovery is possible through informed, protective parenting and intentional repair.

If you’re concerned about child safety, family court custody battles, trauma-informed parenting, or the impact of coercive control, this review and discussion of Every Moment of Every Day will equip you with critical insights and actionable steps for supporting children through challenging transitions.

This week we talk with Jessica Smith Wilcott, sister of Officer Jillian Smith of the Arlington Police Department about how one fateful domestic violence disturbance call changed two families forever. In this episode, Jessica shares the story of what happened to Jillian that December night in 2010, who Jillian was beyond the badge, and how remembrance turned into action can transform law enforcement responses to domestic violence.

Our conversation moves from stark national statistics to the on-the-ground reality of officer safety and victim safety. Jessica details the shifts since Jillian’s death: two-officer responses to domestic calls, pairing women and men on scene, and departments across Dallas–Fort Worth weaving Jillian’s story into training and recruitment. We examine what still needs work—more officers on high-risk calls, trauma-informed de-escalation, reliable advocacy referrals, and dedicated pathways at police departments where victims can seek help without fear. Along the way, we talk about representation in law enforcement, why diverse recruiting builds trust, and how belief and patience can open the door to lifesaving disclosures.

Jessica also offers a deeply personal look at living with loss: the hard holidays, the role of faith and church community, and the small daily practices—photos, stories, saying her name—that keep Jillian present for the family. She reflects on the offender’s actions and the complex relief of being spared a grueling trial, and she describes an enduring connection with the girl Jillian saved that proves legacy can be a living promise. If you care about domestic violence prevention, officer safety, advocacy partnerships, and the human heart behind policy change, this conversation will stay with you.

In this episode we visit with Texas-born singer-songwriter and single mother of four Erin Duvall to unpack how she turned a season of survival into soulful songs, purposeful routines, and a foundation that champions single parents year-round.

In this lively conversation Erin traces her path from a childhood spent chasing any stage to a grown-up return to the studio with new clarity. She breaks down the collaborations that sharpened her sound—Dallas legends the Baker Brothers, Grammy-winning producer Keith Thomas, and Nashville writer-producer Brian White—and how those sessions shaped two creative eras: the relational healing of her album One by One and the hard-won selfhood in her new single Back to Me. Along the way, she shares how she protects her kids’ privacy while still letting them share the joy of performance when they choose.

The heart of our conversation lands at home. Erin explains why nothing is off limits at her kitchen table, how clear boundaries make kids feel safe, and why a strong village—grandparents, trusted neighbors, dependable carpools—turns chaos into momentum. She offers practical advice for single parents and busy creatives: start now, even small; guard your yes; trade FOMO for JOMO; and make time for rest nonnegotiable. We also spotlight the Twice the Love Foundation, Erin’s platform that raises awareness and resources for single parents through concerts, community events, and partnerships with on-the-ground organizations.

If you’ve wondered how to pursue a dream while raising a family as a single parent and still show up for others, this story delivers both inspiration and a blueprint. Listen for the mindset shifts, the daily systems, and a preview of the new release Back to Me that captures life after the storm.