Divorce University Online

Divorce University Online is a custody show with a single, sharp focus: raising children across two households when the other parent runs on conflict. Tammy Ferreira hosts. Her authority comes from two directions. She worked with and for her late husband Thomas, an attorney, for about 15 years, and she says the lessons on the show originated with him. She also went through a high-conflict situation of her own with a first husband she believes was a narcissist, or at least had narcissistic tendencies. Narcissism is the recurring subject, visible in titles like 'Surviving Custody with a Narcissist', '5 Ways Narcissists Manipulate Children' and 'Trauma Bond with a Narcissist'. She is clear, though, that the techniques apply to any high-conflict personality. One observation captures her approach. Parents keep asking the other side to stop a hurtful behavior, and she points out that the request itself reveals the pain point, which tends to bring more of it. Her guidance for children is gentler: reinforce that how they feel is how they feel, and that they can say so respectfully. Court mechanics get the same plain treatment. She defines a GAL, or guardian ad litem, as essentially an attorney for the children, and notes that California usually calls the role minors counsel while other places use best interest attorney. She steers parents away from the phrase 50-50 in favor of equal shared parenting. She offers sample wording too, such as how the mother of a nursing baby might raise, in a sympathetic tone, that a father who worked long hours has done few of the overnight feedings. On accusations, she looks at both sides and separates everyday household mess from the extreme conditions child welfare workers are actually looking for. Some episodes take the form of numbered lists, and she flags that each one reflects what she sees most often with clients rather than a complete account. Newer tools get a hearing as well. Her verdict on ChatGPT in custody cases is measured: useful for drafting and compiling, but no substitute for judgment about people who have free will. The delivery is conversational, full of 'right?' and 'okay' check-ins. It can also be personal. An episode released on the two-year mark of Thomas' passing opens with her asking listeners to remember him and, if they pray, to say a prayer for her. Some episodes close with pointers to her group coaching programs for moms and for dads and her one-on-one sessions. For a first listen, a parent whose case involves an attorney for the children has an obvious choice in 'Keys to Success with a GAL (Guardian Ad Litem)'.