Welcome back to Cut Off, the podcast where we shine a light on the hidden struggles and systemic failures faced by parents navigating the realities of parental alienation. In this fifth episode, host Marisa Conway dives deep into the courtroom chaos where truth often loses out to performance, and loving parents are misread as unstable or unfit. From the confusion and trauma of being dismissed in court to the reasons why judges, therapists, and evaluators frequently miss the signs of alienation, this episode breaks down the critical misunderstandings that keep families stuck and children caught in loyalty binds.

Drawing on both lived experience and clinical insight, Marisa Conway shares not only the personal toll of being misjudged but also practical strategies for parents fighting to be heard. We explore why the lack of a formal diagnostic code for parental alienation leads to mislabeling and misdiagnosis, and what urgent changes are needed in our courts and clinics to stop the cycle of harm. Whether you’re an affected parent, a concerned professional, or simply seeking clarity about a complex issue, this episode is packed with real-world advice, validation, and a call for empathy and reform. So settle in as we turn pain into clarity and clarity into power.

Timestamps:

00:00 "Alienated Parents in Courtrooms"

05:27 "Truth vs. Credibility in Court"

06:56 "Betrayal and Legal Disillusionment"

12:18 Parental Alienation Misunderstood by Clinicians

15:10 Misdiagnosis of Parental Alienation

19:31 "Reforming Family Court Priorities"

22:29 "Improving Custody Evaluation Methods"

27:08 Child-Focused Custody Strategy Guide

30:15 Questioning Assumptions in Parental Conflict

Show Website - https://cutoffpodcast.com/

Marisa Conway's Coaching Website - https://coachmarisaconway.com/

Marisa's Book - Shattered Bonds, Resilient Heart - https://shatteredbonds.org/

Book a Time with Marisa - https://calendly.com/marisaconway/discovery-call-1?month=2025-07

Podcast Media Partner - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome back to the Cut Off podcast! In today's episode, we're going behind the curtain to expose the world of parental alienation: how alienators operate, the manipulation tactics they use, and the impact these strategies have on both parents and children. If you've ever felt blindsided by false accusations, confusion, or constant emotional chaos, you're not alone, and this episode is for you.

Join Marisa as she breaks down the psychological warfare alienators employ: triangulation, gaslighting, false narratives, coercive control, and emotional splitting, and reveal the devastating ripple effects on family bonds and personal identity. You'll hear firsthand stories, practical advice for recognizing red flags, and real strategies for parents trying to rebuild meaningful connections with their children amidst manipulation.

More than just an exploration of patterns, this episode is an empowering guide. Whether you're a parent, a professional, or someone who wants to understand this hidden abuse, you'll learn how to move from reactivity and pain toward resilience, clarity, and advocacy. It's about shifting the question from "What did I do wrong?" to "What is being done to me?", and finding hope and healing on the other side.

Stay with us as we pull back the curtain and help you reclaim your truth.

Timestamps:

00:00 Parental Alienation's Harmful Impact

06:24 Coercive Control in Parenting

11:08 Emotional Harm from Parental Alienation

14:26 Alienation Undermining Child's Identity

18:18 Parental Alienation Tactics Explained

19:10 Parental Alienation Dynamics Explained

25:26 Parental Alienation and Self-Doubt

26:51 "Blindsided by Toxic Relationships"

30:54 "Signs of Parental Alienation"

34:40 "Child as Parental Messenger Harmful"

35:41 Avoid Triangulation, Foster Direct Communication

41:41 "Managing Parental Alienation Responses"

44:26 "Document, Focus, Prioritize Parenting"

48:53 "Fostering Safe, Supportive Parenting"

52:13 "Reclaiming Identity Through Intention"

54:45 "Finding Strength After Alienation"

Show Website - https://cutoffpodcast.com/

Marisa Conway's Coaching Website - https://coachmarisaconway.com/

Marisa's Book - Shattered Bonds, Resilient Heart - https://shatteredbonds.org/

Book a Time with Marisa - https://calendly.com/marisaconway/discovery-call-1?month=2025-07

Podcast Media Partner - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome back to the Cut Off podcast! In this powerful episode, Marisa Conway dives deep into the aftermath of parental alienation, moving beyond personal anguish and toward hope and resolution. Building on the foundation set in previous episodes, where Marisa described parental alienation as a “living grief” and exposed its devastating emotional and systemic impacts, this conversation is all about action: what parents can do when they recognize the signs, how to regain agency amid the chaos, and the critical steps needed for recovery and healing.

Marisa shares practical strategies and compassionate advice, from early recognition and documentation, to finding truly informed legal and therapeutic support. She addresses how to spot red flags in professionals, explains the nuances of resist/refuse dynamics, and offers concrete tools for rebuilding connection with children caught in the middle. The episode also explores the wider impact of parental alienation, why it’s a generational public health crisis, and the systemic changes needed at legal, clinical, and societal levels.

Whether you’re experiencing this firsthand or want to be part of real change, you’ll find actionable guidance, emotional insight, and a clear roadmap for advocacy, self-care, and hope. Join us as we illuminate a path forward out of isolation, toward healing, justice, and stronger bonds for families and for our communities.

Timestamps:

00:00 "Accepting Painful Family Realities"

07:34 Navigating Parental Alienation Support

13:48 "Challenges in Fighting Alienation"

20:40 Trauma-Informed Parenting Support

23:17 Navigating Alienation with Resilience

28:41 "Living Grief and Resilience"

32:10 "Anchoring in Evidence and Support"

39:56 "Struggles with Limited Child Access"

43:47 "Emotional Vitals for Parents"

50:02 "Recognizing Parental Alienation"

57:11 "Naming Parental Alienation Matters"

58:28 "Radical Vision for Family Healing"

Show Website - https://cutoffpodcast.com/

Marisa Conway's Coaching Website - https://coachmarisaconway.com/

Marisa's Book - Shattered Bonds, Resilient Heart - https://shatteredbonds.org/

Book a Time with Marisa - https://calendly.com/marisaconway/discovery-call-1?month=2025-07

Podcast Media Partner - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”