Podcast #58 Tamara Harris: Breaking the Patterns We Carry Into Relationships
What if the way you respond to conflict in your relationships is connected to what you learned about relationships as a child? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with Tamara Harris, a licensed clinical social worker and Florida Supreme Court mediator, to explore how childhood experiences, trauma, emotional regulation, and unresolved patterns can shape […]
#57 Dr. Frank Putnam: Old Before Their Time and the Lasting Impact of Childhood Trauma
What if childhood trauma changes the body as much as it changes the mind? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with Dr. Frank Putnam to explore decades of groundbreaking research on the lifelong effects of child abuse, revealing how early trauma can alter biological development, mental health, and future relationships. You will […]
#56 Casey Zidek: What Nobody Tells You About Representing Yourself In Divorce
What if handling your own divorce is possible, but nobody tells you how overwhelming the process can actually be? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with Casey Zidek to unpack the realities of navigating divorce pro se, from confusing court procedures and rejected filings to parenting plans, financial affidavits, and final hearings. You will […]
#55 Steven Bryant: Making Divorce Decisions With Confidence and Clarity
What if the biggest financial mistakes in divorce aren’t just about money but about missing information? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with Steven Bryant to unpack how financial blind spots, poor planning, and a lack of analysis can cost families years of stress and thousands in unnecessary legal fees. You’ll hear why divorce […]
#54 Olivia St. Clair Long: Why Winning in Court Can Mean Losing Your Child
What happens when parents fight so hard to win that they lose sight of what their children actually need? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with Olivia St. Clair Long to unpack high-conflict custody, coercive control, and how the family law system can unintentionally shift focus away from children’s well-being. You’ll hear […]
#53 Erin Williamson: What Kids Need Adults To Understand About Exploitation
What if the greatest threat to your child isn’t a stranger in the shadows—but someone they already trust? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with Erin Williamson to unpack the uncomfortable realities parents, caregivers, and professionals often miss when it comes to child exploitation. Through real-world experience and deeply human stories, you’ll gain clarity […]
#52 Judge Anthony Miller: The Truth About Family Law From the Bench
What really happens inside a family courtroom — and what does a judge wish every parent understood before stepping inside? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with Judge Anthony Miller for an honest and eye-opening conversation about the realities, pressures, and human side of judicial decision-making. You’ll hear how he approaches children’s safety, manages […]
#51 Peter Mutabazi & Mica Phillips: From Struggle to Strength & Hope for Every Child
What happens when caring for a child means fighting the system that’s supposed to help them? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt talks with Peter Mutabazi, a foster father to over 47 children and international advocate, and Mica Phillips, a healthcare leader improving Medicaid access and dignity in care. They share the hidden struggles of foster […]
Susan is a Special Guest on Fostering Change Podcast
From Foster Care to Family Law: Susan Chesnutt on Justice, Healing, and Child Welfare ⚠️ Advisory: This episode includes discussion of child abuse and family trauma. Welcome to this week’s episode of Fostering Change, where host Rob Scheer speaks with Susan Chesnutt — a family law attorney, child welfare advocate, and former foster youth based […]
#50 Lisa Sander: Finding Grace and Growth Through Family Transitions
What happens when divorce doesn’t just end a marriage but reshapes an entire family? In this episode, Susan Chesnutt sits down with nurse, coach, and podcaster Lisa Sander to uncover how faith, forgiveness, and hard conversations can transform even the most painful family transitions. Together, they dig into the realities of blended families, co-parenting challenges, […]