What does it mean to be a “legendary” father—especially when you’re navigating divorce, co-parenting, and the daily pressures of work and life?

In this episode of Coparenting Beyond Conflict, Sol interviews Larry Hagner, host of the Dad Edge podcast and author of The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood. Larry shares practical insights on what children truly need from their fathers: presence, emotional safety, and the willingness to repair after mistakes.

Larry explains why great parenting is a learnable skill, how staying together “for the kids” can sometimes do more harm than good, and why children often see us in a far more forgiving light than we see ourselves. He also offers concrete tools for becoming more present with your children, regulating your emotions during conflict, and communicating more effectively with both partners and co-parents.

Whether you’re a divorced dad carrying guilt, a parent struggling to stay calm under stress, or anyone who wants to create a more peaceful home, this conversation is full of compassionate and practical guidance.

Learn more about Larry Hagner and The Dad Edge: https://thedadedge.com/

Get Larry's book, The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood: https://thedadedge.com/legendary-fatherhood-book

Get the BestInterest Coparenting App: https://bestinterest.app/

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yY2JEqn0ses

Subscribe to our newsletter to hear about new episodes and build community: https://bestinterest.app/subscribe-podcast/

Keywords

legendary fatherhood, divorced dads, co-parenting, emotional regulation, presence, fatherhood skills, repair, psychological safety, parenting after divorce, conflict resolution, The Experience Cube, effective communication, parenting guilt, emotional safety, Dad Edge

Key Takeaways

• Children often see their parents more compassionately than parents see themselves.
• Great fatherhood is not innate—it is a skill that can be learned and strengthened.
• Repair after mistakes is one of the most important ways to build trust with children.
• Staying together “for the kids” is not always healthiest if the relationship is toxic.
• Kids spell love as T-I-M-E.
• Presence can be cultivated by fully engaging your senses in the moment.
• Conflict improves when you focus on what you want, rather than what you don’t want.
• Unspoken expectations are a major source of resentment.
• A peaceful home environment supports both parents and children.
• The quality of your life depends on the quality of the questions you ask yourself.

Chapter Highlights

00:00 – Introducing Larry Hagner and Legendary Fatherhood
01:11 – Why Your Kids See You Better Than You See Yourself
04:47 – Should Parents Stay Together for the Kids?
07:45 – Fatherhood as a Learnable Skill
11:39 – The Power of Repair
13:20 – Work Stress and Being Present with Your Kids
19:19 – Navigating Conflict and Emotional Triggers
21:57 – The Experience Cube Communication Tool
26:41 – Why Speaking Up Matters
27:04 – Creating Psychological Safety for Kids
27:58 – One Message for Parents Feeling Defeated
29:08 – Where to Find Larry Hagner

What if your co-parent’s toxic messages never even reached you? Thousands of parents are already finding peace with the BestInterest Coparenting App. As a listener, you can too. Claim 40% off an annual subscription here: https://bestinterest.app/beyond

What if divorce didn’t have to mean years of litigation, mounting legal fees, and a judge deciding your family’s future?

In this episode of Coparenting Beyond Conflict, Sol speaks with Amanda Singer, a family law mediator and attorney who has spent more than 13 years helping couples resolve divorce and custody issues outside of court.

Amanda explains how mediation offers families a more collaborative and cost-effective path through separation. Rather than battling through attorneys, couples work with a neutral professional to create agreements around parenting plans, support, and property division while staying in control of the outcome.

They discuss what makes mediation successful, how therapists can improve outcomes, how to handle high-conflict personalities, and why parenting agreements should include a framework for future changes. Amanda also shares insights into premarital mediation and how prenuptial agreements can strengthen relationships before marriage.

Whether you’re facing divorce, navigating a challenging co-parenting relationship, or planning a future marriage, this conversation offers practical tools for reducing conflict and making thoughtful decisions.

Learn more about Amanda Singer and West Coast Family Mediation: https://westcoastfamilymediation.com/

Get the BestInterest Coparenting App: https://bestinterest.app/

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YY1hp4ocAYs

Subscribe to our newsletter to hear about new episodes and build community: https://bestinterest.app/subscribe-podcast/

Keywords
family mediation, divorce mediation, co-parenting, parenting plans, family law, child custody, high-conflict divorce, conflict resolution, alternative dispute resolution, prenup, premarital mediation, child support, spousal support, blended families, bonus parents, divorce without court, custody agreements, emotional regulation, therapy and divorce, California mediation

Takeaways

• Conflict is normal, but how you handle it determines whether your family can move forward.
• Mediation allows parents to stay in control instead of leaving decisions to a judge.
• Couples do not need to agree on everything to benefit from mediation; they only need a shared commitment to work things out.
• Therapy can help parents regulate emotions and communicate more effectively during mediation.
• Parenting plans should include a process for revisiting decisions as children grow.
• Common future issues include screen time, social media, driving, and introducing new partners.
• Mediators can help balance power when one parent is more dominant or controlling.
• Blended family mediation can help bonus parents become part of the solution.
• Premarital mediation gives couples a collaborative way to create prenuptial agreements.
• Getting support early can prevent conflict from escalating.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Amanda Singer
02:06 Why Conflict Is Normal
04:17 What Mediation Really Looks Like
07:24 Who Is a Good Fit for Mediation?
09:28 How to Convince a Reluctant Co-Parent
11:06 Returning to Mediation as Children Grow
12:46 What Parenting Plans Often Miss
15:25 Managing Power Imbalances
17:14 Navigating High-Conflict Dynamics
19:00 Blended Families and Bonus Parents
23:03 Why Therapy Helps Mediation
27:39 Premarital Mediation and Prenups
31:58 Lightning Round Insights
35:08 One Final Piece of Advice

What if your co-parent’s toxic messages never even reached you? Thousands of parents are already finding peace with the BestInterest Coparenting App. As a listener, you can too. Claim 40% off an annual subscription here: https://bestinterest.app/beyond

A high-conflict custody battle can make even the most devoted parent feel powerless. In this episode, Derek Salyers shares the deeply personal story of fighting for shared parenting after being falsely accused, cut off from his son for months, and pulled into a years-long family court battle.

Derek opens up about the mental health toll many fathers silently carry, the realities of parallel parenting, and why he believes the family court system still struggles with bias. He also shares how AI tools like ChatGPT helped him navigate legal documents, parenting plans, communication, and court preparation during one of the hardest periods of his life.

This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health struggles. Please listen with care.

Learn more about Derek Salyers and Fathers for Fair Custody: https://fathersforfaircustody.com

Get Derek’s book, The Forgotten Fathers on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBN8M3XB

Get the BestInterest Coparenting App: https://bestinterest.app/

Custody Journal (Free Documentation Tool): https://custodyjournal.com

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rIqoK79LcrU

Subscribe to our newsletter to hear about new episodes and build community: https://bestinterest.app/subscribe-podcast/

Keywords
high conflict custody battle, fathers rights, shared parenting, false accusations in family court, parallel parenting, fatherhood and divorce, custody battle mental health, AI for family court, right of first refusal, co-parenting communication

Takeaways

• Parallel Parenting Can Protect Peace: In some high-conflict situations, minimizing communication is healthier than forcing collaboration.
• AI Can Be a Powerful Tool: ChatGPT helped Derek understand legal language, prepare questions, structure communication, and think through parenting plans.
• Always Fact-Check AI: AI can hallucinate cases and legal information, making verification essential before using anything in court.
• Right of First Refusal Matters: Parenting plan clauses can significantly impact how much real parenting time each parent receives.
• Documentation Can Change Outcomes: Photos, videos, receipts, calendars, and journals can become critical evidence in custody disputes.
• Fathers’ Mental Health Needs Attention: Derek speaks openly about suicidal thoughts, isolation, and the emotional impact of losing contact with a child.
• You Can’t Control the Other Household: Peace often begins when parents stop trying to control what happens outside their parenting time.
• Growth Is Still Possible: Even in devastating circumstances, healing, self-reflection, and personal growth can emerge from the experience.

Chapters
01:27 – From Divorce to Parallel Parenting
04:22 – How AI Helped Build a Parenting Plan
08:04 – False Allegations & Losing Contact With His Son
13:18 – The Story Behind The Forgotten Fathers
16:48 – Men’s Mental Health During Custody Battles
20:16 – Fighting for Shared Parenting Rights
27:57 – The Risks and Benefits of Using AI in Court
32:19 – The Biggest Lie Fathers Are Told About Custody
37:00 – Letting Go of Control in Co-Parenting
39:55 – Advice for Parents in the Darkest Moments

What if your co-parent’s toxic messages never even reached you? Thousands of parents are already finding peace with the BestInterest Coparenting App. As a listener, you can too. Claim 40% off an annual subscription here: https://bestinterest.app/beyond