{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Widowhood, Co-Parenting, and the Power of Parental Alignment with Michael Flores","description":"Donna Jean Kendrick talks with Michael Flores, a counselor, family therapist, and founder of Brighter Possibilities Family Counseling, about helping families navigate widowhood, divorce, co-parenting, and court-ordered counseling. Michael shares how his own childhood experiences shaped his mission and why he centers therapy on what children need, not just what adults want.This conversation is especially useful for single parents, widows, widowers, step-parents, grandparents, and therapists supporting blended or high-conflict families. The big idea is simple: when parents align on the goal, kids have a much better chance to heal.   Timestamps 00:00 - Donna Jean introduces Michael Flores and the families he helps 00:56 - Michael\u2019s background, training, and why counseling became his calling 02:49 - A quick name joke and the start of Michael\u2019s personal story 03:42 - Childhood loss, blended family dynamics, and growing up around family change 05:06 - Discovering psychology and realizing counseling was the right path 07:00 - Building Brighter Possibilities Family Counseling across Texas 07:52 - Job, career, and mission - what makes work meaningful 09:59 - How Michael approaches families facing divorce, widowhood, and co-parenting 10:24 - Why he centers therapy on the child\u2019s needs first 11:21 - Parental alignment versus co-parenting 12:01 - How therapy is structured with parents, kids, and family sessions 13:30 - Court-ordered reunification work and starting with the parents 14:29 - Gathering family history and deciding who joins sessions next 15:34 - Stepparents and grandparents as overlooked caregivers 17:03 - How Michael\u2019s father leaned on grandparents after loss 18:25 - Guilty parenting, helicopter parenting, and lawnmower parenting 20:26 - Donna Jean\u2019s own widowhood parenting experience and losing structure 22:08 - Creating a new normal after major family change 22:37 - Two questions that help people stay out of counseling: self-audit and stop avoiding 25:03 - Solution focused therapy and how it shifts attention to hopes and outcomes 26:31 - Working with resistant clients and why resistance may be on the therapist side 27:29 - A case example of role reversal with a daughter and her father 28:54 - The 4R exercise and how it quickly builds empathy 30:23 - Michael\u2019s book One Question Away and his upcoming professional book 31:19 - Silent sessions and helping clinicians work with high-conflict families 32:44 - The podcast Beyond Divorce, Embracing Change and why the team created it 34:45 - Where to find the podcast and how episodes connect across topics 36:00 - Michael\u2019s mission to help families, interrupt harmful patterns, and support healing 37:54 - Donna Jean reflects on the spiritual side of the work and generational impact   Connect with Michael: Michael's Social Media and Website: Website Instagram YouTube Facebook   Michael's Podcast: Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music _______________________________    CONNECT WITH DONNA \ud83e\udd1d  Facebook: \/ donnajeankendrick   LinkedIn: \/ donna-kendrick   Instagram: \/ donnajeankendrick     _______________________________   CONTACT DONNA \u260e  Website: https:\/\/sephtonfinancial.com\/ Phone: (215) 948-3945 Complimentary Consultation\/Contact Us: https:\/\/calendly.com\/donnakendrick\/10... Downloadables and Resources: https:\/\/sephtonfinancial.com\/resources\/   _______________________________   Donna Kendrick is a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and owner of Sephton Financial located at 314 Washington Ln, Jenkintown, PA 19046. If you'd like to contact Sephton Financial you can do so online at SephtonFinanical.com or by calling 215 948 3945 Registered Representative offering securities through Cetera Financial Specialists LLC, member FINRA\/SIPC. Advisory services are offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. Sephton Financial, LLC and Cetera are not affiliated. The views depicted in this material are for information purposes only and are not necessarily those of Sephton Financial. They should not be considered specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Neither Sephton Financial nor any of its representatives may give legal or tax advice. The guests on the podcast are not affiliated or registered with Cetera Financial Specialist. Any information provided by the guests are in no way related to Cetera Financial Specialist or its registered representatives. ","author_name":"Widow, Wisdom & Wealth\u2122: Thriving in Career and Parenthood After Loss","author_url":"https:\/\/widowwisdomwealth.com","html":"