From Foster Care to Family Law - A Child Welfare Focus

Feb 20 2024 8
From Foster Care to Family Law - A Child Welfare Focus Podcast artwork

This is Susan Chesnutt of The Chesnutt Law Firm. This is my podcast From Foster Care to Family Law: A Child Welfare Focus. I was raised in the foster care system, I was a child abuse investigator for the Department of Children and Families, and now I am an attorney practicing family law where my passion is to focus on the best interests of the children involved. In my podcast, I will be meeting industry experts exploring the seemingly impossible scenarios that families often struggle to manage. Each episode will include insights and concepts from professionals that deal with these issues.

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Joan Ulsher- From Trauma to Triumph: One Woman's Journey to Advocate for Foster Kids

Feb 20 2024 61 mins  
In a world filled with uncertainty and challenges, one woman's journey into child advocacy and foster care took an unexpected turn that changed her life forever. Her personal revelation ignited a passion that led to a remarkable 13-year relationship with a young man in foster care, setting her on a path of unwavering commitment and compassion. As her story unfolds, the impact s

#40 - Foster Care and Adoption Experiences from Author Janell Jones

Oct 19 2023 36 mins  
SUMMARY: Susan Chesnutt interviews author Janell Jones about her memoir "Shattered." Her memoir talks about her experience with adopting a foster child with undisclosed conditions and the foster system's difficulty in supporting her efforts to raise the child.

#39 - The Journey from Divorce to Mediation

Oct 16 2023 45 mins  
Susan Chesnutt interviews Matthew Brickman from ITAP Mediation. Matthew and Susan discuss the path to becoming a Mediator and the importance of using the mediation process to achieve the best resolutions.

#38 – High School Opportunities, Mock Trials and Influential Educators

Feb 07 2023 52 mins  
Summary: Susan Chesnutt interviews her high school teacher, Daniel Nixon Taylor, about the positive influences of educators and the lifelong impact she had in her experience participating in a mock trial in high school. 

#37 - Divorce as a Healing Process with Jennifer Stoler

Sep 23 2022 57 mins  
Susan Chesnutt and former divorce attorney, Jennifer Stoler, the CEO and Founder of The Divorce Chick™ Tribe discuss the process of divorce. They review approaches that can help you evolve your divorce into a therapeutic effort to help your family move forward.

#36 - Mediation and the importance of compromise

Jun 23 2022 57 mins  
SUMMARY: Susan Chesnutt interviews a long time colleague Dawn Kirk who has been practicing family law for 30 years and mediation for 15 years. As a mediator Dawn’s primary focus is on the children, understanding the family dynamic to find an outcome in the child’s best interest. HIGHLIGHTS: [00:02:00] Dawn explains what it takes to become a mediator and the certification proces

#35 Grandparent’s Rights & Child Custody, An Alternative Perspective

Jun 09 2022 40 mins  
SUMMARY: Susan Chesnutt and her special guest Martin Kofsky talk about his recent article that focuses on the rights of grandparents. Martin has been litigating and working in family law for 30 years. Sit back and settle in for some good information and food for thought. HIGHLIGHTS: [00:01:45] The discussion begins with Martin describing his experience with offending and non offend

#34 - Let’s talk about divorce. A real conversation on how to talk to your children about your divorce.

May 12 2022 42 mins  
Summary: Susan Chesnutt has a heartwarming conversation with Jackie Pilossoph on talking with your children about your divorce. What to say and who to say it to, will help guide you through the tough process. Jackie is an author, former journalist and the creator of Divorce Girls Smiling, a resource for men and women going through the divorce process. HIGHLIGHTS: 02:49 Susan and Ja

# 33 - Are you being alienated from your child? How to identify parental alienation and what to do about it.

Apr 22 2022 34 mins  
SUMMARY: Susan Chesnutt and Dr. Alan Blotcky tackle the topic of parental alienation which are behaviors, tactics or strategies that one parent will use to undermine the child's relationship with the other parent.  HIGHLIGHTS:  [00:01:00] Susan introduces Dr. Alan Blotcky who is a clinical and forensic psychologist, a freelance journalist published in USA today, Psycholo

#32 - Maintaining your family’s mental health during divorce! A frank conversation about doing the best things for your children and soon to be ex.

Dec 14 2021 80 mins  
SUMMARY Child welfare attorney Susan Chesnutt’s and Certified Divorce Lending Professional and John Whitbeck discuss mental health and the divorce experience. Buckle up for a lot of helpful information about navigating issues from COVID shots to clients in crisis. ------------------------------ HIGHLIGHTS [01:23] Introduction to John Whitbeck, former professor at the George Mason