How to Split a Toaster: A Divorce Podcast About Saving Your Relationships

Reuniting with Your Alienated Child
In this powerful episode, Seth Nelson and Pete Wright dive deep into the heart-wrenching topic of parental alienation with guest Ginger Gentile, an activist on a mission to reverse this silent epidemic. Ginger shares her personal journey as a child caught in the middle of a bitter divorce and how it led her to create the eye-opening documentary "Erasing Family". Seth and Pete explore the complexities of parental alienation, its devastating impact on families, and strategies for reunification.
Ginger provides valuable insights into the manipulation tactics used in parental alienation, the challenges faced by alienated parents, and the long-term effects on children's mental health. The conversation highlights the importance of perseverance, unconditional love, and seeking the right support when navigating this difficult situation.
Questions we answer in this episode:
  • What is parental alienation and how does it manifest?
  • How can alienated parents effectively respond and maintain connection with their children?
  • What are the long-term impacts of parental alienation on children's mental health and relationships?
Key Takeaways:
  • Parental alienation is a form of emotional abuse that can have lasting effects on children.
  • Alienated parents must prioritize self-care and seek support to effectively navigate the challenges.
  • Consistent, unconditional love and perseverance are crucial for reunification with alienated children.
Whether you are personally affected by parental alienation or simply want to better understand this complex issue, this episode offers valuable insights, strategies, and hope for families struggling to reconnect. Seth and Pete's compassionate approach, combined with Ginger's expertise and powerful storytelling, make this a must-listen for anyone navigating the challenges of divorce and co-parenting.
Plus, we tackle another listener question!
Links & Notes
  • (00:00) - Welcome to How to Split a Toaster
  • (02:06) - Meet Ginger Gentile
  • (02:57) - Parental Alienation
  • (03:33) - Her Films and Backstory
  • (08:53) - Universal Issue
  • (10:52) - What Is Parental Alienation?
  • (17:16) - Mental Health Impact
  • (20:09) - Strategy
  • (22:50) - Therapy as a Trap
  • (25:09) - Jurisdictionalization
  • (26:22) - Family Court vs. Criminal Court
  • (28:24) - Nebulous Custody Agreements
  • (29:45) - Training
  • (30:45) - How Do I Exert Control?
  • (32:14) - When Kids Play the Divisions
  • (33:36) - Alienating Teens
  • (35:44) - You Don’t Realize It’s Happening
  • (39:11) - Applying the Strategy, Taking Away the Stimulus
  • (41:12) - Finding Ginger
  • (43:08) - Listener Question

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Creators & Guests

Host
Pete Wright
Podcaster and co-host, Pete Wright brings years of marriage and a spirit of curiosity to the divorce process. He's spent the last two decades interviewing experts and thinkers in emotional healing and brings that with him to the law, divorce, and saving relationships in the process.
Host
Seth R. Nelson
Seth Nelson is the founding attorney and managing partner at NLG Divorce & Family Law. He is a Tampa-based family lawyer known for devising creative solutions to difficult problems.
Producer
Andy Nelson
Hailing from nearly 25 years in the world of film, television, and commercial production, Andy has always had a passion for storytelling, no matter the size of the package.

What is How to Split a Toaster: A Divorce Podcast About Saving Your Relationships?

Seth Nelson is a Tampa based family lawyer known for devising creative solutions to difficult problems. In How to Split a Toaster, Nelson and co-host Pete Wright take on the challenge of divorce with a central objective — saving your most important relationships with your family, your former spouse, and yourself.