Off the Fence with Karen Covy: Mastering Decision Making, Divorce & More

How to Deal When Divorce and Immigration Collide

What happens when a divorce doesn't just end a marriage but threatens to end a parent's right to stay in the same country as their child? In this podcast episode, Seattle-based family law attorney Lucia Levias explains what happens when divorce and immigration collide.  Immigration status, visas, and international custody issues can turn an already painful divorce into something far more complicated. Lucia shares real-life stories of families caught between countries, courts, and conflicting laws, while also showing how thoughtful planning can prevent devastating outcomes.  With a personal connection to binational families and years of experience in Collaborative Divorce, Lucia has seen firsthand how a dependent visa can become a weapon or a lifeline, depending on how a divorce is handled. Lucia explains how a structured, team-based legal process like Collaborative Divorce can bring immigration attorneys, financial neutrals, and family coaches to the same table, creating solutions that a courtroom simply can't offer.  Lucia also dives into another fear that keeps many American-born parents up at night: What if my co-parent takes our kids abroad and doesn't come back? Discover how the Hague Convention, court orders, passport policies, and travel bonds can help parents guard against worst-case scenarios. If you, your spouse, or both of you, are from different countries, this podcast episode is a MUST to listen to. There's a lot more nuance at the intersection of immigration and family law than most people expect, and knowing it in advance can make all the difference. About Lucia Lucia Ramirez Levias is a collaboratively trained divorce attorney and partner at DuBois Levias Law Group, a woman-owned boutique family law firm in Seattle. Her passion is helping families navigate divorce with dignity, clarity, and fairness—because “I know firsthand the lifelong impact these transitions have on children and parents alike.” As a collaborative divorce attorney, she guides couples through a structured, team-based process that keeps decisions in their hands—not the courtroom. Lucia’s goal is to de-escalate conflict, ensure financial security, and help families build agreements that support their futures. Divorce is a pivotal moment in a family’s life—but with the right guidance, it can be a positive transition.  Lucia was admitted to the Washington State Bar Association in 2006 and has practiced family law exclusively since 2008. She serves on the Board of Collaborative Professionals of Washington and YMCA or Greater Seattle, is a member of the King County Collaborative Law section, as well as the Cascadia Collaborative Practice Group. Connect with Lucia You can connect with Lucia on LinkedIn at Lucia Ramirez Levias [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucia-ramirez-levias-80899186/] and follow her on YouTube at @DuBoisLeviasDivorce [https://www.youtube.com/@DuBoisLeviasDivorce].  To learn more about how to work with Lucia, visit her website at DuBois Levias Divorce [http://www.duboislaw.net/]. Karen Covy is a Divorce Coach and Consultant, Lawyer, Author, and Speaker who is dedicated to helping people make the best decisions possible for themselves, their families, and their future - especially in stressful times. You can check out Karen's videos on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@karencovy95]. You can connect with Karen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karencovy/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/KarenCovy], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/karencovylawyer/], Twitter [https://twitter.com/KarenCovy], and on her own website at karencovy.com [https://karencovy.com/].

How Getting Unstuck Starts With Asking One Small Question

Have you ever noticed that the more you talk about your problems, the bigger they seem to get? Master Certified Coach Claire Pedrick has spent over 30 years helping people figure out why that happens and (more importantly), what to do about it. Her approach to getting unstuck is surprisingly simple, and that's exactly what makes it so powerful. Claire introduces the idea of "right-sizing" problems by asking one small, focused question instead of trying to solve everything at once. She explains why talking to friends about your struggles can actually keep you stuck longer, what it means to be in the "soup," and why the path forward almost never looks like the big dramatic leap we imagine it will. Claire also gets into the role emotions play in decision-making. She talks about why venting has real value, why it needs boundaries, and why sometimes the best way to process grief has nothing to do with talking at all.  If you've been spinning in your head about your marriage, divorce, or any other major life decision, and you just can’t seem to break through to get an answer you feel good about, this conversation offers a fresh way of looking at what's keeping you stuck so you can finally move forward. About Claire Claire Pedrick doesn’t fix, direct, or diagnose. Instead, she helps people right-size problems so they can see clearly, take ownership, and move forward.  Her mission is bold: to replace outdated, coach-led models with simple, effective conversations that keep power where it belongs, with the person being coached. Claire models radical partnership. She is especially interested in presence. The kind that holds space without holding control, and teaches how to lead in partnership, even when the power isn’t equal. Connect with Claire You can connect with Clair on LinkedIn at Claire Pedrick [https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairepedrick] and on Facebook at 3D Coaching [https://www.facebook.com/3DCoaching].  You can follow Claire on YouTube at @3DCoaching [http://youtube.com/@3DCoaching] and on Instagram at 3D Coaching [https://www.instagram.com/3d.coaching/].  To learn more about how to work with Claire, visit her website at 3D Coaching [http://3dcoaching.com/]. Karen Covy is a Divorce Coach and Consultant, Lawyer, Author, and Speaker who is dedicated to helping people make the best decisions possible for themselves, their families, and their future - especially in stressful times. You can check out Karen's videos on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@karencovy95]. You can connect with Karen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karencovy/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/KarenCovy], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/karencovylawyer/], Twitter [https://twitter.com/KarenCovy], and on her own website at karencovy.com [https://karencovy.com/].

The Truth About Power and Marriage Equality

Most people in unhappy marriages aren’t stuck because they suddenly fell out of love with each other. They’re stuck because the relationship has developed a fundamental power imbalance that has eroded trust and dashed the dream of marriage equality that the couple shared in the early days of their marriage.  In this podcast episode, Drs. Jake and Jennifer Dean-Hill, therapists, authors, and married partners who've built their lives around the science of equal partnership, share the story of how their own 33-year marriage became the laboratory for their “Two Crowns Framework” — a model built on the radical idea that true marital harmony requires both people to stay fully themselves. The doctors dig into why so many relationships quietly default to one person leading and the other shrinking and why women, in particular, are often conditioned to hand their power over without even realizing it.  The Two Crowns Framework offers a concrete alternative model for marriage equality and relationship harmony. It’s grounded in mutual respect, shared power, and the idea that when two whole people bring their full selves into their marriage, without shrinking, they can create a “kingdom” that’s stronger than what either of them can create on their own. The Drs. also get specific about boundaries, motivation, and the surprising science behind why conflict escalates differently for men and women. They dive deeply into what it actually takes to rebuild trust once a relationship has hit a breaking point.  Whether your marriage is “on the fence” or you’re already facing divorce but want to create a peaceful co-parenting relationship, this podcast episode can help you create the solid relationship you desire. About Drs. Jake & Jenn Drs. Jake & Jennifer Dean-Hill are therapists, authors, and partners in every sense of the word. As college sweethearts turned clinicians, they discovered that harmony in partnership comes from shared purpose. Through their own evolution, they developed the Wear Two Crowns framework: a modern model of partnership built on mutual respect, power, and peace. Today, they help couples, leaders, and organizations learn how to lead together without losing themselves in the process. Drs. Jake & Jenn both have their Masters in Social Work, their License in Independent Clinical Social Work, and Doctorates in Global Leadership and they reside in Southeast WA state. Connect with Drs. Jake & Jenn You can connect with Drs. Jake & Jenn on LinkedIn at Drs. Jake & Jenn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/drs-jake-jenn/] and on Facebook at Drs. Jake & Jenn [https://www.facebook.com/drsjakeandjenn/].  You can follow Drs. Jake & Jenn on YouTube at @DrsJakeJenn [https://www.youtube.com/@DrsJakeJenn] and on Instagram at Drs. Jake & Jenn [https://www.instagram.com/drsjakeandjenn/]. To learn more about how to work with Drs. Jake & Jenn, visit their website at  Drs. Jake and Jenn [DrsJakeandJenn.com].  And you can find their book here Two Crowns, One Kingdom: Navigate the dark forest to reach your happily-ever-after [https://a.co/d/00nQP8p9]. Karen Covy is a Divorce Coach and Consultant, Lawyer, Author, and Speaker who is dedicated to helping people make the best decisions possible for themselves, their families, and their future - especially in stressful times. You can check out Karen's videos on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@karencovy95]. You can connect with Karen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karencovy/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/KarenCovy], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/karencovylawyer/], Twitter [https://twitter.com/KarenCovy], and on her own website at karencovy.com [https://karencovy.com/].

How to Break the Cycle of Codependency in Relationships

The hardest part of codependency in relationships is that from the outside, it can look like love. You feel like you’re the reliable one, the helper, the fixer, the person who keeps the relationship running, until one day you wake up tired, resentful, and unsure of what you even want anymore. Psychotherapist and codependency expert Michelle Farris breaks down what codependency in relationships actually looks like. She goes beyond the textbook definition and describes the real-life signs of co-dependency: like chronic resentment, losing yourself in a relationship, and feeling like you can't trust your own instincts. Michelle walks through what actually happens when you try to change a long-standing dynamic in a relationship, and why the other person's reaction to your changes will tell you a lot about whether the relationship has a future. She also explores how codependency often spills into how you parent, how you handle conflict, and even how you advocate for yourself during something as high-stakes as your divorce. If you’ve ever wondered where "being helpful" ends and codependency begins, or if you’re struggling with being able to trust yourself again after years of putting everyone else first, this podcast episode is for you. You’ll discover how to finally break the cycle of codependency and create healthy, sustainable relationships with those you love. Michelle shares a free resource on healing one-sided relationships, plus where to find her work online. If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with a friend who over-gives, and leave a review so more people can find support. About Michelle Michelle Farris is a psychotherapist, codependency expert, and anger management specialist. She helps people create relationships that work without sacrificing themselves. She has reached over 3 million viewers on her YouTube channel, where she’s known for her relationship advice and expertise. Michelle empowers her clients to stop people-pleasing and trust themselves again so they can create a happier life. Connect with Michelle You can connect with Michelle on LinkedIn at Michelle Farris [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellefarrismft/] and on Facebook at Counseling Recovery [https://www.facebook.com/counselingrecovery/].  You can follow Michelle on YouTube at @MichelleFarrismft [https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleFarrismft] and on Instagram at Counseling Recovery [https://instagram.com/counseling_recovery/]. To learn more about how to work with Michelle, visit her website at Counseling Recovery [https://counselingrecovery.com/]. Grab Michelle’s free guide:  7 Steps to Healing One-Sided Relationships [https://counselingrecovery.lpages.co/codependent-relationship-freebie/] Karen Covy is a Divorce Coach and Consultant, Lawyer, Author, and Speaker who is dedicated to helping people make the best decisions possible for themselves, their families, and their future - especially in stressful times. You can check out Karen's videos on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@karencovy95]. You can connect with Karen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karencovy/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/KarenCovy], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/karencovylawyer/], Twitter [https://twitter.com/KarenCovy], and on her own website at karencovy.com [https://karencovy.com/].

Karen McNenny Reveals How to Have a "Good Divorce"

Divorce often starts with the law and ends with burnout. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Karen McNenny, founder of the Good Divorce Academy and author of The Good Divorce, challenges the conventional wisdom of lawyering up first and fighting for everything you can get, especially when children are involved. In this podcast episode, Karen explains why having an elegant exit can prevent years of damage. She also reveals her counterintuitive roadmap for uncoupling that puts family stability before legal strategy. She shares how to stabilize your household before the legal fight begins, how to reduce everyday conflict when you’re still living under one roof, and how flexible nesting arrangements can help kids adjust gradually to a two-home family.  She explains why rushing to "just be done" often causes the most lasting damage, and what to do instead to protect both your kids and your co-parenting relationship long-term. Karen also explains why having a “good divorce” isn't a one-time event, it's an ongoing practice. From navigating the teenage years across two homes to knowing when to call in a therapist (and what kind), Karen draws on 15 years of personal experience and two decades of professional work to show that keeping your family intact through divorce isn't just possible, it's a choice you can make from day one and every day thereafter. About Karen Renowned for blending warmth, clarity, and practical strategy, Karen helps navigate change with intention. As a sought-after speaker, trusted advisor, and TEDx presenter, she draws on over two decades of leadership coaching and consulting across nonprofit, corporate, and public sectors. Karen is also the founder of the Good Divorce show and Good Divorce Academy, and author of The Good Divorce. Her lived experience—navigating her own divorce while raising children across two homes from kindergarten through college—proves families can restructure without rupturing, making her guidance profoundly relatable and effective. Connect with Karen You can connect with Karen on LinkedIn at Good Divorce Coach [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gooddivorcecoach] and on Facebook at Good Divorce Coach [https://www.facebook.com/gooddivorcecoach].  You can follow Karen on YouTube @gooddivorcecoach [https://www.youtube.com/@gooddivorcecoach]and on Instagram at  Karen McNenny [https://www.instagram.com/karenmcnenny].  To learn more about how to work with Karen, visit her website at Karen McNenny [https://www.karenmcnenny.com/]. New From Karen The Good Divorce: How to End Your Marriage Without Ending Your Family [https://amzn.to/4akw5fc] Karen Covy is a Divorce Coach and Consultant, Lawyer, Author, and Speaker who is dedicated to helping people make the best decisions possible for themselves, their families, and their future - especially in stressful times. You can check out Karen's videos on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@karencovy95]. You can connect with Karen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karencovy/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/KarenCovy], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/karencovylawyer/], Twitter [https://twitter.com/KarenCovy], and on her own website at karencovy.com [https://karencovy.com/].