Libsyn Directory

Mediation Magic With Melissa Farag: Finding Peace Before Court

Release Date: 01/01/2025

June 2025 - How to Have the Hottest Single Mom Summer

Single Mom Society

Welcome to the very first podcast episode from The Single Mom Society created exclusively in conjunction with our off-social media platform: Welcome to the very first podcast episode from The Single Mom Society, created exclusively in conjunction with our off-social media platform: This June, our theme is “Single Mom Summer," the ultimate survival guide for navigating the chaos, heat, and expectations of solo-parenting during summer. But this episode goes way beyond basic tips like “how to beat the heat.” Your host, Jennifer Muscatel, dives deep into the real stuff...

Post Malone Avoiding Child Support & Poonam Sharma on Living Lucky

Single Mom Society

What do Post Malone and your emotionally unavailable ex have in common? They're both masters of dodging child support - and are getting away with it. In this episode, I call out the BS happening in family court and pop culture, where millionaires manipulate the system while single moms are left holding the bag. Then I sit down with the brilliant Poonam Sharma to talk about how we manipulate ourselves through cognitive dissonance - the sneaky little mind tricks that confuse our hearts and keep us from leading our lives authentically. ✨ This episode is about waking up. Letting go. And...

Lovebombing - From Fairytale to Fallout With Stella Pierson

Single Mom Society

You tell your friends you finally met him. The one you’ve been searching for. No one’s ever made you feel so adored, so seen, so special. He showers you with gifts, sweet words, and promises that feel like a fairytale come true. But just as fast as he appeared … he’s gone. If you're lucky, he ghosts you. If you're not? You're left with a cold, cruel, or controlling version of the man you thought you knew, as if the person you fell for never even existed. In this fire episode of The Single Mom Society, I’m joined by the one and only Stella Pierson from...

You are More than His Affair - with Shalon Barnett

Single Mom Society

Did he cheat on you? Yes, that is part of you, but you are so much more than his choices. This week, I sat down with the unstoppable Shalon Barnett—a single mom who faced heartbreak and betrayal when the man she loved tried to tear her down. But she never quit. With her daughter as her motivation, Shalon rose from the ashes and turned her pain into power. Not only did she rebuild her life—she’s made it her mission to help other women rise too. Her story is raw, real, and filled with hard-earned wisdom that will speak to every woman who’s ever felt broken but refused to stay...

Red Flags in Dating with Stephanie Lastella

Single Mom Society

This week on The Single Mom Society, I'm joined by Stephanie Lastella, The Date Profiler, to talk about the red flags we clearly see but choose to ignore. 🚩 Why do the most incredible women believe in men who haven't earned their trust? 🚩 How does trauma bonding get mistaken for love? 🚩 What are the sneaky tactics narcissists use to hook us in? From love bombing to manipulation masked as "passion"—we're breaking it all down. Press play, then send this to the friend who still thinks she can “fix” him. 🙃 Get ready to reclaim your power, your peace, and...

Abuse is OK if it Doesn't Leave a Bruise, Right?

Single Mom Society

We’re taught to draw the line at physical abuse—like that’s the only kind of pain that counts. OK, maybe he didn’t leave a bruise, but did he humiliate you? Ignore your boundaries? Make you question your sanity? In this episode, I unpack why we so clearly reject physical abuse while giving emotional abuse -especially from a romantic partner - a free pass. And let’s be real: would you ever let a friend treat you like that? It’s time we stop chasing soulmates who destroy us. We should be looking for soul connections like Molly & Nikki in Dying for Sex - not Ralph Pittman from...

He Gaslights You Because He Loves You

Single Mom Society

Ahh, nothing says “love” like emotional manipulation. In this episode, I share how coercive control sneaks into your life—through partners, employees, even friends—and how to spot it before you're Googling, "Am I the toxic one?" Spoiler: “You’re overreacting” is never just feedback Neither is: 👉 “You’re too emotional.” 👉 “You’re remembering it wrong.” 👉 “I was just joking.” 👉 “Don’t be so sensitive.” 👉 “You always make things about you.” 👉 “No one else has a problem with me—just you.” 👉 “You’re taking this the wrong...

I'm Coming Out! Plus - This Week's Pop Culture that Affects Single Moms

Single Mom Society

I'm coming out! As the mess I am! The truth is that I recorded this week's episode about twelve times and then deleted every version! I finally realized—who cares? No more tiptoeing around my perfectionism. Life is messy, and this show can be too. So, in this episode you'll meet my most authentic self. And my dog - you'll hear him squeaking his favorite ball in the background! This week we are moving away from expert opinions and hearing from me about this week's pop culture that affects single moms. From Kanye to Kim K, Puff Daddy to Beyonce and Lebron to Puff Dsddy. I also give a...

Daddy is Drunk! - Leaving Your Kids Alone with an Addict

Single Mom Society

Co-parenting is hard. Co-parenting with an addict? A complete nightmare. This week on The Single Mom Society, I sit down with Jill Weinstein, an addiction counselor who gives us the real, unfiltered truth about parenting alongside substance use disorder. How do you protect your kids? What boundaries actually work? Does the system protect you? And how do you keep your sanity when the other parent is in chaos? I’m sharing my own experiences, asking the tough questions, and getting the expert advice we ALL need. If you’ve ever felt trapped between keeping the peace and keeping your kids...

Be the First to Hear the Single Mom Society Secret Scoop

Single Mom Society

🚨 Special Announcement: A New Home for Single Moms! 🚨 This week’s episode is a little different—because something BIG is coming! 🎉 I’m creating a brand-new, exclusive online space just for single moms. No more feeling alone, no more sifting through bad advice—just real talk, real support, and a sisterhood that gets it. 💪✨ So, while there’s no full episode this week, trust me, what’s coming next is WORTH IT. Stay tuned, because The Single Mom Society is about to level up in a way that will change everything. 🔥💖 Tag your single mom besties—this is for US!...

More Episodes

In a world where divorce can often feel like an adversarial battle, mediation emerges as a powerful tool for women seeking peace and resolution. This approach prioritizes collaboration over conflict, allowing individuals to voice their needs while fostering understanding. By embracing mediation, women can reclaim their narratives, reduce stress, and create healthier environments for themselves and their families.

In this episode, I am joined by Melissa Farag, a mediator and legal professional specializing in family law and divorce mediation. Melissa helps divorcing spouses communicate and negotiate to reach mutually acceptable agreements on crucial matters like property division, child custody, and spousal support—offering a peaceful alternative to courtroom battles. Melissa shares her journey from entering the legal field to navigating personal experiences with addiction in relationships and how these shaped her compassionate approach to mediation. She sheds more light on the power of accountability, the benefits of mediation over litigation, and the importance of intuition in decision-making. Melissa also discusses practical strategies for dealing with high-conflict personalities, her thoughts on prenups, and advice for women contemplating divorce. Tune in to discover how mediation can create healthier family dynamics and empower you to reclaim peace and clarity in challenging times.

Timestamps

[00:28] About Melissa

[01:07] How Melissa got into law

[06:16] Melissa’s experience living with addict partners

[13:15] Taking accountability for our flaws

[18:14] Why you must consider mediation before going to court

[26:02] Melissa’s thoughts about prenups

[30:34] About getting re-married

[35:07] Dealing with high-conflict people through mediation

[43:16] How we can change some family laws

[47:22] Advice to women before leaving their marriages

[52:22] Divorce can be a great relief

[01:01:27] Listen to your intuition: You know the answers

Notable Quotes

“A mediated settlement is better than going to court.” - Melissa Farag [02:26]
“We just need to constantly be kind of aware and be willing to have conversations with ourselves and others if something is unhealthy.” - Melissa Farag [13:46]
“You can get divorced so much faster if you use mediation.” - Melissa Farag [20:31]
“He who comes to court must come with clean hands.” - Jennifer Muscatel [25:36]
“If you are not happy in your marriage, then your kids aren’t happy in that family.” - Melissa Farag [54:36]
“You don’t know how much better your life can be until you change your environment.” - Melissa Farag [56:26]