The Rising Beyond Podcast

Sybil Cummin, MA, LPC, ACS
  • 5.0 (41)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

If you're trying to protect your children while navigating an abusive ex, this podcast is for you. Because leaving the relationship didn't end the abuse, and no one prepared you for what came next. The Rising Beyond Podcast is for protective mothers navigating the overwhelming reality of sharing children with someone who continues patterns of manipulation, coercive control, or emotional abuse after separation. Join Sybil Cummin, licensed professional counselor, who has spent the last decade helping survivors and their children navigate this incredibly difficult chapter. Every week, we share trauma-informed education, nervous system insights, protective parenting strategies, and honest conversations about family court, post-separation abuse, and healing, so you can feel more confident, more grounded, and better equipped to protect both your children and yourself.  Whether you're in the middle of family court, struggling with parenting alongside someone who continues patterns of control, or simply trying to become the parent you want to be after everything you've survived, you'll find validation, practical guidance, and hope here.

  1. 1d ago

    Ep 214: Hope When Family Court Breaks Your Heart: Holding On Through the Impossible

    What do you do when the outcome you feared actually happens? What happens when you've lost time with your children, the professionals who were supposed to protect them didn't listen, and you're wondering how you're supposed to keep going? This is one of the heaviest episodes I've ever recorded—but it's also one of the most important. Too often, survivors are told to "stay positive" or "everything happens for a reason." But that's not what hope looks like after coercive control, systemic betrayal, or devastating family court outcomes. In this episode, I talk honestly about the hopelessness many protective parents experience, including suicidal thoughts that can arise after prolonged trauma and loss. More importantly, we explore what research tells us about hope—and why hope is not passive optimism. Hope is something we build one small step at a time. If you've ever wondered whether you'll make it through this season, I hope this conversation helps you feel a little less alone. We discuss: The difference between optimism and hope—and why the distinction matters.Why toxic positivity can feel invalidating after trauma.The grief that many protective parents carry after family court and post-separation abuse.How focusing on what is within your control can restore a sense of agency.Why breaking overwhelming goals into smaller steps builds hope.The importance of community and allowing others to hold hope for you when you can't.Why purpose can exist alongside pain.Practical ways to nurture hope, even when circumstances haven't changed.If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another protective parent who may need to hear that they are not alone. If this episode brought up thoughts of suicide or you feel like you may be in immediate emotional danger, please don't go through this alone. Here are some resources. United States & Canada Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day.Chat online through the 988 Lifeline website.International Suicide Hotlines and Resources https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/suicide/suicide-prevention-hotlines-resources-worldwide Register for the Free Webinar Series - Why Co-Parenting Feels Like a Trap  here - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/coparenting Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people. If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community. If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/ Where to find more from Rising Beyond: Rising Beyond Facebook Rising Beyond LinkedIn Rising Beyond Pinterest  If you're interested in guesting on the show please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7 Enjoy some of our freebies! Choosing Your Battles FreebieCanned Responses FreebieMic Drop Moments Freebie...

  2. Jul 22

    Ep 213: What Colorado's New Family Court Bill Actually Means for Survivors

    Colorado recently signed HB26-1309 into law, and many survivors and protective parents are asking what it actually means for families navigating family court. I break down what I am learning about HB26-1309, a bill focused on domestic violence, coercive control, and child safety in Colorado family courts. While some headlines make it sound like family court has been completely transformed overnight, the reality is more nuanced. Many of the protections addressed in this bill already existed in Colorado law. What HB26-1309 primarily does is clarify, reorganize, and strengthen how courts are expected to analyze evidence of domestic violence and coercive control. We discuss: What changes were actually made to Colorado lawWhy requiring courts to make findings on the record may matterHow coercive control is addressed within the statuteWhat attorneys are saying about how they may use these changes in practicePotential benefits for survivors and protective parentsRemaining concerns about implementation and court cultureI also share insights from attorneys who were closely involved with the bill and discuss how these changes could influence litigation strategy, evidence presentation, and judicial accountability moving forward. HB26-1309 does not automatically change custody orders or fix family court overnight. But it may create greater clarity, accountability, and recognition of abuse dynamics within the legal process. Whether you're navigating family court yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode will help you understand both the promise and limitations of this new law. Register for the Free Webinar Series - Why Co-Parenting Feels Like a Trap  here - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/coparenting Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people. If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community. If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/ Where to find more from Rising Beyond: Rising Beyond Facebook Rising Beyond LinkedIn Rising Beyond Pinterest  If you're interested in guesting on the show please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7 Enjoy some of our freebies! Choosing Your Battles FreebieCanned Responses FreebieMic Drop Moments Freebie...

  3. Jul 15

    Ep 212: When Couples Therapy Causes Harm | Understanding Coercive Control in the Therapy Room with Frances Russell, LMFT

    What if the therapy that was supposed to help actually made things worse? For many survivors of coercive control, couples therapy doesn't bring clarity, it deepens confusion, self-doubt, and shame. In this episode, I'm joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Frances Russell to talk about why traditional couples therapy can be harmful when coercive control or domestic violence is present. We discuss what survivors should know, what therapists often miss, and why understanding patterns of power and control—not just isolated incidents—is essential. Whether you're a survivor wondering why couples therapy didn't work or a mental health professional wanting to better recognize coercive control, this conversation offers practical insights and compassionate validation. In this episode, we discuss: Why couples therapy can unintentionally reinforce coercive control.How neutrality can cause harm when abuse is present.The subtle signs therapists should be watching for.Why assessment for coercive control is an ongoing process—not a one-time intake questionnaire.The difference between incident-based and pattern-based thinking.What survivors can do if they're looking back and realizing therapy caused additional harm.Considerations for therapists when ending couples therapy due to safety concerns.What to know about therapy notes, confidentiality, and family court.About Frances: Frances works as a therapist for both individuals and couples, and specializes in trauma recovery, helping people rebuild trust in themselves, others and life after experiences that have shattered it. She works with clients who want to process childhood abuse and neglect as well as others who come in to process recent, traumatic experiences between themselves and their partner. She primarily uses Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with couples and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with individuals.  In addition to being a therapist, Frances is a trauma-informed yoga instructor with Comeback Yoga, an organization that supports veterans and their families. Frances also teaches graduate students at Regis University and her courses include Crisis, Trauma and Loss and Human Growth and Development. In her free time, Frances enjoys staying active and getting outdoors through running, backpacking and skiing. She is also always on the lookout for new restaurants and recipes. Register for the Free Webinar Series - Why Co-Parenting Feels Like a Trap  here - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/coparenting Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people. If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community. If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/ Where to find more from Rising Beyond: Rising Beyond Facebook Rising Beyond LinkedIn Rising Beyond Pinterest  If you're interested in guesting on the show please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7 Enjoy some of our freebies! Choosing Your Battles FreebieCanned Responses FreebieMic Drop Moments Freebie...

  4. Jul 8

    Ep 211: Attachment Styles, Dating After Abuse, and Why This Isn't Your Fault

    Attachment theory has become one of the most talked-about topics in the dating and relationship world. You have probably heard terms like anxious attachment, avoidant attachment, secure attachment, and disorganized attachment. Maybe you've even wondered whether your attachment style played a role in your abusive relationship. But what if attachment theory isn't about blaming yourself? In this episode, I unpack attachment styles through a trauma-informed lens and explore how understanding your attachment patterns can support healing, self-awareness, and future relationships after abuse. We discuss: What attachment theory actually is (and what it isn't)The four primary attachment stylesChildhood experiences that can contribute to different attachment patternsWhy attachment styles are adaptations, not character flawsHow attachment styles can influence dating and relationshipsThe role attachment may play in how we experience attention, connection, and love bombingWhy survivors should be cautious about using attachment theory as a form of self-blameHow coercive control and abusive relationships can create attachment injuries of their ownWhy understanding yourself is often more important than trying to become an expert at spotting abusersOne of the most important takeaways from this conversation is that attachment styles do not explain why someone was abused. Abuse happens because someone chose to abuse. Understanding your attachment style can be incredibly helpful for healing, building self-awareness, and creating healthier relationships moving forward. But it should never be used as evidence that you caused, invited, or deserved the abuse you experienced. If you've ever wondered how attachment theory fits into your healing journey, this episode is for you. Register for the Free Webinar Series - Why Co-Parenting Feels Like a Trap  here - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/coparenting Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people. If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community. If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/ Where to find more from Rising Beyond: Rising Beyond Facebook Rising Beyond LinkedIn Rising Beyond Pinterest  If you're interested in guesting on the show please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7 Enjoy some of our freebies! Choosing Your Battles FreebieCanned Responses FreebieMic Drop Moments Freebie...

  5. Jul 1

    Ep 210: Healing from Domestic Abuse: Rethinking Our Relationship with Our Bodies with Karianne Gwinn

    What if your body isn’t betraying you… but trying to protect you? In this episode, we’re rethinking the relationship survivors often have with their bodies after trauma. I’m joined by Karianne Gwinn to talk about the very real physical impact domestic violence and chronic stress can have on the body, including digestive issues, chronic pain, fatigue, nervous system dysregulation, and feeling disconnected from yourself. We also explore what healing can look like beyond just “thinking differently” — including bottom-up, somatic, and mindfulness-based approaches that help survivors reconnect with safety, regulation, and their bodies in a more compassionate way. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by symptoms your body seems to hold onto long after the relationship ended, this conversation may help you understand why. In this episode, we discuss: The physical impact of trauma and chronic stressNervous system dysregulation after abuseDigestive issues, chronic pain, and traumaWhy healing is not just cognitiveSomatic and mindfulness-based healing approachesRebuilding trust and connection with your bodyAbout Karianne: Karianne Gwinn is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Psychosomatic Practitioner, speaker, and cancer survivor who specializes in helping people cultivate whole-person wellbeing in the aftermath of major health challenges and trauma. Drawing from training in nutrition, nervous system regulation, and psychosomatic healing—as well as her own lived experience—she helps people better understand the relationship between stress, trauma, the body, and healing. Karianne is especially passionate about helping people rebuild trust with their bodies after experiences that leave them feeling disconnected, fearful, or confused. Her approach blends evidence-informed wellness practices with deep compassion, practicality, and a healthy dose of humanity. She believes healing doesn’t require perfection—and that sometimes the most powerful shifts begin with very small, very doable changes.  Connect with Karianne at kariannegwinn.com Register for the Free Webinar Series - Why Co-Parenting Feels Like a Trap  here - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/coparenting Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people. If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community. If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/ Where to find more from Rising Beyond: Rising Beyond Facebook Rising Beyond LinkedIn Rising Beyond Pinterest  If you're interested in guesting on the show please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7 Enjoy some of our freebies! Choosing Your Battles FreebieCanned Responses FreebieMic Drop Moments Freebie...

  6. Jun 26

    Bonus Coaching Session: My Child Stopped Fighting Parenting Time. Should I Be Relieved?

    Your child stopped fighting parenting time… but something still feels off. In this FCC episode, we unpack what may be happening when a young child goes from visible distress to emotional shutdown during transitions, how to think about attachment and regulation, and ways to support reconnection while avoiding assumptions or panic.  From a child mental health perspective, what could be happening when a child goes from intense distress at transitions to seeming quiet or shut down?Is my ex right that this means things are getting better because she isn’t kicking and screaming anymore?How do you tell the difference between adjustment, developmental changes, and a child protecting themselves emotionally?How can I support my daughter before and after transitions without making things harder for her?Are there signs I should watch for that suggest she may need more support, even if exchanges look “easier” on the surface?Register for the Free Webinar Series - Why Co-Parenting Feels Like a Trap  here - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/coparenting Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people. If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community. If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/ Where to find more from Rising Beyond: Rising Beyond Facebook Rising Beyond LinkedIn Rising Beyond Pinterest  If you're interested in guesting on the show please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7 Enjoy some of our freebies! Choosing Your Battles FreebieCanned Responses FreebieMic Drop Moments Freebie...

    Bonus Coaching Session: My Child Stopped Fighting Parenting Time. Should I Be Relieved?

  7. Jun 24

    Ep 209: Why Coparenting Feels Like a Trap (And What to Do Instead)

    What if “coparenting” isn’t failing because you are doing it wrong? And instead, it is not working because the map you were given on how to do it is not meant for “coparenting” with someone abusive. The way that our system is designed sets a huge trap for protective parents who want to do everything they can to protect their children and allows for someone who uses coercive control to maneuver in ways that continue to abuse. While there are many traps that happen within this larger system, three of the ones that seem to impact protective parents the most are: Attempting to be the perfect parentAttempting to convince your child of the truth about the other parentParenting from a reactionary stance and survival mode.And all of these traps do not allow you to show up as the parent you want to be.   In this episode, I share the reasons for these traps and a starting point for maneuvering around them so that you can parent from a values-based perspective rather than from fear. Register for the Free Webinar Series - Why Co-Parenting Feels Like a Trap  here - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/coparenting Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people. If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community. If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/ Where to find more from Rising Beyond: Rising Beyond Facebook Rising Beyond LinkedIn Rising Beyond Pinterest  If you're interested in guesting on the show please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7 Enjoy some of our freebies! Choosing Your Battles FreebieCanned Responses FreebieMic Drop Moments Freebie...

  8. Jun 17

    Ep 208: Parenting Under Pressure: Why Perfection Isn't the Goal

    If you're sharing children with an abusive or controlling ex, parenting can feel like walking a tightrope. Every mistake feels high stakes. Every emotional moment feels like evidence. And many protective moms carry a quiet fear that if they don't do everything perfectly, they could lose connection with their child—or worse. In this episode, I'm challenging the myth of perfect parenting and exploring what children actually need from us. Because despite what family court, your ex, social media, or your own inner critic may have convinced you of, your child does not need a perfect parent. They need a safe one. You'll learn why so many protective parents feel overwhelming pressure to get everything right, how trauma and chronic stress impact your ability to show up the way you want to, and why repair matters far more than perfection. Most importantly, you'll walk away with a gentler, more realistic standard for parenting during one of the hardest seasons of your life. Register for the Free Webinar Series - Why Co-Parenting Feels Like a Trap  here - https://mailchi.mp/risingbeyondpc/coparenting Please leave us a review or rating and follow/subscribe to the show. This helps the show get out to more people. If you want to chat more about this topic I would love to continue our conversation over on Instagram! @risingbeyondpc If you want to support the show you may do so here at, Buy Me A Coffee. Thank you! We love being able to make this information accessible to you and your community. If you've been looking for a supportive community of women going through the topics we cover, head over to our website to learn more about the Rising Beyond Community. - https://www.risingbeyondpc.com/ Where to find more from Rising Beyond: Rising Beyond Facebook Rising Beyond LinkedIn Rising Beyond Pinterest  If you're interested in guesting on the show please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/CSvLWWyZxmJ8GGQu7 Enjoy some of our freebies! Choosing Your Battles FreebieCanned Responses FreebieMic Drop Moments Freebie...

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5
out of 5
41 Ratings

About

If you're trying to protect your children while navigating an abusive ex, this podcast is for you. Because leaving the relationship didn't end the abuse, and no one prepared you for what came next. The Rising Beyond Podcast is for protective mothers navigating the overwhelming reality of sharing children with someone who continues patterns of manipulation, coercive control, or emotional abuse after separation. Join Sybil Cummin, licensed professional counselor, who has spent the last decade helping survivors and their children navigate this incredibly difficult chapter. Every week, we share trauma-informed education, nervous system insights, protective parenting strategies, and honest conversations about family court, post-separation abuse, and healing, so you can feel more confident, more grounded, and better equipped to protect both your children and yourself.  Whether you're in the middle of family court, struggling with parenting alongside someone who continues patterns of control, or simply trying to become the parent you want to be after everything you've survived, you'll find validation, practical guidance, and hope here.

Information

  • Creator
    Sybil Cummin, MA, LPC, ACS
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    225
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Rising Beyond Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Rising Beyond Podcast