Navigating Divorce, Setting Boundaries, and Co-Parenting with a Narcissist or Difficult Ex with Karen McMahon | Episode 119

Divorcing a Narcissist in Colorado: Codependency, Boundaries, and Co-Parenting StrategiesIn this popular re-release episode of Divorce at Altitude, Colorado family law attorney Ryan Kalamaya and Amy Goscha sit down with divorce coach Karen McMahon, host of the Journey Beyond Divorce podcast. Together, they unpack one of the most challenging scenarios in Colorado family law: divorcing a narcissist while navigating codependency, setting healthy boundaries, and co-parenting with a difficult ex.Karen shares how her own high-conflict divorce shaped her coaching practice and why so many clients feel emotionally overwhelmed during separation. She explains the common patterns seen in narcissistic relationships, including black-and-white thinking, revisionist history, deflection, and manipulation. Just as important, she highlights the other side of the dynamic: codependency, or what she calls “self-love deficiency,” where one partner consistently sacrifices their own needs to maintain the relationship.Guest InformationKaren McMahon is a certified divorce coach and founder of Journey Beyond Divorce. After navigating her own high-conflict divorce, she created a coaching program to help clients move from emotional chaos to clarity and confidence. She hosts the Journey Beyond Divorce podcast and works with clients across the English-speaking world.Episode OutlineWhat Is Divorce Coaching? How a divorce coach helps clients move from emotional overwhelm to clarity during separation.Recognizing Narcissistic Traits in Divorce Common behaviors such as manipulation, deflection, and high conflict that surface in Colorado divorce cases.Understanding Codependency How self-sacrifice and fear can keep someone stuck in unhealthy relationship dynamics.Setting and Upholding Boundaries Practical tips for managing communication, reducing reactivity, and protecting your emotional space.Parallel Parenting with a Difficult Ex Why high-conflict situations often require structured communication and detailed parenting plans.Healing and Breaking Generational Patterns How personal growth during divorce can lead to healthier co-parenting and stronger outcomes for children.What is Divorce at Altitude? Ryan Kalamaya and Amy Goscha provide tips and recommendations on issues related to divorce, separation, and co-parenting in Colorado. Ryan and Amy are the founding partners of an innovative and ambitious law firm, Kalamaya | Goscha, that pushes the boundaries to discover new frontiers in family law, personal injuries, and criminal defense in Colorado. To subscribe to Divorce at Altitude, click here and select your favorite podcast player. To subscribe to Kalamaya | Goscha's YouTube channel where many of the episodes will be posted as videos, click here.  If you have additional questions or would like to speak to one of our attorneys, give us a call at 970-429-5784 or email us at [email protected].************************************************************************DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS ON THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE. CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE OR AREA TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES.