Why Emotional Support Matters More Than Legal Advice Alone

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Zach Young, we’re joined by Catherine Cooke, a UK-based divorce and co-parenting specialist and founder of Right Step Coaching. Catherine shares how her own divorce, combined with nearly 30 years in education as a teacher and headteacher, led her to support parents navigating separation while protecting their children’s emotional wellbeing. Drawing on both personal experience and professional insight, she explains why divorce can be a period of growth when handled thoughtfully—and how conflict, when mismanaged, can deeply affect children.The conversation explores Catherine’s approach to co-parenting support, including her signature 12-week Co-Parenting Roadmap, which blends structured guidance with one-to-one coaching to help parents regulate emotions, set healthy boundaries, and manage high-conflict dynamics. She discusses the growing mental health challenges facing children, the impact of technology and modern pressures, and why emotional support alongside legal processes is critical. Catherine also shares her vision to make co-parenting coaching more widely recognized across the UK, working alongside schools and legal professionals to ensure better outcomes for families during and after divorce.