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Giving Children a Voice in Divorce: Insights from Filmmaker Ellen Bruno

Divorce is a challenging journey for any family, but its impact on children often goes unspoken. In episode 36 of the Children First Family Law Podcast, host Krista Nash welcomes award-winning documentary filmmaker Ellen Bruno, creator of “Split: The Early Years ” and “Split Up: The Teen Years.” These documentaries provide a platform for children to express their experiences and emotions surrounding their parents’ divorce. Understanding the Child’s Perspective Ellen Bruno’s work emphasizes the importance of listening to children during the divorce process. Her films feature candid interviews with children who share their feelings about living in two homes, adjusting to new family dynamics, and coping with the changes divorce brings. By allowing children to speak openly, Bruno sheds light on their resilience and the challenges they face. The Role of Small Gestures Throughout the conversation, Krista and Ellen discuss how small actions by parents can have a significant impact on a c...
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037: Colorado Family Law: Understanding the Role of a CLR in Custody and Parenting Cases

In this solo episode of the Children First Family Law podcast, Krista, a Colorado-based family law attorney and child advocate, breaks down her structured approach to serving as a Child’s Legal Representative (CLR) in high-conflict divorce and custody cases across the state. Krista shares her 11-step process for advocating on behalf of children during some of the most complex and emotionally charged family law matters. Drawing on her experience practicing throughout Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs, she guides listeners through the process of how CLRs are appointed, their interactions with families, and how they contribute to shaping child-centered solutions both inside and outside the courtroom. From initial appointments and home visits to therapeutic collaboration and final court engagement, Krista explains how an active, negotiation-based model empowers children to have a voice while protecting their well-being. She also compares the CLR role to other evaluative...
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Choosing Your Child’s Therapist with Child Custody Expert & LPC Christy Bradshaw Schmidt

Finding the right therapist for your child during a divorce can feel overwhelming, especially when emotions are high and the stakes are even higher. In this episode of Children First Family Law, Krista interviews Christy Bradshaw Schmidt, a licensed professional counselor and child custody expert from Texas, about how parents can make informed, thoughtful choices when selecting a therapist. With over 600 child custody evaluations, Christy brings considerable experience in helping families navigate the complexity of parenting plans, relocation, reunification, and other high-conflict family law matters. Her work emphasizes the need for therapists who understand the nuances of court-involved families and the unique boundaries required in these cases. During their conversation, Krista and Christy delve into why therapeutic support is so often needed in custody evaluations and why many therapists lack the training to handle these delicate situations effectively. Christy shares advice for p...
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036: The Split Films’ Ellen Bruno: Giving Voices to Kids of Divorce

In this moving episode of the Children First Family Law Podcast, Krista welcomes acclaimed documentary filmmaker Ellen Bruno, the creator behind the powerful films “Split: The Early Years” and “Split Up: The Teen Years.” These documentaries feature a cast of real children who had experienced divorce of their parents, with purely their voices and artwork, no experts, no therapists, no adults – just the kids. Split featured the kids when young; Split Up then followed up with the same kids 10 years later, reflecting on how divorce had impacted them as they emerged into late teens and young adulthood. The films give incredibly powerful insight every parent going through family law dynamics should watch, as well as any professional in the family law arena. The film is raw, honest, and deeply impactful.  In her conversation with Krista, Ellen shares the personal journey that inspired her to create Split, which began after her own divorce when she heard her own child and others in carpo...
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