Modern Arizona

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Criminal charges and Arizona family court collide more often than most parents realize, and one guilty plea can quietly reshape a custody case. Billie Tarascio sits down with criminal defense attorney Ryan Cummings to break down how DUIs, domestic violence charges, and even a teenager's bad decision online can follow an Arizona family through both courtrooms at once.

Ryan Cummings is the founding partner and lead attorney at R&R Law Group, where he focuses exclusively on criminal defense across Arizona. Raised by a 27-year detective, he brings a rare view...

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Most divorce attorneys study the law. Richard Nedlin lived it. The Arizona family law attorney joins Billie Tarascio to talk about how his own custody battle, his years as a prosecutor, and an unconventional path through racing and criminal justice shape the way he handles complex custody and divorce cases today. They also dig into how AI is changing the practice of family law and what it means for clients.

Richard Nedlin is a family law attorney at Modern Law who began his legal career as a prosecutor in Colorado before...

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Arizona's family law just changed dramatically. 

In this roundtable, Modern Law's Richard Nedlin and Gina Godbehere — both former prosecutors — break down the Alec & Lydia Act (HB 2995) and what it means for parents navigating domestic violence allegations, custody, and legal decision-making in family court.

We cover the new burden-shifting standards, what "coercive control" really means, and how courts will handle presumptions against parenting time. If you have a case touching on this new law, don't navigate it alone.

Richard and Gina are taking consultations now  - Book below, visit...

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Arizona just passed the biggest family law change in two decades. The Alec and Lydia Act reshapes how family court handles domestic violence, coercive control, and child custody, requiring judges to document specific findings before granting parenting time. Billie Tarascio sits down with Hope Hooton, the child safety advocate behind the law, to talk about what failed, what changed, and what it means for Arizona families facing abuse.

Hope Hooton is a child safety advocate, author, and podcast host, and the founder of The Alec and Lydia Act. In May 2024, her...

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Gilbert, Arizona has a reputation problem, and residents know it. From skyrocketing water bills to transparency failures to the lingering shadow of the Gilbert Goons scandal, trust between the town council and the people it represents has broken down. This July, Gilbert voters have a chance to change that, and one candidate is making accountability the centerpiece of her campaign.

Beth Goulden is a lifelong Gilbert resident and Arizona native who spent 25 years in public safety, building her career at the Maricopa County Adult Probation Department supervising serious sex offense cases...

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The SRP election caught most Arizonans completely off guard, and then it became one of the most-watched utility board races in state history. What started as a sleepy, low-turnout local election turned into a four-times-higher-than-normal turnout event the moment Turning Point USA put its logo on candidate signs, and the fallout is still rippling through Arizona energy policy, water politics, and the 2026 election cycle.

Chuck Coughlin is the CEO and President of HighGround Inc., Arizona's longest continuously operating public affairs firm. A five-time winner of Arizona's Best Political Operative award from...

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Arizona families navigating divorce or custody disputes often face an issue no one talks about: what happens when a spouse, parent, or loved one is in a mental health crisis and refusing treatment. Under Arizona Title 36, there is a legal process that allows family members to petition for a court-ordered mental health evaluation, and in some cases, court-ordered treatment. Knowing how this process works, when it applies, and how it intersects with family law can be critical for parents trying to protect their children.

Modern Law attorney Emily Palomino brings a...

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If you are a solo or small firm attorney trying to figure out where AI fits in your practice, this episode of LawLabs (a special series from the Modern Arizona Podcast) is your starting point. Carolyn Elefant breaks down exactly how to begin with AI tools, why most lawyers are evaluating them in the wrong order, and what the real risks look like when AI gets citations wrong. She also shares an honest prediction of where the profession is headed and why firms that are not adopting now will find themselves in a...

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In this episode of the Modern Arizona Podcast, attorney Billie Tarascio sits down with Lisa Sander, nurse, life coach, and podcast host, to talk about what really happens when a marriage ends in midlife. Lisa shares her own story of leaving a 23-year marriage, how her faith carried her through, and why divorce doesn't have to mean failure. From gender dynamics and loneliness to downsizing and finding yourself again after 50, this conversation is honest, warm, and packed with hard-won perspective.

Lisa Sander is a Registered Nurse of 26 years and the CEO...

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If you or someone you know is facing divorce and has ties to both Arizona and Washington, this episode could be one of the most important conversations you watch. Our host Billie Tarascio and Seattle-based family law attorney Michelle Dellino sit down to break down the critical legal differences between divorcing in Arizona versus Washington, including how property is divided, how spousal maintenance is calculated, how custody is handled, and why the state you choose to file in could dramatically change your financial future.

Michelle Dellino is the founder and owner...

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Immigration attorney and law firm founder Hillary Walsh joins Billie Tarascio for a candid conversation about what it's really like to run an immigration law firm in today's turbulent legal and political climate. From filing habeas petitions to protect unlawfully detained clients, to navigating due process violations and a surge in demand for legal services, Hillary shares how her practice has evolved, and how she's adapting to protect both her clients and her team.

They also dig into the business side of running a growing firm: the hard decisions...

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In this episode of Law Labs, Billie Tarascio sits down with Jessica Travis, Co-Owner and Managing Partner of Fighter Law in Orlando, Florida. They talk about how modern law firms can move beyond billable hours, use AI tools the right way, and build strong internal systems that support real growth.

Law Labs is a podcast for law firm owners and legal professionals who want to build smarter firms. Each episode focuses on systems, technology, billing models, marketing, and practical strategies that help firms grow in a sustainable way.

Jessica...

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In this episode of the Modern Arizona Podcast, Law Labs Edition, Billie Tarascio sits down with Bob Simon. They talk about what it means to run a national law firm, build legal tech companies, and step into civil rights advocacy during a time of major legal and political tension.

Bob Simon is an entrepreneur, trial lawyer, and co-founder of multiple companies, including a national personal injury firm and the legal tech platform Attorney Share. He is also actively involved in civil rights litigation, including cases involving ICE detentions, unlawful stops, and...

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College costs continue to rise, and for families dealing with divorce, remarriage, or complex finances, planning can feel overwhelming. In this episode of the Modern Arizona Podcast, Billie Tarascio sits down with a college funding expert to break down how financial aid really works and what parents need to understand before costly mistakes are made.

Brad Baldridge is a College Funding Specialist and the founder of Taming the High Cost of College. With nearly 20 years of experience, Brad has helped thousands of families plan and pay for college...

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In this Modern Arizona Podcast episode, attorney Billie Tarascio sits down with Melissa Leon to unpack the rising safety concerns surrounding e-bikes, scooters, and youth street behavior in master-planned Arizona communities. They explore why accidents are increasing, how misinformation fuels risky habits, and what families, drivers, and neighborhoods can realistically do to protect kids while still giving them freedom and independence.

Melissa Leon is a small business CFO, the owner of Two Sense Consulting, a published author of Efficiency Bitch, an Arizona native, a mother of three, and the founder of...

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In this episode of the Modern Arizona Podcast, attorney Billie Tarascio sits down with Legal Paraprofessional Sandy Bauer of Modern Law to explore her journey, her work, and the heart behind family law practice.

Sandy has spent more than 22 years in the legal field, including over a decade as a senior paralegal before earning her LP license in 2024. Today, she helps clients through divorces, parenting time issues, child support matters, and major family transitions with a calm, empathetic, and highly experienced approach. Outside of work, Sandy enjoys gardening, bird-watching, travel, audiobooks...

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Selling the family home during divorce is one of the hardest decisions you will ever make. In this episode, attorney Billie Tarascio sits down with Jill Sawick-Healy, a community-focused real estate agent with Realty One Group who has been serving Arizona families since 2007. Jill has guided hundreds of clients through upsizing, downsizing, and big life transitions like divorce, always with the goal of making each move informed, steady, and as low-stress as possible.

Together, Billie and Jill walk through what divorcing couples need to know about the current Maricopa County housing...

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Whitney Harvey is a former litigator, workplace wellness consultant, and founder of The Self Coached Lawyer. She joins Billie to talk about burnout, resilience, emotional regulation, and how lawyers and clients can rebuild themselves during high-stress seasons. Whitney shares how her early experiences with adversity, plus years in insurance defense and plaintiff litigation, shaped her mission to blend law, well-being, and science-backed healing tools. Her work today focuses on giving people simple, practical methods to manage stress, reframe their stories, and rebuild confidence during major transitions like divorce.

In this conversation...

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In this episode of the Modern Arizona Podcast, attorney and advocate Lori Basinger joins host Billie Tarascio to discuss coercive control, abusive litigation, and how new laws are redefining justice for survivors of domestic abuse. Lori shares her personal journey from regulatory law to family law advocacy and offers insights into how survivors can reclaim power both in and beyond the courtroom.

Valuable topics discussed:
- What coercive control means under Massachusetts law
- How abusers misuse the legal system to maintain control
- Strategies for survivors facing...

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In this episode, Billie sits down with Lindsey Jackson, Modern Law's new estate planning practice group leader, to demystify estate planning for today's families. With over 16 years of experience in trust and estate administration, Lindsey brings a unique perspective from both the drafting and administration sides of estate planning. She shares practical insights about when estate planning becomes essential, how to protect family wealth across generations, and the real consequences of not having proper legal documents in place.

This conversation covers everything from basic power of attorney needs for young adults...

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In this episode, Billie speaks with Susan Magestro, a criminologist, interventionist, and expert witness who specializes in one of the most challenging and underreported issues facing families today: domestic violence perpetrated by children against their parents. Susan brings decades of experience working with families where parents live in fear of their own children, along with her expertise in crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies.

This conversation addresses the uncomfortable reality that many parents face but rarely discuss—when their child becomes violent, threatening, or abusive within the home. Susan explains the difference be...

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In this episode, Billie sits down with Nathan Williams, a professional counselor at Arizona Counseling Collective who specializes in forensically informed therapy and high-conflict co-parenting situations. Nathan brings years of experience working with families navigating the complex intersection of therapy and family court, including therapeutic intervention (TI) appointments, court testimony, and helping parents transition from dysfunctional spousal dynamics to effective co-parenting relationships.

This conversation tackles the challenging questions that attorneys and their clients face daily: When should therapists maintain confidentiality versus reporting to parents? How can parents move from adversarial dynamics...

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In this episode of the Modern Arizona Podcast, host Billie Tarascio sits down with Ruby Becker, Family Law and Juvenile Law attorney at Modern Law, to pull back the curtain on Arizona’s juvenile court system. Ruby shares her firsthand experience representing both parents and children in dependency, guardianship, and termination cases, and exposes the critical differences between family court and juvenile court.

From the power of DCS to the constitutional rights of parents, to the heartbreaking realities of foster care, Ruby provides an unfiltered look at what really ha...

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Divorce can be one of the most emotionally and physically draining experiences of your life — but your recovery starts with one powerful decision: prioritizing your health.

In this episode of the Modern Arizona Podcast, Arizona family law attorney Billie Tarascio sits down with Nathan Lowrie, owner of The Wellness Bar in Mesa, Arizona. A wellness advocate and water filtration expert, Nathan shares how a mix of biohacking, hydration, and simple daily rituals can radically improve your mental and physical well-being — especially during and after divorce.

💧 Hydration is everything.

Natha...

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In this empowering episode of the Modern Divorce Podcast, host Billie Tarascio sits down with courtroom readiness and mindset coach Jeanine Tripodi—a hypnotherapist and energy practitioner with over 15 years of experience helping women navigate major life transitions, including divorce. 

Jeanine shares how emotional regulation can make or break your courtroom experience. From nervous system tools to subconscious reprogramming, she breaks down exactly how she helps clients stay calm, clear-headed, and in control during high-stress legal moments like court hearings or mediation. 
She explains the science behind hypnotherapy, attachment theory, and...

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In this powerful and emotional episode of The Modern Arizona Podcast, host and family law attorney Billie Tarascio sits down with local mom Nikkol Krug to share a story every parent needs to hear.

Nikkol opens up about the grooming of her teenage daughter by a high school volleyball coach—how it began, how it escalated, and how the system failed to protect her child. She bravely recounts the signs she missed, the manipulation tactics used by the coach, and the heartbreak of watching her daughter suffer not only from the ab...

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Welcome to a special episode of The Modern Arizona Podcast, where we pull back the curtain on what it really looks like to build a career in family law.

In this candid roundtable, Billie Tarascio is joined by her three law partners at Modern Law—Stacey Rogan, Heather Pelaez, and Kylie Bigelow—for an insightful conversation tailor-made for future attorneys, law students, and practicing lawyers looking to understand the reality of being a woman in law, building a sustainable legal career, and the evolving legal landscape.

Whether you're fresh out...

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In this episode of The Modern Arizona Podcast, host Billie Tarascio sits down with Ron Platt, co-founder of the National Association for Single and Divorced Families (NASDF), to unpack a revolutionary concept: Support Insurance—a financial safety net for divorced and single-parent households that covers child support and alimony in cases of death, disability, or job loss.

Ron shares the deeply personal story behind NASDF’s creation, how a conversation with his late father sparked a 25-year journey, and how NASDF is more than just insurance—it’s a nationwide support system o...

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Welcome to another episode of The Modern Arizona Podcast with your host, attorney Billie Tarascio! In this episode, Billie is joined by financial planner,  strategist, and RIA owner Michael Tarascio (yes — her brother!) to break down what recently divorced or soon-to-be-divorced individuals really need to know when large assets are on the line.

If you're walking away from your divorce with $500K–$2M+ in retirement, real estate, or other community property, this conversation is for you.

This episode is especially geared toward those who have been married for 25–30 years<...