In this episode of the Children First Family Law podcast, Krista welcomes Larry and Joni Jones, the creators of “The Point C Divorce,” a five-minute animated fable designed to help parents, attorneys, and professionals refocus on children’s well-being during divorce. Larry, a retired New Jersey Superior Court judge, and Joni, a board-certified psychiatric and mental health nurse, mediator, and restorative practice facilitator, combined their professional expertise and personal experiences to create a short but powerful video that shines a light on how parental conflict can harm children.

The conversation traces the origins of Point C, which began with Larry sketching ideas on a pizza box after a particularly painful custody case. The video has since been used in courtrooms, mediation, and educational programs across the country, resonating with families and professionals alike. Larry and Joni explain how the fable illustrates the dangers of parents becoming consumed by litigation at the expense of their child’s emotional health.

Joni shares how her own childhood experience with divorce shaped her perspective, emphasizing the importance of skill-building and forgiveness in helping families move forward. Together, she and Larry stress the need for attorneys, mediators, and parents to rethink how conflict is handled and to recognize that litigation often undermines the very “best interests of the child” it claims to protect.

The episode highlights the long-term effects of contentious divorces, from fractured parent-child relationships to mental health struggles for children. Krista, Larry, and Joni discuss practical tools, such as effective listening, expectation-setting, and restorative practices, that can help parents break the cycle of conflict. You will come away with a deeper understanding of how Point C offers a wake-up call to keep children’s voices and well-being at the center of family law.

In this episode, you will hear:

• The inspiration behind “The Point C Divorce” and how it began on a pizza box
• How the five-minute fable helps parents and professionals see the child’s perspective
• Why litigation often contradicts the “best interest of the child”
• Joni’s personal story as a child of divorce and how it influenced her work
• Tools for parents: skill-building, heartfelt forgiveness, and active listening
• The role of attorneys and mediators in shaping respectful, child-centered outcomes
• Why kids often just want the fighting to stop, no matter which parent is “right”

Resources from this Episode

pointcdivorce.com

www.childrenfirstfamilylaw.com

All states have different laws; be sure you are checking out your state laws specifically surrounding divorce. Krista is a licensed attorney in Colorado and Wyoming but is not providing through this podcast legal advice. Please be sure to seek independent legal counsel in your area for your specific situation.

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.