In this episode of Your Traitor Within, Jessica Anne Pressler sits down with Lisa Johnson, co-founder of Been There Got Out, high-conflict divorce strategist, certified domestic violence advocate, author, and legal abuse educator.
Lisa shares her extraordinary journey through high-conflict divorce, representing herself through scores of court appearances, helping pass Jennifers’ Law in Connecticut, and having her own case published in the Connecticut Law Journal, where it is now being used as legal precedent. Jennifers’ Law made Connecticut the third state in America to expand its legal definition of domestic violence to include coercive control.
Together, Jessica and Lisa explore the reality that abuse often does not end when a relationship ends. They discuss coercive control, litigation abuse, custody battles, post-separation abuse, co-parenting chaos, and the ways manipulative partners may continue exerting power through the court system, finances, and children.
The conversation also focuses on Lisa and Chris’s newest book, When Your Ex Turns the Kids Against You, released in March 2026 with a foreword by Bill Eddy. Lisa explains why children may reject a loving parent, how alienating behaviors impact entire families, and what parents can do to preserve relationships with their children during high-conflict separations.
This episode is filled with practical insight, validation, and hope for anyone navigating high-conflict divorce, legal abuse, custody battles, estrangement, or parent-child contact problems.
About Lisa Johnson:
Lisa Johnson is the co-founder of Been There Got Out, a high-conflict divorce strategist and certified domestic violence advocate who successfully represented herself through scores of court appearances. Her case, published in the Connecticut Law Journal, is being used as legal precedent. Her live testimony helped pass Jennifers’ Law in Connecticut, the third state in America to expand its legal definition of domestic violence to include coercive control.
She and her partner, Chris, coach people in high-conflict relationships, divorce, custody battles, and co-parenting hell so they have the chance of the best outcome in family court and beyond. They also offer a weekly Legal Abuse Support Group for those dealing with narcissistic opponents in legal matters. Their first book is Been There Got Out: Toxic Relationships, High-Conflict Divorce, and How to Stay Sane Under Insane Circumstances, and their second book, When Your Ex Turns the Kids Against You, released in March 2026 with a foreword by Bill Eddy.
Connect with Lisa Johnson / Been There Got Out:
Website:
https://beentheregotout.com/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/been_there_got_out/
First Book:
Been There Got Out: Toxic Relationships, High-Conflict Divorce, and How to Stay Sane Under Insane Circumstances
https://www.amazon.com/Been-There-Got-Relationships-Circumstances/dp/194627495X/
Second Book:
When Your Ex Turns the Kids Against You
https://www.amazon.com/Been-There-Got-Out-Against/dp/1967674183/
Free Strategic Communication Webinar:
https://programs.beentheregotout.com/SC-Register
Listen to Your Traitor Within:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-traitor-within/id1797804404
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