About Deadbeat Dad by Design — Supporting fathers through the fight of their lives.
Deadbeat Dad by Design examines how family court systems quietly incentivize conflict, financially punish involved fathers, and erode parent–child relationships over time.
Hosted by a wife who witnessed the system firsthand, this podcast explores child support structures, litigation abuse, parental alienation, and the emotional toll on families.
This podcast focuses on systemic patterns—not personal attacks or legal advice.
Family law attorney David Pissara joins Deadbeat Dad by Design for a powerful conversation about fathers fighting to stay present in their children’s lives, the realities of family court, and the tools dads need when they are walking through the trenches.
We also talk about his book, Dad’s Child Custody Action Plan, and why it can be such an important resource for fathers trying to understand their next steps.
15 May 2026
The Parent That Did Everything Right And Still Lost
A raw conversation about the parent who followed the rules, showed up, stayed quiet, paid the price — and still got pushed out.
This one is for every parent who did everything they were told to do… and still lost time they can never get back.
Deadbeat Dad by Design
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27 Apr 2026
Advocating For Fathers in a System That Pushes Back
What’s it really like to speak up for fathers… as a mom?
In Episode 17, Rachel sits down with Lauren “The Dadvocate” to talk about the reality behind the labels, backlash, and constant pushback that comes with advocating for dads in today’s system. From being called names to being dismissed entirely, they break down why this fight matters—and why they refuse to stay quiet.
This conversation is raw, honest, and one a lot of people aren’t ready to have… but need to hear.
20 Apr 2026
The Myth of the “Best Interest” Standard
Is it really about the “best interest” of the child… or something else?
In Episode 16 of Deadbeat Dad by Design, we break down the history of the “best interest” standard—where it started, how it’s being used today, and where it may have gone wrong.
This episode brings real insight, real questions, and a perspective you won’t hear everywhere.
14 Apr 2026
The Court Rewards Compliance Not the Truth
What if the system isn’t built to find the truth… but to control behavior?
In this episode of Deadbeat Dad by Design, we break down how family court often rewards silence, compliance, and appearance over facts and reality. If you’ve ever felt like telling the truth wasn’t enough—this one’s for you.
Featuring special guest Zac Martin, creator of Kids Deserve Dads
Real talk. Real experiences. Real impact.
24 Mar 2026
When The Algorithm Rewards The Lie
What happens when the algorithm rewards the lie instead of the truth?
In Episode 14, we break down how social media is amplifying false narratives in custody battles—and why the loudest stories aren’t always the real ones.
17 Mar 2026
When Safety Words Are Used as a Weapon
In family court, the word “safety” can carry enormous weight—but what happens when that language is manipulated to gain an advantage? In Episode 13, we discuss how safety-based accusations are sometimes used as a strategy in custody battles, the impact it has on fathers and families, and why the system struggles to separate real protection from tactical allegations.
9 Mar 2026
Scorned, Jealous, and Unchecked: When an Ex Turns Destructive
Not all custody battles are about the kids. Sometimes they’re about control, jealousy, and revenge.
In this episode of Deadbeat Dad by Design, we dive into what happens when a scorned ex allows bitterness and jealousy to drive their actions — and the devastating impact it can have on families, co-parenting, and the children caught in the middle.
We talk about manipulation, online smear campaigns, emotional warfare, and the tactics some people use to punish their former partner instead of protecting their kids.
This is a raw conversation about accountability, truth, and what happens when the system allows destructive behavior to go unchecked.
3 Mar 2026
High Conflict Isn’t Always Mutual
Family court loves the label “high conflict.” But what if it’s not mutual?
In this episode, we break down how one parent can be reactive after years of instability, manipulation, or false allegations — and how the system often treats both parents as equally toxic.
Not all conflict starts the same. And not all reactions are abuse.
Let’s talk about it.
27 Feb 2026
Emotional Cost of Being the "Non-preferred" Parent
What happens when a loving parent is slowly pushed to the sidelines?
In this episode, we unpack the silent grief, identity loss, and emotional toll of being labeled the “non-preferred” parent — and what it does to both the parent and the child.
This isn’t about ego.
It’s about the long-term damage of conditioning kids to choose sides.
If you’ve felt erased from your own child’s story, this one is for you.
24 Feb 2026
When Children Learn Who to Blame
Children aren’t born blaming one parent.
They learn it.
In Episode 9 of Deadbeat Dad by Design, we break down how blame is taught, how loyalty conflicts are created, and how narratives shape a child’s view of mom or dad.
If your child’s perception of you suddenly changed… this episode is for you.
20 Feb 2026
When Co-Parenting Becomes Control
Co-parenting should be about the child — not power, control, or manipulation.
In this episode, we expose what happens when one parent uses communication, boundaries, and the system itself to maintain control long after the relationship ends — and the emotional damage it leaves behind.
If you’ve lived this, you’ll recognize it.
17 Feb 2026
The Child Support Spiral
Child support was meant to help children—not trap parents in a cycle they can’t escape. In this episode, we break down how financial pressure, court orders, and system dynamics can slowly dismantle a father’s stability, identity, and relationship with his children. This is the reality many live—but few are willing to talk about.
10 Feb 2026
From Full Time Father to Threat
How does a loving, involved father become labeled a “danger” overnight?
In this episode, I sit down with a fathers’ rights attorney to expose a pattern playing out in family courts across the country: fathers who were once trusted, present, and praised suddenly framed as unsafe the moment a relationship ends.
We talk about how accusations appear without history, how “safety language” can be weaponized, and why silence is so often demanded from the very parent being erased. We break down how courts evaluate these claims, how social media fuels false narratives, and the quiet psychological toll this takes on children caught in the middle.
This isn’t about attacking mothers. It’s about truth, accountability, and the long-term damage done when lies are rewarded and good parents are punished.
If you’ve ever watched a devoted father go from protector to perceived threat—or lived it yourself—this episode will put words to what so many feel but can’t explain.
Because children don’t need a hero and a villain.
They need the truth.
6 Feb 2026
When Social Media is Used as a Weapon
This episode doesn’t tiptoe. We’re calling out the parents who use social media to shame, manipulate, and publicly destroy the other parent—then call it “healing” or “speaking their truth.” Using social media as a weapon isn’t advocacy, it’s abuse, and kids pay the price. In Episode 4, we break down how this behavior fuels parental alienation, backfires in court, and leaves permanent damage long after the likes disappear.
3 Feb 2026
Parental Alienation & Gatekeeping
This isn’t about “high conflict.” It’s about design.
In Episode 3 of Deadbeat Dad by Design we expose how parental alienation and gatekeeping quietly destroy parent-child relationships while systems look the other way. From subtle manipulation to outright obstruction, we break down how it happens, why it’s tolerated, and who pays the price. This is the conversation many don’t want to have—but need to.
27 Jan 2026
When Fathers Finally Give Up
This episode explores the moment fathers stop fighting—not because they don’t care, but because they’ve been worn down by conflict, false narratives, and a broken system. We challenge the idea of “abandonment” and talk honestly about the emotional breaking point no one wants to acknowledge.
⚠️ Listener discretion advised.
20 Jan 2026
Litigation Abuse is Legal
When the legal system is used as a weapon instead of protection. This episode exposes how litigation abuse is not only tolerated—but often completely legal—and the devastating impact it has on families and in particular “deadbeat” dads.
19 Jan 2026
Trailer and Introduction
Deadbeat Dad By Design challenges the label so many fathers are given after separation or divorce. This podcast exposes how family court systems, forced therapy, and institutional bias can alienate loving fathers from their children. Through lived experience, expert insight, and hard conversations, the show gives voice to dads who didn’t walk away — they were pushed out — and explores what actually helps heal families rather than break them apart.
Reach and audience
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.6 / 5
10 ratings
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