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Season 4 Episode 10 The Beard Speaks Podcast.

In this episode of The Beard Speaks Podcast, Pat talks about the most common parental alienation tactic, Holiday Hijacking, Why it happens and how it happens to parents all over the world.

Holiday hijacking in parental alienation is when one parent deliberately disrupts or sabotages the other parent's holiday time with the child by creating conflicts, scheduling competing events, or making last-minute cancellations, forcing the child to choose sides, feel guilty, and develop negative views of the targeted parent, thus undermining their relationship for the alienating parent's gain.

How it works

• Conflicting Schedules: An alienating parent might schedule an important event (like a birthday party or holiday dinner) at the exact time the other parent has the child, creating a forced choice.
• Sabotaging Plans: This includes last-minute "emergencies" or sudden changes to prevent scheduled visits or communication.
• Emotional Manipulation: The child is put in the middle, made to feel guilty for wanting to see the other parent, or pressured to adopt the alienating parent's negative views.
• Creating Division: The goal is to make the child see the targeted parent as unreliable, unsafe, or unimportant, especially during significant family times like holidays, according to this article from Simon, O'Brien, & Knapp, which is a core aim of parental alienation, notes Amy J.L. Baker, PhD.

Impact on the child

• Confusion & Stress: The child feels torn and caught between parents.
• Damaged Relationship: It erodes the bond with the targeted parent, a classic sign of parental alienation, according to research by Amy J.L. Baker, PhD.
• Skewed Perception: The child may begin to internalize the alienating parent's negative portrayal, rejecting the other parent without valid reasons.

Music in this episode by Catalano and The Pat Catalano Project

Burn - Catalano (Album) Into the Darkness

The Glass Throne (Absent King) - The Pat Catalano Project (Album) Paper Crowns

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Season 4 Episode 8 The Beard Speaks Podcast.

In this episode of The Beard Speaks Podcast, Pat sits down with podcast host, keynote speaker, bestselling author, Eric Rogell.

Eric has been a chef, Creative Director for print publications, sales copywriter, tech founder, and a journalist where he has traveled around the world writing about gear, tech, style, food, cars, and adventure travel for publications including Discovery.com, Men’s Fitness and more.

Over his career, he has interviewed hundreds of people—from celebrities, to athletes, to entrepreneurs, to military vets—getting them to dive deep into their stories, and all the memories, lessons, challenges, and triumphs that made them the success they are today. Valuable insights that collectively paint a picture of what great leaders are made of. And how critical it is to have strong mentors to guide us along the path.

Eric has made it his mission to help people become bold, inspirational mentors igniting motivation, vision, and purpose in your teams and your relationships, both at work and at home.

Contact Eric on his website EricRogell.com

Get connected with Eric LinkedIn

Join the Challenge The Lion Heart Challenge

Get His Book here Lions raised as Lambs

Insta and X: @ericrogell

Music in this episode by Catalano

Burn - Catalano (Album) Into the Darkness

One More Time - Catalano (Album) Into the Darkness

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Season 4 Episode 8 The Beard Speaks Podcast.

In this episode of The Beard Speaks Podcast, Pat takes a hard look at how rumors and misinformation spread across social media — especially when it comes to public figures and tragic events. Using the recent online storm surrounding Charlie Kirk, Pat explores how digital outrage, conspiracy theories, and comment-section chaos shape the way our society processes truth and grief.

This episode dives into the human side of online reaction culture — how it affects families, fuels division, and distracts from empathy and accountability. Tune in as Pat breaks down the psychology of viral misinformation and what we can do to stop amplifying it.

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