How to Split a Toaster: A Divorce Podcast About Saving Your Relationships

Overcoming Cult Manipulation and an Impossible Divorce

Peter Young joins hosts Seth Nelson and Pete Wright to share his harrowing experience getting sucked into a cult led by his wife's "Uncle Robert", trying to save his marriage and protect his kids, and the messy divorce that followed.

Peter's Story

Peter met his wife Paige when he was working as a sports broadcaster in Idaho. Paige had been born into a cult led by "Uncle Robert" and was completely under his control. Though skeptical at first, after 20 years of marriage Peter eventually got pulled into the cult mentality as well. When Paige ultimately chose loyalty to Uncle Robert over staying married, it led to a nasty divorce and parental alienation of their children.

Peter describes how Uncle Robert used manipulation, paranoia, and ideological indoctrination to gain total control over Paige and eventually himself. Even after Paige filed for divorce, Peter fought hard to save his marriage and protect his kids from her cult delusions. With the help of a guardian ad litem, Peter was granted custody of their minor children. But the divorce process was dragged out through endless frivolous motions from his ex-wife.

Key Takeaways

• The role of a Guardian ad Litem in high-conflict custody cases
• Strategies for dealing with a spouse who files endless frivolous motions
• How to navigate a divorce when your spouse is representing themselves (pro se)
• The long-term trauma of parental alienation
• Tips for saving money during an expensive divorce process
• Importance of being the "bigger person" and avoiding conflict

Questions Answered

• How can you save money when a spouse files endless frivolous motions during divorce?
• What advice does Peter have for others going through a difficult divorce?
• How to handle co-parenting with an ex who is manipulative or abusive

About Peter

Peter Young is an author and former sports broadcaster. After getting sucked into his wife's cult and going through a messy divorce, he wrote a memoir about his experience called Stop the Tall Man, Save the Tiger. He continues sharing his story to help others.

Links & Notes

• Stop the Tall Man, Save the Tiger by Peter Young
• Peter Young's website
• Schedule a consult with Seth
• Got a question you want to ask on the show? Click here!

• (00:00) - Welcome to How to Split a Toaster
• (00:27) - Meet Peter Young
• (01:38) - Marrying Into a Cult
• (05:22) - Ghost People in a Divorce
• (06:27) - Weaponization of Spouse
• (07:36) - Growing Relationship with Uncle Robert
• (09:25) - She Asks for Divorce
• (11:46) - Getting Involved in the First Place
• (14:21) - The Moniker 'Uncle Robert'
• (16:05) - Transition Out During Divorce
• (17:41) - Getting a GAL
• (19:14) - GALs and Parental Alienation
• (20:57) - Still Dealing With It
• (24:01) - The Divorce Process
• (26:21) - Uncle Robert's Influence on the Divorce
• (28:03) - Parental Manipulation
• (30:04) - Dealing With a Pro Se Attorney
• (35:11) - Dealing With Costs and Time
• (38:15) - Perspective
• (40:38) - Finding His Book
• (44:38) - Listener Question
• (51:00) - Wrap Up

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