Ep 9 - Co-Parents of the Year Teamwork in Parenting

What does healthy co-parenting actually look like? In this powerful episode of the Father's Making Progress Podcast, host Terron Edwards sits down with the 2025 and 2026 FMP Co-Parents of the Year to discuss the challenges, heartbreak, forgiveness, communication, and intentionality required to successfully raise children together after a relationship ends. Featuring: Tim Cole & Ashley Crawford (2025 Co-Parents of the Year) Antoine Carter & Alexis Outlaw (2026 Co-Parents of the Year) These parents share their real-life journeys navigating separation, rebuilding trust, raising children collaboratively, handling new relationships, supporting their children's mental health, and putting their children's needs above personal conflict. This episode is packed with practical wisdom for parents, co-parents, educators, counselors, and anyone committed to building stronger families. Sponsored by Community Care, 2026 FMP Awards Partner of the Year. 00:46 – Community Care Sponsorship & FMP Awards Announcement 01:11 – Meet the Guests 02:02 – Tim Cole's Introduction 03:11 – Ashley Crawford's Introduction 03:48 – Alexis Outlaw's Story 04:58 – Antoine Carter's Story 06:38 – Why Co-Parenting Matters 08:34 – How Tim & Ashley Became Co-Parents of the Year 09:17 – The #1 Key to Successful Co-Parenting: Forgiveness 10:18 – Rebuilding Trust After Separation 11:13 – Why Trust Often Breaks Down 13:19 – Antoine & Alexis Share Their Story 14:00 – Separating Relationship Problems from Parenting 15:15 – Raising a Teenager Together 17:08 – "We Will Always Be Family" 18:33 – Heartbreak, Friendship & Co-Parenting 19:39 – Mourning the End of a Relationship 20:10 – Is Divorce a Death or a Transition? 22:10 – Why Society Normalizes Conflict 23:42 – Becoming Examples Through the Better Together Documentary 25:05 – "It's Safer to Hate" 27:10 – Receiving the Co-Parent of the Year Award 29:43 – Antoine Opens Up About His Father 31:45 – The Importance of Showing Up 33:44 – Giving Flowers to Good Fathers 35:09 – Never Blocking a Child's Love 36:30 – The Turning Point 37:54 – The Letter Exercise That Changed Everything 39:37 – Rebuilding Trust Through Small Wins 40:31 – The "North Star" Philosophy 43:44 – Supporting Children's Mental Health 45:17 – Facts or Cap: Do Moms Have More Rights Than Dads? 46:12 – Facts or Cap: New Relationships Ruin Co-Parenting 49:28 – Modeling Healthy Relationships for Children 53:33 – Final Reflections 54:24 – Why Co-Parenting Matters If this episode spoke to you, share it with another father, brother, or man who needs to hear this message because no matter where you are in life…You’re still making progress! Stay Connected: Facebook (Milwaukee Fatherhood Movement) Instagram (Fathers Making Progress)