Divorce Happens

Music has a way of reaching the places words can’t, and in times of family transition, those quiet melodies often hold the most healing. In this episode of Divorce Happens, host Olivia Howell sits down with Mama Nous, a singer-songwriter who has reimagined what children’s music can be. Far from the repetitive jingles many of us grew up with, her songs are rich with emotional intelligence, compassion, and truth—crafted to speak not only to kids, but also to the parents and caregivers guiding them through life’s hardest moments.Though happily married now, Mama Nous carries the perspective of both being a parent herself and having grown up as a child of divorce. She knows intimately how difficult it can be to find language that helps kids feel secure, loved, and understood. Her music bridges that gap with lyrics that serve as a gentle witness: words that assure children they are lovable, that family changes are not their fault, and that resilience can bloom even in seasons of grief. Songs like You Are So Easy to Love and Right Hand Child have become anthems of healing for countless families, inspiring tears, conversations, and breakthroughs across generations.Together, Olivia and Mama Nous explore how music can help families navigate transitions like divorce, opening doors for connection, reflection, and repair. Listeners will walk away with more than just a playlist—they’ll leave with a new way of thinking about how to support children’s inner worlds. Whether you’re in the car with your kids or searching for your own balm in the storm, this conversation is a reminder that healing often starts with the simplest truths, repeated until they become part of who we are.Check out Mama Nous on her website: https://mamanous.com/🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/divorcehappenspod/📬 Newsletter: https://divorceguide.substack.com/

When you’re sitting at the mediation table and someone asks, “What do you want?” it can feel like a trick question. In this episode of Divorce Happens, Olivia Howell sits down with certified ADR divorce coach, pre-mediation coach, and trauma-informed coach Lyerly Spongberg, to unpack why that deceptively simple question is the key to unlocking better outcomes in divorce. With warmth and candor, Lyerly explains how getting clear on your why—the deeper reason behind your wants—can transform negotiation, reduce conflict, and protect your peace of mind.Drawing from years of coaching individuals through the chaos of divorce, Lyerly shares the common pitfalls she sees when people cling to rigid positions, and how shifting the conversation from what you want to why you want it opens the door to creative, flexible solutions. She shares client stories that illustrate how reality testing and curiosity can ease conflict—whether it’s navigating custody arrangements or deciding what to do about the family home. Her trauma-informed approach helps clients slow down, regulate their nervous systems, and focus on what truly matters.For anyone overwhelmed by the divorce process, this episode offers clarity and hope. Listeners will walk away with practical strategies like breaking down decisions into manageable steps, naming fears out loud, and entering mediation with confidence and emotional grounding. Most importantly, Lyerly reminds us that divorce, while often disorienting, can also be a process of empowerment, dignity, and growth when guided by the right support.Learn more about Lyerly Spongberg: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/step-up-with-lyerly🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/divorcehappenspod/📬 Newsletter: https://divorceguide.substack.com/

Divorce has a way of silencing even the loudest voices. In this episode of Divorce Happens, Olivia Howell sits down with Chedva Ludmir—business strategist, mentor, and the founder of Consider Labs—to talk about what it really means to lose your confidence in the storm of separation. Chedva knows this terrain not only as a strategist who guides entrepreneurs but as someone who has walked through divorce herself. She shares how gaslighting and subtle shrinking can chip away at a person’s identity until one day you wake up and no longer recognize your own voice.From her years in strategy and leadership, Chedva brings a unique lens: the personal and professional are never separate. When you’re silenced at home, it seeps into your work. She speaks candidly about her own season of shrinking—where she shifted from visionary strategy to small, menial tasks—and how that disconnect drained her energy and joy. Through gentle but powerful questioning, she helps clients, and herself, rediscover what lights them up and where their true genius lies. Her methodology centers on curiosity, forward-thinking vision, and building rituals that slowly expand your capacity to take up space again.Listeners will leave with more than just validation—they’ll have a map. Chedva offers concrete ways to notice when you’re “going through the motions,” to begin asking small, non-judgmental questions, and to envision the bolder, braver self waiting on the other side of divorce. This conversation is a reminder that your voice isn’t gone forever; it’s waiting for you, and reclaiming it can change not just your personal healing, but your entire future.Learn more about Consider by Chedva Ludmir: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/consider-by-chedva-ludmir🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/divorcehappenspod/📬 Newsletter: https://divorceguide.substack.com/

Divorce rarely ends at the signing of papers. It lingers in the day-to-day decisions, the cast of new characters who enter the family orbit, and the quiet ways insecurity, judgment, or outside voices can unsettle the fragile ecosystem of co-parenting. In this episode of Divorce Happens, Olivia sits down with relationship coach Anna Howerton, who not only works with clients navigating these moments but has lived them herself. Anna shares the raw, unexpected story of stumbling upon her ex-husband’s new partner speaking publicly about her, a moment that forced her to confront the messy overlap of private life, public perception, and the resilience it takes to rise above.Anna brings deep credibility to this conversation—not only as a coach who supports individuals in crisis points before, during, and after divorce, but as someone who has walked the road of conscious uncoupling, rebuilding, and dating again. She explains how step-partners often act from a place of insecurity, and why compassion, rather than retaliation, is sometimes the only way forward. Through her story, she illuminates the often invisible labor of divorced moms: to regulate emotions, protect children, and elevate above drama—even when their character is publicly challenged.Listeners will come away with both clarity and hope. Anna offers practical strategies like resisting the urge to engage in public battles, keeping communication with your ex at the center of co-parenting, and grounding yourself through nervous system resets. At the heart of her message is a reminder that children are on “mom WiFi”—they feel our energy more than they hear our words. Divorce is never simple, but as Anna beautifully says, “Every rainstorm runs out of rain.” Healing is possible, and your steady presence can be the anchor your children need as you build a new beginning.Learn more about Anna: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/anna-howerton-coaching-llc🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/divorcehappenspod/📬 Newsletter: https://divorceguide.substack.com/

Divorce has a way of cracking us open, forcing us to confront truths we may have avoided, and reshaping the way we move through the world. In this episode of Divorce Happens, I sit down with Amanda Goetz—two-time founder, four-time CMO, and author of the upcoming book Toxic Grit—to talk about the lessons she learned while navigating her own high-stakes divorce. From financial shocks to emotional entanglements, Amanda shares candidly about the missteps, the strategies, and the breakthroughs that helped her reclaim her power.With honesty and clarity, Amanda reveals what it was like to be a successful executive making over $200,000 a year while still finding herself financially manipulated during her divorce. She discusses the importance of knowing where your money is, the hard-earned wisdom of choosing mediation over drawn-out litigation, and the gut-punch reality of how numbers on tax returns can shape your entire settlement. But she doesn’t stop at the legal and financial: Amanda also opens up about the emotional hooks of divorce, from learning to respond with “facts, not emotions” to creating rituals that sever lingering ties of control.What emerges from our conversation is not just a survival guide but a framework for transformation. Amanda encourages listeners to embrace divorce as a cocoon moment—a chance to explore new versions of themselves, step into main character energy, and learn which people and practices help them rise to higher frequencies. Her story is proof that while divorce breaks us open, it also invites us into a new, more expansive chapter of life. If you’ve ever wondered how to navigate both the chaos and the clarity of starting over, this episode will leave you with hope, courage, and actionable wisdom.Buy Toxic Grit here: https://www.toxicgrit.com/🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/divorcehappenspod/📬 Newsletter: https://divorceguide.substack.com/

Divorce has a way of pulling everything to the surface—the grief, the guilt, the relief, the fear, and the hope. In this episode of Divorce Happens, Olivia sits down with relationship expert and EFT tapping practitioner Lizzy Gobst to explore what happens when all those emotions collide, and how to create space for them without being swallowed whole. Lizzy reminds us that mixed feelings don’t cancel each other out—they’re proof that we’re human, healing, and moving forward in our own time.With a background in communication coaching and emotional regulation, Lizzy brings both warmth and practicality to the conversation. She explains the science and simplicity of EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), a method that uses tapping on acupressure points to soothe anxiety, shift subconscious patterns, and reconnect us to agency. Through stories of her clients—and her own life—she illustrates how tapping can transform “stuck” moments into opportunities for insight, whether it’s navigating difficult conversations with an ex, handling paperwork that sparks dread, or untangling old family patterns that resurface post-divorce.At its core, this episode is about reclaiming calm in the chaos. Lizzy offers listeners permission to hold contradictory feelings—grief alongside gratitude, fear alongside excitement—while also equipping them with a tool to quiet spirals in real time. The conversation is grounding, hopeful, and filled with tangible reminders that healing isn’t about erasing the past, but about creating new patterns that help us live fully in the present.Learn more about Lizzy: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/love-smarts🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/divorcehappenspod/📬 Newsletter: https://divorceguide.substack.com/

The first truth Meredith Beardmore learned in divorce was deceptively simple: she wasn’t “crazy”—she was intuitive. In today’s conversation, Meredith—a therapist, author, and creator of the YouTube channel Men With Mare, where she offers therapeutic reactions to lyric-driven songs—walks us through the moment her body knew what her brain was not yet allowed to say out loud. The arguments that looked small from the outside (like whether her son should get ear tubes) were flares on the horizon. The real fire, she later discovered, was fueled by hidden drug use, financial fallout, and betrayal. That’s when the second truth arrived: when a partner becomes an adversary, protecting your child means protecting your own knowing.Meredith tells the story without varnish. She moved from New York City back to Ohio for family support, charged therapy to credit cards, and watched the numbers climb while her shame tried to keep pace. She names aloud what so many listeners whisper to themselves: freedom is expensive. Debt stacks, timelines stretch, and at every turn there’s unsolicited commentary from the sidelines—neighbors praising “bike rides,” strangers doubting emotional abuse because it leaves no bruise. But fast doesn’t equal free, and every hard choice became, in her words, “a down payment toward my peace.”And then the third truth: grace. Grace for the version of you that didn’t have all the information, grace for the professional who didn’t predict the plot twist, grace for the parent who is doing it all—because she was doing it all even before she left. Meredith’s memoir, The Plan B Chronicles: Divorce Defines Liberation, braids survival writing with therapeutic tools and pop-culture echoes to offer clarity without cliché. Listeners will leave with two grounding shifts: trust your intuition even without “proof,” and treat every practical step—therapy, safety planning, strategic boundaries—as an investment in future you. It will get better. You are stronger than you know.📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/divorcehappenspod/📬 Newsletter: https://divorceguide.substack.com/

The first friendships to change after divorce aren’t always the loud ones—they’re the quiet ones that stop texting back. In this episode, Olivia sits down with psychotherapist and relationship specialist Stevie Blum to name that ache and offer language for it. Stevie works with high-achieving women navigating life transitions, anxiety, and perfectionism, helping them “rewire” unhelpful patterns and design lives aligned with their higher selves. Together, they map the overlooked grief of friendship during divorce: the early rush of check-ins that fades, the isolation of being the first in your circle to separate, and the sting of well-meaning but misguided advice.Stevie offers a compassionate toolkit for moments when you feel dropped by your people. She explains the spotlight effect—how we overestimate the space we occupy in others’ lives—and why depersonalizing helps. She shares how to turn a complaint into a clear request (“It would mean a lot if you checked in on Fridays” or “Please include me when your family does Saturday plans”), and gives boundary scripts for friends who keep saying the wrong thing. When a repair isn’t possible, she introduces her gentle sequence: solve, reframe, accept—and reminds us that acceptance isn’t approval; it’s choosing not to fight what’s true.Threaded through is Stevie’s wave metaphor for big feelings: stop thrashing, let the water roll over you, and trust there is another side. Listeners will leave with hope and practical language—assume best intent, ask for what you need, offer friends “the gift” of feedback—and a reframe that heals both directions: “Everyone’s doing the best they can…and they can do better.” Vulnerability can deepen certain friendships, reveal unexpected allies, and rebuild the confidence you’ll use everywhere else—from texting your best friend to asking your lawyer for what you deserve.To get in touch with Stevie Blum:https://www.stevieblumtherapy.com/https://www.instagram.com/stevieblumtherapy/

The end of a marriage can feel like a storm—messy, disorienting, and all-consuming. But what if, instead of letting the wreckage define you, you saw it as the start of a completely different chapter? In this episode of Divorce Happens, I sit down with Michelle Dempsey-Multack, certified divorce and co-parenting specialist, trauma and resilience coach, and bestselling author of Moms Moving On. Known as the “OG Divorce Queen,” Michelle has helped thousands of people not just survive divorce, but create a future they’re proud of—one that prioritizes peace, personal growth, and the well-being of their children.Drawing on her own divorce and years of working with clients, Michelle shares the hard-earned lessons that can completely shift the way you navigate separation. She reminds us that divorce is an adult’s choice, but a child’s lived experience—and that how we show up after the split matters far more than the split itself. Through candid stories and actionable advice, she challenges us to take ownership of our role in conflict, let go of the need to “win” against an ex, and see the potential for transformation in the midst of heartbreak.This conversation is equal parts grounding and hopeful, offering listeners a blueprint for co-parenting without resentment, healing without losing yourself, and raising children who don’t have to recover from their parents’ divorce. You’ll walk away with a fresh perspective on ego, boundaries, and why choosing peace over power can change everything. Whether you’re knee-deep in the process or on the other side looking to rebuild, Michelle’s insights will leave you feeling less alone—and more equipped to move forward.🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/divorcehappenspod/📬 Newsletter: https://divorceguide.substack.com/

Some divorces are quiet, others are catastrophic. For Sarah May, it was the latter—a marriage that imploded in betrayal and emotional abuse when she was just 24, followed by a decade-long healing journey she never expected. In this deeply moving episode, Sarah shares how that early unraveling forced her into a reckoning with her own story: her codependency, her childhood wounds, and the patterns that made dysfunction feel like home. Through tears, therapy, and truth-telling, she slowly rebuilt herself—not for a partner, not for the outside world, but for the girl inside who had always longed to feel safe.Sarah is an author, yoga teacher, Reiki practitioner, and intuitive healing guide whose debut memoir She Journeys: A Memoir of Heartbreak and Homecoming is a stunning reflection on how we reclaim ourselves after devastating loss. In this conversation, she joins Olivia to explore the hard-won wisdom she carries now—the kind that only comes from surviving what you once thought might break you. Together, they talk honestly about the trap of blame, the long road to self-responsibility, and the radical act of forgiving both yourself and the women who were part of the harm.Listeners will walk away with powerful mindset shifts: that healing doesn’t mean letting others off the hook—it means setting yourself free. That self-forgiveness is more powerful than any apology. And that yes, you will love again—but only after you learn to love yourself first. This episode is a balm for anyone who’s ever looked around the ruins of a life and wondered, “How do I begin again?” The answer, as Sarah shows us, is: one brave, honest page at a time.Buy the book here: https://amzn.to/45gUzUe🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/divorcehappenspod/📬 Newsletter: https://divorceguide.substack.com/

When your world falls apart, the idea of starting over can feel both impossible and overwhelming. In this emotionally rich episode of Divorce Happens, Olivia Howell sits down with Taylor Beck, certified ADR divorce coach and intuitive guide, to explore what it really means to move forward when you're feeling stuck in the wake of a life-changing separation. With warmth, humor, and hard-earned insight, Taylor shares her compassionate approach to coaching women through the fog of divorce—helping them reconnect with their intuition, reclaim their power, and take one small, courageous step at a time.Taylor has helped countless women navigate the pivotal moments before, during, and after divorce—from making the decision to leave, to reentering the dating world, to establishing co-parenting boundaries. Drawing from her extensive experience and her work through Revive + Rise Coaching, she emphasizes the importance of sustainable rituals, nervous system care, and somatic healing. Whether it's making your bed, going for a walk, or playing your favorite song in the morning, Taylor reminds listeners that transformation starts with the tiniest of choices. Her message is clear: healing doesn’t require perfection—it just requires presence.Listeners will walk away from this episode with a renewed sense of hope, permission to slow down, and the reminder that healing is nonlinear—and deeply personal. Taylor offers a powerful mindset shift: temporary pain is worth enduring when it leads to permanent peace. If you’ve been feeling paralyzed in your post-divorce life, this conversation is your sign to begin again—with grace, clarity, and support at your side.Learn more about Taylor: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/revive-rise-coaching🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/divorcehappenspod/📬 Newsletter: https://divorceguide.substack.com/

No one tells you that the real work begins after the divorce papers are signed. You’ve survived the legal battle, maybe even the emotional minefield—but now, you're left with silence, a new reality, and a nervous system that doesn’t know what safety feels like anymore. In this powerful episode of Divorce Happens, host Olivia Howell sits down with Madison Rose, CEO of Better Half to Whole and a somatic practitioner specializing in divorce recovery, to talk about what healing really looks like after divorce.Madison brings a refreshing blend of compassion and practicality to the table, walking us through how divorce recovery starts with the smallest things—drinking water, brushing your hair, figuring out what to eat when everything feels unfamiliar. She explains how trauma from divorce doesn’t just live in our minds, but in our bodies, often resurfacing as physical reactions to everyday triggers. With warmth and clarity, Madison shares how her work helps people regulate their nervous systems and find steadiness again, even while still co-parenting or dealing with an ex.Together, Olivia and Madison explore how post-divorce healing is nonlinear, layered, and deeply individual. Whether it takes six months or six years, Madison reminds us that wholeness is not only possible, but worth fighting for. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s quietly wondering why they don’t feel “done” yet—and offers concrete tools and hope for the long road home to yourself.Learn more about Better Half to Whole: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/better-half-to-whole🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/divorcehappenspod/📬 Newsletter: https://divorceguide.substack.com/

In this deeply honest episode of Divorce Happens, Olivia Howell sits down with writer and mother Elizabeth Wilson to talk about what really happens after you say, “I want a divorce.” Elizabeth shares the three most profound lessons she learned during her split: discovering her inner strength, reclaiming financial independence, and unlearning the fear of love after loss. Her story is one of resilience, clarity, and finding the courage to start over on your own terms.As a former stay-at-home mom with no income and no roadmap, Elizabeth opens up about the moment everything shifted—a solo week of parenting that revealed just how heavy the emotional weight of her relationship had become. She speaks candidly about building a new life, launching a writing career, and preparing for a second marriage that feels grounded and safe. Through her reflections, she redefines what it means to thrive after divorce.Elizabeth also talks about the grief of separation, especially when children are involved, and the isolation of being the first in her circle to experience divorce. Her memoir-in-progress and her platform aim to fill the gaps she once searched for—raw, real support for women navigating the darkest and most transformative chapters of their lives.🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/divorcehappenspod/📬 Newsletter: https://divorceguide.substack.com/

When Heather Sweeney left her marriage, she wasn’t just walking away from a relationship—she was reclaiming an identity that had been lost in the shadows of military life. In this powerful and honest episode, Heather joins Olivia Howell to share the story behind her memoir Camouflage, diving into the fear, uncertainty, and ultimate freedom that came with her divorce journey. From feeling stuck and scared as a stay-at-home mom, to rebuilding her life on her own terms, Heather’s story is one of resilience, clarity, and becoming whole again.Together, Heather and Olivia unpack what it means to start over when you don’t even remember who you are anymore. They talk about the emotional toll of comparing divorces, the importance of self-trust and therapy, and why walking away from what’s safe can sometimes be the bravest decision of all. Heather’s experience navigating military divorce adds an important layer to the conversation, reminding listeners that every divorce is deeply personal and uniquely complex.Whether you’re currently in a relationship that’s no longer serving you, navigating a divorce of your own, or finding your footing on the other side, this conversation will leave you feeling less alone—and a little more hopeful. Heather’s wisdom is generous and grounding, and her message is clear: you are allowed to thrive after divorce. You are allowed to be whole.🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/divorcehappenspod/📬 Newsletter: https://divorceguide.substack.com/

In this powerful episode of Divorce Happens, we sit down with Magalie René —CEO, reinvention architect, and multi-time divorce survivor—for a deeply honest and uplifting conversation about healing, transformation, and grace. Magalie opens up about the lessons she’s learned through multiple divorces, including how she turned moments of grief and uncertainty into stepping stones for reinvention. Her story is both raw and radiant, a reminder that the path to a fresh start is rarely linear—but it is always possible.Magalie walks us through the emotional landscape of life after divorce, from navigating anger without shame to embracing authenticity without bitterness. She shares how cultivating self-love and compassionate communication allowed her to not only heal but to evolve. Her insights are deeply validating for anyone questioning their worth or wondering if they’ll ever feel like themselves again. Spoiler: You will—and you may even become someone better than you imagined.Whether you’re in the middle of a messy breakup, contemplating your next chapter, or years out and still finding your footing, this conversation is for you. Magalie reminds us that there’s no one "right" way to rebuild—but with support, gentleness, and intentional reinvention, it is possible to glow again. You’re not behind. You’re on the path. And Magalie’s wisdom will help light the way.🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/divorcehappenspod/📬 Newsletter: https://divorceguide.substack.com/

In this powerful episode of Divorce Happens, host Olivia Howell welcomes back family psychotherapist and author Dr. Joanna Hulton for an emotional and illuminating conversation about parenting through divorce. Responding to a listener's heartfelt question, Dr. Hulton explores how children mirror their parents' emotional states—and why our efforts to protect them often backfire. Whether it’s letting your child sleep in your bed or overcompensating with affection, Joanna explains how these well-meaning actions can inadvertently heighten your child’s sense of instability.Together, Olivia and Joanna dig deep into child development, explaining the critical balance between providing a “secure base” and encouraging “adventure.” Joanna walks listeners through how divorce uproots these developmental needs and how both parents can consciously rebuild them in separate households. The conversation offers comforting yet practical advice on age-appropriate honesty, emotional regulation, and collaborative co-parenting—even when communication with an ex is challenging.Plus, Joanna introduces her work with The Children’s Peace Initiative and her upcoming podcast Seen and Heard, both dedicated to helping kids and families feel truly supported. Whether you're newly separated or years into co-parenting, this episode offers the kind of insight that will have you nodding, crying, and—most importantly—feeling less alone.Learn more about Dr. Joanna Hulton: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/joanna-hulton-phd🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/divorcehappenspod/📬 Newsletter: https://divorceguide.substack.com/

 In this deeply transformative episode, Olivia Howell welcomes energy healer and coach Maureen Magauran to dive into the energetics of healing during and after divorce. Maureen, formerly a holistic psychiatrist, invites listeners to view divorce not merely as an ending but as a powerful transition—akin to mourning a death—that demands grieving, letting go of old patterns, and reclaiming one’s true self. Filled with tender guidance, the conversation explores how unraveling these energetic ties creates space for profound personal evolution.Maureen breaks down how to release the ingrained patterns—people-pleasing, performance-driven behavior—and reconnect with the inner child. She shares practical steps (journaling prompts, compassionate self-inquiry) and explains her work teaching clients to access their energetic body, fostering liberation and presence. The healing can actually be joyful and feel like an adventure, she reveals, because it reconnects you with your soul’s whisper and clearer sense of purpose.The conversation shifts to the vital ripple effect: as you heal, everyone around you benefits—children, friends, family. Maureen emphasizes that divorce is an act of courage and an opportunity to ignite your voice, power, and gifts. She advises navigating energetic ties with intention, honoring the complexity before cutting cords, and leaning into community and self-care. With warmth and validation, she leaves listeners with powerful encouragement: trust in your capacity to heal, grow, and flourish.Learn more about Maureen and get in touch: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/maureen-magauran-md🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/divorcehappenspod/📬 Newsletter: https://divorceguide.substack.com/

In this powerful episode of Divorce Happens, host Olivia Howell sits down with therapist and coach Laura Fink to talk about the emotional complexity of considering divorce. Laura, a master-certified coach for high-achieving women, shares her perspective on how therapy creates a safe, judgment-free space to process relationship struggles and untangle internal patterns before making life-changing decisions. Together, they explore what it really means to ask yourself, “Should I stay or should I go?”Laura emphasizes that therapy can be especially impactful when sought early—before couples enter crisis mode. She shares the difference between individual therapy and couples counseling, and why getting clear on your own desires, patterns, and pain points is often more effective than navigating a conflicted relationship space with a partner. Olivia and Laura also dig into the transformative power of journaling as a way to peel back surface-level frustrations and uncover the core emotional needs behind the conflict.Whether you’re quietly questioning your relationship or in the thick of decision-making, this episode offers gentle, grounding wisdom. You’ll walk away with practical tools like journal prompts, a deeper understanding of how therapy works, and a reminder that you don’t need to do this alone. Divorce may be common—but with the right support, it can also be empowering.Get in touch and learn more: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/laura-fink-coaching-and-therapy🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/divorcehappenspod/📬 Newsletter: https://divorceguide.substack.com/

What if your divorce didn’t have to destroy your family—or your finances? In this powerful episode of Divorce Happens, Olivia Howell sits down with the one and only Laura Wasser, celebrity divorce attorney, bestselling author, and Chief of Divorce Evolution at Divorce.com. Known for representing stars like Kim Kardashian, Ryan Reynolds, and Angelina Jolie, Laura brings her decades of experience to the mic to share exactly what people need to know before they file for divorce.Laura outlines the three essential considerations when you're contemplating divorce: your children, your finances, and your legal rights. She explains why staying together “for the kids” may actually do more harm than good, why understanding your assets and debts is non-negotiable, and how to educate yourself on the laws in your state before you even make a move. Her wisdom is firm but kind—backed by real-world insight and compassion for what families go through.And of course, Laura gets personal. She reminds us that divorce isn’t a legal war—it’s a transition. Her advice? Pause before posting, find a strong support system, and never forget: the person you’re divorcing is still part of your story. This episode is filled with heart, clarity, and exactly the kind of guidance you wish someone had given you sooner. As Laura says, “This too shall pass.”

In this gripping episode of Divorce Happens, we sit down with divorce coach and Fresh Starts expert Tamar Barbash for a candid, compassionate conversation about navigating divorce when infidelity is involved. Tamar shares how betrayal often forces us to confront deeper truths in our relationships—and ourselves—and why it’s so important to pause, ask the right questions, and listen honestly to the answers that come up.Tamar challenges conventional thinking about “saving” a marriage, especially when the sunk cost fallacy—believing you’ve put in too much to walk away—keeps people stuck. From considering how children learn about relationships through their parents to unpacking why women often justify staying for everyone else’s benefit, this conversation is packed with insights for anyone facing the storm of infidelity.Whether you're knee-deep in indecision, recovering from betrayal, or simply wondering what’s next, Tamar offers one simple truth: You don’t have to decide today. Divorce is hard—but doable. And with the right support, your next chapter can be the most empowering one yet.Learn more about Tamar on her profile: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/new-beginnings-breakup-and-divorce-coaching🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:The first & only divorce registry + support platform ➡ https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry🎙 Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/divorcehappenspod/📬 Newsletter: https://divorceguide.substack.com/