In this episode of The Happily Never After, host Heather McG welcomes Andrea Rappaport, co-host of top How Not to Suck at Divorce. Andrea shares her journey of overcoming an abusive marriage, the impact of her childhood on her adult relationships, and her path to healing and self-discovery. She discusses the importance of recognizing red flags, the challenges of rebuilding life post-divorce, and the ongoing process of personal growth.

TAKEAWAYS

• We often marry before knowing our true selves and worth.

• Ignoring the truth can lead to detrimental life choices.
• Panic attacks can be a sign of unresolved past trauma.
• Rebuilding life post-divorce requires laying a new foundation.
• It's common to seek validation through dating after divorce.
• Children can sense unhealthy parental relationships.
• Personal growth is an ongoing journey, not a finished product.
• Physical movement can help break mental paralysis.
• Professional help is more beneficial than relying solely on friends.

ABOUT ANDREA RAPPAPORT

Andrea Rappaport is the co-host of the popular podcast How Not to Suck at Divorce. She's been featured on News Nation, TODAY show online, The Tamron Hall Show, as well as numerous appearances on local TV. Andrea uses her comedy skills and money her father spent on voice lessons, dance lessons and The Second City Conservatory to help divorcing individuals exhale and feel less alone. After leaving an abusive marriage when her boys were 2 and 4, Andrea is an advocate and public speaker on not only recognizing, red flags in relationship, but acting on them. She is happily remarried to man funnier than she is and lives in the northern suburbs of Chicago with her wildly crazy blended family. When she's not on the air or running her marketing firm, she can be seen hunting for discount fashion at TJ Maxx or Marshalls.

• Follow Andrea on Instagram at @theandrearappaport
• Follow Andrea on TikTok at @divorcepodcast

MORE ABOUT THE HAPPILY NEVER AFTER

The Happily Never After is a podcast that features stories of big endings that led to personal breakthroughs. While endings can hurt, they also provide opportunities to heal and grow, and sometimes, they even set us free. Endings can offer an opportunity to begin anew, in a better way, and that’s what we’re here to talk about.

• New episodes every Tuesday.
• Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thatheathermcg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on IG for related content and discussion.
• Read The Happily Never After on Substack at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thehappilyneverafter.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Learn more about Heather McG at ⁠⁠⁠www.heathermcg.com⁠