Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast

If your mind won't stop spinning during divorce... replaying conversations, jumping from fear to fear, or waking up at 3AM with urgency... you're not alone. And more importantly… you're not thinking clearly. In this episode, Karen McMahon breaks down what's really happening when you spiral during divorce, and why it can lead to the very decisions you'll later regret. When your nervous system is ov...

If you've been going back and forth on the "should I stay or should I go" question, you already know how exhausting it is. You try to think your way to an answer. You second-guess yourself. And still — you feel stuck. In this episode, Karen McMahon is going to help you begin to find real clarity — not just talk you through the feelings, but give you a different way of looking at what's actually ha...

In this episode of Journey Beyond Divorce, Karen McMahon sits down with Stacy Francis, CFP®, CDFA®, CES™ , President and CEO of Francis Financial, to unpack one of the most complex and often overlooked aspects of divorce: executive compensation. When income extends beyond a traditional paycheck to include RSUs, stock options, deferred bonuses, and long-term incentive plans, the financial landscape...

In this episode of the Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast , I'm joined by Wendy Valentine for a really honest and uplifting conversation about something I see so often: how easy it is to get stuck after divorce and begin living smaller than you're meant to. Wendy shares what it looked like when her life unraveled all at once. At 45, she was navigating divorce, unemployment, $150,000 in debt, chronic i...

n this Voices of Celebration episode, I'm sitting down with Lauren, a woman who, for years, lived in that in-between space so many of you know all too well… where nothing is fully resolved, yet everything feels like it's on the line. From the outside, her life looked successful. She was a business owner, had two homes, and was raising three children. But behind closed doors, she was carrying overw...

Divorce isn't just something you go through —it's something you grow through . It's an emotional reorganization of your family, and how you navigate that transition matters more than most people realize. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Sarah Bren, clinical psychologist and attachment expert, for a powerful conversation about what our kids really need from us during divorce—and how we can show u...

Money has a way of stirring up a lot during divorce—fear, anger, uncertainty, and sometimes a deep sense of injustice. And when it comes to spousal support, those emotions can run even higher. Questions like Who pays? For how long? And what's actually fair? can quickly turn into battlegrounds if you don't understand how the process really works. In today's episode, I'm joined by Anthony Diaz, also...

In this episode of the Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast, Karen McMahon sits down with relationship expert Alison Armstrong to explore how fundamental differences between men and women often fuel misunderstanding, conflict, and disconnection—both in marriage and during divorce. Alison shares powerful insights into how men and women process the world differently, including the concept of single-focus...

In this powerful Voices of Celebration episode, Gail shares an honest and deeply personal journey from chronic self-doubt to grounded self-confidence. For years, self-doubt shaped how she showed up in her marriage, her divorce, and her relationship with herself. Fear of conflict, second-guessing her decisions, and a lack of self-trust left her feeling small and uncertain about her future. What mak...

In this episode of the Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast, host Karen McMahon and guest Shana James explore the complex dynamics of masculine and feminine energies during the divorce process. They discuss how imbalances in these energies can sabotage divorce decisions and offer frameworks to help listeners reclaim their power. Shana shares her expertise from 20 years of studying trust, connection, and...

When you're in a high-conflict divorce, the behaviors often feel indistinguishable. Gaslighting. Manipulation. Control. Chaos. Emotional whiplash. It's why so many people fixate on one question: Is my spouse a narcissist? In this episode, I'm joined by licensed psychotherapist and narcissistic abuse expert Chelsey Brooke Cole to explore a deeper truth—when the impact on you feels the same, does th...

What is it truly like for children growing up in divorced families? In this episode, I sit down with Bella Duncan, creator of A Kid With Two Homes , who gives us a rare and honest perspective on divorce from the child's point of view. Now an adult, Bella reflects on her own experiences and sheds light on the challenges kids often navigate silently when moving between two households. We dive into t...

As we close the chapter on 2025, I want to offer you something different than the usual New Year's resolutions. Not another list you'll abandon by February, but a blueprint. One that gently, intentionally reshapes who you're becoming. This year changed me. I was deeply impacted by Hal Elrod's Miracle Morning , Mike Drinkhahn's unwavering optimism, Gay Hendricks' transformational work in The Big Le...

🔥 Our Most-Viewed Episode of the Year! Lundy Bancroft Exposes Abuse in Family Court ⚖️🧨 As we close out this year, we're bringing back the conversation that struck the deepest chord with our audience — the episode that sparked hundreds of messages from listeners who finally felt seen . In this powerful, eye-opening discussion, Lundy Bancroft — internationally recognized authority on narcissism,...

In this episode of the Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast , Karen McMahon sits down with divorce attorney Andrea Vacca, Esq. to explore the unique pressures of the holiday season when you're considering divorce. This is the stage where uncertainty weighs heavily, information is still being gathered, and you may not be ready—or safe—to share your plans with anyone. Family gatherings, traditions, and ex...

In this episode of the Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast, I'm speaking directly to the men who are walking through the intensity of high conflict divorce — the pressure, the triggers, the confusion, and the deep internal unraveling that often comes with it. Men in high conflict divorce are asked to hold an extraordinary amount: to respond instead of react, to stay grounded when provoked, and to lead...

In this episode of the  Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast , we dive deep with Cheryl, a mother of two, whose post-divorce journey reflects the emotional complexity so many women face when rebuilding their lives. Cheryl holds nothing back, discussing the early fears she carried—from concerns around safety and childhood wounds resurfacing, to the sheer uncertainty of starting over. Listen as she reveal...

In this episode, I'm inviting you into one of the most tender and complicated questions you may ever face: How Do I Know If It's Time to Divorce?  If you've been living in a cycle of uncertainty, replaying conversations, second-guessing yourself, or worrying about the impact on your children, this conversation is designed to bring you clarity, calm, and a grounded sense of direction. I explore the...

In this episode of the Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast, we explore one of the most important strategies for navigating divorce: building a collaborative team from the start. I talk with Andrea Vacca, a leading collaborative divorce attorney, about how legal, financial, and emotional professionals working together can reduce stress, protect your long-term goals, and create smoother outcomes. We disc...

Are you worried your spouse is hiding money or manipulating finances during your divorce? In high-conflict divorces, it's all too common for funds to be moved, concealed, or dissipated, leaving one partner in the dark and anxious about their financial future. In this episode of the  Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast , I dive into the high-stakes world of divorce forensics and financial investigations...

Why do so many relationships fall apart because one partner can't—or won't—connect emotionally? Why do men and women alike find themselves trapped in cycles of emotional immaturity, disconnection, and pain that lead to divorce? For many women, life with an emotionally unavailable or immature partner feels confusing and isolating. For single moms, the question becomes: How do I raise an emotionally...

Have you ever wondered why, even after divorce, your ex still feels energetically present in your life? Divorce isn't just the end of a relationship... it's a profound emotional, energetic, and spiritual transition. Long after the legal papers are signed and the physical separation is complete, many people remain unconsciously bonded to their former spouse, feeling stuck in emotional patterns, att...

When your wife says she wants a divorce... and you never saw it coming... it can feel like your world is collapsing. Most men panic in that moment. They chase, plead, argue, or withdraw… all the things that feel natural, but only push her further away. In this episode of the Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast , I sit down with transformational men's coach Tim Wade, who brings over 25 years of experien...

Co-parenting is never easy—but when your ex displays narcissistic or emotionally abusive behaviors, it can feel impossible. You're not just managing logistics—you're protecting your peace, supporting your children, and trying not to lose yourself in the chaos. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. David Hawkins, founder of the Marriage Recovery Center and the Emotional Abuse Institute. With over four...

Healing from narcissistic abuse during divorce is one of the hardest emotional battles you'll ever face. The confusion, self-doubt, and emotional traps can feel endless—but recovery is possible, and faster than you think. In this episode of the Journey Beyond Divorce podcast, Karen McMahon speaks with Dr. Justine Weber, licensed psychologist and narcissistic abuse recovery coach, about breaking fr...