Divorce Happens

In this Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell explains one of the most essential parts of the divorce process: orders . Brought to you by the letter O and the number 4 , this episode breaks down the four major types of orders — temporary orders, financial orders, custody and parenting time orders, and final orders — and explains how they guide, protect, and structure the en...

In this episode of Divorce Happens , host Olivia Howell speaks with therapist and divorce recovery expert Oona Metz about why healing after divorce happens faster—and feels less isolating—when it’s done in community. Drawing on nearly 30 years of clinical experience and 15+ years leading women’s divorce support groups, Oona breaks down what actually happens inside a therapist-led divorce support g...

In this Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell explains the importance of notice in the divorce process. Brought to you by the letter N and the number 30 , the episode breaks down what notice is, why legally valid service is required, what methods are accepted in most states, and how notice ensures fairness, predictability, and due process in divorce proceedings. Listeners l...

When I went through my own divorce, I wasn’t looking for legal jargon or financial formulas—I was looking for someone who could sit with me in the emotional wreckage and say, You’re not broken. You’re becoming. In this solo episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell shares why Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women is the book she desperately needed during her own divorce—and why she bel...

In this Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell breaks down the meaning of mediation — one of the most common and collaborative ways to navigate divorce without litigation. Brought to you by the letter M and the number 3 , the episode explains the three essential qualities that make mediation successful: openness, honesty, and willingness to find common ground. Listeners lear...

Divorce doesn’t usually arrive all at once. It creeps in through sleepless nights, quiet dread, and the feeling that the life you’re living no longer fits the person you’ve become. In this episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell sits down with therapist and Fresh Starts Expert Oona Metz , whose decades of clinical experience—and lived experience—offer rare clarity in the fog of divorce. Oona is...

In this Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell explains what a legal separation is, how it works, and why some couples choose it instead of divorce. Brought to you by the letter L and the number 6 , this episode outlines the six most common reasons couples choose legal separation — from health insurance considerations to religious beliefs to emotional readiness and financial...

In today’s Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell explains what a kitchen table agreement is and how couples can use this collaborative approach to outline the terms of their divorce without high conflict or litigation. Brought to you by the letter K and the number 2 , this episode highlights why kitchen table agreements work best when two people can communicate respectfully...

In this Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell explains the meaning of a divorce judgment — the final court order that legally ends a marriage. Brought to you by the letter J and the number 2 , the episode breaks down the two major components of a judgment: the legal dissolution of the marriage, and the detailed terms outlining custody, support, property division, and more....

In this Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell breaks down one of the most common — and most misunderstood — legal terms in divorce: irreconcilable differences . Brought to you by the letter I and the number 1 , this episode explains the meaning of irreconcilable differences in plain language, why it exists, and why most modern divorces use this no-fault ground. Listeners le...

In today’s Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell breaks down what a hearing actually is during a divorce. Brought to you by the letter H and the number 10 , this five-minute explanation clarifies why hearings are usually short, simple, and procedural — often lasting 10 minutes or less — and why they matter even when they feel overwhelming. Listeners learn what happens durin...

In today’s Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell breaks down a key legal term at the start of every case: grounds for divorce . Brought to you by the letter G and the number 2 , this five-minute guide explains the difference between fault-based and no-fault divorce, how each option works, and why most modern divorces proceed through the no-fault pathway. Listeners will lear...

In this episode of Divorce Happens , we continue the Divorce 101 A to Z series with the letter F , breaking down the meaning of financial disclosure — one of the most essential steps in any divorce. Brought to you by the letter F and the number 30, this short, approachable episode explains what financial disclosure includes, why transparency is legally required, and how accurate information lays t...

In today’s Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell explains the meaning of equitable distribution , the system most states use to divide marital property during divorce. Brought to you by the letter E and the number 50 , this short, accessible episode helps listeners understand why equitable does not always mean 50/50 — and why fairness is based on context, not simple math. L...

In today’s Divorce 101 A to Z episode of the Divorce Happens podcast, Olivia Howell breaks down the meaning of a divorce decree , the final court order that officially ends a marriage. Brought to you by the letter D and the number 1 , this short, accessible episode explains what a decree includes, why it matters, and how it functions as the single, legally binding document that shapes life after d...

In this episode of Divorce Happens , we continue the Divorce 101 A to Z series with the letter C , focusing on one of the most important and emotional aspects of divorce: custody . Brought to you by the letter C and the number 2, this short, accessible episode explains the difference between legal custody and physical custody, how parenting schedules work, and why custody is not about ‘winning’ or...

This episode of Divorce Happens continues the Divorce 101 A to Z series with the letter B , where we break down one of the most important emotional skills during divorce: boundaries . Brought to you by the letter B and the number 2, this short, compassionate episode explains what boundaries are, why they matter, and how they can dramatically reduce conflict and overwhelm during a divorce or separa...

Welcome to Divorce 101 A to Z , the Divorce Happens mini-episode series designed to make confusing divorce terms simple, compassionate, and easy to understand. Today’s episode is brought to you by the letter A and the number 12 , and we’re breaking down one of the most foundational financial terms in divorce: alimony . Host Olivia Howell explains what alimony really is (and what it isn’t), why cou...

In this episode, Olivia Howell explores the quiet but powerful turning point in divorce: the moment you realize you’re going to be okay. She explains how this moment emerges through small acts of courage, emotional honesty, and nervous system healing — long before life feels fully stable again. This five-minute episode offers deep reassurance and hope for anyone in the thick of divorce. 🔗 Check o...

In this empowering episode, Olivia Howell breaks down the earliest signs that you’re becoming stronger during divorce — from clearer boundaries to emotional steadiness to the slow return of self-trust. She explains how empowerment grows quietly and consistently, long before life feels fully stable again. This five-minute episode offers grounded encouragement for anyone navigating divorce or contem...

In this validating episode, Olivia Howell explains the real reasons you feel exhausted during divorce — from nervous system overwhelm to emotional labor to decision fatigue. She breaks down the emotional, physical, and psychological load you’re carrying and reminds you that your exhaustion is not failure — it’s survival. This five-minute episode is a grounding companion for anyone feeling depleted...

Divorce can feel like standing in the wreckage of a life you thought would last forever—unsure where to step next, unsure who you are now that everything familiar has cracked open. In this deeply affirming episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell sits down with Leah Marie Mazur , a Certified Divorce Recovery Coach whose work has become a lifeline for women navigating the emotional aftermath of d...

In this episode, Olivia Howell unpacks why so many people stay in difficult marriages hoping their partner will finally change. She explains the emotional roots of hope, why it lingers, and how to distinguish between healthy hope and harmful hope. This five-minute episode brings compassion, clarity, and perspective to anyone stuck in the “maybe they’ll change” cycle. 🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Regi...

Divorce doesn’t usually begin with a fight—it begins with quiet questions whispered late at night. Is there another way? Does this have to get ugly? Can we do this without destroying each other? In this episode of Divorce Happens , host Olivia Howell sits down with attorney Rosemarie Ferrante to explore a path many people don’t realize exists: collaborative divorce . From the very first moments of...

In this episode, Olivia Howell explores the secret emotional stage before divorce — the phase where you feel like you're living a double life. She explains why this happens, what it means, and how to navigate the internal conflict with gentleness and clarity. This five-minute episode is essential for anyone silently questioning their marriage or feeling stuck in emotional limbo. 🔗 Check out Fresh...