Divorce Happens

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...

In this episode, Olivia Howell explains why holidays, birthdays, milestones, and family gatherings feel extra heavy when your marriage is struggling — even when nothing visibly “goes wrong.” She breaks down the emotional expectations, hidden grief, and internal contrast that make these moments so triggering. This five-minute episode brings validation and clarity for anyone feeling overwhelmed duri...

In this episode, Olivia Howell explains why so many people over-explain themselves during divorce — and how to stop. Learn the emotional origins of over-explaining, the nervous system patterns behind it, and simple scripts for clearer, calmer communication. This five-minute episode brings validation and empowerment to anyone trying to break people-pleasing habits during divorce. 🔗 Check out Fresh...

There’s a moment in many marriages that seems small on the surface—a missed gesture, a forgotten request, a quiet disappointment—but carries the weight of everything that came before it. In this episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell sits down with Lindsey Andrews , a divorce attorney turned divorce coach with more than 20 years of experience in family law, to talk about those moments—and why...

In this episode, Olivia Howell explains why your body often registers the truth of your marriage long before your mind does. She breaks down the physical and somatic signs — exhaustion, tightness, dread, fog, and more — and helps listeners understand how their nervous system protects them during marital distress. This five-minute episode is grounding, validating, and deeply reassuring for anyone n...

In this episode, Olivia Howell teaches the power of neutral scripts — simple, grounded phrases that prevent conflict from escalating during divorce. Learn how to communicate clearly, protect your emotional energy, and stay regulated even in tense conversations. This five-minute episode is essential for anyone navigating conflict, co-parenting challenges, or emotional overwhelm. 🔗 Check out Fresh...

The holidays have a way of cracking things open—especially after divorce. In this episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell sits down with Dr. Elana Hoffman , a clinical psychologist and relationship expert, to talk honestly about what it really means to navigate the holiday season as a divorced or divorcing parent. From the quiet grief of unmet expectations to the logistical chaos of co-parentin...

Divorce can be deeply destabilizing—even when it looks calm or “amicable” on the outside. In this episode of Divorce Happens , host Olivia Howell speaks with Chavisa Horemans , a trauma-informed divorce, co-parenting, and chronic health coach , about what actually happens in the body and nervous system during divorce—and why healing and decision-making must begin with safety, regulation, and suppo...

In this powerful episode, Olivia Howell explains how to tell if you’re being gaslit or emotionally minimized in your marriage. She breaks down the subtle signs — from rewritten events to chronic self-doubt — and helps you understand why confusion itself is a major indicator. This five-minute episode brings clarity and validation to anyone feeling dismissed, blamed, or overwhelmed in their relation...

In this episode, Olivia Howell guides listeners through the first financial step of divorce: simply noticing what exists. She breaks down how to face money fears without spiraling, what to look for, and how to move from panic to curiosity. This gentle, grounded episode helps listeners take their first empowered step toward financial clarity. 🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry: The first & only...

In this episode, Olivia Howell shares how to make your home feel safe again during divorce — even in the middle of emotional upheaval. Learn small, meaningful steps to reclaim your space, create calm, reduce triggers, and build an environment that supports healing. This five-minute episode offers grounding and guidance for anyone feeling unsettled or overwhelmed in their own home during separation...

In this episode, Olivia Howell explores the often-hidden grief of divorce — the grief not only for the marriage you had, but for the future you imagined. Olivia explains the layers of loss that come with separation, from identity shifts to emotional nostalgia to the mourning of long-held dreams. This five-minute episode brings validation, tenderness, and clarity to anyone navigating the emotional...

In this episode, Olivia Howell explains how to set your very first boundary during divorce — the small, critical limit that helps protect your peace and emotional wellbeing. She breaks down what boundaries actually are, how to choose one, and how to hold it when others resist. This five-minute episode is essential for anyone feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or unsure how to advocate for t...

There’s a very specific ache that surfaces around the holidays during divorce—the moment you look around and realize the traditions you counted on, the rituals you built, or the family shape you once imagined no longer match the reality in front of you. In this episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia sits down with certified divorce and co-parenting coach Lisa Lisser , whose background as a lawyer, no...

In this compassionate episode, Olivia Howell explores why so many people feel guilty for putting themselves first during divorce — and why prioritizing your own wellbeing is not selfish, but essential. She breaks down the conditioning that keeps people over-functioning and explains how choosing yourself is an act of emotional survival. This five-minute episode offers grounding and permission for a...

In this episode, Olivia Howell explains why guilt is one of the most common emotions during divorce — even when the marriage has been painful or unfulfilling. She breaks down the sources of guilt, including social conditioning, emotional caregiving, anticipatory guilt, and the discomfort of choosing yourself after years of self-sacrifice. This five-minute episode offers compassion, clarity, and va...

Most people imagine divorce like a courtroom drama: two lawyers, a judge, and a battle that leaves everyone bruised. But in this episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell pulls back the curtain on what actually happens in the vast majority of divorces—and why a calmer, smarter path is often hiding in plain sight. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the divorce process, afraid of the costs, or desper...

In this episode, Olivia Howell shares how to open up to a trusted friend about what’s happening in your marriage — without feeling pressured or judged. Learn how to choose the right person, how to begin the conversation, and what to say when you're not ready for advice or decisions. This five-minute episode provides emotional safety and practical scripts for anyone navigating marriage uncertainty....

Divorce 101: A to Z is a 26-episode educational mini-series from the Divorce Happens podcast, created to make divorce easier to understand, less overwhelming, and far more human. Hosted by Olivia Howell—founder of Fresh Starts Registry and a leading voice in modern divorce education—the series breaks down divorce terms, concepts, and processes one letter at a time, from A to Z. Each episode is sho...

In this episode, Olivia Howell explains why practical planning is one of the most grounding and empowering tools during divorce. She shares simple, doable steps — from seven-day lists to emotional check-ins — that help you feel steadier during an overwhelming time. This five-minute episode is perfect for anyone who feels lost, chaotic, or stuck in survival mode. 🔗 Check out Fresh Starts Registry:...