The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast

Relationship coach and author Bryan Reeves joins me this week to discuss relationships, personal growth, and societal constructs. Bryan's journey from military service to relationship coaching reveals insights into the power and necessity of connecting with emotions, especially for men.  Many of Bryan's insights are drawn from his work with couples and his book, "Choose Her Every Day or Leave Her,...

Psychologist and writer Kerry McAvoy joins me to discuss the challenges of being in a relationship with someone who has narcissistic personality disorder. We also delve into its effects on individuals and share insights on self-nurturing after the relationship ends. Kerry Kerr McAvoy is a psychologist and a writer who educates on social media about cultivating healthy relationships, deconstructing...

My guest, Jason VanRuler, shares his direct and honest approach to working with couples and offers a fresh perspective on overcoming past challenges and building exceptional relationships. During our conversation, you'll discover how to "Get Past Your Past" as Jason shares invaluable insights, emphasizing the importance of taking action and not seeking validation from others for your progress. We...

Forensic Accountant Tracy Coenen joins me for a conversation about the predatory nature of MLMs. In addition to investigating fraud for over 25 years, Tracy founded Pink Truth, a website that uncovers the problematic and damaging truth of multi-level marketing (MLM).  By and large, MLM schemes overwhelm and prey upon women, falsely promising entrepreneurship and financial freedom while making them...

Eli Harwood, the Attachment Nerd, joins me on the podcast this week to talk about attachment theory, building deep connections, and her new book, Securely Attached: Transform Your Attachment Patterns Into Loving, Lasting Romantic Relationships! We hear about attachment styles all the time. In this episode, Eli and I nerd out on all things attachment, get to the heart of how attachment patterns imp...

This week, we are talking about reinventing oneself on the other side of divorce. Jenny Eversole founded Stylespace.com, an online professional styling service that elevates your style with expert stylists. She joins me to discuss discovering your identity through style and aligning it with who you are now.  Jenny guides us through the process of defining our unique style identities. From curating...

Most narratives around narcissism in relationships center on individuals with narcissistic personalities. My guest this week, Dr. Ramani, shifts the focus to the survivors, giving them a voice and discussing the emotional turmoil and psychological impact of being in a relationship with a narcissistic individual. Through Dr. Ramani's latest book, "It's Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissi...

This week's episode explores the research behind narcissism and how it should inform the way victims should approach negotiation with them. My guest is none other than Rebecca Zung, a top 1 percent attorney in the nation and a globally recognized expert in narcissism negotiation. With two incredible books under her belt, including her new book "Slay the Bully: How to Negotiate with a Narcissist an...

This week, I welcome Laurie James back to the show as we delve into somatic therapy, exploring its effectiveness in healing and discovering techniques to soothe the nervous system. Whether you're navigating the complexities of contemplating divorce or actively undergoing the process, you're bound to encounter a myriad of emotions. Join us as we uncover various methods and resources for healing and...

Join me this week for an enlightening discussion with Priscilla Gilman, acclaimed author of the upcoming paperback release of her critically acclaimed memoir, The Critic's Daughter . Priscilla, a former professor of English literature at Yale and Vassar, brings a wealth of insight as we explore the intricacies of co-parenting and divorce. Beyond her literary achievements, Priscilla is one of my ol...

Beverly Price of Her Empowered Divorce joins me to share invaluable insights on preparing for divorce beyond the standard paperwork and financial considerations. Our conversation covers a range of featured topics and divorce dilemmas, including identifying domestic abuse, educating yourself about divorce, privacy concerns, and effective communication in court.  Join us for this enlightening conver...

Lesa Koski, a seasoned attorney turned mediator, joins me in this week's podcast episode. We delve into the seven common dilemmas women often encounter during divorce. Gain valuable insights and practical advice on overcoming these challenges, arming yourself with knowledge for the journey ahead.  Lesa is an accomplished attorney turned mediator with a passion for empowering individuals through th...

T.H. Irwin and Jessica Klingbaum, co-founders of the online platform exEXPERTS, return to the podcast this week to talk about divorced mom moments. When going through a divorce, the primary emphasis is often on the emotional and mental preparation and the legal requirements to navigate through the process. However, there's an unforeseen facet to the experience, including unexpected yet significant...

Are you familiar with the term intergenerational trauma? My guest, Dr. Mariel Buqué, explains intergenerational trauma as "shadows of emotional pain that has plagued families for generations."   Whether intergenerational trauma is a new term to you or something you've long been interested in shedding, this week's episode brings to light the complexities of this trauma and explores how to heal from...

This week's episode focuses on the impact of significant life transitions on relationships and mental health, emphasizing the need for open communication and understanding. Alessandra Torresani is my special-guest. She is a multi-hyphenate actress, host, creator, and mental health advocate. In this episode, Alessandra's candidness extends to societal stigmas, the fear of judgment, and the importan...

Do you know what your relationship style is? In this enlightening podcast episode, we delve into the fascinating world of relationship styles with Dr. Anita Knight Kuhnley, Associate Professor of Counseling at Liberty University and author of "The Mister Rogers Effect" and "The Four Relationship Styles: How Attachment Theory Can Help You in Your Search for Lasting Love" (releasing January 2024). D...

This week's episode revisits a fan-favorite conversation about coercive control with the incredible Dr. Christine Coccihola.  We explore how coercive control serves as the bedrock for a majority of domestic abuse cases, often manifesting in non-physical forms, and discuss the insidious nature of control, including its impact and how to get help if you are a victim.  Whether you're revisiting this...

Nicole Sodoma joins me on the podcast this week! Nicole is a marriage-loving divorce attorney, founder of Sodoma Law, and author of "Please Don't Say You're Sorry." In this episode, Nicole shares empowering advice from her book, offering a unique perspective on gracefully navigating the challenges of divorce.  Discover the thought-provoking concepts and questions that will compel you to lift your...

I have another solo episode for you this week and maybe a new series. Who knows. As we head into the holiday season, I'm diving into three essential topics—not putting your kids in the middle, creating new holiday traditions, and the concept of "the shifting of primary."  Tune in to hear me explore the challenges of co-parenting during the holidays and how to avoid inadvertently putting your child...

November is Family Court Awareness Month. My friend and colleague, Tina Swithin, has dedicated the month of November to educating people about the family court system: how corrupt it can be, how unfair it is, and how uneducated most people in the family law system are about domestic violence. Tina was a guest on my podcast a few years back to share the truths about the family court system. If you...

Solo episode alert!  This is more than any regular solo episode, though, because today I'm super excited to share a chapter from my upcoming book, The D Word: Making the Ultimate Decision About Your Marriage. The book comes out on December 26th, but in this episode, you're getting a sneak peek as I read Chapter 3, "Why Are Women so Unhappy in Their Marriages? How Marriage Exhausts Women and Benefi...

Today, we are tackling the daunting barriers that often prevent people from taking the first steps in the divorce process. Heather MacKenzie, President and Chief Content Officer of Hello Divorce joins me for a conversation about the complexities of divorce, including the paperwork, timelines, and policies that vary from state to state. This episode equips you with the knowledge and courage to embr...

Today, we delve into the world of Point C Divorce. For well-intentioned parents caught in the complexities of family conflicts, Larry and Joni have devised Point C Divorce as a solution. Their goal is clear: to minimize the effects of fiercely contested divorce battles on children, placing kids at the heart of every divorce. Following his tenure on the Superior Court bench in New Jersey, Larry tra...

This week, Patti Handy joins me on the podcast to discuss financial management after divorce and ways to regain financial stability. Patti is a Financial Coach for Women with over 20 years of experience as a Financial Advisor and Mortgage Advisor. Her journey into financial coaching was born out of a passion for teaching and empowering women with money smarts. In this episode, Patti shares practic...

Dr. Alexandra Solomon returns to the podcast this week to discuss her new book, Love Every Day . Part of the book's premise is that love needs to be a daily practice. Dr. Solomon shares her insights and wisdom about how to show up for the relationships in your life.   Dr. Alexandra H. Solomon, Ph. D., is internationally recognized as today's most trusted relationship voice. Her Relational Self-Awa...