Divorce Happens

Transitions between two homes can feel like fault lines for children of divorce—every Sunday night drop-off or Friday afternoon pickup carrying the weight of change. In this episode of Divorce Happens, host Olivia Howell sits down with child development expert Dr. Joanna Hulton to explore how parents can ease the turbulence of co-parenting transitions and help children feel secure in both homes. What begins as a listener’s heartfelt question about her six- and eight-year-old’s struggles with back-and-forth routines opens into a compassionate and deeply practical conversation about children’s developmental needs in divorce.

Dr. Hulton, a parenting psychologist, author, and long-time child advocate, brings decades of expertise to the conversation, weaving together research, clinical insights, and the lived realities of families navigating divorce. She highlights why consistency, transitional objects, and small rituals of acknowledgment can dramatically shift how children experience their “two houses.” Through anecdotes from both her professional practice and Olivia’s personal reflections, Dr. Hulton reveals how even small acts—like validating feelings instead of fixing them, or reframing “mom’s house” and “dad’s house” as your house with mom and your house with dad—can profoundly change how kids process separation.

At the heart of the episode is a reminder that co-parenting is not about erasing conflict overnight, but about creating space for children’s growth amid uncertainty. Listeners will walk away with both hope and actionable strategies: the power of shared language, the importance of seeing each home as “theirs,” and the courage to set aside adult hurt for the sake of children’s sense of safety. Divorce may redraw family maps, but as Dr. Hulton makes clear, parents can still chart paths that help their children thrive.

Learn more about Dr. Joanna Hulton: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/joanna-hulton-phd

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The first thing Samantha Boss tells us is that she did everything “wrong” the first time. It’s disarming and honest, the kind of confession that lets your shoulders drop. In this conversation, the Alabama-based divorce strategist—once a teacher, briefly a mediator, and now a high-conflict divorce coach with a fierce TikTok community—walks us through the moment her own life cracked open. She planned the conversation (“When do I say the word divorce?”) for six weeks, but not the life after. What followed—years of court dates, a four-page parenting plan that failed in real life, and the slow work of rebuilding—became the education she couldn’t find anywhere else.

Sam’s expertise is forged in the fire and refined by study: a decade of coaching high-conflict clients, writing airtight parenting plans, and helping parents adopt “radical acceptance” of the co-parent they actually have. She shares the hard-won mindset shift of not letting divorce define you, and the equally brave admission that she once tried to “perform” cordial co-parenting to her children’s confusion. Her kids—now 21 and 19—eventually named what they sensed all along: when a parent is dysregulated, the whole house knows. That truth redirected her work. Today Sam builds parenting plans that anticipate real life—jobs changing, new partners, sick days—and teaches clients to keep the case in one corner of the room so it doesn’t burn down the rest of their lives.

There’s hope threaded through every story. Sam calls it “diapers to diploma” planning: customized, practical, and designed to keep families out of court so parents can spend their time on connection, not conflict. Actionably, she urges listeners to front-load education, accept the co-parent in front of you, and calendar your legal tasks so you can be fully present with your kids. If you’re navigating a high-conflict divorce, wrestling with co-parenting, or rethinking your parenting plan, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a map forward—proof that you are not your divorce, and that healing is a practice you can learn.

Learn more about Sam here!

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The end of a marriage is never just paperwork—it’s an unraveling of identity, home, and history. In this deeply candid episode, we sit down with Kate Anthony, renowned divorce coach and host of The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast, to talk about what it really means to move through divorce with clarity and courage. Kate has spent over a decade guiding thousands of women through one of life’s most painful transitions, bridging the gap between therapy and legal strategy. Her wisdom comes not only from professional expertise but also from her lived experience of divorce, making her voice both practical and profoundly empathetic.

Kate reminds us that divorce isn’t just about separating finances or signing documents—it’s also about emotional separation. She shares hard-won lessons from her own journey and those of her clients: the importance of boundaries, the pitfalls of trying to “stay best friends” with your ex too soon, and the reality that children need clarity more than they need their parents to pretend everything is fine. Through powerful anecdotes, Kate illustrates how parallel parenting can evolve into healthier co-parenting, but only after each person has taken the time to heal and individuate.

At its core, this conversation is about empowerment. Kate’s insights challenge the fear of being alone, offering listeners a reframing: what if being alone is not something to dread, but a chance to rediscover who you are? She shows us that divorce can be the ultimate boundary-setting act—the moment you decide you deserve more than survival, you deserve joy. Listeners will leave this episode not just with strategies for navigating divorce, but with a sense of hope that healing, growth, and even laughter are possible on the other side.

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After divorce, many entrepreneurs find themselves unsure how to lead again—how to rebuild not just a business, but a sense of self. In this episode of Divorce Happens, we sit down with Chedva “Vivi” Ludmir, a business strategist, speaker, and Fresh Starts Expert who helps founders move from reactive survival mode into intentional, empowered leadership. Known for her work with women and service-based business owners, Vivi brings both practical strategy and soulful insight to the conversation, reminding listeners that the journey from “helper” to “founder” is as emotional as it is professional.

Drawing from her coaching framework and years of experience guiding entrepreneurs through life transitions, Vivi shares how self-compassion, narrative awareness, and intentional energy design can help divorced women reclaim their confidence as leaders. She explains how to identify and rewrite old stories of self-doubt, integrate daily rituals that anchor you in abundance, and build a business that aligns with the energy you want to embody. Through her advice, listeners learn how to lead themselves first—so they can lead their businesses with conviction, creativity, and calm.

This episode is both a roadmap and a reclamation. Listeners will leave with tangible strategies to rebuild their careers and emotional resilience after divorce, alongside a renewed sense of personal power. Vivi’s insights offer a powerful mindset shift: your divorce doesn’t define your business—it refines it. By choosing intentional leadership and compassionate self-partnership, you can design a future that feels authentically yours.

Learn more about Chedva Lumir: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/consider-by-chedva-ludmir

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The first days of divorce can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff—heart racing, mind spinning, and unsure where to step next. In this episode of Divorce Happens, we sit down with Meghan O’Malley, divorce coach, mediator, JD, and Fresh Starts Expert, who specializes in helping people find clarity, confidence, and calm at the very beginning of their divorce journey. With a background in law and years of experience coaching individuals through life transitions, Meghan brings a rare combination of professional authority and compassionate wisdom to the conversation.

Throughout the episode, Meghan unpacks what it means to stop drowning in information overload and instead ground yourself in what you actually need—whether that’s reassurance, strategy, or simply a pause. She challenges outdated ideas of what it means to be “strong” in divorce, reminding listeners that true resilience comes from seeking support and surrounding yourself with the right people. She also offers practical divorce recovery tips, like breaking down overwhelming challenges into smaller steps, cultivating intentionality over speed, and using checklists and community to stay steady through the chaos.

Listeners will leave this conversation with a new perspective on how to approach the early days of divorce with emotional resilience and practical strategy. Meghan’s insights offer not only reassurance but also actionable guidance: clarity about where to start, confidence in taking the next step, and calm knowing that you don’t have to face this process alone.

Learn more about Meghan O’Malley: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/divorce-brave

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Asking for help during divorce can feel impossible—especially when the world expects you to carry it all alone. In this powerful episode of Divorce Happens, we sit down with Lisa Lisser, a certified divorce and co-parenting coach and Fresh Starts Expert, to talk about what it really means to find the courage to ask for support. With compassion, clarity, and years of experience guiding clients through the most overwhelming seasons of life, Lisa shares why reaching out for help is not a weakness but the foundation of rebuilding.

Lisa walks us through the tools she uses with clients to reclaim confidence and direction during divorce. From developing financial clarity and becoming the “CFO of your life,” to building new communication protocols and preparing for tough conversations, her advice offers both practical strategies and emotional grounding. She also explores the complicated terrain of co-parenting, showing how parents can shift from combative dynamics to a child-centered, business-like model that prioritizes stability and well-being for kids.

This conversation is a reminder that you don’t have to go through divorce alone—and that calling your divorce coach first can change everything. Listeners will walk away with actionable steps for clarifying their values, strengthening boundaries, and navigating procedural choices with calm authority. Most importantly, Lisa’s wisdom reframes asking for help as an act of courage, one that allows you to start over stronger, clearer, and more supported than ever before.

Learn more about Lisa Lisser: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/lzl-coaching

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When you’re standing at the crossroads of divorce, one of the most overwhelming questions is whether the process will be uncontested—or turn into a lengthy, contested battle. In this episode of Divorce Happens, we sit down with Renee Turner, a respected family law attorney and Fresh Starts Expert, to explore the reality of uncontested divorce and what it takes for this path to truly work. Drawing on her extensive legal experience, Renee shares stories and insights that bring clarity to a process often shrouded in confusion and fear.

Renee explains the circumstances in which uncontested divorce is most effective—when there’s mutual respect, open communication, and agreement on key issues like child custody, property division, and spousal support. She also dives into the red flags that signal when uncontested divorce may not be appropriate, such as safety concerns, emotional manipulation, or a lack of transparency. Through her expertise, she shows how divorce doesn’t have to be synonymous with chaos; with the right conditions, it can be a collaborative process that protects both your peace of mind and your finances.

Listeners will walk away with practical tips and mindset shifts, including how to assess whether uncontested divorce is the right fit, how to prepare for conversations with your spouse, and what legal protections you need in place before moving forward. This conversation offers hope and clarity, proving that even in one of life’s hardest transitions, there are ways to move forward with dignity, safety, and strength.

Learn more about Renee Turner: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/thoughtful-lawyering-pllc

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After divorce, the world can feel like it’s spinning out of control. Even the smallest tasks—washing your hair, eating a real meal, or getting out of bed—can feel like climbing a mountain. In this powerful episode of Divorce Happens, divorce recovery guide and somatic practitioner Madisen Rose brings honesty and compassion to one of the hardest realities of post-divorce life: sometimes the basics are the bravest acts of self-care.

Madisen shares her philosophy of “back to basics” healing, offering listeners five simple practices—hydration, rest, nutrition, movement, and hygiene—that become anchors in the chaos of transition. Drawing from both her professional expertise and her lived experience, she reminds us that it isn’t about lofty wellness goals or reinventing yourself overnight. Healing begins with the smallest gestures, like pouring a glass of water or brushing your teeth, and building from there with patience and compassion.

Through her work with clients, Madisen has seen how tiny, consistent acts of care can shift someone from surviving to slowly thriving. In this conversation, she offers both clarity and hope, showing listeners that progress doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful. You’ll walk away with permission to keep it simple, a mindset shift around what counts as “self-care,” and the gentle reminder that sometimes survival itself is a triumph.

Learn more about Madisen Rose: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/better-half-to-whole

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Losing your voice in marriage—whether through years of conflict, emotional neglect, or simply the slow erosion of self—can feel like one of the deepest wounds of divorce. It’s not just about starting over with a new home or co-parenting schedule. It’s about remembering who you are, and daring to put words around that identity again. In this episode of Divorce Happens, we explore what it really means to reclaim your voice after divorce, and why it matters for your healing.

Our guest, Dara Resnik, is a writer and director whose work in film and television is rooted in storytelling, character, and truth. As a Fresh Starts Expert, she brings not only professional expertise but also personal lived experience of divorce. Dara knows what it feels like to come out of a relationship turned upside down, and she offers five fresh, practical tips for finding your voice again—ranging from journaling practices to creative exploration, community support, and the courage to share your story.

Throughout the conversation, Dara reminds us that voice is more than words—it’s about identity, safety, and power. Whether you’re navigating silence after emotional abuse, or simply unsure of who you are outside your marriage, Dara’s insights offer both clarity and comfort. By the end of the episode, you’ll leave with not just tools, but also a reminder: divorce may have rewritten your story, but you still hold the pen.

Learn more about Dara Resnik: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/little-bear-ink

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Music has a way of reaching the places words can’t, and in times of family transition, those quiet melodies often hold the most healing. In this episode of Divorce Happens, host Olivia Howell sits down with Mama Nous, a singer-songwriter who has reimagined what children’s music can be. Far from the repetitive jingles many of us grew up with, her songs are rich with emotional intelligence, compassion, and truth—crafted to speak not only to kids, but also to the parents and caregivers guiding them through life’s hardest moments.

Though happily married now, Mama Nous carries the perspective of both being a parent herself and having grown up as a child of divorce. She knows intimately how difficult it can be to find language that helps kids feel secure, loved, and understood. Her music bridges that gap with lyrics that serve as a gentle witness: words that assure children they are lovable, that family changes are not their fault, and that resilience can bloom even in seasons of grief. Songs like You Are So Easy to Love and Right Hand Child have become anthems of healing for countless families, inspiring tears, conversations, and breakthroughs across generations.

Together, Olivia and Mama Nous explore how music can help families navigate transitions like divorce, opening doors for connection, reflection, and repair. Listeners will walk away with more than just a playlist—they’ll leave with a new way of thinking about how to support children’s inner worlds. Whether you’re in the car with your kids or searching for your own balm in the storm, this conversation is a reminder that healing often starts with the simplest truths, repeated until they become part of who we are.

Check out Mama Nous on her website: https://mamanous.com/

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