Divorce Happens

In this episode of Divorce Happens, host Olivia Howell sits down with career expert Tramelle D. Jones to explore the profound impact divorce can have on your professional life. Tramelle shares her 20+ years of experience in personal and professional development, emphasizing the importance of confidence and strategic career planning during times of transition. From finding your unique strengths to marketing transferable skills, Tramelle offers actionable advice for those navigating the workforce while going through a divorce. She highlights how building confidence—both personally and professionally—can pave the way for a fulfilling career shift, whether you’re reentering the workforce, stepping into management, or starting a new business.

Tramelle also provides practical tips for finding the right career coach, including aligning values, checking availability, and ensuring a coach has a clear, results-driven process. Her encouragement to lean on trusted friends and family for reminders of your strengths underscores the power of community in rebuilding confidence. Whether you’re seeking a career pivot or just need inspiration to take the next step, this episode is a treasure trove of insights.

You can learn more about Tramelle on her Fresh Starts Registry profile: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/tdj-consulting-career-services

In this episode of Divorce Happens, we are joined by Lisa Happ, a narcissistic abuse recovery coach, divorce coach, and trauma specialist. Lisa offers invaluable insights into navigating a divorce when dealing with a narcissist, from recognizing the signs of narcissistic behaviors to understanding the differences between narcissistic tendencies and full-blown narcissistic personality disorder. Lisa explains how narcissists often manipulate their partners, using tactics like love bombing and devaluing, and how their partners may find themselves questioning their reality. She shares strategies for coping with these challenges and emphasizes the importance of professional support during this difficult process.

Olivia and Lisa dive deep into the complexities of divorcing a narcissist, including the emotional toll and the challenges of dealing with their distorted version of reality. Lisa highlights the importance of preparation, both emotionally and legally, when facing a divorce with a narcissistic partner. She offers practical advice on protecting yourself, including safeguarding assets and getting professional help to create a clear plan. Above all, Lisa stresses the need to rebuild self-esteem and reclaim one's life after the trauma of a toxic relationship. For those navigating this tough journey, Lisa's empowering words provide hope and guidance toward a fresh start.

You can get in touch with Lisa on her Fresh Starts profile: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/lisa-happ-coaching

In this episode of Divorce Happens, Olivia Howell chats with Aprille Barker, a legal consultant and paralegal who specializes in helping individuals navigate the complexities of divorce. Aprille shares how she supports clients who may not be able to afford an attorney by guiding them through mediation, paperwork preparation, and the logistical challenges of the process. She emphasizes the importance of education and transparency, offering step-by-step guidance to reduce stress and streamline what can often feel like an overwhelming second job. Whether it’s providing resources like financial advisors or realtors, or preparing essential legal documents, Aprille’s approach is rooted in making the process as straightforward and amicable as possible.

Aprille also discusses the importance of preparation, recommending that individuals gather documents like mortgage information, retirement accounts, and insurance policies before their initial consultation. She explains how she customizes her support based on each client’s unique needs, whether they meet at her office or in the comfort of their own home. With over three decades of experience in New Hampshire family law, Aprille’s expertise is invaluable in helping clients save time, money, and emotional energy during a difficult life transition. Tune in to learn more about her role in the divorce process and how she empowers individuals to start fresh.

You can learn more about Aprille Barker at Fresh Starts Registry in the Expert Guide: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/aprille-barker-freelance-paralegal-llc

In this episode of Divorce Happens, Olivia sits down with screenwriter Dara Resnik to explore the emotional and professional complexities of navigating a divorce while also ending a writing partnership with her ex-husband. Dara opens up about the key lessons she learned: the importance of acknowledging the humanity in your ex-partner, understanding that their behavior during the marriage will likely mirror their actions in divorce, and embracing the hope that life can improve after separation. Together, they discuss the challenges of co-parenting, finding emotional balance, and the importance of community support.

Listeners will gain valuable insights from Dara’s experiences, including the need for respect in co-parenting, letting go of micromanagement in shared parenting responsibilities, and embracing the realization that healing takes time. Dara shares how leaning into self-work and staying hopeful led her to a place of love and joy again. Three Takeaways: Healing is a gradual process but brings new beginnings; co-parenting thrives on flexibility and respect; and the hardest moments of divorce are not permanent.

In this episode of Divorce Happens, Olivia Howell speaks with filmmaker and director James Takata about his personal experiences with divorce, the lessons learned, and his latest project, California Scenario. James reflects on the importance of seeking help, accepting that you can’t fix others, and valuing therapy as a tool for personal growth. They discuss the mental health challenges men face, the creative process as a means of healing, and how storytelling can bring light to deeply personal and universal experiences.

James also shares insights into California Scenario, a film inspired by his family’s history and Isamu Noguchi’s iconic garden. This drama explores intergenerational trauma and resilience within diverse Californian families, addressing themes like Japanese American internment, the Holocaust, and healing through identity.

Takeaways from the conversation include: the value of vulnerability, the role of creativity in processing life transitions, and the strength found in community and representation. Support California Scenario by contributing to its fundraising efforts or spreading the word. Learn more at this link.

On this episode of Divorce Happens, we chatted with Jordan Reid, the founder of Ramshackle Glam and author of The Big Activity Book for Divorced People. Jordan shares her experience of announcing her divorce and the impact that writing about her journey has had on both her and her audience. In conversation with Olivia, Jordan explores the importance of sharing divorce announcements authentically and the power of humor during such a challenging life transition. They discuss how writing about divorce can help people heal, while also providing a lighthearted approach to a typically heavy topic. Jordan also offers insights from her book, which aims to guide people through divorce with humor and perspective.

Key takeaway points from this episode include the importance of embracing humor and authenticity when navigating the complexities of divorce. Jordan shares how writing about her experience helped her process the emotions involved and connect with others. Key questions covered include: How can humor help during difficult times like divorce? What impact does sharing your divorce story have on both yourself and others? How can creative outlets, like Jordan’s book, support people in their divorce journey? Tune in for a conversation about healing through humor and finding light in the darkest of times.

On this episode of Divorce Happens, we chatted with Christina Bailey, of Baby Bailey Mama Drama, who shares her experience of announcing her divorce from her wife on social media. As a first-grade teacher and mother of four, Christina discusses the challenges of navigating such a personal moment publicly while balancing her role as a parent and a social media influencer. She emphasizes the importance of owning the announcement, staying authentic, and the empowerment that comes with sharing her story. Christina also opens up about the unexpected support she received from others who had gone through similar experiences, highlighting the power of community during difficult times.

Key takeaway points from this conversation include the importance of being honest and authentic when announcing a divorce, managing the impact on social media platforms, and embracing the support from others who have walked a similar path. Key questions covered include: How do you navigate announcing a divorce while maintaining your privacy? What role does social media play in personal crises? How can you find strength and connection through shared experiences? Tune in to hear Christina’s insightful advice for those facing the challenge of a public divorce announcement.

On this episode of Divorce Happens, we chatted with Rachel Sobel about the challenges and strategies of announcing a divorce. Rachel shares her personal experience of navigating the process, especially before the age of social media, and how it impacted her relationships. She emphasizes the importance of taking control of the narrative when sharing such personal news and finding empowerment in the process. Rachel provides valuable tips on crafting a divorce announcement, navigating the complexities of social media, and handling reactions from friends and family.

Key takeaway points include how to prepare for the emotional and social aspects of a divorce announcement, the power of setting boundaries with your audience, and tips for navigating both online and offline reactions. Key questions we cover include: How do you find empowerment when announcing a divorce? What strategies can help you craft a message that feels right for you? How can you manage the influence of social media during such a personal moment? Tune in to hear Rachel’s insights and advice for anyone facing a similar journey.

On this episode of Divorce Happens, we chatted with Jolie Steele, who opens up about her experience announcing her divorce on social media, to family, and friends. Jolie shares the thoughtful process she went through in preparing to share such a personal update, particularly in light of her children. She discusses the importance of framing the announcement in a way that emphasizes peace and neutrality while addressing the emotional landscape that comes with this kind of public disclosure. Jolie also offers valuable tips for others navigating this process, including adopting a neutral PR agent mindset and remaining detached from others’ emotional reactions.

In this episode, Jolie underscores the significance of planning how to share the news to set the right tone and protect your emotional well-being. She also explores the idea of a divorce registry, a tool for gathering the necessary support during a difficult transition. Takeaway points include how to manage public perceptions, the benefits of setting boundaries with emotional reactions, and how a divorce registry can help you get the support you need.

On this episode of Divorce Happens, we chatted with crisis communication strategist Molly McPherson about the rising trend of announcing divorces on social media. Molly shared why both celebrities and everyday individuals are embracing public transparency about their splits and offered expert advice for crafting a thoughtful and strategic announcement. We explored how framing the message with a focus on collaboration and positivity can ease the transition for everyone involved. Molly also highlighted the power of controlling your narrative and provided insights into how to approach divorce discussions subtly without explicitly naming the situation.

Takeaways from our conversation include tips for preparing a public divorce announcement, understanding what’s at stake when going public, and why it’s empowering to set the tone for your story. We also delved into Kelly Clarkson’s divorce as a case study, unpacking how celebrity divorces mirror the challenges and emotions of everyday ones. Whether you're planning your own announcement or just curious about this cultural shift, Molly’s expertise offers valuable insights into navigating this delicate moment with care and confidence.