Divorce, Healthy!

In this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, host Ashley-Nicole Russell is joined by Ashley Michael to explore the profound role of faith during divorce and how spiritual guidance can transform one of life’s most challenging transitions. From personal experience to professional insight, they unpack how leaning on God—not material things, relationships, or temporary fixes—can provide true comfort and resilience during marital separation.

Ashley-Nicole Russell reframes what healing and strength really look like during divorce: embracing personal growth, spiritual renewal, and collaborative approaches that reduce chaos, foster accountability, and promote long-term emotional well-being.

Together, Ashley-Nicole Russell and Ashley Michael break down:

• Why faith can serve as a stabilizing force amid the chaos of divorce.
• How a faith-based approach to family law supports better legal and emotional outcomes.
• The ripple effects of unresolved conflict on children, communities, and workplaces.
• Practical ways to lean into God as the ultimate source of comfort during personal upheaval.
• Biblical guidance from First Peter, Matthew, and Isaiah on resilience, hope, and peace.
• How integrating spirituality into legal processes transforms not only clients, but also the attorneys and staff supporting them.
• This powerful conversation challenges the notion that comfort comes from external sources and advocates for a higher standard of support, accountability, and emotional healing during divorce. True peace and growth come from spiritual grounding, personal reflection, and trusting God through the process.

Resources & Links:

Learn more about faith-based approaches to divorce at ANRLaw.com

Follow Ashley-Nicole Russell and ANR Law on social media: @ANRLaw

In this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, host Ashley-Nicole Russell is joined by Ashley Michael to unpack one of today’s most troubling social media trends: the so-called “divorce glow up.” From flashy Instagram posts to celebrity headlines, the idea that divorce equals a glamorous reinvention is not only misleading, but deeply harmful—especially for children caught in the middle.

Ashley-Nicole Russell challenges the toxic narrative that a post-divorce makeover is something to celebrate. Instead, she reframes what a true “glow up” looks like: taking accountability, practicing self-reflection, and choosing healthier, collaborative approaches to divorce that protect children, preserve dignity, and promote long-term emotional well-being.

Together, Ashley-Nicole Russell and Ashley Michael break down:

• Why the “divorce glow up” is damaging to families and children.
• How social media glamorizes divorce in unrealistic ways.
• The ripple effects of high-conflict divorce on kids, communities, and workplaces.
• What It Really Means to Model Conflict Resolution for Children.
• How prenuptial agreements and collaborative divorce can prevent years of pain and litigation.
• Sobering statistics on how adversarial divorces impact mental health, substance abuse, and future relationships.
• Celebrity examples—from Reese Witherspoon to Jennifer Garner—that highlight the importance of handling divorce with dignity and accountability.

This powerful conversation challenges cultural myths and advocates for a new standard in how we approach separation, parenting, and personal growth following divorce. The real “glow up” isn’t about Botox or gym selfies—it’s about breaking cycles of conflict, protecting your children, and becoming a healthier version of yourself.

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about collaborative divorce and conflict resolution at ANRLaw.com.
• Get your copy of The Cure for Divorce Culture by Ashley-Nicole Russell.
• Follow Ashley-Nicole and ANR Law on social media: @ANRLaw

This episode of Divorce, Healthy! features Attorney Ashley-Nicole Russell and her business partner Attorney Ashley Michael. They discuss the profound impact of divorce, not only on the immediate family but also on co-workers, employers, friends, and the broader community. They emphasize that divorce can change how people approach the world, both individually and as a community.

They advocate for a better way forward in divorce and conflict resolution, drawing on their personal and professional experiences in collaborative family law. They aim to shift the conversation around divorce by providing insights into the culture of conflict and its statistical effects on children and adults. They offer collaborative strategies for managing divorce at home and in the workplace.

The speakers highlight the destructive impact of litigation on the workforce, noting that divorcing individuals often experience decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and mental duress, which can affect their job performance and the overall business. They stress the importance of employer assistance programs (EAPs) and educational resources to help employees navigate divorce more healthily.

They contrast the chaotic and unpredictable nature of litigation—with its extensive document production, intense depositions, and court appearances—with the more controlled and cooperative processes of mediation and collaborative divorce. They share personal anecdotes and discuss how litigation can be intrusive and emotionally draining, leading to long-term "generational damage" for families.

The discussion also touches on the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study, which identifies divorce as one of ten significant factors affecting children's well-being. They argue that while divorce is a reality, the goal should be to approach it in a way that minimizes negative effects on children and future generations. The episode concludes by advocating for a "cure for divorce culture" by promoting collaborative and healthier approaches to conflict resolution.

Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Wilmington, and Greenville, NC.

💡 Featured Guest 💡

Name: Ashley Michael, Esq. 

What she does: Ashley Michael is one of the few recognized adoption specialist attorneys in North Carolina, the co-owner and managing attorney of Michael & Russell, PLLC, the only collaborative family law firm and adoption firm in southeast North Carolina. Whether she is working on domestic, juvenile, or guardianship cases, Ashley Michael uses her training as a litigator, mediator, and collaborative law professional to resolve people’s issues with empathy and respectability. Attorney Michael is also Board Certified in Family Law by the North Carolina State Bar, NC-CAN Board of Directors, Founder of Coastal Collaborative, and Family Financial Mediator.

⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com. 

⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. 

⭐ Collaborative Divorce Attorney Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, Beaufort, and Wilmington.

⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.

More information can be found at anrlaw.com, thecopparent.org, and michaelandrussell.com.

Divorce doesn't just affect the parents and children, but also co-workers, employees, friends, neighbors, and spouses. Ashley Nicole Russell, an attorney, believes in a better way forward by changing the conversation around divorce and conflict resolution. She offers collaborative strategies at home and in the workplace, and she is the author of The Cure for Divorce Culture.

The video, which is season 4 of the podcast "Divorce Healthy," will provide an in-depth analysis of process options available when considering divorce, including custody and co-parenting schedules. The content is legally researched and cited. While previous seasons included many guest interviews, this season will focus on providing direct content to listeners.

Ashley Nicole Russell's law office, ANR Law, also known as Michael and Russell, is located in four areas of North Carolina: Wilmington, Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville. The firm covers the entire state. The five process options for divorce in North Carolina are mediation, collaboration, settlement negotiation, arbitration, and litigation. The speaker emphasizes that individuals can choose to keep decision-making power within their own hands rather than subjecting themselves to the court system.

The goal of "Divorce Healthy" is to reform the culture of divorce by informing the public about how the process should work. The speaker aims to provide clarity and help individuals navigate divorce in a way that allows them to feel proud of their decisions and model effective conflict resolution for their children. She stresses that divorce does not have to be a war and can be an opportunity for personal growth and modeling good conflict resolution.

More information can be found at anrlaw.com, thecopparent.org, and michaelandrussell.com.

The International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) has just received one of, if not the highest honor: a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. Advocates and professionals trained in this method of family law continuously and routinely speak about its benefits — the way it promotes respect of all parties, its ability to maintain civility in and out of the courtroom, and how it encourages empathy and understanding amongst all parties. 

On this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, we respect the National Adoption Month of November with bring in Ashley Michael, one of only 25 recognized adoption specialist attorneys in North Carolina and co-owner - managing attorney of adoption firm Michael & Russell, PLLC, joins her partner and co-owner host Ashley-Nicole Russell to discuss the need for respect and contempt, their success with collaborative law, the ways in which they see its positivity ripple throughout their clients’ lives, and the need for more familial courtrooms to adapt its policies.

“Areas are waiting for it. They're wanting it. They're needing it. They just need the attorneys who are going to provide it. And that's what we're working on now,” Ashley-Nicole says of the effort to spread the power of collaborative law. “I do think that it is an easy choice for clients once they truly understand [collaborative law]. What we have battled in the past is awareness — now we have it.” 

With the publicity the IACP is receiving from its Nobel Peace Prize nomination, both women are hoping this powerful form of conflict resolution will be more widely adopted in courtrooms across the country.

Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, Wilmington and Greenville, NC.

Name: Ashley Michael, Esq. 

What she does: Ashley is one of only 25 recognized adoption specialist attorneys in North Carolina, the co-owner and managing attorney of Michael & Russell, PLLC, the only collaborative family law firm and adoption firm in southeast North Carolina. Whether she is working on domestic, juvenile, or guardianship cases, Ashley uses her training as a litigator, mediator, and collaborative law professional to resolve people’s issues with empathy and respectability.  

Words of wisdom: “In collaborative [law], we are part of these people's lives that we're helping, and that's just a beautiful thing that we get to engage in.”

Connect: Website | LinkedIn 

⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com. 

⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. 

⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, Beaufort and Wilmington, North Carolina.

⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.

Cryptocurrency, Non-Fungible Tokens and Digital Assets are now common enough to frequent  divorce cases as assets to be divided, but still new enough that most people are unfamiliar with what it represents. Attorneys need to understand how these digital assets are purchased, how they are stored, and how they are maintained.  

In this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, host Ashley-Nicole Russell speaks with attorney Ben McLawhorn of McLawhorn & Russell, PLLC about cryptocurrency and other non-fungible tokens in divorce court. Ben aims to educate both clients and fellow attorneys on digital assets and how to approach them in litigation and settlement discussions. The two discuss at length the equitable distribution of crypto, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Smart-Contracts, NFT’s, Blockchain and the Metaverse and how those concepts play out in collaborative law proceedings versus in family law litigation. Ashley-Nicole discusses that Collaborative is an evolved model allowing the value of the assets to be obtained in a more transparent way across North Carolina and throughout the country.

How do you know if you even have Crypto or what if your spouse understands it far better than you? Ben discusses the challenges that come with digital assets, such as ensuring clients disclose them to their attorneys, the difference between mining and trading cryptocurrency, and how to store and cash in digital assets. There are so many facets to cryptocurrency that need to be understood and considered when dealing with it divorce cases; from Bitcoin to NFTs and Ethereum to blockchains, Ben uses his knowledge to ensure his clients are being treated fairly. 

Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, Wilmington and Greenville, NC. 

Name: Ben McLawhorn 

What he does: Ben is an attorney at McLawhorn & Russell, PLLC, where he specializes in employment law, Social Security disability, and family law. Ben also works in tandem with Ashley-Nicole Russell, using an individualized litigation approach to ensure their clients’ rights and interests are protected.

Words of wisdom: “You need to have somebody who's knowledgeable in this space, who understands what these digital assets represent, and how they are to be handled during a divorce.” 

Connect: Website | LinkedIn 

⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com. 

⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. 

⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, Beaufort and Wilmington, North Carolina.

⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.

Ashley-Nicole Russell, Esq  believes that mindfulness during divorce can make all the difference in how and what process is chosen and thus will affect the result. Her guest Eranda Jayawickreme applies his research in post-traumatic growth to illustrate divorce as a result and not a one-time action. As a psychologist and researcher, Eranda uses his work to show that divorce is not an isolated incident but an outcome of a long process. 

On this episode of Divorce! Healthy, Ashley-Nicole and Eranda walk through the cycle of divorce, how it impacts everyone differently, and what we can learn about our divorce process from our childhoods. Eranda dives deeper into collaborative versus litigation approaches and whether one event can define who you are today or will be tomorrow.  

“One reason why people struggle with divorce is that they may have had a childhood or they may have had prior life experiences that don’t necessarily give them the tools to help navigate complex problems successfully,” Eranda says. 

“The secondary control that you can put in place is of how you're dealing with the situation, finding a resource that won't amp up the animosity between you trying to protect your own mindset so you can protect your children”, Ashley-Nicole says.

As the cycle of divorce continues, it can be easy to give into building tensions but by being mindful of the end goal, that each party involved receives what is fair. This tension and giving into animosity can lead to heightened anxiety, depression, and can take a harsh toll on your overall mental health. It’s important that in situations where it’s possible, to choose a collaborative approach during the divorce process. Collaborative between the divorcing parties can ease future decisions such as child custody and settlement negotiation. Awareness of yourself, of children, family, and others that are affected in the divorce process will help this difficult time pass more easily.

Name: Eranda Jayawickreme  

What he does: Eranda received his Ph.D. in positive and social/personality psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2010. He is Harold W. Tribble Professor of Psychology at Wake Forest University, and he conducts ongoing research on integrating philosophy and psychology, with an acute focus on post-traumatic growth. Eranda is involved in several projects monitoring the possibilities to strengthen character following adversity, challenge, or failure and the integrative theories of personality. 

Words of wisdom: “I do think, when you go to the experience of ending a marriage, it is an opportunity for you to step back and reflect on what you think you've done, how you think you're behaved well, ways in which you think you could do better.” 

Connect: Website | Twitter

⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com. 

⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. 

⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina.

⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.

For decades, the family court system has done a poor job of showing children how to handle conflict and strife. In North Carolina, three women have set out to be generational chain breakers, modeling positive and effective communication through conflict resolution. 

On this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, host Ashley-Nicole Russell speaks with collaborative law attorneys Robin Mermans, owner of Road to Resolution, and Irene King, founder of King Collaborative Family Law. The trio delve into the significance of collaborative practices and the future of divorce law in general. 

Each attorney discusses her own tumultuous path with divorce and court proceedings that led them to study, pursue, and practice collaborative law. They all agree that collaborative practices don’t just help the separating couple remain civil, but also demonstrates to children and family circles how divorce can be handled with mutual understanding.  

“A divorce can be a way that you're able to move forward in a positive nature and in a healthy way for your family,” said Ashley-Nicole. “It can still be handled with respect. And I think that the respect aspect is such a large piece of this.” 

Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC.

Name: Robin M. Mermans 

What she does: Robin is an attorney, who runs Road to Resolution — Divorce Mediation and Collaborative Family Law in North Carolina. After going through her own relatively amicable divorce, Robin left her job at a Fortune 500 company to pursue law school and practice collaborative mediation. 

Words of wisdom: “Once I learned about collaborative [law], I was hooked. It was exactly what I was looking for. Two parties still have attorneys, so you're not in that unlawful-practice-of-law landscape. You're problem-solving, and helping people, ideally, close the chapter and start a new one in a healthy manner.”

Connect: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook 

Name: Irene King 

What she does: Irene is the founder of King Collaborative Family Law. She found her way to collaborative law after decades of suiting up as a gladiator in family law each day and seeing families fall apart.  

Words of wisdom: “We can do really amazing things for families by keeping them out of the courtroom. We can keep them talking. We can ensure that their next chapter will be a viable one for the family, even if they have to reframe the way that they look as they move forward with their lives. It's completely possible.” 

Connect: Website | LinkedIn | Email

⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com. 

⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. 

⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina.

⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.

In this season of the Divorce, Healthy! podcast, we’re diving deep into the collaborative process. From mediation, to co-parenting, to top-notch resources for demystifying collaborative practice, this season is going to cover all corners of collaboration to help navigate divorce. 

Divorce can be a nightmare for all parties involved. That’s why Lori Gephart, President of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), is on a mission to share the benefits of collaborative practice.

There’s a great deal of fear and emotions that come with divorce. There are legal, financial, and emotional burdens that weigh down the people involved. Not only that, but many children face psychological issues after the process, often developing an ingrained fear of divorce. So what can people do to mitigate fear, find better co-parenting options, and foster a healthier, smoother process?  

This is where Collaborative comes into play. Collaborative practice is a healthier alternative to litigation. It promotes communication, builds on empathy, and works toward a shared goal. It also lowers conflict and addresses common fears that occur in the process. Lori says that “when fear walks into the room, we talk about what’s important to you.”

So, how can you get involved in Collaborative practice? Through webinars, resources, conferences, and a global network of professionals, the IACP is educating people on the impact of Collaborative practice and why it’s so important. 

If you’re going through a divorce, the IACP can help you find mediation professionals in your area (like those at ANR Law) who can coach you through the process. If you’re a professional in the Collaborative space, you can become a member of the IACP and gain access to a vast network that is always willing to learn, teach, and work together. 

On this episode of Divorce, Healthy! host Ashley-Nicole sits down with Lori to talk about Collaborative practice and how it can foster a healthy divorce process. 

Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC.

Name: Lori Gephart

What she does: Lori Gephart is a collaborative divorce coach, licensed psychologist, and the President of North Hills Psychological Associates, which is the first collaborative practice east of Raleigh. Lori was the first collaborative attorney to start directly out of law school in North Carolina, having studied under the first collaborative attorney in the state during law school. Now, she helps families separate and divorce without going to court for a healthier, more respectful divorce. Lori also started training with the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) in 2011, eventually moving up to her current role as President. 

Words of Wisdom: “I do this work because I believe that it's healthier for children and families.”

Connect: LinkedIn | Twitter | North Hills Psychological Associates | IACP | Facebook (IACP) | Twitter (IACP) | LinkedIn (IACP)

⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com. 

⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. 

⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina.

⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.

The expense of divorce can be quite a burden, especially with today’s rising costs forcing us all to do more with less. Erin Levine, founder of Hello Divorce, is seeking to change that narrative.

An experienced divorce attorney herself, Erin wanted to find a way to reduce the most expensive part of the divorce process — attorneys. She recognized that most divorces don’t require litigation. Instead, clients need a basic set of resources and support from compassionate professionals who can help make the legal divorce process as painless as possible.

“The goal of Hello Divorce is to make divorce easier, friendlier, and a lot more affordable,” Erin says. “It doesn't mean that there won't be conflict. There's almost always conflict. But it doesn't mean that we need to ramp up the divorce such that we're battling it out in court.”

She developed Hello Divorce to be a checklist and one-stop-shop for attaining divorce resources — from compiling documents, to mediation, to working with an attorney to draft and submit the final paperwork to court.

Hello Divorce is customizable and can be tailored to fit each person’s particular needs. Its competitive pricing packages and à la carte services provide options that are typically out of reach for most people. Though the full suite of offerings is currently available in just a few select states, Erin plans to expand so she can serve more people.

On this episode of Divorce, Healthy! host Ashley-Nicole sits down with Erin to discuss how Hello Divorce is driving change and creating space for more comfortable divorces. 

Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC.

Name: Erin Levine

What she does: Erin Levine, Esq. is an experienced divorce attorney who developed her company, Hello Divorce, to help streamline, cut costs, educate, and reduce overwhelm for uncomplicated divorces. Her mission is to make divorce easier, friendlier, and more affordable.

Words of wisdom: “[Divorce is] not an event. It’s a journey.”

Connect: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Pinterest

Top takeaways from this Divorce, Healthy! episode 

• Most divorces don’t need a litigating attorney. When there are two willing parties in a divorce, it’s often easier to come to an agreement without going to trial. Hello Divorce is a great option for those cases because it saves money and heartache.
• Reduce the overwhelm through education. It’s easy to feel lost when starting the divorce journey. Hello Divorce offers worksheets and checklists to help you work through the basics and manage the anxiety around the entire divorce process. 
• Hello Divorce’s resources aim to democratize divorce in all 50 states. While Hello Divorce isn’t yet available across the country, you can use its worksheets to get organized no matter your location. Also, prospective clients can use Hello Divorce’s mediators, then use a local attorney to draft the needed documents.

[04:16] The goal for Hello Divorce: Erin wants people to leave her website with the ability to “reduce the overwhelm” and feel more comfortable with an uncomfortable subject. 

[07:03] Who can benefit from Hello Divorce: Erin gives an overview of the intended audience for Hello Divorce. It’s typically for uncomplicated divorces.

[10:08] What to expect from a consultation: Erin breaks down the Hello Divorce process and how to best make use of the resources available. 

[14:43] The reach of Hello Divorce: Hello Divorce is not available in all 50 states yet, due to the different laws in each state. Currently, it’s available in California, Colorado, Texas, and Utah, with New York and Florida coming soon. 

[18:18] Mediation services across the country: Even if Hello Divorce packages are not available in your state, anyone can use the company’s mediation services and then have the necessary paperwork completed by a local attorney. 

[23:40] Maximizing your money by using Hello Divorce worksheets: Instead of using valuable billable hours with a lawyer, get prepared by using Hello Divorce’s worksheets to pull together documents. Even if you can’t do the whole worksheet, it points out where you need help from the professionals. 

[25:36] What is this going to cost me?: Erin goes over the fee options for Hello Divorce’s packages and services. 

[30:39] Up next for Hello Divorce: Erin recently hired a chief product officer from TurboTax to incorporate product and machine learning to her business, while still maintaining a human touch. 

⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com. 

⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. 

⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina.

⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.