Divorce with Sam and Leah

Custody exchanges can bring out every trigger in your body—tight chest, racing thoughts, shaky hands, and that familiar “walking on eggshells” feeling. In this episode, Sam and Leah break down the top 5 ways to regulate your nervous system before and during custody exchanges, so you can stay grounded, calm, and in control even when your high-conflict ex is doing the most.

You’ll learn simple, science-backed tools you can use in the car, during the drop-off, and right after the exchange… without needing a therapist, a full meditation session, or perfect circumstances. These are the strategies that help you protect your peace, parent with confidence, and stop letting your ex hijack your emotions.

If you’re co-parenting with someone who drains you, triggers you, or constantly tries to create chaos—you’re going to feel so seen in this episode.

✨ Ready for deeper support, weekly coaching, and tools that actually work? Join The Next Chapter, my membership for divorced moms navigating high-conflict co-parenting. Get instant access to workshops, replays, community support, and a toolkit that makes this whole journey lighter. ➡️ Click the link to join: https://www.samandleah.com/services

If you’re co-parenting with a high-conflict ex, you already know…the holidays aren’t always “the most wonderful time of the year.” Winter break, Christmas, and New Year’s can turn into a battlefield of last-minute schedule changes, guilt trips, manipulation, and chaos your kids don’t deserve.

In this episode, Leah and Sam break down the 10 most common ways a high-conflict ex will sabotage winter break, why they do it, and—most importantly—how to protect your peace and keep the holidays joyful for your kids.

We’re talking: • holiday manipulation • schedule sabotage • emotional guilt-tripping • control games • boundary violations • co-parenting drama • and how to stay grounded when he’s determined to create chaos

You’ll walk away with practical strategies and clear reminders so you can stop reacting to his behavior and start leading your family with confidence, stability, and calm.

✨ Ready for real support? Join The Next Chapter Membership—your go-to space for healing after divorce, rebuilding your confidence, and learning how to co-parent with a high-conflict ex without losing yourself. 👉 Click the link to join: https://www.samandleah.com/services

If you’re co-parenting with someone who thrives on chaos, manipulation, or control, this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale. We’re breaking down the five non-negotiables your parenting plan must include when you’re dealing with a narcissistic or high-conflict ex—so you can protect your peace, stay organized, and keep your kids out of the middle.

We walk you through the exact boundaries, communication rules, scheduling details, and decision-making structures that help moms stop reacting and start leading with clarity and confidence. If you’ve ever felt confused, overwhelmed, or gaslit in the process, this episode will make everything click.

And if you want ongoing guidance, tools, and a supportive community of moms who get it, you’re invited to join The Next Chapter, our monthly membership designed to help you heal, gain clarity, and co-parent with confidence: https://www.samandleah.com/services

Today, Leah and Sam are joined by the incredible Olivia Howell — nationally recognized divorce educator, clinical hypnotherapist, and CEO & co-founder of Fresh Starts Registry, the world’s first divorce registry and expert-led support network dedicated to helping people rebuild their lives with dignity, confidence, and trauma-informed care.

In this conversation, we unpack what it really looks like to create your fresh start after divorce — emotionally, financially, and logistically. Olivia shares the first steps women should take when they’re starting over, the hidden roadblocks that keep so many moms stuck, and why support systems (including divorce registries!) can be life-changing during this chapter.

We also dive into the power of reclaiming your identity, accepting help without guilt, and building a foundation that feels safe, stable, and truly yours.

Whether you’re newly divorced, deep in the chaos of co-parenting, or finally finding your way back to yourself, this episode is full of clarity, warmth, and grounded guidance.

✨ Check out the Fresh Starts Registry and all of Olivia’s resources here: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/

✨ Ready for deeper support? Join The Next Chapter — our monthly membership for divorced moms who want to heal, rebuild confidence, and co-parent with clarity: https://www.samandleah.com/services

Hashtags

#DivorceSupport #FreshStartAfterDivorce #DivorcedMoms #CoParentingHelp #DivorceRecovery #HighConflictCoParenting #TraumaInformedDivorce #DivorceHealing #StartingOverAfterDivorce #EmpoweredWomen #NextChapterMembership #SingleMomLife #FreshStartsRegistry

Dating after divorce can feel exciting… and absolutely terrifying at the same time. How do you know when you’re ready? What boundaries should you set? And how do you avoid repeating the same mistakes from your last relationship?

In this episode, Sam and Leah break down the biggest do’s and don’ts of dating after divorce so you can protect your peace, spot red flags early, and stay grounded in your worth. Whether you’re newly divorced or just thinking about putting yourself back out there, this conversation will help you date smarter, not harder.

We’re talking: ✨ How to know you’re ready to date again ✨ Avoiding trauma bonds and unhealthy patterns ✨ Why consistency > chemistry ✨ Red flags divorced moms should never ignore ✨ Keeping your identity and boundaries strong ✨ When (and if) to introduce someone to your kids

You deserve a love that feels safe, steady, and aligned with the woman you’ve become.

💛 If you’re ready for support, community, and guidance while rebuilding your confidence after divorce, join The Next Chapter membership — weekly workshops, expert guests, and a private community supporting divorced moms just like you. 👉 Click the link to learn more: https://www.samandleah.com/services

The holidays can feel especially heavy after divorce. Everywhere you look, it seems like everyone else has the perfect family, perfect photos, and perfect plans — while you’re just trying to hold it together.

In this honest and heart-to-heart episode, Sam and Leah open up about why the holidays hit so hard after divorce — the loneliness, the “what-ifs,” the temptation to numb with alcohol, and the stories that play on repeat in your head. Together, they unpack what’s really behind those feelings and how to shift your perspective so you can experience peace, presence, and self-connection this season — even if you’re spending it alone.

You’ll learn how to: ✨ Handle loneliness without numbing or spiraling ✨ Reframe old traditions and create new ones that fit this chapter ✨ Recognize and challenge the negative thoughts that steal your peace ✨ Set healthy boundaries around alcohol, spending, and people-pleasing ✨ Redefine what joy and connection look like now

This conversation is raw, relatable, and full of reminders that you’re not broken — you’re rebuilding. The holidays don’t have to be perfect to be peaceful.

💛 Join The Next Chapter — our membership community for divorced moms who are ready to heal, rebuild confidence, and co-parent with clarity and strength. Access live weekly workshops, expert guests, and a private support group to help you feel grounded and supported every step of the way.

👉 Join The Next Chapter: https://www.samandleah.com/services

The holidays can be one of the hardest times after divorce—especially when it’s not your year to have the kids. In this honest and heart-to-heart conversation, Sam and Leah talk about what it’s really like to go to holiday events alone: handling questions like “Where are the kids?”, managing emotions, avoiding overdrinking, and finding peace in the middle of it all.

You’ll learn practical, empowering ways to: ✔️ Cope with loneliness and missing your kids ✔️ Navigate social events and family gatherings with confidence ✔️ Set emotional boundaries and protect your peace ✔️ Reframe the holidays and create new traditions for yourself

Whether you’re freshly divorced or years into co-parenting, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone—and that this season can still be meaningful, even if it looks different.

💫 Ready to heal, rebuild, and co-parent with confidence? Join The Next Chapter—our supportive membership for divorced moms—where you’ll get access to weekly live workshops, a private community, expert guidance, and replays that help you move forward with clarity and calm. 👉 Join here: https://www.samandleah.com/services

The holidays can be one of the hardest times after divorce—especially when it’s not your year to have the kids. In this honest and heart-to-heart conversation, Sam and Leah talk about what it’s really like to go to holiday events alone: handling questions like “Where are the kids?”, managing emotions, avoiding overdrinking, and finding peace in the middle of it all.

You’ll learn practical, empowering ways to: ✔️ Cope with loneliness and missing your kids ✔️ Navigate social events and family gatherings with confidence ✔️ Set emotional boundaries and protect your peace ✔️ Reframe the holidays and create new traditions for yourself

Whether you’re freshly divorced or years into co-parenting, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone—and that this season can still be meaningful, even if it looks different.

💫 Ready to heal, rebuild, and co-parent with confidence? Join The Next Chapter—our supportive membership for divorced moms—where you’ll get access to weekly live workshops, a private community, expert guidance, and replays that help you move forward with clarity and calm. 👉 Join here: https://www.samandleah.com/services

Custody evaluations can feel terrifying — especially when you don’t fully understand why they happen or what they mean for your parenting rights.

In this episode, Sam and Leah break down the top 10 most common reasons custody evaluations are ordered, from high-conflict co-parenting and mental-health concerns to relocation requests and parental-alienation claims. You’ll hear how the process works, what the court is really looking for, and how to protect your peace through it all.

Whether you’re facing an evaluation now or want to be prepared for anything down the road, this conversation will help you feel more informed, grounded, and confident.

👉 Want to go deeper? Inside The Next Chapter membership, custody expert Renee Rodriguez is teaching an exclusive workshop — Custody Evaluations 101 — where she walks you through what evaluators are really looking for, how to prepare without overthinking, and how to advocate for yourself with calm, grounded confidence.

Join today for instant access to this workshop and dozens more designed to help divorced moms navigate co-parenting, rebuild confidence, and move forward with strength — not fear.

🎟️ Join The Next Chapter now: https://www.samandleah.com/services

If you’re co-parenting with a high-conflict ex, this episode is a must-listen. Leah and Sam break down the top 10 things you should be documenting during divorce and co-parenting — from missed pickups and schedule changes to boundary violations, emotional manipulation, and expense tracking.

Documentation isn’t about control — it’s about protection, clarity, and peace of mind. When you keep detailed, factual records, you stay grounded, credible, and ready for whatever comes your way.

Because when you’re organized, you’re not just protecting yourself — you’re modeling calm and stability for your kids, too. 💛

✨ Want to go deeper? Join The Next Chapter membership for instant access to our exclusive workshop with Mary Clare Hayashi, founder of SplitAF, where she walks you step-by-step through setting up your own custody and visitation tracker. You’ll also get access to live trainings, expert workshops, and a private support community built just for divorced moms navigating high-conflict co-parenting.

Use the following coupon code to get 10% off of Mary Clare’s documentation resources!  https://splitaf.etsy.com?coupon=NEXTCHAPTER 

👉 Join The Next Chapter Here: https://www.samandleah.com/services