In this episode, Kate is joined by Aileen Harvey and Julie Fahy – best friends and hosts of the You Keep Me Sane podcast – to talk about what it really means to support a friend through separation.

A separation story in voice notes

Kate begins by hearing Aileen’s separation story, how her friendship with Julie began and how it became a vital source of comfort. They share how Julie supported Aileen - not by offering solutions, but by simply listening - and why that kind of steady presence from a friend can mean everything.

Aileen and Julie also explore what makes a great friend during life’s hardest moments and the surprising power of long voice notes. They finish with their best tips, from both perspectives, on how to show up with care, patience and love when a friend is going through a separation.

Trigger warning: There’s a brief mention of physical injury at the start of this episode.

Meet the hosts of You Keep Me Sane

Aileen Harvey is a Scottish-born Londoner with a life story shaped by resilience, reinvention and a deep desire to support women through life’s challenges. With a background in the high-pressure world of finance, she spent years navigating a demanding, male-dominated industry before burnout pushed her to reassess what truly mattered. Facing the ups and downs of perimenopause, parenting a teenager and embracing life’s complexities inspired her to co-create her podcast You Keep Me Sane. 

Julie’s journey has always been driven by a search for depth, purpose and connection. Her love for people and their stories led her to a career in documentaries, filming for National Geographic, BBC and Discovery Channel. Yet, despite the dream job, she felt an inner pull toward something deeper. Studying psychology and Kabbalah, becoming a mother and embracing life’s challenges helped her find that missing connection - not through achievements, but through vulnerability and growth. Now based in Melbourne, Julie’s life experiences, from global travels to motherhood, have inspired her to co-create You Keep Me Sane. 

Follow Aileen and Julie

You can learn more about Aileen, Julie and their podcast You Keep Me Sane here. You can also follow them on Instagram to be the first to hear about new episodes.

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Got a question on divorce, separation or co-parenting you’d like us to cover? Share your thoughts with us at [email protected]

You can also get in touch with amicable for more information on the legal, financial and parenting aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert today. 

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