Our guests today have worked hard to craft a loving and tight-knit family. Their effort to create that family has only intensified since their divorce in 2007. In an effort to help others see what’s possible, Ben Heldfond and Nikki DeBartolo created “Our Happy Divorce,” a book, channel, and community dedicated to building a healthy, happy, post-divorce modern family.This week on the show, Ben and Nikki share their perspectives on building a family as family membership changes. They share their dating stories, and how they introduced new partners successfully to the family unit. And, most important, they tell us how their efforts are guided by their love and dedication to the children in both their lives. This passion has made their family an aspiration for others and we’re thrilled to have them on the show with us today. Links & Notes

• Our Happy Divorce by Ben Helfond & Nikki DeBartolo
• Subscribe to Our Happy Divorce on YouTube
• OurHappyDivorce.com

• (00:00) - Welcome to How to Split a Toaster
• (00:35) - Ben & Nikki – Our Happy Divorce
• (02:06) - The Players
• (04:33) - Figuring Out How to Be a Team Post-Divorce
• (07:57) - Learning to Find the Strength to Interact With Your Ex
• (10:58) - Acknowledging the Issues Will Still Be There
• (12:39) - The Coffee Shop – Additions, Not Subtractions
• (16:13) - Ego & Shame
• (20:06) - When to Introduce the Kids to the New Partner
• (26:24) - Little Minds Telling You How They Need to Be Parented
• (29:07) - The Toll on Kids
• (35:55) - Getting Through Jealousy and Hurt
• (38:40) - Knowing Which Forms of Communication Work and Don't Work
• (39:48) - Changes During COVID
• (42:28) - Setting an Example as You Figure It Out
• (46:08) - https://ourhappydivorce.com/
• (47:29) - Wrapping Up