This week, Kate is joined by Jo Thurston from Parent Talk to discuss why summer holidays can be so tricky for single parents and share some simple tips for making them more manageable and fun. Without the school routine and longer days in the sun, it’s an important time to create new memories and enjoy new activities with your children. However, summer as a single parent can be challenging when you’re doing all of this solo. It might involve more schedules, additional childcare and juggling high expectations. 

About the episode:

Kate and Jo start by explaining why summer holidays can be challenging for single parents, and when’s a good time to start planning them. There are also some tips on how not to over-plan! 

Here are some of the points they cover in this episode to help single parents this summer:

• How to navigate holiday costs
• Where you can look for affordable activities to fit your budget and available time
• Communication tips with your co-parent
• Staying flexible and willing to adjust your schedule
• Why involving your children in holiday planning could be a good idea

About our guest:

Jo is a co-ordinator at Action for Children’s Parent Talk service, which offers free online advice for parents and carers of children aged 0-19, or up to 25 where a young person has special educational needs. Its confidential 1:1 live chat service connects parents and carers directly to an experienced parenting coach for judgement-free practical advice and emotional support, while its online articles answer some of the most common parenting questions.

 Jo first joined Action for Children in 2018 as a Family Support worker in a Children’s Centre. She has a background working in schools and pastoral care and has a particular interest in supporting families impacted by SEND. 

More resources:

You can learn more about Action For Children and how they can help you on their website. For parenting advice, visit Parent Talk to explore their resources and have a one-to-one chat with a parenting coach. 

You can also book a 90-minute Separating With Children session with amicable to create a parenting plan for the summer holidays. 

We'd love to know how we can help you further. Share your questions on divorce, separation and co-parenting with us at [email protected], through direct messages on Instagram or by starting a new forum thread on amicable’s advice forum. They might just be the topic of a future episode!

If you think your co-parenting might need a boost this summer, and you’re sharing arrangements with a co-parent, friend or family member, our Co-parenting App might be for you.

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. 

#Coparenting

In this episode, Kate is joined by Donald Stewart, Head of Training and Competence at Octopus Money, to discuss financial arrangements during and after divorce.

 About the episode: 

Kate and Donald start by exploring why there are so many emotions attached to money during divorce, the importance of seeking financial advice early, and how to build financial confidence post-divorce. Many separating couples find it difficult to plan for their independent futures, and considering the practicalities, lifestyle adjustments and co-parenting arrangements can make financial discussions even more triggering. Donald explains the importance of understanding your assets, including pensions, which often get overlooked - but are key to your long-term stability. He finishes by explaining what a 'money coach' is and how they can help you prepare and plan for life post-divorce. You'll finish this episode feeling more confident in your finances, wherever you are in the separation process.

About our guest:

Donald Stewart is the Head of Training and Competence at Octopus Money and looks after the skills, knowledge and conduct for the coaches and advisers to help them deliver great outcomes for customers. Prior to joining Octopus Money, he spent 15 years in retail banking in various roles including management, financial advice and business banking and has always had a passion for helping people to feel empowered with money and personal finances. 

Want more financial tips from an Octopus Money expert? 

Senior Paraplanner at Octopus Money Ben Atherton shared five practical money-saving tips to help make you and your family more financially secure. Get the highlights in our blog post or listen to the full podcast episode.

More resources:

Get help with your finances wherever you are in the divorce journey with Octopus Money. You can book your free starter session with an Octopus expert here. 

Get in touch with Donald Stewart on LinkedIn or you can contact him via email - [email protected] 

Use this gov.uk service to track your pensions, and for more information about what you might be entitled to post-divorce, visit Citizens Advice Bureau

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. 

We'd love to know how we can help you further. Share your questions on divorce, separation and co-parenting with us at [email protected] . They might just be the topic of a future episode!

#Finances

In this mini-episode, Kate shares practical, compassionate tips on how to start the divorce process when your ex-partner isn’t quite on the same page yet — and how to choose a legal service that works for both of you. This episode will be helpful for anyone who has decided their relationship has come to an end, and would like to share the news with their ex-partner in a kinder way. If you want to separate amicably, try following a few of our tips for a smoother, kinder transition to ending your marriage.

About the episode:

Kate starts by explaining the emotional journey of divorce. She offers guidance on how to approach initial conversations with your ex-partner, including making sure that they know you want a divorce, and how to introduce the idea of using a service like amicable. Kate also explores why amicable is different to the two-lawyer (typically combative) approach, and why a couples service can reduce stress, save money and time when you decide to split. This episode is all about meeting your ex where they are, reducing friction, and laying the groundwork for a respectful and cooperative split.

More resources:

We'd love to know how we can help you further. Share your questions on divorce, separation and co-parenting with us at [email protected], through direct messages on Instagram or by starting a new forum thread on amicable’s advice forum. They might just be the topic of a future episode!

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. 

#EmotionalJourney

In this episode, Kate is joined by Cate Mackenzie, a Sex and Relationship Therapist, to discuss dating post-divorce. Tune in for an amazing mix of actionable tips, real-life stories and even a mini-coaching session to get you started. This episode is fantastic if you want to build up your confidence after a relationship breakdown.

 About the episode: 

Kate and Cate start by exploring why dating is so difficult after divorce and separation. They then talk about why your friends can be a great help in making dating less daunting and scary and how to make dating apps work for you. Cate also explains how to date when you might be feeling emotionally vulnerable and questioning your dating readiness. Cate encourages checking in with yourself and managing expectations when you get ready for your first dates post-divorce. They even speculate on how to make our schedules work for our love life and whether it’s possible to have a ‘Wednesday-only’ relationship. Cate analyses different flirting techniques and how to uncover and lean into your natural style, which might be something you least expect … They finish the podcast by sharing some key tips on how not to get overly attached too quickly and essential online safety.

Just a heads-up that this episode contains sexual references, so you might want to listen out of earshot of any children.

About our guest:

Cate Mackenzie is a Sex and Relationship Therapist specialising in attachment and self-expression. She has been the Dating Coach on Channel 4’s “The Undateables”, Flirting Coach for The Jeremy Vine Show on Channel 5 and Sex Therapist on Channel 4’s Kinky Britain. She is regularly in the press, has two podcasts “Love, pleasure and joy” and “Cate Mackenzie’s meditations” and runs workshops on flirting, dating, attachment and being open to love again after challenging experiences. 

More resources:

You can learn more about Cate Mackenzie on her website and on Instagram. For more tips on dating and relationships, check out Cate’s podcast “Love, pleasure and joy”.

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. 

We'd love to know how we can help you further. Share your questions on divorce, separation and co-parenting with us at [email protected] . They might just be the topic of a future episode!

#LifeAfterDivorce

This week Kate is joined by Una Archer, founder of Help Your Child Thrive, to discuss handovers, why parents and even children might find them difficult and what you can do to make them easier. Una shares her insights about how to focus on yourself and effectively prepare your mindset for positive handovers.

TW: This episode mentions domestic violence, which may be upsetting for some listeners. If you need support, contact: 

• Refuge
• Men's Advice Line

About the episode:

Kate and Una start off by discussing why handovers are often so emotionally-charged for everyone involved. Una then shares some tips on how to make them just a little bit easier. Learn how to manage your nervous system, reframe the role of handovers and stay child-centred throughout those interactions. 

About our guest:

Una Archer provides attachment and trauma-informed parenting support for separated parents. With a background in educational psychology and her own experience of navigating separation, Una's approach places children's emotional security at the heart of every parenting decision. Over the past 10 years, she has worked with hundreds of separated parents, helping them with challenges ranging from managing the logistics of moving between two homes to redefining and reinventing the kind of parent they want to be. Her work supports parents in building deeper connection, confidence, and resilience — both for themselves and their children

More resources:

You can learn more about Una and how she can help your child thrive on her website. You can also register for her on-demand webinar, exploring emotional security for separated parents, here

We'd love to know how we can help you further. Share your questions on divorce, separation and co-parenting with us at [email protected], through direct messages on Instagram or by starting a new forum thread on amicable’s advice forum. They might just be the topic of a future episode!

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. 

#Coparenting

In this episode, Kate is joined by Andrew G Marshall, a therapist and writer, to discuss the most common mistakes to avoid when separating.

 About the episode: 

Kate and Andrew begin the episode by looking at Andrew’s motivations for becoming a therapist, following his personal experience of family members’ divorce as a child. Andrew explains the importance of communication both during a relationship and after it ends. They role-play a typical scenario separating couples find themselves in, and how to de-escalate emotionally-charged conversations. Andrew gives some great tips on creating distance so you can choose to respond and not react. Kate and he explore common mistakes people make when separating, including rushing the ending, seeing divorce as the magic bullet and ‘switching off’ or emotionally ‘checking out’ pre-separation. They end by talking about Andrew’s upcoming retreat and who it can help. This is a fantastic episode, whether you’re in the midst of a separation or want to improve the health of your relationship by learning new communication skills.

About our guest:

Andrew G Marshall is a marital therapist with 40 years of experience helping couples make better relationships (or if they separate, to be good co-parents). He originally trained with RELATE, the UK's largest counselling charity, but now leads a team of therapists in private practice. He is the author of twenty-plus books which have been translated into over twenty languages - including the international bestseller 'I love you but I'm not in love with you'. He is the host of the award-nominated podcast 'The Meaningful Life with Andrew G Marshall' and this autumn will lead a retreat near Berlin for men seeking to 'Reconnect with Yourself'. 

More resources:

You can learn more about Andrew G Marshall on his website. There, you can register to attend his upcoming retreat for men, listen to his award-nominated podcast and even access his video course to learn about Andrew’s best relationship tools. 

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. 

We'd love to know how we can help you further. Share your questions on divorce, separation and co-parenting with us at [email protected] . They might just be the topic of a future episode!

#EmotionalJourney

In this episode, Kate is joined by Ben Atherton, a financial planning expert from Octopus Money, to share his top five money-saving tips post-divorce or separation. For many couples, one person might have handled more of the financial planning, and the other might feel unsure about where to start - particularly around securing their financial futures and setting achievable goals for their new priorities. No matter what journey you’re on, Ben’s tips will help build your financial literacy. 

About the episode:

Budgeting might seem like the last thing you want to be doing when emotions are running high – but a little thought and planning now can be a big help in the long term. With that in mind, Ben shares his top five tips on how to plan for future finances during in this challenging period. Tune in to learn how to redefine your relationship with money and get some practical tools for financial management.

About our guest:

Ben Atherton is a Senior Paraplanner within the Advice Team at Octopus Money and his role is to look at the current financial situation of our clients, including any pensions, savings or investments which they might have and review them to establish if they are ‘fit for purpose’ i.e. are they helping them reach their financial goals and objectives.

Ben has worked for Octopus Money since April 2024 but have been helping people with their finances since 2017, having worked for a small independent firm and a larger advice practice in the past. 

More resources:

You can learn more about financial planning on Octopus Money website. For help with updating your will, you can reach out to Octopus Legacy. You can learn more about the benefits you might be entitled to at Turn2us, and for help with tracking your childcare expenses, you can download amicable co-parenting app. Finally, you can read our post-divorce checklist here.

We'd love to know how we can help you further. Share your questions on divorce, separation and co-parenting with us at [email protected], through direct messages on Instagram or by starting a new forum thread on amicable’s advice forum. They might just be the topic of a future episode!

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. 

#Finances

In this episode, Kate is joined by Christopher Gillard, chef and writer, to discuss how cooking can help rebuild your life post-divorce.

 About the episode: 

The episode starts with Chris opening up about his separation story and the unexpected discoveries like pet-sitting and newfound love for cooking that inspired him to write his book ‘The Divorced Man's Kitchen Survival Guide’. He also explains how visiting different kitchens led him to formulate a ‘recipe’ of essential tools & ingredients that everyone needs to cook up a fresh start post-divorce. Kate and Chris discuss why his self-care book and practical guidance are particularly important for men, and how nutritious cooking can help you get through a tough time and come out better than ever. They finish off by giving some actionable tips on how to improve your cooking habits, like planning smarter food shops and choosing to embrace imperfection when things don’t go as planned.

About our guest:

Christopher H Gillard is a qualified chef, professional writer, photographic artist, filmmaker and a tech entrepreneur with over two decades experience in communications and innovative technology development. He also happens to be a divorcee who suddenly had to rebuild his life from the ground up in 2019 - no job, no money, no home and two little girls to look after. Chris’s background as a professional chef combined with over 20 years in creative communications and tech innovation provided him with crucial skills and experience needed to successfully navigate the hardest period of his life. It led him to his accidental recipe for renewal and the subsequent creation of his book. In The Divorced Man's Kitchen Survival Guide, Chris is sharing his story and learnings in the hope of helping others, everywhere.

More resources:

You can get in touch with Chris on LinkedIn and you can buy his book The Divorced Man's Kitchen Survival Guide on Amazon

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. 

We'd love to know how we can help you further. Share your questions on divorce, separation and co-parenting with us at [email protected] . They might just be the topic of a future episode!

#LifeAfterDivorce

In the previous episode of The Divorce Podcast, Kate spoke to Cate Campbell about navigating intimacy when living together post-separation. In this episode, Kate wanted to delve deeper into another common challenge when it comes to sex and relationships – infidelity. What is it, why does it happen, and what can we do afterwards? 

About the episode:

Kate begins by explaining what ‘infidelity’ is and why there is no clear definition for it. She also shares some fascinating statistics on how often adultery causes marriages to end and gives us three main reasons as to why that happens. She finishes off with some advice for forgiveness, moving on and getting closure if the infidelity has occurred. 

Please be aware that this episode contains sexual references, so you might want to listen out of earshot of any children.

More resources:

We'd love to know how we can help you further. Share your questions on divorce, separation and co-parenting with us at [email protected], through direct messages on Instagram or by starting a new forum thread on amicable’s advice forum. They might just be the topic of a future episode!

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. 

#EmotionalJourney

In this episode, I am joined by an award-winning author, Cate Campbell, to discuss intimacy, whether trial separations are a good idea, and boundaries while living together post-separation. 

About the episode:

Kate and Cate begin by discussing what intimacy might look like for ex-partners, especially for those who have separated but are still living together. We also explore how boundaries might be set in those situations. We then move on to discussing break-up sex, its causes and consequences, and how to have a mature conversation about it afterwards. We also touch upon ‘trial separations’ and why they might be unhealthy for you and your ex-partner. We finish by exploring boundaries with your family and friends after a split, and how little daily rituals can help you get through a tough time. 

Please be aware that this episode contains sexual references so you might want to listen out of earshot of any children.

About our guests:

Cate Campbell is a psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer specialising in relationships and trauma, working with individuals, couples and families. She is accredited by the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP), College of Sexual & Relationship Therapists (COSRT) and is an EMDR Europe. consultant. She is the author of The Relate Guide to Sex & Intimacy, Love & Sex in a New Relationship, Contemporary Sex Therapy and Sex Therapy: The Basics.

More resources:

You can learn more about Cate on her website and you can get in touch with her via email - [email protected] 

We'd love to know how we can help you further. Share your questions on divorce, separation and co-parenting with us at [email protected]. They might just be the topic of a future episode!

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

#LifeAfterDivorce