It's January, and you've made the decision to get divorced. The question now isn't whether you're moving forward. It's how. This is the phase that requires strategy, not emotion. Not because your emotions don't matter. They do. But right now, clear thinking matters more than anything else. In this solo episode, I share three things to help you formulate your strategy so you can move forward without creating unnecessary chaos, expense, or regret.

January is not a sprint. It's an orientation phase. This is the moment to shift your emotions into the passenger seat and let your strategic mind drive as you get clear on the reality you're in, gather the right information, and begin building the right team in the right order.

Waiting until after the holidays to move forward with divorce wasn't a delay. It was a boundary. Moving forward with intention now can protect you and your children long after the paperwork is signed.

What you'll hear about in this episode:

• Why January is an orientation phase, not a race to file

• What patterns in conflict, money, and boundaries matter most before divorce begins

• What financial information to quietly gather now

• How to think about custody awareness without rushing or overcorrecting

• Why strategy should come before calling an attorney and how that saves time, money, and emotional fallout

Resources & Links:

Get Your Curated Podcast PlaylistFocused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube! Seven Step Mindset Reset for Divorce

===================

DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

===================

Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-352-an-intentional-divorce-strategy-for-january/

If you're going through divorce and feeling overwhelmed by the financial decisions in front of you, you are not imagining it. There is far more to divorce financial planning than most people are ever told. Divorce creates financial challenges that most traditional financial advisors simply are not trained to handle, which is why I invited Jamie Lima, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and the founder of Allegiant Divorce Solutions, to the show to help demystify the financial realities of divorce.

Jamie explains why dividing assets during divorce is rarely as straightforward as it seems, especially once taxes, retirement accounts, and long-term consequences are factored in. We talk about some of the most common and costly blind spots women face, including critical documents like QDROs, along with who actually carries the tax burden when assets are divided.

Throughout the conversation, we come back to one essential truth. You should not be navigating this alone. Divorce requires a team, and having the right financial expertise can protect your future long after the paperwork is signed.

What you'll hear about in this episode:

• What a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst does and why divorce financial planning is different from traditional financial planning (2:02)

• What a QDRO is, how it works, and why it is essential when retirement accounts and pensions are involved (7:38)

• How after tax value changes the true worth of assets in a divorce settlement (17:43)

• The most common financial mistakes people make during divorce and what Jamie wishes everyone knew before signing an agreement (31:28)

Learn more about Jamie Lima, CDFA®: After watching her parents go through a divorce at a young age, and experiencing a tremendously expensive and emotionally draining divorce herself in 2017, she launched Allegiant Divorce Solutions as a sister company to her traditional financial planning firm.

She recognizes the challenges people face as they decide how to handle their finances during divorce. Her parents struggled, and it was challenging for her as well. Looking back, there were mistakes she made during her own divorce that could have been avoided had she had the support of a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst ®.

At present, armed with this ever growing knowledge and almost 20 years of financial planning experience, she is dedicated to helping her clients navigate the complex aspects of divorce and gain a fair settlement, with much less stress.

Resources & Links:

Get Your Curated Podcast PlaylistFocused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube! Jamie's websiteJamie on LinkedIn Jamie on Instagram Jamie on TikTok Jamie on Facebook

===================

DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

=================== Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-351-protecting-your-financial-future-during-divorce-with-jamie-lima-cdfa/

New Year's Day comes with a lot of pressure to reinvent yourself, get clear, and have a plan. In this solo episode, I'm talking about why you don't need any of that today. January 1st doesn't have to be a test, a turning point, or proof that you're doing life "right," especially if you're coming out of divorce, separation, or a year that asked more of you than you thought you could give.

This episode is about orienting instead of reinventing and recognizing that growth doesn't always look like action. It creates space to slow down, notice where you are, and consider what might be ready for choice, not necessarily today, but soon.

As this new year begins, this is a reminder that nothing is starting from scratch. Every boundary held, every truth acknowledged, and every quiet decision already counts as movement. Becoming doesn't require reinvention, and choosing doesn't require certainty. This is about listening, honoring what's already known, and allowing the next step to unfold in its own time.

What you'll hear about in this episode:

• Why you don't need a plan, a word of the year, or complete clarity on January 1st

• Why beginnings often feel awkward, uneven, and tender

• The difference between achieving and becoming

• Why self-trust matters more than certainty as a new year begins

✨ If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode, you can find it here.

Resources & Links:

Get Your Curated Podcast PlaylistFocused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch

The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube!

===================

DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

===================

Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-350-you-dont-have-to-become-someone-new-to-begin-again/

Christmas comes with a lot of expectations about how it's supposed to look and feel, and in this solo episode, I'm talking about what happens when your life doesn't match that script. You'll hear why there is no correct way to feel today and how to let this day be exactly what it is without judging yourself or trying to fix it.

I also talk about why Christmas can feel so heavy during divorce, separation, and major life transitions, and why the pressure to make this day meaningful often makes it harder. This episode offers permission to let the day pass without forcing a lesson, a silver lining, or a redemption arc.

Wherever you are and whatever this day looks like for you, I want you to know you are not alone today and not in this. Whether this Christmas feels quiet, heavy, or somewhere in between, you don't have to make it meaningful to be worthy of love, you already are.

What you'll hear about in this episode:

• The difference between emptiness and loneliness, and what emptiness is telling you

• Why Christmas Day doesn't have to teach you anything

• A simple grounding pause to notice support and release tension in your body

✨ If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode, you can find it here.

Resources & Links:

Get Your Curated Podcast PlaylistFocused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch

The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube!

===================

DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

===================

Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-349-youre-allowed-to-let-today-be-exactly-what-it-is/

Mediation can feel confusing, intimidating, and wildly misunderstood, especially when you're being told you "don't need a lawyer" because you're mediating." That's exactly why I invited my good friend and colleague Susan Guthrie back to the show. Susan is going to help break down what mediation actually is, how it works, and how to protect yourself in the process.

Susan is a former family law attorney, longtime mediator, and the host of the podcast Divorce & Beyond. She's also my go-to expert when my clients have questions about mediation. In this conversation, Susan and I walk through what mediation really looks like from the very beginning, why mediators are not judges, and why having a consulting attorney is still essential even if you are fully committed to mediating.

When you are mediating, the only people who make decisions are the people getting divorced. Nothing is decided unless both of you agree, and that's what gives the process its power. When mediation is done well, it creates space for clarity, informed choices, and agreements you can actually live with, not decisions handed down by someone who doesn't know your life.

What you'll hear about in this episode:

• Misconceptions about mediation and why many misunderstand the process (3:36)

• Why you must have a consulting attorney, even if you are mediating (15:40)

• Different forms of mediation, including the benefits of shuttle mediation (27:08)

• What the mediation process actually looks like from the start (46:40)

• Bringing other professionals into mediation can save time, money, and conflict (51:54)

• How to know when mediation is not working and who gets to make that decision (55:24)

✨ If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode, you can find it here.

Learn more about Susan Guthrie: Susan Guthrie, Esq. is one of the nation's leading voices in family law and mediation. With more than 30 years of experience as a top divorce attorney, mediator, and trainer, Susan has helped thousands of individuals and families navigate separation with dignity, clarity, and compassion.

As the creator and host of the award-winning Divorce & Beyond Podcast, Susan has built one of the most trusted platforms for real conversations about divorce, healing, and new beginnings. Her expertise and approachable style have made her a sought-after media expert, featured on The Oprah Podcast, NewsNation, NBC's Chicago Today, and numerous other national and regional outlets.

Beyond her media appearances, Susan is a respected educator and speaker, regularly training professionals in mediation, communication, and practice development across the country. She is also a best-selling author, sharing practical insights that help individuals and professionals alike navigate change with confidence.

Susan's work bridges legal knowledge, emotional intelligence, and innovative thinking — helping people not only end their marriages more peacefully but also begin their next chapters with purpose.

Resources & Links:

Get Your Curated Podcast PlaylistFocused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube! Susan's websiteThe Divorce and Beyond Podcast

===================

DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

===================

Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-348-divorce-mediation-explained-what-it-is-and-how-it-works-with-susan-guthrie-esq/

The holidays have a magical way of triggering every wound you've ever had. In this solo episode, I'm sharing how you can take care of yourself so you don't lose your mind, your center, or your sanity in the process. Whether this is your first holiday season post separation, you're holding it together until January to file, or you're already divorced and juggling co-parenting, conflict, grief, or the pressure to make everything look "fine," nothing you're feeling means you're a bad mom or a bad person. It means you're human, and you deserve far more gentleness than you've ever been taught to give yourself.

You'll hear me walk you through the predictable triggers and patterns that show up this time of year and why the holidays feel so damn hard. And together, we'll shift into a new way of moving through the season that protects your peace and honors your truth.

What you'll hear about in this episode:

• The predictable patterns and triggers that show up every holiday season

• What your holiday reactions are actually rooted in and why they feel so overwhelming

• A new way of approaching the season that protects your peace and honors your truth

• Seven practical ways to care for yourself so you stay connected instead of collapsing under the pressure

✨ If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode, you can find it here.

Resources & Links:

Get Your Curated Podcast PlaylistFocused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch

The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube!

===================

DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-347-when-the-holidays-trigger-every-old-wound-how-to-get-through-without-losing-yourself/

This episode is about the loneliness women feel inside of relationships and how that loneliness can cut deeper than anything else, even when someone is sitting right next to you. If you've been moving through your days feeling invisible, misunderstood, or emotionally starved inside your own home, please hear me when I say this: you are not alone. Loneliness in marriage has become one of the most common and most deeply painful experiences women quietly carry.

Throughout this episode, you'll hear me talk about the female loneliness epidemic inside relationships and why the loneliness you feel is not a personal failure. It is your body, your intuition, and your unmet needs trying to get your attention in the most honest way they know how. I also share seven grounding steps that can help you gently validate your own experience, reconnect with what you truly need, and begin rebuilding emotional safety from the inside out.

As I always say, you, my love, deserve to be happy.

What you'll hear about in this episode:

• How emotional labor conditions women into feeling disconnected and unseen

• The somatic signs of emotional deprivation and what your body is quietly trying to tell you

• Seven gentle grounding steps to help you validate your reality and rebuild emotional safety

• How to recognize the difference between a temporary rut and the deeper experience of chronic loneliness

• Why the loneliness you feel may be a sign that you are waking up to your truth, not breaking down

Resources & Links:

Get Your Curated Podcast PlaylistFocused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch

The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube!

===================

DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

===================

Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-346-the-female-loneliness-epidemic/

Enjoy this encore episode as I walk you through a big one: navigating the holidays during divorce. The holidays can feel like walking an emotional tightrope while trying to hold onto some joy. Whether it's your first holiday season after divorce, your last one as a family before separating, or you've been navigating holidays in divorce for a while, it's a time that stirs up all the emotions.

Wherever you are in this process, I want you to know that you're not alone. Also, were the holidays stress-free before divorce? Probably not. This episode isn't just about surviving the holidays, it's about reclaiming them in a way that works for you and your kids. Get emotionally prepared, collaborate where it counts, and make choices that put your kids at the heart of it all.

In this episode, I also explore:

• Self-care survival to ensure you're showing up for yourself and your kids

• Creating new traditions that align with who you are now

• Navigating the tricky question of whether to celebrate together "for the kids"

• Practical co-parenting strategies for gift-giving, scheduling, and prioritizing your children

Resources & Links:

Focused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch

The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube!

===================

DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

If you've gone through divorce, are contemplating it, or you're smack in the messy middle, you already know: one of the hardest parts isn't the paperwork. It's learning how the hell to communicate with your ex. This is someone you likely have a lot of emotional heat with: toxic, irritating, disappointing, or all of the above and communication might even be one of the reasons you're not together anymore.

And if you share kids? The communication doesn't end just because the relationship does. You still have to find a way to talk calmly, clearly, and with as much emotional self-protection as possible.

That's why I brought on today's guests:Tessa Noel and Heather Ruiz from Talking Parents, a platform designed to reduce the chaos, conflict, and emotional landmines that come with co-parenting. Tessa is a certified divorce transition coach and a co-parent who's lived through a brutally high-conflict divorce. Heather brings 20+ years of communications and leadership experience, and her own co-parenting journey, to the work she does shaping Talking Parents' mission.

At the end of the day, healthy communication isn't about fixing your ex, it's about reclaiming your power and creating the calm your kids need.

✨ If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode, you can find it here.

What you'll hear about in this episode:

• The biggest mistakes people make when they first start co-parenting with a difficult or high-conflict ex (11:45)

• Real-life communication patterns that support healthier outcomes for kids (16:00)

• How boundaries changed everything for Tessa and why Heather says they're essential to set early, even when things feel amicable (23:45)

• Tessa's children's book Stella's Two Homes and how it helps kids navigate two-household families (28:45)

Learn more about Tessa Noel and Heather Ruiz:

Tessa Noel is a certified divorce transition and recovery coach with extensive knowledge in multiple life coaching frameworks. She holds a degree from California State University of San Marcos and has firsthand experience in the family courts of California. Tessa is also a co-parent with two children. In her free time, she loves to take them on adventures around their home state of California.

With over 20 years in marketing and communication, Heather Ruiz is at the forefront of software services as TalkingParents Marketing Director, shaping the narrative around a pivotal time when digital platforms are redefining how co-parents coordinate, collaborate, and care for their children.

Resources & Links:

Focused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch

The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube!

Talking Parents Talking Parents on Facebook Talking Parents on Instagram Talking Parents on LinkedIn Talking Parents on TikTok Talking Parents on YouTube Tessa on Instagram Stella's Two Homes

===================

DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-345-how-to-communicate-with-your-ex-without-losing-your-mind-with-the-pros-at-talking-parents/

This episode is all about parenting plans, spousal support, and the biggest legal truths people miss when they're divorcing with kids. I'm joined by award-winning divorce attorney and My Next Chapter's legal expert, Renee Bauer, who brings over two decades of family law experience to this conversation.

We get into how courts are shifting toward shared parenting, why some parenting plans need two pages and others need fifty, and the real story behind modern alimony. We also talk about the legal roadmap inside My Next Chapter and why having good information early can save you time, money, and heartache.

✨ If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode, you can find it here.

What you'll hear about in this episode:

• How custody language has shifted from "visitation" to shared parenting and why that shift matters (3:23)
• What happens when someone demands 50/50 but can't follow through (8:18)
• Why parenting plans range from simple to extremely detailed and how to know what level your family needs (25:23)
• How My Next Chapter pulls legal, financial, and emotional guidance together so you're not navigating alone (30:23)
• The big things Renee wishes people understood before hiring a divorce attorney (35:08)
• How alimony has changed in recent years and why lifetime support is rarely on the table anymore (43:08)

Learn more about Renee Bauer: Renee Bauer is an award-winning divorce attorney, published author, and the legal expert at My Next Chapter. As the founder of Happy Even After Family Law in Connecticut, she's spent over two decades helping people navigate divorce with dignity and confidence. Renee is also a sought-after speaker and advocate for reshaping how we think about divorce — not as failure, but as a chance to rewrite your next chapter with intention.

Resources & Links: Focused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch

The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube!

My Next Chapter - Use code DSG to receive $30 off your first month Episode 342: From Uncertainty to Clarity with Tamara Frankfort Odinec and Shari Joseph of My Next Chapter Renee's websiteRenee on Instagram

===================

DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

===================

Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-344-parenting-plans-support-and-legal-truths-with-renee-bauer/