The Good Divorce® Show

In this episode of the Good Divorce Show™, Karen McNenny speaks with Lori and David Sims, creators of the Nacho Kids Method, which aims to help blended families thrive. They share their personal journey through the challenges of blending families, the importance of understanding roles, and the evolution of relationships among stepchildren and stepparents. The conversation highlights the significance of communication, setting boundaries, and the gradual process of building healthy family dynamics. In this conversation, Lori and David Sims discuss their journey in creating the Nacho Kids Academy, a resource for blended families. They explore themes such as guilty parent syndrome, co-parenting dynamics, and the importance of building relationships within blended families. The conversation highlights the challenges and triumphs of navigating family dynamics, offering insights and advice for those in similar situations.

ABOUT NACHO KIDS

Lori and David Sims are the creators of the Nacho Kids® Method, a revolutionary approach that helps stepparents reduce stress, improve relationships, and thrive in blended families. After coming back from the brink of divorce, they developed a method that empowers stepparents to step back from parenting roles and focus on building healthier connections.

Through Nacho Kids Academy, workshops, and their podcast, Lori and David have helped thousands of stepfamilies worldwide. Their approach teaches that you can't control others, but you can control how you respond to it and how you let it affect you —a philosophy that has transformed stepfamily dynamics.

Passionate about helping others find peace, Lori and David believe every blended family can thrive with the right mindset and tools.

• https://nachokids.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/NachoKidsAcademy/
• https://www.instagram.com/nachokids/
• https://nachokidsacademy.com/

In this episode of The Good Divorce Show™, Karen McNenny speaks with Jennifer Lee, founder of Modern Wealth, about financial empowerment during and after divorce. They discuss the importance of understanding one's money story, facing financial realities, and the role of financial advisors in navigating the divorce process. Jennifer emphasizes the significance of assessing financial needs, the power of compound interest, and the necessity of temporary spousal support. The conversation also touches on the concept of divorce fatigue and the importance of creating a family love letter to communicate values and intentions regarding finances.

About Jennifer Lee, AWMA®, AIF®

Jennifer Lee is the founder of Modern-Wealth; a Sarasota-based financial firm with a focus on guiding women through life’s toughest transitions, especially divorce. For almost 30 years she’s worked to encourage women to face financial decisions head-on and empower them to do so with confidence. She works hand-in-hand with divorce attorneys and coaches to help clients navigate the tough financial decisions during this emotional time. She is author of the book, "Squeeze the Juice," which offers an approachable look into tackling financial preparedness with ease.

• https://modern-wealth.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/ModernWealthInvest
• https://www.instagram.com/modernwealthloveletter/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-lee-awma%C2%AE-aif%C2%AE-1b5aa56/
• https://squeezethejuicebook.com/

In this episode of The Good Divorce Show™, host Karen McNenny engages with Missy Miculka, an adult child of divorce, to discuss the long-lasting impacts of divorce on children. They explore the importance of communication, emotional support, and the need for parents to prioritize their children's well-being during and after the divorce process. Missy shares her personal experiences and offers cautionary advice for parents navigating new relationships and co-parenting dynamics. The conversation emphasizes the significance of creating a positive environment for children and the potential for healing and growth in the aftermath of divorce.

About Missy aka The Menopause Midwife

• ohm406.com
• instagram.com/mymenopausemidwife
• instagram.com/optimalhealthmt/
• tiktok.com/@themenopausemidwife

Certifications/Licenses:

• Midwifery 
• Licensed Massage Therapy
• GGS Menopause Hormone Certification
• Quicksilver Scientific Hormone Specialist Certification - Practitioner

​

Takeaways

• Divorce can have a lasting impact on children, often more than parents realize.
• Children need to be allowed to express their emotions during a divorce.
• It's important for parents to communicate openly with their children about the divorce.
• Waiting before introducing new partners to children can help ease transitions.
• Children should not feel responsible for their parents' emotions.
• Creating a supportive co-parenting environment is crucial for children's well-being.
• Language used by parents can significantly affect children's feelings about their family dynamics.
• Equal access to both parents is vital for children's emotional health.
• Parents should avoid putting adult issues on their children.
• Therapeutic support can be beneficial for both parents and children during a divorce.

In this episode of The Good Divorce Show™, Karen McNenny interviews Ellen Carey, a nurse and energy healer, who shares her personal journey through divorce and the lessons learned along the way. They discuss the complexities of decision-making during the divorce process, the challenges of co-parenting young adults, the importance of self-care and grief, and the financial realities that come with divorce.

Ellen also reflects on her unique experience of working alongside her ex-husband in a small law firm, the evolution of their relationship post-divorce, and how they navigated family events like weddings and the arrival of a grandchild. The conversation emphasizes the possibility of maintaining a respectful and supportive relationship after divorce, highlighting that it is possible to choose love and understanding over animosity.

From Ellen

"Divorce was not my original intention. Me and my former spouse are both strongly oriented toward family. Breaking up the family was not taken lightly. However, ultimately, divorce became the best option going forward. The separation, then the legal process of divorce took almost 4 years!" - They have now been divorced for 9 years, their children are grown, they have become grandparents, and continue to work alongside one another!

In this episode of The Good Divorce Show™, Karen McNenny speaks with Brook Olsen, a Certified Parenting Educator and Divorce Mediator, about navigating high conflict divorces. They discuss the importance of understanding attachment styles, the impact of trauma on parenting, and the dynamics of introducing new relationships post-divorce. Brook shares insights from his personal journey and professional experience, emphasizing the need for emotional regulation and the distinction between co-parenting and parallel parenting strategies.

BROOK OLSEN

• https://www.highconflict.net/
• The High Conflict Co-Parenting Podcast

SOCIALS

• facebook.com/HighConflict/
• instagram.com/highconflictdiversionprogram/

Brook Olsen is a Certified Parenting Educator with the International Network for Children and Families, a Certified Divorce Mediator, Divorce Coach, and author of The Black Hole of High Conflict, which offers perspectives and strategies for navigating a high conflict divorce.

Brook’s knowledge of how the nervous system works and understanding of the role it plays in psychological and physiological reactions to trauma, conflict and anxiety brings a holistic approach to his work with families caught in the High Conflict cycle.

Brook teaches classes in the High Conflict Diversion Program and trains instructors to teach the Program throughout the U.S. and Canada. He also leads workshops in communication for couples and is a peer consultant for fellow professionals.

After his own litigious, two-and-a-half year high-conflict divorce, Brook saw the need for a holistic approach to divorce mediation, which included meditation, managing trauma, and an understanding of how personality traits and personality disorders create high conflict in a divorce.

In this episode of The Good Divorce Show™, Karen McNenny speaks with Abigail McGurty, a trained Sacred Passage Doula and Conscious Dying Coach, about the parallels between end-of-life care and divorce. They explore the significance of grief, the concept of a 'good death' and 'good divorce', and the importance of rituals in processing loss. The conversation delves into the non-linear nature of grief, the impact of ambiguous loss, and the necessity of support during transitions. Abigail shares insights on making meaning after loss and the importance of planning for end-of-life issues, emphasizing that both death and divorce are human experiences that deserve compassion and understanding.

Takeaways- Divorce can be seen as a significant ending, similar to death

- Grief is often a slow and non-linear process- A good death is about honoring the individual's choices and identity- Ambiguous loss can occur in both death and divorce situations- Rituals can help in processing grief and marking transitions.- Resistance to grief can be common, but surrender is part of the process- It's important to recognize the continuum of grief- Making meaning after loss is essential for healing- Support systems should be tailored to individual needs during grief

- Planning for end-of-life issues can start at any time, not just in crisis

ABIGAIL MCGURTY

About Abigail

For just over 10 years, Abigail worked as a registered nurse in a variety of settings. Beginning as an oncology nurse and later transitioning to critical care nursing proved to be a journey that changed her perspective on many things, including end-of-life care. Abigail realized early in her career that end-of-life was a precious time, but with more experience and reflection, it became apparent that the dying process also holds the capacity for deep human significance. Exploring this significance ultimately led to her discovering the role of doulas in end-of-life care.

Abigail is trained as a Sacred Passage Doula and Conscious Dying Coach through the Conscious Dying Institute in Boulder, CO. As a doula, keeping people, the richness of their lived experiences and the values they hold is central to the support that is provided.

Within this role Abigail is poised to provide holistic and compassionate care. She hopes that by listening with compassion and creating a space for people to ask questions both big and small, the dying process can be experienced with more comfort and ultimately less fear.

Resources from the Episode

- Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross And The Five Stages of Grief®

In this episode of The Good Divorce Show™, Karen McNenny introduces the THIRD season, emphasizing the importance of redefining divorce as a positive transition rather than a failure. She discusses the various aspects of navigating divorce, including communication, support systems, and the potential for reinvention. The episode highlights the importance of community support and the need for a shift in societal perceptions of divorce.

TAKEAWAYS

In this episode of The Good Divorce Show™, Karen McNenny is joined by co-parenting expert and pioneer in the Good Divorce Movement, Christina McGhee. Through her personal experience as a child of divorce, as well as becoming a bonus-mom to step-children, Christina sheds light on best practices for co-parents. Wondering how best to prepare and navigate the holidays? What happens to the presents? How do you care for yourself? Christina and Karen will guide you through the blind spots of the holiday season. Also hear about transition rituals, how to navigate the very real grief of a new-normal and how to embrace the life long journey of co-parenting with your former spouse. Divorce is not just a single event that happens to your child, it is an experience that echoes throughout their life. One consistent and loving parent can be enough to soften the impact. You can be their ONE.

Resources for Parents:

https://divorceandchildren.com/resources-for-parents/

Free Co-Parenting Resource Guide:

https://divorceandchildren.com/guide/

Co-Parenting with Purpose:

https://divorceandchildren.com/co-parenting-with-purpose/

Co-Parenting Specialist Certification Training Program:

https://divorceandchildren.com/co-parenting-specialist-training/

The SPLIT Outreach Project:

https://www.splitfilm.org

To find Christina McGhee on social:

Facebook: Facebook.com/divorceandchildren

IG: Instagram.com/divorceandchildren

Linkedin: Linkedin.com/in/christinamcghee

In this conversation, Karen McNenny and Tess Connolly discuss the complexities of navigating divorce, particularly in relation to parenting tweens and teens. They explore the emotional challenges of divorce, the importance of planning and communication, and the evolving dynamics of co-parenting. Tess shares her personal journey through divorce, emphasizing the significance of self-care for parents and the developmental needs of young adults. The discussion highlights the need for intentionality in communication with children and the importance of maintaining a cooperative relationship with co-parents for the well-being of the children.
About Tess

Tess (Therese) Cnnolly LCSW, parent and family coach for parents of tweens and teens. She is also a psychotherapist for tweens and teens. She has a podcast called The Parenting Reset Show all about parenting in the middle school and high school years.

Website: mindfulkidsandfamilies.com

In this episode of The Good Divorce Show™, Karen McNenny speaks with Junie Moon, a global love mentor and bestselling author, about the transformative journey of self-discovery and empowerment following divorce. They discuss the importance of shadow work, intimacy, vulnerability, and the impact of shame on relationships. Junie shares her personal experiences and insights on finding next-level love, building emotional literacy, and the significance of authenticity in dating. The conversation emphasizes the need for self-love and the courage to embrace change, ultimately guiding listeners towards healthier relationships and a deeper understanding of themselves.

About Junie Moon, The Love Coach

After divorcing in 2010, Junie Moon discovered Next Level Love. She left a marriage that was dysfunctional and embraced her new chapter empowered, clear about what she deserved, and welcomed in a healthy, dynamic, supportive relationship. Because she was able to experience such a different kind of relationship due to the healing work she had done, she knew she had to share this with other women as well.

Junie Moon, CEO of Midlife Love Out Loud, a Global Love Mentor, Best-selling Author, Women's Empowerment Leader, and Certified Shadow Work® Coach, has supported thousands of women over the past 30 years to claim what is their birthright: the freedom to be and love themselves without apology. When women experience this freedom to love themselves without apology, they attract life-long Next Level Love and experience an extraordinary second half of life.

Junie is dedicated to guiding women in midlife on a transformative journey towards self-discovery and empowerment. Through heart-centered coaching and mindset techniques, she helps her clients cultivate a deep sense of self-love and confidence. Her approach goes beyond traditional dating advice, focusing instead on inner alignment and personal growth. By embracing this precious stage of life with confidence and authenticity, women discover a newfound sense of self and magnetize their ideal partners with ease. Junie's mission is to help women experience Next Level Love by first nurturing the love within themselves.

Junie has been seen on News 12 New Jersey, Blog Talk Radio, Authority Magazine, Thrive Global, and in the Newark International with her film Shed the Shame that she produced and starred in. She's also the International Bestselling author of Loving The Whole Package: Shed The Shame and Live Life Out Loud, International Award-winning speaker, and host of the successful Midlife Love Out Loud podcast. Junie has shared the stage with Sheri Winston, John Gray, Marci Shimoff, and other ground-breaking thought leaders of our time.

Connect with Junie Moon

• https://midlifeloveoutloud.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/midlifeloveoutloud
• https://www.instagram.com/midlifeloveoutloud
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/love-coach-junie-moon-995262a/
• https://twitter.com/coachjuniemoon
• https://www.youtube.com/@MidlifeLoveOutLoud