The Smart Divorce Podcast

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How do you work together with someone you may no longer like, trust, or even want to speak to? This question sits at the heart of co-parenting after separation, and our guest Marcy Shaoul brings both personal experience and professional expertise to this challenging terrain.

Marcie Shaoul

Marcie is a trailblazer in co-parenting. She’s the founder of the award-winning The Co-Parent Way and author of The Co-Parenting Method: Six Steps to Raise Happy Kids After Separation and Divorce (Penguin, 2025). In 2016, she launched the UK’s first dedicated co-parent coaching practice, bringing this vital support to separating families across the country. 

A certified coach known for her clear, compassionate, and results-driven style, Marcie has helped thousands of separating parents learn how to co-parent with confidence. She developed The Co-Parenting Method, a step-by-step approach that transforms post-separation communication—and she now offers it both in-person and as an accessible online course.

Before launching her coaching career, Marcie led high-level communications teams in the international civil service, advising senior officials and diplomats at Foreign Minister level. She has worked with Buckingham Palace on a high-profile communications initiative for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and alongside global changemakers such as Desmond Tutu, Sonia Gandhi, and Terry Waite.

Where it’s safe to do so, every child of separation has a right to parents who can still be parents - together.

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Tamsin Caine

Tamsin is a Chartered Financial Planner with over 20 years experience. She works with couples and individuals who are at the end of a relationship and want agree how to divide their assets FAIRLY without a fight.

You can contact Tamsin at [email protected] or arrange a free initial meeting using https://bit.ly/SmDiv15min. She is also part of the team running Facebook group Separation, Divorce and Dissolution UK

Tamsin Caine MSc., FPFS

Chartered Financial Planner

Smart Divorce Ltd

Smart Divorce

 P.S. I am the co-author of “My Divorce Handbook – It’s What You Do Next That Counts”, written by divorce specialists and lawyers writing about their area of expertise to help walk you through the divorce process. You can buy it here https://yourdivorcehandbook.co.uk/buy-the-book/

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Helen Stewart, Managing Director of Now You're Talking, shares how therapy can support children through parental separation and divorce, drawing from both professional expertise and personal experience.

Helen Stuart

Helen has always advocated for good mental health, and vocalised the importance of ease of access to mental health support throughout her career. This has seen her working across community, outreach, counselling and domestic abuse prevention roles. Now Helen brings her wealth of knowledge, managerial experience through TLC: Talk, Listen, Change, and personal connections to mental health to drive Now You’re Talking’s success.

Helen is passionate about leading a socially responsible, business for good, enabling contributions to made back to TLC making the charity’s mission possible.

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Tamsin Caine

Tamsin is a Chartered Financial Planner with over 20 years experience. She works with couples and individuals who are at the end of a relationship and want agree how to divide their assets FAIRLY without a fight.

You can contact Tamsin at [email protected] or arrange a free initial meeting using https://bit.ly/SmDiv15min. She is also part of the team running Facebook group Separation, Divorce and Dissolution UK

Tamsin Caine MSc., FPFS

Chartered Financial Planner

Smart Divorce Ltd

Smart Divorce

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Your ex always seems one step ahead in divorce negotiations? They might be digitally spying on you. From email forwarding to WhatsApp monitoring—learn how abusers exploit technology and what you can do about it. In this episode, Tamsin is joined by Danny Franks, a cyber security expert to discuss the issues and how to protect yourself.

Danny Franks

Danny Franks, also known as "Danny the I.T. Man," is an experienced executive with the ability for helping people. He kicked off his entrepreneurial journey in 2002 by starting a Managed Service Provider business provide IT support to businesses in and around Greater Manchester. In 2014, he took things up a notch by acquiring a telephony company, and he successfully sold both businesses in 2018.  

Danny is all about paying attention to detail and making sure everything is just right. A year ago, he launched Blaze Hill, a company dedicated to providing discreet help to those dealing with computer and technical issues. His thorough approach ensures that every client gets excellent and diligent service.

Tamsin Caine

Tamsin is a Chartered Financial Planner with over 20 years experience. She works with couples and individuals who are at the end of a relationship and want agree how to divide their assets FAIRLY without a fight.

You can contact Tamsin at [email protected] or arrange a free initial meeting using https://bit.ly/SmDiv15min. She is also part of the team running Facebook group Separation, Divorce and Dissolution UK

Tamsin Caine MSc., FPFS

Chartered Financial Planner

Smart Divorce Ltd

https://smartdivorce.co.uk

P.S. I am the co-author of “My Divorce Handbook – It’s What You Do Next That Counts”, written by divorce specialists and lawyers writing about their area of expertise to help walk you through the divorce process. You can buy it here https://yourdivorcehandbook.co.uk/buy-the-book/

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This week family solicitor Karen Gray and divorce coach Sarah Steele join Tamsin to share their expertise on supporting domestic abuse survivors through divorce and separation, highlighting the vital importance of emotional support alongside legal guidance.

Sarah Steele

Sarah is an Accredited Breakup and Divorce Master Practitioner, ICF life Coach and NLP Practitioner. Sarah supports men and women navigate the emotional and practical complexities of their breakup or divorce. She specialises in supporting both men and women in abusive relationships, helping her clients to rebuild their resilience, confidence, effectively manage conflict and offers them practical strategies to safely exit the relationships, and create a life post breakup they deserve. 

sarahsteelecoaching.com
[email protected]

Karen Gray

"I have a keen interest in cases which feature domestic abuse and work closely with local refuges in the local area and also, further afield.  I have a wealth of knowledge and expertise in this area and able to advise on obtaining protective orders, for example, non-molestation orders and occupation orders and am able to signpost people to obtain the support that they need to be able to deal with the trauma that is experienced.

I have dealt with numerous cases involving physical, emotional, psychological and sexual abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour.  I have also represented many parents, grandparents and wider family members in complex children matters featuring domestic abuse.

I have Law Society Advanced Accreditation specialising in Children Law and Violence in the Home and am also a member of Resolution."

https://www.pathway-project.co.uk/

https://chadd.org/
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Tamsin Caine

Tamsin is a Chartered Financial Planner with over 20 years experience. She works with couples and individuals who are at the end of a relationship and want agree how to divide their assets FAIRLY without a fight.

You can contact Tamsin at [email protected] or arrange a free initial meeting using https://bit.ly/SmDiv15min. She is also part of the team running Facebook group Separation, Divorce and Dissolution UK

Tamsin Caine MSc., FPFS

Chartered Financial Planner

https://smartdivorce.co.uk

P.S. I am the co-author of “My Divorce Handbook – It’s What You Do Next That Counts”, written by divorce specialists and lawyers writing about their area of expertise to help walk you through the divorce process. You can buy it here https://yourdivorcehandbook.co.uk/buy-the-book/

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TRIGGER WARNING

Are you aware of the signs of domestic abuse? Join me on a powerful journey as I speak with Samantha Billingham, a survivor turned advocate who shares her harrowing experience with coercive control and emotion-driven manipulation. This episode goes deep into identifying red flags, understanding the psychological impacts of abuse, and the difficult yet courageous process of leaving an abusive relationship.
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Samantha Billingham

Samantha Billingham is the founder of Stronger Beginnings and we provide bespoke training for businesses and professionals to enhance their understanding of coercive control, domestic abuse and its impact.

The key focus of Stronger Beginnings is focusing on the empowerment, transformation and growth, between victim survivors and professionals. With Stronger Beginnings, professionals can connect and show positivity through enhancing their knowledge and understanding of coercive control and domestic abuse.

Samantha’s commitment is to create a world where victim survivors are supported, empowered, and given a voice. Stronger Beginnings provide bespoke training; our passion is to share our experience with other organisations to improve advocacy skills around coercive control.

Samantha is an Ambassador for EIDA, https://www.eida.org.uk/ employers initiative on domestic abuse, who offer the tools and employer needs to take effective action if an employee makes a domestic abuse disclosure.

She is also the face and founder of SODA, https://strongerbeginnings.mailchimpsites.com/soda Survivors of Domestic Abuse, an online support group for those who have experienced domestic abuse to come together without judgement.

Samantha is also an Associate for Better Lives Training co-delivering alongside Bridie Anderson, sharing her lived experience to give a clear understanding of coercive control, domestic abuse, and its impact.

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Tamsin Caine

Tamsin is a Chartered Financial Planner with over 20 years experience. She works with couples and individuals who are at the end of a relationship and want agree how to divide their assets FAIRLY without a fight.

You can contact Tamsin at [email protected] or arrange a free initial meeting using https://bit.ly/SmDiv15min. She is also part of the team running Facebook group Separation, Divorce and Dissolution UK

Tamsin Caine MSc., FPFS

Chartered Financial Planner

https://smartdivorce.co.uk

P.S. I am the co-author of “My Divorce Handbook – It’s What You Do Next That Counts”, written by divorce specialists and lawyers writing about their area of expertise to help walk you through the divorce process. You can buy it here https://yourdivorcehandbook.co.uk/buy-the-book/

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Facing a divorce with a partner exhibiting narcissistic traits? Tamsin and Rachel Ward walk through the challenging legal landscape and emphasise the necessity of a competent legal and emotional support team. Rachel and I share insights into the high thresholds required to establish conduct cases and discuss the emotional and financial burdens these impose on victims.

This episode is a follow-up to last week's blog "Surviving Divorce from a narcissist"

Rachel Ward

Rachel is a solicitor based in Hill Dickinson Solicitors Manchester Office but represents clients globally, many in Dubai, Geneva and London. Rachel has a wide range of experience in all areas of family law spanning over 10 years exclusively practising in family law.  Rachel has a specialism in managing and resolving financial and child arrangement disputes for clients who are separating from partners with narcissism or narcissistic personality traits.  

Rachel is also passionate about demonstrating that there are amicable ways to achieve a favourable settlement, allowing her clients to navigate litigation with dignity and composure. Her primary goal is to enable both parties to co parent effectively after the separation, always prioritising the best interests of the child.

Her comprehensive understanding of family law, combined with her compassionate approach has made Rachel a trusted advisor and advocate for countless individuals ranging from people in the music industry, influencers, solicitors and business owners.  Rachel has been listed as one of the best 28 best divorce lawyers in Manchester by Wiselaw.

https://www.hilldickinson.com

Tamsin Caine

Tamsin is a Chartered Financial Planner with over 20 years experience. She works with couples and individuals who are at the end of a relationship and want agree how to divide their assets FAIRLY without a fight.

You can contact Tamsin at [email protected] or arrange a free initial meeting using https://bit.ly/SmDiv15min. She is also part of the team running Facebook group Separation, Divorce and Dissolution UK

Tamsin Caine MSc., FPFS

Chartered Financial Planner

Smart Divorce Ltd

Smart Divorce

P.S. I am the co-author of “My Divorce Handbook – It’s What You Do Next That Counts”, written by divorce specialists and lawyers writing about their area of expertise to help walk you through the divorce process. You can buy it here https://yourdivorcehandbook.co.uk/buy-the-book/

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Unlock the secrets to empowering survivors of domestic abuse as we chat with our guest Sam Fisher, the inspiring CEO of Trafford Domestic Abuse Service (TDAS). Through her personal experiences, we shed light on how TDAS supports not only Trafford residents but also those connected through work or schooling, offering crucial services under the Domestic Abuse Act. 

Samantha Fisher, CEO, Trafford Domestic Abuse Service

Samantha is currently the CEO of Trafford Domestic Abuse Services (TDAS) and has dedicated her career to the voluntary sector since 2007. She holds a degree in Psychology and initially aimed to pursue a career in college teaching. However, volunteer experiences during her studies quickly revealed a strong passion for direct support work, guiding Sam’s career in a new and fulfilling direction.

A deep commitment to service-user involvement has been central to Sam’s approach, rooted in her time as a Client Inclusion Champion while serving as a Project Worker supporting homeless women facing multiple challenges. This role highlighted the importance of centring service-user voices, a principle that continues to shape her work today.

In 2010, Sam joined Team TDAS as a Refuge Support Worker and immediately knew she had found a professional home. Now leading the organisation, she feels privileged to work alongside a dedicated team, providing person-centred, empowering support to families seeking freedom from domestic abuse.

Please find below a link to the TDAS website resource page to learn more about our organisation, what we do and the services we provide.

https://www.tdas.org.uk/resources

Tamsin Caine

Tamsin is a Chartered Financial Planner with over 20 years experience. She works with couples and individuals who are at the end of a relationship and want agree how to divide their assets FAIRLY without a fight.

You can contact Tamsin at [email protected] or arrange a free initial meeting using https://bit.ly/SmDiv15min. She is also part of the team running Facebook group Separation, Divorce and Dissolution UK

Tamsin Caine MSc., FPFS

Chartered Financial Planner

Smart Divorce Ltd

Smart Divorce

 P.S. I am the co-author of “My Divorce Handbook – It’s What You Do Next That Counts”, written by divorce specialists and lawyers writing about their area of expertise to help walk you through the divorce process. You can buy it here https://yourdivorcehandbook.co.uk/buy-the-book/

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Join us for an insightful exploration of whether mediation can be appropriate for cases where domestic abuse is present as we welcome our guest, family lawyer and accredited mediator Elaine Richardson, who has a wealth of experience as a trauma-informed lawyer. Gain a deeper understanding of how psychological, economic, sexual, and physical abuses manifest, and learn effective strategies to support victim survivors through these challenging circumstances.

Elaine Richardson

I am a family law solicitor, collaborative lawyer and accredited child inclusive Hybrid mediator.  I supervise other mediators as their Professional Practice Consultant (PPC) and I supervise family lawyers as their Family Law Supervisor.  I am a trainer and presenter specialising in domestic abuse, safeguarding, trauma and high conflict.  I run my own business called Richardson Family Law.

I am a member of the national non-court dispute resolution committee for Resolution.  I’ve been a member of Resolution for over 25 years.  Resolution is a community of family justice professionals who work with families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive way.  We have a membership of about 6,500.  I was recognised nationally as the winner of the prestigious John Cornwell Award in 2019 by Resolution.

I have been trained by the High Conflict Institute of America to conduct mediations involving high conflict and I have also been trained by the HCI as a mediation coach to prepare and support people going into the mediation process.  I work for the charity shared parenting Scotland in this role. 

I am a trauma informed and skilled lawyer trained by The Scottish Law Society.

https://richardsonfamilylaw.co.uk/

Tamsin Caine

Tamsin is a Chartered Financial Planner with over 20 years experience. She works with couples and individuals who are at the end of a relationship and want agree how to divide their assets FAIRLY without a fight.

You can contact Tamsin at [email protected] or arrange a free initial meeting using https://bit.ly/SmDiv15min. She is also part of the team running Facebook group Separation, Divorce and Dissolution UK

Tamsin Caine MSc., FPFS

Chartered Financial Planner

Smart Divorce Ltd

Smart Divorce

P.S. I am the co-author of “My Divorce Handbook – It’s What You Do Next That Counts”, written by divorce specialists and lawyers writing about their area of expertise to help walk you through the divorce process. You can buy it here https://yourdivorcehandbook.co.uk/buy-the-book/

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Our guest is Lucy Wade, the force behind "You Don't Own Me" and host of "Dip In and Out with Lucy." We uncover the often hidden struggle of post-separation abuse. Lucy's insights equip listeners with strategies to confront the ongoing control and manipulation many face during the divorce process, unveiling the harsh reality of financial and legal tactics used by abusers to maintain their grip.

Lucy Wade

Lucy is the creator of ydom.co.uk and host of the Podcast, DIP in and out with Lucy CIC . She is a Domestic Abuse Consultant, specialising in Post-Separation Abuse. She proudly sits on the Board of Trustees of Trafford Domestic Abuse Services

Lucy has developed the Let’s Talk Series, which helps organisations, including John Lewis Partnership Working Parents Network and Gender Equality Network (GEN) to begin to understand the issues and challenges faced by those experiencing domestic abuse and post-separation abuse. And what organisations can do to support those around them.

She works with various organisations, including The National Trading Standards (NTS) Scams Team as part of their task force to develop their knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse, the language and approach we should all be taking when talking about abuse, and how it impacts all of us directly or indirectly.

She is a guest speaker joining among others, Alzheimer’s Society’s Spotlight Session to open the door to conversations around abuse and helps those who may be searching for answers but don’t know where to start.

Website: https://ydom.co.uk/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lucywade38
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TggcSQj1vaBPzRWzCXXni

Tamsin Caine

Tamsin is a Chartered Financial Planner with over 20 years experience. She works with couples and individuals who are at the end of a relationship and want agree how to divide their assets FAIRLY without a fight.

You can contact Tamsin at [email protected] or arrange a free initial meeting using https://bit.ly/SmDiv15min. She is also part of the team running Facebook group Separation, Divorce and Dissolution UK

Tamsin Caine MSc., FPFS

Chartered Financial Planner

Smart Divorce Ltd

Smart Divorce

P.S. I am the co-author of “My Divorce Handbook – It’s What You Do Next That Counts”, written by divorce specialists and lawyers writing about their area of expertise to help walk you through the divorce process. You can buy it here https://yourdivorcehandbook.co.uk/buy-the-book/

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Susan Bright, CEO of the Employers Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA) joins Tamsin to explore the crucial intersection of domestic abuse and the workplace. Gain valuable insights as Susan discusses her mission to guide and educate employers on this sensitive issue.

Susan Bright
CEO, Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (“EIDA”)

Susan Bright joined EIDA as CEO in 2022.  EIDA is a charity with a member network of over 1,700 employers across the UK that are committed to providing effective support for their employees impacted by domestic abuse.  Previously Susan was a partner at global law firm, Hogan Lovells.  She held various senior leadership positions, including as a member of the firm’s global executive and UK Managing Partner. Susan has been committed to tackling domestic abuse for many years and led the firm’s introduction of its domestic abuse policy.  Hogan Lovells became one of EIDA’s early Beacon members.  Susan is also Chair of 50:50, a charity which helps women to progress in politics and is a Non-Executive Director of MindForward Alliance, a network of businesses working together to support and create positive mental health for their people.
 
Support services for individuals watching /listening: https://www.eida.org.uk/resources/directory-support-services

Tamsin Caine

Tamsin is a Chartered Financial Planner with over 20 years experience. She works with couples and individuals who are at the end of a relationship and want agree how to divide their assets FAIRLY without a fight.

You can contact Tamsin at [email protected] or arrange a free initial meeting using https://bit.ly/SmDiv15min. She is also part of the team running Facebook group Separation, Divorce and Dissolution UK

Tamsin Caine MSc., FPFS

Chartered Financial Planner

Smart Divorce Ltd

Smart Divorce

P.S. I am the co-author of “My Divorce Handbook – It’s What You Do Next That Counts”, written by divorce specialists and lawyers writing about their area of expertise to help walk you through the divorce process. You can buy it here https://yourdivorcehandbook.co.uk/buy-the-book/

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