Uncoupled & Unfiltered

On this episode of Uncoupled and Unfiltered, I’m joined by Paulette Rigo — divorce coach, mediator, and author of Better Divorce Blueprint. She shares her personal journey into this work and how she helps people navigate divorce with clarity, confidence, and control.

We discuss smarter strategies to avoid costly litigation, why mediation can be a better option, and what it truly means that it takes two to get married but only one to get divorced. Paulette also shares practical tools for staying grounded through the emotional challenges of divorce and reveals one major mistake that can derail your case.

If you’re facing divorce, considering it, or supporting someone who is, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why only 3% of divorces end up in litigation — and how to make sure yours isn’t one of them.
• How mediation can be the smarter, more empowered choice — even in a contentious separation — when you have the right mediator guiding the dynamic.
• The emotional stages of a relationship breakup and how to recognize when you’re truly ready to move from heartbreak to legal action.
• The four essential pillars of divorce — and how understanding them keeps you strategic instead of reactive.
• The “sticky” parts of divorce — where cases commonly go off track and how to prevent unnecessary derailment.
• Practical mindset shifts to help you stay grounded and sane when everything feels like it’s unraveling.
• The one HUGE mistake you absolutely must avoid if you don’t want to sabotage your own divorce case.

“You must share your life. That's what you do when you're married, and that's what you do when you're divorced.” - Paulette Rigo

About Our Guest: Paulette Rigo

Paulette Rigo is a nationally recognized divorce coach, credentialed ADR mediator, and the CEO and founder of Better Divorce Academy. Drawing on her own 8.5-year litigated divorce experience and over a decade of hands-on work, she empowers individuals to navigate separation with clarity, dignity, and strategic confidence — avoiding unnecessary court battles, emotional chaos, and costly mistakes. Paulette is the #1 best-selling author of Better Divorce Blueprint, host of The Better Divorce Podcast, and creator of immersive coaching programs, retreats, and resources that help people emerge from divorce stronger, financially savvy, and ready for what comes next.

Who This Episode Is For:

• You’re considering divorce but feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start.
• You’re in the middle of a separation and want to avoid costly, drawn-out litigation.
• You want to understand mediation and whether it’s the right path for your situation — even if things are tense.
• You’re emotionally wrecked but know you need to start thinking strategically.
• You’re afraid of making one wrong move that could derail your case.
• You want to protect your finances, your peace, and your future.
• You’re committed to handling your divorce with clarity and strength — not chaos.

Connect with Paulette Rigo:

Website:  https://betterdivorceacademy.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betterdivorceacademy/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulettegloriarigo/, https://www.instagram.com/pauletterigo/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulettegloria,

https://www.facebook.com/betterdivorceacademy/, 

X: https://x.com/paulettegloria 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/BetterDivorceBlueprint/_created/

Connect with Ksenia Muench:

Website: https://www.thriveagaindivorcecoaching.com/ 

Website: https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveagaindivorcecoaching/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvmuench/ 

Substack: https://substack.com/@thriveagaindc 

Email: [email protected] 

🎧 Listen, Subscribe & Share

Follow Uncoupled and Unfiltered on Spotify, Prime, and Apple Podcasts for weekly conversations about divorce, relationships, dating, and self-discovery. If this episode resonated, please rate, review, and share to help others find the show

Want to work with Ksenia? The next cohort is forming now- https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/

On today’s episode of Uncoupled & Unfiltered—the podcast where we cut through the noise and get real about what you need to know when navigating divorce—we’re diving into the kind of support people in high-conflict situations truly need.

We’re joined by Tatiana Sunik, a fiduciary wealth advisor with Forum Financial and founder of Hera Financial, a divorce consulting and financial education practice built for women navigating exactly this. Tatiana isn’t just an advisor; she’s lived it. After going through her own divorce and rebuilding her financial life, she now helps women who realize they may not know what they own, what they’re owed, or what they’re about to sign away.

In this episode, we explore why financial planning looks different for women, the common mistakes they make (and why), and how to build real financial confidence for the next chapter of life.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why divorce financial planning is different from standard planning—and why working with a professional who truly understands divorce matters.
• Red and green flags to watch for when choosing a wealth advisor.
• What fiduciary responsibility means and how independent advisors differ from those at big companies.
• The biggest financial mistakes women make that can derail their future.
• Recognizing financial abuse and strategies to protect yourself.
• Overcoming fear of investing through financial education.
• How to make divorce settlement money and alimony work for your long-term financial goals.
• One crucial thing you must know to make empowered financial decisions.

“The shame element can create paralysis by analysis and blaming. You often write that narrative in your head where it's not healthy, and those thoughts that prevent us from moving forward and doing the right thing.” - Tatiana Sunik

About Our Guest: Tatiana Sunik

Tatiana Sunik is a fiduciary wealth advisor with Forum Financial and founder of Hera Financial LLC, a divorce consulting and financial education practice. 

Throughout her career, Tatiana has seen firsthand how the financial industry, largely designed by men for men, often overlooks the unique needs of women. As someone who has navigated divorce and achieved financial independence, she is passionate about providing holistic empowerment and planning that goes beyond traditional financial advice. Tatiana believes that her personalized approach can make a meaningful difference in the lives of women, helping them feel truly secure and empowered.

This Episode Is For:

• Women navigating or preparing for divorce who want to take control of their finances.
• Anyone feeling overwhelmed or unsure about what they own, are owed, or might be signing away.
• People who want to understand how financial planning during divorce differs from standard planning.
• Those seeking guidance on choosing the right financial advisor and avoiding common pitfalls.
• Anyone ready to build financial confidence, protect themselves from financial abuse, and make empowered decisions for their future.

Divorce and Dollars: https://www.herafin.com/event-details/divorce-dollars-virtual-coffee-with-tatiana-2026-04-28-20-00

Connect with Tatiana Sunik:

Website:  www.herafin.com, https://www.forumfinancial.com/profile/tatiana-sunik/ 

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/tatianasunikcfp.cdfa/?_rdc=1&_rdr# 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hera_wealth_strategy/

Connect with Ksenia Muench:

Website: https://www.thriveagaindivorcecoaching.com/ 

Website: https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveagaindivorcecoaching/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvmuench/ 

Substack: https://substack.com/@thriveagaindc 

Email: [email protected] 

🎧 Listen, Subscribe & Share

Follow Uncoupled and Unfiltered on Spotify, Prime, and Apple Podcasts for weekly conversations about divorce, relationships, dating, and self-discovery. If this episode resonated, please rate, review, and share to help others find the show.

Want to work with Ksenia? The next cohort is forming now- https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/

Divorce isn’t just emotional—it’s financial. Whether you’ve experienced it firsthand or watched someone go through it, the financial impact can be life-changing.

In this episode of Uncoupled and Unfiltered, I sit down with Melissa Murphy Pavone, a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) with over a decade of experience, to break down the financial side of divorce that most people overlook.

We dive into what you should do before filing, how to protect your financial future during the process, and the critical money decisions that can make—or break—your next chapter. Melissa also shares common financial mistakes people make during divorce and the smart habits you can adopt now to build long-term stability and confidence.

If you're navigating divorce—or want to be prepared—this episode is packed with practical, expert-backed guidance you won’t want to miss.

Key Topics Covered:

• The difference between a Financial Planner, Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®)
• Should you keep working with your existing financial advisor during a divorce?
• Why financial mistakes happen during divorce—and how to avoid them
• The most common (and costly) financial missteps people make
• Emotional spending, children, and money: are you making decisions from logic or ego?
• “Divorce by Design”: why having the right professional team can save you money and stress
• Smart financial habits to help you rebuild and thrive after divorce

“Time really is our biggest asset, not money. We can make more money, but time is really the most valuable asset that we have, and it's not renewable.” - Melissa Murphy Pavone

About Our Guest: Melissa Murphy Pavone

Melissa Murphy Pavone is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) with over a decade of experience helping individuals navigate the complex financial landscape of divorce. She specializes in guiding clients through pre-divorce planning, equitable settlement strategies, and post-divorce financial rebuilding. Known for her practical, compassionate approach, Melissa empowers clients to make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and create a stable, confident financial future.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Anyone currently going through a divorce or considering filing
• Individuals who want to protect their finances and avoid costly mistakes during divorce
• Parents struggling with financial decisions that impact their children
• Recently divorced individuals looking to rebuild and plan a stronger financial future
• Anyone who wants expert insight into managing money with clarity during emotionally charged life transitions

Connect with Melissa Murphy Pavone:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamurphypavone/ 

Connect with Ksenia Muench:

Website: https://www.thriveagaindivorcecoaching.com/ 

Website: https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveagaindivorcecoaching/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvmuench/ 

Substack: https://substack.com/@thriveagaindc 

Email: [email protected] 

🎧 Listen, Subscribe & Share

Follow Uncoupled and Unfiltered on Spotify, Prime, and Apple Podcasts for weekly conversations about divorce, relationships, dating, and self-discovery. If this episode resonated, please rate, review, and share to help others find the show.

Want to work with Ksenia? The next cohort is forming now- https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/

Today on Uncoupled & Unfiltered, I’m joined by Becky Sampson — founder of ONLY Subpoenas™ and a coach who helps women navigate the emotional, legal, and practical complexities of divorce with strength and clarity. After representing herself for more than three years in Hawaii family court — including 21 hearings and issuing 21 subpoenas — Becky secured a fair outcome in her own case and now empowers others to do the same with confidence and smart strategy.

In this episode, we break down what subpoenas are, how they can be powerful tools in contested divorces, and how to stay grounded and in control during uncertainty — especially when protecting your financial future. Divorce can be messy, but with the right knowledge and support, you can come out stronger on the other side.

Key Topics Covered:

• What subpoenas are, how they work, and the role they play in divorce proceedings
• “Play nice” or go straight to subpoenas? When each approach makes sense
• Different ways to serve subpoenas — and how to do it yourself without hiring an attorney
• How effective subpoenas are when your soon-to-be ex is self-employed
• The unique challenges of divorcing a partner with narcissistic personality traits — and how it differs from other divorces
• Practical tools to protect your peace, stay grounded, and maintain clarity during high-conflict proceedings
• Why over 44% of women experience financial decline after divorce — and proactive steps you can take to safeguard your financial future

“There is hope afterwards, but you've got to understand what attracted you to begin with, or else you're going to attract it again.” - Becky Sampson

About Our Guest: Becky Sampson

Becky Sampson — also known as Becky Brokovich — is a fierce advocate for women determined to level the playing field in divorce. With a passion for financial transparency and accountability, she teaches women how to uncover the truth, document what matters, and stand firm in high-conflict situations. Through ONLY Subpoenas™, Becky combines grit, strategy, and straight talk to help women protect what’s theirs and move forward empowered.

This Episode Is For You If:

• You’re navigating a high-conflict or contested divorce
• You suspect hidden income, assets, or financial dishonesty
• Your soon-to-be ex is self-employed, and you’re unsure how to uncover the full financial picture
• You’re debating whether to cooperate — or take a more strategic legal approach
• You’re divorcing someone with narcissistic traits and feel overwhelmed or manipulated
• You want practical, proactive tools to protect your financial future
• You’re determined to stay grounded, informed, and empowered throughout the process

Connect with Becky Sampson:

Website:  https://beckysampson.com/ 

Connect with Ksenia Muench:

Website: https://www.thriveagaindivorcecoaching.com/ 

Website: https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveagaindivorcecoaching/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvmuench/ 

Substack: https://substack.com/@thriveagaindc 

Email: [email protected] 

🎧 Listen, Subscribe & Share

Follow Uncoupled and Unfiltered on Spotify, Prime, and Apple Podcasts for weekly conversations about divorce, relationships, dating, and self-discovery. If this episode resonated, please rate, review, and share to help others find the show.

Want to work with Ksenia? The next cohort is forming now- https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/

Divorce isn’t just an emotional transition—it’s a major financial turning point. In this episode of Uncoupled and Unfiltered, host Ksenia Muench sits down with Jamie Lima, founder of Secured Split, to unpack the financial mistakes people often make during separation—even those who consider themselves financially savvy.

Together, they explore the emotional and psychological factors that can influence financial decisions during divorce, often leading to costly oversights. But divorce doesn’t have to mean financial loss. With the right strategy and guidance, it’s possible to protect your assets, make smarter settlement decisions, and even position yourself to grow wealth after divorce.

The conversation also dives into the growing role of AI and technology in divorce planning—highlighting both the opportunities and potential risks of relying on digital tools during such a complex process.

Whether you’re navigating a divorce now or simply want to be better prepared, this episode offers practical insights to help you safeguard your financial future, avoid common pitfalls, and move forward with confidence.

Key Topics Covered:

• The most common financial mistakes people make during divorce
• Key financial areas often overlooked in divorce settlements: Investments, Taxes, Retirement accounts
• How emotions impact financial negotiations and long-term planning
• Strategies to protect and potentially grow your wealth after divorce
• The benefits and risks of using AI tools in divorce planning
• The first steps to take to protect your financial future during divorce
• How technology will shape the future of divorce financial planning

“Your attorney is not your therapist. You need a therapist. You need a divorce coach. You need a financial planner. You need a tax person. You need all these people.” - Jamie Lima

Connect with Jamie Lima:

Website: https://securesplit.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamielima/ 

Connect with Ksenia Muench:

Website: https://www.thriveagaindivorcecoaching.com/ 

Website: https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveagaindivorcecoaching/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvmuench/ 

Substack: https://substack.com/@thriveagaindc 

Email: [email protected] 

🎧 Listen, Subscribe & Share

Follow Uncoupled and Unfiltered on Spotify, Prime, and Apple Podcasts for weekly conversations about divorce, relationships, dating, and self-discovery. If this episode resonated, please rate, review, and share to help others find the show.

Want to work with Ksenia? The next cohort is forming now- https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/

On today’s episode of Uncoupled and Unfiltered, I sit down with Stacey Mendelson — a woman who didn't just survive a high-conflict divorce; she reverse-engineered it.

Stacey went in blindsided, abused, and completely unprepared for what family court was about to put her through. She came out the other side with primary custody, sole decision-making authority, and a financial settlement that actually secured her future. Now she takes other people's chaos and turns it into strategy.

We're going there. The topics nobody wants to touch, the truths nobody tells you when you're in the thick of it, the stuff that actually matters when everything is on the line — and we are not holding back or sugarcoating a single word.

Key Topics Covered:

• Custody assessments in high conflict dynamics — the mistakes moms make that can cost them their children, and what it actually takes to walk in prepared
• What judges really see — not the theory, the reality
• How to choose the right attorney for a high conflict case, because the wrong one doesn't just lose your case, they can destroy it
• The mediation myth — is it even possible when you're trying to divorce someone who has been terrorizing you?
• What you must know and do before you file — because the preparation phase is where cases are won and lost before they even begin
• To call or not to call the police — the answer is not what you think
• What winning actually looks like for the person who is breaking free and building forward

“Do not go through a custody assessment without being coached by somebody who really knows this arena, because it is fraught with landmines.” - Stacey Mendelson

About Our Guest: Stacey Mendelson

Stacey Mendelson didn't just survive a high-conflict divorce — she reverse-engineered it. She went in blindsided, abused, and completely unprepared for what family court was about to put her through. She came out the other side with primary custody, sole decision-making authority, and a financial settlement that secured her future. Then she turned that hard-won knowledge into a mission.

Today, Stacey works with women battling toxic exes and an unforgiving court system — teaching them how to tame abusive behavior, master legal strategy, and stop hemorrhaging money in litigation. She moves women out of survival mode and into control — protecting their children, gaining ground in court, and stepping fully into their strength.

She's not here to hold your hand. She's here to arm you with everything you need to win.

This Episode Is For You If:

• You are in or heading into a high-conflict divorce and have no idea what you're actually walking into
• You are in an abusive marriage and don't know how to get out without losing everything
• You've already made mistakes in your custody assessment and need to understand the damage
• You feel like the court system is working against you and can't figure out why
• Your attorney is costing you a fortune, and you're not sure they're the right fit
• You've been told mediation is the answer and something about that doesn't sit right

Connect with Stacey Mendelson:

Website:  https://www.lifelinecoaching.ca/ 

Connect with Ksenia Muench:

Website: https://www.thriveagaindivorcecoaching.com/ 

Website: https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveagaindivorcecoaching/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvmuench/ 

Substack: https://substack.com/@thriveagaindc 

Email: [email protected] 

🎧 Listen, Subscribe & Share

Follow Uncoupled and Unfiltered on Spotify, Prime, and Apple Podcasts for weekly conversations about divorce, relationships, dating, and self-discovery. If this episode resonated, please rate, review, and share to help others find the show.

Want to work with Ksenia? The next cohort is forming now- https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/

In this episode of Uncoupled & Unfiltered, I'm sitting down with Laurie Itkin — founder of The Options Lady and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst with over 600 mediated and litigated divorce cases under her belt across California.

Laurie is the person you call when the money gets messy. She works as an advocate and strategic partner for one spouse, or as a neutral analyst for both, specializing in complex financial cases involving separate property claims, variable income, and forensic analysis to determine what "fair" really looks like when dividing a marital estate.

We're diving into the financial realities most people don't understand until they're living them: proving separate property, why spousal support is one of the biggest divorce battlegrounds, how income gets minimized, and how the real numbers are uncovered to help ensure the outcome is as fair as possible. Because if you've been through a divorce, "fair" probably isn't the first word that comes to mind.

Key Topics Covered:

• What a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst does and why experience matters
• How support numbers are determined: temporary vs. permanent support
• Spousal support buyouts, calculations, assumptions, and discounts
• Separate property claims, proof, mistakes, and timing
• Inheritance, gifts, and loans, separate or community property?
• The house decision,  challenges of keeping it
• Private judges vs. litigation and mediation

“A house can't pay your bills, but a savings account, an investment account, a retirement account, that can pay your bills.” - Laurie Itkin

For more resources and information for those divorcing in California, check out Laurie’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurieItkin 

Connect with Laurie Itkin:

Website:  www.TheOptionsLady.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurieitkin/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurieItkin 

About Our Guest: Laurie Itkin, CDFA

Laurie Itkin is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst with experience in over 600 mediated and litigated divorce cases across California. She works as an advocate and strategic partner for one spouse or as a joint neutral analyst for both spouses.

Laurie specializes in complex financial divorces, helping clients identify, document, and value separate property claims, navigate child and spousal support concerns involving variable income, and understand how divorce decisions can impact their long-term financial future. She also provides financial analysis and forensic accounting support to help clients make informed decisions.

Who This Episode Is For: 

• You are in the middle of a divorce and have no idea if the financial picture you're being shown is the real one
• You are figuring out spousal support and trying to determine the fair amount or whether buyout is an option
• You have separate property in the marriage, and you're not sure you can prove it — or protect it
• You are trying to decide what to do with the house and everyone around you has an opinion except an honest one
• You hired a financial advisor to help you through your divorce, and you're just now realizing that might not have been the right call

Connect with Ksenia Muench:

Website: https://www.thriveagaindivorcecoaching.com/ 

Website: https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveagaindivorcecoaching/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvmuench/ 

Substack: https://substack.com/@thriveagaindc 

Email: [email protected] 

🎧 Listen, Subscribe & Share

Follow Uncoupled and Unfiltered on Spotify, Prime, and Apple Podcasts for weekly conversations about divorce, relationships, dating, and self-discovery. If this episode resonated, please rate, review, and share to help others find the show.

Want to work with Ksenia? The next cohort is forming now- https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/

Divorce isn’t just a breakup—it can feel like the death of a family and the beginning of a whole new version of you.

In this episode of Uncoupled and Unfiltered, I sit down with Olivia Howell, co-founder and CEO of Fresh Starts Registry—the first platform designed to help people rebuild their homes and lives after separation.

We talk about how the registry works, why it was created, and why divorce is still surrounded by stigma and shame. We also explore the gaps in support for people navigating this major life transition—and what it really takes to start over.

Whether you’re considering divorce, in the middle of it, or finding your footing on the other side, this episode highlights a resource that brings practical support and a sense of community together in one place.

Key Topics Covered:

• The origin of Fresh Starts Registry and the real need it was created to address
• Why we celebrate milestones like weddings and babies with registries—but offer little support for divorce, when people are often rebuilding from the ground up
• The stigma around divorce: why it’s still considered taboo despite how common it is
• Our perspective on why divorce rates are so high today—and why the reasons may not be what you expect
• The “HYPE” team: the key experts who can support you through this transition and how to find the right ones for you
• Taking back control during divorce: why it’s important not to hand over all decision-making to an attorney and how to stay in the driver’s seat of your own life
• The role of hypnotherapy in the healing process and how it can support emotional recovery
• How to recognize your own healing progress—and the powerful shifts that happen when you know what to look for

“I call it a second coming of age journey. It really is so beautiful to watch women blossom and find themselves.” - Olivia Howell

About Our Guest: Olivia Howell

Olivia Howell, the co-founder and CEO of Fresh Starts Registry, the first-ever registry designed to help people rebuild their homes and their lives after a separation. Whether it’s physical essentials or expert support, Fresh Starts Registry is changing the game when it comes to navigating life’s toughest transitions.

Olivia is not only a clinical hypnotherapist and certified life coach, but she’s also a divorce coach and the author of several impactful books, including What to Consider When You’re Considering Divorce and Your Divorce Support Team—part of the Fresh Starts Divorce Guide series. 

Who This Episode Is For:

• Individuals who are considering divorce and want clarity, perspective, and supportive resources before taking the next step
• Those currently going through a divorce who feel overwhelmed and are looking for guidance, structure, and a sense of control
• People navigating life after divorce who are focused on rebuilding their home, identity, and sense of stability
• Anyone struggling with the emotional weight, stigma, or shame around divorce and seeking a more empowering narrative
• Listeners interested in personal growth and healing tools—like hypnotherapy—and practical ways to track their progress and move forward

Connect with Olivia Howell:

Website:  https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/ 

Connect with Ksenia Muench:

Website: https://www.thriveagaindivorcecoaching.com/ 

Website: https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveagaindivorcecoaching/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvmuench/ 

Substack: https://substack.com/@thriveagaindc 

Email: [email protected] 

🎧 Listen, Subscribe & Share

Follow Uncoupled and Unfiltered on Spotify, Prime, and Apple Podcasts for weekly conversations about divorce, relationships, dating, and self-discovery. If this episode resonated, please rate, review, and share to help others find the show.

Want to work with Ksenia? The next cohort is forming now- https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/

Today’s episode of Uncoupled and Unfiltered is unlike any other.

Trigger Warning: Discussion of physical and sexual abuse. Listen only when you are ready.

I sat down with Tina Huggins, a high-conflict divorce coach, mediator, and survivor of a decade-long abusive marriage. Tina didn't just escape; she built a practice helping others do the same.

We explore how abuse escalates, the red flags she missed, why she couldn't call for help, and how she built her exit plan. We also discuss how the family court system routinely fails victims, and why we must stop asking: "Why didn't you just leave?"

If you've ever asked that—or been asked it—this raw, necessary episode will challenge you. It is not for the faint of heart.

Key Topics Covered:

• “Why didn’t you leave?” The question that needs to die and the heavy choices survivors face.
• Non-physical abuse, including gaslighting, control, and a mind that stops trusting itself.
• The slow boil of how isolation, jealousy, and coercive control escalate over years.
• Post-separation danger and why leaving is the riskiest moment, plus how to plan a safe exit.
• Weaponized intimacy when sex becomes a tool for punishment and control.
• Financial abuse through drained accounts, ruined property, and the limits of legal protection.
• Exit logistics and the essential steps for managing money, documents, tech, and safety.
• Systemic failure when navigating courts, police, and family who fail to protect victims.
• The Gabby Petito traffic stop, what went wrong, and what should have happened.
• Trauma to guidance by transforming lived experience into safety planning for others.

“The most dangerous time in an abusive relationship is the moment you go to leave.” - Tina Huggins

About Our Guest: Tina Huggins

Tina Huggins is a certified high-conflict divorce & co-parenting coach, and restorative family mediator with more than 30 years of coaching work and a six-year specialty in high-conflict divorce. As a guest expert and survivor of over a decade-long high-conflict marriage that included severe physical abuse, she brings both lived experience and clinical tools to help clients navigate safety, strategy, and healing. Tina combines trauma-informed coaching, conflict resolution skills, and practical co-parenting strategies to support clients through the legal, emotional, and logistical challenges of high-conflict separation. She hosts the podcast Awakening, where she shares insights, resources, and real-world tactics for survivors and professionals. 

This Episode Is For:

• You've been asked "why didn't you leave" — and you're still trying to find the words to answer it
• You've asked that question, and you're ready to actually understand it
• You're still in it, and you don't know how to get out safely
• You love someone who stayed longer than you thought they should
• You work with survivors, and you want to be better at it

Connect with Tina: 

Website: https://divorcecoachspecialist.com/ | 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lynn-huggins-5a956720/ | 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divorcetina?lang=en

Connect with Ksenia Muench:

Website: https://www.thriveagaindivorcecoaching.com/ 

Website: https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveagaindivorcecoaching/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvmuench/ 

Substack: https://substack.com/@thriveagaindc 

Email: [email protected] 

🎧 Listen, Subscribe & Share

Follow Uncoupled and Unfiltered on Spotify, Prime, and Apple Podcasts for weekly conversations about divorce, relationships, dating, and self-discovery. If this episode resonated, please rate, review, and share to help others find the show.

Want to hear more podcasts like this one? Check out Dear Divorce Diary with Dawn Wiggins- https://mycoachdawn.com/divorce-podcast/

Want to work with Ksenia? The next cohort is forming now- https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/

In this episode of Uncoupled and Unfiltered, I sit down with Mardi Winder, a Strategic Divorce Consultant and high-conflict divorce coach who helps high-achieving individuals navigate divorce with clarity, confidence, and control. Mardi guides clients to think strategically, stay grounded, and make decisions that protect not only where they are—but where they’re going.

We explore why high-conflict divorce dynamics are uniquely challenging, how to navigate the chaos while being targeted by a high-conflict party, and the surprising “side effects” of going through such a stressful experience. This episode is a must-listen for anyone facing a difficult divorce who wants to stay empowered and make smart, strategic choices.

Key Topics Covered:

• High-conflict divorce: Is it like playing chess or checkers with a pigeon?
• Why high-conflict divorce is different from any other divorce—and what that means for you.
• Being in a relationship with someone who may have NPD: like a figurine in a snow globe—disorienting until the chaos settles.
• Mediation during high-conflict divorce: it’s possible, but it must be done the right way.
• Protecting children and preventing alienation in a high-conflict dynamic.
• The unexpected “compliment” from your kids: how they notice and appreciate your parenting.
• When litigation may be inevitable and how to present yourself strategically in court.
• Finding the silver lining after going through high-conflict divorce—and there is one.

“When you get out up from under this type of a relationship, it's like the world is just open for you. Once you get that self-confidence, once you're able to recognize and acknowledge what you've gone through, because this is not easy. I mean, this is more difficult than most people are ever going to face.” - Mardi Winder

About Our Guest: Mardi Winder

Mardi Winder is a Strategic Divorce Consultant and High- Conflict Divorce Coach who helps high-achieving individuals navigate divorce with clarity, confidence, and control. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in mediation, divorce coaching, and conflict resolution, she supports clients in making smart decisions while reducing emotional and financial fallout, particularly in high-conflict, high-asset, and complex divorces. Mardi is the founder of Positive Communication Systems, LLC, and the Strategic Divorce Directory, LLC.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Individuals navigating a high-conflict divorce who want strategic guidance and clarity.
• Anyone dealing with a partner who may have NPD or challenging personality traits.
• Parents concerned about protecting their children and preventing alienation.
• Those considering mediation or litigation and wanting to approach it confidently.
• Anyone looking for hope, insight, and a silver lining after a difficult divorce experience.

Connect with Mardi Winder:

Website:  https://www.divorcecoach4women.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mardiwinderadams/ 

Connect with Ksenia Muench:

Website: https://www.thriveagaindivorcecoaching.com/ 

Website: https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveagaindivorcecoaching/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvmuench/ 

Substack: https://substack.com/@thriveagaindc 

Email: [email protected] 

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Want to hear more podcasts like this one? Check out Dear Divorce Diary with Dawn Wiggins- https://mycoachdawn.com/divorce-podcast/

Want to work with Ksenia? The next cohort is forming now- https://www.highconflictplaybook.com/