Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast

Epizode

• 
  How to Start the Divorce Process... What Most People Get Wrong 19.08.2026 30min

  You've made the decision, or maybe it's been made for you. Either way, most people do what feels urgent: call a lawyer in a panic, tell their spouse too soon, move out of the house without thinking it through. Those early moves can follow you through the whole process. In this episode, Karen McMahon shares the five essentials to get right before you file, so you move forward with clarity and a plan instead of fear. First, investigate your legal rights, talk to a matrimonial attorney in your jurisdiction before you do anything else, so you understand where you stand on finances, assets, and custody. Second, share the decision strategically, using the BIFF approach (brief, informative, firm, friendly) and a real plan for timing and safety. Third, redefine home life, someone moves out of the master bedroom, and new household rules go into place so your actions match your words. Fourth, tell the kids with a simple, age-appropriate message: we love you, it's going to be okay, you'll still see both of us. Fifth, create a temporary parenting plan and trial a shared schedule, which becomes valuable data for negotiating custody later. Karen also covers whether you actually need a lawyer (almost always, yes) and how to file. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Smart Start Pre-Divorce Checklist: https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com/pre-divorce-checklist Explore Divorce Support Network: https://divorcesupportnetwork.com/ Book a Rapid Relief Call: https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com/rapid-relief-call
• 
  Gray Divorce: What Every Man and Woman Over 50 Needs to Know About Retirement, Social Security, and Spousal Support with Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Andrew Hatherley 14.08.2026 43min

  Divorce after 50 looks nothing like divorce in your 30s or 40s. Custody battles and parenting plans give way to a different kind of high-stakes negotiation, one centered almost entirely on money: retirement accounts, pensions, Social Security, and spousal support. And with gray divorce rates doubling since 1990 for people over 50, and tripling for those over 65, Karen McMahon believes this is a conversation more couples urgently need. In this episode of the Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast, Karen sits down with Andrew Hatherly, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), trained mediator, and founder of Transcend Retirement and Wiser Divorce Solutions. Andrew is also the host of The Gray Divorce Podcast, and after navigating his own midlife divorce, has made it his mission to help others understand exactly what's financially at stake before they sign a settlement. Karen and Andrew unpack why gray divorce carries a far higher financial risk than divorce earlier in life, since there's simply less runway to rebuild retirement savings after a late-life split. They explore why bringing a financial expert to the table, alongside an attorney and a divorce coach, is essential in any high conflict divorce, and especially critical when a marriage has spanned decades and retirement accounts, pensions, and home equity are all on the table. The conversation covers what men and women both need to understand about marital property, why "his" retirement account is actually a shared marital asset, and why spousal support calculations vary so widely from state to state. Andrew breaks down a critical but often-overlooked Social Security rule: spouses married 10 years or longer may be entitled to claim benefits based on their former spouse's earnings record, without reducing what their ex-spouse receives, and why couples approaching that 10-year mark should think carefully about timing. They also discuss the tax implications of dividing different types of retirement accounts, why a $500,000 Roth IRA and a $500,000 traditional 401(k) are not actually worth the same in a divorce settlement, and why remarriage can affect spousal support and estate planning decisions down the road. Karen and Andrew close with a candid discussion about what comes after the financial settlement is finalized, and why gray divorce, despite its financial complexity, can also become a powerful catalyst for reinvention, purpose, and a stronger, more intentional third act of life. Whether you're facing high conflict divorce, navigating gray divorce later in life, or are a man trying to understand your financial rights and responsibilities in divorce, this episode offers the financial clarity and strategic insight needed to protect your future and negotiate from a place of knowledge rather than fear. Andrew Hatherly is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), mediator, and founder of Transcend Retirement and Wiser Divorce Solutions. He is the host of The Gray Divorce Podcast and author of The Gray Divorce Phenomenon, a free guide available at transcendretirement.net. Connect with Andrew: Free Gift: The Gray Divorce Phenomenon, a free guide available at transcendretirement.net. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewhatherley/     Podcast: https://www.transcendretirement.net/podcast Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Book a Free Rapid Relief Call: http://rapidreliefcall.com Free Divorce Support Network Gift: https://divorcesupportnetwork.com/jbdpod
• 
  Divorce Without Court: Choosing the Right Approach - Mediation, Collaborative Divorce, and Settlement Negotiation with Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Cary Jacobson 11.08.2026 43min

  Most people assume divorce means courtrooms, legal battles, and losing control of the outcome, but Karen McMahon knows that's not always true. In this episode of the Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast, Karen sits down with Cary Jacobson, a collaborative divorce attorney, mediator, and child advocate, to break down every path to divorce outside of litigation and help listeners understand which one actually fits their situation. Karen and Cary walk through the full spectrum of options, from do-it-yourself kitchen table agreements and settlement negotiation between attorneys, to mediation, to the collaborative divorce process, where both spouses commit to a team-based approach with collaboratively trained attorneys, financial neutrals, and mental health professionals working together toward resolution. They explain how each option works, who it's best suited for, and the real risks of going the DIY route without legal guidance, especially when children, retirement assets, or property division are involved. The conversation dives deep into what makes collaborative divorce unique, including the participation agreement that requires full transparency and commits both parties to staying out of court, and why Karen believes collaborative divorce can be especially powerful in high-conflict situations, cases involving substance abuse, or divorces involving young children. Karen and Cary also unpack how mediation works, when a consulting attorney should be brought in alongside a mediator, and how power imbalances between spouses can shape which process will actually lead to a fair outcome. Karen closes the conversation with a reminder central to everything Journey Beyond Divorce stands for: every person going through divorce is the CEO of their own case, with the right and responsibility to understand their options, ask questions, and choose the process, whether that's mediation, collaborative divorce, settlement negotiation, or litigation, that will protect their family's future. Cary Jacobson is a collaborative divorce attorney, mediator, and child advocate, and the founder of Jacobson Family Law. Connect with Cary: Email:cary@jacobsonfamilylaw.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacobsonfamilylaw, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacobsonfamilylaw/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryjacobson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1vZ9kkhd4LPpB1yEqK7U9w Website: https://jacobsonfamilylaw.com/ Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Book a Free Rapid Relief Call: http://rapidreliefcall.com Free Divorce Support Network Gift: https://divorcesupportnetwork.com/jbdpod
• 
  Divorcing with a Special Needs Child: 5 Critical Considerations with Mary Ann Hughes 06.08.2026 41min

  Parenting a neurodivergent or special needs child already takes constant coordination and advocacy. When divorce enters the picture, Karen McMahon believes those needs don't get simpler, they become the center of every decision. In this episode, Karen sits down with Mary Ann Hughes, founder of Special Family Transitions and a certified special needs divorce coach, mediator, and co-parenting specialist. As the mother of sons on the autism spectrum, Mary Ann brings both lived experience and deep expertise to a conversation most divorce professionals aren't equipped to have. Together they cover five critical considerations for parents of autistic or special needs children going through divorce: managing the emotional overwhelm, understanding the language around autism and neurodiversity, hiring an attorney who truly understands your child's needs, protecting government benefits through first-party and third-party special needs trusts, and navigating high-conflict negotiations without losing sight of what your child actually needs. Mary Ann also shares how she helped her own kids process her divorce, and how that experience led her to co-author My Parents' Divorce Through My Eyes: Helping Children With Autism Understand Divorce. If you're parenting a neurodivergent child through divorce, this episode offers the strategy, language, and reassurance to help you protect your child's future, and your own. Connect with Mary Ann Free Gift: Chapter on Special Needs Divorce in bestselling book, "The Other Side of Divorce" email maryann@specialfamilytransitions.com for your copy TedTalk: https://youtu.be/BW6RWN-k65s?si=d4GO7rLKzjZKB7GQ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/specialfamilytransitions YouTube: https://youtube.com/@specialfamilytransitions TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@SpecialFamilyTransitions Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ann-hughes-special-family-transitions/ Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Book a Free Rapid Relief Call: http://rapidreliefcall.com Free Divorce Support Network Gift: https://divorcesupportnetwork.com/jbdpod Previous Special Needs episode - from the attorney's perspective: Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast: Divorce Roadmap: Children and Divorce: When Special Needs Kids Are Involved on Apple Podcasts  
• 
  Healthy Masculinity After Divorce: The Skill Men Were Never Taught with Brent Perkins 31.07.2026 56min

  Karen McMahon sits down with Brent Perkins, founder of 3x Bold and director of leadership at Front Row Dads, to unpack a pattern she sees constantly in her work with high-achieving men going through divorce: they know how to control themselves, but they were never taught capacity, the ability to stay present in emotional, messy, or uncertain moments without fixing or shutting down. Brent built seven and eight-figure companies, led global teams, and did everything right on paper, until his marriage ended and forced him to confront the patterns his success had never solved. In this conversation, he and Karen explore why divorce becomes a mirror that reveals exactly where a man was performing instead of feeling, controlling instead of trusting, and fixing instead of listening. Together they break down what capacity actually means, energy, attention, and presence, and why building it changes everything from a marriage to a business to a relationship with a teenager. Brent shares the men's work he's done through Front Row Dads, why giving advice almost always makes things worse, and how learning to sit in silence with his own daughter transformed their relationship. He also introduces two practical tools listeners can use immediately: the 60-second timeout and the shift from expectations to agreements, both simple, both surprisingly powerful. This episode is for any man who has felt the ground shift beneath him during a divorce and sensed there was a deeper pattern at play, and for any woman who wants to understand what that experience looks like from the inside. Karen McMahon is the founder of Journey Beyond Divorce and a high conflict divorce strategist who has spent years helping men move through high-conflict divorce with clarity, steadiness, and strength. Connect with Brent Free Gift: Capacity Strategy Session: You couldn't see the pattern that's stealing your capacity while you're still in it. Nobody can. This 20-minute complimentary session shows you what's actually happening, so you have the power to write your next chapter differently. https://www.3xbold.com/strategy Website: www.3xBold.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentrperkins/ Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Book a Free Rapid Relief Call: http://rapidreliefcall.com Free Divorce Support Network Gift: https://divorcesupportnetwork.com/jbdpod Curated Podcast Playlists: https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com/
• 
  When Co-Parenting Isn't an Option: A Trauma-Informed Path to Protecting Your Child with AJ Gajjar, Trauma-Informed Parenting Consultant 22.07.2026 43min

  Co-parenting is often held up as the gold standard after divorce. But that advice assumes two emotionally healthy, cooperative parents. In high-conflict divorce, and especially in situations involving coercive control, manipulation, or post-separation abuse, that assumption can do more harm than good. In this episode, Karen McMahon is joined by AJ Gajjar, Parenting & Trauma Consultant, child development specialist, and creator of Trauma Healing Parenting, for an important conversation about what children truly need when co-parenting isn't possible. Together, they explore why many parents feel pressured to make co-parenting work, even when ongoing conflict continues to impact both them and their children. They discuss how chronic stress affects a child's developing nervous system, why emotional safety matters more than forced cooperation, and how parents can shift from reacting to conflict toward creating stability and security. Listeners will learn: Why co-parenting isn't always the healthiest option in high-conflict divorce. How to recognize signs that a child is being affected by ongoing relational stress. The difference between co-parenting and parallel parenting—and when each is appropriate. How Trauma Healing Parenting helps parents become the steady, emotionally safe presence their children need. Practical strategies for reducing conflict, strengthening boundaries, and parenting with greater confidence. Whether you're navigating high-conflict divorce, post-separation abuse, or simply questioning whether your current parenting approach is serving your children, this episode offers a compassionate, trauma-informed perspective that replaces guilt with clarity and empowers parents to make decisions rooted in safety rather than obligation. AJ Gajjar is a Parenting & Trauma Consultant, child development specialist, children's advocate, and creator of Trauma Healing Parenting. With more than 18 years of experience in early childhood development and children's mental health, she helps parents navigating high-conflict divorce and post-separation abuse create emotionally safe, healing environments where children can thrive. Connect with AJ Free Gift: "Is It Healthy Co-Parenting?" Quiz: https://www.thetraumahealingparent.com/freegift Explore AJ's Trauma Healing Parenting resources and programs: https://www.thetraumahealingparent.com/kmcmahon Website: www.thetraumahealingparent.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aj.thetraumahealingparent Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aj-gajjar-50b3b3221/ Resources Mentioned in this Episode: The Steady Circle for Women Navigating High Conflict Divorce: https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com/hcdsg Book a Free Rapid Relief Call: http://rapidreliefcall.com Free Divorce Support Network Gift: https://divorcesupportnetwork.com/jbdpod  
• 
  How to Stop Spiraling During Divorce (And Steady Yourself Fast) 18.07.2026 11min

  If your mind won't stop spinning during your divorce, replaying the same conversation, jumping from one fear to the next, waking up at 3am convinced something urgently needs to be handled right now, you're not broken and you're not crazy. You're overwhelmed, and that overwhelm can spiral into decisions you'll regret. Karen from Journey Beyond Divorce breaks down what's actually happening in your nervous system when the spiral takes over, why you can't think your way out of it, and the one simple, science-backed shift that can steady you in real time before you send the email, make the call, or say the thing you can't take back. Karen explains why spiraling isn't just anxiety, it's your mind trying to solve ten problems at once, none of which are solvable in that moment. She walks through what happens when your nervous system goes into protective mode and you move from your prefrontal cortex, where clear thinking happens, into fight-or-flight, and why that's the reason spiraling in high-conflict divorce so often hands your ex exactly the ammunition they're looking for. She shares the pause-and-regulate technique she used through her own divorce, along with why fewer inputs and one grounded decision at a time will get you further than every blog, podcast, and Facebook group combined. This episode is for anyone who feels like they're carrying too much at once and needs a clear, practical way back to steady ground. Karen McMahon is the founder of Journey Beyond Divorce and a divorce coach who has spent years helping people move through high-conflict divorce with clarity, steadiness, and strength. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Join The Steady Circle: https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com/hcdsg Book a Free Rapid Relief Call: http://rapidreliefcall.com Free Divorce Support Network Gift: https://divorcesupportnetwork.com/jbdpod
• 
  The Nice Guy Trap: Why Good Men Lose Power in Marriage and Divorce with Ralph Brewer, Founder of Help For Men 03.07.2026 44min

  You've been the good guy. The reasonable husband. The dad who kept the peace. And somewhere along the way... you lost yourself. If that sentence just hit you somewhere quiet, this episode is for you. Karen McMahon sits down with Ralph Brewer, founder of Help For Men and creator of Dad Starting Over, for one of the most honest conversations about men, marriage, and divorce that you will ever hear. Ralph has worked with thousands of men navigating struggling marriages, dead bedrooms, and the identity crisis that comes with divorce, and he is bringing all of it to this conversation. This episode is about what Ralph calls the nice guy trap. The slow, invisible process by which good men lose their power, in marriage, in divorce, and in themselves. If you have been the guy who said yes when you meant no, who kept the peace at the cost of your own needs, who did everything right and still watched your marriage fall apart, Ralph is going to name exactly what happened to you. And more importantly, he is going to show you the way out. You will learn why being a nice guy is not kindness, it is codependency wearing a good husband costume. Why the women in your life have been telling you what the problem is for years and you have not been hearing it. Why swinging to the opposite extreme after divorce creates a different kind of chaos. And why the moment your marriage ended, as devastating as it is, might actually be the most important invitation of your life. Ralph and Karen also get into the uncomfortable truth about what staying in an unhealthy marriage is actually teaching your children. The real reason divorced men struggle to build community the way women do. Why men jump into new relationships too fast and what it costs them. And what genuine transformation actually looks like for men who do the work. If you are a man going through divorce, coming out of a high-conflict marriage, stuck in a dead bedroom, or simply asking yourself why the same thing keeps happening to you in relationship after relationship, this conversation was made for you. You are not broken. You are not the bad guy. You are a man who was never given the right tools. That changes here. Free gift for listeners: Ralph's free Dead Bedroom Fix course is available at deadbedroomfixcourse.com Connect with Ralph: Podcast: https://dadstartingover.transistor.fm/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@realhelpformen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realhelpformen/, https://facebook.com/dadstartingover Instagram: https://instagram.com/dadstartingover, https://instagram.com/realhelpformen TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@dadstartingover Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Book a Free Rapid Relief Call: http://rapidreliefcall.com Free Divorce Support Network Gift: https://divorcesupportnetwork.com/jbdpod
• 
  Divorce & Codependency: How to Stop Abandoning Yourself with Dr. Kristin Davin 28.06.2026 38min

  When a marriage ends, most people think the hard part is letting go of the other person. But for so many, the real work is learning how to let go of who they became inside that relationship. In this powerful episode, Karen McMahon sits down with Dr. Kristin Davin, licensed psychologist and founder of Reflections From Across the Couch, for one of the most honest and illuminating conversations the Journey Beyond Divorce podcast has ever had about codependency. Not as a label, but as a survival strategy that once kept you safe and is now quietly keeping you stuck. If you were the fixer, the peacekeeper, the emotional glue, the responsible one, or the one who carried the relationship, this conversation was made for you. Karen and Kristin trace codependency back to where it actually begins. Not in your marriage, but in the first chapter of your life. In the family where you learned to read the room, make yourself small, and earn your safety by taking care of everyone else. They explore why those patterns feel impossible to break, why the fear of abandonment drives so much of what we do in relationships, and why the person so afraid of being abandoned is often the very person abandoning themselves most deeply. They also get into the truth about boundaries that nobody says out loud. That setting them is simple in theory and terrifying in practice. That the pushback you get when you finally start enforcing them is not a sign that you are doing it wrong. And that the resentment so many people feel toward their ex is often misplaced anger at themselves for saying yes when every part of them wanted to say no. If you have ever wondered why the same thing keeps happening to you, why you keep attracting the same kind of person, or why letting go feels so much harder than it should, Kristin offers something rare in this space. Not just insight, but a genuinely compassionate and practical path forward. You don't need to become someone new. You just need to come home to who you were before you learned to disappear. Connect with Dr. Kristin: Email: hello@kristindavin.com Special gift for JBD listeners: Use code JOURNEY25 for 25% off Dr. Kristin Davin's interactive workbooks on codependency and boundaries at reflectionsfromacrossthecouch.store Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/drkdavin/?next=%2F https://www.pinterest.com/drkdavin/ Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Book a Free Rapid Relief Call: http://rapidreliefcall.com Free Divorce Support Network Gift: https://divorcesupportnetwork.com/jbdpod
• 
  To the Man on the Other Side of Divorce 24.06.2026 28min

  Most men enter divorce feeling like a bad person. Shamed. Labeled. Often called a narcissist. This episode is for that man. Because the truth is, you are not broken. You are under-resourced. And there is a profound difference. In this solo episode, Karen McMahon speaks directly to the divorcing dad who is white-knuckling it through one of the hardest seasons of his life, carrying shame he didn't earn, fighting for children he loves deeply, and quietly wondering if he's going to make it through this. The answer is yes. And this episode shows you how. Karen addresses the emotional depth of men that nobody is acknowledging, the very real dangers that emerge when divorcing dads don't get support, and the brilliance... yes, brilliance... that becomes possible when they do. What you'll take away: 1. The truth about your emotional life You feel more than anyone has ever given you credit for. You've just never been given the tools, the language, or the permission to work with it. That changes here. 2. The stats that should stop us all cold Divorcing men are among the most at-risk demographics on the planet. The numbers are sobering. The silence around them is unacceptable. Karen names them, because someone has to. 3. Fight for your kids and your right to father them Her version of reality is not the truth. The courts are not automatically stacked against you. And keeping the peace at the expense of your presence is not protecting your children. It is costing them. Trust what you innately know they need from you. 4. Trust your instincts as a dad You parent differently than mom. That is not a weakness. It is exactly what your children need, and only you can give it. Karen shares a powerful story that will change how you see yourself as a father. 5. Roll up your sleeves The hard, vulnerable, and courageous work of healing your wounds and refining your character is not optional if you want to emerge from this as the man and father your children deserve. This episode shows you exactly where to begin. 6. Break the chain The generational patterns that quietly led you here, they stop with you. This painful season is your invitation to become the man who was always in there, waiting to be found. In this episode Karen also covers: Why men feel deeply and why nobody is talking about it The dangerous edge men reach when emotional capacity runs out Why caving and controlling are both driven by fear and what to do instead How to evict your ex from your mental space and reclaim your own thinking Why silence and boundaries do more heavy lifting than any argument ever will The Michelangelo principle and what it means for who you're becoming Why divorce is the most powerful doorway men walk through to do their inner work Resources mentioned in this episode: 📞 Book a free Rapid Relief Call: https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com/rapid-relief-call 🌐 Join Divorce Support Network: https://divorcesupportnetwork.com/ 🎙️ Follow JBD on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journey_beyond_divorce/ 🌐 Grab free resources on JBD website: https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com/
• 
  One Man's Journey to Secure Attachment: Voices of Celebration with Dave 17.06.2026 47min

  High-conflict relationships don't just end when the marriage ends. They live on in the body, the nervous system, and the way we attach, parent, and love. In today's Voices of Celebration episode, Karen McMahon sits down with a father who made a profound shift, from living in constant relational tension to building a calm, healthy partnership and a more grounded relationship with his children. This isn't a story about blame or breakthroughs overnight. It's about what happens when a man stops over-functioning, learns to regulate himself, and slowly moves from anxious attachment into secure connection. If you're a father navigating the aftermath of a high-conflict marriage and wondering whether healthy love is actually possible, this conversation offers a steady, honest look at what real change can look like. Together, Karen and her guest explore: How high-conflict marriages impact men long after separation Anxious attachment and the hidden cost of over-functioning and people-pleasing Why keeping the peace often creates more instability, not less The role of self-regulation in breaking old relational patterns How to hold boundaries without withdrawing, rescuing, or escalating What healthy partnership actually feels like after years of conflict How a father's internal shift changes the emotional experience of his children Letting go of fear-based beliefs about love, connection, and responsibility This is a conversation for men who are tired of surviving relationships and are ready to build something calmer, steadier, and more secure, without losing their heart or their role as a father. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Follow JBD on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journey_beyond_divorce/ Book a Free Rapid Relief Call: http://rapidreliefcall.com
• 
  3 Codependent Habits That Quietly Sabotage Your Life 09.06.2026 14min

  Are you constantly putting other people's needs before your own? Struggling with people-pleasing, weak boundaries, guilt, or losing yourself in relationships? In this powerful solo episode, Karen McMahon explores the hidden roots of codependency and how self-abandonment quietly shapes your relationships, decisions, and sense of self. Drawing from her expertise in relationship coaching, divorce recovery, emotional healing, and personal growth, Karen unpacks why so many women become trapped in patterns of over-giving, approval-seeking, and fear-based caregiving. She explains how childhood survival strategies often follow us into adulthood — creating unhealthy relationship dynamics that leave us feeling exhausted, resentful, and disconnected from our authentic selves. You will learn how to recognize the signs of codependent behavior, understand the difference between healthy support and people-pleasing, and begin building stronger emotional boundaries. Karen also shares practical tools to help you stop saying yes out of obligation, release guilt, trust yourself, and develop healthier relationships rooted in self-respect and emotional awareness. Whether you are healing after divorce, navigating a high-conflict relationship, recovering from toxic relationship patterns, or simply learning to put yourself first — this episode offers actionable strategies for overcoming codependency, setting boundaries, increasing self-worth, and reclaiming your confidence. In this episode you will discover: What codependency really is — and what it isn't The connection between childhood conditioning and adult relationship patterns Common signs of self-abandonment and people-pleasing How to set healthy boundaries without guilt A simple three-step process for breaking codependent patterns Practical tools for building self-trust and emotional resilience If you have ever wondered why it feels so hard to say no, prioritize yourself, or stop seeking validation from others — this episode is for you. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Follow JBD on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journey_beyond_divorce/ Book a Free Rapid Relief Call: http://rapidreliefcall.com
• 
  Divorce, Alimony & Child Support: How to Protect Your Payments If Your Ex Dies or Becomes Disabled with Jeffrey Landers, Real Estate/Mortgage and Divorce Expert 04.06.2026 30min

  Alimony and child support only work if the checks keep coming. And in high-conflict divorces, or honestly, in any divorce, that is a far more dangerous assumption than most people realize. One accident. One illness. One unexpected death. And the financial foundation you spent months negotiating can disappear overnight. Karen McMahon sits down with financial strategist and CDFA Jeff Landers to pull back the curtain on the one protection most divorce agreements quietly ignore, using life and disability insurance to secure your alimony and child support payments before the ink is even dry on your settlement. What most people don't know is that the chances of your ex becoming disabled are three to four times greater than the chances of them dying. And yet disability insurance almost never appears in a divorce agreement. Jeff explains why that gap exists, what it costs you if you don't close it, and exactly how to bring it up during negotiations, while you still have leverage. Karen and Jeff also tackle the details that can make or break your protection: why you, not your ex, must own the policy, what happens when a paying spouse quietly stops making premium payments, how 26 states automatically revoke beneficiaries upon divorce without you knowing, and how to use insurance as a negotiating tool if you're getting pushback. If you're counting on alimony or child support to keep your home, feed your children, or rebuild your financial life, this episode isn't optional. It's the conversation your attorney probably never had with you. Connect with Jeff: Free Resource: Jeff is gifting JBD listeners a free copy of his new guide, How to Protect and Create Income in Divorce. Email Landers@hellomonthlyincome.com and reference the JBD podcast. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefflanders/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeff.landers.9210 Website: https://hellomonthlyincome.com/ Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Book a Free Rapid Relief Call: http://rapidreliefcall.com Free Divorce Support Network Gift: https://divorcesupportnetwork.com/jbdpod Curated Podcast Playlists: https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com/
• 
  From First Filing to Financial Freedom: The Divorce Financial Team & Playbook with Karen Chellew and Catherine Shanahan 30.05.2026 44min

  Every major life transition comes with a roadmap. Parenting. Career changes. Retirement. But when divorce begins, most people are suddenly making complex financial decisions alone — without a coordinated team, without a clear plan, and without any idea how those decisions will quietly shape their lives for decades to come. That ends today. Karen McMahon sits down with Karen Chellew and Catherine Shanahan, co-founders of My Divorce Solution, to walk you through what they call the Divorce Financial Playbook — and it is exactly what most people wish they'd had from day one. As divorced parents themselves, they built the company they wish had existed, because no one should have to navigate divorce finances in the dark. In this conversation, they cover the full financial arc of divorce — from initiation through discovery, negotiation, settlement, and into post-divorce stability. Karen and Catherine break down why your financial team needs to be in place at the start of your divorce, not after you've already settled. They walk through how to accurately document income and expenses the way courts actually interpret them, how to verify assets and debts with statements rather than spreadsheets, and what most people miss when it comes to liens, collateral, and tax implications. They also explore how preparing early doesn't just protect your financial future — it reduces fear, makes your attorney more effective, and positions you to negotiate from a place of clarity rather than chaos. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the financial side of divorce, this episode is your playbook. Connect with Karen Chellew and Catherine Shanahan: Free Offer: https://mydivorcesolution.com/divorce-financial-preparation-checklist/ Website: https://mydivorcesolution.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-divorce-solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mydivorcesolution/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wechatdivorcepodcast/videos Podcast: https://mydivorcesolution.com/we-chat-divorce-podcast/ Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Book a Free Rapid Relief Call: http://rapidreliefcall.com Free Divorce Support Network Gift: https://divorcesupportnetwork.com/jbdpod Curated Podcast Playlists: https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com/
• 
  When Divorce Tests Your Faith: Protecting Kids & Staying Strong with Top Divorce Lawyer, Bree Sullivan-Howell, JD 20.05.2026 41min

  Divorce can rattle everything you believe in. Your sense of family, your identity, and even your understanding of God's plan for your life... And for many Christians, the place that should offer the most comfort, the church, can sometimes feel like the last place they're able to be honest about what they're going through. In this episode, Karen sits down with Bree Sullivan-Howell, divorce attorney, passionate children's advocate, and award-winning Christian author of Crush Your Divorce & Keep Your Faith and Crush Your Comeback, for a conversation that brings together sharp legal wisdom and deep spiritual grounding in a way that is rarely offered to people navigating divorce. With more than 20 years of experience in high-stakes custody litigation and family law, Bree has sat with men and women at some of the most painful and disorienting moments of their lives. What she brings to this conversation is both practical and profound, an understanding of how faith doesn't disappear in the middle of relational chaos, but can actually deepen through it. Karen and Bree explore how traditional church messaging can unintentionally shame Christian women going through divorce, how misunderstood scripture can leave people feeling pressured to stay in unhealthy or even abusive marriages, and how an eternal perspective, rooted in prayer and truth, can replace fear with clarity. Bree shares how she weaves scriptural wisdom directly into her legal strategy, encouraging clients toward dignified conduct, truthful evidence, and emotional steadiness even when everything around them feels unstable. They also speak candidly about fathers navigating custody, a dimension of divorce that often goes underserved. Bree addresses the reality that many loving, involved dads face an uphill battle to stay connected to their children, often needing to "double prove" their parenting, resist adopting a negative narrative pushed by an ex, and communicate with intention using tools like BIFF, all while continuing to simply show up for their kids, consistently and without fail. Whether you are at the beginning of this process, in the thick of it, or trying to find solid ground on the other side, this episode offers both the legal clarity and the spiritual encouragement to take your next step with confidence. God's purpose doesn't end when the marriage does, and this conversation is a powerful reminder of that. Connect with Bree:   Free Gift: Devotional for the Divorcing - www.crushyourdivorce.com www.sullivan-firm.com Book: https://a.co/d/0v4Iqql Instagram: @lawyerbree | @crushyourdivorce TikTok - @lawyerbree 
• 
  Divorce Without the Armor: The Power of Brotherhood with Todd Adams, Certified Coach through Conscious Leadership Group, Tony Robbins Core 100, and the HeartMath Institute 12.05.2026 40min

  Most men are never taught how to fall apart. They're taught how to push through, provide, and stay in control, but not how to process loss, ask for help, or stay emotionally present when their world is coming undone. When a marriage ends, those unspoken rules about what it means to be a man don't disappear, they just get louder. And for so many men navigating divorce, the result is isolation, overwhelm, and a kind of silent struggling that nobody talks about and nobody sees. In this episode, Karen McMahon sits down with Todd Adams, men's work leader, conscious leadership facilitator, and founder of MenLiving, for a conversation about what it actually takes for men to heal. Todd has spent years helping men step out of what he calls the Man Box: the outdated version of masculinity that rewards toughness and punishes vulnerability. And what he's found, again and again, is that the thing most men are avoiding, real connection, emotional honesty, brotherhood, is the very thing that sets them free. Together, Karen and Todd unpack why going it alone doesn't work, how community accelerates healing in ways that individual effort simply can't, and what it looks like for men to rebuild, not just their lives after divorce, but their relationships with themselves, their children, and the people they love... from the inside out. Connect with Todd: Website: menliving.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/menlivingnfp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MenLiving.org Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Book a Free Rapid Relief Call: http://rapidreliefcall.com Free Divorce Support Network Gift: https://divorcesupportnetwork.com/jbdpod  
• 
  You're Allowed to Be Angry: How to Navigate Divorce Without Shutting Down or Exploding with Michelle Farris, LMFT 29.04.2026 34min

  In this episode, Karen explores a powerful and often misunderstood emotion: anger—and how to navigate it during divorce without shutting down or exploding. Anger is a natural and expected part of divorce, yet many people were never taught how to work with it in a healthy way. Instead, they may react impulsively, suppress their feelings to avoid conflict, or carry lingering resentment long after the divorce is final. Karen is joined by Michelle Farris, a psychotherapist, codependency expert, and anger management specialist, for a grounded and insightful conversation about the role anger plays during divorce. Together, they unpack why so many people feel ashamed of their anger, how people-pleasing and codependency complicate emotional expression, and the critical difference between feeling anger and acting from it. This episode reframes anger not as something to fear or avoid, but as a valuable source of information—one that, when understood and processed effectively, can lead to greater clarity, stronger boundaries, and meaningful healing. Listeners will gain practical tools to help process anger without escalating conflict, honor their emotions without losing themselves, and shift from reactive patterns into more intentional responses. Connect with Michelle Farris: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleFarrismft      Instagram: https://instagram.com/counseling_recovery/ Website: www.counselingrecovery.com Free Gift: Blueprint for Taming Relationship Triggers - https://counselingrecovery.lpages.co/relationship-triggers-guide Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Free Hot Seat Coaching - May 11th @1pm EST: https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com/free-live-divorce-coaching Book a Free Rapid Relief Call: http://rapidreliefcall.com Free Divorce Support Network Gift: https://divorcesupportnetwork.com/jbdpod Boundary Bootcamp: https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com/boundarybootcamp
• 
  How to Stop Divorce Overwhelm and Think Clearly Again 27.04.2026 10min

  If your mind won't stop spinning during divorce... replaying conversations, jumping from fear to fear, or waking up at 3AM with urgency... you're not alone. And more importantly… you're not thinking clearly. In this episode, Karen McMahon breaks down what's really happening when you spiral during divorce, and why it can lead to the very decisions you'll later regret. When your nervous system is overwhelmed, your brain shifts into survival mode, making it nearly impossible to respond calmly, communicate effectively, or make grounded choices. You'll learn how to interrupt the spiral in real time, regulate your nervous system, and return to a place of clarity, confidence, and self-trust. This isn't about stopping your thoughts, it's about stopping the spiral from leading. Follow the show, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more people find calm and clarity during divorce. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Follow JBD on Instagram: @journey_beyond_divorce Book a Free Rapid Relief Call: http://rapidreliefcall.com Free Divorce Support Network Gift: https://divorcesupportnetwork.com/jbdpod
• 
  How to Know If It's Time to Divorce (Clear Signs You Can Trust) 20.04.2026 11min

  If you've been going back and forth on the "should I stay or should I go" question, you already know how exhausting it is. You try to think your way to an answer. You second-guess yourself. And still — you feel stuck. In this episode, Karen McMahon is going to help you begin to find real clarity — not just talk you through the feelings, but give you a different way of looking at what's actually happening in your marriage and inside yourself. Because spinning in your head isn't working. And you're tired. After years of guiding men and women through this exact place, Karen has seen what keeps people stuck — and what finally helps them move forward with confidence. She walks you through why patterns over time, not isolated moments, are what tell the real story of your relationship, and the signals worth paying attention to: the exhaustion, the emotional depletion, the feeling of being unseen or unheard, of living in survival mode rather than real partnership. Karen also challenges something that might be hard to hear — that what feels like confusion is often fear in disguise. Fear about finances, your kids, being alone, or living with regret someday. She'll help you name those fears, look at the patterns honestly, and start weighing actions against promises rather than hopes against history. This episode includes some powerful reflective questions too — including what your children are really learning from watching your relationship, and how love has actually felt over the last two years. And if you're waiting to feel completely certain before you take a step forward, Karen offers you this: certainty may never come, but your next right step absolutely can. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Follow JBD on Instagram: @journey_beyond_divorce Book a Free Rapid Relief Call: http://rapidreliefcall.com Free Mend or End Curated Podcast Playlist: https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com/mend-or-end-your-divorce-free-gift Free Just Started Curated Podcast Playlist: https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com/juststartedfreegift
• 
  Divorce & Executive Compensation: The Assets Most People Miss with Stacy Francis, CFP®, CDFA®, CES™ 11.04.2026 46min

  In this episode of Journey Beyond Divorce, Karen McMahon sits down with Stacy Francis, CFP®, CDFA®, CES™, President and CEO of Francis Financial, to unpack one of the most complex and often overlooked aspects of divorce: executive compensation. When income extends beyond a traditional paycheck to include RSUs, stock options, deferred bonuses, and long-term incentive plans, the financial landscape of divorce becomes significantly more complicated—and the stakes much higher. Together, Karen and Stacy explore how these "golden handcuffs" function and why they are so frequently misunderstood, undervalued, or even missed entirely during divorce proceedings. They dive into how executive compensation is structured, where disclosure gaps tend to occur, and how to identify these assets through key documents like offer letters, vesting schedules, and compensation statements. Stacy also explains how marital versus separate property is determined using time-based calculations tied to the date of divorce, and why timing, vesting schedules, and tax implications can dramatically impact the outcome of a settlement. This conversation brings clarity to critical decisions, including whether to divide future vesting shares or offset their value with other assets, and highlights a common and costly mistake around who is responsible for taxes on RSU income. Karen and Stacy also discuss real-world complications like job changes, buyouts of unvested compensation, and what happens to these assets in the event of death or disability. Throughout the episode, they emphasize the importance of working with experienced legal and financial professionals who understand high-net-worth divorce and complex compensation structures. Whether you are an executive navigating divorce or a spouse trying to understand the full financial picture, this episode offers essential insights to help you avoid costly mistakes, ensure proper disclosure, and make informed decisions that protect your long-term financial future. Connect with Stacy: Website: https://francisfinancial.com/francis_team/stacy-francis/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrancisFinancialInc/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/francisfinancialinc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjYgEJi2EhaCd1pL58V78iA?view_as=subscriber Free Gift:  We have seen first-hand the impact that a detailed Legacy Plan has on our clients and their loved ones. This experience inspired us to create our Legacy Planning Checklist. To make it easier, we've created a three-part Webinar which will take you through the checklist step by step to make sure you finish with confidence. Each session is hosted by Certified Financial Planners™ Stacy Francis and Natalie Colley, who share practical guidance, real examples, and tools to help you build your personalized legacy plan with clarity and confidence. Gift Link: https://francisfinancial.com/because-i-love-you-a-legacy-planning-companion/   Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Follow JBD on Instagram: @journey_beyond_divorce Book a Free Rapid Relief Call: http://rapidreliefcall.com Free Divorce Support Network Gift: https://divorcesupportnetwork.com/jbdpod