Divorcing Strong

Divorce isn't just an emotional crisis. It's one of the most dangerous financial moments of your life — and the mortgage decisions you make during it can follow you for the next 10 years. Becky Sampson sits down with Chris Henwood, Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP) and mortgage banker at North Point Bank, to deliver the home and mortgage playbook every woman needs before she signs anything. With a career that spans 22 years as an energy futures trader on Wall Street, on-air financial expert at Reuters, practicing attorney in both securities and real estate law, and now a licensed mortgage banker in all 50 states and Washington DC — Chris brings a depth of financial and legal insight that no ordinary lender can match. His specialty: helping women in divorce slow down, ask better questions, and avoid the housing mistakes that quietly derail a fresh start before it even begins. If you're wondering whether to keep the house, sell it, refinance it, or start over — this episode is the conversation you need to have before you make that call. 🎯 In This Episode, You'll Learn: The mortgage decisions that follow you for 10 years — why housing choices made during the emotional chaos of divorce create decade-long financial consequences, and how to stop the clock before you sign anything Keeping the house vs. selling it — the financial calculus Chris uses to help clients make clear-headed decisions when they are standing on what he calls "emotional quicksand," and why "I'm not leaving my house" can become the most expensive sentence you ever say Qualifying on paper vs. being comfortable with the payment — why your lender saying "you can afford it" is not the same as "you should keep it," and the conversation Chris has with every client before they commit Becky's own foreclosure story — how stubbornness about the marital home almost cost her everything, and what she wishes she had known about slowing down before digging in Buying out your spouse: when it works and when it doesn't — the numbers-first framework Chris walks every client through, and when the honest answer is "sell and start fresh" Why Chris regularly talks himself out of business — and why that's the single clearest sign that the professional advising you actually has your best interests at heart The emotional home trap — why the house you're fighting to keep in court can quietly become the financial anchor that drags your fresh start underwater What a Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP) does that a regular mortgage banker can't — and why Chris argues every divorce team needs one, alongside your attorney, financial planner, and coach First time home buyer after divorce — what women who've never handled the mortgage, the finances, or the purchase process solo need to know before they sign a single document One step at a time — Chris's philosophy for navigating the biggest financial decision of your life during the most emotionally charged moment of your life, and why this approach is the difference between surviving divorce and rebuilding strong 💌 Download your FREE "100 Divorce Terms You Need to Know": https://onlysubpoenas.com/free 🎙️ About Chris Henwood: Chris Henwood is a Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP) and mortgage banker at North Point Bank, licensed in all 50 states and Washington DC. His career spans 22 years as an energy futures trader on Wall Street, a tenure as on-air financial expert at Reuters News Service, and a law degree earned at night while trading by day — leading him to practice securities and real estate law before making a deliberate pivot into mortgage banking. Chris works specifically with people navigating divorce who are being asked to make the biggest financial decisions of their lives during one of the most emotionally destabilizing seasons imaginable. His philosophy — listen first, explain clearly, never assume one-size-fits-all — has made him a trusted partner for family law attorneys, financial planners, and divorce coaches across the country who know their clients need a steady, honest voice in all the noise. Connect with CHRIS HENWOOD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_henwood_edge/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CJHenwoodMLO X: https://x.com/HenwoodEDGE YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HenwoodEDGE Website: https://www.northpointe.com/chris-henwood About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast: Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0. 👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies 👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/ 👉 Follow Becky on social media: BECKY SAMPSON Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckysampson11/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divorcingstrong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivorcingStrong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/ 🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺 ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. #DivorcingStrong #FamilyLaw #DivorceFinance first time home buyer, first time home buyer after divorce, divorce financial planning, mortgage mistakes in divorce, healing after divorce, divorce advice, home buying after divorce, buying a house after divorce, keeping house in divorce, selling house in divorce, refinancing after divorce, foreclosure divorce, certified divorce lending professional, CDLP, divorce mortgage, divorce settlement, property division, financial planning for women, divorce over 50, women and money, high conflict divorce, divorcing a narcissist, divorce support for women, midlife reinvention, Chris Henwood, North Point Bank, divorce podcast Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

If your stomach drops every time you check your credit score because you don't trust what your spouse is doing behind closed doors — this episode could save you years of financial pain. Becky Sampson sits down with Jim Smith, partner and co-founder of Fair Credit Attorneys, to deliver the credit protection playbook every woman needs before, during, and after divorce. With 20 years of experience holding credit bureaus, banks, and debt collectors accountable — and 14 years litigating nationwide consumer class actions — Jim has seen every way a high-conflict or financially abusive ex can wreck your credit report without you ever knowing. And more importantly, he knows exactly how to stop it, reverse it, and protect your fresh start. That application denial you're dreading — for housing, a car loan, or a new lease — doesn't have to be your story. But only if you know what to look for right now. 🎯 In This Episode, You'll Learn: The first thing to do the moment divorce becomes a possibility — pull all three credit reports (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) from annualcreditreport.com and establish a baseline before your ex has any reason to act strategically Joint accounts vs. authorized user accounts — the critical legal distinction that determines whether your ex's financial behavior will haunt YOUR credit report for years, and what to do about each one during the divorce proceeding The 22-year student loan bomb: a real case where a divorce decree assigned debt to a wife — but the ex-husband's credit was still destroyed two decades later because the creditor never cared what the court said Why a divorce decree does NOT protect your credit — creditors go back to the original signed agreement, not your court order, and why ignoring this gap can cost you enormously How to remove yourself as an authorized user — and why you cannot do it yourself; it must be negotiated into the divorce settlement before the decree is signed The free credit review Jim's firm offers — a no-hard-inquiry, item-by-item credit report analysis specifically designed for people in divorce, at zero cost Credit report errors under the Fair Credit Reporting Act — what triggers a legitimate dispute, when the credit bureaus fail their investigation duty, and when it's time to bring a lawsuit to force the correction The real-world consequences of damaged credit in divorce — blocked housing applications, employment background check failures, inability to get transportation — and how credit sabotage becomes another tool of financial abuse in high-conflict marriages When to look at your credit a second time — at the end of the divorce — to catch any last-minute authorized user accounts or joint liabilities that slipped through How Jim collaborates with family law attorneys and financial professionals to close the gap between the legal decree and the actual credit file — so your fresh start isn't sabotaged before it even begins 💌 Download your FREE "100 Divorce Terms You Need to Know": https://onlysubpoenas.com/free 🎙️ About Jim Smith: Jim Smith is a partner and co-founder of Fair Credit Attorneys, a nationally recognized consumer protection law firm dedicated to correcting credit reporting errors and pursuing real relief when those errors cause real-life harm. With 20 years of experience holding credit reporting agencies, banks, and debt collectors accountable — including 14 years litigating consumer class actions nationwide — Jim found his calling in the Fair Credit Reporting Act: a legal framework where he could fight for people who had done nothing wrong but were being penalized anyway. Since launching Fair Credit Attorneys in 2019, Jim has made it a priority to collaborate with family law attorneys and financial planners, specifically when divorce, identity theft, and credit damage intersect — ensuring his clients are never blocked from housing, employment, or the clean financial start they deserve. Connect with JIM SMITH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fair.creditattorneys Facebook: ​​https://www.facebook.com/faircreditattorney/followers LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-smith-722366135/ Website: https://faircreditattorneys.com/ About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast: Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0. 👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies 👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/ 👉 Follow Becky on social media: BECKY SAMPSON Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckysampson11/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divorcingstrong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivorcingStrong LinkedIn: ****https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/ 🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺 ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. #DivorcingStrong #FamilyLaw #FinancialAbuse credit repair, credit repair after divorce, financial abuse in divorce, healing after divorce, credit report errors, divorce financial planning, credit score divorce, identity theft protection, joint accounts divorce, authorized user divorce, fair credit reporting act, divorce settlement, financial infidelity, credit monitoring, credit sabotage, high conflict divorce, narcissistic abuse recovery, divorcing a narcissist, protecting credit in divorce, consumer protection attorney, credit bureaus, Equifax Experian TransUnion, divorce advice for women, midlife reinvention, divorce support for women, divorce podcast Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

If you've been white-knuckling your way through divorce because you're convinced keeping the house is the only thing holding your life together — stop. Before you sign anything, before you tell your attorney, "I want the house," you need to hear this episode. Becky Sampson sits down with Melissa Murphy Pavone, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP), founder of Mindful Financial Partners, to break down the real numbers, the hidden costs, and the financial decisions that will define your life long after the divorce decree is signed. With 18 years of financial guidance and a decade specializing in divorce financial planning, Melissa is the calm, clear voice women need when the math feels terrifying and the emotions feel louder. This is not just about the house. This is about your financial future — and how to protect it. 🎯 In This Episode, You'll Learn: The three-pronged divorce team — emotional support, financial support, and legal support — and why calling your attorney first is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make The Golden Handcuffs problem: why those COVID-era 2.5–3% interest rates are driving some of the most emotionally charged (and financially dangerous) house decisions women make in divorce The marital home decision tree — all three paths: sell and split, one spouse buys out the other, or "nesting" — and the real-world math behind each option Capital gains tax and home improvements — the questions your financial advisor must ask before your divorce settlement is finalized (and why most people get annoyed when asked) The five financial clarity pillars you must know before negotiating: what you own, what you owe, what you earn, what you spend, and your credit score Why "I'm keeping the house no matter what" is the most dangerous sentence in a divorce — and how to pressure-test that decision with real what-if financial scenarios How to look at every financial decision through the lens of your children — a reframe that removes the resentment and brings clarity to even the hardest choices Why Melissa — a New York State licensed mediator — refuses to do a full mediation alone, and what that integrity tells you about who you want on your team Melissa's upcoming book on designing your divorce team — and the blueprint she uses to keep professionals in their lanes so you don't blow your budget 💌 Download your FREE "100 Divorce Terms You Need to Know": https://onlysubpoenas.com/free 🎙️ About Melissa Murphy Pavone: Melissa Murphy Pavone is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and New York State-licensed mediator. She is the founder of Mindful Financial Partners, where she brings 18+ years of financial guidance to individuals navigating the emotional and financial complexity of divorce. A child of divorce herself, Melissa is driven by a deeply personal mission: to ensure the women she works with make financial decisions with both their heart and their head — so their futures remain protected. She has been specializing in divorce financial planning since 2015. Connect with MELISSA MURPHY PAVONE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissampavone/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.murphy.108889 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamurphypavone/ Website: https://mindfulfinancialpartners.com/ Website: https://mindfuldivorcepartners.com/ About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast: Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0. 👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies 👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/ 👉 Follow Becky on social media: BECKY SAMPSON Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckysampson11/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divorcingstrong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivorcingStrong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/ 🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺 ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. #DivorcingStrong #FamilyLaw #DivorceFinancialPlanning divorce financial planning, healing after divorce, divorce settlement, divorce and real estate, certified divorce financial analyst, CDFA, marital home in divorce, keeping the house in divorce, divorce over 50, financial planning for women, divorce team, divorce mediation, divorce attorney, co-parenting after divorce, capital gains and divorce, divorce retirement accounts, financial infidelity, women and money, rebuilding after divorce, midlife reinvention, divorce support for women, divorce podcast, mindful financial partners, divorce financial advisor Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

What if your spouse is hiding money in a place your attorney has never even looked? Cryptocurrency and digital assets have become the newest frontier of financial infidelity in divorce — and most attorneys have no idea how to find them, trace them, or value them. Illinois divorce attorney Kyle Sellett is one of the rare experts who does. In fact, he teaches other attorneys how to handle crypto in divorce cases. And today, he's teaching you. Whether you're deep in a high-conflict divorce and suspect your spouse is hiding digital assets, trying to understand your divorce financial planning options, or simply want to protect what's yours before it vanishes into a blockchain — this episode is the conversation your attorney probably hasn't had with you yet. In this episode, you'll discover: ✅ What cryptocurrency actually is — explained in plain English, no technical background required (blockchain, mining, wallets, and why it's called "digital gold") ✅ The three types of crypto storage your spouse might be using — hot wallets, cold wallets, and hardware wallets — and why each one creates a different discovery challenge for your attorney ✅ The real story: how someone lost millions of dollars in Bitcoin because of a single lost hard drive — and what this means for your divorce settlement ✅ The exact tactics spouses use to conceal cryptocurrency assets — and the red flags Kyle looks for to unmask them ✅ How the discovery process works for hidden crypto assets: subpoenas, forensic analysis, and when to bring in a specialist (and when it's NOT worth the cost) ✅ The cost-benefit analysis every woman must run before hiring a forensic crypto expert — Kyle's practical framework for deciding if it's worth pursuing ✅ The Practitioner Checklist — Kyle's step-by-step action plan for identifying, locating, and valuing digital assets in any divorce case ✅ Why Kyle personally prefers mediation and collaborative divorce strategies over litigation — and how this philosophy can save you money even in a high-conflict case ✅ The legal standard for dissipation and concealment of crypto assets — and how courts are now treating intentional cryptocurrency hiding as a serious financial offense ✅ Kyle's own definition of what it means to "Divorce Strong" — a perspective that will shift how you think about coming out the other side Memorable moments: "I started learning about crypto because I had to teach a CLE. And then I realized — nobody in family law knew this stuff." — Kyle Sellett "Coming out the other side, understanding what happened, accepting it, and being able to move past it. That's what Divorcing Strong means." — Kyle Sellett "The question isn't just whether your spouse has crypto. The question is — do you know where to look?" — Becky Sampson Whether you're newly separated and overwhelmed, deep in a high-conflict divorce involving hidden assets, or healing after divorce and trying to make sense of what you may have missed — this episode hands you the knowledge to protect what's yours. You are not just surviving. You are becoming YOU 2.0. 💌 Download your FREE "100 Divorce Terms You Need to Know": https://onlysubpoenas.com/free About Kyle Sellett: Kyle Sellett is an Illinois divorce and family law attorney who has become one of the leading legal voices on the intersection of cryptocurrency and divorce proceedings. As one of the few attorneys who actively teaches other family law practitioners how to handle digital assets in divorce cases — through CLEs and professional training — Kyle brings a rare combination of technical crypto knowledge and practical courtroom experience. He is a passionate advocate for mediation and collaborative approaches that keep clients in control of their outcomes. Connect with KYLE SELLETT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeissKunzOliverLLC/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylesellett/ Website: https://www.wkofamilylaw.com/attorney-profiles/kyle-sellett/ About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast: Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0. 👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies 👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/ 👉 Follow Becky on social media: BECKY SAMPSON Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckysampson11/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divorcingstrong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivorcingStrong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/ 🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺 ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, don't hesitate to get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. #DivorcingStrong #HiddenAssets #DivorceFinancialPlanning #FinancialInfidelity #HighConflictDivorce Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

What if the biggest mistake in your divorce isn't hiring the wrong attorney — it's not knowing how to navigate family courts yourself? Healing after divorce starts with protecting yourself in the courtroom, and former family law attorney Tracey Bee, known as The Divorce Solutionist, is pulling back the curtain on everything the legal system won't volunteer. Whether you're facing child custody battles, going through a divorce without a lawyer, or trying to figure out how to win in family court without getting steamrolled — this episode is your strategic playbook. With years of experience inside the family court system and her own pivot away from law after witnessing its toll on families firsthand, Tracey Bee now coaches women to represent themselves strategically, understand the "game" of court, and walk out with outcomes that protect their children and their future. In this episode, you'll discover: ✅ The single most important mindset shift every woman must make before she walks into a family courtroom — from "concerned mom" to litigant (and why getting this wrong costs you everything) ✅ Why family court is a "game" with rules nobody hands you — and exactly how to learn them before your first hearing ✅ The #1 reason Tracey left her family law career — and the judge's warning she received on Day 1 that predicted it all ✅ How to "study your opponent" — researching your judge's tendencies, opposing counsel's patterns, and the unwritten rules of your specific courtroom ✅ The dangerous mistake Becky made when she represented herself: trying to act like a lawyer — and what to do instead ✅ Why rushing to hire a divorce attorney in the shock/denial phase of divorce is often the worst financial decision you can make ✅ Practical child custody tips: how to document, communicate, and present yourself as the stable, strategic parent the court wants to see ✅ The difference between "process" and "law" — and why understanding this distinction changes everything for self-represented litigants ✅ How to protect your mental health and nervous system while simultaneously fighting the legal battle of your life ✅ The powerful reframe that defines what "Divorcing Strong" really means: "This is not what's happening to you — it's what's happening for you." Memorable moments: "Family court is a game. You have to understand the game to win the game." — Tracey Bee "Don't rush to hire an attorney in your shock phase. Do some of your own legwork first." — Tracey Bee "I tried to act like a lawyer. That was my biggest mistake." — Becky Sampson Whether you're newly separated and facing family court for the first time, deep in a high-conflict custody battle, or healing after divorce and trying to make sense of what just happened in that courtroom — this episode gives you the strategy, the mindset, and the roadmap to stop flailing and start winning. You are not just surviving. You are becoming YOU 2.0. 💌 Download your FREE "100 Divorce Terms You Need to Know": https://onlysubpoenas.com/free About Tracey Bee, The Divorce Solutionist: Tracey Bee is a former family law attorney turned divorce coach and strategist, known as The Divorce Solutionist. After years inside the family court system — watching the toll it takes on families and on attorneys — Tracey left traditional law to empower self-represented litigants with the strategies, tools, and mindset they need to navigate divorce without being steamrolled. She is the host of The Divorce Solutionist Podcast and a dedicated advocate for women facing family court alone. Connect with TRACEY BEE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedivorcesolutionist/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/familycourtstrategist/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/familycourtstrategist/ Website: https://thedivorcesolutionist.com 🎧About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast: Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0. 👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies 👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/ 👉 Follow Becky on social media: BECKY SAMPSON Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckysampson11/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divorcingstrong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivorcingStrong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/ 🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺 ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. #DivorcingStrong #FamilyLaw #DivorceWithoutALawyer #HealingAfterDivorce #ChildCustody Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

Healing after divorce begins the moment you realize you have more options than a courtroom battle. Is a peaceful divorce actually possible — even when things feel broken beyond repair? Can mediation protect your children, your finances, and your future without going to war with your ex? Florida Family Law Attorney Anthony Diaz, Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator and Board Member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, joins host Becky Sampson to show you exactly how the divorce process can look when dignity — not destruction — leads the way. With a background as a former CPA and Assistant State Attorney, and his own deeply personal divorce story, Anthony reveals the creative legal options most attorneys never tell you about, the rights you have in mediation that could save your settlement, and why the peaceful divorce path may actually be your strongest move. In this episode, you'll discover: ✅ What collaborative divorce and mediation actually mean — and how they're different from what you've been told ✅ The "nesting" strategy that lets your children stay in the family home while YOU come and go — and how to negotiate it outside of court ✅ The #1 right you have in mediation that nobody tells you: you never have to sign anything on the spot ✅ Why a judge can't give you the outcome you actually need — and what the divorce process looks like when you stay out of court ✅ The "needs vs. wants" framework that unlocks creative solutions and breaks impasse in mediation ✅ How to protect yourself if your spouse is negotiating in bad faith during mediation ✅ Why conscious uncoupling isn't just for celebrities — and how regular people use it to protect their families ✅ Anthony's raw, personal story of going through his own highly emotional divorce — and how it transformed his entire legal practice ✅ The one thing Anthony wants every listener to know: there is hope. Memorable moment: "When you get to the 'why' behind things, you open up this whole universe of possibilities." — Anthony Diaz Whether you're in the early stages of separation, deep in a high-conflict divorce, or trying to find a way to uncouple with grace, this episode is your playbook for taking back control of the divorce process — and walking out stronger on the other side as YOU 2.0. 💌 Download your FREE "100 Divorce Terms You Need to Know": https://onlysubpoenas.com/free About Anthony Diaz: Anthony Diaz is a Florida Divorce Attorney, Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator, former CPA, and former Assistant State Attorney. As a Board Member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), Anthony has dedicated his practice to helping families navigate the divorce process with dignity, creativity, and compassion. Known as "the collaborative peacemaker," he specializes in mediation, collaborative, and uncontested divorce. Connect with ANTHONY DIAZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollaborativepeacemaker/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnthonyDiazThePeaceMaker/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the1peacemaker/ Website: https://anthonydiazlaw.com/ 🎧About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast: Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0. 👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies 👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/ 👉 Follow Becky on social media: BECKY SAMPSON Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckysampson11/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divorcingstrong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivorcingStrong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/ 🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺 ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. #DivorcingStrong #PeacefulDivorce #FamilyLaw #HealingAfterDivorce #ConsciousUncoupling Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

Divorce recovery, narcissistic abuse recovery, and divorcing a narcissist — Paulette Rigo shares the no-BS strategies for high conflict divorce that have saved her clients $45,000–$70,000 and years of their lives. If your divorce is spiraling out of control, there's a reason — and it has nothing to do with your attorney. It's because you're mixing your Bowl of Emotions with your Spreadsheet, and those two things can never coexist in the same conversation. Paulette Rigo is a Certified Divorce Coach, ADR Credentialed Private Mediator, Certified Divorce Specialist, and founder of the Better Divorce Academy. She didn't learn this in a classroom. She survived an 8.5-year fully litigated divorce — including a 12-day trial and a 4-year appeal all the way to the State Supreme Court. Then she studied 272 divorce cases around her and built a framework that works even when your spouse is a narcissist, a liar, or completely unwilling to cooperate. In this episode, Paulette breaks down the two non-negotiable strategies for anyone divorcing a difficult or high-conflict spouse: Radical Acceptance (believing your ex truly IS who they are — and stopping the exhausting fight to prove otherwise) and Realistic Expectations (understanding that narcissists are actually predictable — once you know the pattern, you can outmaneuver them). She also explains why mediation almost always fails with narcissists, how to calculate your ROI on litigation before spending a dollar you'll never recover, and why your divorce coach — not your attorney — is your most powerful strategic weapon. Whether you're early in the process or knee-deep in a custody battle, this episode hands you the blueprint to stop reacting and start moving with strategy, composure, and power. In this episode: The "Bowl of Emotions vs. Spreadsheet" framework that changes everything Why leaving an abusive marriage often makes things worse first — and how to prepare Radical Acceptance: the #1 mindset shift for divorcing a difficult person Why narcissists are predictable — and how to use that against them How to calculate your ROI on litigation before fighting a battle you can't win The hidden step before mediation, most people skip entirely Why your attorney is NOT your advocate — and whose job it actually is How Paulette's clients save an average of $45,000–$70,000 and 8–22 months 💌 Download your FREE "100 Divorce Terms You Need to Know": https://onlysubpoenas.com/free About Paulette Rigo: Paulette Rigo is a Certified Divorce Coach, ADR Credentialed Private Mediator, Certified Divorce Specialist, Certified Amicable Divorce Professional, and founder of the Better Divorce Academy. She is the author of the Better Divorce Blueprint and host of the Better Divorce Podcast. After navigating an 8.5-year litigated divorce including a 12-day trial and a 4-year State Supreme Court appeal, Paulette built a proven framework that helps clients in long-term, high-asset, and high-conflict divorces save tens of thousands and move forward with clarity and power. Connect with PAULETTE RIGOInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/pauletterigo/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterdivorceacademy/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@betterdivorceacademy X: https://x.com/paulettegloria YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6xmhF1sMo-nQaNhgSRfrfQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betterdivorceacademy/ Website: https://betterdivorceacademy.com/ 🎧About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast: Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0. 👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies 👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/ 👉 Follow Becky on social media: BECKY SAMPSON Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckysampson11/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divorcingstrong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivorcingStrong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/ 🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺 ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. healing after divorce, high conflict divorce, narcissistic abuse recovery, divorcing a narcissist, divorce recovery, divorce coach, divorce podcast, narcissistic abuse, co-parenting with a narcissist, divorce tips for women, radical acceptance, divorce financial abuse, divorce mediation, high asset divorce, better divorce academy, Paulette Rigo Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

Rebuilding after divorce starts with one truth: you have to FEEL it to heal it. In this episode, psychotherapist Oona Metz — author of "Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women" and a 30-year veteran of divorce recovery support — shares her 5-Stage Roadmap for healing after divorce, and why skipping even one stage will keep you emotionally stuck long after the papers are signed. Oona has spent 15 years running in-person divorce support groups for women. She didn't just study grief after divorce — she lived it. Her personal experience, combined with three decades of clinical expertise, gives this episode a rare combination: professional credibility and raw, honest vulnerability that will make you feel less alone in every stage of your process. Host Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, brings her own powerful story — losing 130 pounds, leaving her career, and navigating divorce in the same month — to this conversation about divorce recovery for women, emotional healing, and what it truly means to be Divorcing Strong. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL DISCOVER: ✅ Oona's 5 Stages of Divorce Grief — and the exact warning signs you're skipping one ✅ Why "The Rollercoaster" is the longest stage and how to survive it without burning out your support system ✅ The self-care practices that don't cost a dime (and why perfectionism makes it worse) ✅ The one thing Oona wished she had during her own divorce — and how it changed her entire career ✅ How to communicate with a high-conflict ex — the BIFF method, Our Family Wizard, and the "separate email box" strategy ✅ How to draft every message to your ex as if a judge will read it — because they might ✅ How language shapes your divorce outcome — and the "peace linguistics" approach that can protect you legally and emotionally ✅ Why "letting go" doesn't mean forgetting — it means freeing up your energy for YOU 2.0 ✅ The moment Becky knew she had to rebuild her whole life — and what finally gave her permission to start OONA'S 5 STAGES OF DIVORCE GRIEF: Heartbreak — The loss of dreams, promises, and identity The Rollercoaster — Unpredictable emotions triggered by dates, places, and even weather Mending — Shifting focus from your ex to yourself Letting Go — Releasing your ex, the narrative, expectations, and old identity Moving On — Investing your energy into the new version of your life 6. MEMORABLE QUOTE: "When somebody is strong, somebody is willing to ask for help. Asking for help does not mean you are weak — it means you are strong." — Oona Metz "You have to feel it to heal it." — Oona Metz ABOUT OONA METZ: Oona Metz is a licensed psychotherapist with over 30 years of clinical experience specializing in divorce recovery for women. She is the founder of a long-running divorce support group program and the author of "Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women," your comprehensive roadmap for healing after divorce — from heartbreak to becoming the boldest version of yourself. Having navigated her own divorce, Oona brings both professional expertise and deeply personal insight to every conversation about life after divorce. OONA'S RESOURCES: 📗 "Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women" — https://www.amazon.com/Unhitched-Essential-Divorce-Guide-Women/dp/1668075385 🔗 Connect with Oona Metz — https://www.linkedin.com/in/oona-metz-licsw-cgp-6a14a41b/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/oona-metz-licsw-cgp-6a14a41b/ BECKY'S FREE RESOURCE: 📘 100 Divorce Terms You Need to Know — https://onlysubpoenas.com/free 🔗 Only Subpoenas™ — https://onlysubpoenas.com/ 🎧About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast: Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0. 👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies 👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/ 👉 Follow Becky on social media: BECKY SAMPSON Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckysampson11/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divorcingstrong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivorcingStrong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/ 🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺 ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. KEYWORDS: healing after divorce, rebuilding after divorce, stages of grief after divorce, divorce recovery for women, life after divorce, divorce support for women, coping with divorce, how to heal from divorce, emotional healing after divorce, divorce therapist, BIFF method, co-parenting communication, divorce advice for women, high conflict divorce, divorce recovery #DivorcingStrong #HealingAfterDivorce #DivorceRecovery Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

Protecting yourself in divorce, child custody tips, and the inside story of how family court really works — Texas family law attorney Artessia "Tess" House, founder of Tess House Law and a Super Lawyers–rated attorney as seen on CNN and Forbes, joins Becky Sampson on the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast to deliver the most practical legal playbook for families navigating custody battles, CPS investigations, hidden assets, and high-conflict divorce. Tess House didn't start her career in a courtroom. She started in a classroom. As a teacher, she once found a child hiding — scared, silent, powerless — and felt completely unable to help. That moment of helplessness changed everything. She went to law school to make sure no parent or child would ever have to stand before a judge unprepared and unprotected again. Today, her San Antonio-based firm handles some of Texas's most complex family law cases — and in this conversation, she hands you the insider knowledge most people don't get until it's too late. The central truth Tess delivers: "Court is not about the truth. It's about what you can prove." And once you understand that — once you stop operating on feelings and start operating on facts, documentation, and strategy — everything changes. Becky reinforces this with her own story of creating a detailed spreadsheet for her child's custody case, turning lived chaos into documented evidence that a judge could understand and act on. Whether you're facing a custody battle, navigating a CPS investigation, trying to uncover hidden assets, or just trying to understand how to walk into family court without getting destroyed — this episode is your playbook. 🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why "the truth" is not enough in family court — and what you actually need to win How to document everything in a custody or divorce case so a judge can follow it — Becky's personal spreadsheet method What triggers a CPS investigation in a divorce — and how to protect yourself if one is filed against you How money trails work in divorce: why hidden assets are rarely hidden for long and how discovery uncovers them The child custody battle mistakes parents make that silently destroy their credibility with judges How to choose a family law attorney who will actually fight for you — not just bill you What "aggressive representation" really means — and when it helps vs. when it backfires How to control your behavior, appearance, and communication to maintain credibility throughout a high-conflict case What CPS actually looks for — and how to present yourself as the safe, stable parent Why your opponent's bad behavior doesn't automatically help you — and what does Tess's definition of "Divorcing Strong": understanding the process deeply enough to feel empowered, not just to survive it 💡 This Episode Is For You If: You're in a custody battle or about to be — and you feel outmatched You're worried about a CPS investigation being used as a weapon against you You suspect your spouse is hiding assets and want to know what you can actually do about it You're in a high-conflict divorce and your emotions keep getting in the way of your strategy You want to understand how to present yourself in family court before you walk in unprepared You need to know what to look for — and what to run from — when hiring a family law attorney 🎙️ About Our Guest: Artessia "Tess" House is the founder and lead attorney of Tess House Law, PLLC, based in San Antonio, Texas. Rated by Super Lawyers and featured on CNN and Forbes, Attorney House is a fierce advocate for families navigating divorce, child custody disputes, CPS investigations, child support, protective orders, and parental rights termination. Before becoming a lawyer, she was a classroom teacher — an experience that fueled her commitment to protecting children and empowering parents who feel unheard by the legal system. Her firm's guiding philosophy: "Our top priority is to tell your side of the story in a way the courts value and understand." 🔗 Learn more: Tess House Law, PLLC 📱 Follow Tess: @tesshouselaw on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/tesshouselaw/ 🎧 About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast: Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0. 👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies 👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/ 👉 Follow Becky on social media: BECKY SAMPSON Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckysampson11/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divorcingstrong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivorcingStrong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/ 🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺 ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. 🏷️ Keywords: protecting yourself in divorce, child custody, child custody battle, child custody tips, how to win custody, family law attorney, family law, high conflict divorce, CPS investigation, CPS and custody, hidden assets divorce, custody battle tips, family court, divorce documentation, divorce lawyer Texas, Tess House, Tess House Law, custody hearing tips, divorce attorney advice, Divorcing Strong Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

Divorce doesn’t just change your legal status—it can shake your identity, your confidence, and the story you’ve been telling yourself for years. If you’ve been wondering, “Who am I now?” or “How do I stop replaying the past?”—this episode is for you. In this episode of Divorcing Strong, Becky Sampson (Bulldog Becky Brochovich) sits down with Joyce Ays, a heart-centered divorce coach who helps women move through the emotional aftermath of separation with real tools—not just pep talks. Joyce is certified in Conscious Uncoupling and trained in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) and hypnosis, and she teaches women how to stop living from old patterns, release the “lost dream,” and rebuild a life rooted in truth, self-trust, and purpose. This conversation goes deep into what rebirth after divorce actually looks like—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually—especially for women who have spent years people-pleasing, staying quiet, or losing themselves inside roles like wife, mom, and caretaker. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why divorce can feel like an identity collapse—and how to rebuild your “North Star” How patterns formed early in life (often ages 0–7) show up in marriage and divorce What “rebirth” means in real life: grief, release, self-forgiveness, and reclaiming your voice Why staying in the victim story can feel easier—and how to gently move into responsibility without shame How NLP helps you disassociate from trauma, shift perspective, and rewrite the emotional imprint of the past Why healing doesn’t require dragging pain out for years—and how to move through it with compassion The difference between being “guarded” vs. being wise with boundaries What to do when you feel stuck in bitterness or tethered to your ex—years after the divorce The truth about the fear: “I’m not healed enough to date again”—and why building trust in yourself comes first How to stop repeating the same relationship dynamics by filling the “void” with intention, not fear 🎧About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast: Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0. 👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies 👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/ 👉 Follow Becky on social media: BECKY SAMPSON Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckysampson11/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divorcingstrong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivorcingStrong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/ 🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺 ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

Divorce tips, divorce coach strategies, and the brutal truth about navigating divorce without losing everything — Ravit Rose, the Divorce Scientist and founder of Irooze, joins Becky Sampson on the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast to reveal what she learned after spending over $100,000 on a nasty divorce — and how she turned that pain into a system that's helping parents across the U.S. and Canada protect their families, their finances, and their sanity. Here's what nobody tells you when you file for divorce: the system isn't designed to protect your family. It's designed to process your case. And unless someone shows you the rules of the game before you walk into that courtroom, you will lose — not because you're wrong, but because you didn't know how to play. Ravit Rose learned this the hardest way possible. Fifteen years ago, she was a devoted mother and entrepreneur who believed her divorce would be simple. It wasn't. It cost her six figures, years of conflict, and nearly everything she'd built. But instead of staying broken, she became obsessed with understanding why the system fails families — and she built a better way. In this episode, Ravit breaks down her signature philosophy: "The success of your divorce will start and end with you." She explains why divorce is 90% mindset and only 10% the legal system, how to approach family court like a strategic game (not an emotional war), when representing yourself is empowering vs. when it's dangerous, and how to stop the financial bleeding before it drains you. Becky also opens up about representing herself in court — twice — adding raw, first-hand credibility to a conversation most podcasts are afraid to have. Whether you're considering divorce without a lawyer, trapped in a high-conflict case that feels endless, or need someone to tell you the truth about what's ahead — this is the episode that hands you the playbook. 🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why Ravit calls divorce a "game" — and why understanding the rules is the difference between winning and being destroyed The 90/10 rule: how your mindset, preparation, and emotional discipline account for 90% of your divorce outcome What it really means to represent yourself in divorce — when it works, when it backfires, and what to prepare for How Ravit spent over $100,000 in legal fees before discovering the system wasn't built to protect her family The IRooze method: how to build a strategic divorce plan that covers legal, financial, emotional, parenting, and life-transition needs — not just courtroom tactics How to separate your emotions from the business of divorce — Ravit's personal courtroom preparation strategy Why rushing your divorce out of desperation leads to long-term regrets — and how to slow down strategically Warning signs that you're escalating a "bloody war" instead of moving toward resolution Becky's personal story of representing herself in court twice — and what she'd do differently How Ravit helped a father overcome his fear of single-parenting and step into his power What "Divorcing Strong" actually means: being smart, methodical, and logical with your eyes on the end goal — not revenge 💡 This Episode Is For You If: You're thinking about representing yourself in divorce and don't know if it's the right move You're drowning in legal fees and wondering if there's a smarter way to navigate the process You're stuck in a high-conflict divorce that feels like it will never end You need a divorce mindset shift — you know the emotional chaos is costing you, but you can't seem to separate feelings from strategy You want to understand how family court actually works before you walk in unprepared You're looking for a divorce coach or mentor and want to know what that kind of support actually looks like 🎙️ About Our Guest: Ravit Rose is the Divorce Scientist and Founder of Irooze, a platform that matches divorcing parents with vetted professionals across legal, financial, emotional, physical, and life-transition needs. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a specialization in Marketing and Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management, along with a Human Resources Certificate. After her own six-figure, high-conflict divorce, Ravit spent over a decade studying divorce from every angle — legal, emotional, and psychological — and authored Unwanted Nasty Divorces (available on Amazon & Kindle) to expose the hidden pitfalls of the traditional system. Irooze serves parents contemplating, navigating, or healing from divorce across the U.S. and Canada through coaching, a free self-assessment, and a curated Divorce Directory of resolution-focused professionals. 🔗 Learn more: Irooze — Meet Ravit Rose RavitRose.com 🎧 About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast: Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0. 👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies 👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/ 👉 Follow Becky on social media: BECKY SAMPSON Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckysampson11/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divorcingstrong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivorcingStrong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/ 🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺 ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. 🏷️ Keywords: divorce tips, divorce coach, divorce without a lawyer, high conflict divorce, divorce advice, divorce mindset, representing yourself in divorce, pro se divorce, family court tips, divorce strategy, divorce game plan, how to navigate divorce, divorce mistakes to avoid, emotional divorce support, divorce coaching, strategic divorce planning, Ravit Rose, Irooze, Unwanted Nasty Divorces, Divorcing Strong Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

High-conflict divorce, parental alienation, weaponized restraining orders, and how abusers manipulate the family court system — Massachusetts family law attorney Heather O'Connor joins Becky Sampson on the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast with a raw, unflinching conversation about what happens when the legal system becomes your abuser's newest weapon. You did everything right. You filed for protection. You told the truth. And now your ex is using the court — the very system that was supposed to protect you — to control, punish, and silence you. You're not imagining it. It's called legal abuse, and family law attorney Heather O'Connor has spent her career fighting it. Heather didn't just study high-conflict divorce — she lived it. She left an unhealthy marriage with three young children and a high school diploma, put herself through college and law school, and built O'Connor Family Law into one of Massachusetts' most recognized family law firms. Her practice focuses on the cases other attorneys avoid: domestic violence, parental alienation, weaponized restraining orders, and the high-conflict custody battles where everything is at stake. If you feel like the system is rigged against you, your ex is making false allegations to win custody, or you're losing hope that anyone in family court actually cares about the truth — this episode will make you feel seen and give you a strategy. 🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode: How abusers weaponize the court system — false allegations, frivolous motions, and manufactured emergencies designed to drain you financially and emotionally The difference between legitimate restraining orders and those filed as a tactical weapon in divorce and custody disputes How to fight back when your ex files a false restraining order or domestic violence complaint to gain leverage What parental alienation looks like, why courts are slow to address it, and what evidence you need to prove it Why high-conflict personalities thrive in family court — and how to stop playing their game The critical mistakes survivors of domestic violence make when representing themselves in court How to find a family law attorney who actually understands high-conflict dynamics (not every lawyer does) What "winning" actually looks like in a high-conflict custody battle — and why it's not what you think How Heather went from domestic abuse survivor to founding attorney — and what that journey taught her about resilience and advocacy Why the family court system is failing survivors — and what needs to change 💡 This Episode Is For You If: Your ex is using the court to continue the abuse — filing false allegations, draining your finances with motions, or trying to take your kids You've been served a restraining order you didn't deserve and don't know how to fight it You suspect parental alienation but can't prove it — and the court doesn't seem to care You're a domestic violence survivor navigating divorce alone and terrified of losing custody You feel like the family court system is broken, and no one is listening to you You need to hear from someone who has been exactly where you are — and came out the other side 🎙️ About Our Guest: Heather A. O'Connor, J.D., is the founding attorney and CEO of O'Connor Family Law, a Massachusetts family law firm with offices in Westborough and Hanover. Heather specializes in high-conflict divorce, domestic violence, parental alienation, and complex custody disputes. A certified mediator and Massachusetts Bar Association Leadership Academy graduate, she has been recognized as a Multi-Year Lawyer of Distinction. Heather's personal experience of leaving an abusive marriage with three young children and building her career from the ground up informs every case she takes. Learn more at familylawma.com 🎧 About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast: Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0. 👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies 👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/ 👉 Follow Becky on social media: BECKY SAMPSON Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckysampson11/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divorcingstrong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivorcingStrong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/ 🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺 ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. 🏷️ Keywords: high conflict divorce, parental alienation, domestic violence divorce, restraining order divorce, family law attorney, false allegations divorce, legal abuse, custody battle, family court, abuser uses court, coercive control, divorce attorney advice, narcissist divorce, weaponized court system, divorce strategy, domestic abuse survivor, custody battle narcissist, divorce advice for women, protecting children in divorce, Divorcing Strong, Heather O'Connor Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

Raising resilient kids through divorce, co-parenting tips, and how to help children cope when everything changes — teen leadership expert and educator Lorraine Connell joins Becky Sampson on the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast with a practical framework every divorcing parent needs to hear. Your kids are watching how you handle this. And the good news? Divorce doesn't have to break them — it can be the moment they learn to lead their own lives. Lorraine Connell, M.Ed, MS, spent over 20 years in the classroom before founding Peers Not Fears, a leadership development program that helps teens build confidence, resilience, and real-world skills — without fear or comparison. Her message to parents navigating divorce: stop rescuing and start coaching. If you're worried your kids are falling apart, terrified you're damaging them, or struggling to co-parent through the chaos — this conversation will shift your entire mindset. 🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why resilience is built in the "challenge zone" — not the comfort zone or the panic zone — and how to guide your kids there The #1 mistake divorcing parents make: over-protecting kids from failure and discomfort How to let your children fail safely — and why it's the most loving thing you can do Why asking for help is a leadership skill, not a weakness (and how to model it during divorce) How high-conflict divorce and co-parenting stress affect teens — and what actually helps The alarm clock test: a simple parenting story that reveals whether you're rescuing or coaching How to talk to your kids about divorce without projecting your own fear onto them Why college pressure, social comparison, and perfectionism are crushing today's teens — and what parents can do differently Lorraine's "every kid is already a leader" philosophy and how it applies to children of divorce Practical strategies to build your child's confidence and self-worth when their world feels unstable 💡 This Episode Is For You If: You're going through a divorce and worried about the impact on your kids Your children seem anxious, withdrawn, or acting out since the separation You feel guilty about "breaking up the family" and want to know how to rebuild their sense of security You're co-parenting with a difficult ex and need strategies to keep your kids emotionally safe You want to raise kids who are strong, adaptable, and confident — not just "okay" 🎙️ About Our Guest: Lorraine Connell, M.Ed, MS, is the founder of Peers Not Fears, a leadership development program for teens. A former chemistry teacher with 20+ years in education, Lorraine is a certified coach, author, speaker, and podcast host on a mission to help every student feel seen, heard, and capable. She works with schools, families, and organizations across the country. Learn more at PeersNotFears.com 🎧 About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast: Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0. 👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies 👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/ 👉 Follow Becky on social media: BECKY SAMPSON Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckysampson11/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divorcingstrong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivorcingStrong LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/ 🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺 ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. 🏷️ Keywords: raising resilient kids, parenting through divorce, kids and divorce, co-parenting tips, helping children cope with divorce, teen leadership, teen mental health, children of divorce, building resilience in children, parenting after divorce, divorce and children, comfort zone challenge zone, how to help kids through divorce, blended families after divorce, raising strong kids, high conflict divorce, co-parenting, Divorcing Strong, Lorraine Connell, Peers Not Fears Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong