We Chat Divorce Podcast

After 200 episodes and a decade of helping thousands of individuals navigate one of life’s most difficult transitions, Karen Chellew and Catherine Shanahan step back from the typical divorce topic to explore the deeper patterns they have witnessed over the last 10 years. The biggest realization? Divorce was never only about divorce. It has always been about clarity. Too often, the financial disconnect in a marriage begins long before anyone contacts an attorney or files paperwork. It starts when one person manages the finances, assumptions replace conversations, and financial transparency slowly disappears. In this special 200th episode, Karen and Catherine share the most important lessons they have learned from working with more than 5,000 clients across all 50 states. They discuss why financial preparation should be a lifelong practice—not a divorce task—and why trusting your spouse should never mean losing your own understanding of your financial life. They also reveal the costly mistakes they see repeatedly in divorce: relying on spreadsheets instead of verification, assuming an attorney will create financial clarity, entering mediation without complete information, and making life-changing decisions before understanding their long-term impact. Whether your marriage is thriving, struggling, or already ending, this conversation is a powerful reminder that financial knowledge creates confidence, options, and better decisions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many couples going through divorce say the same thing: “We’re amicable. We just want to get this done.” In this episode of Divorce Explored, a series within the We Chat Divorce podcast, Karen Chellew and Catherine Shanahan unpack what amicable actually means—and why emotional calm is not the same as financial clarity. With California introducing a new joint divorce petition option in 2026, couples may be able to start the divorce process together with less initial friction. But as Karen and Catherine explain, this procedural change does not reduce the financial work required to reach a fair, sustainable settlement. This conversation breaks down the real differences between contested vs. uncontested divorce, the hidden costs of rushing to agreement, and the financial red flags that quietly turn “easy divorces” into expensive ones. If you’re considering an uncontested or joint filing—and want to stay amicable without sacrificing your financial future—this episode is essential listening. The difference between being emotionally amicable and financially transparent Why agreeing quickly can be more expensive than slowing down What California’s 2026 joint petition option actually changes—and what it doesn’t Common financial “agreement killers” in uncontested divorces Why keeping the house without a budget often backfires How missing documents, unclear income, or mixed business expenses derail settlements Why financial clarity can prevent conflict—not create it What it truly means to compare assets fairly (cash vs. retirement vs. property) Clarity is not conflict. Asking questions does not make a divorce adversarial—it makes it informed. Uncontested divorce still requires full financial discovery. Skipping this step creates costly mistakes. Joint petitions may lower emotional tension, but they don’t reduce financial responsibility. Rushing creates regret. Many uncontested divorces become contested after new information emerges. If you can’t explain your agreement in plain English, you’re not ready to sign it. You may need more structure and support if: You can’t access financial statements Income is variable, unclear, or disputed Business and personal spending are mixed New debt or unexplained transfers appear One spouse is afraid to ask financial questions The plan relies on “it will all work out” At My Divorce Solution, we help individuals and couples get financially organized before legal negotiations begin—so decisions are based on verified data, realistic budgets, and long-term stability. Our MDS Financial Portrait™ helps clients: Organize and verify financial documents Understand true cash flow and post-divorce budgets Model settlement scenarios before committing Avoid expensive renegotiations and legal waste Learn more at mydivorcesolution.com Considering an uncontested or amicable divorce Curious about California’s 2026 joint petition option Afraid of making a financial mistake you can’t undo Trying to stay cooperative without giving away too much Wanting clarity before talking to attorneys We Chat Divorce is the #1 podcast for financial divorce preparation, hosted by Karen Chellew and Catherine Shanahan—co-founders of My Divorce Solution. Each episode delivers honest, grounded conversations about the financial realities of divorce so listeners can move forward with confidence, not fear. Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode helped you. Clarity changes everything. What You’ll LearnKey TakeawaysFinancial Red Flags to Slow DownHow My Divorce Solution HelpsListen If You Are:About the Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of We Chat Divorce, Karen Chellew, Legal Liaison, and Catherine Shanahan, CDFA®, sit down with Jody Bruns, founder of the Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®) certification and the creator of the divorce mortgage planning profession. The conversation focuses on one of the most expensive and misunderstood parts of divorce: the marital home and the mortgage attached to it. With interest rates, refinancing challenges, and equity decisions shaping modern divorce settlements, this episode breaks down why housing decisions made without preparation often lead to permanent financial consequences. In This Episode, We Cover Why you cannot simply remove a spouse from a mortgage after divorce The difference between a traditional mortgage lender and a Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®) How refinancing really works — including escrow accounts, taxes, insurance, and closing costs Why alimony and child support payment structure matters for mortgage approval What lenders require to use support income for qualification The financial risks of keeping the house versus selling it How capital gains taxes and filing status changes impact long-term equity Why mortgage assumptions are complex, limited, and not guaranteed The dangers of quitclaim deeds and poorly written settlement language How title changes after divorce can expose homeowners to liens, probate issues, and loss of control Key Takeaway You may want to keep the house. You may even be able to afford it. That does not mean you can qualify to keep it — or that it’s the smartest financial decision. Without coordinated legal, financial, and mortgage planning, housing decisions in divorce often become the most costly mistakes people make. About Our Guest Jody Bruns has over 35 years of experience in mortgage and finance and is nationally recognized for her work at the intersection of divorce, real estate, and lending. Through her certification program and professional training, she helps divorcing homeowners and divorce professionals navigate housing decisions with clarity and strategy. 🔗 Websites DivorceLendingAssociation.com / JodyBruns.com 🔗 Social Instagram: @JodyBrunsOfficial LinkedIn: jodylbruns Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful episode of We Chat Divorce, we sit down with Karen McMahon, high-conflict divorce strategist, certified divorce coach, and founder of Journey Beyond Divorce. Karen shares her deeply personal story of surviving a prolonged, high-conflict divorce—and how that experience became the foundation of her life’s work helping others navigate divorce with emotional clarity and confidence. Together, we explore what it really means to “keep your side of the street clean” during divorce, why reacting emotionally is one of the most expensive mistakes people make, and how staying calm, clear, and confident directly impacts both your legal outcomes and financial future. This episode is essential listening for anyone feeling overwhelmed, triggered, or stuck in defense mode during divorce—especially in high-conflict situations. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why high-conflict divorce often makes the calmer spouse look like the problem The true meaning of “keeping your side of the street clean” How emotional dysregulation leads to rushed, costly decisions Why mindset, emotional regulation, and boundaries are foundational—not optional How to pause before responding to texts, emails, or demands Why financial clarity and emotional clarity must work together How inner work protects your children and breaks generational cycles Why a strong settlement alone does not guarantee peace or freedom How to reclaim your confidence during—and after—divorce Resources Mentioned Journey Beyond Divorce Website: https://www.jbddivorcesupport.com Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast (425+ episodes) Rapid Relief Call with a Journey Beyond Divorce coach: https://www.rapidreliefcall.com At My Divorce Solution, we see this every day:People don’t make poor financial decisions because they’re irresponsible—they make them because they’re overwhelmed, reactive, and emotionally flooded. That’s why we believe divorce preparation must include both financial clarity and emotional grounding. When you understand your numbers and regulate your responses, you stop reacting—and start leading. If you’re navigating divorce and feel like you’re constantly on defense, you don’t need to decide everything today. Ready for Your Next Step? 👉 Start with clarity.👉 Get organized.👉 Protect your future. Visit MyDivorceSolution.com to learn how the MDS Financial Portrait™ helps you understand your full financial picture before decisions get expensive. And be sure to join the MDS Community—a safe, judgment-free space for trusted resources, expert guidance, and live support. About the Guest Karen McMahon is a high-conflict divorce strategist, certified divorce coach, and founder of Journey Beyond Divorce. She is also the host of the Journey Beyond Divorce podcast and co-author of Stepping Out of Chaos: Turning Pain into Possibility. Karen has supported thousands of individuals worldwide in navigating divorce with clarity, confidence, and personal growth—helping them move beyond survival mode and into empowered decision-making. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices