Divorce, Healthy! podcast

#Society #Relationship #Podcasting Education #Kids And Families #Self-Improvement #Attorney/Author Ashley-Nicole Russell

32:17

Jay is more than just the host of All About Change podcast. He is a lawyer and international activist, who has focused his life’s work on seeking social justice by advocating for the rights of people with disabilities worldwide. On the special episode of All About Change, Mijon Zulu, the managing producer of the "All About Change" podcast, is taking over hosting duties to interview Jay Ruderman about his new book, his activist journey, and why activism is even more important today. Episode Chapters (0:00) intro (02:38) How does one choose a cause to go after? (03:33) Jay’s path to activism (07:50) Practical steps a new activist can take (09:24) Confrontation vs trolling (17:36) Learning from activists operating in different sectors (19:20) Resilience in activism (22:24) Reflections on Find Your Fight and goodbye For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation Stay in touch: X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/ Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight , in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at www.jayruderman.com .…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Divorce doesn’t just affect the parents and children involved. From Co-workers and employees to friends, neighbors, and spouses, the toxic fallout of divorce and years of mismanaged conflict can touch us all, all over North Carolina and America, changing the way we approach the world. Veteran Divorce, Child Custody, & Family Law Attorney Ashley-Nicole Russell believes in a better way forward. Drawing on her personal and professional experience, Ashley-Nicole is changing the conversation around divorce and conflict resolution as a whole. Providing thoughtful insight into this culture of conflict and the statistical effect on children and adults while offering collaborative strategies at home and in the workplace. Divorce, Healthy! is your guide to mastering conflict resolution at home and in the workplace. To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com. You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Divorce Lawyer Ashely-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina. The insights and views presented in “Divorce, Healthy” are for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information presented is not a substitute for consulting with an attorney, nor does tuning in to this podcast constitute an attorney-client relationship of any kind.

32 episodes

Divorce, Healthy!

updated 2 years ago

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32 episodes

#Society #Relationship #Podcasting Education #Kids And Families #Self-Improvement #Attorney/Author Ashley-Nicole Russell

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Divorce, Healthy!

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Earning Its Stars: Collaborative Law and the Nobel Peace Prize with Attorney Ashley Michael 29:21

2 years ago29:21

29:21

The International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) has just received one of, if not the highest honor: a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. Advocates and professionals trained in this method of family law continuously and routinely speak about its benefits — the way it promotes respect of all parties, its ability to maintain civility in and out of the courtroom, and how it encourages empathy and understanding amongst all parties. On this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, we respect the National Adoption Month of November with bring in Ashley Michael, one of only 25 recognized adoption specialist attorneys in North Carolina and co-owner - managing attorney of adoption firm Michael & Russell, PLLC, joins her partner and co-owner host Ashley-Nicole Russell to discuss the need for respect and contempt, their success with collaborative law, the ways in which they see its positivity ripple throughout their clients’ lives, and the need for more familial courtrooms to adapt its policies. “Areas are waiting for it. They're wanting it. They're needing it. They just need the attorneys who are going to provide it. And that's what we're working on now,” Ashley-Nicole says of the effort to spread the power of collaborative law. “I do think that it is an easy choice for clients once they truly understand [collaborative law]. What we have battled in the past is awareness — now we have it.” With the publicity the IACP is receiving from its Nobel Peace Prize nomination, both women are hoping this powerful form of conflict resolution will be more widely adopted in courtrooms across the country. Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, Wilmington and Greenville, NC. 💡 Featured Guest 💡 Name: Ashley Michael, Esq. What she does: Ashley is one of only 25 recognized adoption specialist attorneys in North Carolina, the co-owner and managing attorney of Michael & Russell, PLLC, the only collaborative family law firm and adoption firm in southeast North Carolina. Whether she is working on domestic, juvenile, or guardianship cases, Ashley uses her training as a litigator, mediator, and collaborative law professional to resolve people’s issues with empathy and respectability. Words of wisdom: “ In collaborative [law], we are part of these people's lives that we're helping, and that's just a beautiful thing that we get to engage in.” Connect: Website | LinkedIn Connect with ANR Law ⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, Beaufort and Wilmington, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Mining the Realm of Cryptocurrency in Family Law – Does Collaborative or Litigation Provide a Better Process for Digital Assets? 36:53

2 years ago36:53

36:53

Cryptocurrency, Non-Fungible Tokens and Digital Assets are now common enough to frequent divorce cases as assets to be divided, but still new enough that most people are unfamiliar with what it represents. Attorneys need to understand how these digital assets are purchased, how they are stored, and how they are maintained. In this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, host Ashley-Nicole Russell speaks with attorney Ben McLawhorn of McLawhorn & Russell, PLLC about cryptocurrency and other non-fungible tokens in divorce court. Ben aims to educate both clients and fellow attorneys on digital assets and how to approach them in litigation and settlement discussions. The two discuss at length the equitable distribution of crypto, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Smart-Contracts, NFT’s, Blockchain and the Metaverse and how those concepts play out in collaborative law proceedings versus in family law litigation. Ashley-Nicole discusses that Collaborative is an evolved model allowing the value of the assets to be obtained in a more transparent way across North Carolina and throughout the country. How do you know if you even have Crypto or what if your spouse understands it far better than you? Ben discusses the challenges that come with digital assets, such as ensuring clients disclose them to their attorneys, the difference between mining and trading cryptocurrency, and how to store and cash in digital assets. There are so many facets to cryptocurrency that need to be understood and considered when dealing with it divorce cases; from Bitcoin to NFTs and Ethereum to blockchains, Ben uses his knowledge to ensure his clients are being treated fairly. Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, Wilmington and Greenville, NC. 💡 Featured Guest 💡 Name: Ben McLawhorn What he does: Ben is an attorney at McLawhorn & Russell, PLLC, where he specializes in employment law, Social Security disability, and family law. Ben also works in tandem with Ashley-Nicole Russell, using an individualized litigation approach to ensure their clients’ rights and interests are protected. Words of wisdom: “You need to have somebody who's knowledgeable in this space, who understands what these digital assets represent, and how they are to be handled during a divorce.” Connect: Website | LinkedIn Connect with ANR Law ⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, Beaufort and Wilmington, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Mindfulness in Divorce- Can You Heal After Divorce? Or Grow From It? With Expert Guest Eranda Jayawickreme on Post Traumatic Growth 38:14

2 years ago38:14

38:14

Ashley-Nicole Russell, Esq believes that mindfulness during divorce can make all the difference in how and what process is chosen and thus will affect the result. Her guest Eranda Jayawickreme applies his research in post-traumatic growth to illustrate divorce as a result and not a one-time action. As a psychologist and researcher, Eranda uses his work to show that divorce is not an isolated incident but an outcome of a long process. On this episode of Divorce! Healthy, Ashley-Nicole and Eranda walk through the cycle of divorce, how it impacts everyone differently, and what we can learn about our divorce process from our childhoods. Eranda dives deeper into collaborative versus litigation approaches and whether one event can define who you are today or will be tomorrow. “One reason why people struggle with divorce is that they may have had a childhood or they may have had prior life experiences that don’t necessarily give them the tools to help navigate complex problems successfully,” Eranda says. “The secondary control that you can put in place is of how you're dealing with the situation, finding a resource that won't amp up the animosity between you trying to protect your own mindset so you can protect your children”, Ashley-Nicole says. As the cycle of divorce continues, it can be easy to give into building tensions but by being mindful of the end goal, that each party involved receives what is fair. This tension and giving into animosity can lead to heightened anxiety, depression, and can take a harsh toll on your overall mental health. It’s important that in situations where it’s possible, to choose a collaborative approach during the divorce process. Collaborative between the divorcing parties can ease future decisions such as child custody and settlement negotiation. Awareness of yourself, of children, family, and others that are affected in the divorce process will help this difficult time pass more easily. 💡 Featured Guest 💡 Name: Eranda Jayawickreme What he does: Eranda received his Ph.D. in positive and social/personality psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2010. He is Harold W. Tribble Professor of Psychology at Wake Forest University, and he conducts ongoing research on integrating philosophy and psychology, with an acute focus on post-traumatic growth. Eranda is involved in several projects monitoring the possibilities to strengthen character following adversity, challenge, or failure and the integrative theories of personality. Words of wisdom: “I do think, when you go to the experience of ending a marriage, it is an opportunity for you to step back and reflect on what you think you've done, how you think you're behaved well, ways in which you think you could do better.” Connect: Website | Twitter Connect with ANR Law ⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Female Divorce Attorneys Talk Collaborative Divorce and the Effective Modeling of Conflict Resolution Created for Children and Parents 39:32

3 years ago39:32

39:32

For decades, the family court system has done a poor job of showing children how to handle conflict and strife. In North Carolina, three women have set out to be generational chain breakers, modeling positive and effective communication through conflict resolution. On this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, host Ashley-Nicole Russell speaks with collaborative law attorneys Robin Mermans, owner of Road to Resolution, and Irene King, founder of King Collaborative Family Law. The trio delve into the significance of collaborative practices and the future of divorce law in general. Each attorney discusses her own tumultuous path with divorce and court proceedings that led them to study, pursue, and practice collaborative law. They all agree that collaborative practices don’t just help the separating couple remain civil, but also demonstrates to children and family circles how divorce can be handled with mutual understanding. “A divorce can be a way that you're able to move forward in a positive nature and in a healthy way for your family,” said Ashley-Nicole. “It can still be handled with respect. And I think that the respect aspect is such a large piece of this.” Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC. 💡 Featured Guest 💡 Name: Robin M. Mermans What she does: Robin is an attorney, who runs Road to Resolution — Divorce Mediation and Collaborative Family Law in North Carolina. After going through her own relatively amicable divorce, Robin left her job at a Fortune 500 company to pursue law school and practice collaborative mediation. Words of wisdom: “Once I learned about collaborative [law], I was hooked. It was exactly what I was looking for. Two parties still have attorneys, so you're not in that unlawful-practice-of-law landscape. You're problem-solving, and helping people, ideally, close the chapter and start a new one in a healthy manner.” Connect: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook Name: Irene King What she does: Irene is the founder of King Collaborative Family Law. She found her way to collaborative law after decades of suiting up as a gladiator in family law each day and seeing families fall apart. Words of wisdom: “ We can do really amazing things for families by keeping them out of the courtroom. We can keep them talking. We can ensure that their next chapter will be a viable one for the family, even if they have to reframe the way that they look as they move forward with their lives. It's completely possible.” Connect: Website | LinkedIn | Email Connect with ANR Law ⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Why Collaborative Is the Most Effective Method for a Healthy Divorce With IACP President Lori Gephart 29:50

3 years ago29:50

29:50

In this season of the Divorce, Healthy! podcast, we’re diving deep into the collaborative process. From mediation, to co-parenting, to top-notch resources for demystifying collaborative practice, this season is going to cover all corners of collaboration to help navigate divorce. Divorce can be a nightmare for all parties involved. That’s why Lori Gephart, President of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), is on a mission to share the benefits of collaborative practice. There’s a great deal of fear and emotions that come with divorce. There are legal, financial, and emotional burdens that weigh down the people involved. Not only that, but many children face psychological issues after the process, often developing an ingrained fear of divorce. So what can people do to mitigate fear, find better co-parenting options, and foster a healthier, smoother process? This is where Collaborative comes into play. Collaborative practice is a healthier alternative to litigation. It promotes communication, builds on empathy, and works toward a shared goal. It also lowers conflict and addresses common fears that occur in the process. Lori says that “when fear walks into the room, we talk about what’s important to you.” So, how can you get involved in Collaborative practice? Through webinars, resources, conferences, and a global network of professionals, the IACP is educating people on the impact of Collaborative practice and why it’s so important. If you’re going through a divorce, the IACP can help you find mediation professionals in your area (like those at ANR Law) who can coach you through the process. If you’re a professional in the Collaborative space, you can become a member of the IACP and gain access to a vast network that is always willing to learn, teach, and work together. On this episode of Divorce, Healthy! host Ashley-Nicole sits down with Lori to talk about Collaborative practice and how it can foster a healthy divorce process. Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC. 💡 Featured Guest 💡 Name: Lori Gephart What she does: Lori Gephart is a collaborative divorce coach, licensed psychologist, and the President of North Hills Psychological Associates, which is the first collaborative practice east of Raleigh. Lori was the first collaborative attorney to start directly out of law school in North Carolina, having studied under the first collaborative attorney in the state during law school. Now, she helps families separate and divorce without going to court for a healthier, more respectful divorce. Lori also started training with the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) in 2011, eventually moving up to her current role as President. Words of Wisdom: “I do this work because I believe that it's healthier for children and families.” Connect: LinkedIn | Twitter | North Hills Psychological Associates | IACP | Facebook (IACP) | Twitter (IACP) | LinkedIn (IACP) Connect with ANR Law ⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Divorce by Website - Attorney Erin Levine Endeavors to Have Quality and Affordability With Hello Divorce 34:59

3 years ago34:59

34:59

The expense of divorce can be quite a burden, especially with today’s rising costs forcing us all to do more with less. Erin Levine, founder of Hello Divorce, is seeking to change that narrative. An experienced divorce attorney herself, Erin wanted to find a way to reduce the most expensive part of the divorce process — attorneys. She recognized that most divorces don’t require litigation. Instead, clients need a basic set of resources and support from compassionate professionals who can help make the legal divorce process as painless as possible. “The goal of Hello Divorce is to make divorce easier, friendlier, and a lot more affordable,” Erin says. “It doesn't mean that there won't be conflict. There's almost always conflict. But it doesn't mean that we need to ramp up the divorce such that we're battling it out in court.” She developed Hello Divorce to be a checklist and one-stop-shop for attaining divorce resources — from compiling documents, to mediation, to working with an attorney to draft and submit the final paperwork to court. Hello Divorce is customizable and can be tailored to fit each person’s particular needs. Its competitive pricing packages and à la carte services provide options that are typically out of reach for most people. Though the full suite of offerings is currently available in just a few select states, Erin plans to expand so she can serve more people. On this episode of Divorce, Healthy! host Ashley-Nicole sits down with Erin to discuss how Hello Divorce is driving change and creating space for more comfortable divorces. Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC. 💡 Featured Guest 💡 Name: Erin Levine What she does: Erin Levine, Esq. is an experienced divorce attorney who developed her company, Hello Divorce, to help streamline, cut costs, educate, and reduce overwhelm for uncomplicated divorces. Her mission is to make divorce easier, friendlier, and more affordable. Words of wisdom: “[Divorce is] not an event. It’s a journey.” Connect: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Pinterest 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️ Top takeaways from this Divorce, Healthy! episode Most divorces don’t need a litigating attorney. When there are two willing parties in a divorce, it’s often easier to come to an agreement without going to trial. Hello Divorce is a great option for those cases because it saves money and heartache. Reduce the overwhelm through education. It’s easy to feel lost when starting the divorce journey. Hello Divorce offers worksheets and checklists to help you work through the basics and manage the anxiety around the entire divorce process. Hello Divorce’s resources aim to democratize divorce in all 50 states. While Hello Divorce isn’t yet available across the country, you can use its worksheets to get organized no matter your location. Also, prospective clients can use Hello Divorce’s mediators, then use a local attorney to draft the needed documents. ⚡ Episode Insights ⚡ [04:16] The goal for Hello Divorce: Erin wants people to leave her website with the ability to “reduce the overwhelm” and feel more comfortable with an uncomfortable subject. [07:03] Who can benefit from Hello Divorce: Erin gives an overview of the intended audience for Hello Divorce. It’s typically for uncomplicated divorces. [10:08] What to expect from a consultation: Erin breaks down the Hello Divorce process and how to best make use of the resources available. [14:43] The reach of Hello Divorce: Hello Divorce is not available in all 50 states yet, due to the different laws in each state. Currently, it’s available in California, Colorado, Texas, and Utah, with New York and Florida coming soon. [18:18] Mediation services across the country: Even if Hello Divorce packages are not available in your state, anyone can use the company’s mediation services and then have the necessary paperwork completed by a local attorney. [23:40] Maximizing your money by using Hello Divorce worksheets: Instead of using valuable billable hours with a lawyer, get prepared by using Hello Divorce’s worksheets to pull together documents. Even if you can’t do the whole worksheet, it points out where you need help from the professionals. [25:36] What is this going to cost me?: Erin goes over the fee options for Hello Divorce’s packages and services. [30:39] Up next for Hello Divorce: Erin recently hired a chief product officer from TurboTax to incorporate product and machine learning to her business, while still maintaining a human touch. Connect with ANR Law ⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Curing the Next Generation: Why We Need To Fix Divorce Culture 27:13

3 years ago27:13

27:13

Divorce, Healthy! was started to help people find a way to get through divorce in non-destructive ways. Ashley-Nicole Russell’s passion has inspired her personal mission statement: to change how divorce is handled in America. Ashley-Nicole launched the Divorce, Healthy! podcast with a monologue. In today’s episode, she shares a new reflection of her journey thus far in achieving her goals and changing divorce culture. “That statement grew over time. It started with my mission to change divorce in my small town, to my state, to my entire country. And I really want to make sure that I save families from the destructive effects of what happens during divorce,” Ashley-Nicole says. On this episode of Divorce, Healthy! Ashley-Nicole shares her personal experience as an adult child of divorce and as a divorcee, why she wrote her book “ The Cure for Divorce Culture ,” and how she’s a living example of what she writes. “As we say in the south, the proof is in the pudding, right? … In the book, you get a big view of what happened [in my divorce]. There are some things that are a bit unsaid. And then, of course, there's the finished product of me actually moving on, having my own family, and curing [divorce] in the ways that I can for the next generation,” Ashley-Nicole says. Ashley-Nicole reflects on child custody, support, the duty of HR and Alternative Dispute Resolution in divorce. Additionally, she touches on parental alienation, father’s rights, mother's rights and self-awareness. Through her own personal journey, Ashley-Nicole has learned how to heal past traumas and find her own way to a happy and healthy life. Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC. 💡 Featured Guest 💡 Name: Ashley-Nicole Russell What she does: Ashley-Nicole Russell, Esq. is an award-winning family law attorney, author, speaker, and host of the podcast Divorce, Healthy!. She has created a new area of practice for family law in North Carolina and wrote the book, “ The Cure for Divorce Culture ,” which is helping to change the way couples divorce in the U.S. Her mission is to change how divorce is handled in this country over the next four years. Words of wisdom: “I have a beautiful passion that's fueling me. And that's to fix divorce in America.” Connect: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️ Top takeaways from this Divorce, Healthy! episode ★ Stigmas attached to divorce hurt children. Divorce as it has traditionally been viewed can have long-lasting negative effects on children that last into adulthood. This is why Ashley-Nicole knows it’s so important to change the culture of divorce. ★ Eliminate the battleground with divorce. Moving away from a litigation focus with divorce has opened up opportunities for parents to pursue shared parenting and allows families to come together and do what’s best for their children. ★ Model the behavior you want to see in your children. As a new parent herself, Ashley-Nicole has seen how important it is to model the behavior you want to see in your children. ⚡ Episode Insights ⚡ [01:14] The monologue, part two: Ashley-Nicole reflects on the start of the Divorce, Healthy! Podcast. In this episode, she shares a follow-up monologue about her goal to cure divorce culture in America. [03:17] A personal passion: Ashley-Nicole opens up and shares her personal experiences as a divorcee and an adult child of divorce. [09:35] Divorce is evolving: Divorce is no longer a one-sided litigation-focused event. There are now many different options including mandatory mediation. [14:33] Combat issues in your life with love: This doesn’t mean you can’t get divorced, but it means that if you do, you need to maintain respect for the other person and think of what is best for everyone involved. [17:56] Change divorce: With our lived experiences and the wealth of resources available today, it is our responsibility to do better and change how divorce is handled and viewed in this country. [21:25] Collaborative divorce is the way to go: You don’t need to do things the way they have always been done. If you’re going through a divorce you should make informed decisions to settle outside of court. [23:49] Let’s fix divorce in America: With all the resources, tools, and people who want to help, there has never been a better time to re-write what it means to get divorced and the process that gets you there. Connect with ANR Law ⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Pay Attention, Corporate America: Custody Battles Could be Costing Revenue 36:22

4 years ago36:22

36:22

Casey Sowers followed 14 years of military service with a long career as a project manager in the private sector. During this time, he found himself fighting for equal shared custody of one of his daughters. Prior to this, it had never occurred to Casey to look into the custody industry, or to consider the custody rights of divorced fathers. But after the stress of his own custody battle seriously affected his mental health and job performance, he started to get more involved. Now, Casey is Executive Director of The Fathers’ Rights Movement, a nonprofit made up of parents who advocate for 50/50 shared custody. At first, Casey thought the impact of his own custody battle was all psychological. However, when he stopped to think about how many times he’d had to take a call from a lawyer, or find evidence related to his case during work hours, he began to wonder whether custody battles are costing corporate America significant amounts of revenue. This motivated him to launch a pilot study to test this theory. So far, it includes 4,300 people. The groundbreaking study is being released to addresses the impact that inequality in the United States Family Court System has on corporations. This is the most comprehensive research project of its kind that observes the effects that shared parenting and the court system has on not only families, but also corporations and communities. Companies are growing increasingly concerned about the negative effects of divorce litigation on their employees and families, including emotional hardship and mental health issues that lead to decreased productivity and time away from work. Additionally, subpoenas are causing taxing issues for companies to produce massive amounts of documents and testimony under these duress cases. Casey hopes to prove that poor mental health — such as the kind he suffered during his custody battle — affects job performance. And since job performance is tied to corporate revenue loss, it’s in corporate America’s interest to advocate for a system in which fathers have a fair chance at gaining equal custody of their children. Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC. 💡 Featured Guest 💡 Name: Casey Sowers What he does: Casey directs The Fathers’ Rights Movement , a group of fathers and mothers who advocate for divorced parents to receive equal custody of their children. Words of wisdom: “My duty as a father is to do whatever I need to in the best interest of my child. It's about being patient, not being reactive, and staying mentally healthy. Even if you're not able to see your child, you need to be complete and whole as a person.” Connect: LinkedIn | Instagram 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️ Top takeaways from this Divorce, Healthy! episode ★ Consider collaboration instead. In North Carolina — which the National Parenting Organization awarded a D- in its 2019 Shared Parenting Report Card — it’s not unheard of to pay $150,000 for child custody litigation, depending on which county you live in. Casey spent $140,000 over the course of two years for his litigation in Florida. Settling through a collaborative legal approach is far less expensive. ★ Understand what you’re signing up for. If you choose to litigate instead of collaborate, keep your expectations realistic. It’s a long, arduous, costly process. If you take that as a given, it will be easier to manage your emotions and be there for your child. ★ Put your child’s well-being first. Don’t fall into the trap of making yourself the victim during your custody battle. Prioritize your child’s well-being. ⚡ Episode Insights ⚡ [03:33] The Fathers’ Rights Movement works for parents of all genders: The name comes from the proportion of men to women who are affected in these kinds of custody cases: 65% are men, but the organization also advocates for the 35% of women who are fighting for equal shared parenting. [07:15] Child custody battles are big business: This is a $55 billion dollar industry — and attorneys get the lion’s share. [12:37] All states are not created equal when it comes to custody decisions: The National Parenting Organization grades states based on how well their legislatures promote shared parenting best practices. New York, for example, received an F. [17:15] Custody disputes have a negative impact on parents’ mental health and their job performance: A pilot study by The Fathers’ Rights Movement found a correlation between employees going through custody battles, and loss of revenue for their companies. [26:56] If you’re getting divorced and have a child, know that you’re in for the long haul: If you choose litigation as opposed to mediation, expect a lengthy, arduous, expensive process. If you take this as a given, you’re less likely to react negatively to the stress involved. [30:31] Resist the temptation to see yourself as a victim: Focus on your child’s welfare and be patient, instead of making it all about you. This will benefit your mental health and help you respond calmly during proceedings. Connect with ANR Law ⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.…

Divorce, Healthy!

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How to Pick a Better Partner and Prevent Divorce with Bela Gandhi 32:50

4 years ago32:50

32:50

Dating can be daunting. Some people go for the same type of partners time and again, ignoring red flags and gravitating toward drama. It doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, it shouldn’t be that way. On this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, dating coach Bela Gandhi discusses her successful career in matchmaking. Although it started as somewhat of a party trick, Bela’s ability to successfully match those around her eventually led to her passion. In 2009, she started the Smart Dating Academy, a coaching and consulting company that teaches people how to find the happiest and best loves of their lives. “[We] help people stop doing the same thing over and over again, which is picking partners that aren't good for them, and instead, start picking partners that are going to make them happy, and be a real partner in their life and make life easy and fun,” Bela says. Bela also discusses the current marriage rate in the U.S., which is the lowest level on record . She attributes this record low rate to people waiting longer to get married. “I think now, with women being in school in record numbers, even outpacing men in schools and in the professional world, we're more equivalent in so many ways. So people want to put that education to good use, climb that ladder a bit, and marriage is something that people are choosing to do later,” she explains. Despite the low marriage rate, people are still choosing to “partner up.” After 12 years of business, Bela has not had a single divorce among her clients. Looking at childhood environments and individual desire, Bela has discovered a successful algorithm for matching people. Tune in to this episode of Divorce! Healthy with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC. 💡 Featured Guests 💡 Name: Bela Gandhi What she does: Bela Gandhi is the founder of Smart Dating Academy , a coaching and consulting company that teaches people how to find the happiest and best loves of their lives. Words of wisdom: “My mission is to put more love into this world.” Connect: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️ Top takeaways from this Divorce, Healthy! episode ★ Smart Dating Academy helps people find love and avoid making the same mistakes again. Dating can be difficult and isolating. Bela’s company helps determine clients’ true wants and needs, helping them avoid red flags and find lifelong partners. ★ Set yourself up for success. Seeking help from the Smart Dating Academy can prevent divorce later on, as it pairs people based on their upbringings and deepest needs among other points of interest. ★ Social expectations of marriage have changed but the desire for love remains. Now, more than ever, people are prioritizing themselves and putting marriage on the back burner. This has led to record low marriage rates but has not slowed down people’s desire to partner up and find love. ⚡ Episode Insights ⚡ [02:19] Fix your picker: The tagline for Bela Gandhi’s Smart Dating Academy sums up the company’s mission, which helps people find the right kind of love for them. [03:45] Pandemic partnering: During the pandemic, Bela saw more people forming deep connections via video calls. Without the “lure of premature physicality,” she observes that new couples had more honest conversations. [05:16] Record-low marriage rates: The U.S. is seeing a record low in marriage rates, which Bela attributes to more equality between women and men. [11:02] A means of preventing divorce: Bela sees her work as preventing the end of marriages by helping people truly find their perfect match. [19:40] Marriage map process: Bela explains her consulting company’s marriage map process, which helps determine the client’s ideal match by taking into consideration the type of relationship their parents had. [23:12] High success rate: The Smart Dating Academy’s success rate speaks for itself. This October will be the company’s 12-year anniversary, and it’s never had a divorce among its clients. [27:53] You may just need some guardrails: “Love is out there for you. … You may just need some guardrails,” Bela insists. She believes there’s a lid to every pot and that she can help each person find it by protecting them from the dings and bumps along the way. Connect with ANR Law ⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ See Ashley-Nicole's website and book for more marriage rate information. ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Sole Custody is Outdated — How Shared Parenting is Going Mainstream 43:53

4 years ago43:53

43:53

Divorce lawyers traditionally advised their clients to fight for sole custody of children, especially when their client was the mother. It’s time to put that tradition behind us. On this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, National Parents Organization (NPO) board members Matt Hale and Don Hubin, as well as family lawyer and children’s book author Kelly Chang Rickert, talk about the benefits of shared parenting. The NPO is responsible for issuing a state-by-state report card for the nation’s first comprehensive review of child custody statutes as they relate to shared parenting. When Matt Hale began the Kentucky chapter, the state had a low rating for child custody laws. But in 2017, Kentucky passed House Bill 492, the Equal Parenting Presumption During Temporary Orders . The next year, in 2018, it passed the Equal Parenting Presumption for Final Orders , which mandates that shared parenting is the gold standard for a child's best interest. Thanks to these efforts, the state now recognizes and celebrates Shared Parenting Day each year. It was NPO President Don Hubin who advised Matt on his dealings with the Kentucky legislature. “NPO is child-focused and research-based. We're trying to improve the system. We're trying to reduce the contentiousness of divorce,” Don says. In fact, the organization has more than 40 years of research to support their argument for shared parenting. Kelly Chang Rickert also has years of research and experience in her wheelhouse as a family law expert. Her passion even inspired her to write a children’s book, “ Two Adventures with Mom and Dad ,” which encourages shared parenting. Tune in to this episode of Divorce! Healthy with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC, to hear about the importance of shared parenting. 💡 Featured Guests 💡 Name: Matt Hale What he does: Matt is the founder of the Kentucky chapter of National Parents Organization (NPO) . He spearheaded the state’s legislative rulings calling for shared parenting as the new gold standard. Words of wisdom: “I just want to help other families get shared parenting because it's good for parents, it's good for kids, and it's good for society.” Name: Don Hubin What he does: Don is the President of the National Parents Organization (NPO) , which strives to protect every child’s right to the love and care of both parents after separation or divorce. Words of wisdom: “Competent, loving parents should not have to go through a court battle to continue to be fully involved in their children's lives.” Connect: LinkedIn Name: Kelly Chang Rickert What she does: Kelly has been practicing law for over 20 years and is the founder of the Law and Mediation Offices of Kelly Chang, APLC , a law firm dedicated to family law. She also wrote the children’s book, “ Two Adventures with Mom and Dad ,” to help explain divorce and shared parenting to kids. Words of wisdom: “If both parents are wanting custody, we should work out a parenting plan.” Connect: Website | LinkedIn 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️ Top takeaways from this Divorce, Healthy! episode ★ Legislation must change. The NPO is striving to change legislation in all 50 states to equalize parental rights and guarantee that every child has the right to love and care from both parents. ★ Shared parenting benefits everyone. Research has proven time and again that children do much better and are significantly happier when their parents are equally involved. Shared parenting also allows both parents to pursue their own careers and endeavors when they know they have the help and support of their child’s other parent. ★ Be careful who you hire. Divorce lawyers are not meant to destroy your spouse. Make sure you hire someone for the right reasons, so that you remain in control of all big decisions. ⚡ Episode Insights ⚡ [03:07] Toxic fallout: Matt explains how shared parenting avoids toxic fallout, which is the phenomenon that occurs when a couple’s contentious divorce affects businesses and other people in their community. Shared parenting offers the best potential outcomes for all parties involved. [03:34] Slow and steady: Changing legislation is an uphill battle. Matt delineates how he led the battle for Kentucky’s shared parenting and permanent orders by starting with temporary orders. [07:11] Helping others: Don discusses his personal experience in divorce court and how the system’s status quo threatens families. [10:47] Proof is in the pudding: Don explains how NPO has more than 40 years of social science research that proves children do best when both parents are actively and equally involved in their lives. [12:08] Unifying issue: The legislative switch to shared parenting has enormous support among Americans, cutting across most demographic divides, including age, ethnicity, race, income, educational level, political affiliation, and gender. [17:46] State report cards: The NPO is responsible for issuing a state-by-state report card for the nation’s first comprehensive review of child custody statutes as they relate to shared parenting. [25:24] Seeking allies: Don explains NPO’s successful partnership with Arkansas’ Advocates for Parental Equality, a state-specific group of parents who support shared parenting and equal parental rights. [31:50] Misconceptions of divorce: Family lawyer Kelly discusses the common misconception that when people go through a divorce, they should fight for custody of their children. [38:53] Hire the right lawyer: Kelly discusses the importance of choosing the right divorce lawyer for you and your own wants and needs. [42:48] Children’s resources: Understanding the difficulty of explaining divorce to kids, Kelly shares about her children’s book “Two Adventures with Mom and Dad” as a great place to start. Related Resources ❖ Arkansas Equal Parenting Law (spearheaded by Arkansas Advocates for Parental Equality) ❖ NPO Shared Parenting Polling ❖ NPO-Sponsored Shared Parenting Conference Videos ❖ NPO Featured Articles on Share Parenting ❖ Shared Parenting Day Celebration Connect with ANR Law ⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Shared Parenting and Gender Equality with Emma Johnson 33:36

4 years ago33:36

33:36

Society tells women that motherhood should be their primary source of fulfillment. This same pressure, however, is not put on men. Society pressures moms to live out this kid-focused lifestyle, deeming them lousy or lazy if they do not. Meanwhile, dads are simply let off the hook. In the same vein, women are advised to fight for full legal custody in divorce court, abiding by society’s expectations of what they should do. Emma Johnson, the blogger behind Wealthy Single Mommy, is here to fight that stigma and advocate for shared parenting. On this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, Emma discusses her research about how time-sharing between separated parents impacts single mothers’ income . “Moms with 50/50 schedules are 300 times more likely to earn $100,000 a year — 300 times more likely to earn six figures than moms with 100% time with their kids,” Emma says. The results of her research upend previous notions of feminism, debunking the idea that moms having sole, full legal custody of children is the best outcome. Not only is it beneficial for women to have 50/50 custody, it is also in the best interests of children, making them feel more at ease, loved, and less anxious. As Emma says, “It signals to them that: my parents are equal, they both are equally committed, they equally love me, and they’re here.” Tune in to this episode of Divorce! Healthy with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Divorce Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC. 💡 Featured Guest 💡 Name: Emma Johnson What she does: Emma is the blogger behind Wealthy Single Mommy , a site dedicated to helping millions of women build full, successful lives as single moms. As a best-selling author, journalist, and expert on single-parent topics, Emma has created an online community for single moms across the globe. Noteworthy: In February, Emma launched a White Paper based on the findings of the Single Mom Income and Time-Sharing Survey , which polled 2,270 single mothers about their employment, income, time-sharing, and related feelings. Connect: About | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️ Top takeaways from this Divorce, Healthy! episode ★ Don’t be afraid of 50/50 custody. Women are oftentimes pressured to fight for full legal custody of their children when filing for divorce. However, split custody agreements can lead to more favorable outcomes by giving women more time to devote to their careers, relationships, and own happiness. ★ There’s a real need for systemic cultural changes. Society tells women that motherhood is their ultimate source of fulfillment. This needs to change, and it can begin with women putting themselves first and not feeling guilty about shared legal custody. ★ Sharing legal custody benefits your kids’ mental health. It’s not only about improving single moms’ lifestyles — 50/50 custody agreements also benefit children. For a kid, seeing both parents equally committed to them establishes a sense of reassurance and reduces anxiety. ⚡ Episode Insights ⚡ [04:31] Equitable time-sharing benefits single moms’ income: According to Emma’s research, moms with 50/50 custody schedules are 300X more likely to earn a salary of $100,000 than moms with full legal custody of their kids. [10:49] Society reinforces a double standard: Our culture shames women who do not spend a certain amount of time with their kids. They’re deemed lousy moms and lousy people — but these same pressures aren’t placed on men. [13:45] Custody split = empowerment for men: Splitting custody equally helps dads to maintain stronger, healthier relationships with their children. They rise to the occasion and take more active parenting roles. [13:59] Give kids more security : Sharing custody equally also provides children with a greater sense of security. They see their parents as two equals who love them — equal responsibility holders, equal decision-makers, and equal participants in their life. [19:36] Look at the long game: Women who fight for sole or primary legal custody lose money-making opportunities and tend to become reliant on child support or alimony bills. Good attorneys will encourage their clients to look at the big picture. That is, look beyond that limited, monthly payout to realize shared custody agreements will open more doors for earning income. [27:51] A mainstream feminist issue: The more equality women have in terms of child custody, the more time they have to invest in their careers. Connect with ANR Law ⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ Read the Forbes article featuring Ashley-Nicole ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app. ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina.…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Busting Divorce Myths and Doing Divorce Differently with Dr. Elizabeth Cohen and Susan Guthrie 32:20

4 years ago32:20

32:20

Divorce can feel like an isolating and lonely experience. Few people who go through it realize that it doesn’t have to be that way and that it can be an empowering process and a way to start a new more intentional life. Clinical psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Cohen and Attorney Susan Guthrie join the podcast to discuss the upcoming Doing Divorce Differently Summit, a virtual event to help people dealing with divorce view the experience as an opportunity. Like any traumatic experience, the right guidance and healing tools can help you make it possible — even probable — that you can come out the other side a better, stronger, and happier person. The event will provide attendees with life-changing advice and support for whether they are just starting their divorce journey or have already completed it. On this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, Dr. Cohen and Susan talk about how they help couples divorcing and how they aspire to end stigmas around divorce. Having endured the darkness of her own divorce, Dr. Cohen’s upcoming book, “ Light on the Other Side of Divorce ,” is a healing program for those considering divorce, going through divorce, or even those who are on the other side of divorce legal proceedings. Susan was also inspired to enter into this line of work after navigating her own divorce experience. With more than 30 years of professional experience and national recognition for her legal and mediation expertise, Susan discusses restructuring the approach to court, as well as the benefits of online mediation (she’s been doing it virtually since before the pandemic). Tune in to this episode of Divorce! Healthy with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC to hear about the amazing work these women are doing to reshape the process and perception around divorce. Register for the Doing Divorce Differently Seminar . 💡 Featured Guests 💡 Name: Dr. Elizabeth Cohen What she does: Dr. Cohen is a clinical psychologist and author of “ Light on the Other Side of Divorce ,” whose personal journey through divorce inspired her to refocus her practice and skills to guide others through the life-altering experience of divorce. Words of wisdom: “ We [must] bust the myth that divorce has to be a failure, or that divorce has to be painful and heartbreaking. It's actually an opportunity and a choice.” Connect: Website | LinkedIn Name: Susan Guthrie What she does: Susan is nationally recognized as one of the top family law and mediation attorneys and has been helping people navigate divorce for more than 30 years. Susan also hosts an inspiring podcast, The Divorce and Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie, Esq. Words of wisdom: “ Empowerment starts with you. Understand there's nothing different about your divorce, just as you've made other choices in your life, you have every right to make your decisions and choices in your divorce.” Connect: Website | LinkedIn 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️ Top takeaways from this Divorce, Healthy! episode ★ We’re the only people we can control. Rather than thinking about divorce as a blame-game, or as a problem, refocus on what you want for yourself and out of this divorce process to truly empower yourself. ★ It is possible to do divorce differently. Divorce doesn’t have to be the end of your life and it doesn’t have to be a high-conflict situation. The Doing Divorce Differently Summit (April 21, 2021) will lay out different options for the divorce process — from the legal proceedings to how to cope with divorce after the fact. Register HERE . ★ Treat divorce like other life decisions. Just as you've made other choices in your life, do not abdicate all the big decisions in your divorce to lawyers or anyone else. Make your own choices, including how you choose to move through the legal process of divorce. ⚡ Episode Insights ⚡ [03:47] Empower yourself: When going through a divorce, turn the focus back on. You are the only person you can control and remembering that can empower you, says Dr. Cohen. “Even though we try so desperately to change other people, we really can't change anyone else.” [4:25] Not the end of your life: Ashley-Nicole explains how the divorce process offers an opportunity for you to build a thoughtful, new foundation for the rest of your life. [8:43] Doing divorce differently: Dr. Cohen shares a vision for what doing divorce differently can mean. “We can show up fully as ourselves,” she says. [09:28] Therapeutic approaches: The healing process can be aided through therapeutic, research-based techniques and strategies. [10:02] Purposeful next steps: Ashley-Nicole reflects on her own divorce journey. [12:13] Enlightened divorce: Ashley-Nicole brings in Susan Guthrie to discuss what people can expect from the Doing Divorce Differently Summit . [14:52] The pros of online mediation: Susan discusses why she started doing online mediation before the pandemic hit and how it can help the divorce process. [18:00] Nothing is preordained: How you go about your divorce, how you treat your partner, how you make decisions, it is entirely up to you, Susan explains. Nothing is decided for you. [22:07] When children are involved: Susan talks about how children change the dynamic in a divorce and why it’s best to stay out of court (and avoid ongoing arguing). [27:09] Learn from others: You can always learn from other people’s mistakes. The experts hosting the Divorce Differently Summit have all been through this personally and professionally. Connect with ANR Law ⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Divorce Rehab with Wendy Sterling: How to Best Deal with Divorce Conflict at Home and at Work. 23:17

4 years ago23:17

23:17

When Wendy Sterling’s 16-year marriage was coming to an end, she struggled to wrap her mind around it. She had lost herself in her marriage. She had lost her voice, her independence, and her identity. Not only was the life she had planned falling apart, but so was the image of herself that she had carefully created. Yet in spite of her heartbreak and turmoil, Wendy realized her divorce was a chance at a fresh start. “My divorce enabled me to finally see that it was time for me to start taking charge of my own life, to start finding myself again. And it was an opportunity for me to really start over,” Wendy says. On this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, Wendy discusses her own healing process and The Divorce Rehab™ program, which offers clients both one-on-one coaching and group programs. “Like many others, I was the first of all of my friends [to get divorced]. I didn't have any support at the time. And so one of the big things that was a priority for me was really getting a community together of like-minded women who can rely on one another,” Wendy says. Though no one intends for it to happen, divorce is a reality. Wendy sees to it that healing is possible in spite of it all. Tune in to this episode of Divorce! Healthy with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC. 💡 Featured Guest 💡 Name: Wendy Sterling What she does: Wendy is divorce coach, author, speaker, and host of The Divorced Woman's Guide podcast . She is also the mother of two boys and has firsthand experience about the nonlinear post-divorce healing process. Words of wisdom: “My mission is really to change the conversation of divorce — to change the stigma to be one of power, instead of one of shame.” Connect: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️ Top takeaways from this Divorce, Healthy! episode ★ Rethink divorce as a new beginning. Divorce is often stigmatized as a purely negative thing — and a sign of failure. Rethinking it and what it means to have a fresh start can help the healing process. ★ Rediscover yourself after divorce. Divorce presents an opportunity to invest in your personal identity. Oftentimes, people get lost in their marriages, dependent on the other person. Divorce can reposition you to find yourself anew. ★ Find your community. According to Wendy, having a strong sense of community, with people who understand you and advocate for you, is crucial to the healing process. ⚡ Episode Insights ⚡ [02:21] Divorce is a fresh start: Divorce can grant people an opportunity to start over and rediscover themselves. [03:52] How The Divorce Rehab™ program helps: This five-step proprietary program invites divorcees to see their divorce as an empowering experience to find their identity and create a new life from a confident place. [05:12] The conversation around divorce needs to be destigmatized: Society shames divorcees as failures, when really, they should be applauded for their courage to pursue a better life. [09:13] Healing is a collaborative process: It’s important to surround yourself with a strong community of people who understand and support you. This applies to not only the physical environment, but one’s emotional and mental environments as well. [13:40] Keeping things bottled up only holds you back: When you don’t seek help or community, you’re putting your mental and physical health at risk as well as your job and income — all of the things that need you to be operating at your best. [19:10] Retrain your mind: Divorce necessitates retraining your brain. You have to realize everything you had dreamt of or planned is going to look different now. Connect with ANR Law ⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app. ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina.…

Divorce, Healthy!

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How to Organize Your Finances in Divorce and Reduce Conflict 19:37

4 years ago19:37

19:37

Many people believe divorce will inevitably be messy and hostile before even starting the process. However, that doesn’t have to be the case. According to Carl Roberts — the Founder and CEO of SplitSmart , a website that helps couples organize finances for divorce — transparency and organization are essential for preventing an emotionally distraught and lengthy divorce process. On this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, Carl talks about his web tool and how it has helped couples approach divorce in a more healthy and transparent way. The tool helps couples to DIY their financial decisions through easy-to-use online documentation before involving mediators or attorneys. This can help each party see the big picture and realize that they probably agree on more than they think. “What I found was that the key to having a healthy, low-cost divorce is organization — on the money side or on the kid side,” Carl says, having gone through a difficult divorce himself. “It’s all about organization. Once you get organized, then you can build a plan, and you can be more informed with your decisions. You gotta do it one way or another — whether or not you do it for yourself or you pay a lawyer, you gotta do it.” 💡 Featured Guest 💡 Name: Carl Roberts What he does: Carl is the founder and CEO of SplitSmart , a website that helps couples manage the financial and emotional aspects of divorce. Words of wisdom: “Transparency is key to building trust in the [divorce] process. And trust is critical to being able to reach a healthy, amicable resolution.” Connect: LinkedIn | Blog 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️ Top takeaways from this Divorce, Healthy! episode ★ Organization is the key. Whether it’s for the kids or the financial decisions, being organized helps you move through the divorce process with a clear head and better decision-making. ★ DIY your divorce. One of the first things that might come to mind when considering divorce is the exorbitant cost of the process. Taking care of the initial financial organization by yourself is one way to cut costs before involving the lawyers. ★ Transparency separates data from emotion. Getting all financial details down on paper creates transparency, which helps prevent emotional fallout in the long run. ★ Think of life after divorce in positive terms. Don’t think of separation as a process with only negative outcomes. Instead consider the possibility that life after divorce may improve — this mindset will help you make it happen. ⚡ Episode Insights ⚡ [07:34] Save on stress: SplitSmart allows you to organize your incomes, assets and liabilities by uploading documents to electronic folders to share with your ex-partner. [08:14] Advance prep: Preparing the marital worksheet ahead of time helps you organize assets and liabilities by line item so that you can more efficiently and transparently negotiate. [09:08] Transparency leads to trust: The divorce process carries the weight of emotions and stress, but when the process is made transparent, it can help build trust between the parties involved. [09:39] Seek advice when necessary: Although a tool like SplitSmart can help, it’s important to remember that you can and should ask for guidance and support when you don’t understand something. [12:33] Let the professionals deal with the big stuff: A DIY divorce approach doesn’t have to deal with the big stuff like retirement funds and cars. [15:05] Give yourself peace of mind: Transparent organization will foster a better state of mind, especially at the beginning of the divorce process. Getting through the divorce process successfully requires being informed and understanding that you and your ex-partner probably agree on more than you think. Connect with ANR Law ⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Tips To Have an Amazing Divorce With Author Karen Millon 31:24

4 years ago31:24

31:24

People are shocked when they find out Karen Millon still regularly spends time with her ex-husband — even with her new husband. It just doesn’t quite fit the usual expectations of divorce, as we so often imagine animosity between former partners. Somehow, Karen managed to come out the other side with a healthy outlook on divorce and a good relationship with her ex. She even wrote a book about it, titled “My Amazing Divorce.” On this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, host Ashley-Nicole Russell talks to Karen about how she made it happen. According to Karen, she made sure to give not only herself but her partner and especially her kids time to process the change and reach a level of acceptance. What largely made this possible was not putting her needs first. Instead, Karen sought out therapy and resources to emotionally handle everything, and ensured her kids got what they needed from both mom and dad. Karen also adds, “What I think made it healthy was a focus on healing and honoring the grieving process.” This concept of healing is extremely important to Karen. In fact, it’s the main focus of her podcast, Healin , which aims to help inspire others start their own healing journey. “Being aware of your emotions and your triggers and having someone to cry with, you take a load off your kids because they're not your therapists, they're not your friends,” says Karen. “You have to build safety and security with them.” 💡 Featured Guest 💡 Name: Karen Millon What she does: Karen is a businesswoman, the author of “My Amazing Divorce” and host of the podcast, Healin, which provides resources for people seeking healing and wellness inspiration. Words of wisdom: “When you understand that you are a soul living a human experience, whether you're Christian or Buddhist or Hindu, and that you didn't come to this world to fight and argue and be bitter but to deal with what life brings you with grace, I think that helped.” Connect: Website | Instagram 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️ Top takeaways from this Divorce, Healthy! episode ★ Focus on healing. Honoring the grieving process was a big part of what made her divorce healthy, says Karen. This means giving yourself, your ex and your children the time necessary to be sad and work through negative emotions to reach acceptance. ★ You don’t have to rely on your divorce lawyer. Your divorce lawyer will have your best interests in mind and no one else’s, but that’s not necessarily good for processing the situation. It could even lead to animosity and difficult situations for your ex-partner and children. ★ Move away from anger. One turning point for Karen in processing her divorce, and something she advises, is to get out of the anger stage of grieving. She says that deciding not to fight anymore — adopting a mindset of “radical acceptance” — can help you reclaim your power. ## ⚡ Episode Insights ⚡ [14:47] Make your divorce kid-friendly: As a child of divorce, Karen says she could empathize with her kids while getting divorced from their dad. As a result, she tried to make the process as much about them as possible and knew that despite the separation, they would still want to see their parents together and enjoying each other’s company. [15:18] Have a clear vision: Because going through such a big change might make some people lose sight of what matters, Karen believes it’s important to maintain a vision throughout the process. [15:33] Seek out spiritual resources: Throughout her divorce and its accompanying therapy, Karen found books, podcasts and various resources that spoke to her and helped her see the big picture while stuck in the immediate chaos. For her, one of these resources was the book "The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success” by Deepak Chopra . [19:00] Write it down: Karen found that writing was key to her success. Whether it was journaling, making to-do lists or drafting a whole book, writing things down was essential to her healing journey and a way to manifest success and a positive outlook. [21:17] Let go of the little things: What you haven’t been able to change in your partner in the years you’ve been together will probably not change because of you. Learn to accept this and find power in what you do have control over: yourself. [25:56] Avoid guilt over the holidays: When the kids are spending Christmas with your ex-partner, Karen says it’s important to understand they already feel bad that they aren’t with you. There’s no need to emphasize how much you will miss them. Connect with ANR Law ⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.…

Divorce, Healthy!

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A Divorced Parent’s Guide to the Holidays With Dr. Elizabeth Cohen 27:50

4 years ago27:50

27:50

The holidays are upon us accompanied by all the expectations of creating picture-perfect, festive memories for you and your family. For divorced parents, however, this can be a nightmare of navigating what your kids want, what relatives want and what you want. Forget all of that, says Dr. Elizabeth Cohen, a clinical psychologist who specializes in helping parents discover a positive approach to divorce. “Give yourself so much grace and opportunity to learn. If this holiday season, something doesn't work, then you learn for next time what you want to do,” she says. “The holidays come every year.” On this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, Elizabeth discusses the upcoming holiday dread for divorcees with host Ashley-Nicole Russell. The important thing, Dr. Cohen says, is that parents focus on creating safe and connected time with their kids, no matter what that might look like. There’s no need to live up to unrealistic expectations. If you feel better about your life after divorce, you will be happier and calmer around the holidays as well, and your kids will feel happier and calmer. “There are invisible gifts that you are giving your child by ending a relationship that's not working for you,” she says. 💡 Featured Guest 💡 Name: Dr. Elizabeth Cohen What she does: Dr. Cohen is a clinical psychologist based in New York City with a background in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and a focus on helping parents navigate divorce positively. Words of wisdom: “I was put here on this earth to help women and men move through divorce and break the stigma of divorce as being a failure and see it as an amazing golden opportunity.” Connect: Website | Instagram 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️ Top takeaways from this Divorce, Healthy! episode ★ Think positive thoughts. You can shift your thinking on divorce — the way we have been trained to think about divorce doesn’t have to be the way you approach it going forward. ★ Ignore societal interpretations . The culture surrounding divorce has long portrayed it as something that inevitably makes your life worse. This is false! Divorce will likely lead to better things, including better relationships and friendships. ★ It’s about the kids. Remember it’s about your kids, not you. The number one thing you have to do is make them feel safe and connected and sometimes the way they feel safe and connected is not how you feel safe and connected. ★ The Hallmark holiday mirage. The pressure of the holidays can be particularly overwhelming for a divorced parent. It’s important to leave behind those picture-perfect expectations to relieve some pressure from you and your kids — especially this year. ⚡ Episode Insights ⚡ [5:51] Give unto yourself what you give unto your child: As a parent, you want to empower your kids to make decisions that feel true to them. You should be doing the same for yourself. [7:00] Collaborative law is good for you: Your nervous system will benefit from collaborative law, Dr. Cohen explains. Keeping litigation out of your divorce is key. It can be triggering and thus a burden on your mental health. [14:01] Take the hit: At the holidays, your kids should not be carted around from house to house, party to party, pleasing everyone who wants to be with them. You might have to take a few hits from angry relatives, but your kids will feel safer and happier if the holidays don’t involve this musical chairs of get-togethers. [16:46] Let your child choose what you do: Research shows that five minutes a day of child-directed play can be incredibly healing, says Dr. Cohen. This means letting them choose the activity. It creates a feeling of bonding and intimacy and can be a good holiday memory. Remember what your child likes and how it might differ if you have more than one. [19:54] Preparation is key: Our nervous system doesn’t like to be caught off guard. The more you prepare, the better, and we aren’t talking about finding the perfect gift. It’s about your emotional preparation, intention and connection, helping you be fully present with your kids. [21:10] The kids and you are all right: It’s important to let your kids know that you will be okay when they are not around at the holidays. They worry too. Share with them some of your plans so that they know you will be okay even when alone (and even when you’re not). Connect With ANR Law ⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Tips for a Joyful and Positive Holiday Season During Your Divorce 13:45

4 years ago13:45

13:45

What we’ve been waiting for is finally here! We welcome you to Season 2 of Divorce, Healthy! Given the spirit of the holidays, and Christmas right around the corner, our host, Ashley-Nicole sincerely appreciates everyone that has come on this journey with her and the amazing connections made over the first season of the podcast. On this episode of Divorce, Healthy! Ashley-Nicole welcomes you to embrace positivity with her and reveals how it is not only possible to move on after divorce, but to live a life of joy and purpose too. There is a new world when it comes to divorce, a world where people can solve their conflicts, feel peace, and feel comfort. The next phase of your life can be truly amazing if you let it be. Ashley-Nicole shares a few insights on how children handle things versus how parents handle them. Remember, you are modeling behavior for your children, so be mindful of how you’re approaching conflict resolution. Even if you don’t have Christmas day this year, make the holidays wonderful for your children! (3:18) They will remember this experience and it will embed positive and joyful memories in them. Extreme negativity works the same way, so be mindful not to embed those negative memories. (4:43) A few tips to make the holiday season into a positive and joyful experience for your family: 1. Set a goal for how you want the holiday season to go . Are you drinking hot a chocolate in front of the fireplace? Are you ice skating? Do you go and get your Christmas tree together with your child? Keep that goal in mind and build a positive experience around it. (7:12) 2. Maintain positivity . Make sure that whenever you're in the environment of your kids that you’re remaining positive. You can bet that getting angry about the price of the Christmas tree can sour that experience for your children. Stay positive and reframe your thoughts this holiday season. (7:48) 3. Be a model for your children . In every action, you are modeling behavior for your children, so be mindful of how you’re approaching conflict resolution. (8:24) 4. Be introspective . Think about yourself, think about the scars you have from your holidays or the wonderful memories that you have from your holidays. And either recreate those wonderful memories or think about how you can rewrite it into a better way. (9:35) If this was your first episode of Divorce, Healthy, we encourage you to circle back to where it all started in Season One ! For more information on Ashley-Nicole Russell, and her book The Cure for Divorce Culture, head on over to anrlaw.com To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy!…

Divorce, Healthy!

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The Harmful Effects of Litigated Divorce on Children, with Command the Courtroom creator Wendy Hernandez 17:16

4 years ago17:16

17:16

If you’re a child of divorce or if you’re a parent facing separation and divorce, then you’re intimately familiar with just how broken, expensive, exhausting, and toxic for our children the current culture of divorce in the United States is. Fortunately, alternatives exist, and experts are ready and willing to help you navigate divorce and find your best path forward. On this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, attorney and author Ashley-Nicole Russell, of ANR Law , welcomes Wendy Hernandez, a family law attorney and host of Command the Courtroom on YouTube. They offer timely insight and guidance on moving forward with your life after divorce. Wendy explores her transition into family law after beginning her career as a criminal defense attorney. Wendy found that a number of her criminal defense clients were also facing stressful domestic and family law issues. Her daughter was also a motivating factor in choosing to pivot to a career helping children and families. Wendy understands how devastating it can be to a child for their parent to lose sight of their interests in the whirlwind of divorce, focusing only on the parent’s conflict with the spouse. Quoting a friend, Wendy says, “[i] t’s not divorce that messes kids up, it’s the conflict between the parents.” (2:35) Wendy also has practical advice on how to begin the divorce process with the right attitude, “I think that generally speaking people should get really clear on what it is that they want first of all in their life and then funnel it down to what do I want out of this divorce situation? Get clear on what your intentions are.” (13:48) Highlights from the episode: The broken system (02:35) What happens to the kids and how it affects their lives (04:00) Definition of “healthy divorce” (08:01) Modeling Healthy conflict (09:45) Opportunities for a new beginning (11:18) Collaborative divorce (11:51) Watch Wendy Hernandez’ YouTube channel, Command the Courtroom , with live streams every Monday at 6:30 p.m. You can also visit her at CommandTheCourtroom.com . Did you like this interview with Wendy Hernandez? Check out Conscious Coparenting and the Positive Life After Divorce With Jennifer Butler Coaching . To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy!…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Giving Up the Guilt with Michelle Dempsey-Multack, Certified Divorce Specialist and Coach Extraordinaire! 24:17

5 years ago24:17

24:17

Moving on after divorce is easier said than done. Loneliness, isolation, shame, and guilt are all commonplace after separation and divorce. Often, people going through separation feel like they won’t ever be able to get back on their feet and may even worry that they will never find love again. If these feelings sound familiar, this is the episode for you. On this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, attorney and author Ashley-Nicole Russell welcomes Michelle Dempsey-Multack, Certified Divorce Specialists and host of the Moms Moving On Podcast , to discuss her system for overcoming the emotional complexities that accompany divorce and how women can come out stronger on the other side. Michelle reveals how she uses what she learned during her own divorce to help other women overcome their suffering and thrive. Ashley-Nicole and Michelle open up about their respective divorces and how the process was ultimately a teaching experience. “I truly feel I had to be married to him for all of these unresolved demons and issues and traumas from my past to surface once and for all so that I could confront them. Because I had been ignoring them and living in denial for a really long time.” (8:15) Michelle also reveals how she discovered that she suffered from an anxious attachment style because of her parents’ divorce and how this affected her relationships and divorce. Today, both Ashley-Nicole and Michelle are in loving and healthy relationships with partners that understand the struggle they’ve experienced. Michelle advises acknowledging to yourself that the situation will be challenging, “you know it’s going to be hard. It’s an unfortunate situation that’s happened, but it is also an opportunity to move forward in a way that works best for you, to put your best foot forward, to honor what you did wrong, and vow to not do it again. So if you’re willing to do the hard work, you’re going to get to a good place. Nothing good comes easy. Don’t expect it to be easy. And if you feel like it’s easier than you expect it, then good for you, then you’re in a good place.” (17:56) For more information on Michelle Dempsey-Multack’s podcast, visit MomsMovingOn.com . You can also follow her on Instagram and Facebook @themichelledempsey. Like this interview with Michelle Dempsey? Check out The Myth is Busted, Divorce Doesn’t Have to be Horrible. With co-parents and co-authors of Our Happy Divorce, Ben Heldfond and Nikki DeBartolo . To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy!…

Divorce, Healthy!

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The Myth is Busted, Divorce Doesn’t Have to be Horrible. With co-parents and co-authors of Our Happy Divorce, Ben Heldfond and Nikki DeBartolo 47:20

5 years ago47:20

47:20

Divorce has long had a bad reputation. It is often incredibly stressful for the couple and leaves broken families in its path. Have you ever wondered, “does it really have to be this way?” Are there people out there who have successfully dissolved their marriages in a peaceful and healthy way? Are there children who don’t feel like their lives have been torn apart by their parents’ divorce? The answer is yes. Enter Benjamin Heldfond and Nikki DeBartolo, authors of Our Happy Divorce , and today’s guests on this episode of Divorce, Healthy! When Ben and Nikki got divorced 13 years ago, there were far fewer resources available for collaborative processes and co-parenting. Luckily, they were both able to successfully navigate the divorce process and make decisions that have resonated positively in their lives and the lives of their children. Benjamin stresses the importance of keeping your child’s best interest at heart. With painful memories of his own parents’ divorce, Ben knew he didn’t want to put his child through the same hardship. Conversely, Nikki's parents remain married after 52 years, and she claims this was the driving force for making things work throughout the divorce process. (5:26) At first, Ben did what most people do and hired an attorney. He soon realized his attorney may be more interested in a fight than in doing what was best for Ben and his family. Instead of pursuing a fight, Ben decided to step away from everything for a while. After taking time to weigh his options, he ultimately decided to team up with Nikki to tackle the problem together. “She was on my team and I was on her team. So, if you want to talk about collaborative, that's the ideal behind it. But we truly were on each other's team… as team captains.” (19:22) Ben and Nikki admit that there is no easy way out of a divorce; there will always be fights, arguments, anger, etc. However, there are ample resources for people going through separation and divorce to consider. One resource the couple endorse is the App Fayr , developed by Micheal Daniels, who joins the conversation at 30:12. “Fayr is really just my sincere effort in trying to…communicate on the core issues, the things that need to be communicated on and try to clear up some of the misunderstandings and disagreement that oftentimes escalate into a costly court motion. And it has an emotional cost too.” (30:54) As Ashley-Nicole mentions in prior episodes, the divorce industry is a broken one, and only some people benefit from it. Echoing her thoughts, Michael says “[Divorce] is such a broken system… everybody talks about the broken system. The truth is the system is working just fine for those who are financially benefiting from it.”(38:37) This is why “we're all here to try to scream and say, you do not have to follow the norm just because it's the norm,” says Ashley-Nicole. (45:52) For more information on Benjamin and Nikki’s book Our Happy Divorce , visit ourhappydivorce.com . To download the Fayr App visit fayr.com/app Like this interview with Benjamin Heldfond and Nikki DeBartolo? Check out How to Move Forward After Divorce, With Divorce Attorney & “Better Apart” Author, Gabrielle Hartley . To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy!…

Divorce, Healthy!

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How to Move Forward After Divorce, With Divorce Attorney & “Better Apart” Author, Gabrielle Hartley 43:15

5 years ago43:15

43:15

If you’re going through a divorce or have recently been through one, you’ve probably experienced stressful emotions and have felt lonely in the process. Maybe you’ve seen your kids affected or are afraid they will be negatively impacted in the future. Divorce has a bad reputation in the United States, as we’re inundated on a daily basis with the spectacle of divorces gone wrong. Here, on Divorce, Healthy!, Ashley-Nicole Russell wants to turn that reputation on its head. Welcome back to Divorce, Healthy! In this episode, our host is accompanied by Divorce Attorney and “Better Apart” author, Gabrielle Hartley. Gabrielle is a divorce mediator and lawyer who practices in New York and Massachusetts. In her book, Hartley provides readers with the five keys on how to move forward after divorce. 7:28 Both Gabrielle and Ashley-Nicole have had experiences with either being divorced or having divorced parents. They know first-hand the tremendous consequences divorce can have on you, your children, and your family. They stress the importance of being true to your own path during your divorce. It’s not necessary to follow in the footsteps of others, even best friends or family members. “If you're getting divorced and your best friend had to hire private investigator, it doesn't mean you need a private investigator (by the way, nobody needs a private investigator, but I mean for divorces!)” 14:08 They also address how negatively divorce can impact your children. It’s vital to allow your children, “especially the younger children…to have their childhoods.” 17:04 Gabrielle shares with us how her mother said to her, “Dad and I have grown up problems, and you're a child and you need to worry about being a kid and we need to worry about our problems.” She points to that conversation as helping her navigate the emotional turmoil of her parents divorce. 17:21 Another key point they discuss is the internal struggle you may encounter during divorce. You need to overcome divorce; look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself who you are, where you are headed, how much are you planning on fighting unnecessarily? “You may get the windfall, but what is the win? Who are you?... Even if you win, sometimes you really lost… if you got that down and dirty, is that the you you want to look back on?” 29:13 For more information on Gabrielle Hartley and her Better Apart™ program, visit gabriellehartley.com . Purchase Gabrielle’s book Better Apart . Like this interview with Gabrielle Hartley? We think you’ll appreciate A Millennial's Perspective On Marriage & Divorce with TV Personality Aaron Deane . To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy!…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Conscious Coparenting and the Positive Life After Divorce With Jennifer Butler Coaching 34:14

5 years ago34:14

34:14

Life after divorce can be challenging. After grueling court proceedings and litigation, ex-partners—particularly women—may feel like it’s the end of life as they know it. There’s a lot to process and work through, with many left feeling hopeless and victimized years later. While this time is indeed one when you’re probably the most vulnerable, raw, and emotional, it can still be the biggest opportunity to finally discover who you truly are. And, all it takes it to change your perspective and make a choice. In this episode of Divorce, Healthy! attorney and author Ashley-Nicole Russell, of ANR Law , is joined by love and transformation coach Jennifer Butler to discuss conscious uncoupling and how women can get back on their feet after divorce. Jennifer reveals what conscious uncoupling is and what the process entails, not just for women going through a divorce, but for those who are still stuck in their post-divorce environment. It’s all about taking yourself out of a victimhood mentality and looking at things from the self as the source. Although difficult, the process also allows you to lean into grief and all the other emotions you’re feeling. Jennifer stresses, the way out of anything is to walk straight into it, and allow yourself to come out the other side free and at peace. They also encourage using this time to move forward and level up – even taking baby steps is better than nothing. Ask yourself, what are you turning this grief into? Don’t allow time to have its way with you, letting negativity to calcify inside your body. Jennifer also emphasizes the importance of protecting your space, being mindful of the energy you’re allowing to enter. Consider finding or forming a supportive group as you go through the process and be open and available for the things in life that will serve you. For Jennifer and Ashley-Nicole, how you do one thing is how you do everything – and this also applies to divorce. The way you’re handling this stage of your life can influence your kids in a major way. So, take a look at the choices you’re making and determine whether you’re growing, evolving, and expanding because of these. Show your children that you can still be the best version of yourself, even if you’re going through something as awful as divorce. Links mentioned in the episode Jennifer Butler’s Official Website Jennifer Butler’s Instagram Roadmap to Love Checklist Breakup to Breakthrough Facebook group To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy!…

Divorce, Healthy!

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A Millennial's Perspective On Marriage & Divorce with TV Personality Aaron Deane 38:04

5 years ago38:04

38:04

There are harrowing statistics that reflect the current culture of divorce in America and its negative effects on the population. For perspective, 87% of children involved in school shootings come from child custody battles. In a marriage where both spouses are products of divorce, their chances of the marriage ending in divorce are 200% greater than the general population. Divorce culture is toxic and chaotic and has profound consequences on the children involved—consequences that are likely to impact them for the rest of their lives. In this episode of Divorce, Healthy! WNCT news anchor and TV personality Aaron Deane joins attorney and author Ashley-Nicole Russell, of ANR Law to discuss his experiences as a child of divorce, offering a millennial’s perspective. Aaron highlights the effect of a custody ruling that afforded one parent primary custody of the children. Such court designations drive secondary parents to internalize a diminished sense of family responsibility– leading to increased rates of absentee parents. Aaron also shares how people of his generation view relationships and marriage, and how the divorce culture has heavily influenced these perspectives. Many choose to avoid marriage altogether, with weddings and children viewed not only as risky, but as massive financial and emotional investments. An unspoken pressure also exists to make marriages work because turning to the court system for dissolution and resolution is traumatic and expensive. After getting a front row seat to the catastrophic divorce culture of the last generation, who can blame them? For Aaron and Ashley-Nicole, it’s important to have a complete understanding of yourself so you can make the right decision – even if that means ending your marriage. And, although the situation isn’t ideal, you can employ strategies to reduce stress and avoid conflict, leading to a better resolution for you and your family. Remember, ever if you’re a child of divorce, you have the power to break the cycle and avoid becoming a discouraging statistic. Links mentioned in the episode Aaron Deane’s Twitter account Aaron Deane’s Instagram account To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy!…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Litigation pitfalls: Custody, Child Support and Property Division Conversations with Benjamin Mclawhorn, Esq. 38:15

5 years ago38:15

38:15

The current culture of divorce in the United States paints litigation as the one and only avenue available to divorcing couples. While divorce litigation has a toxic and negative reputation, many lawyers continue to encourage the process. Instead of working together, the participants take adversarial roles from day one, similar to a boxing match, with each party seeking to dominate the other. Fortunately, there are alternatives. If you’re considering entering the divorce process, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. In this episode of Divorce, Healthy! attorney and author Ashley-Nicole Russell, of ANR Law , leads a discussion with Ben McLawhorn of McLawhorn and Russell . Using examples of typical cases, Ashley-Nicole and Ben examine the divorce process through the lenses of the collaborative and litigation approaches. In doing so, they highlight the disadvantages and unique complications presented by litigation, including negativity and toxicity. This negative and adversarial relationship creates a toxic environment that is likely to affect the children involved. Additionally, litigation is often drawn out and expensive, potentially plunging couples into debt and financial plight that may linger long after the ink of the divorce is dry. This doesn’t even account for the mental health impacts on the couple of an adversarial approach. With these concerns in mind, you must be thinking “there has to be a better way.” There is. Ashley-Nicole and Ben encourage a collaborative approach involving alternative dispute resolution (ADR) or mediation. While the prevailing culture can make litigation feel like your only recourse, it’s possible to engage in an amicable process that respects the needs and concerns of each party. Working together to solve the problem is faster, easier, less expensive, and infinitely better for your mental health than brining your grievances before the court. Ben also stresses the importance of finding the right attorney, one that has your best interests at heart and can be a strong advocate for you and with you. Your attorney should take the time to explain the process and ensure you have a thorough understanding before asking you to make decisions that will affect the rest of your life. While sometime a court battle is necessary, be wary of an attorney that’s looking for a fight. Links mentioned in the episode McLawhorn and Russell Divorce Corp documentary To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy!…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Single Mom Stimulus with Emma Johnson. Let's Pay It Forward! 23:52

5 years ago23:52

23:52

For generations, the gender roles of fathers as breadwinners and mothers as caregivers shaped how society viewed family dynamics when a couple divorces. Outcomes of divorce from a sexist court system have forced women in particular into these patriarchal ‘ideals’ – the martyr mother or the stay-at-home mom. Not only has this caused women to press pause on their lives and careers, but it has forced them into financial dependency on the ex-spouse for child support and alimony. And, just like any discussion related to money, it can get messy, stressful, and chaotic. However, as times have changed, the research and science have evolved to counter these outdated beliefs. In this episode of Divorce, Healthy! attorney and author Ashley-Nicole Russell, of ANR Law , talks to Emma Johnson, writer of Wealthy Single Mommy . During this in-depth discussion, Emma and Ashley-Nicole explore how to adopt and internalize a new narrative as you go navigate separation and divorce. Emma addresses equally shared parenting and gender equality, leading a revolution that empowers women to move forward in their lives in a better, more positive way. She wants women to understand that they have power to influence how the outcome of their divorce looks, including what time spent with the other parent looks like and the power to choose whether or not to receive child support and alimony. Emma also encourages single mothers to reframe the role of money in their lives, moving away from the idea of institutionalized dependency. You can be financially independent and not have your financial worth attached to your ex-spouse. This also becomes a great opportunity to teach your children resilience and grit. Instead of spending precious time bickering over child support, put that energy into something that can improve your life. You can be a mother and co-parent to your children and still live your best life, achieving any goals that you may have otherwise considered putting on hold. For Emma, the idea of moving past conflict and being better afterward isn’t just a possibility – it’s a reality that many women are choosing. For more information, you can reach out to Emma Johnson on her website, Wealthy Single Mommy . And, for those Mommies that could use a boost, check out Emma’s Single Mom Stimulus Grant , where she gives away $500 a week to help struggling single moms. Links mentioned in the episode Wealthy Single Mommy by Emma Johnson The Kickass Single Mom Single Mom Stimulus Grant The Cure for Divorce Culture To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy!…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Dorcy Pruter: Exploring Collaborative Divorce Mediation and the Divorce Hotel 28:26

5 years ago28:26

28:26

Because of the negativity surrounding divorce, the term ‘Divorce Hotel’ seems to be an oxymoron. How can a process that involves a painful and life-changing event be associated with something that reflects the opposite? Can divorce be something that’s not riddled with chaos and conflict, and instead be one filled with collaboration and partnership? In this episode of Divorce, Healthy! attorney and author Ashley-Nicole Russell, of ANR Law , speaks with Dorcy Pruter from the Conscious Co-Parenting Institute about conscious uncoupling and how it’s possible to move your family forward in a better way post-divorce. For Dorcy, it’s important to ask the questions of: where do you want to go and how are you going to get there? You have a choice, and you can actively choose not to be part of a broken system. During divorce, turning inward and shifting your mindset and perspective about the situation has the power to significantly impact your outcome. Be conscious and learn how to imagine your emotions quickly, so that you can pull yourself out of the “spin zone.” Dorcy has spent years teaching these and other important skills to craft a stronger relationship with your children and co-parent. Dorcy also explores the concept of the Divorce Hotel and how it’s becoming a popular choice for those wishing to avoid litigation. The proceedings are collaborative and can be accomplished on weekends, which may sound too good to be true, but it isn’t! The Divorce Hotel operates by removing the family from outside influence to a neutral location where the divorce mediation can be conducted peacefully. During the process the parties will examine the problems at hand and craft unique, personalized solutions. At the end of the day, if you’re going through a divorce, know that the pain is will end. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it is possible to navigate the process with a positive outcome for everyone involved. For more information about conscious uncoupling and collaborative divorce mediation, you can email Dorcy at consciouscoparentinginstitute.com and clientcare@coparentinginstitute.com , or call (888) 379-7279. Links mentioned in the episode Conscious Co-Parenting Institute DivorceHotel To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy!…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Ginger Gentile – The Unseen Effects of Parent Alienation on Children 42:05

5 years ago42:05

42:05

One of the unfortunate and not uncommon outcomes of divorce involving children is parental alienation. Alienation is even more likely to occur in cases that involve litigation. Because parental alienation can appear to be the norm, divorcing couples may expect that whoever ‘loses’ in the child custody proceedings will become an absentee parent. In fact, about 22 million parents in the U.S. alone don’t remain in the lives of their children post-divorce. And it’s not just dads that are affected; mothers suffer from alienation as well, resulting in severed family ties and relationships. In this episode of Divorce, Healthy! attorney and author Ashley-Nicole Russell, of ANR Law , talks with Ginger Gentile , director of the documentary film Erasing Family , about the trauma that children suffer when they don’t see a parent after a divorce. Ginger reveals what most parents aren’t aware of: that children are conflict-averse, and being forced through family court proceedings can be devastating for them. Even if you are forced into litigation, you are in control of how you choose to act and react, so you can still be an effective parent and role model to your child despite the circumstances. Kids are always watching, so it’s crucial that you model healthy and effective conflict resolution strategies. Ginger also discusses the importance of choosing your actions and framing divorce as a positive movement. Even if you end up feeling like the rejected parent, always show your children that you love them and put that relationship first. Children are often unwillingly thrust into these situations, so it’s essential to put in the effort to avoid conflict. Remember, you are not a victim in this situation, and you always have a say in what you want to do and the outcome you want to achieve. Ginger recommends looking for a support group, a safe space to vent your emotions outside of the prying eyes of the public and your children. There are numerous resources and allies available to help you reach your goal– a healthy, loving relationship with your children despite your divorce. Links mentioned in the episode Erasing Family Website Erasing Family on Vimeo Erasing Family Facebook page The Cure for Divorce Culture by Ashley-Nicole Russell To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy!”…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Cy Wakeman: Rewriting Your Ego Narrative While Going Through Divorce 47:28

5 years ago47:28

47:28

There has been no shortage of discussions, books, webinars, and seminars that cover ego and its role in our lives. For many, ego is the driving force behind the choices and decisions they make. And, when ego is in charge during crucial matters like divorce proceedings, not only does it add an additional layer of stress, but it can negatively impact your case. In this episode of Divorce, Healthy! attorney and author Ashley-Nicole Russell, of ANR Law , speaks to international keynote speaker and business consultant Cy Wakeman . Cy dives deep into the concept of ego – what it is and how it works against us. The ego is the primitive part of our intelligence, which can create and fuel problems with low self-esteem. Ego is often responsible for s holding fictional beliefs about ourselves and the world. When you co-create and feed the narrative that the ego wants you to believe. These effects lead to conflict and stress not only in divorce, but in everyday life. Cy offers valuable tips on how to stop letting ego take charge. She believes we should question our thinking, or as she says, “don’t believe everything you think.” Take a step back and consciously observe the thoughts your ego is driving you to believe and compare it to the reality of your situation. When you know how your mind works, it’s more difficult for ego to fool you. And when you see how the world works, you won’t waste time an in an alternate reality of your ego’s design. This allows you to make better, more informed choices that can be beneficial not only to you, but to your entire family. Cy also discusses the importance of setting boundaries, especially in the face of divorce. Without boundaries, work, new childcare arrangements, and the myriad commitments of life can quickly overwhelm a divorcing parent. One practical piece of advice is to be direct and honest, but not overshare what’s going on in your personal life. One key takeaway that Cy stresses is that the ego narrative is not the reality, and believing and internalizing this is a choice you have to make every single day. You are not a victim of your divorce and you always have a choice in how when it comes to your own thoughts and behavior. You can connect with Cy Wakeman on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , YouTube , and her website www.realitybasedleadership.com . Links mentioned in the episode No Ego Podcast No Ego Book To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com . You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy!”…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Co-Parenting During Coronavirus With America's Psychologist 32:23

5 years ago32:23

32:23

We are going through an extraordinary time in history, a crisis that has great impacts all over the world. The Coronavirus pandemic is affecting not only people, but communities, businesses and society as a whole. It’s a stressful an overwhelming time for everyone, but probably more so on families that are going through divorce, which is already a heavy situation to deal with. In this episode of Divorce, Healthy! attorney and author Ashley-Nicole Russell, of ANR Law , speaks to Dr. Jeff Gardere, America’s Psychologist and co-producer of the Erasing Families documentary about the best way to co-parent during times of crisis. He stresses the need to pay attention to your children’s needs even more as things are uncertain and unstable. For co-parents who are still harboring ill feelings as a result of the litigation system, now is the best time to set them aside and choose to show a united front to the kids. They look to you for stability, so it’s necessary that you model that to them at this time. Go above your pride and humble yourself for the sake of the kids. Now is not the time to shrink into your own head. He also advises co-parents to start communicating and discussing family plans, what they need to do in order to keep the children’s emotional, physical and mental well-being safe and protected. If you feel like you haven’t been doing a good job at co-parenting, then you can make the change right now. Additionally, keep in mind that your kids are watching, so don’t invite animosity and keep the negative talk about your ex-spouse away. Dr. Gardere also shares a silver lining amid what’s going on, and that it shows how society operates and that there is a collective effort to have empathy and take care of others. Many have been taking strides towards helping the community and being proactive. And what better way to influence your kids to do the same in the future than to start doing it with your co-parent today. Learn more about Dr.Gardere at his website, www.drjeffgardere.com . You can also connect with him on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram . To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com. You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy!…

Divorce, Healthy!

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Collaborative Divorce Success Case: Interview With a Client 47:17

5 years ago47:17