It started with "I do" and ended with "It's over".

I sit down with Sarah Catherall, journalist and author of "How to Break Up Well: Surviving and Thriving After Separation" to talk about her "Chapter 2" and life after separation and divorce. Sarah shares her experiences of navigating the end of her marriage, raising her children, and creating a fulfilling new chapter in her life.

Key Takeaways:

The Reality of Separation:

• Sarah discusses the moment her marriage ended and how she coped with the unexpected changes. She reflects on how the pressures of parenting, work, and life contributed to the breakdown of her relationship.

Talking to Children About Divorce:

• Practical advice on preparing for and having the conversation with children about separation.

Rebuilding After Divorce:

• Tips for maintaining connections with extended family and finding new ways to co-parent effectively.

Dating and Repartnering:

• Sarah reflects on her early dating missteps after divorce and what she learned about introducing a new partner to her children.
• Advice for taking it slow and respecting your children’s feelings during this transition.

Can you Break Up Well? Absolutely you can!

Resources Mentioned:
Sarah Catherall’s Book: How to Break Up Well: Surviving and Thriving After Separation. Buy in Australia Here. Buy in New Zealand Here.

How to Tell Your Kids You Are Separating Buy Here.

This episode is brought to you by Simple Separation. For a stress-free, transparent approach to navigating separation, book a free consultation with their team today.

Host: Nikki Parkinson, TEDx Speaker, Divorce Doula, Coach and Founder of The Divorce and Separation Hub.

Host: Nikki Parkinson

The Divorce and Separation Hub Website

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The Divorce and Separation Hub Linkedin

Join our Divorce and Separation community HERE.

Sign up to "How to Tell Your Kids You're Separating Program" HERE.

Watch Nikki's TEDx Talk HERE.

Guest: Sarah Catherall

Connect on Instagram HERE.

Connect on Sarah's Website HERE.

Connect on LinkedIn HERE.

Connect on Sarah's Substack HERE.

Executive Producer and Editor: Tiffany Richmond. You can contact Tiffany via her website and on Instagram @tiff__richmond.

I sit down with Despina Mavridou, author of "Mum, Dad, Can You Hear Me?", about her personal experience growing up in the middle of her parents’ high-conflict divorce. Despina shares her powerful story from being a child used as a messenger between her parents to becoming a mediator and advocate for kids in similar situations.

Key discussions:

• Despina opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of being caught in her parents' conflict and the toll it took on her as a child.
• The devastating effects of using children as messengers and the impact it has on their sense of responsibility and guilt.
• How parents can better support their children during separation by being mindful of their emotional needs and avoiding placing them in the middle of conflicts.
• Despina shares how her childhood shaped her adult relationships, including her fear of abandonment and the impact of divorce on her own marriage.
• Practical advice for parents navigating separation, including seeking help before mediation and focusing on the kids’ well-being.
• Despina’s hope that her book will give children a voice and help parents understand the long-lasting effects of divorce on their kids.

If you're navigating your own separation and wondering how to help your children through this difficult time, this conversation is a must-listen.

You can find Despina's book *Mum, Dad, Can You Hear Me?* on Amazon, in English, Portuguese, and Greek.

Resources:
- "Mum, Dad, Can You Hear Me?" by Despina Mavridou
- Divorce and Separation Hub: www.divorceandseparationhub.com

Host: Nikki Parkinson, TEDx Speaker, Divorce Doula, Coach and Founder of The Divorce and Separation Hub.

Connect with Nikki Parkinson here

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Linkedin

Join our Divorce and Separation community HERE.

Sign up to "How to Tell Your Kids You're Separating Program" HERE.

Watch Nikki's TEDx Talk HERE.

Guest: Despina Mavridou

Connect on Instagram HERE.

Connect on Facebook HERE.

Buy "Mum, Dad, Can you Hear Me?" HERE.

Executive Producer and Editor: Tiffany Richmond. You can contact Tiffany via her website and on Instagram @tiff__richmond.

Nikki Parkinson talks to Christina Salvo, the CEO of Simple Separation about her divorce story, which began amicably but devolved into a ten-year legal battle. Christina highlights the complexities and emotional toll of prolonged court involvement.

Key discussions:

Systemic Flaws:

• Discusses the broken aspects of the family court system.
• Emphasises how financial constraints often prevent individuals from effectively advocating for their parental rights and needs.

Mediation Insights:

• Importance of mediation as a viable alternative to litigation.
• Christina shares her mission to support couples through mediation.
• Focus on the need for more comprehensive training around property settlements within mediation services.

Advice for Couples:

• Encourages maintaining a collaborative mindset to reduce emotional and financial strain during separation.
• Offers practical tips for effective communication and conflict resolution.

What is the Future of Family Law:

• Reflection on the evolving landscape of family law.
• Focus on creating supportive frameworks that prioritize the well-being of children and families.

Resources Mentioned:

1. Sign up to "How to Tell Your Kids you are Separating Program" Waitlist HERE.
2. Simple Separation

Host: Nikki Parkinson, TEDx Speaker, Divorce Doula, Coach and Founder of The Divorce and Separation Hub.

Connect with Nikki Parkinson here

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Linkedin

Join our Divorce and Separation community HERE.

Sign up to "How to Tell Your Kids you are Separating Program" Waitlist HERE.

Watch Nikki's TEDx Talk HERE.

Guest: Christina Salvo, CEO of Simple Separation

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Linkedin

Executive Producer and Editor: Tiffany Richmond. You can contact Tiffany via her website and on Instagram @tiff__richmond.

This episode is sponsored by Simple Separation. You can find our more about Simple Separation HERE.