Divorce Dialogues

Katherine Miller

Divorce Dialogues helps people navigate divorce with dignity, clarity, and perspective. Through thoughtful conversations with experts and practitioners, the show explores the emotional, financial, legal, and relational realities of divorce, so listeners can make better decisions, communicate more effectively, and move forward with greater confidence. Because divorce is more than a legal transaction, it’s a deeply human transition.

  1. After the Divorce: Rebuilding Your Sense of Self with Barbara Parker

    22 hr ago

    After the Divorce: Rebuilding Your Sense of Self with Barbara Parker

    Think the divorce was the hardest part? Wait until you hear this. In this episode, BF Empowerment CEO Barbara Parker, relationship coach, licensed mental health therapist, and author of A Powerful Divorce, walks through what it actually takes to rebuild after a marriage ends, not just the legal paperwork, but the identity, trust, and boundaries that have to be reconstructed from scratch. Barbara argues that divorce rarely announces itself as one clean decision. There's the legal process, yes, but underneath it sits an emotional, financial, and spiritual unraveling that most people don't see coming until they're in it. She talks openly about her own divorce, the mistakes she made assuming a low-cost dissolution would be enough, and how that experience shaped her work helping clients recognize the childhood patterns and blind spots that led them into unhealthy relationships in the first place. Tune in for a conversation about why healing after divorce isn't about getting back to who you were, but discovering who you're becoming, and why the people who thrive are usually the ones willing to reconnect with themselves first. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the legal process is often the easiest part of divorce, not the hardest;How childhood wounds and family patterns quietly shape who we choose to love;The financial and safety planning that has to happen before someone can safely leave; andWhat actually separates people who stay stuck from people who rebuild Highlights: (00:00) Meet Barbara Parker (02:50) What inspired Barbara to write A Powerful Divorce (05:04) The emotional, financial, and spiritual aftermath nobody warns you about (07:16) How family of origin creates blind spots in relationships (08;59) The financial realities of leaving, including safety planning for domestic violence (12:09) What separates the people who thrive from the people who stay stuck (20:50) The biggest boundary mistakes people make during and after divorce (26:05) The Reframe: why "I'll never love again" isn't true (27:09) A client's transformation from crisis to thriving About our guest, Barbara ParkerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/queenblparker/ BF Empowerment Center: https://www.bfempowerment.comAbout Divorce Dialogues and Miller Law GroupKatherine's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemiller1/Miller Law Group: https://miller-law.com/More on her book "The Emotionally Savvy Divorce" at: https://katherinemiller.com/book/

    31 min
  2. Divorce Financial Planning: How to Stop Making Decisions Out of Fear with Gabriella Martinelli

    2 Jul

    Divorce Financial Planning: How to Stop Making Decisions Out of Fear with Gabriella Martinelli

    Divorce is a financial restructuring, but most people only treat it as a legal battle. In this episode, Gabriella Martinelli, divorce financial strategist and founder of Ever After Wealth, sits down with Katherine and breaks down why financial decisions made during divorce are so hard to get right, and what it takes to make them well. Gabriella's central argument is deceptively simple: divorce is a high-stakes financial restructuring disguised as a legal event, constantly hijacked by emotions. The problem isn’t rooted in people being irrational; it's that they're being asked to make permanent financial decisions while living through temporary emotions. Tune in for a conversation about what financial clarity actually looks like during divorce, why money is a tool and not a prize, and how understanding your numbers can shift you from fear-driven decisions to ones that build toward the life you actually want. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why financial fear during divorce is rarely about the money itself;How emotions override even the most experienced, successful decision-makers;What to do first if you have no idea where your finances stand; andHow a clear financial plan changes the way you negotiate—and the outcome you walk away with Highlights: (00:00) Meet Gabriella Martinelli (03:00) Why divorce doesn't walk through the door alone (06:12) Permanent decisions, temporary emotions (09:58) What financial fear is really about (13:00) How information replaces anxiety (17:00) When emotions override business owners and executives (22:05) Where to start when you don't know your numbers (25:14) What separates people who feel empowered from those who stay stuck (26:01) A real case: from "just say yes" to a successful counter-offer (29:35) The mindset reframe that changes everything (31:15) What surprises Gabriella most after years in this work About our guest, Gabriella Martinelli Website: everafterwealth.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriellamartinelli-divorce-financial-strategist/   About Divorce Dialogues and Miller Law Group Katherine’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemiller1/  Miller Law Group: https://miller-law.com/ More on her book “The Emotionally Savvy Divorce” at: https://katherinemiller.com/book/

    35 min
  3. Andrew O'Brien on Why Divorced Dads Need Community

    25 Jun

    Andrew O'Brien on Why Divorced Dads Need Community

    Most divorce conversations center on paperwork, parenting plans, and finances. The loneliness fathers carry through that process rarely gets a seat at the table. In this episode, Andrew O'Brien, founder of Dad Tribes, talks openly about what men actually go through when a family separates — the silence of an empty house, the loss of a social life that was built around a relationship, and the quiet guilt of feeling like your needs shouldn't take up space. Andrew is living it in real time: he moved into a new home days before this conversation was recorded, six kids and a minivan's worth of belongings in tow. Together, Katherine and Andrew get into why so many fathers wait years — sometimes a decade — before leaving a relationship they know isn't working, why anger becomes the default emotion when men don't have community to process what's happening, and what it actually looks like when a dad finds his people again. This is a conversation about what fathers need to hear before, during, and after divorce — and why the support they build around themselves matters as much to their kids as it does to them. In this episode, you'll learn: Why "if my kids are happy, I'm happy" is a mindset that backfires — on the kids and the father;What happens emotionally when the social life a couple built together disappears overnight;Why men often stay in relationships far longer than they should, and what keeps them there;How to take the first steps toward rebuilding community after separation; andWhat children actually gain when their fathers stop pretending everything is fine Highlights: (00:00) Meet Andrew O’Brien and Dad Tribes(05:48) Rebuilding from Nothing: Andrew's Own Separation (08:26) Why Isolation Is the Biggest Hidden Struggle (13:12) When Men Are Treated Like an ATM (14:44) How Loneliness Shapes Parenting During Divorce (15:53) How to Start Rebuilding Community (18:21) A Father's Emotional Health and a Child's Wellbeing (20:11) Common Misconceptions About Divorced Fathers (23:12) What Every Father Should Know Before Divorce (24:25) Reframing Divorce as an Expansion, Not a Breaking (25:37) What Happens When Dads Finally Find Their People About our guest, Andrew O’BrienWebsite: https://www.dadtribes.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-obrien-dad-tribes/ About Divorce Dialogues and Miller Law GroupKatherine’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemiller1/ Miller Law Group: https://miller-law.com/More on her book “The Emotionally Savvy Divorce” at: https://katherinemiller.com/book/

    31 min
  4. When Support Stops: Protecting Your Family with Jeff Landers

    18 Jun

    When Support Stops: Protecting Your Family with Jeff Landers

    Your settlement agreement is signed, but what happens if the money stops coming? In this episode, divorce financial specialist Jeff Landers returns to break down one of the most overlooked risks in divorce: the fragility of alimony and child support. Death, disability, a job wiped out by a failing industry can make court-ordered support disappear overnight. And most settlement agreements offer no protection against any of them. Jeff has worked on over 1,000 divorce cases nationwide and rarely sees disability insurance included in a settlement. He explains why that gap exists, what it costs families when it goes unfilled, and how to think about financial protection before you sign, not after. The conversation moves beyond insurance mechanics into the real decisions people face: how to build a realistic post-divorce budget, why the receiving spouse should own the life insurance policy, when keeping the house actually works against you, and why rushing to finalize an agreement because you're emotionally exhausted is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make. Tune in for a practical, grounded conversation about securing the deal you worked so hard to negotiate and making sure it actually holds. In this episode, you'll learn: Why alimony and child support are far more fragile than most people assume;The difference between group disability insurance and the private coverage that actually protects support payments;How to calculate the right life insurance coverage amount — and why a made-up number in the settlement agreement doesn't cut it;What "present value" means and why it matters when protecting future financial obligations; andWhy the time to get insurance in place is during negotiations, not after the divorce is finalized.Highlights:(00:00) Meet Jeff Landers(02:31) How fragile is support, really?(05:19) Death, disability, and what the courts can and can't fix(07:53) The homeowners insurance analogy(09:55) Who carries the most risk (and why)(13:14) Get the policies before the divorce is final(13:23) Most common financial mistakes in divorce(19:04) Making life insurance less intimidating(20:43) How to calculate the right coverage amount(22:11) Understanding present value without the math panic(23:14) What people wish they'd known sooner(25:06) The reframe: financial protection as peace of mind About our guest, Jeff LandersJeff’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefflanders/ Hello Monthly Income: https://hellomonthlyincome.com/ About Divorce Dialogues and Miller Law Group Katherine's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemiller1/Miller Law Group: https://miller-law.com/ More on her book The Emotionally Savvy Divorce at: https://katherinemiller.com/book/

    30 min
  5. Divorce as a Second Chance with Holly Moore

    11 Jun

    Divorce as a Second Chance with Holly Moore

    Divorce ends a marriage. It doesn't have to end your sense of self. In this episode, family law attorney, founder of Moore Family Law Group, and host of the podcast Made For Moore, Holly Moore, talks about what divorce actually costs people beyond the legal fees: their identity, their confidence, and the story they thought their life was supposed to tell. Holly and Katherine dig into why so many people arrive at divorce already hollowed out — not by the split itself, but by years of losing themselves inside the marriage. Their conversation moves through grief, shame, the weight of other people's expectations, and what it genuinely takes to stop surviving and start rebuilding. Tune in for a conversation that treats divorce less as a legal event and more as a turning point. One that, chosen or not, opens a door most people didn't know was there. In this episode, you'll learn: Why identity loss often begins long before the divorce papers are filed;How the grief in divorce is less about the person and more about the "shoulds" we've been carrying;What it takes to stop operating from a victim mindset — and why it matters strategically, not just emotionally; andWhere to start when you feel completely disconnected from yourself and don't know who you are anymore.About our guest, Holly MooreLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyjmoore/ Website: https://moorefamilylawgroup.com/Made for Moore Podcast: https://moorefamilylawgroup.com/podcast/ About Divorce Dialogues and Miller Law Group Katherine’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemiller1/  Miller Law Group: https://miller-law.com/ More on her book “The Emotionally Savvy Divorce” at: https://katherinemiller.com/book/

    29 min
  6. Kelly Lise Murray on Why Smart People Make Costly Mistakes in Divorce

    4 Jun

    Kelly Lise Murray on Why Smart People Make Costly Mistakes in Divorce

    The most expensive divorce mistakes aren't made in the courtroom – they're made in the sequence of events that lead you there. In this episode of Divorce Dialogues, Katherine Miller speaks with Kelly Lise Murray, professor, financial strategist, and Co-founder and CEO of Vetting the House, about the hidden sequencing problem at the heart of most divorce settlements.Together, they unpack why even highly accomplished people make costly financial decisions during divorce—not because they lack intelligence, but because they're operating with a brain under siege, incomplete information, and pressure to just get it done. Kelly draws on her work at the intersection of real estate, tax strategy, and financial advocacy to show how the order in which you make decisions determines what you actually walk away with. If you've ever felt the pull to just accept a deal and move on, this conversation will make you think twice—and give you the tools to slow down before it costs you. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the sequence of asset sales, not just the assets themselves, determines your tax liability;How the "divorce brain" reduces your decision-making capacity — even if you're highly accomplished;Why property division is permanent, and the questions to ask before you agree to anything; andHow to use tax timelines and divorce milestones together to protect your financial outcome.Highlights:(00:00) Meet Kelly Lise Murray (02:56) The Sequencing Problem in Divorce Settlements (04:23) Capital Gains, Exclusions, and the Two-House Trap (05:49) Why Smart People Make Expensive Mistakes (07:44) Building the Right Financial Team (17:55) What "Permanent" Really Means in Property Division (27:26) The Reframe: Mapping Tax Years Against Divorce Milestones (29:31) Your Voice Is Your Preparation About our guest, Kelly Lise MurrayWebsite: https://vettingthehouse.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellylisemurray/ About Divorce Dialogues and Miller Law GroupKatherine’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemiller1/ Miller Law Group: https://miller-law.com/More on her book “The Emotionally Savvy Divorce” at: https://katherinemiller.com/book/

    31 min
  7. Alyssa Mairanz on How Grief Shapes Your Decisions During Divorce

    26 May

    Alyssa Mairanz on How Grief Shapes Your Decisions During Divorce

    Your brain on divorce doesn't always think straight. Beneath the legal paperwork and custody schedules lies a deeply physiological reality: intense heartbreak, anger, and grief can completely hijack your nervous system, driving you to make choices you’ll later regret. In this episode of Divorce Dialogues, Katherine Miller speaks with Alyssa Mairanz, owner and executive director of Empower Your Mind Therapy, about what happens in your brain and nervous system during a separation. Together, they explore how grief, anger, and shame can shape your decisions, and how to navigate these emotions with awareness and intention; offering a roadmap for emotional survival and genuine resilience. Through Alyssa's insights, learn how emotional dysregulation and the "fight or flight" response impact your ability to make clear, grounded decisions. Alyssa shares practical tools from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help you stop reacting out of impulsiveness and start responding intentionally. They discuss the messy, non-linear cycle of grief—including the heavy roles of anger and shame—and how to separate your ex's reactions from your own self-worth. If you are struggling to find your footing while navigating a separation, this conversation provides the actionable grounding techniques and self-compassion needed to move forward. In this episode, you’ll learn: - How your nervous system responds to divorce and the effect on decision-making; - Ways to recognize and manage emotional reactivity versus intentional response; - Practical grounding techniques from Dialectical Behavior Therapy to regain clarity; and - How to separate your self-worth from your external reactions and rebuild identity Highlights: (00:00) Meet Alyssa Mairanz (02:40) Divorce and Your Mind-Body Connection (03:18) Understanding Anger, Shame, and the Grief Cycle (07:22) Emotional Dysregulation and Decision-Making (09:01) DBT Tools for Intentional Responses (12:01) Grounding Yourself and Checking the Facts (18:34) Keeping Focus on Your Goals Amid Divorce (22:18) Rebuilding Your Identity After Marriage (24:06) Navigating Grief and Building Resilience (28:37) Self-Compassion and Recognizing Your Strength About our guest, Alyssa Mairanz Website: https://eymtherapy.com/about/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-mairanz-lmhc-cdbt-b4ab8a39/ About Divorce Dialogues and Miller Law Group Katherine’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemiller1/ Miller Law Group: https://miller-law.com/ More on her book “The Emotionally Savvy Divorce” at: https://katherinemiller.com/book/

    29 min
  8. Reframing What “Winning” Means in Divorce with Jenny Bradley

    21 May

    Reframing What “Winning” Means in Divorce with Jenny Bradley

    Divorce doesn’t have to be a battle. What if it could be a thoughtful, strategic decision for your future? In this episode, Jenny Bradley, family lawyer and mediator, explores how reframing divorce can lead to more thoughtful, cooperative solutions that protect your family, your finances, and your future. Divorce is often seen as an adversarial process, but Jenny argues that this mindset is not only costly but unnecessary. She offers insight into how focusing on what you can agree upon—and intentionally shifting away from reactive behavior—can lead to more effective and dignified outcomes. Tune in for a conversation about how the way you navigate divorce is just as important as the outcome itself, and why choosing a less combative path might be the best decision for your long-term well-being. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why divorce is not about “winning” but making decisions for your future; - The common misconceptions about the traditional divorce process; - How to shift from a reactive mindset to one of cooperation and clarity; and - The importance of focusing on agreements rather than conflicts, especially when children are involved Highlights: (00:00) Meet Jenny Bradley (03:00) The myth of "winning" and why it's not the goal of divorce (05:30) The First Mindset Shift (10:00) The complexity of high-conflict divorces without children involved (12:30) Conflict Doesn't Have to Be Destructive (17:00) What Happens When You Settle (20:00) The Power of Mediation and Collaboration (25:00) Avoiding Common Mistakes (29:00) Why relying on AI in the divorce process can be risky (32:00) Looking forward to the next steps in family law About our guest, Jenny Bradley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennybradleyatty Triangle Smart Divorce: http://trianglesmartdivorce.com/ About Divorce Dialogues and Miller Law Group Katherine’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemiller1/ Miller Law Group: https://miller-law.com/ More on her book “The Emotionally Savvy Divorce” at: https://katherinemiller.com/book/

    33 min
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About

Divorce Dialogues helps people navigate divorce with dignity, clarity, and perspective. Through thoughtful conversations with experts and practitioners, the show explores the emotional, financial, legal, and relational realities of divorce, so listeners can make better decisions, communicate more effectively, and move forward with greater confidence. Because divorce is more than a legal transaction, it’s a deeply human transition.

Information

  • Creator
    Katherine Miller
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    278
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Divorce Dialogues

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