Schein On

pod617 - The Boston Podcast Network

The podcast that explores high-profile divorces and much more. From Attorney Evan Schein and Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP. Evan Schein is a partner with the firm and leads the firm’s litigation practice. More info at www.berkbot.com. A production of pod617.com, the Boston Podcast Network.

  1. 4d ago

    Dr. James Cordova on Relationship Checkups, Forgiveness, and “Tell Me More”

    Evan speaks with Dr. James Cordova, psychologist, couples researcher, and creator of the evidence-based Relationship Checkup, about practicing love through better communication and repair. They discuss modern marriage’s pressure to meet all needs without a “village,” why conflict is often mistakenly treated as winning instead of understanding, and how collaborating—both in marriage and in divorce—reduces harm, especially for children exposed to conflict. Cordova explains fighting better to fight less, the porcupine’s dilemma of inevitable emotional “quills,” and why forgiveness and apology require emotional skill beyond fight-or-flight instincts. He argues couples wait too long for therapy due to cultural stigma, limited training, cost, and access, and advocates preventive relationship healthcare via checkups before and during marriage. A simple daily intimacy practice is asking, “Tell me more,” to show attention and care.   Visit https://www.clarku.edu/faculty/profiles/james-cordova/   Topics 01:18 Tell Me More Mindset 02:47 Red Sox Apology Segment 05:06 Sports as Relationship Metaphor 07:26 Docket: Jelly Roll Divorce Stress 11:47 Overrated/Underrated  20:48 Meet Dr. James Cordova 21:39 Modern Marriage Needs a Village 30:03 Fight Better Not Harder 31:41 Forgiveness and Porcupines 35:19 Forgiveness Takes Effort 36:17 Fight or Flight Instincts 37:35 Why He Wrote the Book 40:47 Why Couples Wait Too Long 45:08 Relationship Checkup Model 48:44 Start Before Marriage 50:48 Hard Talks and Compatibility 57:58 Daily Intimacy Practice 59:42 Attention Versus Distraction 01:02:09 They Said It  01:08:24 Boundaries and Phone Privacy 01:10:59 Wrap Up and Where to Find Him

    Dr. James Cordova on Relationship Checkups, Forgiveness, and “Tell Me More”
  2. Jul 2

    Oona Metz on Grief, Shame, and Transformation

    Evan interviews therapist and author Oona Metz about her book, ‘Unhitched: The Essential Divorce Guide for Women’, focusing on divorce grief, stigma and shame (including for initiators), isolation, and the value of support groups and community. They question whether “until death do us part” sets unrealistic expectations, discuss equitable partnership and hard premarital conversations, and explore when post-divorce survival becomes transformation through letting go and emotional processing alongside the legal and financial process.   Oona’s book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Unhitched/Oona-Metz/9781668075388   Topics 00:19 Podcast Intro and Season Kickoff 01:01 July 4 Reflections and Knicks Hype 04:31 Fireworks Talk and Guest Tease 05:47 Fourth of July Playlist Draft 07:03 Music Memories Through Divorce 12:01 Summer Routines and Co-Parenting 14:35 Overrated Underrated Begins 15:03 Custody Flexibility and Real Life 16:50 Dating During Divorce Debate 18:21 Fun Picks Zoos and Delivery Apps 22:45 Fireworks Verdict and Wrap 24:04 Interview Starts Oona Metz 24:30 Grief for the Divorce Initiator 26:08 Redefining Marriage and Vows 31:26 Designing a Modern Marriage Contract 32:53 Hard Conversations Before Marriage 33:39 Stress Tests Before Marriage 36:12 Expectations and Relationship Myths 39:37 Why She Wrote Unhitched 42:20 Writing Lessons and Shame 45:24 Deciding Whether to Divorce 47:50 Isolation and Finding Community 55:50 From Surviving to Transformed 01:02:53 They Said It Quote Game 01:11:55 Final Wrap and Where to Buy

    Oona Metz on Grief, Shame, and Transformation
  3. Jun 16

    Sleep, Relationships, and the Myth of “Sleep Divorce” with Dr. Wendy Troxel

    Evan opens episode 102 by discussing co-parenting logistics around summer camp during divorce, then introduces the episode’s focus on sleep and relationships with guest Dr. Wendy Troxel, a sleep scientist and clinical psychologist. On the docket, Evan argues most “blindside divorces” reflect long-standing issues, and he frames “pickleball divorce” as a relationship problem, not a sport problem. In overrated/underrated, Evan calls expert witnesses and early prenup discussions underrated, and labels the Stanley Cup and Costco parking lots overrated. Troxel explains sleep is a social behavior, addresses stigma around sleeping separately, outlines the bidirectional cycle between sleep loss and relationship conflict, and recommends communication strategies and a nightly phone-free ritual (high-low-compliment). She notes divorce can disrupt sleep architecture, prioritizing sleep regularity and support, and criticizes the term “sleep divorce,” citing data that 31% of couples sleep apart occasionally.   Topics 00:49 Summer Camp Co-Parenting 03:46 Sleep Episode Setup 04:55 Docket Blindside Divorce 07:17 Docket Pickleball Drama 10:43 Overrated Underrated Begins 10:59 Expert Witnesses Matter 12:51 Prenups Early Talk 14:19 Sports And Costco Rants 18:49 Sponsor Break 20:40 Interview Dr Wendy Troxel 23:12 Social Sleep And Stigma 25:24 Sleep and Relationship Health 26:22 Sleep Communication Loop 28:34 Therapy and Sleeping Apart 31:23 Stigma and Sleep History 34:33 Dating and Chronotypes 37:28 How to Talk About Sleep 39:03 Divorce and Sleep Recovery 42:11 Sleep Divorce Explained 44:58 Gender Differences in Sleep 47:49 Kids and Family Sleep Habits 49:54 Nightly Ritual for Connection 52:28 They Said It Quotes Game 58:18 Infant Sleep Side Topic 01:00:10 Final Wrap and Thanks

  4. May 19

    Episode 100! A Healthier Divorce with Allison O’Brien

    Evan and Producer Dave celebrate episode 100 of the Schein On podcast, reflecting on the show’s focus on human stories behind divorce and relationships and previewing guest Allison O’Brien. On the docket, they discuss Carl Pavano’s public prenup fight and how divorce litigation can become humiliating and permanent, especially for children. Allison O’Brien, a communication and leadership development consultant, explains damaging myths about communication, including assumptions about listening and body language, and stresses preparing to listen, using inquiry, and asking strong open-ended questions. She connects listening to leadership trust and workplace wellbeing, shares her TED Talk experience about growing up in a high-conflict divorce and later navigating an amicable divorce and friendship with her ex for her children’s sake, argues divorce isn’t necessarily failure, and warns that blame and ego fuel conflict while collaboration can improve outcomes.   More on Allison: https://www.lq-listeningintelligence.com/   Topics 00:44 Episode 100 Milestone 01:17 Why This Podcast Exists 04:07 Meet Allison OBrien 04:57 Docket Pavano Prenup Drama 06:19 Divorce Gets Personal Public 09:34 Overrated Underrated Begins 10:03 Winning The Divorce Myth 13:22 Reconciliation After Separation 14:43 Food Trucks Take 16:35 Road Trips Relationship Test 23:01 Allison On Listening Myths 25:51 Intent Versus Impact 28:06 Preparing To Listen 32:34 Listening As Leadership 36:05 Workplace Connection Research 39:10 From Work To Divorce 39:22 Her TED Talk Vulnerability 40:00 Fear Before the Talk 41:15 Pride in Amicable Divorce 42:38 Why Divorce Choices Matter 44:36 Breaking the Conflict Cycle 52:41 Childhood Scars and Shame 56:21 Redefining Divorce Success 01:00:39 Blame and Emotional Inertia 01:03:30 Ego Free Co Parenting 01:06:56 Divorce as Leadership 01:09:49 Quotes on Listening Clarity 01:15:57 Knowing People Better 01:20:12 Wrap Up and Thanks

    Episode 100! A Healthier Divorce with Allison O’Brien
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About

The podcast that explores high-profile divorces and much more. From Attorney Evan Schein and Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP. Evan Schein is a partner with the firm and leads the firm’s litigation practice. More info at www.berkbot.com. A production of pod617.com, the Boston Podcast Network.