Thrive & Decide Guide to Divorce and Beyond

Sarah Thress
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Welcome to Thrive and Decide: The Guide to Divorce and Beyond This empowering podcast is created for women navigating the emotional and legal challenges of divorce. Whether you're just beginning the process or rebuilding your life afterward, Thrive and Decide is here to help you feel seen, heard, and supported. Each episode features real stories from courageous women who openly share their divorce journeys—offering hope, healing, and the reminder that you are not alone. You'll also gain access to expert insights and valuable resources, including guidance from divorce coaches, legal professionals, financial advisors, and therapists. Our mission is to help you move through divorce with strength and step confidently into your next chapter.

  1. 2D AGO

    What Happens When You’re Ready To Leave And Choose To Stay

    The ground can shift under a marriage without a single dramatic blow. After a baby, our guest went from career-driven independence to breastfeeding, sleepless nights, and a new identity she never planned for. Then the bank gates closed—no account access, just “text me when you need money.” That subtle change hardened into powerlessness, and resentment took root. She met with a lawyer, cried on friends’ couches, and mapped out apartments she might afford—but couldn’t quite step off the ledge. Therapy helped keep her moving, right up until insurance changed and the copay math got in the way. We walk through the messy middle: how postpartum strain collides with expectations about sex, caregiving, and “provider” roles; how financial control masquerades as protection; and why unhappiness alone is a valid reason to re-evaluate a marriage. The turning point wasn’t fireworks, it was acknowledgment. When she said the holidays would be separate, he finally took her seriously and offered to contact a lawyer. Then his own attorney delivered a hard truth: stop blaming mom in front of the child. That outside accountability shifted the dynamic. They pressed pause, took a family trip, and found a slower rhythm—less contempt, more room to breathe. Over time, they rebuilt trust with small actions, a job change, and eventually a new wedding band chosen on her terms. You’ll hear practical insights on co-parenting boundaries, money transparency, and the quiet power of friends who hold space instead of trying to fix everything. We talk about the cost of counseling and creative ways to keep mental health support in reach, plus how to separate your child from the adult story while still telling the truth. Whether you’re preparing to leave or looking for a way to stay, this conversation centers dignity, safety, and agency over quick fixes and clichés. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help others find these conversations. Your story matters—and you’re not alone. Hi and welcome to Thrive and Decide. I’m your host Sarah Thress. This podcast is intended to help women who are going through a divorce, continplating divorce or have lost a spouse feel seen, heard, understood and not alone. All the beautiful souls who share on here are coming from a place of vulnerability and a common belief that sharing your story will help others. You will also hear from industry experts on what to do and not do while going through a divorce. Sarah Thress 614-893-5885 Sarahthressrealtor@gmail.com Thrive and Decide Facebook https://www.instagram.com/thrive_and_decide/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559936633799 https://www.facebook.com/SarahThressRealtor/ https://www.instagram.com/sarah_thress_realtor/ Real Estate Podcast Come To Find Out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/come-to-find-out/id1704949604 Real Estate First Time Home Buyers course: https://sarahthress.graphy.com/

    30 min

  2. FEB 18

    Prenups Vs. Postnups

    Paperwork isn’t romantic, but neither is spending years and a small fortune arguing over who owns what. We sat down with family law attorney and guardian ad litem Tara Price to demystify prenups and Ohio’s newer postnups, and to show how smart planning can actually protect love, stability, and sanity. If you’ve ever wondered whether an agreement means you’re “planning to divorce,” this conversation will change your mind. We break down the real difference between prenups and postnups—timing—and dig into what they can and can’t include. Tara explains why courts won’t let you predetermine child custody or child support, and how full financial disclosure, separate counsel, and fair process make agreements enforceable. We get practical about classifying property, tracing equity when homes are bought, sold, and renovated, and deciding ahead of time whether a premarital house or a growing business stays separate or becomes marital. You’ll hear how clear spreadsheets and saved statements can reduce friction and legal bills years down the road. Money decisions around housing are front and center: keeping the house, buying out a spouse, when a refinance or HELOC makes sense, and why you might assume a low-rate mortgage rather than start over at today’s higher rates. Tara also walks through spousal support in Ohio—there’s no calculator—covering the factors judges weigh, and how couples can thoughtfully include support terms in prenups or postnups without crossing into unconscionable territory. By the end, you’ll see these agreements not as a hedge against love, but as a plan to keep control, protect assets, and avoid letting a stranger decide your future. If this episode helped you think more clearly about your options, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. To Connect with Tara R, Price: Senior Associate Attorney LANGHALS LAW, LLC 404 5th St. Marysville, OH 43040 P: (937) 738-6700 OSBA Board Certified Family Law Specialist https://marysvilleohiolawyer.com/about/ Hi and welcome to Thrive and Decide. I’m your host Sarah Thress. This podcast is intended to help women who are going through a divorce, continplating divorce or have lost a spouse feel seen, heard, understood and not alone. All the beautiful souls who share on here are coming from a place of vulnerability and a common belief that sharing your story will help others. You will also hear from industry experts on what to do and not do while going through a divorce. Sarah Thress 614-893-5885 Sarahthressrealtor@gmail.com Thrive and Decide Facebook https://www.instagram.com/thrive_and_decide/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559936633799 https://www.facebook.com/SarahThressRealtor/ https://www.instagram.com/sarah_thress_realtor/ Real Estate Podcast Come To Find Out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/come-to-find-out/id1704949604 Real Estate First Time Home Buyers course: https://sarahthress.graphy.com/

    28 min

  3. FEB 11

    How Therapy Rebuilds Identity During And After Divorce

    Divorce can scramble your identity, rewrite your routines, and convince you that “I failed” is the only headline. Therapist Shauna Hoover joins us to show a better way through: build safety first, tell the truth second, and take small, repeatable steps that move grief out of your body and power back into your hands. We dig into how the first session should feel—validating, judgment-free, and focused on rapport—so you can actually breathe and talk. From there, Shauna walks us through a practical checklist: name three to five people who are truly safe, assess your current coping tactics without shame, and swap numbing for options you can sustain. Together, we unpack the heavy myth of failure and how cultural checklists keep us stuck. Shauna reframes endings as data for growth, not a verdict on your future. We talk about radical acceptance as a hinge moment, the usefulness of “pity parties,” and why the right kind of therapeutic challenge accelerates healing. We also explore what really accelerates change between sessions: a simple “brain dump” note on your phone, quotes and lyrics that resonate, and creative outlets that give emotion a place to land—cooking, painting, reading, or your personal power anthem. Movement matters too; even a ten-minute walk can help clear what Shauna calls “divorce toxins” and reset your nervous system. If you’ve ever felt judged, rushed, or unseen in therapy, we cover how to find a better fit and why rapport beats modality every time. Expect grounded tools you can try today, from conversation prompts for your support circle to micro-habits that soften the lows and lift the highs. Ready to trade shame for momentum and start writing your next chapter with intention? Follow the show, share this episode with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others find these tools. If you want to connect with Shauna here is the best way: https://www.insightfulsolutionsltd.com/#about Her email is: shaunaHooverlpcc@gmail.com  Hi and welcome to Thrive and Decide. I’m your host Sarah Thress. This podcast is intended to help women who are going through a divorce, continplating divorce or have lost a spouse feel seen, heard, understood and not alone. All the beautiful souls who share on here are coming from a place of vulnerability and a common belief that sharing your story will help others. You will also hear from industry experts on what to do and not do while going through a divorce. Sarah Thress 614-893-5885 Sarahthressrealtor@gmail.com Thrive and Decide Facebook https://www.instagram.com/thrive_and_decide/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559936633799 https://www.facebook.com/SarahThressRealtor/ https://www.instagram.com/sarah_thress_realtor/ Real Estate Podcast Come To Find Out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/come-to-find-out/id1704949604 Real Estate First Time Home Buyers course: https://sarahthress.graphy.com/

    45 min

  4. FEB 4

    Protecting Children When Co‑Parenting With A Narcissist

    Fear changes a family long before anyone says the word divorce. With narcissistic dynamics, the house learns to tiptoe, and kids internalize patterns of freezing, fawning, and pleasing. We invited coach Jamie Davis to unpack a humane path forward: regulate first, then respond. Jamie shares how a simple DBT practice—five grounded minutes of breath and focus—builds the pause you need to choose words that soothe nervous systems instead of inflaming them. That pause becomes the oxygen mask for you and, by extension, your children. We talk candidly about the myth of the “intact” family and the heavy pressure many women carry from culture, faith, and family to stay no matter the cost. Jamie offers practical questions to excavate old scripts—Has this person earned the benefit of the doubt? What does intact mean if fear rules the home?—and shows how reclaiming agency leads to clean, consistent boundaries. Rather than arguing the narrative, we learn to protect energy, name values, and model calm decisions that children can mirror. When smear campaigns and mind games begin, the instinct to defend can undo hard-won progress. Jamie gives language to keep kids’ critical thinking online: I heard what was said. How did that make you feel? What questions do you want to ask me? Who do you know me to be? We explore how steady, predictable responses help children navigate cognitive dissonance without picking sides out of fear. We also touch on recovering your own identity—preferences, pace, and joy—so you parent from fullness, not depletion. If you’re weighing whether to stay “for the kids,” this conversation offers tools, scripts, and perspective to make choices from clarity instead of fear. Listen, save the strategies, and share with someone who needs a steadier map. If this helped, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us the one boundary you’ll practice this week. To reach out to Jamie to see if she can help you: spincyclecoaching@gmail.com www.stopthespincycle.com https://www.facebook.com/stopthespincycle Hi and welcome to Thrive and Decide. I’m your host Sarah Thress. This podcast is intended to help women who are going through a divorce, continplating divorce or have lost a spouse feel seen, heard, understood and not alone. All the beautiful souls who share on here are coming from a place of vulnerability and a common belief that sharing your story will help others. You will also hear from industry experts on what to do and not do while going through a divorce. Sarah Thress 614-893-5885 Sarahthressrealtor@gmail.com Thrive and Decide Facebook https://www.instagram.com/thrive_and_decide/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559936633799 https://www.facebook.com/SarahThressRealtor/ https://www.instagram.com/sarah_thress_realtor/ Real Estate Podcast Come To Find Out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/come-to-find-out/id1704949604 Real Estate First Time Home Buyers course: https://sarahthress.graphy.com/

    33 min

  5. JAN 28

    Choosing Happiness After A 17-Year Marriage

    The quiet end of a marriage can be the hardest to name. Kelly joins us to talk about a 17-year union that eroded not with shouting, but with distance—two people living parallel lives, choosing work and routine over connection. When she asked about counseling and heard “I just want to be done,” relief met grief, and the real work began: property disputes, a gut-punch discovery about home equity, and a custody threat that ran into the reality of a teenager’s voice. We walk through the lessons that only a drawn-out divorce can teach. The longer it drags on, the more room there is for ugliness. Fairness is a mirage; clarity is the compass. Kelly shares why putting children first means telling the truth, not hiding every disagreement, and stepping back from running interference when a parent won’t show up. Her boys made their own choices about contact, and a stepdad stepped in with a grounded promise: not a replacement, just love and steadiness. There’s also the rupture with a faith community that chose judgment over care. Kelly expected support and found shame instead, then later became a minister who teaches a different vision: right relationships, human dignity, and love that gives life. Grief still came—traditions that didn’t fit, an extra stocking in the box—and a therapist who named her emotions as valid, not pathological. We dig into practical tools: finding a counselor who fits, practicing radical acceptance when there’s no satisfying why, and learning to communicate without empty ultimatums. The arc is messy and hopeful: feeling fully, moving steadily, and choosing happiness without apology. If this conversation helps you feel seen and supported, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review. Your feedback helps more people find the guidance and courage they’re looking for. Hi and welcome to Thrive and Decide. I’m your host Sarah Thress. This podcast is intended to help women who are going through a divorce, continplating divorce or have lost a spouse feel seen, heard, understood and not alone. All the beautiful souls who share on here are coming from a place of vulnerability and a common belief that sharing your story will help others. You will also hear from industry experts on what to do and not do while going through a divorce. Sarah Thress 614-893-5885 Sarahthressrealtor@gmail.com Thrive and Decide Facebook https://www.instagram.com/thrive_and_decide/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559936633799 https://www.facebook.com/SarahThressRealtor/ https://www.instagram.com/sarah_thress_realtor/ Real Estate Podcast Come To Find Out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/come-to-find-out/id1704949604 Real Estate First Time Home Buyers course: https://sarahthress.graphy.com/

    29 min

  6. JAN 19

    You Can’t Split Kids In Half, But You Can Find Yourself Again

    The word “fair” can wreck a divorce. We open by naming that truth and then walk you through a smarter path: negotiate like a strategist, heal like a human, and design a life that actually fits. Instead of chasing 50‑50 symmetry, we focus on durable outcomes—why protecting retirement might beat grabbing home equity, how alimony intersects with assets, and when “losing a battle” secures the war. You’ll hear a clear, practical way to zoom out, weigh tradeoffs, and stop paying attorney rates for therapy work. We also get real about co‑parenting and the grief of missed moments. That pain is normal. The pivot is reframing: your child is building memories with their other parent while you rebuild your identity. Use that window to rest, reconnect, and return more present. We share the rituals and mindset that make shared time sustainable, plus the underrated power move of picking a theme song you can blast to shift your state on demand. On the inner work, we dig into radical acceptance and the trap of obsessing over “why.” Closure often doesn’t arrive, and that’s okay. With the right therapist—one who engages and challenges—you can replace control with clarity. We recommend tools that help: Brene Brown’s Daring Greatly for courage and vulnerability, Jen Sincero’s You Are a Badass for punchy action, and Ariana Huffington’s reflections on life, love, and work to integrate deeper change. We wrap with a nervous‑system‑first approach to big feelings: cry when you need to, scream into a pillow if that’s your lane, and watch how the highs get higher and the lows lose their pull. If you’re navigating divorce, this conversation gives you a practical map: protect your assets, steady your emotions, and reclaim who you are becoming. Listen now, subscribe for more grounded guidance, and share this with someone who could use a lifeline today. Then tell us: what’s one boundary you’ll set this week? Hi and welcome to Thrive and Decide. I’m your host Sarah Thress. This podcast is intended to help women who are going through a divorce, continplating divorce or have lost a spouse feel seen, heard, understood and not alone. All the beautiful souls who share on here are coming from a place of vulnerability and a common belief that sharing your story will help others. You will also hear from industry experts on what to do and not do while going through a divorce. Sarah Thress 614-893-5885 Sarahthressrealtor@gmail.com Thrive and Decide Facebook https://www.instagram.com/thrive_and_decide/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559936633799 https://www.facebook.com/SarahThressRealtor/ https://www.instagram.com/sarah_thress_realtor/ Real Estate Podcast Come To Find Out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/come-to-find-out/id1704949604 Real Estate First Time Home Buyers course: https://sarahthress.graphy.com/

    23 min

  7. 12/24/2025

    From Divorce To Control: How Women Rebuild Finances With Support, Systems, And Compassion

    Money gets messy when life changes. Divorce, loss, and career pivots can turn confident spenders into second-guessers who feel stuck. We sit down with Cindy Locker and Carol Van Fossen of Next Chapter Finances to unpack a kinder, smarter way to rebuild control: start with the real numbers, get clear on your goals, and make a plan that lets you spend without guilt. Carol shares how she moved from managing her family’s money to feeling “clueless” after major life shifts, then back to confident through structure and support. Cindy brings an accountant’s eye for detail, translating statements and cash flow into choices you can actually live with. Together, they show how a compassionate process—gathering data, naming priorities, and scheduling regular check-ins—turns chaos into clarity. No shame. No overwhelm. Just honest math and aligned tradeoffs. We cover what a first engagement looks like, from mapping income and expenses to identifying leaks that don’t add joy, then redirecting dollars to what does: a vacation, a safety net, a child’s milestone, or retirement. You’ll hear why starting today beats waiting for the first of the month, how frequent touchpoints keep progress on track, and how their work bridges clients to financial planners, CPAs, attorneys, and insurance pros with everything organized and ready. If you’ve ever wondered whether your spending matches your values—or wished you could feel good about your choices—this conversation lays out a path. If this resonates, connect with Next Chapter Finances through the link in the show notes to book a free consultation. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help more women find their financial footing. For more information contact Cindy or Carol: Cindy Locker:  614-440-2315 cindy@nextchapterfinances.com  Carol Van Fossen: 614-284-2783 carol@nextchapterfinances.com https://www.nextchapterfinances.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556088472295 Hi and welcome to Thrive and Decide. I’m your host Sarah Thress. This podcast is intended to help women who are going through a divorce, continplating divorce or have lost a spouse feel seen, heard, understood and not alone. All the beautiful souls who share on here are coming from a place of vulnerability and a common belief that sharing your story will help others. You will also hear from industry experts on what to do and not do while going through a divorce. Sarah Thress 614-893-5885 Sarahthressrealtor@gmail.com Thrive and Decide Facebook https://www.instagram.com/thrive_and_decide/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559936633799 https://www.facebook.com/SarahThressRealtor/ https://www.instagram.com/sarah_thress_realtor/ Real Estate Podcast Come To Find Out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/come-to-find-out/id1704949604 Real Estate First Time Home Buyers course: https://sarahthress.graphy.com/

    25 min

  8. 12/04/2025

    From Divorce To Collaboration: A Practical Guide For Co-Parents

    Divorce ends a marriage, not your role as parents. We sat down with co-parenting coach and author Teresa Luse to unpack a practical, compassionate way to raise kids across two homes without burning out or blowing up. Teresa shares the mindset that changed everything for her: stop trying to repair the past relationship and start designing the parenting relationship you’ll live with for decades. That shift opens the door to calmer exchanges, clearer expectations, and a childhood your kids will remember as steady and kind. We dig into Teresa’s core tools, including her Three Lists exercise: must agree, ideal to agree, and concede. By keeping the “musts” tight—safety, life-or-death health, and legal compliance—you lower friction where it counts and reduce needless fights elsewhere. She explains how to respond when your co-parent is hostile or even narcissistic, using concise, child-focused communication, boundaries that hold, and strategies that reduce, diffuse, and redirect conflict. You’ll also hear why collaboration doesn’t have to mean shared vacations or holidays, and how different parenting styles can actually enrich a child’s world when handled with intention. Teresa traces her path from lived experience to two books, including Combative to Collaborative: The Co-Parenting Code, and describes her coaching approach. Sessions are virtual, practical, and forward-looking—no therapy, no legal advice—just plays that work in real life, reviewed and adjusted over time. She shares details on her small-group coaching model designed for access and safety, with topics tailored from participant surveys and strict boundaries that keep co-parents out of the same room. If you’re ready to trade texting wars for a workable plan, this conversation gives you the language, tools, and courage to start. Check the show notes for Teresa’s books and links to connect. Enjoyed the episode? Follow, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick five-star review to help more parents find calm. To find out more and connect with Teresa: https://teresaluse.com/ Hi and welcome to Thrive and Decide. I’m your host Sarah Thress. This podcast is intended to help women who are going through a divorce, continplating divorce or have lost a spouse feel seen, heard, understood and not alone. All the beautiful souls who share on here are coming from a place of vulnerability and a common belief that sharing your story will help others. You will also hear from industry experts on what to do and not do while going through a divorce. Sarah Thress 614-893-5885 Sarahthressrealtor@gmail.com Thrive and Decide Facebook https://www.instagram.com/thrive_and_decide/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559936633799 https://www.facebook.com/SarahThressRealtor/ https://www.instagram.com/sarah_thress_realtor/ Real Estate Podcast Come To Find Out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/come-to-find-out/id1704949604 Real Estate First Time Home Buyers course: https://sarahthress.graphy.com/

    41 min
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About

Welcome to Thrive and Decide: The Guide to Divorce and Beyond This empowering podcast is created for women navigating the emotional and legal challenges of divorce. Whether you're just beginning the process or rebuilding your life afterward, Thrive and Decide is here to help you feel seen, heard, and supported. Each episode features real stories from courageous women who openly share their divorce journeys—offering hope, healing, and the reminder that you are not alone. You'll also gain access to expert insights and valuable resources, including guidance from divorce coaches, legal professionals, financial advisors, and therapists. Our mission is to help you move through divorce with strength and step confidently into your next chapter.

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