Dishing on Divorce Podcast

dishingondivorce

Dishing on Divorce: Sharing Stories and Empowering Lives is a podcast by Deanna Coyle and Mandy Pullen Barr, two best friends and single mothers who have experienced divorce. In this series, they share the ups and downs of rebuilding their lives, offering a mix of personal insights and expert advice. Each episode features a guest who educates listeners on relevant topics or inspires them with powerful personal stories. This podcast is a valuable resource for anyone seeking guidance, inspiration, and a sense of community as they embark on the transformative journey of divorce.

  1. 2D AGO

    Divorce and Autism: Planning for Children with Special Needs with Michael Pereira

    On this episode of Dishing on Divorce, Mandy Barr is joined by Michael Pereira, founder of The Autism Voyage, to explore the complex intersection of divorce, parenting, and raising a neurodivergent child. Michael shares both professional expertise and personal insight as the father of a son with autism. After his son’s diagnosis, Michael’s life shifted dramatically, leading him to leave corporate America and build a platform dedicated to helping families navigate the emotional, financial, and logistical realities of raising children with special needs. Together, Mandy and Michael discuss: • The emotional journey parents experience after an autism diagnosis • How neurodivergence can impact marriages and sometimes lead couples to the brink of divorce • Why routines and stability are critical for children on the spectrum during separation • The importance of financial planning, insurance, estate planning, and long-term care strategies • How parents can shift from fear and isolation to clarity and intentional planning Michael also shares how The Autism Voyage was created to provide education, resources, and community for families who often feel alone as they navigate neurodiversity. This conversation offers compassionate guidance for parents facing difficult transitions as they plan a stable future for their children. Connect with Michael: https://theautismvoyage.com/ Email Michael: michael@theautismvoyage.com Connect with Mandy and Deanna: concierge@vestadivorce.com

    42 min
  2. MAR 2

    Considering Divorce? Why Couples Mediation May Be the First Step with Jennifer Hawthorne Kelsey, Esq.

    Considering divorce? In this episode of Dishing on Divorce, we explore how couples mediation, also known as marriage mediation, can help strengthen a marriage before making the final decision to separate. Jennifer Hawthorne Kelsey, a Massachusetts mediator and collaborative attorney at Skylark Law and Mediation in Southborough, explains how mediation provides clarity, structure, and practical problem-solving for couples navigating conflict. For some couples, this process helps repair communication patterns, reduce tension, and create new agreements that support staying together. Instead of immediately lawyering up and heading into litigation, couples mediation offers a structured, neutral space to work through parenting schedules, financial responsibilities, household roles, communication breakdowns, and future planning. We discuss: • The difference between couples mediation and divorce mediation • How mediation differs from therapy • How structured problem solving can help preserve and strengthen a marriage • When mediation may clarify that separation is the healthiest path • Co-parenting, parenting plans, and conflict de-escalation • Situations where mediation may not be appropriate, including coercive control and intimate partner violence Jennifer also shares her personal journey through divorce and co-parenting, and how curiosity, communication, and emotional maturity can reshape even high-conflict dynamics. If you are considering divorce and want to explore every option before making a life-changing decision, this conversation offers grounded guidance, perspective, and hope. Connect with Jennifer: https://skylarklaw.com/jenniferhawthorne/ Connect with Deanna and Mandy: concierge@vestadivorce.com

    51 min
  3. FEB 23

    The Co-Parenting Code: Moving from Conflict to Cooperation with Teresa Luse

    Dishing on Divorce welcomes Teresa Luse, co-parenting coach, family mediator, and author of Combative to Collaborative: The Co-Parenting Code. Teresa shares how she and her former spouse intentionally designed a collaborative co-parenting relationship after divorcing when their son was six, creating a stable, supportive childhood that their now adult son describes as happy. Mandy and Deanna explore practical ways parents can move from conflict to cooperation, including Teresa’s Golden Rule approach, how to stop assigning motives and start seeking clarity, and why you do not have to like your co-parent to co-parent well. Teresa breaks down common co-parenting breakdowns, such as punishing for past hurt and positional bargaining, then offers tools to get unstuck, including interest-based problem-solving, paraphrasing for better communication, and her three-list framework for what parents must align on versus what can differ across households. They also dive into Teresa’s Three Cs for healthier relationships: civility, caring, and communication, and discuss why communication often needs to increase, not decrease, as children grow and the stakes get higher. The episode is a hopeful reminder that collaborative co-parenting is built by intention, not perfection, and that even one parent choosing a different approach can begin to shift the entire dynamic for the better. Connect with Teresa Luse: https://teresaluse.com/ Get Teresa's Book: Combative to Collaborative: The Co-parenting Code Connect with Mandy and Deanna: concierge@vestadivorce.com

    50 min
  4. FEB 9

    Colorado Family Law Attorney Jessica Breckenridge on Divorce and Reducing Conflict

    In this episode of Dishing on Divorce, we sit down with Jessica Breckenridge, Family Law Attorney and Co-Founder of Empower Family Law in Colorado, and a vetted Vesta professional in Vesta’s new Colorado Hub. Jessica shares how her early life in the foster care system and an adoption experience that went wrong shaped her passion for helping children and families. She also shares her experience of divorce during her first semester of law school, including a painful attorney intake call that strengthened her commitment to ensure clients feel informed, supported, and respected. We discuss common misconceptions about hiring a divorce attorney, including the belief that lawyers automatically make divorce more adversarial, and explain why, in Colorado, good legal guidance can reduce conflict. Jessica breaks down full scope versus limited scope representation, why preparation matters, and how the right divorce team, including coaches, therapists, financial experts, and real estate professionals, can protect your peace and your future. Jessica was recognized by the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys as one of Colorado’s Top 10 Under 40 for 2025. Connect with Jessica Email: info@empowerfamilylegal.com Website: https://www.empowerfamilylegal.com/ Connect with Vesta's Concierge Email: concierge@vestadivorce.com Note: This episode is for education only and is not legal advice. If you are experiencing domestic violence, coercive control, threats, or feel unsafe, please prioritize safety and reach out to local emergency services, a domestic violence hotline, or a trusted professional in your area.

    47 min
5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Dishing on Divorce: Sharing Stories and Empowering Lives is a podcast by Deanna Coyle and Mandy Pullen Barr, two best friends and single mothers who have experienced divorce. In this series, they share the ups and downs of rebuilding their lives, offering a mix of personal insights and expert advice. Each episode features a guest who educates listeners on relevant topics or inspires them with powerful personal stories. This podcast is a valuable resource for anyone seeking guidance, inspiration, and a sense of community as they embark on the transformative journey of divorce.