Drama-Free Divorce Podcast

Cary Jacobson, Esq.
  • 3.7 (3)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

Hosted by attorney and mediator Cary Jacobson, the Drama-Free Divorce Podcast brings you practical guidance, real conversations, and expert insights to help you navigate divorce with clarity, confidence, and less conflict. Each week, we break down the emotional, financial, and legal challenges of divorce and co-parenting, without the chaos. Through interviews with industry professionals, personal stories, and step-by-step strategies, you’ll learn how to protect your peace, communicate effectively, and make informed decisions that support your future. Whether you’re considering divorce, in the middle of it, or rebuilding afterward, this podcast is your supportive guide to a calmer, more empowered path forward. New episodes weekly. Tune in for tools, tips, and conversations that put your family’s well-being first.

  1. 6d ago

    EP #22: Should I Stay in My Marriage? Deciding from Peace, with Master Coach Betsy Pake

    You've been in this marriage a long time. Lately you've been asking yourself whether you want to stay in it — and then talking yourself out of the question before you can answer it. This episode is about that question, and how to answer it without panic making the decision for you. Cary is joined by Betsy Pake, a certified master coach who has spent twelve years helping women through midlife transitions using trauma-informed and neuroscience-based work. Betsy is the creator of the Navigate Method™ and the Mirror, Mend or Move framework, host of The Art of Living Big, and author of Start Small, Live Big. In this conversation: Why women hesitate on both sides of the decision — afraid to leave a marriage that isn't working, and equally afraid to fight for oneWhy midlife is so often the moment everything comes to a headHow to recognize the relationship patterns you stopped questioning years ago, and where to start shifting themWhat it actually means to decide from peace rather than urgencyThe Mirror, Mend or Move framework, and how it gives shape to a decision you've been circling for monthsHow nervous system dysregulation shows up in a marriage, and why some of this work starts with the body rather than the relationshipWhether you're leaning toward staying, leaning toward leaving, or genuinely don't know, this is a conversation about getting clear first. Free guide: 25 Ways to Save on a Divorce from Divorce Professionals → https://stan.store/JacobsonFamilyLaw/p/25-expert-tips-from-divorce-lawyers-to-save-you- Find Betsy: The Art of Living Big podcast · betsypake.com · Instagram @betsypake Her book: Start Small, Live Big Work with Cary: Jacobson Family Law offers mediation and uncontested divorce for families in Maryland, DC and Virginia → https://jacobsonfamilylaw.com/contact/ Visit jacobsonworkshop.com to learn more.

    EP #22: Should I Stay in My Marriage? Deciding from Peace, with Master Coach Betsy Pake

  2. Aug 31

    EP #20: Is It a Marriage Problem or an Addiction Problem? with guest Amber Hollingsworth

    When a spouse is struggling with addiction, families are often left with impossible questions: Is this a marriage problem or an addiction problem? How do I help without making things worse? And how do I protect my children through it all? In this episode, host Cary Jacobson sits down with Amber Hollingsworth, an Addiction Recovery Specialist with more than 20 years of experience helping people struggling with addiction — and the families who love them. Amber has built a YouTube community of over 800,000 people around a hopeful, often surprising message: addiction isn't a hopeless condition you're powerless over. It's a deeply ingrained pattern built on beliefs that can change. Together, Cary and Amber explore how addiction clouds the decision to stay or go, the difference between genuinely supporting someone and unintentionally enabling them, the hidden impact of addiction on co-parenting, and why so many families stay stuck for years before making a change. It's an honest, compassionate conversation about finding clarity — and hope — when addiction is part of the story. If you or someone you love is navigating this, this episode is for you. Book a consultation: https://jacobsonfamilylaw.com/contact/ Co-parenting tools & templates: stan.store/JacobsonFamilyLaw OurFamilyWizard, the co-parenting communication app (affiliate link): https://tidd.ly/4xm9jOf Read our latest blog: https://jacobsonfamilylaw.com/can-i-divorce-my-disabled-spouse/  Visit jacobsonfamilylaw.com to learn more. Visit jacobsonworkshop.com to learn more.

    EP #20: Is It a Marriage Problem or an Addiction Problem? with guest Amber Hollingsworth

  3. Aug 17

    EP #19: Avoiding Financial Mistakes During Divorce with Guest Michelle Muhammed

    Divorce brings some of the most consequential financial decisions of your life — usually right when everything feels overwhelming. In this episode, Cary Jacobson talks with Michelle Muhammed, CFP®, ChFC®, CDFA®, founder of M&M Wealth Advisory and The Next Chapter Divorce, about avoiding the financial mistakes that catch people off guard. They dig into the "financial fog" of divorce, the role of a financial neutral in mediation, post-divorce tax surprises, the contributions women often overlook, and how scenario planning helps you see your financial future before you sign anything. 🎧 Listen now, and visit https://jacobsonfamilylaw.com for legal guidance and mediation support. Visit jacobsonfamilylaw.com to learn more. Visit jacobsonworkshop.com to learn more.

    EP #19: Avoiding Financial Mistakes During Divorce with Guest Michelle Muhammed

  4. Jul 27

    EP #18: Therapy, Growth & Redefining Divorce with Guest Dr. Elana Hoffman

    Divorce is a legal process — but it's also one of the most emotionally complex experiences a person can go through. In this episode, Cary Jacobson sits down with Dr. Elana Hoffman, licensed clinical psychologist, founder of a telehealth practice specializing in divorce and major life transitions, author of So, Your Wife Left You… Now What?, and host of the podcast Talk Relationship to Me. Dr. Elana brings both professional expertise and personal experience to this conversation — and her perspective on divorce is refreshingly different: not as a failure, but as an opportunity for profound growth. In this episode, you'll hear about: Why therapy and emotional support are just as critical as legal guidance during divorceHow doing your own inner work can give your kids a better divorce experienceHow past family dysfunction and dysfunctional patterns show up during the divorce processThe role of neurodivergence in communication and conflict during divorceThe difference between therapy and coaching — and how to know which one you needPractical first steps for anyone feeling overwhelmed at the start of this processWhether you're in the middle of a divorce, recovering from one, or supporting someone who is — this episode will change how you think about the process. Learn more about Dr. Elana Hoffman and her work in the show notes. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs a different perspective on divorce. Visit jacobsonworkshop.com to learn more.

    EP #18: Therapy, Growth & Redefining Divorce with Guest Dr. Elana Hoffman

  5. Jul 13

    EP #17: Strategic Solutions for High-Conflict Co-Parenting with Dr. Bill Northey

    If you've ever hung up the phone after a blow-up with your co-parent and thought, "I can't keep doing this" — this episode is for you. Host Cary Jacobson sits down with Dr. William Northey ("Dr. Bill"), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Clinical Director of the Bellefonte Center for Children and Families, for a candid conversation on breaking the cycle of high-conflict co-parenting. With nearly four decades of experience helping families move from chaos to stability, Dr. Bill brings a strategic, solution-focused approach — and a healthy dose of well-timed humor — to one of the most stressful situations a parent can face. In this episode, you'll learn: What it means to be "stuck" in a systemic conflict cycle and why it's so hard to break out aloneHow Strategic Family Therapy differs from traditional talk therapy — and why it works fasterThe real impact of long-term high-conflict co-parenting on your children's developmentPractical steps you can take today to create stability for your kids, even if your ex won't cooperateWhether "high-conflict" behavior is a personality trait or something that can actually be changedWhen to seek help from a systemic therapist — and why it's never too lateWhether you're in the middle of a litigation nightmare or just trying to protect your peace, Dr. Bill's mission-critical advice will help you shift from reactive to strategic. Learn more about Dr. Bill and the Bellefonte Center for Children and Families at bellefontefamilies.com. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a co-parent who needs it. Visit jacobsonfamilylaw.com to learn more. Visit jacobsonworkshop.com to learn more.

  6. Jun 29

    EP #16: Navigating Divorce Across Cultures with Guest Diana Romanov

    Divorce is rarely just a legal matter — and that's especially true when spouses come from different countries, cultures, or legal systems. In this episode, Cary Jacobson is joined by Diana Romanov, a San Francisco family law attorney licensed in both California and Germany, to talk about what makes cross-border divorce so uniquely challenging. Diana is a Certified Family Law Specialist, mediator, and founder of her own boutique practice, fluent in English, Russian, and German. A former prosecutor in Berlin, she brings a rare combination of international legal training and personal experience — including her own divorce — to the way she counsels clients today. Cary and Diana cover the blind spots that catch multicultural couples off guard, how cultural attitudes toward marriage, parenting, and money can quietly escalate conflict, what's at stake when international custody or relocation is on the table, and why mediation is often the better-fit path for cross-cultural families. Diana also opens up about how her own divorce changed the way she shows up for clients, and offers her best advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed by a divorce that spans borders. Connect with Diana Romanov at romanovlaw.com. Like what you heard? Subscribe to the Drama-Free Divorce Podcast and share this episode with someone navigating a similar journey. Visit jacobsonfamilylaw.com to learn more. Visit jacobsonworkshop.com to learn more.

    EP #16: Navigating Divorce Across Cultures with Guest Diana Romanov

  7. Jun 15

    EP #15: Understanding Custody in Maryland with Guest Michael Mastracci, Esq.

    Custody cases are some of the most emotionally charged parts of any divorce—and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, attorney and mediator Cary Jacobson sits down with Maryland family law attorney Michael Mastracci, Esq., who has been practicing since 1989 and has represented hundreds of clients in custody disputes. What makes Michael's perspective especially valuable: he's served as a court-appointed Best Interest Attorney, meaning he's been appointed to represent children directly in custody proceedings. That behind-the-scenes view of what courts are actually looking for is something most parents never get to see. In this conversation, they cover: The difference between legal and physical custody in Maryland—and why it mattersThe "best interest of the child" standard and which factors carry the most weightWhat a Best Interest Attorney actually does and how it differs from representing a parentCommon mistakes parents make in custody cases that hurt their positionWhat judges genuinely want to see from both parentsPractical steps you can take right now if you're in a custody dispute—or want to avoid oneHow understanding custody factors can help you resolve things outside of courtWhether you're navigating a custody case now or just want to understand how the process works, this episode gives you a clearer picture—and a more grounded path forward. 🔗 Learn more about Jacobson Family Law: www.jacobsonfamilylaw.com  📍 Serving Maryland families through divorce, custody, and mediation. Visit jacobsonfamilylaw.com to learn more. Visit jacobsonworkshop.com to learn more.

    EP #15: Understanding Custody in Maryland with Guest Michael Mastracci, Esq.

  8. Jun 1

    EP #14: Navigating Financial Transitions During Divorce with Guest Jennifer Lee

    Money and emotions collide during divorce — and the decisions you make in those moments can shape your financial future for years. In this episode of the Drama-Free Divorce Podcast, Cary Jacobson sits down with Jennifer Lee, founder of Modern-Wealth, to talk about what smart financial guidance looks like during one of life's biggest transitions. Jennifer brings nearly 30 years of financial services experience to her work with clients navigating divorce, loss of a spouse, and major business transitions. She's also the author of Squeeze the Juice: Live With Purpose – Then Leave a Legacy — a book about living with intention and leaving a meaningful legacy. In this episode, Cary and Jennifer cover: •        Why having a financial advisor during divorce is so important — and often overlooked •        How emotions affect financial decision-making during high-stakes transitions •        The key financial steps to take as you rebuild after divorce •        The concept of values-based financial planning and the "family love letter" •        How to live with purpose and think about the legacy you leave behind If you're facing divorce or another major life transition and want to move from financial uncertainty to financial clarity, this episode is for you. About Jennifer Lee: Jennifer Lee is the founder of Modern-Wealth, a Sarasota-based financial planning firm specializing in major life transitions. Learn more at: https://modern-wealth.com/ Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions. Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a registered Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Modern-Wealth, LLC and Cambridge are not affiliated. 📥 Download our Divorce Mediation Guide with checklists and planning tools → stan.store/jacobsonfamilylaw 📅 Schedule a Consultation → jacobsonfamilylaw.com Visit jacobsonfamilylaw.com to learn more. Visit jacobsonworkshop.com to learn more.

    EP #14: Navigating Financial Transitions During Divorce with Guest Jennifer Lee
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Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Hosted by attorney and mediator Cary Jacobson, the Drama-Free Divorce Podcast brings you practical guidance, real conversations, and expert insights to help you navigate divorce with clarity, confidence, and less conflict. Each week, we break down the emotional, financial, and legal challenges of divorce and co-parenting, without the chaos. Through interviews with industry professionals, personal stories, and step-by-step strategies, you’ll learn how to protect your peace, communicate effectively, and make informed decisions that support your future. Whether you’re considering divorce, in the middle of it, or rebuilding afterward, this podcast is your supportive guide to a calmer, more empowered path forward. New episodes weekly. Tune in for tools, tips, and conversations that put your family’s well-being first.

Information

  • Creator
    Cary Jacobson, Esq.
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Drama-Free Divorce Podcast
  • Show Website
    Drama-Free Divorce Podcast