Girl, Wake Up!

Amy Polacko

Hosted by Amy Polacko—Divorce Coach, investigative journalist (Ms. Magazine, HuffPost, The Guardian), and champion for women’s autonomy—GIRL, WAKE UP! is your unfiltered blueprint for navigating high-conflict divorce, family court, and systemic oppression without losing your peace, your money, or your mind. Long before reporting on high-profile cultural cases and systemic failures, Amy lived through them. As a mother, survivor, and two-time divorcee who fought her way to freedom, she bridges the gap between sharp legal and financial strategy and deep spiritual recovery. You don't have to choose between healing your heart and protecting your assets. You can do both. On Girl Wake Up, we dive deep into: • High-Conflict & Court Strategy: Tactical blueprints to outsmart toxic exes, protect your wealth, and proactively navigate a rigged family court system. • Cultural Commentary & Investigations: Unfiltered breakdowns of pop culture cases, domestic abuse, and the hidden patriarchal structures holding women back. • Spiritual Autonomy & Healing: Reclaiming your power, intuition, and identity so you can build a life on your own terms. Stop being systematically disadvantaged. Understand the system, protect your future, and wake up to your power. Connect & Work With Amy: 💻 Coaching & Resources: freedomwarrior.info 📸 Join 50k+ Women: instagram.com/freedomwarriortribe 🔔 Subscribe & hit the bell for new episodes, guides, and live breakdowns. 🎧 Subscribe & leave a 5-star review to help more women find this movement.

  1. 5d ago

    Love Your Divorce: A New Way to End a Marriage (w/ Family Law Attorney & Reiki Master Sharon Defala)

    What if divorce didn’t have to be something you simply survive? In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy sits down with family law attorney, holistic divorce expert, mediator, and Reiki Master Sharon Oberst DeFala to talk about a radically different way of approaching the end of a marriage. Sharon, author of Love Your Divorce: Your Guide to a Holistic Happier Ever After, believes divorce can be more than an ending. It can be a powerful turning point–one that creates space for greater clarity, peace, growth and possibility. Together, Amy and Sharon explore what “holistic divorce” really means, why divorce does not have to become a war, how mediation can work even with difficult personalities, and why supporting the whole person–motionally, financially, legally and even spiritually–can lead to healthier outcomes. They also talk about Sharon’s unique perspective as both a longtime family law attorney and Reiki Master, the rise of gray divorce, and why so many people are beginning to rethink what happiness and fulfillment can look like in the second half of life. Love Your Divorce: Your Guide to a Holistic Happier Ever After is available on October 13, 2026. If you’re navigating divorce or thinking about it, connect with Amy Polacko for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info Learn more about Sharon DeFala here: https://www.oberstlaw.com/ 📌 CHAPTERS: 00:00 - "How to Love Your Divorce" | Intro with Sharon Oberst Defala 01:03 - The Real Reason Divorce Exists (It’s Supposed to Improve Your Life) 02:08 - Debunking Divorce Horror Stories: Why No One Regrets Leaving 03:22 - What is a Holistic Divorce? (Looking Beyond Money & Legal Battles) 05:01 - Litigation vs. Mediation: Why "The Fight is the Gift" 06:05 - The Biggest Emotional & Communication Mistakes to Avoid 08:14 - How to Use Reiki & Mindfulness to Lower Conflict in Divorce 09:50 - Visualization & Radical Self-Care Before Court or Depositions 11:21 - Secret Strategies for Handling High-Conflict & Narcissistic Exes 13:20 - "Staying for the Kids?" The Truth About Waiting to Divorce 15:00 - Truth or Trap: Should You Wait Until the Divorce is Final to Heal? 16:11 - Overcoming Guilt When Your Marriage "Isn't Bad Enough" to Leave 17:42 - The Future of Divorce: Non-Adversarial & Collaborative Laws 18:49 - Where to Find How to Love Your Divorce & Final Thoughts 🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED: • Sharon's Blog & Book: https://love-your-divorce.com • Sharon's Law Practice: https://oberstlaw.com • Connect with Amy Polacko: https://www.freedomwarrior.info/coaching-services #DivorceSupport #DivorceForWomen #HolisticDivorce #SeparationAdvice #GirlWakeUp #WomenInTransition #DivorceCoach #FamilyLaw

    Love Your Divorce: A New Way to End a Marriage (w/ Family Law Attorney & Reiki Master Sharon Defala)

  2. Sep 22

    The Midlife Wake-Up Call: Who Are You Now? (w/ Dr. Ellen Albertson)

    Midlife can bring huge shifts–divorce, gray divorce, empty nesting, menopause and the loss of roles that once defined you. In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy talks with Dr. Ellen Albertson, known as The Midlife Whisperer, about why so many women feel lost during this stage of life–and how midlife can become an opportunity to reinvent yourself rather than fear what’s changing. They talk about divorce, gray divorce, empty nesting, menopause, people-pleasing, dating, self-compassion and what happens when women finally stop living for everyone else and start asking what they want for themselves. Dr. Ellen is a psychologist, registered dietitian nutritionist, board-certified health and wellness coach, self-compassion teacher and bestselling author of Rock Your Midlife. If you’re navigating divorce or thinking about it, connect with Amy Polacko for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info Learn more about Dr. Ellen Albertson: https://themidlifewhisperer.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/the_midlife_whisperer/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themidlifewhisperer FB: https://www.facebook.com/DrEllenAlbertson X: https://x.com/RockYourMidlife Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drellenalbertson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themidlifewhisperer

    The Midlife Wake-Up Call: Who Are You Now? (w/ Dr. Ellen Albertson)

  3. Sep 8

    Divorce & Dollars: How to Protect Your Financial Future w/ Randi Engelbrecht, CDFA)

    Divorce can change your financial life overnight-and the decisions you make during it can affect you for years to come. In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy talks with Randi Engelbrecht, Wealth Manager and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) at Radiance Private Wealth, about what women need to know to protect themselves financially before, during and after divorce. They discuss why every woman should understand her household finances, common money mistakes in divorce, how to think strategically about assets like the family home and why a settlement is only the beginning of building your financial future. Most importantly, Randi explains how women can move from feeling overwhelmed by money to making informed decisions with greater confidence and clarity. If you’re navigating divorce or thinking about it, connect with Amy Polacko for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info Learn more about Randi and Radiance Private Wealth here: https://radianceprivatewealth.com/ Follow Radiance on Instagram @radianceprivatewealth

    Divorce & Dollars: How to Protect Your Financial Future w/ Randi Engelbrecht, CDFA)

  4. Aug 25

    What a Divorce Lawyer Wants You to Know (w/ Ron Bavero, Esq.)

    Want free tips from a divorce attorney who spent nearly 40 years inside the family court system? In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy talks with former family law attorney Ronald J. Bavero, Esq. about what people need to know before and during divorce. Ron shares the mistakes he saw clients make again and again, what’s really worth fighting over, how cases spiral out of control and what a seasoned attorney wishes more people understood before walking into a courtroom. Ron is also the author of An Elephant Doesn’t Marry a Giraffe: Everything I Learned as a Divorce Attorney, based on decades of experience handling divorce cases in New York. Think of this episode as a free consultation–with the kind of perspective that usually comes after years in family court. If you’re navigating divorce or thinking about it, connect with Amy Polacko for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info Learn more about Ron Bavero and his book: https://www.divorcedeverafter.com/

    What a Divorce Lawyer Wants You to Know (w/ Ron Bavero, Esq.)

  5. Aug 11

    Co-Parenting After Narcissistic Abuse (w/ Clinical Psychologist & Narcissist Abuse Expert Dr. Jaime Zuckerman)

    What happens when the relationship ends, but the control does not? In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Jaime Zuckerman to talk about the exhausting reality of co-parenting after narcissistic abuse. Divorce may end the relationship, but when children are involved, the manipulation, blame, chaos and control can continue through schedules, communication, school decisions, parenting apps and everyday logistics. Dr. Zuckerman explains why traditional co-parenting advice often fails with a narcissistic or high-conflict ex, how women can stop reacting to bait and blame and why protecting your peace requires strategy-not endless flexibility. This conversation is for any woman who has been told to “just co-parent” with someone who refuses to cooperate. You are not crazy. You may simply be trying to use healthy relationship tools with someone who never intended to play fair. If you’re navigating divorce or thinking about it, connect with Amy Polacko for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info Learn more about Dr. Jaime Zuckerman: Her book Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse: A Step-by-Step Guide to Reclaiming Your Power, will be released in September 2026 and is currently available for preorder on Amazon here. www.drjaimezuckerman.com www.zgrouptherapy.com IG: @dr.z_psychologist YT: Dr Jaime Zuckerman FB: Dr Jaime Zuckerman TT: @dr.z_psychologist

    Co-Parenting After Narcissistic Abuse (w/ Clinical Psychologist & Narcissist Abuse Expert Dr. Jaime Zuckerman)

  6. Jul 28

    Why the Stakes Are Higher in Gray Divorce (w/ Susan Guthrie)

    Gray divorce is having a moment–but for many women, it is more than a headline. It is the moment they finally admit they are done shrinking, settling or carrying the emotional weight of a marriage that no longer works. In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy talks with Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized family law attorney, mediator and host of Divorce & Beyond. Susan recently joined Oprah for a conversation about gray divorce and the fallout when long marriages end. Together, Amy and Susan dig into why divorce after 50 can feel so heightened: there is less time to recover financially, less runway to rebuild and often decades of identity, family expectations, invisible labor and grief wrapped into the decision. They also talk about why so many women are waking up later in life and asking: What do I want the rest of my life to look like? If you’re navigating divorce or thinking about it, connect with Amy Polacko for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info Learn more about Susan Guthrie and her Divorce & Beyond podcast here: https://divorceandbeyondpod.com IG: @divorceandbeyondpod LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie

    Why the Stakes Are Higher in Gray Divorce (w/ Susan Guthrie)

  7. Jul 14

    Winning After Toxic Love: Rewiring Your Brain & Reclaiming Your Life (w/ Jackie Miller)

    Leaving a toxic relationship does not always bring the freedom you expect. Even after it ends, your brain and nervous system may still be stuck in survival mode-replaying the conflict, bracing for the next attack and struggling to trust yourself again. In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy talks with Jackie Miller, author of Winning: Rewiring Your Brain and Reclaiming Your Life After Toxic Love. Jackie explains what emotional control and psychological abuse can do to the brain and body, why healing often takes longer than outsiders understand and how survivors can begin moving from chaos toward calm. In this episode: Why leaving does not automatically make you feel freeHow toxic relationships affect the brain and nervous systemWhy survivors may miss someone they do not want backHow manipulation erodes confidence and self-trustWhat it means to make calm your new normalPractical ways to disengage from toxic dynamics If you’re navigating divorce or thinking about it, connect with Amy Polacko for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info Learn more about Jackie Miller and her book, Winning: Rewiring Your Brain and Reclaiming Your Life After Toxic Love, at www.jackie-miller.com/book

    Winning After Toxic Love: Rewiring Your Brain & Reclaiming Your Life (w/ Jackie Miller)

  8. Jun 30

    Who Pays for College After Divorce? (w/ author of 'College Planning for Divorced & Widowed Parents' Vicki Vollweiler)

    College planning is stressful for any family–but when parents are divorced, separated, remarried, widowed or parenting on their own, the process can get even more complicated. In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy talks with Vicki Vollweiler, founder of College Financial Prep and author of College Planning for Divorced & Widowed Parents, about what families need to know before the tuition bills arrive. Amy shares how her own divorce decrees left out important details about college, and why parents need to think ahead before FAFSA forms, college visits, deadlines, deposits and disagreements begin. Vicki explains the biggest mistakes divorced parents make, why vague language like “we’ll split college costs” can create problems, and how families can reduce stress with better planning, clearer communication, and a realistic strategy. In this episode, we discuss: Why college planning is different after divorceWhat parents should address before senior yearHow FAFSA and financial aid can become more complicatedWhy court may not be a quick fix if one parent refuses to payHow to protect your child from being caught in the middle If you’re navigating divorce or thinking about it, connect with Amy Polacko for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info Learn more about Vicki’s work: Website: https://www.CollegeFinancialPrep.com Email: Vicki@CollegeFinancialPrep.com Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/CollegeFinancialPrep Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/CollegeFinancialPrep YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@collegefinancialprep LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-vollweiler/

    Who Pays for College After Divorce? (w/ author of 'College Planning for Divorced & Widowed Parents' Vicki Vollweiler)
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About

Hosted by Amy Polacko—Divorce Coach, investigative journalist (Ms. Magazine, HuffPost, The Guardian), and champion for women’s autonomy—GIRL, WAKE UP! is your unfiltered blueprint for navigating high-conflict divorce, family court, and systemic oppression without losing your peace, your money, or your mind. Long before reporting on high-profile cultural cases and systemic failures, Amy lived through them. As a mother, survivor, and two-time divorcee who fought her way to freedom, she bridges the gap between sharp legal and financial strategy and deep spiritual recovery. You don't have to choose between healing your heart and protecting your assets. You can do both. On Girl Wake Up, we dive deep into: • High-Conflict & Court Strategy: Tactical blueprints to outsmart toxic exes, protect your wealth, and proactively navigate a rigged family court system. • Cultural Commentary & Investigations: Unfiltered breakdowns of pop culture cases, domestic abuse, and the hidden patriarchal structures holding women back. • Spiritual Autonomy & Healing: Reclaiming your power, intuition, and identity so you can build a life on your own terms. Stop being systematically disadvantaged. Understand the system, protect your future, and wake up to your power. Connect & Work With Amy: 💻 Coaching & Resources: freedomwarrior.info 📸 Join 50k+ Women: instagram.com/freedomwarriortribe 🔔 Subscribe & hit the bell for new episodes, guides, and live breakdowns. 🎧 Subscribe & leave a 5-star review to help more women find this movement.

Information

  • Creator
    Amy Polacko
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Amy Polacko
  • Show Website
    Girl, Wake Up!

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