The D. Tales with Allison Kahler

Allison Kahler

The D. Tales with Allison Kahler blends real divorce stories with grounded expert insight—helping you find clarity, feel connected, and courageously move forward on your own terms. For many people, divorce doesn’t start—or end—with a single decision. It unfolds through questions, doubts, and moments of reckoning: Should I stay or leave? Am I doing this “right”? What’s normal? What if I regret this? Whether you’re quietly wondering, deep in the thick of it, or trying to make sense of what just happened, The D. Tales creates space for the questions most people carry alone. Each episode features candid, deeply human stories from people who have faced these same decisions, alongside thoughtful conversations with experts who understand the emotional, legal, and financial realities of divorce. You won’t hear a single “right” answer here. Instead, you’ll hear diverse perspectives—so you can better understand your own. Divorce touches more than 40% of marriages, yet so many people experience it in silence, carrying unnecessary shame and isolation. The D. Tales brings these conversations out of the shadows—normalizing the uncertainty, the back-and-forth, the fear of getting it wrong, and the quiet hope that something better might be possible. Hosted by Allison Kahler—who once stood in that uncertain space herself and created the resource she wished existed—this podcast offers credible insight and real human connection. Not to rush you into a choice, and not to keep you stuck—but to help you make the right decisions for your marriage, navigate what comes next with clarity, and step into a future that may look very different than you imagined—and better than you thought possible. The D. Tales with Allison Kahler is produced by AK Venture Studio LLC.

  1. 2d ago

    Ep. 22: Starting Fresh When Divorce Happens — with Olivia Howell

    Today's conversation with Olivia Howell, CEO and co-founder of Fresh Starts Registry, is about what it actually takes to begin again after divorce, why the hardest part isn't replacing what you lost, and why no one should have to start fresh alone. In this episode: The toothbrush holder that changed everything — how one small, ordinary object became Olivia's permission to claim a new life: "this is my new life, I can have this"Why Olivia didn't recognize the coercive control in her own marriage until she was out — and how invisible it can be from the insideThe thinking behind a "divorce registry" — reframing the messy logistics of starting over as something worthy of support, not shame"Get Your Pink Back" — reclaiming the color, the joy, and the parts of yourself that quietly went missing inside the marriageWhy rebuilding after divorce is rarely about the stuff — and how changing the things around you slowly changes who you becomeWhy no one should have to start fresh alone — and how a "hype team" becomes the difference between surviving a divorce and rebuilding from it About Olivia Howell: Olivia is the CEO and co-founder of Fresh Starts Registry. A clinical hypnotherapist, certified divorce and life coach, and award-winning podcast producer — including the top-rated Divorce Happens — she built Fresh Starts with her sister Genevieve Dreizen after her own 2019 divorce, when she realized there was no real system to help people rebuild. She's also the author of the forthcoming Divorce Happens: A Compassionate Guide to Starting Fresh (Sheldon Press, 2027). Her writing has appeared in New York Magazine, Newsweek, and Business Insider, and her work has been shared by Monica Lewinsky, Shannon Watts, and Eve Rodsky. Follow Olivia on Instagram: @oliviahowell Follow Olivia on Threads: @oliviahowell Connect with Olivia on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oliviadreizenhowell About Fresh Starts Registry: Fresh Starts Registry is the first divorce registry of its kind — recognized as exactly that by Forbes, and credited by New York Magazine with "destigmatizing divorce." Founded by Olivia and her sister Genevieve Dreizen, it gives people a real system for starting over, and has supported millions worldwide through free resources, 150+ vetted experts, free 1:1 Zoom consults, and Divorce Guide Magazine — the only divorce magazine in America. Learn more about Fresh Starts Registry: freshstartsregistry.com Follow Fresh Starts Registry on Instagram: @freshstartsregistry Follow Fresh Starts Registry on Threads: @freshstartsregistry Connect with Fresh Starts Registry on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/freshstartsregistry Like Fresh Starts Registry on Facebook: facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry Episode-Specific Notes: Content note: This episode includes candid discussion of emotional abuse and coercive control. If you or someone you know needs support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788. This conversation offers general perspective on healing and starting over after divorce and is not personalized therapeutic, medical, or legal advice. Please consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation. Want to be a Registry Fairy? You can help someone else start fresh — Fresh Starts Registry lets you support people rebuilding after divorce by contributing to their registries. Learn how at https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/becomearegistryfairy. About "The D. Tales with Allison Kahler": The D. Tales blends real divorce stories with grounded expert insight — helping you find clarity and courage to move forward on your own terms. Follow The D. Tales wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow along on Instagram: @thedtalespodcast Learn more at https://thedtalespodcast.com This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, medical, mental health, or financial advice.

    50 min
  2. Jun 23

    Ep. 21: Prenups & Postnups — Does True Love Need Them?

    Sparked by the cultural firestorm around Belle Burden's “Strangers,” today's conversation with matrimonial attorney and CDFA Lisa Zeiderman opens up the talk we avoid: prenups, postnups, and why the most loving move is having the hard money conversation before you need it. In this episode: What Belle Burden's “Strangers” teaches about financial blindness — and the choices we make out of loveWho actually needs a prenup — and why it's not just for the wealthyWhat a postnup really is — and the life moments that make it worth putting in placeWhy prenups and postnups are becoming far more common — and less tabooHow to bring up the conversation without killing the romance — and why timing matters About Lisa Zeiderman: Lisa is Managing Partner at Miller Zeiderman LLP in New York — a matrimonial attorney, CFL, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst who handles complex, high-net-worth divorce and custody matters, along with prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. A contributor to Psychology Today, Board Chair of Savvy Ladies, and VP of the Board of Family Legal Care, she has been recognized as a New York Super Lawyer and named to Crain's New York lists of Notable Woman Attorneys and Notable Diverse Lawyers. She brings a practical, forward-looking approach to high-conflict dynamics, helping clients move through divorce with structure, informed decision-making, and a clear path toward independence. Website: lisazeiderman.com Follow Lisa on Instagram: @lisazeiderman About "The D. Tales with Allison Kahler": The D. Tales blends real divorce stories with grounded expert insight — helping you find clarity and courage to move forward on your own terms. Follow The D. Tales wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow along on Instagram: @thedtalespodcast Learn more at https://thedtalespodcast.com This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, medical, mental health, or financial advice.

    34 min
  3. Jun 16

    Ep. 20: My Adventures in Dating After Divorce — So Far (Solo)

    In this solo episode, I'm spilling the tea on my own adventures in dating after divorce — approximately 27 first dates, 3 pseudo-relationships, 1 situationship, and the 5 lessons it's taught me so far. In this episode: Why this episode felt scarier to record than my divorce stories — recording from the "messy middle" while I'm still living itThe early days: electric first kisses, my 3-date curse, getting stood up, and the questions no one prepares you for after divorceFrom dating "vanilla" in Chicago to taste-testing my way though 31 flavors in LA — the actor, the vegan paleontologist, the crypto finance bro, and moreWhy knowing what you want in a relationship isn’t just a checklist (I’m looking for a man in finance, trust fund, 6’5”, blue eyes) — but also how it makes you feelMy honest take on the dating apps — and the 3 reasons I'm stepping away, maybe for goodWhere my dating life stands today — and what I'm really looking for in an aligned partner and relationship Episode-Specific Notes: Email allison@thedtalespodcast.com to share your post-divorce dating stories — stay tuned for a potential compilation episode of others’ adventures in dating! About "The D. Tales with Allison Kahler": The D. Tales blends real divorce stories with grounded expert insight — helping you find clarity and courage to move forward on your own terms. Follow The D. Tales wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow along on Instagram: @thedtalespodcast Learn more at https://thedtalespodcast.com This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, medical, mental health, or financial advice.

    32 min
  4. Jun 9

    Ep. 19: "My Body Woke Up" — Coming Out and Coming Home to Myself

    After 25 years of marriage, Lisa Madsen's body "woke up" — and everything she thought she knew about love, marriage, and who she was came up for question. This is a story about coming out later in life, choosing to stay married while building a life with someone new, and discovering that when it comes to marriage, divorce, and family, there are no rules — you get to make them up. In this episode: The phone call from her college girlfriend that made her body "wake up" — and the question she couldn't stop asking: "What does this even mean?"Coming out in her twenties, "un-coming out" when she fell in love with her husband, and coming out again later in life — and what it meant to finally come home to herselfHow Lisa told her husband the truth — and the response that surprised everyone"Husband not husband": why she and her husband never divorced — and stayed close enough to share regular Wednesday dinnersBuilding a blended family across two states — and why she decided there are no rules except the ones you make About Lisa Madsen: Lisa is a certified life coach and licensed clinical social worker who works with people navigating big relationship transitions — including women coming out later in life — and helps them move forward with clarity and self-trust. After 25 years of marriage, her own life became one of the most unconventional, and loving, answers to the question of what "family" can look like. Learn more at www.lisamadsencoaching.com Follow Lisa on Instagram: @lifecoachforcaregivers Find Lisa on Psychology Today: Lisa Madsen, LCSW About "The D. Tales with Allison Kahler": The D. Tales blends real divorce stories with grounded expert insight — helping you find clarity and courage to move forward on your own terms. Follow The D. Tales wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow along on Instagram: @thedtalespodcast Learn more at https://thedtalespodcast.com This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, medical, mental health, or financial advice.

    31 min
  5. Jun 2

    Ep. 18: Overcoming Financial Anxiety in Divorce with the 6 Pillars of Intentional Money

    Today's conversation with financial advisor and CDFA® Leah Hadley explores what it looks like to rebuild a relationship with money that supports the life you actually want — especially during divorce, when financial anxiety and avoidance can take over. In this episode: Why divorce creates a real cash-flow shock at every income level — the same income suddenly has to support two householdsThe 6 pillars of the Intentional Money Method™ — clarity, values, mindset, strategy, action, and support — and how they work togetherWhat “clarity” actually looks like in practice — getting honest about what’s coming in, what’s going out, what you own, and what you oweWhy mindset is often the biggest blocker — the limiting beliefs and old stories running in the background that can shape how we negotiate, earn, save, and spend our moneyWhy we often have to take action before we feel ready — and how small, intentional steps build confidence over timePro tip: How to check your state’s unclaimed property database — and potentially reclaim hundreds or even thousands of dollars! About Leah Hadley: Leah Hadley, AFC®, CDFA®, MAFF®, is the Founder and Senior Wealth Advisor of Intentional Wealth Partners and Intentional Divorce Solutions. With nearly two decades of experience in financial services and her own lived experience of divorce, she specializes in helping women navigate divorce and major life transitions with clarity and confidence. Her new book, Intentional Money, is a practical guide designed to help women take control of their finances and build lasting independence. She is also the author of When It's Just Not Working: A Practical Divorce Guide for Stay-At-Home Moms. Learn more about Intentional Divorce Solutions: https://www.greatlakesdfs.com/ Follow Leah on Instagram: @watchherthrive Connect with Leah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahahadley/ Get Leah’s book Intentional Money: https://a.co/d/0ftSboBC Episode-Specific Notes: This conversation offers general perspective on divorce-related financial planning and is not personalized financial, legal, or tax advice. Please consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation. About "The D. Tales with Allison Kahler": The D. Tales blends real divorce stories with grounded expert insight — helping you find clarity and courage to move forward on your own terms. Follow The D. Tales wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow along on Instagram: @thedtalespodcast Learn more at https://thedtalespodcast.com This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, medical, mental health, or financial advice.

    36 min
  6. May 26

    Ep. 17: Loneliness Isn’t Being Alone — It’s Being Disconnected From Yourself

    Today’s conversation with holistic performance coach Dr. Brian Paris explores why loneliness isn’t the same thing as being alone — and how coming back to yourself changes everything about how you move through divorce, co-parenting, and love. In this episode: How Brian’s post-divorce loneliness revealed a deeper fear — “will I be alone forever?” — and what it showed him about self-connection“I mastered the science of achievement, but I really dropped on the art of fulfillment” — and what it looks like to rebuild from the inside outBrian’s four-part “human operating system” for coming home to yourself: awareness, embodiment, connection, and flowWhat a 10-day silent meditation retreat taught Brian about identity, presence, and creating space between your thoughts and your reactionsA practical reframe for co-parenting and post-divorce communication: empathy, “graceful expression,” and not handing someone a brick when they’re drowning About Dr. Brian Paris: Dr. Brian Paris is a holistic performance coach, speaker, and former chiropractor who helps high-achieving people navigate challenging transitions, including divorce, identity loss, and starting over. After building and leading a successful multidisciplinary healthcare practice for over two decades, Brian’s own experience of burnout, disconnection, and divorce became the catalyst for his deepest work — helping others rebuild from the inside out through neuroscience, somatic awareness, and ancient healing traditions. Learn more at www.drbrianparis.com Follow Brian on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook: @drbrianparis Connect with Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbrianparis/ About ManRebuild: ManRebuild is Brian’s program designed to help men rebuild from the inside out during and after divorce — grounding in awareness, embodiment, connection, and purpose. Learn more about ManRebuild: https://drbrianparis.com/manrebuild/ About "The D. Tales with Allison Kahler": The D. Tales blends real divorce stories with grounded expert insight — helping you find clarity and courage to move forward on your own terms. Follow The D. Tales wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow along on Instagram: @thedtalespodcast Learn more at https://thedtalespodcast.com This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, medical, mental health, or financial advice.

    33 min
  7. May 19

    Ep. 16: The Stories We Hide Behind — and the Ones That Set Us Free

    This is a story about… stories. The stories we hide behind. The stories we get stuck in. The stories we tell to justify the other stories. And the honest ones that set us free — the kind that allow us to feel seen, connect with others, and unlock true intimacy. In this episode: Why the "resilience" Renee built at 6 was actually a shield — and how it shaped a marriage where neither she nor her then-husband could be truly seenThe post-divorce dating reckoning — including catching a boyfriend who had lied about everything — that forced her to stop blaming and start questioning "why is my picker so broken?""Into-me-you-see" — why the intimacy Renee had been hiding from her whole life was the thing she'd been searching forWhat happens when a brand storyteller turns her craft on her own life — and why more honest stories became the throughline of everything that came nextHow radical honesty with strangers — Uber drivers, gardeners, first dates — became the unlikely training ground for real intimacyWhy divorce doesn't have to be a tragedy — and the reframe Renee offers anyone going through it: "I'm so sorry and congratulations." About Renee Lynn Frojo: Renee Frojo is a former journalist turned brand storytelling and content strategist who helps founders and solo business owners build brands people actually trust, believe in, and buy from. She works with founders, consultants, and creative entrepreneurs to clarify their message, develop compelling narratives, and turn their ideas into content that attracts the right opportunities. Her work sits at the intersection of storytelling, strategy, and human connection — helping people not just get seen, but truly understood. Website: reneelynnfrojo.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/renee-lynn-frojoThe LinkedIn post that inspired this episode: Read on LinkedIn About A Good Reputation: A Good Reputation is Renee's platform dedicated to teaching how stories shape trust, visibility, and ultimately who gets chosen. Website: agoodreputation.onlineNewsletter: Subscribe to A Good Reputation About "The D. Tales with Allison Kahler": The D. Tales blends real divorce stories with grounded expert insight — helping you find clarity and courage to move forward on your own terms. Follow The D. Tales wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow along on Instagram: @thedtalespodcast Learn more at https://thedtalespodcast.com This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, medical, mental health, or financial advice.

    39 min
  8. May 12

    Ep. 15: Dear Diary — The Day I Became Allison Kahler Again

    D-Day — your divorce day — can be years in the making and over in minutes. In this second "Dear Diary" solo episode, I revisit my own D-Day through the journal entries I wrote in the days before, during, and after — one of the most life-changing, yet surprisingly anticlimactic, moments of my life. In this episode: The quote I journaled on my 33rd birthday — 2 days before my divorce was finalized — that still holds 8 years later: "You can miss something and not want it back"What D-Day actually looked like — a 6am spin class, almost getting stood up by my own lawyer, and the tears that flowed once the judge made it finalThe 10 minutes in a courtroom that reduced years of emotional turmoil to a string of yes-or-no questions — and the surprising simplicity of the moment that changes everythingHow an unplanned trip to the Art Institute after leaving the courthouse helped me reconnect with my authentic self and the woman I was becomingThe last page of my journal — and the future I dared to imagine through Mary Oliver's words: "What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"Three things I'd tell anyone preparing for their own D-Day — expect nothing and everything, build yourself a plan, and allow yourself to dream what might be possible on the other side About "The D. Tales with Allison Kahler": The D. Tales blends real divorce stories with grounded expert insight — helping you find clarity and courage to move forward on your own terms. Follow The D. Tales wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow along on Instagram: @thedtalespodcast Learn more at https://thedtalespodcast.com This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, medical, mental health, or financial advice.

    25 min
5
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

The D. Tales with Allison Kahler blends real divorce stories with grounded expert insight—helping you find clarity, feel connected, and courageously move forward on your own terms. For many people, divorce doesn’t start—or end—with a single decision. It unfolds through questions, doubts, and moments of reckoning: Should I stay or leave? Am I doing this “right”? What’s normal? What if I regret this? Whether you’re quietly wondering, deep in the thick of it, or trying to make sense of what just happened, The D. Tales creates space for the questions most people carry alone. Each episode features candid, deeply human stories from people who have faced these same decisions, alongside thoughtful conversations with experts who understand the emotional, legal, and financial realities of divorce. You won’t hear a single “right” answer here. Instead, you’ll hear diverse perspectives—so you can better understand your own. Divorce touches more than 40% of marriages, yet so many people experience it in silence, carrying unnecessary shame and isolation. The D. Tales brings these conversations out of the shadows—normalizing the uncertainty, the back-and-forth, the fear of getting it wrong, and the quiet hope that something better might be possible. Hosted by Allison Kahler—who once stood in that uncertain space herself and created the resource she wished existed—this podcast offers credible insight and real human connection. Not to rush you into a choice, and not to keep you stuck—but to help you make the right decisions for your marriage, navigate what comes next with clarity, and step into a future that may look very different than you imagined—and better than you thought possible. The D. Tales with Allison Kahler is produced by AK Venture Studio LLC.

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