How to Survive Divorce Podcast

Chrissy Murphy
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  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Semiweekly

Divorce can feel like a complete life meltdown—but you don't have to navigate it alone. How to Survive Divorce Without a Rebound, Chocolate Coma or Complete Life Meltdown is for mothers facing separation and divorce who are carrying the weight of heartbreak, co-parenting, financial stress, and starting over. Each week, you'll hear honest conversations, practical advice, expert insights, and real stories to help you move through the chaos with more clarity, confidence, and support. Because surviving divorce isn't about having all the answers—it's about taking the next step, one day at a time. Contact details for people to reach me: me@thisismechrissy.com or through my website www.thisismechrissy.com 

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    How to Support a Mother Going Through Divorce (Without Losing Yourself in the Process)

    Divorce doesn't just change the life of the mother going through it—it changes the lives of the people who love her too. If you're watching a friend, sister, daughter, colleague or loved one navigate divorce and thinking, "I don't know how to help anymore," this episode is for you. And if you're the mother walking through separation, you'll finally feel seen, understood and validated in ways you may never have experienced before. In this deeply personal episode, Chrissy shares what is really happening beneath the surface during the survival season of divorce. Why does she seem like a completely different person? Why do well-intentioned conversations sometimes make things worse? And how can the people around her offer genuine support without losing themselves in the process? Drawing on her own experience, Chrissy explores the emotional reality of divorce, the hidden grief many people never see, and the small acts of kindness that can have a lasting impact. Whether you're supporting someone through separation or living it yourself, this conversation offers a new perspective on connection, compassion and hope. If this episode reminds you of someone, please share it with them. It could be the conversation that helps them feel less alone. Chapters 00:00 Welcome & why this episode is different 02:00 A powerful exercise to understand divorce from the inside 08:15 What survival mode really looks like 16:30 Why trying to "fix" her often doesn't help 20:45 The kind of support that changes everything 28:00 Small acts that create lasting hope 31:45 A message for both supporters and separated mums Resources If this episode resonated with you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Together, we can create more understanding, compassion and support for mothers navigating one of life's hardest seasons. You can learn more at: https://www.thisismechrissy.com or contact Chrissy at me@thisismechrissy.com

  2. Jul 20

    Think You’re Coping? Alcohol, Sex, Dating, Busyness & Other Divorce Traps

    Think you’re coping? If you've ever wondered why the pain keeps resurfacing despite doing everything you can to distract yourself, this episode is for you. Divorce can leave you reaching for anything that promises relief—chocolate, wine, dating apps, casual sex, endless work, intense workouts or simply staying busy enough not to think. The coping strategies that feel harmless today can quietly become the very things standing between you and the life you're trying to rebuild. Left unchecked, they don't just keep you stuck—they can affect your health, your future relationships and the emotional environment your children grow up in. In this honest and compassionate episode, Chrissy Murphy explores the coping strategies so many women turn to during separation and divorce. Without judgement or shame, she invites you to become curious about the habits that may be keeping you stuck, and how small, kinder choices can help you move towards genuine healing. Need More Support? Chrissy also offers one-on-one coaching and a four-week How to Survive Divorce programme. You can learn more at: https://www.thisismechrissy.com or contact Chrissy at me@thisismechrissy.com Episode Highlights 00:00 – Welcome & why we avoid emotional pain 02:37 – What avoidance really looks like 03:24 – Chocolate, wine & emotional numbing 06:47 – When healthy habits become unhealthy 08:17 – Dating apps, validation & new relationships 10:13 – Overworking, cleaning & staying busy 12:02 – Why avoidance affects important decisions 19:22 – You can't outrun grief forever 21:30 – Chrissy's burnout & panic attack story 24:59 – Building healthier coping strategies 26:01 – Self-love before dating 28:29 – What to do when you slip backwards 29:02 – The biggest takeaway for your healing journey

  3. Jul 13

    Episode 3: Healthy Boundaries After Divorce: What to Do when Your Ex Won’t Cooperate

    Episode Summary Setting boundaries with an ex after divorce sounds simple—until you're the one trying to enforce them. In this episode, Chrissy explores why boundaries can feel so difficult, especially when you're dealing with a controlling, manipulative, emotionally immature, or high-conflict ex-partner. If you've ever found yourself over-explaining, defending every decision, or walking on eggshells just to keep the peace, this conversation will help you understand why those patterns are so hard to break. Chrissy unpacks one of the biggest myths about boundaries: they are not designed to change someone else's behaviour. Instead, healthy boundaries are about deciding what you will and won't participate in. Through honest stories from her own divorce journey, she explains how accepting that your ex may never become the co-parent you hoped for can actually become the beginning of your freedom. Acceptance isn't about approval or giving up—it's about stopping the exhausting fight against reality so you can focus on what you can control. The episode also explores the hidden role of people-pleasing after divorce. Many parents have spent years keeping everyone else comfortable, avoiding conflict, and carrying the emotional load for the family. That history can make healthy boundaries feel selfish, cold or even cruel. Chrissy explains why those feelings are completely normal and why the discomfort often means you're building healthier habits rather than doing something wrong. One of the most powerful discussions centres on parenting through disappointment. Chrissy shares the painful truth that we cannot protect our children from every hurt caused by another parent's choices. Instead of trying to rescue them from every difficult experience, she explains how we can become their safe place—helping them process emotions, build resilience and learn they can survive life's challenges with our love and support beside them. You'll also hear practical strategies you can begin using immediately, including why taking a pause before replying to difficult messages can completely change the outcome of a conversation, how to communicate with greater confidence instead of reacting emotionally, and why strengthening your own self-worth makes it easier to maintain boundaries without guilt. Chrissy also shares a simple exercise to help you identify where boundaries are needed and how to start putting them into practice. Whether you're newly separated or years into co-parenting, this episode offers compassionate guidance, practical tools and reassuring reminders that protecting your peace doesn't make you difficult—it makes healing possible. If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to be kind, compassionate and still stand your ground, you won't want to miss this conversation. Need More Support? Chrissy also offers one-on-one coaching and a four-week How to Survive Divorce programme. You can learn more at: https://www.thisismechrissy.com Or contact Chrissy at: me@thisismechrissy.com Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome and why boundaries are so challenging after divorce. 02:00 – The biggest misconception about boundaries. 03:05 – Why acceptance is the first step toward protecting your peace. 05:30 – How people-pleasing makes boundaries feel uncomfortable. 07:45 – You're responsible for your behaviour, not your ex's reaction. 08:55 – Why you can't protect your children from every disappointment. 10:35 – Coaching programme and additional support. 11:00 – Letting go of control while supporting your children. 13:20 – What healthy boundaries actually look like. 14:18 – The power of pausing before responding. 16:25 – How self-worth strengthens your boundaries. 17:45 – A practical exercise to help you create healthier boundaries. 18:25 – Final takeaway: boundaries protect your peace—not your ex's behaviour.

  4. Jul 6

    Episode 2: The Invisible Load Every Divorced Mother Carries - Why separation can leave you exhausted, forgetful and emotionally overwhelmed.

    The Invisible Load Every Divorced Mother Carries Why separation can leave you exhausted, forgetful and emotionally overwhelmed. Have you ever stood in the supermarket and forgotten why you were there? Cried because someone asked what was for dinner? Walked into a room only to completely lose your train of thought? If you're going through separation or divorce and wondering, "What's wrong with me?"—this episode is for you. In this honest conversation, I unpack what divorce is really doing to your brain, body, and nervous system, and why so many mothers feel like they're barely holding it together. We'll explore why may feel exhausted, why simple decisions may suddenly feel impossible, and why the emotional load of divorce is so much heavier than most people realise. You'll also learn about the four survival responses with relevant examples directly related to separation and how they quietly shape the way you cope during one of life's biggest transitions. Most importantly, you'll discover why your reactions make sense and why you don't need to carry the shame that so many women do. If you've been telling yourself to "just get it together," this episode is your reminder that you're not weak—you've been carrying an invisible load for far too long. You'll walk away with a deeper understanding of what's happening inside your body, practical ways to begin calming your nervous system, and the reassurance that healing doesn't start with being stronger—it starts with understanding yourself. Take a breath, press play, and know you're not walking this road alone. Need More Support? Chrissy also offers one-on-one coaching and a four-week How to Survive Divorce programme. You can learn more at: https://www.thisismechrissy.com or contact Chrissy at me@thisismechrissy.com 00:51 — Why Divorce Can Make You Feel Broken Chrissy begins the episode by exploring why divorce can leave women feeling overwhelmed, forgetful, emotional and as though they are losing their mind. 04:33 — Understanding the Nervous System Chrissy breaks down the nervous system in simple terms, describing it as the body’s internal safety system that constantly asks, “Am I safe right now?” 05:30 — When Emotional Danger Feels Like Physical Danger This chapter explores why the brain and body can respond to divorce stress as though they are under threat, creating symptoms such as panic, insomnia and brain fog. 06:50 — Fight, Flight, Freeze and Fawn Chrissy introduces the four main nervous system survival responses and explains that there is no “right” way to respond to trauma or stress. 07:48 — Fight: Anger, Control and Defensiveness 09:49 — Flight: Constant Busyness and Avoidance 10:51 — Freeze: Numbness, Shutdown and Disconnection 12:27 — Fawn: People-Pleasing and Over-Accommodating 14:00 — The Invisible Emotional Load of Divorce This chapter explores how women are often expected to keep parenting, working, managing school life and making major decisions while internally falling apart. 16:34 — Decision Fatigue and Chronic Overwhelm Chrissy shares how even simple choices, such as what to eat for dinner, can feel impossible when your system is overloaded. 17:57 — Why You Cannot Think Your Way Out of This Chrissy explains why overthinking, analysing and replaying the past cannot heal an overwhelmed nervous system on their own. 20:21 — Regulation techniques and tools Chrissy explores different ways to regulate and calm the body to help manage through this season. Podcast references (no affiliations) Book mentioned: Breath by James NestorDavid Hawkins’ Map of ConsciousnessBook mentioned: Power vs Force by David Hawkins

  5. Jun 29

    Episode 1: Why you can’t just “move on” after divorce

    Why can divorce feel like one of the hardest losses to explain? In this opening episode Chrissy explores the hidden grief of divorce and why it often feels so confusing, overwhelming and isolating. Through personal stories, practical insights and gentle guidance, she offers a new way to understand what you're experiencing and why it's not so easy to just "move on." Drawing on her own lived experience, Chrissy shares the hidden side of divorce grief that few people talk about. She explores why this kind of loss can feel so different from other forms of grief, the surprising emotions that often catch women off guard, and one concept that helps explain why letting go can feel so difficult. You'll also hear practical, compassionate strategies to help you navigate the emotional ups and downs without feeling like you're doing it "wrong." Whether you're newly separated or years into your healing journey, this conversation is a reminder that understanding your grief is often the first step towards finding peace. If this episode resonates with you, please like, share and subscribe so you do not miss future episodes. And if you know another woman who is going through divorce, please send this episode to her. It may be exactly the reminder she needs today. Need More Support? Chrissy also offers one-on-one coaching and a four-week How to Survive Divorce programme. You can learn more at: https://www.thisismechrissy.com or contact Chrissy at me@thisismechrissy.com Timestamped Chapters 02:10 – Why Divorce Grief Feels Different 03:30 – What You Are Really Grieving 05:30 – The Emotional Roller Coaster 07:10 – Understanding Ambiguous Grief 09:20 – Why Other People May Not Understand 11:56 – How Grief Can Show Up 15:55 – Strategy One: Name What You Are Experiencing 17:45 – Strategy Two: Stop Expecting Consistency 19:30 – Strategy Three: Create Small Daily Anchors 22:20 – Strategy Four: Interrupt the Meaning-Making Spiral 24:00 – Strategy Five: Allow Mixed Emotions 26:30 – Be Intentional About Your Inputs 28:15 – Stay Connected 29:45 – One Small Step at a Time 31:16 – Important Disclaimer

  6. Trailer

    How to Survive Divorce

    Welcome to How to Survive Divorce Without a Rebound, Chocolate Coma or Complete Life Meltdown — a podcast for mothers navigating separation, divorce, heartbreak, co-parenting, financial stress, and the overwhelming reality of starting over. Divorce can feel like your whole life has been turned upside down. One moment you are trying to hold everything together for your children, and the next you are quietly falling apart behind closed doors. This podcast is for the mums who are exhausted from making decisions, managing emotions, dealing with conflict, carrying new responsibilities, and wondering whether anyone truly understands how hard this season of life can be. Hosted by Chrissy, this podcast offers honest conversations about what divorce is really like — the grief, fear, anger, overwhelm, uncertainty, and the daily strength it takes to keep going, even when your heart is breaking. The trailer introduces the heart of the show: support, understanding, practical advice, expert insights, real stories, and gentle reminders that you do not have to walk through this alone.  This is not a podcast about pretending everything is fine. It is not about rushing your healing or having all the answers. It is about helping you get through the days that feel unbearable, finding support in the chaos, and taking the next step — one day, one decision, one breath at a time. Whether you are newly separated, deep in the divorce process, co-parenting through conflict, rebuilding your confidence, or simply trying to work out who you are now, this podcast is here to help you feel understood, supported, and a little less alone. Contact Chrissy: Email: me@thisismechrissy.com Website: www.thisismechrissy.com

Trailer

About

Divorce can feel like a complete life meltdown—but you don't have to navigate it alone. How to Survive Divorce Without a Rebound, Chocolate Coma or Complete Life Meltdown is for mothers facing separation and divorce who are carrying the weight of heartbreak, co-parenting, financial stress, and starting over. Each week, you'll hear honest conversations, practical advice, expert insights, and real stories to help you move through the chaos with more clarity, confidence, and support. Because surviving divorce isn't about having all the answers—it's about taking the next step, one day at a time. Contact details for people to reach me: me@thisismechrissy.com or through my website www.thisismechrissy.com 

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