Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast Karen McMahon

Welcome to an incredibly poignant episode where we delve into the heart-wrenching world of sexual infidelity, and betrayal. Today, we explore not just the pain but the profound decisions that come in its aftermath—whether to mend the bond or part ways. Joined by a renowned infidelity expert, we'll provide you with both professional insights and compassionate advice to navigate these turbulent waters.

In today’s episode, we are going to navigate through some of the most heart-wrenching conversations that come with the decision of divorce as we delve into the delicate art of communicating about divorce with your spouse and children, as well as your wider circle of family and friends.

If the person you pledged to spend your life with has just revealed they want a divorce, you're likely reeling from a whirlwind of emotions. This episode of our podcast delves deep into the heart-wrenching situation of being in a high-conflict marriage where one partner wants out while the other holds on.

We’re diving into a topic that many of you are eager to learn about. Now, imagine being on a rollercoaster, not just any rollercoaster, but one where the ups are few and the downs are many, and often quite triggering. That's a bit what it feels like. 

When you’re divorcing a narcissist, it's not just about legal battles; it’s an emotional journey where the usual playbook doesn’t always apply. The biggest challenges often come from the constant unpredictability and the emotional manipulation involved. Narcissists will often use tactics like gaslighting, where they make you question your own reality and sanity, or stone-walling, where they shut down communication to throw you off.

8 years ago, Clint reached out after listening to a JBD podcast. His wife had just told him she wanted a divorce. He was reeling in all types of grief, unbelief, fear and uncertainty. He enrolled in a coaching program and began the hard work of looking at his marriage and himself.

Fast forward 8 years. His tween and teen kids are emerging adults, and he is proud of the job he did both parenting and coparenting. We talk about lessons learned, forgotten and learned again and how learning something and practicing and experiencing it are two very different things.

In the turbulent seas of high-conflict custody battles and family disputes, a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) serves as a lighthouse, guiding decisions in the best interest of the children involved. It’s crucial to understand when a GAL is needed, and what their role is.