Girl, Wake Up!

Amy Polacko
  • 0.0 (0)
  • RELATIONSHIPS

Girl, Wake Up! is a new podcast for women who are tired of living by rules they never wrote. Hosted by divorce coach, founder, & award-winning journalist Amy Polacko, each episode welcomes industry experts to talk honestly about power, relationships, money, divorce, and the cultural myths about women that need to go.

  1. Who Gets The House In Divorce? (w/ Mortgage Expert John Marroni)

    3 DAYS AGO

    Who Gets The House In Divorce? (w/ Mortgage Expert John Marroni)

    For many women, the family home feels like the heart of the family–the place tied to stability, memories and the future they imagined. But in divorce, decisions about the house can quickly become complicated, emotional, and financially risky. In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Divorce Coach Amy Polacko is joined by mortgage advisor and Certified Divorce Lending Professional John Marroni to talk about what divorcing women need to know before deciding whether to keep the home, sell it, or start over somewhere new. Because what looks good in a divorce agreement still has to work in real life. This episode covers: • Why keeping the house is not always as simple as being awarded it in divorce • The difference between emotional attachment and financial reality • How buyouts work and what women need to understand before agreeing to one • Whether you can take over an existing mortgage• How HELOCs and other debts can complicate the picture • When selling the family home may actually be the smartest move • The importance of getting answers early, before a settlement is signed If you’re navigating divorce and trying to make smart, strategic decisions, connect with Amy for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info John's info: Website: https://www.divorcelendingassociation.com/offices/john-marroni.cfm LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmarroni/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnmarronidkmc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marronijohn/ #girlwakeup #podcast #takeyourpowerback #divorcesupport #financialeducation

    34 min
  2. Family Court Isn't Fair (w/ Divorce Attorney Kimberly Cook)

    14 APR

    Family Court Isn't Fair (w/ Divorce Attorney Kimberly Cook)

    Too many women enter divorce believing family court will be the place where fairness finally shows up. Instead, many find a system that is expensive, exhausting, slow and often blind to power imbalances playing out behind closed doors. In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy sits down with Chicago divorce attorney and mediator Kimberly Cook for a candid conversation about why family court so often does not feel fair-and what women need to understand before they enter it. Kimberly shares what shifted for her after the pandemic, when she began moving away from litigation and toward mediation. In this episode, we cover: Why so many women walk away from family court feeling shocked and disillusionedWhat Kimberly saw in litigation that led to her own professional wakeup callHow the pandemic changed the way she viewed divorce and dispute resolutionWhat mediation can do well — and where it can fall shortWhen mediation is not safe, balanced or appropriateHow women can better prepare themselves before stepping into divorce or family court Learn more about Kimberly A. Cook: Schiller DuCanto Fleck: https://sdflaw.com/team/detail/kimberly-a-cook LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyjohnsoncook Instagram: @growngirldivorce Podcast: available on iTunes, Spotify, IHeartRadio, Audible How to connect with Amy Polacko: Book a free Divorce or Life Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here. Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube or on your favorite podcast platform: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts –––––– 0:00 - 00:45 Podcast Intro: Girl Wake Up 00:45 - 02:43 Episode Overview: Family Court Realities | Introducing Kimberly Cook 2:44 - 6:36 The Disconnect Between TV and Reality | Expectations vs. Experience | The 5% Trial Myth 6:37 - 14:08 Litigation vs. Mediation 14:09 - 17:30 Navigating Power Imbalances | Financial Abuse and Mediation Concerns | Creating Balance with Attorney Assistance 17:31 - 21:41 Strategic Preparation for Divorce | Educating Yourself on Legal Basics | Uncovering Hidden Financial Knowledge | The Reality Show Timeline Strategy | Modern Trends in Divorce Settlements | 21:42 - 27:54 The High Cost of Legal Conflict High Conflict Case Options | The Reality of Legal Billing The Role of a Divorce Coach 27:55 - 37:37 Listener Advice: Truth, Traps, and Tactics | Truth or Trap: Flexibility in Court Letter: Feeling Scrutinized by the System | Reframing the Narrative for Judges | Battles vs. The Long Game Strategy 37:37 Conclusion and Resources

    39 min
  3. Understanding Betrayal Trauma (w/ Dr. Jill Manning)

    7 APR

    Understanding Betrayal Trauma (w/ Dr. Jill Manning)

    Betrayal doesn’t just break your heart, it can break your sense of reality. In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, we’re unpacking betrayal trauma–why it’s so uniquely devastating and what it actually does to your mind and body when trust is shattered. Amy is joined by Dr. Jill Manning, a leading expert in betrayal trauma, to talk about the real impact of infidelity, secrecy and hidden behaviors–and why so many women feel destabilized after discovering the truth. We also explore how pornography is shaping both young people and adult relationships in ways many aren’t talking about. We cover: • What makes betrayal trauma different from typical heartbreak • The psychological impact of infidelity and deception • Why women often feel confused, anxious or “crazy” after betrayal • How pornography is influencing expectations, intimacy and trust • Where healing begins after your reality has been shaken --- Learn more about Dr. Jill Manning’s work:Website: https://drjillmanning.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjillmanning/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjillmanning/ Two-Day Intensives: https://drjillmanning.com/intensives/ Digital Downloads: https://drjillmanning.com/digital-downloads/ Directory of Betrayal Trauma experts: www.APSATS.org How to connect with Amy Polacko: Book a free Divorce or Life Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here. Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts ----- Episode Timestamp: 00:01 - 00:45 Girl Wake Up! Intro 00:46 - 02:44 Introduction to Betrayal Trauma & guest Dr. Jill Manning 02:45 - 06:04 The "Wake Up" that changed the course of Dr. Manning's career path 07:53 - 10:12 Betrayal Trauma Explained (This isn't just "heart break"– it's neurological) 11:21 - 11:58 Secondary Trauma & the psychological & physiological effects 13:16 - 13:54 Gaslighting is commonly involved in Betrayal Trauma 13:55 - 14:31 Why your support & surroundings matter during trauma 14:57 - 17:40 How does your brain + body respond when your partner cheats? 18:08 - 21:37 Your nervous system is on fire – fight or flight -vs- freeze response & getting help 21:45 - 26:50 Betrayal Trauma & Gaslighting 26:54 - 28:25 The three phases of navigating betrayal 28:26 - 30:55 Betrayal Trauma & making good decisions in the divorce process 32:33 - 35:16 Why specialize care matters in life & divorce 37:28 - 41:06 Truth or Trap: Is pornography harmless as long as it doesn't involve cheating? 41:38 - 43:30 Sexual Ethics & Values as a metric 50:00 - 50:36 Final thoughts 50:37 - 50:58 GIRL, WAKE UP! outro

    47 min
  4. Feminism Rebooted: What Women Do Now (w/ Dr. Marcie Bianco)

    31 MAR

    Feminism Rebooted: What Women Do Now (w/ Dr. Marcie Bianco)

    Feminism is at a turning point.For years, women were told we were making steady progress—that equality was inevitable. But in today’s world, many of those assumptions are being challenged. Rights are being rolled back. Misogyny feels louder. And women are left asking: Was that progress real—or were we sold a version of empowerment that didn’t fully protect us? In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, I sit down with feminist scholar and writer Dr. Marcie Bianco to unpack what feminism looks like right now—in a moment of backlash, confusion and cultural shift. This is not a surface-level conversation. We go deeper—questioning where feminism has succeeded, where it may have fallen short, and what women need to understand moving forward. In This Episode, We Cover:Why feminism may need a reboot in today’s climateThe difference between real power vs. the illusion of empowermentThe growing backlash against feminism and what it meansWhat modern feminism gets right—and where it needs to evolveHow feminism shows up in dating, relationships and everyday lifeWhat women should be paying attention to right nowPractical ways women can take back agency and protect themselves Learn more about Dr. Marcie Bianco here: marciebianco.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcie-bianco/ https://www.instagram.com/marciebianco/?hl=en Book a free Divorce or Life Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here. Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

    39 min
  5. Follow the Money: How Spouses Hide Assets in Divorce (w/ Forensic Accountant Sara Nanchanatt)

    24 MAR

    Follow the Money: How Spouses Hide Assets in Divorce (w/ Forensic Accountant Sara Nanchanatt)

    In my work, I help a lot of women who are escaping coercive control—and that often includes financial abuse. Often for years, they’ve been kept in the dark, shut out of accounts or made to feel like they don’t need to understand the money. And then, when divorce begins, things don’t just feel confusing… they start disappearing.Even if you have felt like you knew where the family assets were, they can also start mysteriously moving around! In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, I sit down with forensic accountant Sara Nanchanatt to expose what really happens behind the scenes when spouses try to hide assets. From secret accounts to “missing” income, we break down the financial games that can cost women everything if they’re not paying attention. Because here’s the truth: if you don’t follow the money, you may never see it. In This Episode, We Cover:What a forensic accountant actually does in divorce casesThe most common ways spouses hide moneyRed flags that something isn’t adding upWhy “I don’t have the money” is often not the full storyHow lifestyle can reveal more than financial documentsThe truth about cash businesses, cryptocurrency and hidden incomeWhen to bring in a forensic expert—and why timing mattersThe biggest mistakes women make when it comes to finances in divorceHow to protect yourself before and during the process You can learn more about Sara on her S.N. Forensics website–tell her that Amy sent you: https://www.snforensics.com/ Book a free Divorce or Life Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here. Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

    35 min
  6. Coercive Control: The Danger Our System Misses (w/ Crime Analyst Laura Richards)

    17 MAR

    Coercive Control: The Danger Our System Misses (w/ Crime Analyst Laura Richards)

    Violence against women is often described as unpredictable. But according to one of the world’s leading criminologists, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy speaks with Laura Richards, a global expert on coercive control, stalking and risk assessment. Richards has spent decades studying the patterns behind men’s violence and the warning signs that are too often dismissed by police, courts and other institutions. In this episode:What coercive control really is–and why it’s often misunderstoodWhy violence against women is predictable, not randomThe warning signs professionals frequently miss or minimizeWhy separation and divorce can increase danger for womenHow charm and social status can obscure dangerous behaviorWhy institutions often label women “low risk” before tragedy Where to find Laura Richards: YouTube @crimeanalyst Instagram @crimeanalyst @laurarichards999 Twitter @thecrimeanalyst @laurarichards99 TikTok @crimeanalystpod Websites www.crime-analyst.com https://www.thelaurarichards.com, https://www.dashriskchecklist.com/

    51 min
  7. The Rise of the F-You Ring (w/ Influencer Alex Weinstein & jeweler Mollie Suarez)

    10 MAR

    The Rise of the F-You Ring (w/ Influencer Alex Weinstein & jeweler Mollie Suarez)

    For generations, rings symbolized a promise to someone else.Now, more women are wearing them for a different reason–and the term “divorce ring” isn’t always strong enough. That’s where the F-You Ring comes in. It’s a growing term among women who choose to mark the end of a relationship not with silence or shame–but with a symbol of independence. In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy speaks with Alex Weinstein, an influencer who went viral after creating her own F-You ring after a breakup, and Mollie Suarez, a jeweler who designed one for herself after divorce and now helps other women create theirs. Both women were featured in Amy’s recent Guardian article on the rise of F-You Rings, and together they explore why more women are reclaiming jewelry–and their stories–on their own terms. In this episode:• How Alex Weinstein’s breakup inspired her to create her own F-You ring • Why Mollie Suarez began designing these rings for women after experiencing divorce herself • The emotional power of reclaiming an engagement diamond or creating something new • Why the idea of women buying meaningful jewelry for themselves is gaining momentum • What the F-You ring really represents–anger, closure, freedom or reinvention • How women are rewriting the narrative around divorce and breakups • The deeper cultural shift behind this trend Follow Alex Weinstein on Instagram: @alexandrajaye Learn more about Mollie Suarez’ Westshore Diamond: https://www.westshorediamond.com Follow Westshore Diamond on Instagram: @westshorediamond Book a free Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here. Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

    42 min
  8. The System Protects Men & Women Go To Jail (w/ "Dear Sister" Author Michelle Horton)

    3 MAR

    The System Protects Men & Women Go To Jail (w/ "Dear Sister" Author Michelle Horton)

    What happens when a woman fights back–and survives?In this powerful episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy sits down with Michelle Horton, author of Dear Sister, to unpack the story of Michelle’s sister, Nikki Addimando, who was incarcerated after defending herself against her abusive partner. This conversation is bigger than one case. It’s about a system that routinely misunderstands coercive control, ignores patterns of abuse and punishes women for refusing to die quietly. We explore: Why self-defense is so difficult to prove in long-term abuse casesHow coercive control gets erased in courtroomsThe myth of the “perfect victim”What prison does to survivors of traumaWhy women who fight back are often portrayed as perpetratorsWhat needs to change legally and culturally When a man claims self-defense, it’s often seen as strength. When a woman does, it can become a life sentence. No woman should have to choose between being abused and being incarcerated. This episode is a wake-up call about how our justice system handles domestic abuse–and why survival should never be criminalized. Get Michelle Horton’s book here. Learn more about Michelle on her website: MichelleHortonWriter.com And their campaign: WeStandWithNikki.com Follow her on Instagram @michellehortonwriter and @westandwithnikki Book a free Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here. Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

    45 min
See All (16)

Trailer

About

Girl, Wake Up! is a new podcast for women who are tired of living by rules they never wrote. Hosted by divorce coach, founder, & award-winning journalist Amy Polacko, each episode welcomes industry experts to talk honestly about power, relationships, money, divorce, and the cultural myths about women that need to go.

Information

  • Creator
    Amy Polacko
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Amy Polacko
  • Show Website
    Girl, Wake Up!

You Might Also Like