Divorce Coaches Academy

Tracy Callahan and Debra Doak
  • 4.8 (21)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Divorce Coaches Academy podcast hosts Tracy Callahan and Debra Doak are on a mission to revolutionize the way families navigate divorce. We discuss topics to help professional divorce coaches succeed with clients and meet their business goals and we advocate (loudly sometimes) for the critical role certified divorce coaches play in the alternative dispute resolution process. Our goal is to create a community of divorce coaching professionals committed to reducing the financial and emotional impact of divorce on families.

  1. 1d ago

    When Conflict Keeps Repeating: Interrupting Patterns Through Exhale–Explore–Engage® - Masha Rusanov

    Why do clients keep reacting in ways they regret, even when they know better? In this episode of the Divorce Coaches Academy® Podcast, Tracy Callahan speaks with conflict expert, mediator, DCA® Certified ADR Divorce Coach, and author Masha Rusanov about the unconscious patterns that keep people trapped in recurring divorce and co-parenting conflict. Masha introduces the Exhale, Explore, Engage® framework from her book, Repatterned: How to Transform Your Conflict Defaults and Reclaim Your Life. Together, they explore why familiar reactions become automatic under stress, how nervous system activation limits access to communication skills, and why waiting for the other person to change gives away personal agency. They also discuss how divorce coaches can help clients recognize their contribution to a conflict dynamic without assigning blame or stepping outside the scope of coaching. High conflict does not mean a resolution-focused approach will not work. It means clients may first need the awareness and capacity to interrupt old patterns and choose a different response. Lasting change does not begin when conflict disappears. It begins when we recognize the pattern and realize we have another choice. Learn more about Masha: Masha Rusanov is a conflict expert, DCA® Certified ADR Divorce Coach, ICF Certified Coach, and a mediator with a Master's in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, and Peacebuilding. She works with individuals and organizations navigating conflict and high-stakes relationship dynamics. Before building her divorce coaching and conflict resolution practice, she spent over two decades in tech at companies like Google and Intuit. "Repatterned" is her latest book. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, with her blended family. https://www.masharusanov.com/ Purchase Repatterned: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1957917911

  2. Jul 15

    Founding Principles: What America's 250th Can Teach Us About Building a Profession Worth Trusting

    What makes divorce coaching a profession worthy of public trust? Inspired by America’s 250th anniversary, Tracy Callahan reflects on the founding principles that can guide divorce coaching as it grows around the world. She explores why the profession must be grounded in self determination, ethical practice, informed decision making, interdisciplinary collaboration, and respect for the limits of the divorce coaching role. This episode of the Divorce Coaches Academy® Podcast invites divorce coaches and other family law professionals to look beyond titles and services and consider the profession we are building together. The future of divorce coaching will not be defined by personalities. It will be defined by the principles each generation chooses to uphold. Learn more about professional divorce coach training and the ADR Divorce Coach Certification program at Divorce Coaches Academy®.

  3. Jul 8

    Working With Clients Beyond Divorce with Connie Crowe Haralson author of Wired to Glow

    What happens when a mental health professional finds herself navigating betrayal, manipulation, and a high conflict breakup? In this powerful episode of the Divorce Coaches Academy® Podcast, Debra Doak sits down with licensed professional counselor, behavioral health executive, speaker, and author Connie Crowe to discuss the realities of recovering from a relationship with a high conflict, manipulative partner. Connie shares why traditional therapy alone wasn't enough, how working with an ADR Divorce Coach transformed her healing journey, and what it took to rebuild trust in herself after betrayal. Together, they explore betrayal trauma, decision fatigue, psychological safety, values based decision making, healthy boundaries, and why highly empathetic, conscientious people can become vulnerable to unhealthy relationship dynamics. Whether you're a divorce professional supporting clients or someone navigating your own separation or breakup, this conversation offers practical insight, hope, and a powerful reminder that healing begins when you reclaim your own agency. In this episode you'll learn:Why betrayal trauma often requires support beyond traditional therapyHow an ADR Divorce Coach helps clients navigate complex decisions with confidenceThe power of values based decision making during major life transitionsWhy psychological safety is essential for healingHow to recognize unhealthy relationship patterns without losing yourselfAbout Connie CroweConnie Crowe, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor, behavioral health executive, speaker, and author of Wired to Glow: The New Psychology of Super Traits. Drawing from both professional expertise and personal experience, she helps women understand trauma, recognize unhealthy relationship dynamics, trust their intuition, and reclaim their power. Connect with Connie 🌐 www.wiredtoglow.com 📸 Instagram: @wiredtoglow Learn More About Divorce Coaches Academy®Divorce Coaches Academy® trains and certifies professionals as ADR Divorce Coaches, equipping them with specialized skills in conflict resolution, decision making, communication, and client centered coaching. Whether you're looking for a qualified divorce coach or interested in becoming one, learn more at: 🌐 https://www.divorcecoachesacademy.com

  4. Jul 1

    Beyond the Legal Process: Heroic Divorce as a Holistic Framework for Transformation- Susan Filan

    Who Are You Beyond the Divorce? Finding Identity, Purpose, and Peace with Susan Filan Divorce changes more than legal status. It challenges identity, disrupts certainty, and forces people to ask one of life's hardest questions: Who am I now? In this episode of the Divorce Coaches Academy® Podcast, Tracy Callahan sits down with attorney, ADR Divorce Coach®, and Heroic Divorce founder Susan Filan. After surviving a life-changing accident that transformed her perspective on success, purpose, and identity, Susan now helps clients navigate divorce as an opportunity for personal growth rather than simply a legal ending. Together, they explore why divorce coaching fills a critical gap in the divorce process, how conflict informed coaching helps clients make better decisions, and why lasting transformation begins by reconnecting with who we are beneath the roles, titles, and relationships that often define us. In this episode, you'll learn: Why divorce is an identity transition, not just a legal processThe difference between external validation and internal valuesHow conflict informed divorce coaching helps clients make clearer decisionsWhy moving from victim to hero changes the divorce experienceThe role of purpose, choice, and self leadership in creating life after divorceHow divorce coaching supports clients beyond the courtroomWhether you're a divorce professional or navigating your own transition, this conversation offers a powerful reminder that healing begins when we reconnect with who we truly are and discover that divorce can become the beginning of a more intentional life. Connect with Susan Filan: Learn more about Susan’s work and connect with her at https://susanfilan.com/ Ready to take the next step in your divorce coaching practice? Apply for the DCA Divorce Coach Certification Program here>>>

  5. Jun 24

    After the Love Bomb: Rebuilding After Divorce with Dianne Harris

    In this episode of the Divorce Coaches Academy® Podcast, Debra Doak is joined by her former client, Dianne Harris, relationship coach, speaker, and author of her memoir, "Love Bomb: He Sold Her a Dream and Delivered a Nightmare." Dianne shares her personal experience navigating an emotionally abusive relationship, high-conflict divorce, and the confusion, overwhelm, and emotional whiplash that often come with divorcing a difficult personality. She also discusses how working with a DCA® Divorce Coach helped her gain clarity, stay grounded, understand her options, and move through the divorce process with more confidence and support. After rebuilding her life, Dianne now helps purpose-driven women heal, reclaim their identity, and create healthy, emotionally safe relationships. Through her coaching, writing, and content, she empowers women to choose themselves, find their voice, and become the version of themselves who no longer settles for less than they deserve. Connect with Dianne: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diannepatriciaharris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianneharriscoach Love Bomb on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GY5BL3G3 Learn more about Divorce Coaches Academy® and find a DCA® Certified Divorce Coach: https://divorcecoachesacademy.com

  6. Jun 17

    Introducing ELEVATE: Advancing Professional Divorce Coaching in Canada with Dori Braddell

    As divorce coaching continues to grow across Canada, more professionals from adjacent fields—including family law, mediation, financial services, mental health, and life coaching—are incorporating divorce coaching into their practices. But as the profession expands, important questions are emerging: What is divorce coaching? What competencies should clients expect? How do we distinguish education from certification? And what role should dispute resolution play in preparing professionals to support people through divorce? In this episode of the Divorce Coaches Academy® Podcast, Tracy Callahan is joined by Dori Braddell, DCA's Director of Education and Development for Canada, to explore the evolving landscape of divorce coaching and introduce Elevate Canada, a new educational pathway designed for experienced professionals seeking to deepen and formalize their divorce coach training. Together, Tracy and Dori discuss: The rapid growth of divorce coaching in CanadaWhy professional standards, competency, and consumer trust matterThe difference between supporting divorcing families and being trained as a divorce coachWhy divorce coaching is a distinct profession—not simply an extension of law, mediation, mental health, or life coachingThe critical role of dispute resolution and conflict awareness in effective divorce coachingThe risks of unintentionally crossing from coaching into advising or directing clientsWhy experience and formal education are complementary, not interchangeableThe importance of competency-based certificationHow Elevate Canada helps experienced professionals strengthen their skills, credentials, and professional standingDori shares insights from her own journey into divorce coaching and explains why many experienced lawyers, mediators, and mental health professionals are surprised by how different divorce coaching is from their existing professional work. Whether you're already practicing as a divorce coach, supporting families through divorce in another professional capacity, or exploring how to expand your services, this episode offers valuable perspective on the future of the profession and the importance of specialized training. About Elevate CanadaElevate Canada was created for professionals who are already working in the divorce space—or in related professions—and want to deepen their education through DCA's ADR-based divorce coaching framework. Participants complete the full educational curriculum of the DCA® Divorce Coach Certification Program through a flexible, self-paced learning model, while receiving ongoing support through twice-monthly office hours with DCA's Director of Education and Development for Canada. Completion of the educational curriculum does not automatically result in certification. Those pursuing certification must successfully demonstrate competency through the DCA® certification examination process. Learn MoreTo learn more about Elevate Canada, visit: https://www.divorcecoachesacademy.com/elevate To apply to ELEVATE, go to: https://form.jotform.com/261663154806156 For questions about the program, contact: DCA.CA@divorcecoachesacademy.com

  7. Jun 10

    The Apology You’re Waiting For May Never Come: Now What?

    In this thought-provoking episode, Tracy Callahan explores a question that surfaces repeatedly in divorce coaching but is rarely asked directly: What are people really seeking when they want an apology, acknowledgement, or explanation from their former partner? Inspired by the public conversation surrounding a bestselling memoir about marriage and betrayal, Tracy examines why so many people become stuck waiting for validation from someone else before allowing themselves to move forward. Through the lens of divorce coaching, she uncovers the deeper needs often hidden beneath the desire for an apology—self-trust, certainty, permission, understanding, and meaning. Listeners will learn why acknowledgment from another person may not provide the relief they expect, how divorce can trigger profound identity uncertainty, and what becomes possible when people stop organizing their healing around someone else's capacity to reflect, repair, or take responsibility. This episode offers valuable insights for divorce coaches, helping professionals, and anyone navigating the emotional complexity of relationship transitions. In this episode, Tracy discusses: Why people often seek explanations long after a relationship endsThe difference between wanting acknowledgment and needing permissionHow divorce challenges self-trust and personal identityWhy apologies don't always create closureThe role of divorce coaching in helping clients reconnect with their own capacity and decision-makingMoving forward without waiting for validation from someone elseWhether you're supporting clients through divorce or navigating your own life transition, this conversation offers a powerful reminder: healing often begins when we stop waiting for someone else to unlock the next chapter.

  8. Jun 3

    When Clients Ask What to Do: Where Legal Advice Ends and Coaching Ethics Begin with Lauren Fair

    When clients ask, "What should I do?" they are often seeking more than answers—they are seeking relief from uncertainty, fear, and overwhelm. In this episode of the Divorce Coaches Academy Podcast, Tracy Callahan is joined by family law attorney, mediator, and divorce coach Lauren Fair to explore one of the most common and ethically nuanced questions divorce professionals encounter. Together, they discuss the critical distinction between providing education and giving advice, why decision-making can feel so difficult during divorce, and how divorce coaches help clients build clarity, confidence, and self-trust without making decisions for them. Lauren shares insights from both her legal and coaching perspectives, highlighting the importance of understanding options, navigating conflict, and supporting clients in making values-based decisions that align with their goals. The conversation also explores professional boundaries, the role of coaching within interdisciplinary divorce teams, and why ethical standards, competency, and staying within scope are essential to the continued growth and credibility of the divorce coaching profession. Whether you're a divorce coach, attorney, mediator, financial professional, mental health practitioner, or someone navigating divorce yourself, this episode offers valuable insights into helping clients move from confusion to clarity—without telling them what to do. Topics discussed: • Why clients ask professionals, "What should I do?" • The connection between fear, uncertainty, and decision-making • Education versus advice in divorce coaching • Rebuilding self-trust after divorce and betrayal • Values-based decision-making during conflict • Ethical boundaries and scope of practice • The evolving role of divorce coaches on professional teams • Building client capacity and confidence for long-term success Learn more about Lauren Fair, Certified Family Law Specialist, Mediator, and Divorce Coach, Dedicated to Resolving Family Law Problems Outside of Court at Fair Cadora https://faircadora.com/legal-team/lauren-m-fair Divorce Coaches Academy® and upcoming certification programs at divorcecoachesacademy.com

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4.8
out of 5
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About

Divorce Coaches Academy podcast hosts Tracy Callahan and Debra Doak are on a mission to revolutionize the way families navigate divorce. We discuss topics to help professional divorce coaches succeed with clients and meet their business goals and we advocate (loudly sometimes) for the critical role certified divorce coaches play in the alternative dispute resolution process. Our goal is to create a community of divorce coaching professionals committed to reducing the financial and emotional impact of divorce on families.

Information

  • Creator
    Tracy Callahan and Debra Doak
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    222
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tracy Callahan and Debra Doak
  • Show Website
    Divorce Coaches Academy