The Divorce Planner

Alex Beattie | The Divorce Planner
  • 4.8 (17)
  • How To
  • Updated Weekly

The Divorce Planner Podcast is your essential guide to divorce preparation and navigating one of life's hardest transitions with clarity and confidence. Built around the four pillars of divorce preparation—emotional, financial, administrative, and practical—each episode gives you actionable strategies for gathering documents, understanding your finances, negotiating well, and reframing this transition as an opportunity to create your best next chapter. Host and divorce prep coach Alex Beattie talks with top attorneys, mediators, financial experts, therapists, and coaches, and shares her own coaching frameworks along the way. Whether you're thinking about divorce or already in the process, this podcast helps you become your own best advocate. Divorce is hard. Preparing for one doesn't have to be.

  1. 3d ago

    Business Valuation in Divorce: What to Know When Your Spouse Owns a Business with Matt Springer

    If your spouse owns a business, or holds complex assets like stock options, how to value and divide these assets is one of the most important and most challenging parts of divorce. Figuring out what those assets are actually worth can be tricky, and getting it wrong can cost you significantly. In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Matt Springer, a business valuation expert with nearly two decades of experience in valuation and litigation support, to break down what really happens when a business or complex asset gets valued in a divorce—and what you need to understand to protect yourself. What we cover: What actually happens when you're dividing assets and a spouse owns a business, professional practice, or other illiquid assetHow compensation arrangements, equity awards, stock options, notes, and pensions get evaluatedWhat to look for, and what to question, when you're handed a valuation reportThe red flags that mean you may need a second opinionWhen valuation numbers get challenged, and what that means for youIf you're staring down a divorce with a business owner, or are a business owner new to this process, this conversation will help you understand what you're dealing with so you can ask the right questions and advocate for yourself. Want more resources? Check out my blog, grab my free "24 Questions to Ask A Divorce Attorney" guide, or sign up for my free 4-Email Divorce Prep Series for a step-by-step roadmap before you meet with an attorney.  Need personalized help? Book a free 15-minute call or subscribe to my newsletter for weekly tips. The Divorce Planner podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals about your situation. Podcast Original Music, Editing, and Mixing by: Benjamin Robinson

    Business Valuation in Divorce: What to Know When Your Spouse Owns a Business with Matt Springer

  2. Oct 7

    Financial Red Flags in Marriage That Become Landmines in Divorce with Jackie Combs

    Financial abuse is more common than you think. Red flags can show up in how you're frozen out from account access, having to ask for spending money on basics like groceries and gas, and being told "you don't have to worry about that" when you ask any financial questions. These are all signs of a financial power imbalance, and they lead to major issues during divorce.  In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Jackie Combs, a California family law attorney, advocate for women's financial empowerment, and founder of Love Richer, for a conversation about the toxic money patterns that show up in dating and marriage, and why they almost always resurface as landmines during divorce. What we cover: How women unknowingly surrender financial autonomy, and what that looks like years later in a settlementFinancial infidelity: hidden accounts, undisclosed debt, concealed income, and how it surfaces in discoveryWhat women misunderstand about what they're actually entitled to during divorceThe first three things to do if you're recognizing financial red flags right now, before you make any moveWhat Jackie wants every financially controlled woman to know before she walks into a consultation with an attorneyThe conversation about money and power in relationships that most people are still too afraid to haveIf you're in a relationship where you feel financially shut out, or you're beginning to consider divorce and worried about what you don't know, this episode will give you clarity, language, and a plan. Want more resources? Check out my blog, grab my free "24 Questions to Ask A Divorce Attorney" guide, or sign up for my free 4-Email Divorce Prep Series for a step-by-step roadmap before you meet with an attorney.  Need personalized help? Book a free 15-minute call or subscribe to my newsletter for weekly tips. The Divorce Planner podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals about your situation. Podcast Original Music, Editing, and Mixing by: Benjamin Robinson

    Financial Red Flags in Marriage That Become Landmines in Divorce with Jackie Combs

  3. Sep 30

    Why Expecting Your Spouse to Change During Divorce Is Keeping You Stuck, And What to Do Instead

    The most damaging mistake I see people make during divorce isn't a legal or financial one. It's expecting their spouse to suddenly behave differently than they always have. And every time they don't, the shock and fury pulls you back into the same loop — one that can outlast your marriage by decades if you don't address it now. In this episode I'm sharing the concept of radical acceptance, specifically what it actually is, what it isn't, and why it's the only thing that genuinely gets you out of the pattern. We talk about the neuroscience of why these loops feel impossible to break, the riptide analogy that reframes everything, and a specific tool that works better than any filtered, measured response ever will. This isn't about being the bigger person. It's about stopping the drain on your own energy, clarity, and future. If you're exhausted from trying to get your spouse to communicate differently, take accountability, or simply show up the way you need them to,  this episode is for you. Want more resources? Check out my blog, grab my free "24 Questions to Ask A Divorce Attorney" guide, or sign up for my free 4-Email Divorce Prep Series for a step-by-step roadmap before you meet with an attorney.  Need personalized help? Book a free 15-minute call or subscribe to my newsletter for weekly tips. The Divorce Planner podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals about your situation. Podcast Original Music, Editing, and Mixing by: Benjamin Robinson

    Why Expecting Your Spouse to Change During Divorce Is Keeping You Stuck, And What to Do Instead

  4. Sep 23

    Divorce Grief and Shame: How to Move Through the Pain with Kim Polinder

    Divorce brings up two of the hardest emotions to talk about: grief and shame. Grief for the life you thought you'd have, the future you planned together, and the identity you're losing. And shame because even though divorce is common, there's still a stigma attached to it that can make you feel like you've failed. In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Kim Polinder, associate therapist and author of Why We Fight (HarperOne), for an honest conversation about how to actually process these difficult emotions instead of rushing past them or burying them in a new relationship. What we cover: Why grief is normal even in amicable divorces and how it can surface unexpectedlyThe shame that surrounds divorce and how to recognize patterns that have played out in other areas of your lifeHow to process grief with supportive people rather than in isolationCreating rituals for closure including writing letters or revisiting meaningful placesWhy rushing into new relationships without grieving leads to repeating patternsUnderstanding your deepest triggers and what you're seeking from relationshipsThe importance of introspection before entering your next relationshipHow to prevent second divorces by breaking cycles and clarifying your valuesMoving through pain with self-compassion instead of judgmentWhether you're in the middle of divorce, recently separated, or healing on the other side, this conversation offers compassionate guidance to help you process grief and shame so you can move forward with greater self-awareness and emotional health. Want more resources? Check out my blog, grab my free "24 Questions to Ask A Divorce Attorney" guide, or sign up for my free 4-Email Divorce Prep Series for a step-by-step roadmap before you meet with an attorney.  Need personalized help? Book a free 15-minute call or subscribe to my newsletter for weekly tips. The Divorce Planner podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals about your situation. Podcast Original Music, Editing, and Mixing by: Benjamin Robinson

    Divorce Grief and Shame: How to Move Through the Pain with Kim Polinder

  5. Sep 16

    Navigating Divorce as a Mom: Self-Care, Boundaries & Building Your New Life with Leah Marie Mazur

    Divorce brings up a tsunami of emotions, and as a mom, you're not just navigating your own feelings, you're holding space for your children's too. Carving out time for yourself can feel impossible. Or worse, it can feel selfish. In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Leah Marie Mazur, an empowerment coach and founder of Mindfully Ready, for a conversation about how moms can prioritize their own well-being without guilt—because you can't pour from an empty cup. What we cover: Why self-care isn't selfish when you're a mom going through divorceHow to create a realistic self-care routine that fits your actual lifeBuilding a support network beyond just family Setting new goals for yourself when everything feels uncertainNavigating mom guilt when you need to put yourself firstEmbracing flexibility and seeing this transition as full of new possibilitiesHow to show up for your kids when you're running on emptySmall, actionable steps you can take today to start rebuildingWhether you're in the middle of divorce or rebuilding on the other side, this episode will remind you that prioritizing your well-being matters, for you and your kids.   Want more resources? Check out my blog, grab my free "24 Questions to Ask A Divorce Attorney" guide, or sign up for my free 4-Email Divorce Prep Series for a step-by-step roadmap before you meet with an attorney.  Need personalized help? Book a free 15-minute call or subscribe to my newsletter for weekly tips. The Divorce Planner podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals about your situation. Podcast Original Music, Editing, and Mixing by: Benjamin Robinson

    Navigating Divorce as a Mom: Self-Care, Boundaries & Building Your New Life with Leah Marie Mazur

  6. Sep 9

    Divorcing a Narcissist: What You Need to Know with Narc Recovery Specialist Allison Adamovic

    If you're divorcing a narcissist—or think you might be—this episode is exactly what you need. In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Allison Adamovic, a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and narcissistic abuse recovery specialist, for an expert conversation about how to recognize narcissism and protect yourself during divorce.  Allison brings clinical expertise to help you understand the real difference between typical divorce conflict and actual narcissistic abuse—and what to do about it. We dive deep into the manipulation tactics narcissists use, why they can't change, and your concrete action plan for divorcing someone with narcissistic personality disorder. What we cover: Clinical signs of narcissism vs. just difficult divorce behaviorWhy narcissists can't change (the science behind brain chemistry and genetics)Manipulation tactics explained including word salad, gaslighting, and deflectingBreaking free from guilt and confusion that keeps you stuckFinancial abuse and psychological control patterns to recognizeWarning signs of escalating abuse and when to get help immediatelyYour concrete action plan for divorcing a narcissist safelyHow to protect yourself emotionally, legally, and financiallyRecovery strategies for healing from narcissistic abuseWhether you're just starting to recognize the patterns or already deep in a high-conflict divorce with a narcissist, this conversation provides expert clinical guidance on how to protect yourself and move forward. Want more resources? Check out my blog, grab my free "24 Questions to Ask A Divorce Attorney" guide, or sign up for my free 4-Email Divorce Prep Series for a step-by-step roadmap before you meet with an attorney.  Need personalized help? Book a free 15-minute call or subscribe to my newsletter for weekly tips. The Divorce Planner podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals about your situation. Podcast Original Music, Editing, and Mixing by: Benjamin Robinson

    Divorcing a Narcissist: What You Need to Know with Narc Recovery Specialist Allison Adamovic

  7. Sep 2

    Quiet Quitting Your Marriage: How To Take Control And Move Forward with Betsy Pake

    If you've been emotionally checked out of your marriage for months or even years but haven't actually left, you're not alone. You might be what The Cut called "quiet quitting your marriage" or what I call being in "the slow fade"—still in the house, still married on paper, but emotionally you left a long time ago. In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Betsy Pake, a midlife change expert and host of "The Art of Living Big" podcast, for an honest conversation about what's really happening when you're stuck in this painful gray zone between staying and leaving—and more importantly, how to take control and move forward. Betsy helps women get crystal clear on whether they're actually done with their marriages or if they're just scared of change. We dive deep into the difference between needing space and being finished, the real cost of staying withdrawn for years, and the first steps to take when you're exhausted but terrified to make a move. What we cover: What's actually happening when you emotionally check out but don't tell your partnerWhy people get frozen in the limbo of being married but completely disengagedThe difference between needing space and being finished with your marriageWhat clarity actually looks like (it's not the lightning bolt moment you're expecting)The cost of the slow fade and what happens when you spend years emotionally withdrawnCan you come back from quiet quitting your marriage, or is withdrawal the beginning of the end?The first step to take when you're emotionally checked out, exhausted, but terrified to make a moveHow to separate fear of change from genuine desire to save your marriage Understanding whether you're protecting yourself or just stuck in fear is the first step toward making a decision you can live with. Whether you've been quietly quitting your marriage for years or you're just starting to realize you've checked out, this conversation offers compassionate guidance to help you take control and move forward—whatever that looks like for you. For more on this topic, read my blog post "The Slow Fade" here: https://www.thedivorceplanner.net/post/the-slow-fade-when-you-ve-already-left-the-marriage-in-your-head Want more resources? Check out my blog, grab my free "24 Questions to Ask A Divorce Attorney" guide, or sign up for my free 4-Email Divorce Prep Series for a step-by-step roadmap before you meet with an attorney.  Need personalized help? Book a free 15-minute call or subscribe to my newsletter for weekly tips. The Divorce Planner podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals about your situation. Podcast Original Music, Editing, and Mixing by: Benjamin Robinson

    Quiet Quitting Your Marriage: How To Take Control And Move Forward with Betsy Pake

  8. Aug 12 ·  Bonus

    SUMMER SERIES: Reframing Divorce: From an Ending to Your Best Next Chapter

    Here's something nobody tells you when you're in the middle of divorce: this is actually one of the most powerful opportunities of your life. Because for most people, this is the first time in years, maybe ever, they can stop and figure out who they actually are, what they actually want, and what kind of life they actually want to build. The problem is that most people skip that part. They rush into the next relationship, the next distraction, the next version of the life they just left—without stopping to ask whether any of it is actually what they want. And then they wake up on the other side of their divorce in a life that's reactive instead of intentional. In this episode, I'm sharing my five-step framework for reflection and rebuilding after divorce, the process that takes you from surviving this ending to intentionally designing your best next chapter. Whether you're in the middle of divorce or already on the other side, this episode will help you stop reacting and start building something that's actually, completely, yours. Want more resources? Check out my blog, grab my free "24 Questions to Ask A Divorce Attorney" guide, or sign up for my free 4-Email Divorce Prep Series for a step-by-step roadmap before you meet with an attorney.  Need personalized help? Book a free 15-minute call or subscribe to my newsletter for weekly tips. The Divorce Planner podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals about your situation. Podcast Original Music, Editing, and Mixing by: Benjamin Robinson

    SUMMER SERIES: Reframing Divorce: From an Ending to Your Best Next Chapter
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4.8
out of 5
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About

The Divorce Planner Podcast is your essential guide to divorce preparation and navigating one of life's hardest transitions with clarity and confidence. Built around the four pillars of divorce preparation—emotional, financial, administrative, and practical—each episode gives you actionable strategies for gathering documents, understanding your finances, negotiating well, and reframing this transition as an opportunity to create your best next chapter. Host and divorce prep coach Alex Beattie talks with top attorneys, mediators, financial experts, therapists, and coaches, and shares her own coaching frameworks along the way. Whether you're thinking about divorce or already in the process, this podcast helps you become your own best advocate. Divorce is hard. Preparing for one doesn't have to be.

Information

  • Creator
    Alex Beattie | The Divorce Planner
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 TDP LLC
  • Show Website
    The Divorce Planner

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