When The Fairy Tale Ends

Raquell Barton, Certified Divorce Coach®
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Relationships
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The only divorce podcast grounded in the reality that the fairy tales you read as a child were actually meant to be cautionary tales. Sometimes, the guy you thought was your prince charming turns out to be the villain instead. We have open and honest conversations about relationship break-ups and divorce and how to recover and come out better on the other side—hosted by Raquell Barton, a CDC-certified Divorce Coach.

  1. Jul 22

    13. You Lost Yourself in That Marriage. Here's How You Find Her Again.

    For years, you were the wife, the mother, the planner, the one who kept everything running. Then the marriage ended, and a question showed up that you weren't ready for: who are you without that role? In this episode, Raquell breaks down how women quietly lose touch with themselves inside a marriage and walks through the real, unglamorous process of reconnecting with the woman who was there all along. Not through dramatic reinvention, but through small, deliberate choices that bring you back to yourself. In this episode, we cover: The quiet signs you've lost touch with yourself Why "reconnection" is the right word, not "finding yourself" The "before marriage" list — an exercise for identifying who you were before the roles took over, and noticing which threads are still true nowThe practice of asking yourself what you want in small, daily ways Why rebuilding female friendship and community isn't a nice-to-have after divorce — it's infrastructureRaquell's own experience of reconnecting with friends eight years post-divorce, and what it means to make decisions that are hers alone This week's assignment: do one thing simply because you want to — not because it's productive, not because it serves anyone else. Notice how it feels. That feeling is the thread to follow. Ready for more than encouragement? If you need structure, strategy, and a clear picture of your next moves, my 90-minute Divorce Strategy Call is the place to start. We'll map out exactly where you are, what decisions are in front of you, and what your clearest next step actually is.https://herdivorceacademy.com/program/book-a-coaching-fit-call Have a question? Ask here! HerdivorceacademyDivorce Hotline Connect with Raquell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdivorceacademy/ Have a Dear Raquell question you want answered on the podcast? 📩 Email your anonymous story to raquell@raquellbartoncoaching.com

  2. Jul 1

    12. The Show Must Go On — How to Function When You're Falling Apart During a Divorce

    Some days during divorce aren't about thriving. They're about surviving — and that's enough. In this episode, I'm talking directly to the woman who cried in the shower this morning and still made it to work. The one holding her life together with very little sleep and a determination she doesn't fully recognize in herself yet. If that's you right now, this episode is for you. We're not talking about five-year plans or becoming your best self in the middle of chaos. We're talking about what actually helps when everything feels like too much: why your brain fog and forgetfulness aren't a character flaw, and five practical strategies you can use today to get through the next hour, the next decision, the next hard moment. In this episode, I cover: Why divorce puts your nervous system into sustained threat-detection mode — and why that explains the brain fog, forgetfulness, and exhaustion you might be blaming yourself forWhy trying to solve your entire future right now is keeping you stuck in overwhelmThe real definition of strength during divorce (hint: it's not "never let them see you cry") Ready for more than encouragement? If you need structure, strategy, and a clear picture of your next moves, my 90-minute Divorce Strategy Call is the place to start. We'll map out exactly where you are, what decisions are in front of you, and what your clearest next step actually is.https://herdivorceacademy.com/program/book-a-coaching-fit-call Have a question? Ask here! HerdivorceacademyDivorce Hotline Connect with Raquell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdivorceacademy/ Have a Dear Raquell question you want answered on the podcast? 📩 Email your anonymous story to raquell@raquellbartoncoaching.com

  3. Jun 17

    11. Grieving the Divorce You Chose: Why the Right Decision Can Still Hurt

    Ending a marriage can be the right decision and still break your heart. This episode is about one of the most misunderstood parts of divorce: the grief that comes even when you're the one who decided to leave. Because choosing divorce doesn't protect you from mourning the life, identity, and future you thought you were building. Raquel explores the layers of loss that many women aren't prepared for—from grieving the imagined future and the version of yourself that existed within the marriage to navigating the disruption of routines, traditions, and family dreams. She also breaks down how the five stages of grief can show up during divorce, why healing is never linear, and the powerful truth that relief and grief can coexist. If you've ever found yourself asking, "If this was the right decision, why does it hurt so much?" this episode is for you. In This Episode, We Cover: Why choosing divorce doesn't eliminate griefThe hidden losses women experience beyond the end of the relationshipHow divorce can impact your identity, routines, and sense of futureThe five stages of grief and how they appear during divorceWhy healing isn't a straight lineThe difference between grief and regretHow to hold both relief and sadness at the same timePractical ways to move through grief with self-compassion You can book a Free 60-minute Divorce Consultation Call:  https://herdivorceacademy.com/program/book-a-coaching-fit-call Have a question? Ask here! HerdivorceacademyDivorce Hotline Connect with Raquell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdivorceacademy/ Have a Dear Raquell question you want answered on the podcast? 📩 Email your anonymous story to raquell@raquellbartoncoaching.com

  4. Jun 3

    10. The #1 Reason Women Feel Unprepared During Divorce

    This episode is for the woman who keeps thinking, “I should have handled this better by now.” In this solo episode of When the Fairy Tale Ends, I’m talking about one of the most common feelings women experience during divorce: feeling completely unprepared. Not just emotionally, but financially, mentally, and strategically. And the truth is, most women are trying to make life-changing decisions while overwhelmed, grieving, parenting, working, and surviving all at the same time. I’m breaking down why feeling “lost” during divorce is not a personal failure, how emotional overload impacts decision-making, and why having endless information without a strategy only creates more confusion. We also talk about the difference between emotional support and strategic support — and why clarity matters more than perfection during this process. If you’ve been second-guessing yourself, spiraling through worst-case scenarios, or feeling ashamed that you don’t have everything figured out, this episode will help you breathe a little deeper and focus on your next right step. Topics covered in this episode: Why divorce creates emotional and mental overloadThe difference between information and clarityHow survival mode impacts decision-makingFear vs. fact during divorceWhat strategic support actually looks likeHow to stop reacting and start making grounded decisionsSimple ways to create more clarity during the divorce process You can book a Free 60-minute Divorce Consultation Call:  https://herdivorceacademy.com/program/book-a-coaching-fit-call Have a question? Ask here! HerdivorceacademyDivorce Hotline Connect with Raquell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdivorceacademy/ Have a Dear Raquell question you want answered on the podcast? 📩 Email your anonymous story to raquell@raquellbartoncoaching.com

  5. May 20

    9. How to Break the Patterns Before Your Next Relationship

    How do you stop repeating the same relationship patterns after divorce? In this episode of When the Fairy Tale Ends, Raquell gets honest about the lessons she learned from two marriages, the red flags she ignored, and what finally helped her build healthier relationship habits moving forward. This conversation is all about self-awareness, boundaries, emotional responsibility, and learning how to date differently after heartbreak. Raquell shares why so many women settle for “potential,” how to stop over-investing too quickly, and the importance of collecting data before making major life decisions in a new relationship. She also opens up about communication, standards, and why peace has become non-negotiable in this season of her life. If you’ve ever wondered how to trust yourself again after divorce or heartbreak, this episode will leave you thinking differently about what healthy love actually looks like. In this episode, we discuss: The red flags Raquell wishes she hadn’t ignoredWhy self-awareness matters more than blameHow to define what you truly want in a relationshipThe difference between standards and unrealistic expectationsWhy observing someone over time changes everythingThe importance of boundaries, communication, and emotional responsibilityHow to stop sending your “representative” in relationships You can book a Free 60-minute Divorce Consultation Call:  https://herdivorceacademy.com/program/book-a-coaching-fit-call Have a question? Ask here!HerdivorceacademyDivorce Hotline Connect with Raquell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdivorceacademy/ Have a Dear Raquell question you want answered on the podcast?📩 Email your anonymous story to raquell@raquellbartoncoaching.com

  6. May 6

    8. Why You Stayed Longer Than You Should Have (It’s Not Your Fault)

    Why did I stay so long? It’s a question so many women ask themselves… and almost always with shame attached to it. In this episode, we’re having a different kind of conversation—one that challenges the way you’ve been taught to look at your past. Because staying isn’t as simple as people make it seem. And the reasons behind it run deeper than most people are willing to admit. If you’ve ever questioned your decisions, second-guessed yourself, or felt stuck in guilt… this episode will shift the way you see it. Not by giving you all the answers— but by helping you start asking better questions. In this episode: Why leaving isn’t always the obvious choiceThe emotions that keep you tied to something longer than you expectedWhat most people don’t understand about stayingThe quiet factors that influence your decisions more than you think You can book a Free 60-minute Divorce Consultation Call:  https://herdivorceacademy.com/program/book-a-coaching-fit-call Have a question? Ask here!HerdivorceacademyDivorce Hotline Connect with Raquell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdivorceacademy/ Have a Dear Raquell question you want answered on the podcast?📩 Email your anonymous story to raquell@raquellbartoncoaching.com

  7. Apr 22

    7. The Fairytale Lies That Taught You to Lose Yourself in Love

    What if the love stories you grew up on weren’t romantic… they were conditioning? In this episode, I’m taking you deeper into something most women have never stopped to question—how fairytales didn’t just shape what we expected from love, they shaped how we show up in it. And not in a way that serves us. Because the truth is, you didn’t just believe the story… you became it. I’m breaking down the patterns so many of us have lived out without even realizing it. The over-functioning. The fixing. The self-abandoning. The waiting. And how those behaviors quietly lead to burnout, resentment, and relationships where you slowly lose yourself. This isn’t about blaming you. It’s about helping you see clearly—so you can finally move differently. Because once you understand the script, you stop repeating it. In this episode: How fairy tales subtly taught women to ignore intuition and endure discomfortWhy stories like Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid conditioned women to normalize self-sacrificeThe belief that love requires suffering — and how that shows up in modern relationshipsHow women are socialized to wait, hope, and “be chosen” instead of choosing themselvesWhy many women stay in unhealthy marriages longer than they shouldThe connection between fairy tale conditioning and divorce shameHow recognizing these patterns creates clarity instead of self-blame Key Takeaway: You didn’t fail in your relationships—you followed a script you were taught. And now that you see it, you get to choose something different. You can book a Free 60-minute Divorce Consultation Call:  https://herdivorceacademy.com/program/book-a-coaching-fit-call Have a question? Ask here! https://herdivorceacademy.com/divorce-hotline Connect with Raquell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdivorceacademy/ Have a Dear Raquell question you want answered on the podcast? 📩 Email your anonymous story to raquell@raquellbartoncoaching.com

  8. Apr 15

    6. What Fairy Tales Should Have Taught Us About Love — and Why They Didn’t

    Ever wonder why you ignored those red flags? Blame Cinderella. In this episode, certified divorce coach Raquell Barton unpacks the fairytales that shaped how we view love, marriage, and self-worth—and why they set us up for heartbreak. From Cinderella's "stay and endure" message to Beauty and the Beast's dangerous "you can fix him" narrative, these childhood stories taught us how to be chosen, not how to choose wisely. If you've ever stayed too long, loved too hard, or lost yourself in a relationship, this episode will help you understand why—and what to do differently going forward. In This Episode: ✨ Why fairytales were warnings disguised as love stories ✨ The 5 biggest lies Disney told us about relationships ✨ How to recognize when you're abandoning yourself for partnership ✨ Why suffering doesn't earn you a happy ending (and what does) ✨ The truth about intuition—and why we're conditioned to ignore it ✨ What real, healthy love actually requires ✨ Raquel's story: knowing her marriage was wrong one week before the wedding Coming in Part 2: In the next episode, Raquel connects the dots from fairytales to your real-life relationship patterns—helping you understand the "why" so you can move differently going forward. You can book a Free 60-minute Divorce Consultation Call:  https://herdivorceacademy.com/program/book-a-coaching-fit-call Have a question? Ask here! https://herdivorceacademy.com/divorce-hotline Connect with Raquell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdivorceacademy/ Have a Dear Raquell question you want answered on the podcast? 📩 Email your anonymous story to raquell@raquellbartoncoaching.com

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The only divorce podcast grounded in the reality that the fairy tales you read as a child were actually meant to be cautionary tales. Sometimes, the guy you thought was your prince charming turns out to be the villain instead. We have open and honest conversations about relationship break-ups and divorce and how to recover and come out better on the other side—hosted by Raquell Barton, a CDC-certified Divorce Coach.

Information

  • Creator
    Raquell Barton, Certified Divorce Coach®
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Raquell Barton, Certified Divorce Coach®
  • Show Website
    When The Fairy Tale Ends