The Separation Guide | A starting point for better separation and divorce

The Separation Guide
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The Separation Guide is your independent guide to separation and divorce in Australia. We support you from start to finish, making separation simpler, more manageable and less stressful. We aim to give you confidence to make the right decisions for your future.

  1. Episode 34: Separation Stories - Beyond the Script: Love, Identity and Life After Marriage with Aubrey Blanche

    FEB 3

    Episode 34: Separation Stories - Beyond the Script: Love, Identity and Life After Marriage with Aubrey Blanche

    Title: Radical Intentionality and Post-Traumatic Growth with Aubrey Blanche Is it possible to experience divorce as a catalyst for growth rather than a sign of failure? In this incredibly candid and refreshing episode, DEI expert and "double divorced" advocate Aubrey Blanche joins Sabina Read to debunk the stigma surrounding multiple separations. Aubrey shares how they navigated two divorces with radical honesty, shifting the narrative from "everything is crumbling" to a process of intentional self-discovery and "post-traumatic growth." Together, they explore: Post-Traumatic Growth: How to use life’s biggest transitions as a springboard for becoming a stronger, more authentic version of yourself. The "Marty Ginsburg List": Why establishing clear non-negotiables (and "anti-lists" for deal-breakers) is the key to long-term compatibility. Separation in the Queer Community: Addressing the unique weight of "letting the community down" and the power of chosen family support. Relationship Anarchy: Using clear communication and boundaries to build connections that are additive, not just "filling a hole". Support in the Workplace: Practical advice for managers on how to support employees through a life crisis. Whether you are navigating your own separation or simply looking to build more intentional relationships, Aubrey’s "strategy-led" approach to life and love offers a roadmap for moving forward with dignity and hope.

    49 min
  2. Episode 33: How to divorce and separate well with Jill Johnstone

    JAN 14

    Episode 33: How to divorce and separate well with Jill Johnstone

    What does it really look like to navigate separation with your values intact? In this insightful episode, family lawyer Jill Johnstone of The Law People joins Sabina Read to bridge the gap between professional legal advice and the raw, personal reality of ending a marriage. Jill shares how her own experience with shared care and the emotional "silence" of a quiet home transformed how she practices law. Together, they explore: The "Lawyering Up" Myth: Why seeing a lawyer doesn't have to mean going to battle. Child-Focused Outcomes: Practical ways to protect children from the detrimental effects of parental conflict. The Emotional Reality: Managing the surprising challenges of shared care and "part-time" parenting. Staying Out of Court: How early legal advice and open communication can keep your process calm and cost-effective. Long-Term Thinking: Why the wording of your parenting orders today matters for your life five years from now. Whether you are just starting to consider separation or are deep in the legal process, Jill offers a roadmap centered on integrity, flexibility, and hope.

    36 min
  3. Episode 32: Debunking narcissistic behaviours in divorce

    12/16/2025

    Episode 32: Debunking narcissistic behaviours in divorce

    Debunking narcissistic behaviours with Dr Ahona Guha What is narcissism, really?In this powerful episode, psychologist and forensic expert Dr Ahona Guha joins Sabina Read to unpack one of the most misunderstood and emotionally loaded issues in separation and divorce. Together, they explore: How narcissistic traits show up in relationships and why the term is so often misused The difference between tendencies, traits and Narcissistic Personality Disorder What it feels like to be on the receiving end, and why “crazy-making” dynamics occur How narcissism impacts parenting, conflict, co-parenting and the legal process Practical strategies for boundaries, communication and emotional regulation What hope and repair can look like, even when the relationship is over. If you’re navigating separation from a partner with narcissistic tendencies, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers clarity, compassion and practical tools to help you move forward.

    35 min
  4. Episode 31: Separation Stories - Love, loss and alcohol addiction

    09/22/2025

    Episode 31: Separation Stories - Love, loss and alcohol addiction

    Journalist and author Kate Halfpenny joins Sabina Read to share her raw and unflinching story of divorce, remarriage, midlife reinvention and love in the face of addiction. Drawing from her memoir Boogie Wonderland, Kate speaks with courage and candour about the grief of divorce, the challenges of raising children through separation, and the unexpected struggles of her second marriage when addiction surfaced. With warmth and humour, she reflects on what it means to honour love even as relationships change, and how resilience, honesty and connection can carry us through life’s toughest chapters. This is not just a conversation about divorce or addiction – it’s a conversation about what it means to be human, to stay open when it would be easier to shut down, and to find hope in the places we feel most alone.

    59 min
  5. Episode 30: Navigating property in separation

    08/20/2025

    Episode 30: Navigating property in separation

    Property is often the biggest asset in a separation – and one of the hardest to navigate. Should you sell the family home? Can you afford to stay? How do you avoid costly mistakes when emotions are running high? In this episode, host Sabina Read is joined by Evan Thornley, Co-Founder and CEO of Longview, and Jules Hewitt, Head of Customer Success at Agent Select, to unpack the complexities of property division during separation and divorce. Together they explore: The impact of soaring property prices on couples deciding whether to separate. Mistakes to avoid when buying or selling under pressure. How to find the right real estate agent (and what questions to ask). Strategies for staying on the “capital growth train” post-separation. The pros and cons of renting or “rentvesting” as a transitional step. Practical resources and tools to make better property decisions. Whether you’re separating, supporting someone who is, or simply wanting to future-proof your financial wellbeing, this episode is full of expert advice and practical tips to help you approach property decisions with clarity and confidence.

    50 min
  6. Episode 29: Separation Stories - How to navigate social support

    07/09/2025

    Episode 29: Separation Stories - How to navigate social support

    We often expect separation to be marked by conflict and disconnection - but what if it didn’t have to be that way? In this heartwarming and honest episode of The Separation Guide podcast, psychologist and host Sabina Read sits down with Jane and Matt Martino - former partners who chose a different path. Married for 12 years and separated for eight, they share how they put the needs of their three boys at the centre of every decision, even when it wasn’t easy. From co-parenting holidays and family dinners to welcoming new partners into the fold, Jane and Matt have redefined what it means to be a family post-divorce. Their story is a testament to the power of communication, intention, and mutual respect. Whether you're navigating your own separation or supporting someone who is, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that breaking up well is possible - and that love and laughter can still live in the space where marriage once did.

    47 min
  7. Episode 28: How to know when it's really over (and what to do next).

    06/11/2025

    Episode 28: How to know when it's really over (and what to do next).

    What are the signs a relationship has run its course - and how can you tell the difference between natural relationship challenges and something more? In this heartfelt and insightful episode, psychologist and host Sabina Read speaks with accredited divorce coach Bev Berelowitz about the deeply personal and often painful decision to separate. Bev shares her own experience of leaving her marriage, and the wisdom she’s gained from supporting others on their separation journeys. Together, they explore the power of trusting your gut, the role of fear, how to know when you’ve done “enough” to try to make it work, and how to reframe separation as a courageous, values-based choice rather than a failure. Whether you’re feeling stuck, wondering what’s next, or supporting someone who’s struggling, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and hope.

    37 min
  8. Episode 27: Domestic and Family Violence in Separation

    05/07/2025

    Episode 27: Domestic and Family Violence in Separation

    May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month. And with 25% of those who come to The Separation Guide for help experiencing some sort of violence or abuse, it is a very real barrier to many trying to leave relationships. In this episode, White Ribbon Australia Acting Director Dean Cooper and Coordinator of Counselling Services Zoe Hughes join host Sabina Read to shed light on the many types of violence and abuse happening in Australian homes. With some practical tips for how to find help and navigate a safe path through, for both women and men, this episode is a vital resource for anyone who finds themselves - or someone they know - trapped in an abusive situation. It also discusses available help for potential perpetrators who may realise that their behaviour makes others feel unsafe, but don't know what steps to take to make a change. Along with a call out to society at large to take note and speak up when they witness acts of disrespect. As we learn in this episode - not all disrespect leads to violence, but all violence begins with disrespect. As the number of Australian women who have died at the hands of male violence reaches 24 so far this year, this is a vital conversation that needs to be had - and heard. For more information about how you can help make a change this Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, visit The Separation Guide's I Care About Conflict campaign at https://icareaboutconflict.com/

    57 min
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The Separation Guide is your independent guide to separation and divorce in Australia. We support you from start to finish, making separation simpler, more manageable and less stressful. We aim to give you confidence to make the right decisions for your future.

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