Thrive & Decide Guide to Divorce and Beyond

Sarah Thress
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Welcome to Thrive and Decide: The Guide to Divorce and Beyond This empowering podcast is created for women navigating the emotional and legal challenges of divorce. Whether you're just beginning the process or rebuilding your life afterward, Thrive and Decide is here to help you feel seen, heard, and supported. Each episode features real stories from courageous women who openly share their divorce journeys—offering hope, healing, and the reminder that you are not alone. You'll also gain access to expert insights and valuable resources, including guidance from divorce coaches, legal professionals, financial advisors, and therapists. Our mission is to help you move through divorce with strength and step confidently into your next chapter.

  1. 5D AGO

    Spotting The Narcissist Playbook

    Send us Fan Mail Someone can be charming, competent, and impressive in public, then quietly run your home like a system built on power and control. That disconnect is why so many people struggle to name what’s happening until they’re already deep in the “spin cycle.”  We sit down with Jamie Davis of Spin Cycle Coaching to map the narcissist playbook in plain language: idealization and love bombing, the slow creep of control, devaluation that chips away at your confidence, and the moment you realize you cannot stay in the little box they built for you. We also get specific about gaslighting as psychological abuse, including the maddening experience of stating a clear fact and being told you’re wrong anyway, until you start asking yourself, “Is it me?”  Then we talk about what happens when you finally decide you’re done. Jamie explains discarding, why post-separation abuse can intensify during divorce, and how smear campaigns work to repaint the narcissist as the victim. If you’re trying to co-exist, self-preserve, or plan your exit, you’ll hear practical strategies that lower the temperature: regulating your own emotions, building a pause before reacting, using curiosity as a tool, and choosing words that protect your peace. We also unpack how coaching and therapy can work together as you rebuild boundaries and unlearn people pleasing.  If this conversation helps you put words to something you’ve lived, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next, share it with someone who needs clarity, and leave a review to help more people find the show. To connect with Jamie Davis at Spin Cycle Coaching: https://www.stopthespincycle.com/coaching Hi and welcome to Thrive and Decide. I’m your host Sarah Thress. This podcast is intended to help women who are going through a divorce, continplating divorce or have lost a spouse feel seen, heard, understood and not alone. All the beautiful souls who share on here are coming from a place of vulnerability and a common belief that sharing your story will help others. You will also hear from industry experts on what to do and not do while going through a divorce. Sarah Thress 614-893-5885 Sarahthressrealtor@gmail.com Thrive and Decide Facebook https://www.instagram.com/thrive_and_decide/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559936633799 https://www.facebook.com/SarahThressRealtor/ https://www.instagram.com/sarah_thress_realtor/ Real Estate Podcast Come To Find Out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/come-to-find-out/id1704949604 Real Estate First Time Home Buyers course: https://sarahthress.graphy.com/

    39 min

  2. MAY 15

    The Co-Parenting Conversation Code

    Send us Fan Mail Co-parenting can turn normal life logistics into a constant stress test, especially when your ex’s voice alone puts you on defense. We sit down with repeat guest Teresa Luse to share a practical, repeatable way to start and steer co-parenting conversations so they have a real chance of going well. If you feel stuck in high-conflict co-parenting, dreading texts, or replaying arguments from the marriage, this is a calmer path forward that still protects your boundaries. Teresa walks us through her four-step method for launching a difficult conversation: get your mindset straight, acknowledge and empathize, state your desire, and ask for help. We talk about why “empathy” is not agreement, how a simple acknowledgment can lower someone’s guard, and why you should name the outcome you want instead of dictating the other parent’s process. You’ll hear concrete examples like turning “bedtime” battles into a shared goal such as “eight hours of sleep,” plus why specificity matters when you’re building a workable co-parenting plan. We also cover what to do when the other parent says no, how to keep the conversation moving with better questions, and how to exchange information without escalating. Teresa shares where to find her book Combative to Collaborative: The Co-Parenting Code, her newsletter, and her resources for parents who want a more collaborative approach or need parallel parenting structure. If this helps, subscribe, share it with someone navigating divorce and co-parenting, and leave a quick review so more parents can find it. To find out more, find all her resources and to connect with Teresa: https://teresaluse.com/ Hi and welcome to Thrive and Decide. I’m your host Sarah Thress. This podcast is intended to help women who are going through a divorce, continplating divorce or have lost a spouse feel seen, heard, understood and not alone. All the beautiful souls who share on here are coming from a place of vulnerability and a common belief that sharing your story will help others. You will also hear from industry experts on what to do and not do while going through a divorce. Sarah Thress 614-893-5885 Sarahthressrealtor@gmail.com Thrive and Decide Facebook https://www.instagram.com/thrive_and_decide/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559936633799 https://www.facebook.com/SarahThressRealtor/ https://www.instagram.com/sarah_thress_realtor/ Real Estate Podcast Come To Find Out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/come-to-find-out/id1704949604 Real Estate First Time Home Buyers course: https://sarahthress.graphy.com/

    36 min

  3. APR 8

    Five Quiet Signals A Marriage Is Failing

    Send us Fan Mail The scariest part of a marriage ending is how quiet it can look from the outside. One day you realize the jokes have teeth, the warmth is gone, and you’re living side by side instead of together. We sit down with Dr. Becky Whetstone, marriage therapist and author of I Think I Want Out, to unpack her viral framework for the five invisible signs a marriage is dying and why so many couples miss them until divorce feels inevitable. We dig into what those warning signs actually look like in real life: sarcasm and snark replacing kindness, disrespect in front of other people, spending more time away from home, sudden changes in appearance that hint at a “backup plan,” and the most chilling one of all, emotional withdrawal and apathy. We also get blunt about verbal and emotional abuse, because “mean” and “cruel” still count even when there are no bruises. If you’ve been minimizing what’s happening, this conversation gives you language, clarity, and a stronger sense of what you should not tolerate. From there we zoom out to the practical choices: how to make time for your relationship when kids and stress take over, why dating your spouse still matters, and why marriage therapy can be the difference between a painful split and a real turnaround when both people are reasonable and willing. We also share divorce recovery guidance we wish everyone heard sooner, including learning to be alone, building financial independence, and creating a realistic Plan B so you never feel trapped. If you’re navigating a high-conflict split, we explain how a divorce doula can help connect you to the right attorney, financial planner, and real estate strategy. If this gave you a gut check, subscribe so you don’t miss what comes next, share it with a friend who’s quietly struggling, and leave a review to help more people find Thrive and Decide Guide to Divorce. What’s one “invisible sign” you’ve seen that people ignore too long? Dr. Becky Whetstone's Info: Link to the blog we discussed today: https://marriagecrisismanager.com/signs-marriage-is-dying/ Website | https://marriagecrisismanager.com/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/relationshipcrisismanager/ X | https://x.com/DoctorBecky Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/doctorbecky/ LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-whetstone-ph-d-33866211/ Medium | https://medium.com/@doctorbecky Hi and welcome to Thrive and Decide. I’m your host Sarah Thress. This podcast is intended to help women who are going through a divorce, continplating divorce or have lost a spouse feel seen, heard, understood and not alone. All the beautiful souls who share on here are coming from a place of vulnerability and a common belief that sharing your story will help others. You will also hear from industry experts on what to do and not do while going through a divorce. Sarah Thress 614-893-5885 Sarahthressrealtor@gmail.com Thrive and Decide Facebook https://www.instagram.com/thrive_and_decide/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559936633799 https://www.facebook.com/SarahThressRealtor/ https://www.instagram.com/sarah_thress_realtor/ Real Estate Podcast Come To Find Out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/come-to-find-out/id1704949604 Real Estate First Time Home Buyers course: https://sarahthress.graphy.com/

    35 min

  4. APR 1

    What If The Best Divorce Deal Is Not Half

    Send us Fan Mail The marital home can turn into the loudest argument in a divorce and not because of the numbers. It’s memory, stability, kids, fear, and that ultra-low interest rate you locked in years ago. We sit down with Genna Queen, a mortgage lender who specializes in divorce mortgage strategy, to cut through the noise and get practical about the decision: keep the house, sell it, or structure an equity buyout that doesn’t wreck your future cash flow. We talk about how real mortgage rules work during divorce, including the uncomfortable truth that a divorce decree doesn’t magically remove someone from a mortgage note. Genna explains common timelines courts allow for refinance after divorce, why “I can afford the current payment” is not the same as qualifying for a new loan with a buyout, and when a HELOC might help short term versus when it can create budget stress with variable rates. We also dig into negotiation strategy, like when it can make sense to trade assets by keeping more home equity instead of taking the same value from a 401(k). We go deep on one of the biggest questions we hear: can alimony and child support count as income for a mortgage? Genna lays out the documentation requirements, the six-month history lenders want to see, and why support structure (monthly vs lump sum) can change your options. If you want to make a calm, informed housing decision during divorce, this conversation gives you the framework. If this helped, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s navigating divorce, and leave a quick review so more people can find it. What’s the hardest part of deciding what to do with the house? To connect with Genna Queen, Ruoff Mortgage https://www.ruoff.com/gennaqueen Hi and welcome to Thrive and Decide. I’m your host Sarah Thress. This podcast is intended to help women who are going through a divorce, continplating divorce or have lost a spouse feel seen, heard, understood and not alone. All the beautiful souls who share on here are coming from a place of vulnerability and a common belief that sharing your story will help others. You will also hear from industry experts on what to do and not do while going through a divorce. Sarah Thress 614-893-5885 Sarahthressrealtor@gmail.com Thrive and Decide Facebook https://www.instagram.com/thrive_and_decide/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559936633799 https://www.facebook.com/SarahThressRealtor/ https://www.instagram.com/sarah_thress_realtor/ Real Estate Podcast Come To Find Out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/come-to-find-out/id1704949604 Real Estate First Time Home Buyers course: https://sarahthress.graphy.com/

    29 min

  5. MAR 25

    What If Staying Is The Selfish Choice

    Send us Fan Mail A single realization can rewrite an entire life. Lisa joined us to tell the truth about what happened when a 30-year marriage quietly ran out of love and the pandemic removed every distraction. She shares the moment the “switch” flipped, why she left fast, and the guilt that haunted her even when she knew the decision was right. We get into the messy middle of divorce recovery: emotional detachment, drinking as a coping tool, the strange peace of the first night alone, and the shock of watching an entire friend group go silent. Lisa is candid about serial dating and online dating after divorce, not as a highlight reel, but as a real attempt to feel alive again after decades of ignoring her own needs. I also share the opposite experience, hearing “I don’t love you anymore” in therapy, spiraling into the why, and eventually landing on radical acceptance. Together, we talk about divorce and kids (including adult children), the fear of “messing them up,” and why kids can be more resilient than we think when they see two happier parents. We end with what growth can look like on the other side: stronger boundaries, more intentional friendships, and a second marriage built on real conversation, support, and emotional connection. If you’re navigating midlife divorce, gray divorce, or the heavy question of whether to stay, hit play, subscribe, and share this with someone who needs it. After you listen, what part is hardest for you right now: fear, guilt, or starting over? Hi and welcome to Thrive and Decide. I’m your host Sarah Thress. This podcast is intended to help women who are going through a divorce, continplating divorce or have lost a spouse feel seen, heard, understood and not alone. All the beautiful souls who share on here are coming from a place of vulnerability and a common belief that sharing your story will help others. You will also hear from industry experts on what to do and not do while going through a divorce. Sarah Thress 614-893-5885 Sarahthressrealtor@gmail.com Thrive and Decide Facebook https://www.instagram.com/thrive_and_decide/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559936633799 https://www.facebook.com/SarahThressRealtor/ https://www.instagram.com/sarah_thress_realtor/ Real Estate Podcast Come To Find Out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/come-to-find-out/id1704949604 Real Estate First Time Home Buyers course: https://sarahthress.graphy.com/

    37 min

  6. MAR 21

    Here’s How The Narcissistic Spin Cycle Keeps You Stuck

    Send us Fan Mail The word “narcissist” gets thrown around so casually that it can blur the line between a difficult partner and a truly high-control relationship. That confusion can be costly when you’re trying to decide whether to stay, how to protect your kids, or how to prepare for divorce without getting pulled back in by guilt, fear, or someone else’s shiny reputation. We sit down with Jamie Davis, a narcissistic coach and the voice behind The Spin Cycle, to name the patterns that so many people feel but can’t quite explain. We talk about narcissism on a spectrum, what clinicians mean by narcissistic personality disorder and Cluster B, and the cycle that keeps partners hooked: idealization and love bombing, then devaluation, intimidation, and discarding, then the charm that shows up just long enough to keep you doubting yourself. Jamie breaks down how gaslighting connects to black and white thinking, why feedback is treated like an attack, and how control can creep in through finances, social perception, and “help” that isn’t really help. We also dig into the different faces of narcissism: covert, overt, and communal narcissists who look heroic in public while you feel silenced at home. If you’re thinking, “No one will believe me,” you’re not alone. You’ll leave with practical tools for emotional regulation, nervous system support, and safer communication choices, plus a clear warning about why marriage counseling can backfire when psychological abuse is present. If this resonates, subscribe, share this with someone who needs language for what they’re living through, and leave a review so more people can find these resources. What’s one red flag you wish you’d trusted sooner? To connect with Jamie Davis at Spin Cycle Coaching: https://www.stopthespincycle.com/coaching Hi and welcome to Thrive and Decide. I’m your host Sarah Thress. This podcast is intended to help women who are going through a divorce, continplating divorce or have lost a spouse feel seen, heard, understood and not alone. All the beautiful souls who share on here are coming from a place of vulnerability and a common belief that sharing your story will help others. You will also hear from industry experts on what to do and not do while going through a divorce. Sarah Thress 614-893-5885 Sarahthressrealtor@gmail.com Thrive and Decide Facebook https://www.instagram.com/thrive_and_decide/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559936633799 https://www.facebook.com/SarahThressRealtor/ https://www.instagram.com/sarah_thress_realtor/ Real Estate Podcast Come To Find Out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/come-to-find-out/id1704949604 Real Estate First Time Home Buyers course: https://sarahthress.graphy.com/

    44 min

  7. MAR 11

    Divorce Myths, Debunked Clearly

    Send us Fan Mail Rumors spread fast during a split, but the court follows facts. We bring back family law attorney Tara Price to unpack the most common divorce myths we see in Ohio and explain what actually drives outcomes on property, custody, and day-to-day logistics. From the belief that cheating guarantees a financial win to the idea that kids can pick where they live at a certain age, we translate legal standards into plain language and practical steps you can use right now. We start with the big ones: why adultery only matters when it becomes financial misconduct, how “best interest of the child” overrides age-based assumptions, and why moving out doesn’t make you lose your share of the house. Tara explains how Ohio courts treat titles and account names, what “equitable” really means for dividing retirement and debt, and how early filing can protect assets with temporary restraining orders even if filing first isn’t a magic bullet. We also get into the weeds on status quo insurance rules, the real risks of recording calls across state lines, and new restrictions on tracking kids during the other parent’s time—plus how to write location-sharing agreements that keep everyone compliant and safe. Money and home decisions get a reality check, too. Should you sell or keep the house? Refinance or assume the loan? Trade equity for retirement or the other way around? We outline how to weigh interest rates, taxes, timelines, and eligibility with a team that includes your attorney, financial advisor, lender, and a divorce-savvy realtor. And we tackle sensitive curveballs: pregnancy can delay finalizing a divorce due to paternity presumptions, and splitting one household into two reshapes budgets, schedules, and expectations. Forget the “mom state” vs “dad’s rights” narrative—judges look at evidence, history, and statutory best-interest factors. If you’re ready to replace fear and Facebook folklore with a grounded plan, this conversation gives you a clear map and the right questions to ask. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to tell us which myth surprised you most. To connect with Tara Price: Tara R. Price Senior Associate Attorney LANGHALS LAW, LLC P: (937) 738-6700 Hi and welcome to Thrive and Decide. I’m your host Sarah Thress. This podcast is intended to help women who are going through a divorce, continplating divorce or have lost a spouse feel seen, heard, understood and not alone. All the beautiful souls who share on here are coming from a place of vulnerability and a common belief that sharing your story will help others. You will also hear from industry experts on what to do and not do while going through a divorce. Sarah Thress 614-893-5885 Sarahthressrealtor@gmail.com Thrive and Decide Facebook https://www.instagram.com/thrive_and_decide/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559936633799 https://www.facebook.com/SarahThressRealtor/ https://www.instagram.com/sarah_thress_realtor/ Real Estate Podcast Come To Find Out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/come-to-find-out/id1704949604 Real Estate First Time Home Buyers course: https://sarahthress.graphy.com/

    46 min

  8. MAR 4

    Finding Legal Help When You Can’t Afford It

    Send us Fan Mail If your spouse controls the money, it can feel like divorce is out of reach. We brought in family law specialist Tara Price to chart a realistic path for starting strong, even with zero income. From brief legal clinics to fee waivers, this conversation focuses on action steps that protect your rights without sinking your savings. We talk through why many firms now charge for consults and how to fund that first crucial meeting—using joint accounts carefully, opening a small personal credit line before separation, and understanding when a court might order the other party to contribute to your fees. Tara shares the most reliable low-cost help in Ohio: the Legal Aid Society of Central Ohio, the Justice Mobile’s rotating clinics at libraries and food pantries, and county-based offerings like the Hope Center and Andrew’s House, often supported by the statewide Justice Bus. These clinics can answer targeted questions, print and prep forms, and point you to the right next step—whether you’re filing, responding, or seeking temporary orders. We also dig into the nuts and bolts of filing correctly. Ohio’s statewide pro se family law forms are accepted everywhere, but each county adds local rules and extra documents that can make or break your case. Courthouse self-help centers can’t provide legal advice, yet they will guide you through the forms, computers, and procedures to get your case on track. For specialized issues—immigration, appeals, or protection orders—Tara explains how to find the right referrals, including the Ohio Domestic Violence Network’s legal resources. And don’t overlook law school clinics staffed by supervised students; they’re thorough, motivated, and often free or low cost. If you’re stuck at the starting line, this episode gives you a map: where to go, what to ask, which forms to use, and how to keep costs under control. Subscribe, share with someone who needs a way forward, and leave a review telling us which resource helped you take your first step. Resources mentioned in the podcast Legal Aid Society of Central Ohio – www.lasco.orgBrief legal advice clinics (Franklin County) through Justice Mobile – Legal Services | The JusticeMobile | United StatesOhio Supreme Court’s pro se domestic relations forms – Domestic Relations and Juvenile Standardized Forms » Supreme Court of OhioIndigency affidavit – Civil Fee Waiver Affidavit and OrderUnion County’s Hope Legal Clinic – The Hope Center Emergency Assistance Program - The Hope CenterFranklin County’s self-represented resource center – Self Represented Resource Center - Court of Common PleasCapital Law School Legal Aid Clinics – Legal Clinics | Capital University Law SchoolOhio Access to Justice Foundation – Ohio Access to Justice FoundationDelaware County’s brief legal advice clinic through Andrew’s House/Justice Bus – Ohio Justice Bus – Ohio Access to Justice FoundationOhio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN) – Legal Services - Ohio Domestic Violence NetworkConnect with Tara Price: Tara R. Price Senior Associate Attorney LANGHALS LAW, LLC P: (937) 738-6700 Hi and welcome to Thrive and Decide. I’m your host Sarah Thress. This podcast is intended to help women who are going through a divorce, continplating divorce or have lost a spouse feel seen, heard, understood and not alone. All the beautiful souls who share on here are coming from a place of vulnerability and a common belief that sharing your story will help others. You will also hear from industry experts on what to do and not do while going through a divorce. Sarah Thress 614-893-5885 Sarahthressrealtor@gmail.com Thrive and Decide Facebook https://www.instagram.com/thrive_and_decide/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559936633799 https://www.facebook.com/SarahThressRealtor/ https://www.instagram.com/sarah_thress_realtor/ Real Estate Podcast Come To Find Out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/come-to-find-out/id1704949604 Real Estate First Time Home Buyers course: https://sarahthress.graphy.com/

    28 min
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About

Welcome to Thrive and Decide: The Guide to Divorce and Beyond This empowering podcast is created for women navigating the emotional and legal challenges of divorce. Whether you're just beginning the process or rebuilding your life afterward, Thrive and Decide is here to help you feel seen, heard, and supported. Each episode features real stories from courageous women who openly share their divorce journeys—offering hope, healing, and the reminder that you are not alone. You'll also gain access to expert insights and valuable resources, including guidance from divorce coaches, legal professionals, financial advisors, and therapists. Our mission is to help you move through divorce with strength and step confidently into your next chapter.

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