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In this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, host Ashley-Nicole Russell is joined by Ashley Michael to explore the profound role of faith during divorce and how spiritual guidance can transform one of life’s most challenging transitions. From personal experience to professional insight, they unpack how leaning on God—not material things, relationships, or temporary fixes—can provide true comfort and resilience during marital separation. Ashley-Nicole Russell reframes what healing and strength really look like during divorce: embracing personal growth, spiritual renewal, and collaborative approaches that reduce chaos, foster accountability, and promote long-term emotional well-being. Together, Ashley-Nicole Russell and Ashley Michael break down: Why faith can serve as a stabilizing force amid the chaos of divorce.How a faith-based approach to family law supports better legal and emotional outcomes.The ripple effects of unresolved conflict on children, communities, and workplaces.Practical ways to lean into God as the ultimate source of comfort during personal upheaval.Biblical guidance from First Peter, Matthew, and Isaiah on resilience, hope, and peace.How integrating spirituality into legal processes transforms not only clients, but also the attorneys and staff supporting them.This powerful conversation challenges the notion that comfort comes from external sources and advocates for a higher standard of support, accountability, and emotional healing during divorce. True peace and growth come from spiritual grounding, personal reflection, and trusting God through the process. Resources & Links: Learn more about faith-based approaches to divorce at ANRLaw.com Follow Ashley-Nicole Russell and ANR Law on social media: @ANRLaw

In this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, host Ashley-Nicole Russell is joined by Ashley Michael to unpack one of today’s most troubling social media trends: the so-called “divorce glow up.” From flashy Instagram posts to celebrity headlines, the idea that divorce equals a glamorous reinvention is not only misleading, but deeply harmful—especially for children caught in the middle. Ashley-Nicole Russell challenges the toxic narrative that a post-divorce makeover is something to celebrate. Instead, she reframes what a true “glow up” looks like: taking accountability, practicing self-reflection, and choosing healthier, collaborative approaches to divorce that protect children, preserve dignity, and promote long-term emotional well-being. Together, Ashley-Nicole Russell and Ashley Michael break down: Why the “divorce glow up” is damaging to families and children.How social media glamorizes divorce in unrealistic ways.The ripple effects of high-conflict divorce on kids, communities, and workplaces.What It Really Means to Model Conflict Resolution for Children.How prenuptial agreements and collaborative divorce can prevent years of pain and litigation.Sobering statistics on how adversarial divorces impact mental health, substance abuse, and future relationships.Celebrity examples—from Reese Witherspoon to Jennifer Garner—that highlight the importance of handling divorce with dignity and accountability. This powerful conversation challenges cultural myths and advocates for a new standard in how we approach separation, parenting, and personal growth following divorce. The real “glow up” isn’t about Botox or gym selfies—it’s about breaking cycles of conflict, protecting your children, and becoming a healthier version of yourself. Resources & Links: Learn more about collaborative divorce and conflict resolution at ANRLaw.com.Get your copy of The Cure for Divorce Culture by Ashley-Nicole Russell.Follow Ashley-Nicole and ANR Law on social media: @ANRLaw

This episode of Divorce, Healthy! features Attorney Ashley-Nicole Russell and her business partner Attorney Ashley Michael. They discuss the profound impact of divorce, not only on the immediate family but also on co-workers, employers, friends, and the broader community. They emphasize that divorce can change how people approach the world, both individually and as a community. They advocate for a better way forward in divorce and conflict resolution, drawing on their personal and professional experiences in collaborative family law. They aim to shift the conversation around divorce by providing insights into the culture of conflict and its statistical effects on children and adults. They offer collaborative strategies for managing divorce at home and in the workplace. The speakers highlight the destructive impact of litigation on the workforce, noting that divorcing individuals often experience decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and mental duress, which can affect their job performance and the overall business. They stress the importance of employer assistance programs (EAPs) and educational resources to help employees navigate divorce more healthily. They contrast the chaotic and unpredictable nature of litigation—with its extensive document production, intense depositions, and court appearances—with the more controlled and cooperative processes of mediation and collaborative divorce. They share personal anecdotes and discuss how litigation can be intrusive and emotionally draining, leading to long-term "generational damage" for families. The discussion also touches on the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study, which identifies divorce as one of ten significant factors affecting children's well-being. They argue that while divorce is a reality, the goal should be to approach it in a way that minimizes negative effects on children and future generations. The episode concludes by advocating for a "cure for divorce culture" by promoting collaborative and healthier approaches to conflict resolution. Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Wilmington, and Greenville, NC. 💡 Featured Guest 💡 Name: Ashley Michael, Esq.  What she does: Ashley Michael is one of the few recognized adoption specialist attorneys in North Carolina, the co-owner and managing attorney of Michael & Russell, PLLC, the only collaborative family law firm and adoption firm in southeast North Carolina. Whether she is working on domestic, juvenile, or guardianship cases, Ashley Michael uses her training as a litigator, mediator, and collaborative law professional to resolve people’s issues with empathy and respectability. Attorney Michael is also Board Certified in Family Law by the North Carolina State Bar, NC-CAN Board of Directors, Founder of Coastal Collaborative, and Family Financial Mediator. ⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com.  ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw.  ⭐ Collaborative Divorce Attorney Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, Beaufort, and Wilmington. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app. More information can be found at anrlaw.com, thecopparent.org, and michaelandrussell.com.

Divorce doesn't just affect the parents and children, but also co-workers, employees, friends, neighbors, and spouses. Ashley Nicole Russell, an attorney, believes in a better way forward by changing the conversation around divorce and conflict resolution. She offers collaborative strategies at home and in the workplace, and she is the author of The Cure for Divorce Culture. The video, which is season 4 of the podcast "Divorce Healthy," will provide an in-depth analysis of process options available when considering divorce, including custody and co-parenting schedules. The content is legally researched and cited. While previous seasons included many guest interviews, this season will focus on providing direct content to listeners. Ashley Nicole Russell's law office, ANR Law, also known as Michael and Russell, is located in four areas of North Carolina: Wilmington, Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville. The firm covers the entire state. The five process options for divorce in North Carolina are mediation, collaboration, settlement negotiation, arbitration, and litigation. The speaker emphasizes that individuals can choose to keep decision-making power within their own hands rather than subjecting themselves to the court system. The goal of "Divorce Healthy" is to reform the culture of divorce by informing the public about how the process should work. The speaker aims to provide clarity and help individuals navigate divorce in a way that allows them to feel proud of their decisions and model effective conflict resolution for their children. She stresses that divorce does not have to be a war and can be an opportunity for personal growth and modeling good conflict resolution. More information can be found at anrlaw.com, thecopparent.org, and michaelandrussell.com.

The International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) has just received one of, if not the highest honor: a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. Advocates and professionals trained in this method of family law continuously and routinely speak about its benefits — the way it promotes respect of all parties, its ability to maintain civility in and out of the courtroom, and how it encourages empathy and understanding amongst all parties.  On this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, we respect the National Adoption Month of November with bring in Ashley Michael, one of only 25 recognized adoption specialist attorneys in North Carolina and co-owner - managing attorney of adoption firm Michael & Russell, PLLC, joins her partner and co-owner host Ashley-Nicole Russell to discuss the need for respect and contempt, their success with collaborative law, the ways in which they see its positivity ripple throughout their clients’ lives, and the need for more familial courtrooms to adapt its policies. “Areas are waiting for it. They're wanting it. They're needing it. They just need the attorneys who are going to provide it. And that's what we're working on now,” Ashley-Nicole says of the effort to spread the power of collaborative law. “I do think that it is an easy choice for clients once they truly understand [collaborative law]. What we have battled in the past is awareness — now we have it.”  With the publicity the IACP is receiving from its Nobel Peace Prize nomination, both women are hoping this powerful form of conflict resolution will be more widely adopted in courtrooms across the country. Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, Wilmington and Greenville, NC. 💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Ashley Michael, Esq.  What she does: Ashley is one of only 25 recognized adoption specialist attorneys in North Carolina, the co-owner and managing attorney of Michael & Russell, PLLC, the only collaborative family law firm and adoption firm in southeast North Carolina. Whether she is working on domestic, juvenile, or guardianship cases, Ashley uses her training as a litigator, mediator, and collaborative law professional to resolve people’s issues with empathy and respectability.   Words of wisdom: “In collaborative [law], we are part of these people's lives that we're helping, and that's just a beautiful thing that we get to engage in.” Connect: Website | LinkedIn  Connect with ANR Law⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com.  ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw.  ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, Beaufort and Wilmington, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.

Cryptocurrency, Non-Fungible Tokens and Digital Assets are now common enough to frequent  divorce cases as assets to be divided, but still new enough that most people are unfamiliar with what it represents. Attorneys need to understand how these digital assets are purchased, how they are stored, and how they are maintained.   In this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, host Ashley-Nicole Russell speaks with attorney Ben McLawhorn of McLawhorn & Russell, PLLC about cryptocurrency and other non-fungible tokens in divorce court. Ben aims to educate both clients and fellow attorneys on digital assets and how to approach them in litigation and settlement discussions. The two discuss at length the equitable distribution of crypto, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Smart-Contracts, NFT’s, Blockchain and the Metaverse and how those concepts play out in collaborative law proceedings versus in family law litigation. Ashley-Nicole discusses that Collaborative is an evolved model allowing the value of the assets to be obtained in a more transparent way across North Carolina and throughout the country. How do you know if you even have Crypto or what if your spouse understands it far better than you? Ben discusses the challenges that come with digital assets, such as ensuring clients disclose them to their attorneys, the difference between mining and trading cryptocurrency, and how to store and cash in digital assets. There are so many facets to cryptocurrency that need to be understood and considered when dealing with it divorce cases; from Bitcoin to NFTs and Ethereum to blockchains, Ben uses his knowledge to ensure his clients are being treated fairly.  Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, Wilmington and Greenville, NC.  💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Ben McLawhorn  What he does: Ben is an attorney at McLawhorn & Russell, PLLC, where he specializes in employment law, Social Security disability, and family law. Ben also works in tandem with Ashley-Nicole Russell, using an individualized litigation approach to ensure their clients’ rights and interests are protected. Words of wisdom: “You need to have somebody who's knowledgeable in this space, who understands what these digital assets represent, and how they are to be handled during a divorce.”  Connect: Website | LinkedIn  Connect with ANR Law⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com.  ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw.  ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, Beaufort and Wilmington, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.

Ashley-Nicole Russell, Esq  believes that mindfulness during divorce can make all the difference in how and what process is chosen and thus will affect the result. Her guest Eranda Jayawickreme applies his research in post-traumatic growth to illustrate divorce as a result and not a one-time action. As a psychologist and researcher, Eranda uses his work to show that divorce is not an isolated incident but an outcome of a long process.  On this episode of Divorce! Healthy, Ashley-Nicole and Eranda walk through the cycle of divorce, how it impacts everyone differently, and what we can learn about our divorce process from our childhoods. Eranda dives deeper into collaborative versus litigation approaches and whether one event can define who you are today or will be tomorrow.   “One reason why people struggle with divorce is that they may have had a childhood or they may have had prior life experiences that don’t necessarily give them the tools to help navigate complex problems successfully,” Eranda says.  “The secondary control that you can put in place is of how you're dealing with the situation, finding a resource that won't amp up the animosity between you trying to protect your own mindset so you can protect your children”, Ashley-Nicole says. As the cycle of divorce continues, it can be easy to give into building tensions but by being mindful of the end goal, that each party involved receives what is fair. This tension and giving into animosity can lead to heightened anxiety, depression, and can take a harsh toll on your overall mental health. It’s important that in situations where it’s possible, to choose a collaborative approach during the divorce process. Collaborative between the divorcing parties can ease future decisions such as child custody and settlement negotiation. Awareness of yourself, of children, family, and others that are affected in the divorce process will help this difficult time pass more easily.   💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Eranda Jayawickreme   What he does: Eranda received his Ph.D. in positive and social/personality psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2010. He is Harold W. Tribble Professor of Psychology at Wake Forest University, and he conducts ongoing research on integrating philosophy and psychology, with an acute focus on post-traumatic growth. Eranda is involved in several projects monitoring the possibilities to strengthen character following adversity, challenge, or failure and the integrative theories of personality.  Words of wisdom: “I do think, when you go to the experience of ending a marriage, it is an opportunity for you to step back and reflect on what you think you've done, how you think you're behaved well, ways in which you think you could do better.”  Connect: Website | Twitter Connect with ANR Law⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com.  ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw.  ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.

For decades, the family court system has done a poor job of showing children how to handle conflict and strife. In North Carolina, three women have set out to be generational chain breakers, modeling positive and effective communication through conflict resolution.  On this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, host Ashley-Nicole Russell speaks with collaborative law attorneys Robin Mermans, owner of Road to Resolution, and Irene King, founder of King Collaborative Family Law. The trio delve into the significance of collaborative practices and the future of divorce law in general.  Each attorney discusses her own tumultuous path with divorce and court proceedings that led them to study, pursue, and practice collaborative law. They all agree that collaborative practices don’t just help the separating couple remain civil, but also demonstrates to children and family circles how divorce can be handled with mutual understanding.   “A divorce can be a way that you're able to move forward in a positive nature and in a healthy way for your family,” said Ashley-Nicole. “It can still be handled with respect. And I think that the respect aspect is such a large piece of this.”  Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC. 💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Robin M. Mermans  What she does: Robin is an attorney, who runs Road to Resolution — Divorce Mediation and Collaborative Family Law in North Carolina. After going through her own relatively amicable divorce, Robin left her job at a Fortune 500 company to pursue law school and practice collaborative mediation.  Words of wisdom: “Once I learned about collaborative [law], I was hooked. It was exactly what I was looking for. Two parties still have attorneys, so you're not in that unlawful-practice-of-law landscape. You're problem-solving, and helping people, ideally, close the chapter and start a new one in a healthy manner.” Connect: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook  Name: Irene King  What she does: Irene is the founder of King Collaborative Family Law. She found her way to collaborative law after decades of suiting up as a gladiator in family law each day and seeing families fall apart.   Words of wisdom: “We can do really amazing things for families by keeping them out of the courtroom. We can keep them talking. We can ensure that their next chapter will be a viable one for the family, even if they have to reframe the way that they look as they move forward with their lives. It's completely possible.”  Connect: Website | LinkedIn | Email Connect with ANR Law⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com.  ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw.  ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.

In this season of the Divorce, Healthy! podcast, we’re diving deep into the collaborative process. From mediation, to co-parenting, to top-notch resources for demystifying collaborative practice, this season is going to cover all corners of collaboration to help navigate divorce.  Divorce can be a nightmare for all parties involved. That’s why Lori Gephart, President of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), is on a mission to share the benefits of collaborative practice. There’s a great deal of fear and emotions that come with divorce. There are legal, financial, and emotional burdens that weigh down the people involved. Not only that, but many children face psychological issues after the process, often developing an ingrained fear of divorce. So what can people do to mitigate fear, find better co-parenting options, and foster a healthier, smoother process?   This is where Collaborative comes into play. Collaborative practice is a healthier alternative to litigation. It promotes communication, builds on empathy, and works toward a shared goal. It also lowers conflict and addresses common fears that occur in the process. Lori says that “when fear walks into the room, we talk about what’s important to you.” So, how can you get involved in Collaborative practice? Through webinars, resources, conferences, and a global network of professionals, the IACP is educating people on the impact of Collaborative practice and why it’s so important.  If you’re going through a divorce, the IACP can help you find mediation professionals in your area (like those at ANR Law) who can coach you through the process. If you’re a professional in the Collaborative space, you can become a member of the IACP and gain access to a vast network that is always willing to learn, teach, and work together.  On this episode of Divorce, Healthy! host Ashley-Nicole sits down with Lori to talk about Collaborative practice and how it can foster a healthy divorce process.  Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC. 💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Lori Gephart What she does: Lori Gephart is a collaborative divorce coach, licensed psychologist, and the President of North Hills Psychological Associates, which is the first collaborative practice east of Raleigh. Lori was the first collaborative attorney to start directly out of law school in North Carolina, having studied under the first collaborative attorney in the state during law school. Now, she helps families separate and divorce without going to court for a healthier, more respectful divorce. Lori also started training with the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) in 2011, eventually moving up to her current role as President.  Words of Wisdom: “I do this work because I believe that it's healthier for children and families.” Connect: LinkedIn | Twitter | North Hills Psychological Associates | IACP | Facebook (IACP) | Twitter (IACP) | LinkedIn (IACP) Connect with ANR Law⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com.  ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw.  ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.

The expense of divorce can be quite a burden, especially with today’s rising costs forcing us all to do more with less. Erin Levine, founder of Hello Divorce, is seeking to change that narrative. An experienced divorce attorney herself, Erin wanted to find a way to reduce the most expensive part of the divorce process — attorneys. She recognized that most divorces don’t require litigation. Instead, clients need a basic set of resources and support from compassionate professionals who can help make the legal divorce process as painless as possible. “The goal of Hello Divorce is to make divorce easier, friendlier, and a lot more affordable,” Erin says. “It doesn't mean that there won't be conflict. There's almost always conflict. But it doesn't mean that we need to ramp up the divorce such that we're battling it out in court.” She developed Hello Divorce to be a checklist and one-stop-shop for attaining divorce resources — from compiling documents, to mediation, to working with an attorney to draft and submit the final paperwork to court. Hello Divorce is customizable and can be tailored to fit each person’s particular needs. Its competitive pricing packages and à la carte services provide options that are typically out of reach for most people. Though the full suite of offerings is currently available in just a few select states, Erin plans to expand so she can serve more people. On this episode of Divorce, Healthy! host Ashley-Nicole sits down with Erin to discuss how Hello Divorce is driving change and creating space for more comfortable divorces.  Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC. 💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Erin Levine What she does: Erin Levine, Esq. is an experienced divorce attorney who developed her company, Hello Divorce, to help streamline, cut costs, educate, and reduce overwhelm for uncomplicated divorces. Her mission is to make divorce easier, friendlier, and more affordable. Words of wisdom: “[Divorce is] not an event. It’s a journey.” Connect: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Pinterest 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️ Top takeaways from this Divorce, Healthy! episode  Most divorces don’t need a litigating attorney. When there are two willing parties in a divorce, it’s often easier to come to an agreement without going to trial. Hello Divorce is a great option for those cases because it saves money and heartache.Reduce the overwhelm through education. It’s easy to feel lost when starting the divorce journey. Hello Divorce offers worksheets and checklists to help you work through the basics and manage the anxiety around the entire divorce process. Hello Divorce’s resources aim to democratize divorce in all 50 states. While Hello Divorce isn’t yet available across the country, you can use its worksheets to get organized no matter your location. Also, prospective clients can use Hello Divorce’s mediators, then use a local attorney to draft the needed documents. ⚡ Episode Insights ⚡[04:16] The goal for Hello Divorce: Erin wants people to leave her website with the ability to “reduce the overwhelm” and feel more comfortable with an uncomfortable subject.  [07:03] Who can benefit from Hello Divorce: Erin gives an overview of the intended audience for Hello Divorce. It’s typically for uncomplicated divorces. [10:08] What to expect from a consultation: Erin breaks down the Hello Divorce process and how to best make use of the resources available.  [14:43] The reach of Hello Divorce: Hello Divorce is not available in all 50 states yet, due to the different laws in each state. Currently, it’s available in California, Colorado, Texas, and Utah, with New York and Florida coming soon.  [18:18] Mediation services across the country: Even if Hello Divorce packages are not available in your state, anyone can use the company’s mediation services and then have the necessary paperwork completed by a local attorney.  [23:40] Maximizing your money by using Hello Divorce worksheets: Instead of using valuable billable hours with a lawyer, get prepared by using Hello Divorce’s worksheets to pull together documents. Even if you can’t do the whole worksheet, it points out where you need help from the professionals.  [25:36] What is this going to cost me?: Erin goes over the fee options for Hello Divorce’s packages and services.  [30:39] Up next for Hello Divorce: Erin recently hired a chief product officer from TurboTax to incorporate product and machine learning to her business, while still maintaining a human touch.  Connect with ANR Law⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com.  ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw.  ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.

Divorce, Healthy! was started to help people find a way to get through divorce in non-destructive ways. Ashley-Nicole Russell’s passion has inspired her personal mission statement: to change how divorce is handled in America. Ashley-Nicole launched the Divorce, Healthy! podcast with a monologue. In today’s episode, she shares a new reflection of her journey thus far in achieving her goals and changing divorce culture.  “That statement grew over time. It started with my mission to change divorce in my small town, to my state, to my entire country. And I really want to make sure that I save families from the destructive effects of what happens during divorce,” Ashley-Nicole says. On this episode of Divorce, Healthy! Ashley-Nicole shares her personal experience as an adult child of divorce and as a divorcee, why she wrote her book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” and how she’s a living example of what she writes. “As we say in the south, the proof is in the pudding, right? … In the book, you get a big view of what happened [in my divorce]. There are some things that are a bit unsaid. And then, of course, there's the finished product of me actually moving on, having my own family, and curing [divorce] in the ways that I can for the next generation,” Ashley-Nicole says. Ashley-Nicole reflects on child custody, support, the duty of HR and Alternative Dispute Resolution in divorce. Additionally, she touches on parental alienation, father’s rights, mother's rights and self-awareness. Through her own personal journey, Ashley-Nicole has learned how to heal past traumas and find her own way to a happy and healthy life. Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC.   💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Ashley-Nicole Russell What she does: Ashley-Nicole Russell, Esq. is an award-winning family law attorney, author, speaker, and host of the podcast Divorce, Healthy!. She has created a new area of practice for family law in North Carolina and wrote the book, “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” which is helping to change the way couples divorce in the U.S. Her mission is to change how divorce is handled in this country over the next four years. Words of wisdom: “I have a beautiful passion that's fueling me. And that's to fix divorce in America.” Connect: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram   🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this Divorce, Healthy! episode ★    Stigmas attached to divorce hurt children. Divorce as it has traditionally been viewed can have long-lasting negative effects on children that last into adulthood. This is why Ashley-Nicole knows it’s so important to change the culture of divorce. ★    Eliminate the battleground with divorce. Moving away from a litigation focus with divorce has opened up opportunities for parents to pursue shared parenting and allows families to come together and do what’s best for their children. ★    Model the behavior you want to see in your children. As a new parent herself, Ashley-Nicole has seen how important it is to model the behavior you want to see in your children.   ⚡ Episode Insights ⚡[01:14] The monologue, part two: Ashley-Nicole reflects on the start of the Divorce, Healthy! Podcast. In this episode, she shares a follow-up monologue about her goal to cure divorce culture in America. [03:17] A personal passion: Ashley-Nicole opens up and shares her personal experiences as a divorcee and an adult child of divorce. [09:35] Divorce is evolving: Divorce is no longer a one-sided litigation-focused event. There are now many different options including mandatory mediation. [14:33] Combat issues in your life with love: This doesn’t mean you can’t get divorced, but it means that if you do, you need to maintain respect for the other person and think of what is best for everyone involved. [17:56] Change divorce: With our lived experiences and the wealth of resources available today, it is our responsibility to do better and change how divorce is handled and viewed in this country. [21:25] Collaborative divorce is the way to go: You don’t need to do things the way they have always been done. If you’re going through a divorce you should make informed decisions to settle outside of court. [23:49] Let’s fix divorce in America: With all the resources, tools, and people who want to help, there has never been a better time to re-write what it means to get divorced and the process that gets you there. Connect with ANR Law⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com. ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.

Casey Sowers followed 14 years of military service with a long career as a project manager in the private sector. During this time, he found himself fighting for equal shared custody of one of his daughters. Prior to this, it had never occurred to Casey to look into the custody industry, or to consider the custody rights of divorced fathers. But after the stress of his own custody battle seriously affected his mental health and job performance, he started to get more involved. Now, Casey is Executive Director of The Fathers’ Rights Movement, a nonprofit made up of parents who advocate for 50/50 shared custody. At first, Casey thought the impact of his own custody battle was all psychological. However, when he stopped to think about how many times he’d had to take a call from a lawyer, or find evidence related to his case during work hours, he began to wonder whether custody battles are costing corporate America significant amounts of revenue. This motivated him to launch a pilot study to test this theory. So far, it includes 4,300 people. The groundbreaking study is being released to addresses the impact that inequality in the United States Family Court System has on corporations. This is the most comprehensive research project of its kind that observes the effects that shared parenting and the court system has on not only families, but also corporations and communities. Companies are growing increasingly concerned about the negative effects of divorce litigation on their employees and families, including emotional hardship and mental health issues that lead to decreased productivity and time away from work. Additionally, subpoenas are causing taxing issues for companies to produce massive amounts of documents and testimony under these duress cases. Casey hopes to prove that poor mental health — such as the kind he suffered during his custody battle — affects job performance. And since job performance is tied to corporate revenue loss, it’s in corporate America’s interest to advocate for a system in which fathers have a fair chance at gaining equal custody of their children. Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC. 💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Casey Sowers What he does: Casey directs The Fathers’ Rights Movement, a group of fathers and mothers who advocate for divorced parents to receive equal custody of their children.  Words of wisdom: “My duty as a father is to do whatever I need to in the best interest of my child. It's about being patient, not being reactive, and staying mentally healthy. Even if you're not able to see your child, you need to be complete and whole as a person.”  Connect: LinkedIn | Instagram 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this Divorce, Healthy! episode  ★   Consider collaboration instead. In North Carolina — which the National Parenting Organization awarded a D- in its 2019 Shared Parenting Report Card — it’s not unheard of to pay $150,000 for child custody litigation, depending on which county you live in. Casey spent $140,000 over the course of two years for his litigation in Florida. Settling through a collaborative legal approach is far less expensive. ★   Understand what you’re signing up for. If you choose to litigate instead of collaborate, keep your expectations realistic. It’s a long, arduous, costly process. If you take that as a given, it will be easier to manage your emotions and be there for your child. ★   Put your child’s well-being first. Don’t fall into the trap of making yourself the victim during your custody battle. Prioritize your child’s well-being.   ⚡ Episode Insights ⚡[03:33] The Fathers’ Rights Movement works for parents of all genders: The name comes from the proportion of men to women who are affected in these kinds of custody cases: 65% are men, but the organization also advocates for the 35% of women who are fighting for equal shared parenting. [07:15] Child custody battles are big business: This is a $55 billion dollar industry — and attorneys get the lion’s share.  [12:37] All states are not created equal when it comes to custody decisions: The National Parenting Organization grades states based on how well their legislatures promote shared parenting best practices. New York, for example, received an F. [17:15] Custody disputes have a negative impact on parents’ mental health and their job performance: A pilot study by The Fathers’ Rights Movement found a correlation between employees going through custody battles, and loss of revenue for their companies. [26:56] If you’re getting divorced and have a child, know that you’re in for the long haul: If you choose litigation as opposed to mediation, expect a lengthy, arduous, expensive process. If you take this as a given, you’re less likely to react negatively to the stress involved. [30:31]  Resist the temptation to see yourself as a victim: Focus on your child’s welfare and be patient, instead of making it all about you. This will benefit your mental health and help you respond calmly during proceedings. Connect with ANR Law⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com. ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.

Dating can be daunting. Some people go for the same type of partners time and again, ignoring red flags and gravitating toward drama. It doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, it shouldn’t be that way.  On this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, dating coach Bela Gandhi discusses her successful career in matchmaking. Although it started as somewhat of a party trick, Bela’s ability to successfully match those around her eventually led to her passion. In 2009, she started the Smart Dating Academy, a coaching and consulting company that teaches people how to find the happiest and best loves of their lives.  “[We] help people stop doing the same thing over and over again, which is picking partners that aren't good for them, and instead, start picking partners that are going to make them happy, and be a real partner in their life and make life easy and fun,” Bela says.  Bela also discusses the current marriage rate in the U.S., which is the lowest level on record. She attributes this record low rate to people waiting longer to get married.  “I think now, with women being in school in record numbers, even outpacing men in schools and in the professional world, we're more equivalent in so many ways. So people want to put that education to good use, climb that ladder a bit, and marriage is something that people are choosing to do later,” she explains.  Despite the low marriage rate, people are still choosing to “partner up.” After 12 years of business, Bela has not had a single divorce among her clients. Looking at childhood environments and individual desire, Bela has discovered a successful algorithm for matching people. Tune in to this episode of Divorce! Healthy with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC.  💡 Featured Guests 💡Name: Bela Gandhi What she does: Bela Gandhi is the founder of Smart Dating Academy, a coaching and consulting company that teaches people how to find the happiest and best loves of their lives. Words of wisdom: “My mission is to put more love into this world.” Connect: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram  🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this Divorce, Healthy! episode ★    Smart Dating Academy helps people find love and avoid making the same mistakes again. Dating can be difficult and isolating. Bela’s company helps determine clients’ true wants and needs, helping them avoid red flags and find lifelong partners.  ★    Set yourself up for success. Seeking help from the Smart Dating Academy can prevent divorce later on, as it pairs people based on their upbringings and deepest needs among other points of interest. ★    Social expectations of marriage have changed but the desire for love remains. Now, more than ever, people are prioritizing themselves and putting marriage on the back burner. This has led to record low marriage rates but has not slowed down people’s desire to partner up and find love.   ⚡ Episode Insights ⚡[02:19] Fix your picker: The tagline for Bela Gandhi’s Smart Dating Academy sums up the company’s mission, which helps people find the right kind of love for them. [03:45] Pandemic partnering: During the pandemic, Bela saw more people forming deep connections via video calls. Without the “lure of premature physicality,” she observes that new couples had more honest conversations. [05:16] Record-low marriage rates: The U.S. is seeing a record low in marriage rates, which Bela attributes to more equality between women and men. [11:02] A means of preventing divorce: Bela sees her work as preventing the end of marriages by helping people truly find their perfect match. [19:40] Marriage map process: Bela explains her consulting company’s marriage map process, which helps determine the client’s ideal match by taking into consideration the type of relationship their parents had. [23:12] High success rate: The Smart Dating Academy’s success rate speaks for itself. This October will be the company’s 12-year anniversary, and it’s never had a divorce among its clients. [27:53] You may just need some guardrails: “Love is out there for you. … You may just need some guardrails,” Bela insists. She believes there’s a lid to every pot and that she can help each person find it by protecting them from the dings and bumps along the way.   Connect with ANR Law⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com. ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ See Ashley-Nicole's website and book for more marriage rate information. ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.

Divorce lawyers traditionally advised their clients to fight for sole custody of children, especially when their client was the mother. It’s time to put that tradition behind us. On this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, National Parents Organization (NPO) board members Matt Hale and Don Hubin, as well as family lawyer and children’s book author Kelly Chang Rickert, talk about the benefits of shared parenting. The NPO is responsible for issuing a state-by-state report card for the nation’s first comprehensive review of child custody statutes as they relate to shared parenting. When Matt Hale began the Kentucky chapter, the state had a low rating for child custody laws. But in 2017, Kentucky passed House Bill 492, the Equal Parenting Presumption During Temporary Orders. The next year, in 2018, it passed the Equal Parenting Presumption for Final Orders, which mandates that shared parenting is the gold standard for a child's best interest. Thanks to these efforts, the state now recognizes and celebrates Shared Parenting Day each year. It was NPO President Don Hubin who advised Matt on his dealings with the Kentucky legislature. “NPO is child-focused and research-based. We're trying to improve the system. We're trying to reduce the contentiousness of divorce,” Don says. In fact, the organization has more than 40 years of research to support their argument for shared parenting. Kelly Chang Rickert also has years of research and experience in her wheelhouse as a family law expert. Her passion even inspired her to write a children’s book, “Two Adventures with Mom and Dad,” which encourages shared parenting. Tune in to this episode of Divorce! Healthy with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC, to hear about the importance of shared parenting.   💡 Featured Guests 💡Name: Matt Hale What he does: Matt is the founder of the Kentucky chapter of National Parents Organization (NPO). He spearheaded the state’s legislative rulings calling for shared parenting as the new gold standard.  Words of wisdom: “I just want to help other families get shared parenting because it's good for parents, it's good for kids, and it's good for society.”   Name: Don Hubin What he does: Don is the President of the National Parents Organization (NPO), which strives to protect every child’s right to the love and care of both parents after separation or divorce. Words of wisdom: “Competent, loving parents should not have to go through a court battle to continue to be fully involved in their children's lives.” Connect: LinkedIn   Name: Kelly Chang Rickert  What she does: Kelly has been practicing law for over 20 years and is the founder of the Law and Mediation Offices of Kelly Chang, APLC, a law firm dedicated to family law. She also wrote the children’s book, “Two Adventures with Mom and Dad,” to help explain divorce and shared parenting to kids.   Words of wisdom: “If both parents are wanting custody, we should work out a parenting plan.”  Connect: Website | LinkedIn   🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this Divorce, Healthy! episode ★    Legislation must change. The NPO is striving to change legislation in all 50 states to equalize parental rights and guarantee that every child has the right to love and care from both parents. ★    Shared parenting benefits everyone. Research has proven time and again that children do much better and are significantly happier when their parents are equally involved. Shared parenting also allows both parents to pursue their own careers and endeavors when they know they have the help and support of their child’s other parent. ★    Be careful who you hire. Divorce lawyers are not meant to destroy your spouse. Make sure you hire someone for the right reasons, so that you remain in control of all big decisions.    ⚡ Episode Insights ⚡[03:07] Toxic fallout: Matt explains how shared parenting avoids toxic fallout, which is the phenomenon that occurs when a couple’s contentious divorce affects businesses and other people in their community. Shared parenting offers the best potential outcomes for all parties involved. [03:34] Slow and steady: Changing legislation is an uphill battle. Matt delineates how he led the battle for Kentucky’s shared parenting and permanent orders by starting with temporary orders. [07:11] Helping others: Don discusses his personal experience in divorce court and how the system’s status quo threatens families. [10:47] Proof is in the pudding: Don explains how NPO has more than 40 years of social science research that proves children do best when both parents are actively and equally involved in their lives. [12:08] Unifying issue: The legislative switch to shared parenting has enormous support among Americans, cutting across most demographic divides, including age, ethnicity, race, income, educational level, political affiliation, and gender. [17:46] State report cards: The NPO is responsible for issuing a state-by-state report card for the nation’s first comprehensive review of child custody statutes as they relate to shared parenting. [25:24] Seeking allies: Don explains NPO’s successful partnership with Arkansas’ Advocates for Parental Equality, a state-specific group of parents who support shared parenting and equal parental rights. [31:50] Misconceptions of divorce: Family lawyer Kelly discusses the common misconception that when people go through a divorce, they should fight for custody of their children. [38:53] Hire the right lawyer: Kelly discusses the importance of choosing the right divorce lawyer for you and your own wants and needs. [42:48] Children’s resources: Understanding the difficulty of explaining divorce to kids, Kelly shares about her children’s book “Two Adventures with Mom and Dad” as a great place to start. Related Resources❖   Arkansas Equal Parenting Law (spearheaded by Arkansas Advocates for Parental Equality) ❖   NPO Shared Parenting Polling ❖   NPO-Sponsored Shared Parenting Conference Videos ❖   NPO Featured Articles on Share Parenting ❖   Shared Parenting Day Celebration   Connect with ANR Law⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com. ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina. ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.

Society tells women that motherhood should be their primary source of fulfillment. This same pressure, however, is not put on men. Society pressures moms to live out this kid-focused lifestyle, deeming them lousy or lazy if they do not. Meanwhile, dads are simply let off the hook. In the same vein, women are advised to fight for full legal custody in divorce court, abiding by society’s expectations of what they should do. Emma Johnson, the blogger behind Wealthy Single Mommy, is here to fight that stigma and advocate for shared parenting. On this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, Emma discusses her research about how time-sharing between separated parents impacts single mothers’ income. “Moms with 50/50 schedules are 300 times more likely to earn $100,000 a year — 300 times more likely to earn six figures than moms with 100% time with their kids,” Emma says. The results of her research upend previous notions of feminism, debunking the idea that moms having sole, full legal custody of children is the best outcome. Not only is it beneficial for women to have 50/50 custody, it is also in the best interests of children, making them feel more at ease, loved, and less anxious. As Emma says, “It signals to them that: my parents are equal, they both are equally committed, they equally love me, and they’re here.” Tune in to this episode of Divorce! Healthy with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Divorce Attorney serving Beaufort, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC. 💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Emma Johnson What she does: Emma is the blogger behind Wealthy Single Mommy, a site dedicated to helping millions of women build full, successful lives as single moms. As a best-selling author, journalist, and expert on single-parent topics, Emma has created an online community for single moms across the globe. Noteworthy: In February, Emma launched a White Paper based on the findings of the Single Mom Income and Time-Sharing Survey, which polled 2,270 single mothers about their employment, income, time-sharing, and related feelings. Connect: About | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this Divorce, Healthy! episode  ★    Don’t be afraid of 50/50 custody. Women are oftentimes pressured to fight for full legal custody of their children when filing for divorce. However, split custody agreements can lead to more favorable outcomes by giving women more time to devote to their careers, relationships, and own happiness. ★    There’s a real need for systemic cultural changes. Society tells women that motherhood is their ultimate source of fulfillment. This needs to change, and it can begin with women putting themselves first and not feeling guilty about shared legal custody. ★    Sharing legal custody benefits your kids’ mental health. It’s not only about improving single moms’ lifestyles — 50/50 custody agreements also benefit children. For a kid, seeing both parents equally committed to them establishes a sense of reassurance and reduces anxiety. ⚡ Episode Insights ⚡[04:31] Equitable time-sharing benefits single moms’ income: According to Emma’s research, moms with 50/50 custody schedules are 300X more likely to earn a salary of $100,000 than moms with full legal custody of their kids. [10:49] Society reinforces a double standard: Our culture shames women who do not spend a certain amount of time with their kids. They’re deemed lousy moms and lousy people — but these same pressures aren’t placed on men. [13:45] Custody split = empowerment for men: Splitting custody equally helps dads to maintain stronger, healthier relationships with their children. They rise to the occasion and take more active parenting roles.   [13:59] Give kids more security: Sharing custody equally also provides children with a greater sense of security. They see their parents as two equals who love them — equal responsibility holders, equal decision-makers, and equal participants in their life. [19:36] Look at the long game: Women who fight for sole or primary legal custody lose money-making opportunities and tend to become reliant on child support or alimony bills. Good attorneys will encourage their clients to look at the big picture. That is, look beyond that limited, monthly payout to realize shared custody agreements will open more doors for earning income. [27:51] A mainstream feminist issue: The more equality women have in terms of child custody, the more time they have to invest in their careers. Connect with ANR Law⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com. ⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. ⭐ Read the Forbes article featuring Ashley-Nicole ⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app. ⭐ Divorce Lawyer Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, and Beaufort, North Carolina.