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In this episode, Karen McNenny sits down with Leah Marie Mazur, divorce recovery coach, speaker, and founder of Mindfully Ready. Leah has lived through three divorces and a profound early-life loss, and she brings hard‑earned wisdom to the conversation about rebuilding identity, emotional stability, and self‑trust after major transitions.  Karen and Leah explore the “in‑between space” after divorce—those quiet, disorienting moments when the house is empty, routines have changed, and grief shows up in unexpected ways. Leah offers practical tools for navigating loneliness, planning proactively, and rediscovering hobbies, passions, and creative outlets that reconnect you to your authentic self. She describes how stepping into discomfort builds confidence, sharing her own story of nervously auditioning for a classic rock band and discovering a new part of her identity. “Confidence comes after you do the scary thing, scared,” she reminds us. The conversation also touches on modeling resilience for children, breaking patterns of people‑pleasing, and learning to trust your instincts again. Leah outlines how self‑trust is rebuilt through small daily follow‑through—those tiny promises kept to yourself that slowly rewire your sense of reliability and inner strength. Listeners will walk away with grounded, compassionate guidance for reclaiming identity, rebuilding confidence, and stepping into the next chapter with intention. Links & Resources Leah Marie Mazur – Mindfully Ready: https://mindfullyready.comKaren McNenny: https://www.karenmcnenny.com/Karen’s book: The Good Divorce: How to End Your Marriage Without Ending Your Family

What if we supported people through divorce the same way we support them when they get married? In this episode, I’m talking with Genevieve “Jenny” Dreizen, co-founder of Fresh Starts Registry,  the world’s first divorce registry. What started as a way to help people rebuild a home after divorce has grown into something much bigger: a community of resources, vetted professionals, education, and practical support for navigating one of life’s biggest transitions Jenny and I talk about why asking for help can be so difficult, why your attorney shouldn’t be your entire divorce support system, and how we can make divorce a little less dramatic, isolating, and maybe even a little more boring. IN THIS CONVERSATION: 00:00 Introduction + Fresh Starts Registry 02:50 Jenny’s Fresh Start Story 05:45 How the Divorce Registry Began 10:45 What Fresh Starts Offers 12:10 The Registry Fairies 14:20 Asking Friends + Family for Support 18:20 Resources Beyond the Registry 24:10 Supporting Divorce Professionals 27:30 Why Divorce Isn’t a Niche Issue 31:05 Building a Trusted Divorce Community 33:50 Why Your Lawyer Shouldn’t Be Your Whole Support Team 39:40 Choosing the Right Divorce Professionals 41:30 Making Divorce Boring 45:15 Growing Up as a Child of Divorce 47:00 What Children Notice at Home 48:45 Finding Joy After Divorce ABOUT JENNY DREIZEN Genevieve “Jenny” Dreizen is the co-founder and COO of Fresh Starts Registry, a divorce support platform that began with the world’s first divorce registry and now connects people with resources, education, events, and vetted divorce professionals. She is also the host of Jenny Says So, an award-winning podcast focused on boundaries and modern etiquette.   Learn more about Jenny + Fresh Starts Registry: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com Become a Registry Fairy: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/becomearegistryfairy ABOUT KAREN McNENNY Karen McNenny is a divorce coach, mediator, co-parenting specialist and author of The Good Divorce: How to End Your Marriage Without Ending Your Family. CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION More conversations from The Good Divorce Show: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGA706WHH-hI Previous episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iCpQ7wBN-c Learn more about Karen: https://www.karenmcnenny.com

In this episode of The Good Divorce Show, Karen sits down with fellow disruptor Olivia Howell: CEO and co-founder of Fresh Starts Registry, clinical hypnotherapist, certified divorce coach, and award-winning podcast producer. Olivia takes us back to the morning in the shower when she knew her marriage was over, and to the cascade of small decisions that followed. She speaks candidly about the fear, the grief, and the unexpected spiritual nudges that carried her toward a new beginning. Together, Karen and Olivia explore shame and isolation, parentification, co-parenting, introducing new partners, and the long arc of healing. Olivia also shares how Fresh Starts Registry grew out of her own experience rebuilding a life from scratch, and why she's fiercely committed to offering free, stigma-free support to anyone navigating divorce. If you're in the early, uncertain stages of questioning your marriage or starting over, this conversation is for you. The other side isn't just something to survive, but it can be transformative.

A divorce isn’t just a legal process—it’s an emotional, financial, and logistical transformation. In this episode, Karen welcomes Amy Colton, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), wealth advisor, and family law mediator, for a deep and eye‑opening conversation about the financial side of divorce that so many people overlook. Amy explains why divorce truly requires three professionals: emotional support, legal guidance, and financial expertise. She breaks down the common myth that attorneys handle “everything,” and reveals why relying solely on legal counsel often leads to missed information, unnecessary conflict, and higher costs. As she puts it, “What do people fight about? They fight about finances.” Together, Karen and Amy explore the tax implications of divorce—especially for couples separating late in the year—and how filing status, capital gains, and taxable vs. non‑taxable assets can dramatically affect the final settlement. Amy shares real‑world examples of hidden income, red flags in tax returns, and even financial abuse uncovered through forensic review. “There are so many nuances inside the tax return,” she notes, emphasizing why every divorcing couple should examine at least two years of returns. Listeners will also learn about QDROs, restricted stock units, dividing the marital home, and why “fair” doesn’t always mean 50/50. Amy offers guidance for those anxious about managing money post‑divorce and explains how she supports clients in building financial stability long after the paperwork is signed. Whether you’re contemplating divorce, in the thick of it, or supporting someone who is, this episode delivers essential financial insight—and a reminder that divorce can be designed with intention rather than defaulting to conflict. Find Amy Colton at yourdivorcemadesimple.com Connect with Karen at karenmcnenny.com

In this episode of The Good Divorce, host Karen McNenny welcomes back internationally recognized divorce educator Christina McGhee, MSW — author of Parenting Apart, lead trainer and founder of the Co‑Parenting Specialist Certification Training Program, and Education & Training Director for the award‑winning documentary project Split. Drawing from more than 20 years of professional experience and over three decades as a bonus parent, Christina offers clear, compassionate guidance for one of the most emotionally charged transitions in post‑divorce life: introducing a new partner to your children. Karen and Christina explore why dating after divorce requires a different kind of pacing, why “just because you’re ready doesn’t mean your kids are,” and how premature introductions can create secondary grief, re‑traumatization, and long‑term attachment hesitancy. Christina explains how resilience is instilled, not innate, and why thoughtful timing protects children from repeated losses as adults move in and out of their lives. They also discuss the importance of giving your co‑parent a respectful heads‑up, avoiding secrecy, and ensuring kids aren’t put in the position of messenger, mediator, or emotional buffer. The conversation moves into practical strategies for first meetings — kid‑friendly, low‑pressure, activity‑based encounters that allow children to approach and retreat at their own pace. Christina also addresses the complexities of blended dynamics, the myth of the Brady Bunch, and why generous interpretation (rather than suspicion or territoriality) helps stabilize the co‑parenting ecosystem. Throughout, she underscores the foundational truth: how you begin shapes where you end up, and thoughtful beginnings create healthier, more connected bonus‑family relationships. Resources: Christina McGhee’s book: Parenting ApartSplit & Split Up Documentary Project: splitfilm.orgCo‑Parenting Specialist Certification Training ProgramKaren’s book: The Good Divorce: How to End Your Marriage Without Ending Your FamilyWork with Karen: thegooddivorcecoach.com

Kelly and Kyle met in preschool in Lake Forest, Illinois, lost touch for 25 years, reconnected in Missoula — and then found themselves unexpectedly expecting. They never married, but they built something most married couples would envy: a genuinely loving, cooperative co-parenting family centered on their daughter Charlotte. In this encore, both join Karen to talk honestly about the early friction, the blended family that grew up around Charlotte, and the biannual family vacations they now take together. Kyle even held the ceremonial hoop at Kelly's wedding. A story about choosing love over logistics — and what it looks like when it actually works. Connect with Karen at karenmcnenny.com

Adult child of divorce Kathryn Grady joins host Karen McNenny for a candid, deeply human conversation about what divorce looks like through the eyes of a child — not just in the moment, but decades later. Kathryn reflects on being raised in the 1970s by a single mother who stepped into independence during the early era of no‑fault divorce. As Karen notes, “your mom really was this warrior woman coming out like a phoenix out of the ashes." Kathryn shares how her mother’s courage, stability, and intentionality shaped her sense of self, her adulthood, and her understanding of healthy partnership. Together, Karen and Kathryn explore the emotional ecosystem of divorce: the stigma of the 80s, the latchkey‑kid generation, the importance of protecting children from adult conflict, and the long‑term impact of how parents speak about one another. Kathryn describes the slow realization of her father’s mental‑health challenges and the quiet ways her mother shielded her from instability. In the second half of the episode, Kathryn brings her professional lens as a financial advisor, offering practical guidance for newly divorced or soon‑to‑be‑solo households. She and Karen walk listeners through the first steps of financial clarity — gathering assets, understanding accounts, and building confidence through education. As Kathryn says, “a conversation is not a commitment — it’s just a conversation." Their shared message: divorce is survivable, navigable, and even transformative when approached with intention, stability, and informed decision‑making. Karen McNenny: https://www.karenmcnenny.com/ Kathryn Grady (Financial Advisor): https://www.northwesternmutual.com/financial/advisor/kathryn-grady/

Jake and Jenny met in their early twenties, made music together across two decades, and then had to figure out how to dissolve a marriage without destroying everything they'd built. In this encore conversation, the Bozeman-based musicians share how Jake's family history — a sprawling, amicable blended family that gathered together every Christmas — gave them both a blueprint for what was possible. They talk about navigating a divorce with no children but deep community roots, honoring a successful marriage as complete rather than a failure, and finding new ways to love each other from a distance. Genuine, funny, and quietly profound. Connect with Karen at karenmcnenny.com

What does divorce look like through the eyes of a child — and decades later, through the eyes of an adult? This week, Karen welcomes Kate Liles, who grew up navigating life across two households after her parents divorced when she was just a year old. Kate shares her story with honesty and grace, offering a rare, firsthand look at the lasting impact of the decisions parents make during and after divorce. Kate and Karen explore the do's and don'ts that shaped Kate's childhood: the split holidays and double birthday parties, the toys that weren't allowed to cross between homes, the emotional labor of playing referee between parents — and the extended family members and step-parents who complicated things further. Kate also reflects on the long shadow of parental conflict, the challenge of building her own marriage as a child of divorce, and the moment at her college graduation when she witnessed something she'd waited more than three decades to see. A cautionary tale and a story of resilience, this episode is a reminder that children aren't just caught in the middle of divorce — they carry it with them long after it's over. And as Kate says: your kids will be okay. But the choices you make now matter more than you know. The Good Divorce is hosted by Karen McNenny, author, mediator, and divorce consultant. For more, visit karenmcnenny.com, and pick up Karen's new book, The Good Divorce: How to End Your Marriage Without Ending Your Family.

Karen revisits a Father's Day conversation with Patrick Duganz, who has spent over a decade as the father engagement specialist at the Gallatin City-County Health Department in Bozeman, Montana. Patrick talks candidly about why dads often arrive at parenthood underprepared, how a lack of targeted support for fathers shows up in everything from home visiting programs to divorce proceedings, and what it looks like when a dad gets the help he needs just in time. His story about "Bob" — a new single dad on the verge of giving up — is one for the books. A warm, practical, and deeply human conversation about supporting fathers so they can show up fully for their kids. Connect with Karen at karenmcnenny.com

Divorce coach Kelly Myers knows what it looks like when the system fails families — because she lived it. When Kelly and her husband divorced in 2011–2012, their three boys were six, eight, and ten years old. What followed was two years of litigation and more than $100,000 in legal costs — a path she didn't fully understand she was choosing when she stepped into it. In this candid and deeply personal conversation, Kelly shares how the "ecosystem of divorce" — mediators, attorneys, friends, and family — can fan the flames of conflict rather than help families restructure. Her mediator told her not to worry about financial inequities; her attorney didn't tell her that pursuing support modifications would reopen custody. The result: years of stress, resentment, and a version of herself she's not proud of — one who was yelling in the car on the way to her son's eighth-grade graduation, too overwhelmed to simply be present.          Kelly reflects on the turning point that came when she stopped focusing on what was fair and started asking what was right for her kids. She and her co-parent Blake eventually built a respectful, collaborative relationship — one that was tested profoundly when their son Jack passed away in June 2024 after years of struggle with mental health and addiction. Rather than letting grief pull them apart, Kelly and Blake came together to plan Jack's service, support their surviving sons, and hold each other through unimaginable loss. That experience crystallized for Kelly why this work matters so much. Now a certified divorce and co-parenting coach, Kelly helps clients understand the realities of the divorce system before they're swept into it — managing emotions outside of decision-making, building comprehensive parenting plans, and thinking about co-parenting not just as a legal arrangement but as a long-term business partnership in raising their children. Key themes in this episode: How the divorce ecosystem — lawyers, mediators, social circles — shapes (and often inflames) outcomesWhy litigation risks are rarely explained to clients up frontThe shift from "what's fair" to "what does my child's divorce story look like?"Viewing co-parenting as a business partnership, not a custody arrangementThe difference between parenting 50% of the time and being a parent 100% of the timeRepairing the relationship with your kids — and yourself — even after difficult chaptersThe gift of a co-parenting relationship strong enough to hold a family together through lossResources & Websites Mentioned: First Steps Divorce — Kelly Myers' coaching practice: firststepsdivorce.comThe Good Divorce Podcast — hosted by Karen McNenny: karenmcnenny.comThe Good Divorce by Karen McNenny — available wherever books are sold

On April 26th, 2024, an email arrived asking Karen if she'd ever thought about writing a book. Exactly two years later to the day, a box of 300 copies landed on her front porch. In the final episode of this behind-the-scenes mini-series, Karen picks up where the manuscript ends and the movement begins. She talks about her first major book launch — a keynote for 250 HR professionals in her hometown — and why a room full of people who manage workplace breakups turned out to be exactly the right audience. She shares the moment she asked everyone touched by divorce to stand up, and how quickly almost the entire room was on its feet. She also makes the case for why this book belongs in HR offices, therapists' waiting rooms, and the hands of anyone who has ever loved someone going through a divorce — which, it turns out, is most of us. Karen also reads from the final chapter — The New — a quiet scene at a middle school choir concert where an offhand compliment from her ex-husband reminds her why they did all of this in the first place. Pick up your copy of The Good Divorce at karenmcnenny.com/the-good-divorce.

She had a book deal. Now she had to write the book. In Part 2 of this behind-the-scenes series, Karen walks through what it actually took to get The Good Divorce from outline to print — nine months of writing squeezed around a graduating son, a daughter heading to Europe, divorce clients, speaking gigs, and a single-income household with no one to walk the dog. She bought a van, hired back her ghostwriting team with money she didn't have, and spent the better part of three months writing from campgrounds across the Pacific Northwest. Then came the restructuring. Two days over Thanksgiving, alone with her golden retriever Moab, Karen spread the entire manuscript across her kitchen counter and dining room table — color-coded, categorized, and cut apart — before putting it back together into something that finally made sense. Thirty percent didn't make the cut. What followed was twelve days of around-the-clock rewriting alongside her developmental editor in South Africa, a copy editor who found corrections on every page, a design team, and a managing editor in India keeping all the plates spinning toward a May 19th release date. At the end of the show, Karen reads from Chapter Seven — The Community — on leaning into her people when the grief felt too big to carry alone, and the friend who gave her permission to stop pretending everything was bubbles and rainbows. Part 3 is next: the book is written. Now she has to sell it. 🔖 Pick up your copy of The Good Divorce at karenmcnenny.com/the-good-divorce.

At 18, Karen McNenny wrote in a pageant essay that her greatest ambition was to write a bestselling book. She had no idea what it would be about. She certainly never guessed divorce. In this first of three special episodes, Karen tells the origin story of The Good Divorce — from that Miss Montana essay to a publishing offer from Wiley/Jossey-Bass that arrived faster than anyone in the industry said it should. Along the way: a pandemic pivot, a stranger's persistent emails she almost ignored, two ghostwriters who flew to Missoula to squeeze her brain for two days, and a New York Times bestselling author who finally talked her off the ledge when the contract arrived and the reality of what she'd set in motion hit hard. She also reads from Chapter Four, “The Kids,” on preparing to deliver the hardest lines of her life to an audience of two.

What happens when parents wait until the kids are grown to divorce — and then discover their adult children are not fine with it? In this rich and eye-opening conversation, Karen sits down with Dr. Carol Hughes, clinical psychologist, two-time Fulbright Scholar, and one of the true pioneers of the collaborative divorce movement, to challenge one of the most pervasive myths in divorce: that adult children don't need the same care and intentionality that minor children do. Dr. Hughes shares the origin story of collaborative divorce — rooted in a single letter written on January 1, 1990 by Minnesota attorney Stu Webb, who declared he was "done going to court and destroying families" — and how that moment sparked a movement that has since trained over 25,000 collaborative professionals worldwide. Together, Karen and Dr. Hughes explore: Loyalty binds — what they are, how they form, and why they damage children of all agesThe five F's — fight, flight, freeze, fawn, and feign — and how our neurological wiring pulls us toward conflict when we feel unsafeGray divorce — why divorce among adults 50 and older doubled between 1990 and 2012, and what research from Bowling Green State University predicts by 2030The biggest myth about adult children — why "they're adults, they can handle it" is not only wrong, but harmfulFamily before finances — why starting with the children, not the money, leads to better outcomes for everyoneThe "six-year-old within" — how adult children still carry the emotional vulnerability of their younger selves, even when they appear to be copingCreating a divorce story — how parents can paint a picture of the future that reduces fear and uncertainty for their childrenThe statement of highest intentions — a collaborative divorce tool for helping couples get clear on what they actually want the process to look likePractical guidance for gray divorcing parents: how to involve adult children collaboratively in planning holidays, family gatherings, and transitions — without burdening them or writing them out of the storyDr. Hughes also opens up about her own childhood experience of her parents' divorce — including a detail that will shock modern listeners — and how an unexpected phone call from a minor's counsel changed the entire direction of her career. Resources & Links Mentioned: 📖 Dr. Carol Hughes' book: Home Will Never Be the Same Again: A Guide for Adult Children of Gray Divorce— available at Barnes & Noble and all major booksellers🌐 Dr. Hughes' divorce website: divorcepeacemaking.com✍️ Dr. Hughes and Psychology Today: Visit Psychology Today's guest blog📖 Karen's book: The Good Divorce: How to End Your Marriage Without Ending Your Family🎓 The Good Divorce Academy: Karen's online community and classroom for ongoing support and education🌐 Work with Karen directly: thegooddivorcecoach.com🤝 Collaborative Divorce Solutions of Orange County🌍 International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) — trains collaborative divorce professionals worldwide📖 Workbooks referenced: Our Family in Two Homes and A Family in a Few Homes — created by a Canadian collaborative divorce attorney for use with minor and adult children respectively"Divorce is not a weapon — it's a tool. And when used well, it can be a tool for transformation." — Karen McNaney