Dishing on Divorce Podcast

The Good Divorce: End Your Marriage Without Ending Your Family with Karen McKenny

“Divorce isn’t a weapon; it’s a tool of transformation."
In this episode of Dishing on Divorce, Deanna Coyle, Co-Founder of Vesta: A New Vision for Divorce and Concierge Director, sits down with Karen McNenny—mediator, divorce coach, therapist, TEDx speaker, and host of The Good Divorce Show—to reframe divorce as a tool for transformation, not a weapon. Drawing on 25+ years in human behavior and her own peaceful co-parenting journey, Karen shares practical ways to “divorce by design”: compost old hurts into growth, keep kids out of the middle, and replace ego battles with the mantra, “You can be right or you can make it right.”
Together, they explore how to end your marriage without ending your family, turning what can feel like a painful ending into a healthy new beginning. Karen also discusses post-divorce dating (hello, “D-Orgasmic Era”), the case for workplace support during divorce, and simple habits—like shared family threads—that stitch two homes into one family story.
As part of Vesta’s mission to educate and empower, Deanna highlights how working with a Divorce Concierge can help you find the right legal, financial, and emotional experts to guide your journey. Whether you’re seeking divorce support, mediation, or coaching near you, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and hope for what’s next. Plus, don’t miss the sneak peek of Karen’s upcoming Wiley book, The Good Divorce: How to End Your Marriage Without Ending Your Family (coming May 2026).
00:00 Welcome & why “good divorce” is possible
04:00 Pantry → compost: a new grief framework
10:30 Divorce by design vs. default (and lawyers’ incentives)
18:45 Co-parenting ground rules: kids as the true client
28:00 Dating & the “D-orgasmic era” (boundaries + timelines)
36:30 Work, FMLA, and supporting employees in divorce
44:00 Scripts: “Be right vs. make it right”
50:00 Practical tools: family text threads, shared celebrations
56:00 Karen’s Wiley book + where to find her
59:00 Closing mantra: “If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”
Connect with Karen
Connect with Karen McNenny: https://www.karenmcnenny.com/
Listen to the Good Divorce Podcast: https://www.karenmcnenny.com/good-divorce-show/
Connect with Vesta:
Email concierge: concierge@vestadivorce.com 
Past episodes mentioned:
Shame & Divorce: https://bit.ly/Apple-Blame-and-Shame
Re-Entering the Workforce: https://bit.ly/Apple-Career-Options

Divorce and Money: How to Avoid the Biggest Financial Mistakes with Jamie Lima

Divorce changes everything — but it doesn’t have to destroy your finances or your peace of mind.In this episode of Dishing on Divorce, presented by Vesta: A New Vision for Divorce, hosts Mandy Pullen Barr and Deanna Coyle speak with Jamie M. Lima, MBA, CFP®, CDFA®, Certified Mediator — Founder of Allegiant Divorce Solutions and Co-Founder/CEO of SecureSplit™, a groundbreaking divorce FinTech platform simplifying money decisions for clients and professionals.
With nearly 20 years of experience in wealth management and divorce financial planning — including senior roles at Morgan Stanley and Fidelity Investments, where he managed more than $1 billion in assets — Jamie understands the financial and emotional realities of divorce firsthand. Having lived through his own divorce after watching his parents’ separation, Jamie blends expertise and empathy to help others create stability, clarity, and confidence in one of life’s most challenging transitions.
Together, we explore:
The two biggest divorce money mistakes and how to avoid them
How to build “Team You” — your trusted divorce attorney, CDFA®, divorce coach, and emotional support network
Why early financial planning is critical before filing for divorce
How modern tools like SecureSplit™ empower both clients and professionals with real-time financial clarity
🎙 Listen now to learn how to protect your future, rebuild your wealth, and move through divorce with clarity, confidence, and support.
Connect with Jamie
Website: https://allegiantds.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1445727706255413/

Filing Taxes After Divorce: Expert Advice from Tax Attorney Hubert Johnson

Divorce is hard enough — but the tax fallout can be brutal. In this episode of Dishing on Divorce, Mandy Pullen Barr and Deanna Coyle talk with tax attorney Hubert Johnson about how to protect yourself from hidden IRS surprises, avoid costly filing mistakes, and take back control of your financial future.
Hubert shares essential tips, including:
Why you should never ignore an IRS letter — and how to tell if it’s real or a scam
When “Married Filing Separately” can save you thousands
How to protect yourself from a spouse’s unpaid tax debt
The difference between a CPA and a tax attorney — and when to call each
Simple steps to prevent identity theft and IRS headaches
Whether you’re separated, divorcing, or rebuilding, this candid conversation will help you file smarter, protect your finances, and move forward with confidence.
🎧 Listen now to learn how smart tax moves can protect your next chapter.
Connect with Hubert
Website: https://guardiantaxlaw.com/about/
Email: info@guardiantaxlaw.com

Navigating Divorce During Menopause: Emotional Health, Hormones and Healing with Wendi Francis

What happens when two life transitions collide — divorce and menopause? In this powerful and deeply relatable episode, Dishing on Divorce hosts Mandy Barr and Deanna Coyle sit down with Wendi Francis, a bestselling author, nationally recognized nutritionist, and women’s wellness expert, to explore the connection between hormones, emotions, and healing during midlife.
Wendi shares her personal story of navigating perimenopause and divorce simultaneously, offering compassionate insight into what so many women experience but rarely discuss. Together, they unpack:
The emotional overlap between hormones and heartbreak
Why menopause is not a crisis — it’s a catalyst for growth
The top three symptoms most women face (and how to manage them)
How nutrition and mindset can stabilize mood and energy
What employers and loved ones can do to better support women in midlife
This episode is honest, hopeful, and packed with practical takeaways for anyone experiencing — or supporting someone through — significant life transitions.
🎧 Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts and discover why midlife might be the most powerful chapter yet.
#DishingOnDivorce #MenopauseAwareness #MidlifeWomen #DivorceSupport #HormoneHealth #EmotionalWellness #HealingJourney #WendiFrancis #Podcast
Contact Wendi:
Email: wendi@konenkims.com
Website: https://konenkims.com/

Career Options for Stay-at-Home Parents After Divorce

In this episode of Dishing on Divorce, hosts Mandy Barr and Deanna Coyle dive into a topic that so many divorce survivors face: how do you reenter the workforce after years (or even decades) of being a stay-at-home parent?
Deanna shares her personal journey from a successful Wall Street career to full-time parenting, as well as the challenges she faced when trying to reestablish her professional life after her separation. Mandy offers her own perspective on balancing career, marriage, and motherhood — and the difficult choices that often come with it.
Together, they unpack:
The realities of reentering the workforce after a career break
How “hidden” skills from parenting and volunteering (negotiation, organization, time management) translate into marketable strengths
Stories of resilience, reinvention, and turning passion into a career
Practical tips for exploring new career paths, networking, volunteering, and building confidence
The importance of mindset, reframing your narrative, and seeking support from coaches or vocational experts
This candid and inspiring conversation reminds listeners that it’s never too late to start fresh, discover new passions, and create a fulfilling career after divorce.
✨ Takeaway: You are stronger and more capable than you think — and your next chapter may be your best one yet.
Contact Deanna and Mandy: concierge@vestadivorce.com

Who Pays for College? Strategies for Divorcing and Divorced Parents

Clear strategies for tuition, savings, and student loans when divorce complicates college planning. Financial Planner and CDFA® Lars Lambrecht shares practical ways to handle college costs during divorce: agreement language, 529s vs. Roths, federal vs. private loans, repayment/forgiveness, and small steps that add up.
Divorce + college costs = overwhelm. In this episode of Dishing on Divorce, we’re joined by Lars Lambrecht, CFP®, CDFA® — financial planner, program manager of Vesta’s Southern MA & RI Hub, and founder of Island Time Financial Services. With over 30 years of experience, Lars brings both professional expertise and personal perspective, having navigated divorce as both a parent and child.
What we cover in this episode:
What to include in your divorce agreement about tuition and why “ability to pay” language matters
The pros and cons of 529 plans, Roth IRAs, and UTMA accounts
When to rely on federal vs. private student loans
Repayment and forgiveness programs every parent should know
Why life insurance is often overlooked in college planning
Lars’ mantra: small changes add up over time
About LarsLars Lambrecht, CFP®, CDFA®, is the founder of Island Time Financial Services and program manager for Vesta’s Southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island Hub. He helps clients reduce stress, simplify their financial lives, and move forward with confidence.
Contact Lars: https://www.islandtimefinancialservices.com/
📌 Subscribe for more expert conversations on divorce, co-parenting, finances, and rebuilding life with clarity and confidence.

Net Worth vs. Self-Worth: Melissa Hoyer on the Emotional Side of Money

In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Hoyer, affectionately nicknamed The Inheritor Whisperer. Melissa is a Certified Financial Planner, life coach, and wealth coach at The Wealth Conservancy. She specializes in guiding women in transition who receive a financial windfall—whether through a divorce settlement or an inheritance. With nearly 20 years of experience, she combines traditional financial planning with life coaching, helping clients navigate not only the numbers but also the complex emotions that accompany sudden or significant wealth.
Melissa shares why money is never “just numbers” but is deeply tied to our emotions, stories, and sense of self-worth. She explains how wealth shifts can trigger fear, guilt, shame, or uncertainty—and how her process blends financial planning with life coaching to help clients integrate these changes, align their money with their values, and turn finances into a source of confidence and possibility.
Key takeaways include:
How to separate net worth from self-worth and rewrite limiting money stories.
The stages of “money maturity” after a windfall and how to move from overwhelm to confidence.
Understanding money personalities (like Accumulators, Connectors, and Alchemists) and how they shape habits.
Why the “decision-free zone” after divorce or inheritance is crucial for wise choices.
The role of abundance, generosity, and mindset in creating financial peace.
Melissa also shares her own journey—from unexpectedly entering the world of financial planning as a French major, to discovering her passion for supporting clients through life’s most significant transitions. As a mom raising a teenage daughter, she brings both professional expertise and personal wisdom, emphasizing the importance of teaching self-love, resilience, and financial confidence.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that healing our relationship with money starts with healing our relationship with ourselves.
Connect with Melissa
Website: https://www.thewealthconservancy.com/about-us/melissa-hoyer/
Coaching Program: Way Into Wealth~ https://www.wayintowealth.com/

From Courtroom to Coaching: Divorce Lessons with Pascha Rose, Esq.

In this powerful episode, Mandy Pullen Barr sits down with Pascha Rose, a California-based family law attorney, certified divorce coach, mediator, and collaborative professional. For nearly three decades, Pascha has helped families navigate premarital agreements, divorce, and post-divorce transitions with compassion and clarity.
Pascha shares how she pivoted from high-conflict litigation to mediation and coaching, creating a more holistic and client-centered practice. She opens up about the moment that changed everything for her as a young mother and attorney — and the profoundly personal divorce journey that shaped her work today.
Together, they explore:
Why mediation and coaching can be powerful alternatives to courtroom litigation
What to look for in the right legal team if court is unavoidable
How a divorce coach can save you time, money, and emotional energy
The importance of protecting children from conflict, not divorce itself
Pascha’s own story of resilience, rebuilding, and creating a beautiful next chapter
Their candid conversation is filled with practical advice, heartfelt storytelling, and a reminder that even in the most challenging moments, your next chapter can be your best chapter.
✨ Learn more about Pascha’s work, workshops, and retreats at https://www.pascharoselaw.com/✨ Join Pascha's Facebook Group: Divorce Matters: from heartbreak to healing

Squeeze the Juice Out of Life: Writing Your Family Love Letter & Navigating Life Transitions

Financial advisor, author, and founder of Modern Wealth, Jennifer Lee, joins us to talk about money, meaning, and how to squeeze the juice out of life. With nearly 30 years of experience, Jennifer has guided women through significant life transitions, particularly divorce, helping them make informed and confident financial decisions.
In this episode, Jennifer shares the story of her late father’s “Family Love Letter” and how it inspired her to help others capture not just financial details, but values, wishes, and wisdom for loved ones. We also dive into:
The biggest financial mistakes people make during divorce (and how to avoid them)
Why money is really a tool for love, legacy, and choice
Simple ways to rebuild after divorce, starting with your discretionary number
How a “Squeeze the Juice” account can bring more joy and freedom to your life
Jennifer’s book, Squeeze the Juice, blends heartfelt stories, financial expertise, and practical exercises that will change the way you think about planning for the future.
✨ Whether you’re navigating divorce, rebuilding afterward, or want to live more intentionally, this conversation will leave you empowered to take control of your money and your life.
Disclaimer:Discussions in this show should not be construed as specific recommendations or investment advice. Always consult with your investment professional before making important investment decisions. Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Modern-Wealth, LLC and Cambridge are not affiliated.
Connect with Jennifer
Website: https://modern-wealth.com/
Schedule a call: Squeeze the Juice Call
Order her book: https://squeezethejuicebook.com/

Love Is the Spark, Not the Glue: Blended Family Realities with April Eldemire

Blended families are complex — and love alone isn’t always enough. In this episode of Dishing on Divorce, hosts Deanna Coyle and Mandy Pullen Barr sit down with April Eldemire, nationally recognized marriage and family therapist, stepfamily expert, and founder of Couples Thrive. With over 13 years of experience and advanced training in the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, April brings both research-based tools and lived experience to the conversation.
Together, they dive into:
Why building bonds in blended families takes 5–7 years (and why patience matters)
The misconceptions couples often bring into stepfamily life — and how to reset expectations
Why “love is the spark, not the glue” that holds families together
The silent challenges of loyalty binds, parenting misalignment, and the hidden mental load of stepparents
Simple tools to move from reactivity to genuine connection, including curiosity, mindfulness, and alignment rituals
April also shares insights from her new program, The Blended Family Alignment Blueprint, a step-by-step course designed to help couples shift from chaos to clarity, create a united front, and build emotionally safe homes.
Whether you’re a parent, stepparent, or supporting someone navigating divorce and remarriage, this episode offers real-world wisdom, practical tools, and hope for the journey ahead.
🎧 Listen now and discover how curiosity, alignment, and intentional connection can transform blended family life.
Connect with April
Website: https://www.couples-thrive.com/
Learn more about the Blended Family Alignment Blueprint: https://www.couples-thrive.com/services/the-blended-family-course