Dishing on Divorce Podcast

Leave Strong: Laura McGee on Redefining Divorce

In this episode of Dishing on Divorce, host Mandy Pullen Barr welcomes Laura McGee, J.D., founder of Leave Strong Divorce Services and a trusted Vesta professional. With a law degree from the University of British Columbia and over four decades of experience, Laura brings a unique blend of legal expertise, mediation skills, and compassionate coaching to her clients in California and beyond.
Laura works with people in one of two ways:
As a neutral mediator for couples, she helps both parties reach peaceful resolutions through a flat-fee, client-centered approach.
As an individual divorce coach, she guides clients through the emotional and strategic aspects of divorce.
Together, Mandy and Laura explore:
The difference between working with Laura as a coach vs. a mediator—and why you can’t be both.
How Laura’s Canadian legal background informs her U.S. mediation and coaching practice.
The benefits of flat-fee mediation, flexible scheduling, and transparency in process and cost.
Laura’s expertise is in co-parenting plans and support for reorganized families.
Key questions to ask when interviewing divorce professionals to ensure the right fit.
Whether you're contemplating divorce or already deep in the process, Laura’s grounded, strategic approach helps clients move forward with clarity and confidence.
Learn more at Leave Strong Divorce Services: www.leavestrong.com
Do you have a question or would you like to connect? Email us at concierge@vestadivorce.com.

Blame, Shame and Divorce: Dismantling the Stigma

In this heartfelt episode of Dishing on Divorce, Mandy and Deanna get real about one of the most personal and challenging parts of divorce: the emotional weight of shame and blame. From neighborhood parties that feel like the walk of shame to well-meaning comments that linger for years, they unpack the hidden narratives we tell ourselves—and how to rewrite them.
They share personal stories, including mom guilt, generational wounds, and the journey to self-acceptance. You'll also hear about the healing tools that helped them shift from pain to power: mindfulness, journaling, reframing thoughts, and reconnecting with the present moment.
Plus, don't miss the announcement of their upcoming live event with Dr. Thomas Jordan in NYC—and why they believe divorce is not a failure, but a chance to begin again with clarity and courage.
Key Topics:
The “Scarlet Letter” of divorce
Rewriting your internal story
Mindfulness and emotional regulation
Letting go of guilt and self-blame
Self-love and starting over
Heal to Lead: Volume One – Featuring chapters by both Mandy and DeannaGrab your copy here: https://bit.ly/Heal-To-Lead
Questions or feedback? We’d love to hear from you: concierge@vestadivorce.com 

Bridging the Emotional & Legal Divide with Divorce Coach Kristyna Hawkett

This week on Dishing on Divorce, we sit down with Kristyna Hawkett, founder of the UK-based Minus One Club and a certified Separation & Divorce Coach, who’s transforming how people experience divorce. With roots in both the Czech Republic and England, Kristyna brings a powerful blend of emotional insight and practical guidance to her work, helping clients navigate divorce with clarity and confidence.
After enduring her own two-year divorce and feeling lost in a maze of disconnected professionals, Kristyna created the Minus One Club to offer the cohesive, compassionate support she wished she had. She now helps clients understand the legal process, regulate their emotions, and build better communication with their legal teams.
In this episode, we dive into the disconnect between emotional needs and legal realities, the most common myths people believe about divorce, and how working with a divorce coach can reduce stress, save money, and set you up for a healthier next chapter.
If you're going through a divorce—or guiding someone who is—this episode is full of practical tools, hope, and heart.
 
Contact Kristyna Hawkett
Website: https://www.minusone.club/about-us
Email: kristyna@minusone.club

Divorce Mistakes We’ve Made (So You Don’t Have To)

In this powerful episode, Deanna Coyle and Mandy Pullen Barr open up about the most common—and costly—divorce mistakes they’ve made personally and seen repeatedly in their work with Vesta. From letting emotions drive decisions to misusing professionals and overlooking post-divorce financial realities, they share candid lessons and practical strategies to help you avoid unnecessary heartache and expense.
They also emphasize the importance of assembling the right support team, including divorce coaches, financial experts, and consulting attorneys, and guiding co-parenting with intention and grace.
Whether you’re contemplating divorce or already deep in the process, this episode is packed with insights that can save you time, money, and stress.
Takeaways include:
How to avoid emotionally driven decisions
The true cost of “going it alone”
Financial traps that can derail your future
Why using the right expert at the right time matters
Real talk about parenting through divorce
Resources Mentioned:
Top Ten Divorce Mistakes and How to Avoid Them: https://vod.vestadivorce.com/
Vesta's Interview Guide: https://bit.ly/DivorceInterviewGuide
Connect Deanna and Mandy: concierge@vestadivorce.com 
Subscribe, share, and remember: You are not alone. You got this.

When Divorce Involves a Business: What You Need to Know with Amanda Singer, Esq., MDR, CDFA®

What happens when divorce and business ownership collide? In this episode, attorney, mediator, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® Amanda Singer joins us to unpack the financial and legal complexities that come with divorcing as a business owner or being married to one.
With over a decade of experience guiding couples through peaceful, strategic resolution, Amanda shares her top insights on:
How a business is treated as both an asset and a source of income
The risks of relying solely on tax returns to determine financial reality
When to bring in a business valuation — and what it can protect you from
Smart, creative options for buyouts, co-ownership, and structured settlements
The unique power of mediation in complex financial divorces
Whether you’re running the business, supporting it, or trying to figure out what’s fair, this episode is packed with practical guidance and eye-opening truths that can save you time, money, and stress.
Contact Amanda Singer, Esq., MDR, CDFA®
Website: http://westcoastfamilymediation.com/amanda-d-singer/

Balancing the Table: How Co-Mediation Changes the Divorce Conversation

In this powerful episode of Dishing on Divorce, Mandy Pullen Barr welcomes co-mediators Carolyn Laredo and Jim Bell to explore the transformative impact of co-mediation in divorce. With over 40 years of combined experience, this dynamic duo combines backgrounds in law, psychology, sociology, and education to help couples resolve conflicts, communicate more effectively, and reach durable, respectful agreements.
Carolyn and Jim discuss how having two professionals of different genders and skillsets in the room reduces bias, improves communication, and empowers clients to move from “we” to “I” to identify and voice their personal needs. They share their use of transformative mediation techniques, insights from court-referred and high-conflict cases, and the value of debriefing after sessions to refine their approach continually.
They also highlight:
The use of caucusing for safety or emotional productivity
How mediation supports long-term co-parenting and minimizes future legal battles
Real-life examples of clients transforming their communication and mindset during the process
How their work is fueled by their personal experiences with divorce and single parenthood
The episode highlights how co-mediation promotes empowerment, self-awareness, and lasting resolutions, all while enabling clients to develop the skills necessary to navigate life after divorce, not just the legal separation itself.
Contact Carolyn Laredo, Esq.
Email: Laredo@carolynlaredo.comWebsite: www.lawmediationny.com

From Bulldog to Bridge Builder: Kary Watson’s Journey to Transform Divorce

In this episode of Dishing on Divorce, host Mandy Pullen Barr welcomes special guest Kary Watson, a seasoned family law attorney and founder of Together You Part, a groundbreaking online mediation practice based in Charlotte, North Carolina. With over 20 years of experience, Kary shares her powerful journey from a high-conflict, aggressive divorce litigator—known as the “bulldog”—to a compassionate mediator dedicated to transforming the divorce process into a collaborative, cost-effective, and respectful experience.
Kary opens up about the personal toll her early litigation career took on her and her family. These wake-up moments inspired her to seek a better way, and she eventually launched Together You Part to offer divorcing couples an innovative alternative grounded in emotional intelligence and transformative mediation.
The episode delves into Kary’s unique five-step virtual mediation process, which centers on each individual’s “why,” fosters safe one-on-one conversations with mediators, promotes realistic timelines and flat fees, and culminates in a heartfelt closing ceremony, offering clients closure, clarity, and intention as they transition into their new lives.
Mandy and Kary also discuss the evolving landscape of family law, generational shifts in attorney burnout, the importance of holistic support, including coaches and financial analysts, and how to navigate complex cases involving high conflict or power imbalances.
Listeners will gain insight into how divorce can be handled with dignity rather than destruction, empowering them to be educated consumers and advocates for themselves throughout the process.
Tune in for this inspiring conversation full of wisdom, heart, and hope that challenges the traditional divorce narrative and highlights a better way forward.
Contact Kary
Email: kary@togetheryoupart.com

Riding the Emotional Rollercoaster of Divorce (and Finding Your Balance) with Deanna and Mandy

In this episode of Dishing on Divorce, Mandy and Deanna delve into the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies navigating divorce. They discuss how grief, uncertainty, loneliness, and even moments of joy can surface, sometimes all within a single day.
Together, they emphasize the importance of processing your “emotional divorce” before diving fully into the legal and financial aspects. Through their work at Vesta, they’ve seen how critical it is to have not only legal and financial professionals but also therapists, coaches, and a strong support network to guide individuals through the ups and downs.
Mandy and Deanna share personal experiences and practical insights on coping strategies that support healing, including yoga and Reiki, as well as running, journaling, building community, and volunteering. They also offer advice on avoiding common pitfalls, such as overspending or venting on social media, and remind listeners to practice self-compassion and patience as they navigate their path forward.
Above all, this episode encourages listeners to lean into support, honor their emotional journey, and believe that the next chapter can be filled with growth, connection, and new possibilities.
Contact Mandy and Deanna 
Email: concierge@vestadivorce.com
Phone: (877) 355-7649
Check out their book: https://bit.ly/Heal-to-Lead

Cowboy Logic in Divorce: Charmaine Panko on Common-Sense Family Law

In this inspiring episode, Mandy Pullen Barr and Deanna Coyle welcome Charmaine Panko, collaborative family lawyer, mediator, and founder of Panko Collaborative Law & Mediation in Saskatchewan, Canada. Charmaine shares how her unexpected path into family law became her life’s mission: helping families navigate conflict with dignity, empathy, and common sense (or as she calls it, cowboy logic, thanks to her practical-minded father!).
Charmaine passionately unpacks the collaborative law model, where lawyers, child specialists, mental health professionals, and financial neutrals come together under one roof — not as adversaries, but as problem solvers — to design customized solutions for families, especially those with unique needs or high-conflict dynamics.
She challenges the outdated adversarial system, advocating for future models that respect the individuality of each family, as well as that of each child. Charmaine’s work is about more than just legal resolutions; it’s about shaping peaceful futures, reducing trauma, and empowering families to make decisions that truly reflect their values.
We also delve into her role as an educator and mentor, exploring why public education matters and how helping others, including clients and younger professionals, fuels her passion for transforming the field of family law.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a more human, heart-centered approach to divorce — one where the children’s future, family well-being, and common sense take center stage.
Contact Charmaine Panko
Email: cpanko@commonsenselawyer.com
Website: https://commonsenselawyer.com/
Contact Deanna and Mandy
Email: concierge@vestadivorce.com
Call: (877) 355-7649

Blended Families Unfiltered: Real Talk on Co-Parenting, Boundaries, and Healing

This Week on Dishing on Divorce: Navigating the Complexities of Stepparenting & Blended Families
In this heartwarming and deeply personal episode, hosts Mandy Pullen Barr and Deanna Coyle explore the often unspoken challenges—and surprising joys—of stepparenting, co-parenting, and blended family life.
Joining them is the remarkable Maria Natapov, founder of Synergistic Step Parenting and host of the Synergistic Step Parenting Podcast. With over 12 years of lived experience as a stepparent and a background in trauma-informed coaching, Maria shares her powerful personal journey: stepping unexpectedly into full-time parenting during a family crisis, ultimately becoming the legal mom to her stepdaughter, and transforming her challenges into a thriving coaching practice.
Together, Mandy, Deanna, and Maria explore:
The emotional layers and cultural stigmas around stepparenting (goodbye, wicked stepmother trope)
How to set healthy boundaries and build authentic, trust-filled relationships in blended families
Why “you knew what you signed up for” is one of the biggest misconceptions
Tools for parents and stepparents to create safe, open communication with kids — and why the stories children tell themselves after divorce matter so much
How Maria works with families to move from chaos to connection, empowering both adults and kids to thrive
Mandy and Deanna also reflect on their own blended family experiences, sharing candid moments of what worked, what didn’t, and how important it is to have the right resources and support.
Whether you’re a stepparent, co-parent, bonus parent, or someone navigating love and family after divorce, this episode offers wisdom, humor, and practical takeaways you won’t miss.
Listen now, subscribe, and leave us a 5-star review — and remember, your next chapter might just be your best one yet.
Contact Maria
Email: maria@synergisticstepparenting.com
Website: https://synergisticstepparenting.com/