S1:E22 – Rebuilding After Divorce: A Psychotherapist&#x27;s 5-Stage Roadmap for Women | Oona Metz

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/

🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺

⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

KEYWORDS: healing after divorce, rebuilding after divorce, stages of grief after divorce, divorce recovery for women, life after divorce, divorce support for women, coping with divorce, how to heal from divorce, emotional healing after divorce, divorce therapist, BIFF method, co-parenting communication, divorce advice for women, high conflict divorce, divorce recovery

#DivorcingStrong #HealingAfterDivorce #DivorceRecovery

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2 months ago

S1:E21 – How to Survive Divorce Without Losing Everything | Divorce Journalist Illysa Panitz

Divorce tips from a journalist who covered it for 25 years — and then lived it herself. In this episode, learn how to survive divorce without losing everything, starting with the #1 financial mistake women make: hiring an attorney before you're financially prepared.

Divorce journalist Illysa Panitz — creator of The Divorce Hour (nationally syndicated radio, streaming on Spotify, Amazon, Audible, and 14 platforms) and Why Through Divorce (streaming in 100+ countries on Roku and Your Home TV) — joins host Becky Sampson to break down the divorce process explained through the lens of two decades of reporting and her own personal journey.

This is your divorce financial planning playbook — and it starts with a counter-intuitive truth: the attorney comes LAST, not first.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

✅ Why calling a divorce attorney first is your biggest (and most expensive) mistake

✅ What a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) is — and why you need one before you file

✅ How to build your "divorce team": attorneys, CDFAs, therapists, and mediators working FOR you

✅ Divorce financial planning 101: assets, debts, income, and expenses — know yours BEFORE you lawyer up

✅ Why anger toward your ex is literally costing you money — and how to stop the financial bleed

✅ The truth about how common high-conflict divorce really is (hint: it's only 18–20% of cases)

✅ The Wizard of Oz framework for navigating your divorce journey — and who plays each role

✅ How to "interview" professionals before hiring them — treat it like dating, not desperation

✅ How to reframe divorce from failure to a powerful "do-over" and the start of YOU 2.0

MEMORABLE MOMENT:

"The most common thing I hear is, 'I'm filing for divorce, and I need your attorney.' And I'm like, no, no, no, no, no. That is your biggest mistake." — Illysa Panitz

ABOUT ILLYSA PANITZ:

Illysa Panitz is a nationally recognized divorce journalist with a 25-year media career. She is the creator and host of The Divorce Hour — a nationally syndicated radio show now streaming on Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, and 14 platforms — and Why Through Divorce, a streaming TV series available on Your Home TV and Roku in over 100 countries. Her mission: to fill the gap in mainstream media by giving women real education, honest resources, and strategic guidance through the divorce process.

RESOURCES & FREE TOOLS:

📘 100 Divorce Terms You Need to Know — https://onlysubpoenas.com/free

🔗 Connect with Illysa Panitz — https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilyssa-panitz-74b1275/

🔗 Only Subpoenas™ — https://onlysubpoenas.com/https://onlysubpoenas.com/

🎧About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast:

Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0.

👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies

👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/

👉 Follow Becky on social media:

BECKY SAMPSON

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/

@tesshouselaw on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tesshouselaw/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/

🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺

⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

KEYWORDS:

healing after divorce, divorce financial planning, divorce tips, how to survive divorce, high conflict divorce, CDFA, certified divorce financial analyst, divorce attorney advice, divorce mediation, divorce advice for women, divorce process explained, divorce recovery for women, rebuilding after divorce

#DivorcingStrong #DivorceAdvice #FamilyLaw

Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

2 months ago

S1:E20 – Protecting Yourself in Divorce: What a Texas Family Law Attorney Reveals About Child Custody, CPS & Hidden Assets | Tess House

Protecting yourself in divorce, child custody tips, and the inside story of how family court really works — Texas family law attorney Artessia "Tess" House, founder of Tess House Law and a Super Lawyers–rated attorney as seen on CNN and Forbes, joins Becky Sampson on the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast to deliver the most practical legal playbook for families navigating custody battles, CPS investigations, hidden assets, and high-conflict divorce.

Tess House didn't start her career in a courtroom. She started in a classroom. As a teacher, she once found a child hiding — scared, silent, powerless — and felt completely unable to help. That moment of helplessness changed everything. She went to law school to make sure no parent or child would ever have to stand before a judge unprepared and unprotected again. Today, her San Antonio-based firm handles some of Texas's most complex family law cases — and in this conversation, she hands you the insider knowledge most people don't get until it's too late.

The central truth Tess delivers: "Court is not about the truth. It's about what you can prove." And once you understand that — once you stop operating on feelings and start operating on facts, documentation, and strategy — everything changes. Becky reinforces this with her own story of creating a detailed spreadsheet for her child's custody case, turning lived chaos into documented evidence that a judge could understand and act on.

Whether you're facing a custody battle, navigating a CPS investigation, trying to uncover hidden assets, or just trying to understand how to walk into family court without getting destroyed — this episode is your playbook.

🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

Why "the truth" is not enough in family court — and what you actually need to win
How to document everything in a custody or divorce case so a judge can follow it — Becky's personal spreadsheet method
What triggers a CPS investigation in a divorce — and how to protect yourself if one is filed against you
How money trails work in divorce: why hidden assets are rarely hidden for long and how discovery uncovers them
The child custody battle mistakes parents make that silently destroy their credibility with judges
How to choose a family law attorney who will actually fight for you — not just bill you
What "aggressive representation" really means — and when it helps vs. when it backfires
How to control your behavior, appearance, and communication to maintain credibility throughout a high-conflict case
What CPS actually looks for — and how to present yourself as the safe, stable parent
Why your opponent's bad behavior doesn't automatically help you — and what does
Tess's definition of "Divorcing Strong": understanding the process deeply enough to feel empowered, not just to survive it

💡 This Episode Is For You If:

You're in a custody battle or about to be — and you feel outmatched
You're worried about a CPS investigation being used as a weapon against you
You suspect your spouse is hiding assets and want to know what you can actually do about it
You're in a high-conflict divorce and your emotions keep getting in the way of your strategy
You want to understand how to present yourself in family court before you walk in unprepared
You need to know what to look for — and what to run from — when hiring a family law attorney

🎙️ About Our Guest: Artessia "Tess" House is the founder and lead attorney of Tess House Law, PLLC, based in San Antonio, Texas. Rated by Super Lawyers and featured on CNN and Forbes, Attorney House is a fierce advocate for families navigating divorce, child custody disputes, CPS investigations, child support, protective orders, and parental rights termination. Before becoming a lawyer, she was a classroom teacher — an experience that fueled her commitment to protecting children and empowering parents who feel unheard by the legal system. Her firm's guiding philosophy: "Our top priority is to tell your side of the story in a way the courts value and understand."

🔗 Learn more:

Tess House Law, PLLC

📱 Follow Tess:

🎧 About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast:

Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0.

👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies

👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/

👉 Follow Becky on social media:

BECKY SAMPSON

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/

🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺

⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

🏷️ Keywords: protecting yourself in divorce, child custody, child custody battle, child custody tips, how to win custody, family law attorney, family law, high conflict divorce, CPS investigation, CPS and custody, hidden assets divorce, custody battle tips, family court, divorce documentation, divorce lawyer Texas, Tess House, Tess House Law, custody hearing tips, divorce attorney advice, Divorcing Strong

Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

2 months ago

S1:E19 – KIMBERLY LORAH "Growth through Support"

Divorce can make even the strongest person feel untethered—emotionally flooded, uncertain, and alone. In this episode of Divorcing Strong, Becky Sampson (Bulldog Becky Brochovich) sits down with Kimberly Lorah, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Divorce Coach, to talk about what happens after your world gets turned upside down—and how to rebuild from the inside out.

Kimberly shares her own story: a 23-year marriage, the heartbreak of the life she imagined ending, and the overwhelming reality of single parenthood—while still showing up professionally as a therapist. She opens up about the fear, shame, and isolation that can come with divorce, and why she created Blossom Coaching LLC: to be the support she didn’t feel like she had when she needed it most.

Together, Becky and Kimberly unpack the emotional side of divorce recovery—nervous system overload, fear of the unknown, boundary-setting, and the power of community support. If you’re in the middle of the storm, considering divorce, or rebuilding afterward, this episode will remind you: you matter—and you’re going to be okay.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why divorce can feel like identity loss—and how to reconnect with your authentic self
How fear and “what if” thinking keep people stuck—and how to shift into hope and grounded decision-making
What nervous system overload looks like in divorce (sleep issues, panic, dread, emotional flooding, even hair loss)
Practical regulation tools: mindset work, breathwork, journaling, movement, self-care, and support mapping
Why prepping emotionally before talking to your attorney can save money and reduce overwhelm
The difference between being kind vs. being nice—and how that impacts boundaries
Why boundaries are for you, not the other person—and how to set and hold them without guilt
How to co-parent with less conflict (including low-contact strategies and parenting apps)
Why community matters—and how safe groups help you heal without “horror story” spirals
The real transformation: rediscovering your voice, rebuilding confidence, and stepping into your next chapter

A powerful takeaway

Divorce may end a marriage—but it doesn’t end your life. With the right support, you can move from survival mode to stability, and from heartbreak to rebuilding with courage and intention.

Connect with Kimberly Lorah

Kimberly offers a free consultation and works virtually (based in New Jersey). Her coaching and groups are designed to be a safe place to share, heal, and grow—without judgment.

🎧About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast:

Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0.

👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies

👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/

👉 Follow Becky on social media:

BECKY SAMPSON

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/

🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺

⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

2 months ago

S1:E18 – JOYCE AYERS "Divorce as Rebirth: Conscious Uncoupling & Healing"

Divorce doesn’t just change your legal status—it can shake your identity, your confidence, and the story you’ve been telling yourself for years. If you’ve been wondering, “Who am I now?” or “How do I stop replaying the past?”—this episode is for you.

In this episode of Divorcing Strong, Becky Sampson (Bulldog Becky Brochovich) sits down with Joyce Ays, a heart-centered divorce coach who helps women move through the emotional aftermath of separation with real tools—not just pep talks. Joyce is certified in Conscious Uncoupling and trained in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) and hypnosis, and she teaches women how to stop living from old patterns, release the “lost dream,” and rebuild a life rooted in truth, self-trust, and purpose.

This conversation goes deep into what rebirth after divorce actually looks like—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually—especially for women who have spent years people-pleasing, staying quiet, or losing themselves inside roles like wife, mom, and caretaker.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why divorce can feel like an identity collapse—and how to rebuild your “North Star”
How patterns formed early in life (often ages 0–7) show up in marriage and divorce
What “rebirth” means in real life: grief, release, self-forgiveness, and reclaiming your voice
Why staying in the victim story can feel easier—and how to gently move into responsibility without shame
How NLP helps you disassociate from trauma, shift perspective, and rewrite the emotional imprint of the past
Why healing doesn’t require dragging pain out for years—and how to move through it with compassion
The difference between being “guarded” vs. being wise with boundaries
What to do when you feel stuck in bitterness or tethered to your ex—years after the divorce
The truth about the fear: “I’m not healed enough to date again”—and why building trust in yourself comes first
How to stop repeating the same relationship dynamics by filling the “void” with intention, not fear

🎧About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast:

Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0.

👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies

👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/

👉 Follow Becky on social media:

BECKY SAMPSON

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/

🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺

⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

2 months ago

S1:E17 – LISA LISSER "The BeH2O™ Method: How to Co-Parent Like Teammates, Not Enemies"

Holidays can be one of the hardest times to co-parent—because old traditions, big emotions, and “alternate schedules” can trigger conflict fast. That’s why this episode matters.

In this special day-before-Thanksgiving episode of Divorcing Strong, Becky Sampson (Bulldog Becky Brochovich) sits down with Lisa Lisser, founder of LZL Coaching and creator of the BEH2O Co-Parenting Program—a structured, values-driven method designed to turn reactive co-parenting into a calmer, more collaborative partnership that protects the kids.

Lisa is a former attorney turned educator, mediator, spiritual counselor, and divorce coach. As a divorced mom of three (now grown), she shares what she wishes she’d known when her own children were 11, 14, and 16—and how “Disney parenting,” inconsistent rules, and unresolved conflict can quietly destabilize kids even when parents mean well. Her approach is clear: divorce isn’t what hurts children most—conflict is. And the good news? It often only takes one parent to shift the entire family dynamic.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why holidays can amplify triggers—and how to stay grounded through them
What BEH2O means (flexible strength + adaptable calm) and how the program works
How co-parents can build shared values across two homes (without controlling the other house)
Why you don’t need veto power—you need agreements and a system
The core tool that changes everything: The Power of the Pause
How triggers work biologically (fight/flight/freeze/fawn) and how to interrupt the cycle
How to use Nonviolent Communication and “I feel…” statements without blame
Why anger is often a “cover emotion” and what’s underneath it
A simple communication framework Lisa teaches: CLEAR > Concise - Listener-ready - Essential - Appropriate - Relevant
Why kids sometimes tell you what they think you want to hear—and how to keep your side of the road clean so they feel safe
How co-parenting can become transformational—when you align behavior with your values (peace, safety, reliability, consistency)

🎧About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast:

Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0.

👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies

👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/

👉 Follow Becky on social media:

BECKY SAMPSON

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/

🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺

⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

2 months ago

S1:E16 – RAVIT ROSE "The Divorce Game: Know the Rules to WIN the Game"

Divorce Tips from a Divorce Coach Who Spent $100K Learning the Hard Way | Ravit Rose on the Divorce Game, Divorce Without a Lawyer & the Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

Divorce tips, divorce coach strategies, and the brutal truth about navigating divorce without losing everything — Ravit Rose, the Divorce Scientist and founder of Irooze, joins Becky Sampson on the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast to reveal what she learned after spending over $100,000 on a nasty divorce — and how she turned that pain into a system that's helping parents across the U.S. and Canada protect their families, their finances, and their sanity.

Here's what nobody tells you when you file for divorce: the system isn't designed to protect your family. It's designed to process your case. And unless someone shows you the rules of the game before you walk into that courtroom, you will lose — not because you're wrong, but because you didn't know how to play. Ravit Rose learned this the hardest way possible. Fifteen years ago, she was a devoted mother and entrepreneur who believed her divorce would be simple. It wasn't. It cost her six figures, years of conflict, and nearly everything she'd built. But instead of staying broken, she became obsessed with understanding why the system fails families — and she built a better way.

In this episode, Ravit breaks down her signature philosophy: "The success of your divorce will start and end with you." She explains why divorce is 90% mindset and only 10% the legal system, how to approach family court like a strategic game (not an emotional war), when representing yourself is empowering vs. when it's dangerous, and how to stop the financial bleeding before it drains you. Becky also opens up about representing herself in court — twice — adding raw, first-hand credibility to a conversation most podcasts are afraid to have.

Whether you're considering divorce without a lawyer, trapped in a high-conflict case that feels endless, or need someone to tell you the truth about what's ahead — this is the episode that hands you the playbook.

🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

Why Ravit calls divorce a "game" — and why understanding the rules is the difference between winning and being destroyed
The 90/10 rule: how your mindset, preparation, and emotional discipline account for 90% of your divorce outcome
What it really means to represent yourself in divorce — when it works, when it backfires, and what to prepare for
How Ravit spent over $100,000 in legal fees before discovering the system wasn't built to protect her family
The IRooze method: how to build a strategic divorce plan that covers legal, financial, emotional, parenting, and life-transition needs — not just courtroom tactics
How to separate your emotions from the business of divorce — Ravit's personal courtroom preparation strategy
Why rushing your divorce out of desperation leads to long-term regrets — and how to slow down strategically
Warning signs that you're escalating a "bloody war" instead of moving toward resolution
Becky's personal story of representing herself in court twice — and what she'd do differently
How Ravit helped a father overcome his fear of single-parenting and step into his power
What "Divorcing Strong" actually means: being smart, methodical, and logical with your eyes on the end goal — not revenge

💡 This Episode Is For You If:

You're thinking about representing yourself in divorce and don't know if it's the right move
You're drowning in legal fees and wondering if there's a smarter way to navigate the process
You're stuck in a high-conflict divorce that feels like it will never end
You need a divorce mindset shift — you know the emotional chaos is costing you, but you can't seem to separate feelings from strategy
You want to understand how family court actually works before you walk in unprepared
You're looking for a divorce coach or mentor and want to know what that kind of support actually looks like

🎙️ About Our Guest: Ravit Rose is the Divorce Scientist and Founder of Irooze, a platform that matches divorcing parents with vetted professionals across legal, financial, emotional, physical, and life-transition needs. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a specialization in Marketing and Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management, along with a Human Resources Certificate. After her own six-figure, high-conflict divorce, Ravit spent over a decade studying divorce from every angle — legal, emotional, and psychological — and authored Unwanted Nasty Divorces (available on Amazon & Kindle) to expose the hidden pitfalls of the traditional system. Irooze serves parents contemplating, navigating, or healing from divorce across the U.S. and Canada through coaching, a free self-assessment, and a curated Divorce Directory of resolution-focused professionals. 🔗 Learn more:

Irooze — Meet Ravit Rose

RavitRose.com

🎧 About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast:

Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0.

👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies

👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/

👉 Follow Becky on social media:

BECKY SAMPSON

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/

Brown Family Law — Marco Brown

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/

🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺

⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

🏷️ Keywords: divorce tips, divorce coach, divorce without a lawyer, high conflict divorce, divorce advice, divorce mindset, representing yourself in divorce, pro se divorce, family court tips, divorce strategy, divorce game plan, how to navigate divorce, divorce mistakes to avoid, emotional divorce support, divorce coaching, strategic divorce planning, Ravit Rose, Irooze, Unwanted Nasty Divorces, Divorcing Strong

Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

2 months ago

S1:E15 – MARCO BROWN "Top Divorce Mistakes Every Judge Hates"

Divorce Attorney Advice — Utah's Top Family Lawyer on Divorce Mistakes to Avoid, Choosing the Right Attorney & What Courts Won't Tell You | Marco Brown

Divorce tips, divorce attorney advice, and the divorce mistakes to avoid — straight from an award-winning family law attorney who's handled thousands of cases. Utah divorce lawyer Marco Brown, founding partner of Brown Family Law and Utah's Outstanding Family Law Lawyer of the Year, joins Becky Sampson on the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast to pull back the curtain on what really happens inside divorce cases — and what you can control to change your outcome.

Marco Brown didn't plan to become a divorce attorney. He grew up in a village of 85 people in Alaska — a place where kids weren't expected to become lawyers. But when a close friend called in crisis and needed help getting divorced, Marco stayed up until 3 a.m., teaching himself family law. They won. And that one case changed the trajectory of his career. Today, he runs one of Utah's most respected family law firms with over 1,000 five-star client reviews — and in this conversation, he holds nothing back.

This episode is a masterclass in what your divorce attorney wishes you knew before your first consultation. Marco explains why most people choose the wrong lawyer, how your own behavior directly impacts your case timeline and cost, what "fighting for everything" actually costs you, and the moment in 2015 when — after winning Utah's top family law award — he realized his approach to running a practice was broken and rebuilt it from the ground up.

Whether you're about to file, mid-process and frustrated, or just trying to understand how divorce actually works — this is the episode that gives you the insider playbook.

🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

How to choose the right divorce attorney — and the red flags that signal you've picked the wrong one
The divorce mistakes that cost clients the most money, time, and emotional energy
Why the most expensive attorney isn't always the best one — and what actually matters
How your own preparedness and willingness to engage constructively can speed up (or stall) your entire case
What "fighting for everything" really costs — and why high legal fees sometimes force the clarity you need
Marco's 2015 wake-up call: winning Utah's top family law award while realizing his business model was burning out his team and hurting clients
Why Marco limits attorney caseloads at his firm — and how that one decision transformed client outcomes
The role of attorney-client communication: what to expect, what to demand, and when silence is a red flag
How long divorce actually takes — and the factors that shorten or extend the timeline
Marco's personal transformation: how a dramatic health and mindset shift changed his practice and his life
Honest advice on what makes marriages work — from someone who's seen thousands fail

💡 This Episode Is For You If:

You're looking for a divorce attorney and don't know how to evaluate your options
You're already in the process and wondering if your lawyer is doing a good job
You want to understand how the divorce process actually works from the inside — timeline, costs, and strategy
You're overwhelmed by the legal system and need someone to explain it without jargon
You want to hear from an attorney who'll be honest about the industry's problems — not just sell you services
You need a reality check on what's worth fighting for and what's costing you more than it's worth

🎙️ About Our Guest: Marco Clayton Brown is the founding partner of Brown Family Law, LLC in Sandy, Utah. Named Utah's Outstanding Family Law Lawyer of the Year (2015), Marco holds a J.D. with Distinction from the University of Nebraska College of Law and a B.S. in Psychology from Brigham Young University. He is the Editor of the Utah Journal of Family Law, former Chair of the Davis County Domestic Violence Coalition, and is licensed to practice in Utah, New Mexico, and multiple federal courts, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. His firm has earned over 1,000 client reviews with a 4.8-star rating. Marco speaks English, Spanish, and Italian. 🔗 Learn more:

🎧 About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast:

Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0.

👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies

👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/

👉 Follow Becky on social media:

BECKY SAMPSON

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/

🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺

⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

🏷️ Keywords: divorce tips, divorce attorney advice, divorce advice, divorce mistakes to avoid, choosing a divorce lawyer, divorce process explained, family law, how long does divorce take, divorce lawyer tips, high conflict divorce tips, co-parenting during divorce, Utah divorce attorney, divorce law, Marco Brown, Brown Family Law, divorce attorney, divorce lawyers give advice, what to expect in divorce, Divorcing Strong, attorney client communication

Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

2 months ago

S1:E14 – HEATHER O'CONNOR "When Your Abuser Uses the Court Against You"

High-Conflict Divorce, Parental Alienation, Restraining Orders & Legal Abuse Explained | Heather O'Connor, Family Law Attorney

High-conflict divorce, parental alienation, weaponized restraining orders, and how abusers manipulate the family court system — Massachusetts family law attorney Heather O'Connor joins Becky Sampson on the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast with a raw, unflinching conversation about what happens when the legal system becomes your abuser's newest weapon.

You did everything right. You filed for protection. You told the truth. And now your ex is using the court — the very system that was supposed to protect you — to control, punish, and silence you. You're not imagining it. It's called legal abuse, and family law attorney Heather O'Connor has spent her career fighting it.

Heather didn't just study high-conflict divorce — she lived it. She left an unhealthy marriage with three young children and a high school diploma, put herself through college and law school, and built O'Connor Family Law into one of Massachusetts' most recognized family law firms. Her practice focuses on the cases other attorneys avoid: domestic violence, parental alienation, weaponized restraining orders, and the high-conflict custody battles where everything is at stake.

If you feel like the system is rigged against you, your ex is making false allegations to win custody, or you're losing hope that anyone in family court actually cares about the truth — this episode will make you feel seen and give you a strategy.

🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

How abusers weaponize the court system — false allegations, frivolous motions, and manufactured emergencies designed to drain you financially and emotionally
The difference between legitimate restraining orders and those filed as a tactical weapon in divorce and custody disputes
How to fight back when your ex files a false restraining order or domestic violence complaint to gain leverage
What parental alienation looks like, why courts are slow to address it, and what evidence you need to prove it
Why high-conflict personalities thrive in family court — and how to stop playing their game
The critical mistakes survivors of domestic violence make when representing themselves in court
How to find a family law attorney who actually understands high-conflict dynamics (not every lawyer does)
What "winning" actually looks like in a high-conflict custody battle — and why it's not what you think
How Heather went from domestic abuse survivor to founding attorney — and what that journey taught her about resilience and advocacy
Why the family court system is failing survivors — and what needs to change

💡 This Episode Is For You If:

Your ex is using the court to continue the abuse — filing false allegations, draining your finances with motions, or trying to take your kids
You've been served a restraining order you didn't deserve and don't know how to fight it
You suspect parental alienation but can't prove it — and the court doesn't seem to care
You're a domestic violence survivor navigating divorce alone and terrified of losing custody
You feel like the family court system is broken, and no one is listening to you
You need to hear from someone who has been exactly where you are — and came out the other side

🎙️ About Our Guest: Heather A. O'Connor, J.D., is the founding attorney and CEO of O'Connor Family Law, a Massachusetts family law firm with offices in Westborough and Hanover. Heather specializes in high-conflict divorce, domestic violence, parental alienation, and complex custody disputes. A certified mediator and Massachusetts Bar Association Leadership Academy graduate, she has been recognized as a Multi-Year Lawyer of Distinction. Heather's personal experience of leaving an abusive marriage with three young children and building her career from the ground up informs every case she takes. Learn more at familylawma.com

🎧 About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast:

Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0.

👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies

👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/

👉 Follow Becky on social media:

BECKY SAMPSON

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckysampson/

🌺For information on working with Only Subpoenas™, visit our website at https://onlysubpoenas.com/ or contact us at this number: 650-910-6659 🌺

⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The content on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please get in touch with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

🏷️ Keywords: high conflict divorce, parental alienation, domestic violence divorce, restraining order divorce, family law attorney, false allegations divorce, legal abuse, custody battle, family court, abuser uses court, coercive control, divorce attorney advice, narcissist divorce, weaponized court system, divorce strategy, domestic abuse survivor, custody battle narcissist, divorce advice for women, protecting children in divorce, Divorcing Strong, Heather O'Connor

Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong

3 months ago

S1:E13 – ERIN WILSON "Kids and the Courts. Who's protecting them?"

Kids and the Courts — Guardian ad Litem, Child Custody, Hidden Assets & What Your Divorce Lawyer Won't Tell You | Erin Wilson, Family Law Attorney

Child custody, guardian ad litem, hidden assets in divorce, and how family court really works — Illinois family law attorney Erin Wilson joins Becky Sampson on the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast to pull back the curtain on the legal process no one explains to you before you're already in it.

Who is actually protecting your children in divorce court? What's the difference between a Guardian ad Litem and a child representative — and what do you do if they're not doing their job? How do financial affidavits expose hidden assets? And why does choosing the wrong attorney cost you more than money? Erin Wilson has the answers — from every side of the courtroom.

As the founder of The Law Office of Erin M. Wilson LLC in Chicago, Erin has spent over 15 years exclusively practicing family law — as a litigator, mediator, parenting coordinator, and court-appointed Guardian ad Litem and child representative. She's fought for clients, advocated for children, and mediated between warring spouses. That 360° perspective makes this conversation unlike anything you'll hear from a typical legal podcast.

If you feel lost in the divorce process, don't understand the legal terms being thrown at you, or you're terrified the court system won't protect your kids — this episode is your playbook.

🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

How to find and hire the right divorce attorney — and the #1 red flag to watch for
Why trust between you and your lawyer matters more than aggression or reputation
What a financial affidavit is, why it's your "ticket to the courthouse," and how it exposes dishonesty
How to use subpoenas and formal discovery to uncover hidden assets when your spouse lies on financial disclosures
Marital vs. non-marital assets explained: what's yours, what's theirs, and what gets split
The critical difference between a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) and a child representative — roles, confidentiality, and advocacy
What to do when a GAL or child representative isn't fulfilling their role (motions for removal, requesting additional experts)
How family courts determine a child's preference in custody — and why age, maturity, and the "why" behind their choice matter
Why filing a parenting plan early in the divorce process calms fears and protects your kids
Erin's definition of "Divorcing Strong": emerging happier, freer, and more empowered

💡 This Episode Is For You If:

You're entering the divorce process and don't understand what a Guardian ad Litem does or why the court appointed one
You suspect your spouse is hiding assets and don't know how to prove it
You're overwhelmed by legal terminology and feel like you're losing control of your own case
You don't know how to choose a family law attorney — or you're questioning whether you chose the right one
You want to understand how your children's voices are heard (or silenced) in family court
You're worried the legal system is failing your kids, and you need to know your options

🎙️ About Our Guest: Erin M. Wilson is the founder and managing attorney of The Law Office of Erin M. Wilson LLC in Chicago, Illinois. She has practiced family law exclusively for over 15 years and is frequently appointed as a Guardian ad Litem and child representative by the courts. Erin is also a trained mediator, collaborative law practitioner, and parenting coordinator. She serves on the boards of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) and the Decalogue Society, and is a founding member of the Illinois Association of Independent Attorneys. Learn more at ewilsonfamilylaw.com

🎧 About Divorcing Strong™ Podcast:

Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, the Divorcing Strong™ Podcast is where real stories meet real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Each episode brings expert insights from top divorce attorneys, family law specialists, financial planners, and healing coaches to help you protect your rights and step into YOU 2.0.

👉 Subscribe for more empowering divorce stories and strategies

👉 Learn more about working with Becky: https://beckysampson.com/

👉 Follow Becky on social media:

BECKY SAMPSON

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcingstrongbeckysampson/