Divorce and Separation

Children feel the impact of separation long before they can explain it and many carry those early wounds into adulthood. In this episode, I'm joined by Tommy Herschell, founder of Find Ya Feet, to explore what can happen for kids during a family breakdown and how those early experiences can shape boys and men for decades. Tommy shares his own story, his parents' separation when he was 10 years old, the years of self-blame, and the emotional crash in his mid-30s that forced him to face what he'd been carrying. We talk about how unspoken pain shows up in kids' behaviour, why emotional safety matters, and the patterns that often follow boys into adulthood. We also touch on what parents can do differently during separation, including: – communicating without overwhelming – staying respectful about the other parent – modelling emotional regulation – protecting kids from adult burdens This conversation is raw, grounded, and full of insight about what children feel but rarely say and what it takes to help them find their feet again. Let's Keep the Conversation Going: Visit Divorce and Separation Hub to explore expert resources, courses, and programs tailored to your needs. Share your questions or comments you're not alone in this. Host: Nikki Parkinson, TEDx Speaker, Divorce Doula, Coach and Founder of The Divorce and Separation Hub. The Divorce and Separation Hub Website The Divorce and Separation Hub Instagram The Divorce and Separation Hub Facebook The Divorce and Separation Hub Linkedin Join our Divorce and Separation community HERE. Watch Nikki's TEDx Talk HERE. Guest: Tommy Herschel Founder of Find Ya Feet Find Ya Feet Website Find Ya Feet Instagram Find Ya Feet Facebook Merch Loved This Episode? Support the podcast by subscribing, leaving a five-star review, and sharing it with someone who could use a little extra support right now. This podcast's audio production crafted by Dan at dankingproductions.com.au. This episode is sponsored by Simple Separation, the smarter way to separate. Simple Separation is an online, fixed-fee service designed to help Australian couples finalise their divorce and separation respectfully, collaboratively, and without the stress of going to court. From property settlements and parenting plans to child support and divorce applications, everything you need is under one roof, saving you time, money, and unnecessary conflict. Book your free consultation today to find out if Simple Separation is right for your situation at simple-separation.com.au. Disclaimer I hope you enjoyed the podcast today. The information we discussed today was just that information only. It is not specific advice. If you take action following something you heard today, it is important to make sure you get professional advice about your unique situation before you proceed, whether that advice be legal, financial, accounting, medical or other advice. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or if there's another topic you'd like explored.

If your mind feels loud but your heart has gone quiet, this episode is for you. If you're navigating divorce or separation and feel overwhelmed by everyone's opinions, this episode will help you tune back into your voice. In this instalment of The Anatomy of Divorce, I explore The Ears — the part of the process where discernment, boundaries, and self-trust matter most. During separation, it can feel like you're drowning in advice from friends, family, lawyers, social media, and your own inner critic. But not every voice deserves airtime. I share how this played out during my own divorce and how to recognise the difference between helpful guidance and harmful noise. You'll learn how to filter opinions, balance emotion with strategy, and rebuild trust in your own internal compass. This episode is for anyone struggling with decision-making, second-guessing themselves, or feeling confused by the competing voices around them. Let's Keep the Conversation Going: Visit Divorce and Separation Hub to explore expert resources, courses, and programs tailored to your needs. Share your questions or comments you're not alone in this. Host: Nikki Parkinson, TEDx Speaker, Divorce Doula, Coach and Founder of The Divorce and Separation Hub. The Divorce and Separation Hub Website The Divorce and Separation Hub Instagram The Divorce and Separation Hub Facebook The Divorce and Separation Hub Linkedin Join our Divorce and Separation community HERE. Watch Nikki's TEDx Talk HERE. Loved This Episode? Support the podcast by subscribing, leaving a five-star review, and sharing it with someone who could use a little extra support right now. This episode is produced by Dan King of Dan King Productions. This episode is sposnored by Simple Separation, the smarter way to separate. Simple Separation is an online, fixed-fee service designed to help Australian couples finalise their divorce and separation respectfully, collaboratively, and without the stress of going to court. From property settlements and parenting plans to child support and divorce applications, everything you need is under one roof, saving you time, money, and unnecessary conflict. Book your free consultation today to find out if Simple Separation is right for your situation at simple-separation.com.au. Disclaimer I hope you enjoyed the podcast today. The information we discussed today was just that information only. It is not specific advice. If you take action following something you heard today, it is important to make sure you get professional advice about your unique situation before you proceed, whether that advice be legal, financial, accounting, medical or other advice. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or if there's another topic you'd like explored.

This episode is part of The Anatomy of Divorce segment, I unpack one of the most overlooked skills in separation - perspective. When life turns upside down after divorce, your brain goes into survival mode. You loop old arguments, replay stories, and grip tightly to being understood. But sometimes the shift you need most isn't fixing them - it's seeing them differently. I share how understanding your biology, practising perspective-taking, and embracing Mel Robbins' Let Them Theory can help you calm your nervous system, make clearer decisions, and protect your peace. You'll also learn my six-step Perspective Check, a simple, science-backed tool to help you step out of reactivity and back into clarity. This is an episode for anyone who's ready to stop explaining, start exhaling, and find real freedom after divorce. In this episode, I talk about: Why your brain goes into survival mode after separation; How looping thoughts keep you trapped in pain; The psychology of perspective taking and how it helps regulate emotions; A six-step framework to widen your lens without losing your boundaries; The 90-second de-flare technique for calmer communication; What the Let Them Theory can teach us about emotional release and self-preservation; The difference between letting go and giving up; Why peace comes from perception, not permission. Resources: Mel Robbins 1800 RESPECT Beyond Blue Blue Knot Foundation Lifeline Headspace Friendline Relationships Australia Kids Helpline Mens Line Australia Lysn Mindspot QLife Panda Sane Suicide Call Back Service Open Arms White Ribbon Australia Amica Reach Out Gidget Foundation Black Dog Institute Link 2 Home Homelessness Let's Keep the Conversation Going: Visit Divorce and Separation Hub to explore expert resources, courses, and programs tailored to your needs. Share your questions or comments you're not alone in this. Host: Nikki Parkinson, TEDx Speaker, Divorce Doula, Coach and Founder of The Divorce and Separation Hub. The Divorce and Separation Hub Website The Divorce and Separation Hub Instagram The Divorce and Separation Hub Facebook The Divorce and Separation Hub Linkedin Join our Divorce and Separation community HERE. Watch Nikki's TEDx Talk HERE. Loved This Episode? Support the podcast by subscribing, leaving a five-star review, and sharing it with someone who could use a little extra support right now. This episode is produced by Dan King of Dan King Productions. This episode is sposnored by Simple Separation, the smarter way to separate. Simple Separation is an online, fixed-fee service designed to help Australian couples finalise their divorce and separation respectfully, collaboratively, and without the stress of going to court. From property settlements and parenting plans to child support and divorce applications, everything you need is under one roof, saving you time, money, and unnecessary conflict. Book your free consultation today to find out if Simple Separation is right for your situation at simple-separation.com.au. Disclaimer I hope you enjoyed the podcast today. The information we discussed today was just that information only. It is not specific advice. If you take action following something you heard today, it is important to make sure you get professional advice about your unique situation before you proceed, whether that advice be legal, financial, accounting, medical or other advice. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or if there's another topic you'd like explored.

Separation and divorce cost the Australian economy $101 billion every year but behind that figure are real people quietly trying to hold their lives, families, and jobs together. In this episode, I'm joined by Andrew Tomich, Director at A&Co Recruitment Partners, to explore how divorce impacts the workplace from leadership and productivity to culture and wellbeing. Andrew shares what happened when a senior colleague went through a complex separation and how empathy, flexibility, and communication became the foundation for getting through it together. We talk about the ripple effect personal crises have inside organisations, why traditional leave policies fall short, and how initiatives like "Life Leave" are changing the way businesses support their teams. It's a conversation about leadership that sees the person behind the role and why humanising the workplace isn't just good for people, it's good for business. Let's Keep the Conversation Going: Visit Divorce and Separation Hub to explore expert resources, courses, and programs tailored to your needs. Share your questions or comments you're not alone in this. Host: Nikki Parkinson, TEDx Speaker, Divorce Doula, Coach and Founder of The Divorce and Separation Hub. The Divorce and Separation Hub Website The Divorce and Separation Hub Instagram The Divorce and Separation Hub Facebook The Divorce and Separation Hub Linkedin Join our Divorce and Separation community HERE. Watch Nikki's TEDx Talk HERE. Guest: Andrew Tomich, Founder & Director A&Co Recruuitment Partners Website LinkedIn Loved This Episode? Support the podcast by subscribing, leaving a five-star review, and sharing it with someone who could use a little extra support right now. This podcast's audio production crafted by Dan at dankingproductions.com.au. This episode is sponsored by Simple Separation, the smarter way to separate. Simple Separation is an online, fixed-fee service designed to help Australian couples finalise their divorce and separation respectfully, collaboratively, and without the stress of going to court. From property settlements and parenting plans to child support and divorce applications, everything you need is under one roof, saving you time, money, and unnecessary conflict. Book your free consultation today to find out if Simple Separation is right for your situation at simple-separation.com.au. Disclaimer I hope you enjoyed the podcast today. The information we discussed today was just that information only. It is not specific advice. If you take action following something you heard today, it is important to make sure you get professional advice about your unique situation before you proceed, whether that advice be legal, financial, accounting, medical or other advice. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or if there's another topic you'd like explored.

This episode is part of The Anatomy of Divorce segment, where we explore the emotional, physical and psychological layers of separation through the whole person body, mind and heart. Today, we move into The Heart the space where pain lives first. If you're in that place where everything feels raw, where your chest feels tight and your thoughts loop endlessly, this one's for you. In this episode, I'm speaking directly to that tender part of you that's trying to make sense of the ending the part that wants to heal but still feels stuck in the ache. I share my own experience of heartbreak when my marriage ended and I couldn't see beyond the grief and how I began to shift from surviving to slowly rebuilding. We'll talk about: Why emotional pain narrows your world and how to gently widen your view again; How the brain protects us in the middle of heartbreak (and when it's time to move from protection to possibility); The moment I realised my pain had changed shape from breaking to becoming; What it means to truly "let go" without losing yourself; How to use gentle curiosity and journaling to reconnect with your heart and your future. This isn't about pushing past the pain it's about understanding it, honouring it, and learning what it's trying to show you. Let's Keep the Conversation Going: Visit Divorce and Separation Hub to explore expert resources, courses, and programs tailored to your needs. Share your questions or comments you're not alone in this. Host: Nikki Parkinson, TEDx Speaker, Divorce Doula, Coach and Founder of The Divorce and Separation Hub. The Divorce and Separation Hub Website The Divorce and Separation Hub Instagram The Divorce and Separation Hub Facebook The Divorce and Separation Hub Linkedin Join our Divorce and Separation community HERE. Watch Nikki's TEDx Talk HERE. Loved This Episode? Support the podcast by subscribing, leaving a five-star review, and sharing it with someone who could use a little extra support right now. This episode is produced by Dan King of Dan King Productions. This episode is sposnored by Simple Separation, the smarter way to separate. Simple Separation is an online, fixed-fee service designed to help Australian couples finalise their divorce and separation respectfully, collaboratively, and without the stress of going to court. From property settlements and parenting plans to child support and divorce applications, everything you need is under one roof, saving you time, money, and unnecessary conflict. Book your free consultation today to find out if Simple Separation is right for your situation at simple-separation.com.au.

Parenting after separation doesn't come with a manual but it does come with options. In this episode, I sit down with Eliza O'Sullivan, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner at Simple Separation, to unpack one of the most confusing and emotional parts of separation: how to make parenting work when the relationship ends. Eliza brings calm, clarity, and deep understanding to a topic that so often overwhelms parents. We explore what a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) actually does, when to use mediation, and how to create a child-focused parenting plan that protects your kids and supports both parents. Together we discuss: The real difference between a Parenting Plan and a Parenting Order Why the best time to create a plan is before you think you need it The must-have clauses every parenting plan should include How to keep communication child-focused when emotions run high What a child's voice really means (and how to be their advocate, not their messenger) When to formalise your arrangements through the court system and when not to This episode is your practical guide to making co-parenting simpler, calmer, and truly centred on your child's needs. Let's Keep the Conversation Going: Visit Divorce and Separation Hub to explore expert resources, courses, and programs tailored to your needs. Share your questions or comments you're not alone in this. Host: Nikki Parkinson, TEDx Speaker, Divorce Doula, Coach and Founder of The Divorce and Separation Hub. The Divorce and Separation Hub Website The Divorce and Separation Hub Instagram The Divorce and Separation Hub Facebook The Divorce and Separation Hub Linkedin Join our Divorce and Separation community HERE. Watch Nikki's TEDx Talk HERE. Guest: Eliza O'Sullivan, FDRP, Simple Separation Website Instagram Loved This Episode? Support the podcast by subscribing, leaving a five-star review, and sharing it with someone who could use a little extra support right now. This podcast's audio production crafted by Dan at dankingproductions.com.au. This episode is sponsored by Simple Separation, the smarter way to separate. Simple Separation is an online, fixed-fee service designed to help Australian couples finalise their divorce and separation respectfully, collaboratively, and without the stress of going to court. From property settlements and parenting plans to child support and divorce applications, everything you need is under one roof, saving you time, money, and unnecessary conflict. Book your free consultation today to find out if Simple Separation is right for your situation at simple-separation.com.au. Disclaimer I hope you enjoyed the podcast today. The information we discussed today was just that information only. It is not specific advice. If you take action following something you heard today, it is important to make sure you get professional advice about your unique situation before you proceed, whether that advice be legal, financial, accounting, medical or other advice. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or if there's another topic you'd like explored.

Have you ever felt your gut warning you about someone but your head talked you out of listening? In this episode I sit down with clinical psychologist and author Phoebe Rogers to explore the psychology of safe love and why rebuilding self-trust after separation starts in your body, not your brain. We dive deep into what happens when you begin healing after separation, why so many of us keep attracting emotionally unavailable partners, and how schema therapy can help you break free from the old relationship patterns that hold you back. Together, we unpack: The link between your nervous system and emotional safety in relationships; Why learning to trust yourself again after divorce is the foundation for love after divorce; What to look for when you're dating after divorce and how to know when you're ready; How your body often senses red flags before your mind catches up; Why healthy, safe love begins with reconnecting to yourself Because true healing after divorce doesn't make you harder to love it makes you better at it. Let's Keep the Conversation Going: Visit Divorce and Separation Hub to explore expert resources, courses, and programs tailored to your needs. Share your questions or comments you're not alone in this. Host: Nikki Parkinson, TEDx Speaker, Divorce Doula, Coach and Founder of The Divorce and Separation Hub. The Divorce and Separation Hub Website The Divorce and Separation Hub Instagram The Divorce and Separation Hub Facebook The Divorce and Separation Hub Linkedin Join our Divorce and Separation community HERE. Watch Nikki's TEDx Talk HERE. Guest: Phoebe Rogers, Clinical Psychologist and Author of When Will It Happen For Me? Website Buy the Book - When Will It Happen For Me Roadmap to Love; trusting your gut again in dating Instagram Loved This Episode? Support the podcast by subscribing, leaving a five-star review, and sharing it with someone who could use a little extra support right now. This podcast's audio production crafted by Dan at dankingproductions.com.au. This episode is sponsored by Simple Separation, the smarter way to separate. Simple Separation is an online, fixed-fee service designed to help Australian couples finalise their divorce and separation respectfully, collaboratively, and without the stress of going to court. From property settlements and parenting plans to child support and divorce applications, everything you need is under one roof, saving you time, money, and unnecessary conflict. Book your free consultation today to find out if Simple Separation is right for your situation at simple-separation.com.au.

Feeling stuck or second-guessing every decision during your divorce? You're not alone. In the The Anatomy of Divorce segment of the podcast, I share the B.R.A.I.N.S method a calm, psychology backed decision making framework designed to help you find clarity when emotions run high. You'll learn how to: Overcome divorce decision fatigue and emotional overwhelm. Shift out of survival mode and make grounded, values-based choices. Avoid the 3 biggest decision making mistakes people make during separation. Use the B.R.A.I.N.S method (Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, Nothing, Support) to create calm and confidence through chaos. Whether you're navigating separation, co-parenting, or your next chapter this episode will help you reclaim your clarity, confidence, and power. Grab your free BRAINS printable and keep this tool close when you need it most. DOWNLOAD HERE. Let's Keep the Conversation Going: Visit Divorce and Separation Hub to explore expert resources, courses, and programs tailored to your needs. Share your questions or comments you're not alone in this. Host: Nikki Parkinson, TEDx Speaker, Divorce Doula, Coach and Founder of The Divorce and Separation Hub. The Divorce and Separation Hub Website The Divorce and Separation Hub Instagram The Divorce and Separation Hub Facebook The Divorce and Separation Hub Linkedin Join our Divorce and Separation community HERE. Watch Nikki's TEDx Talk HERE. Loved This Episode? Support the podcast by subscribing, leaving a five-star review, and sharing it with someone who could use a little extra support right now. This episode is produced by Dan King of Dan King Productions. This episode is sposnored by Simple Separation, the smarter way to separate. Simple Separation is an online, fixed-fee service designed to help Australian couples finalise their divorce and separation respectfully, collaboratively, and without the stress of going to court. From property settlements and parenting plans to child support and divorce applications, everything you need is under one roof, saving you time, money, and unnecessary conflict. Book your free consultation today to find out if Simple Separation is right for your situation at simple-separation.com.au.

Have you ever felt your brain working overtime desperately trying to project-manage every conversation, decision, and outcome of your divorce only to end up completely exhausted? In this first episode of The Anatomy of Divorce, I break down why separation sends your mind into overdrive and how the fear of uncertainty can trick you into false control. I share why your brain spirals into anxiety loops during divorce, and how knowing this can help you reclaim your calm. I'm introducing you to the Anchor-a-Day Method a simple but powerful practice to steady yourself when emotions run high. Think micro-moments of intention that bring you back to your body, your breath, and your sense of self. Download my free Daily Anchor Plan and start creating your personal anchor today. Let's Keep the Conversation Going: Visit Divorce and Separation Hub to explore expert resources, courses, and programs tailored to your needs. Share your questions or comments you're not alone in this. Host: Nikki Parkinson, TEDx Speaker, Divorce Doula, Coach and Founder of The Divorce and Separation Hub. The Divorce and Separation Hub Website The Divorce and Separation Hub Instagram The Divorce and Separation Hub Facebook The Divorce and Separation Hub Linkedin Join our Divorce and Separation community HERE. Watch Nikki's TEDx Talk HERE. Loved This Episode? Support the podcast by subscribing, leaving a five-star review, and sharing it with someone who could use a little extra support right now. This episode is produced by Dan King.

Do you really need to get under someone to get over someone? It's a question that often comes up after separation or divorce, and in this episode, I talk with Clinical Psychology Registrar – Psychologist Ben Schiller to explore if there is any truth behind it. We discuss the emotional pull of rebound sex and new relationships, why it's so tempting to dive straight into something (or someone) new, and whether that really helps ease the loneliness and grief that can follow a breakup. Is it a distraction or does it help you heal? And how understanding our own emotional patterns can make all the difference. It's a BIG conversation with great insights. Let's Keep the Conversation Going: Visit Divorce and Separation Hub to explore expert resources, courses, and programs tailored to your needs. Share your questions or comments you're not alone in this. Host: Nikki Parkinson, TEDx Speaker, Divorce Doula, Coach and Founder of The Divorce and Separation Hub. Host: Nikki Parkinson The Divorce and Separation Hub Website The Divorce and Separation Hub Instagram The Divorce and Separation Hub Facebook The Divorce and Separation Hub Linkedin Join our Divorce and Separation community HERE. Watch Nikki's TEDx Talk HERE. Guest: Ben Schiller, Connect with Ben Schiller HERE Loved This Episode? Support the podcast by subscribing, leaving a five-star review, and sharing it with someone who could use a little extra support right now.