Divorce Diaries: Lessons From the Trenches
Welcome to Divorce Diaries, where host Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator brings you real stories, hard truths, and practical advice on navigating divorce and family law. Whether you're going through it, considering it, or just curious, this is your place for clarity, confidence, and resilience.
Episodes
31 episodes
EP #31: Inside Child Welfare: Lessons on Custody, Mediation, and Family Law with Guest Lance Hillsinger
Attorney and mediator, Cary Jacobson, is joined this week by Lance Hilsinger as he pulls back the curtain on the misunderstood world of child welfare after spending 34 years on the frontlines. His candid conversation reveals surprising truths a...
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Episode 31
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22:26
EP #30: Beyond the Battlefield: Divorce Mediation Explained
Forget everything you thought you knew about divorce. The battlefield metaphor? The years of expensive court battles? The permanent damage to family relationships? None of that is inevitable. Family law attorney and mediator Cary Jacobson pulls...
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Episode 30
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18:30
EP #29: Life After Divorce: Building Your Fresh Start with Life Coach Olivia Howell
In this powerful conversation, host Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator, is joined by Olivia Howell, founder of Fresh Starts Registry. Olivia shares how personal experience led her to create the world's first divorce registry – a platform wher...
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Episode 29
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27:09
EP #28: From Court Battles to Peaceful Mediation with Guest Azizah Ahmad, Esq.
What happens when you realize the courtroom isn’t the only path to divorce? In this episode, attorney and mediator Cary Jacobson sits down with Azizah Ahmad, Esq., whose personal four-year battle in family court transformed how she now helps ot...
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Episode 28
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23:15
EP #27: Healing After Divorce: A Path to Rebuilding and Rediscovery with Guest Danielle Bird
The deepest wounds in our relationships often trace back to our earliest experiences. When divorce happens, these hidden patterns suddenly emerge, demanding our attention. In this transformative episode of Divorce Diaries, host Cary Jacobson, a...
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Episode 27
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28:07
EP #26: Healing After a Brutal Divorce with Guest Jeff Kolez
Host Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator, is joined this week by Jeff Kolez as he shares his journey through a brutal seven-year divorce that cost him $100,000 and left him emotionally devastated with a "soul wound." He reveals how he develope...
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Episode 26
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30:41
EP # 25: Documenting Abuse: Tools for High-Conflict Divorce with Guest Tiffany Colburn
Documenting the invisible battles of divorce can be your strongest defense against ongoing manipulation and control. Join host, Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator with Jacobson Family Law, as she sits down with divorce coach, Tiffany Colburn....
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Episode 25
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30:07
EP #24: Co-Parenting with High-Conflict Exes with Guest Jill Kaufman
Attorney and mediator, Cary Jacobson is joined by divorce coach Jill Kaufman to tackle one of the most challenging aspects of family separation—co-parenting with high-conflict ex-spouses or narcissistic personalities. Drawing from her own diffi...
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Episode 24
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28:51
EP #23: Rediscovering Yourself After Divorce with Guest Dr. Emma Mansour
The emotional aftermath of divorce often blindsides us when we least expect it. Just when the paperwork is finalized and court appearances end, a profound sense of grief emerges—catching many off guard who anticipated only feeling relief. Dr. E...
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Episode 23
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29:29
EP# 22: Finding Empowerment in Divorce with Guest Sharri Freedman, Divorce Coach
Divorce fundamentally changes who we are—and that's not something to fear, but to embrace. When former divorce attorney and certified coach Sharri Freedman joins host Cary Jacobson, she reveals the transformative power hidden within the painful...
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Episode 22
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36:39
EP #21: Self-Representation in Divorce: A Conversation with The Divorce Solutionist, Tracey Bee
Facing family court without an attorney can feel like entering a foreign country without speaking the language. In this illuminating conversation, former family law attorney Tracey Bee reveals how she transformed her 25-year legal career into a...
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Episode 21
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29:46
EP #20: Navigating Home Ownership During Divorce with Guest Bridget McGee, the Maryland Mortgage Mama
The home you shared is often the most emotionally and financially complex asset to handle during divorce. With today's rising interest rates, many couples face agonizing decisions about what to do with property they purchased at historically lo...
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Episode 20
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37:58
EP #19: Navigating Special Education During Family Transitions with Guest Frances Shefter, Education Attorney
Frances Shefter, education attorney and former special education teacher, shares how parents can effectively advocate for their special needs children during and after divorce. Her unique experience on both sides of the IEP table helps create w...
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Episode 19
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27:18
EP #18: Communication Strategies for Healing During Divorce with Guest Mary Blackwood, LCMFT
Mary Blackwood, licensed clinical marriage and family therapist and founder of the Couples and Family Institute, shares her expertise on healing family systems during divorce and separation. She reveals how communication breakdowns occur when p...
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Episode 18
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30:34
EP #17: Financial Independence After Divorce with Guest Donna Cates, CDFA
Financial independence isn't just important during divorce—it's absolutely essential. In this powerful conversation with Certified Divorce Financial Analyst Donna Cates, we explore how women can take control of their financial futures while nav...
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Episode 17
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30:23
EP # 16: Navigating College Financial Aid After Divorce with Guest Vicki Vollweiler
The financial intricacies of college planning become exponentially more complex when divorce enters the picture. In this episode, host Cary Jacobson sits down with Vicki Vollweiler, founder of College Financial Prep and a divorced parent hersel...
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Episode 16
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29:31
EP #15: Navigating Divorce Without the Drama: Lessons from Coach Eric Chilton
In this episode, host Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator for Jacobson Family Law, sits down with Eric Chilton, a Certified Divorce Coach, as he reveals how communication strategies and proper preparation can save divorcing couples significant...
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Episode 15
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24:58
EP #14: Divorce Strategies from a Coach's Perspective with Guest Chris Stuart
Divorce can blindside you with emotional turmoil that makes rational decision-making nearly impossible. Join host, Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator, as she sits down with Chris Stuart, a divorce coach and entrepreneur as he discusses his ow...
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Episode 14
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28:32
EP #13: Navigating Divorce with Empowerment with Guest Beverly Price
Are you or someone you know navigating the complex landscape of divorce? In this episode, host, Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator with Jacobson Family Law and guest, Beverly Price, delve into the critical elements of empowerment, resilience,...
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Episode 13
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29:23
EP #12: Supporting Parents of Special Needs Children During Divorce with Guest Mary Ann Hughes
Divorce is a complex journey for any family, but it becomes even more challenging when special needs children are added to the mix. In this episode, host, Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator at Jacobson Family Law, delves into the nuances of d...
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27:26
EP #11: Divorce and Home Financing: Essential Insights with Guest Will Camacho
Making sense of home financing during and after a divorce can often feel overwhelming. Today, we bring you a conversation with mortgage expert Will Camacho, who specializes in bridging the gap between divorce and real estate. This episode is pa...
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32:39
EP #10: Navigating Divorce Finances Confidently with Guest Leah Hadley, AFC, CDFA
Divorce often presents a whirlwind of emotions and financial decisions that can leave anyone feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. In this episode, host, Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator, sits down with financial expert Leah Hadley, who brings...
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Episode 10
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28:58
EP #9: Advice From a Divorce Coach with Guest Lisa Lisser
Divorce can be daunting, but with the right guidance, it becomes a journey of empowerment. Host Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator, sits down with Lisa Lisser, Divorce Coach, to discuss the crucial role of divorce coaching in helping individu...
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33:44
EP #8: Dividing Assets During Divorce
Unlock the secrets of equitable asset division in divorce as host Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator, guides you through one of the most challenging aspects of marital separation: dividing assets. Ever wondered how your assets would be catego...
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Episode 8
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18:43
EP #7: Navigating Alimony in Maryland
Discover the essential tools you need to navigate the complex world of alimony with insights from host Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator. Ever wondered how alimony is determined and why it's so different across states? We bring clarity to th...
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Episode 7
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19:25