Introduction and Chapter 1

Introduction and Chapter 1

Welcome to the first episode. This season walks through the book 10-Week Divorce Recovery: The Proven Step-by-Step Roadmap, one chapter at a time — the same method that's helped people let go and move on for more than 40 years. In this opening episode, Kevin Van Liere shares the story that started it all: the day his wife moved out, the months he spent barely functioning, and the moment he found a structured path forward that changed everything in ten weeks. You'll also meet others who were exactly where you are now — different ages, different situations, same way through. If you're in the thick of it right now, start here. Find out where you actually are. Take the free Divorce Recovery Scorecard — 30 questions, five minutes, instant results. It's the same baseline we use to measure real progress. You'll hear scores come up throughout this season, so get yours and follow along: rebuilders.net/drs [https://rebuilders.net/drs?utm_source=podcast] Join us at Phoenix Live. Free, live, every Tuesday — real people at every stage of divorce recovery, doing the work together. Come just to listen the first time. Save your spot at Rebuilders.net/phoenix-live [https://rebuilders.net/phoenix-live?utm_source=podcast]. And when you're ready to walk through the full process start to finish, it comes three ways — online from anywhere, in person with a local group, or as a week-long immersion retreat. If this episode helped, follow the show so the next chapter finds you — and if someone you love is going through this too, send it their way.

When Your Ex Starts Dating - And Why it Hurts

When your ex starts dating someone new, it can feel devastating — even if the relationship ended months ago. Your chest tightens. Your thoughts spiral. You start asking questions you can't stop replaying: Did I matter? Was I enough? Was I replaced? In this episode, we unpack what's actually happening when your ex moves on — and why the pain isn't really about them dating. You'll learn: • Why their new relationship triggers abandonment, insecurity, and grief • The difference between bridge collapse and structural defect • Why dating fast doesn't automatically mean healed • How identity gets entangled with being chosen • The real indicator of whether you've truly let go We walk through a structured recovery path — Thinking → Feelings → Identity → Relationships — so you can understand exactly where you are in your healing process. This episode isn't about suppressing emotion. It's about understanding activation — and rebuilding from strength instead of survival. If you've ever felt destabilized by your ex moving on, this conversation will help you see what's unfinished — and how to move forward in a grounded, powerful way.

Life After Divorce - The #1 Mistake People Make

Life after divorce can feel confusing and heavy—not just because the relationship ended, but because your nervous system and your mind can get stuck in a repeating loop: overwhelm → numbness → rumination → panic → reactivity. In this episode, we break down what's actually happening in that "Divorce Doom Loop," why it's so common in the weeks and months after a breakup or divorce, and how it quietly impacts everything else—your decisions, your energy, your work, your health, and even the legal and financial complexity of the divorce itself. You'll also learn a simple "dashboard" framework for understanding the four pillars of divorce (emotional, legal, financial, and parenting if kids are involved), and why turning down the emotional dial reduces the strain on the other pillars. If you've ever thought, "Why am I still feeling this?" we'll talk about why grief and anger don't disappear when paperwork is signed—and what it actually takes for those emotions to loosen their grip. Next step: If you want clarity instead of guessing, take our free self-test to measure where you are right now across Relationships, Identity, Feelings, and Thoughts—and use it as a scorecard to track real progress over time. Free Self-Test: https://rebuilders.net/self-test-ers?utm_source=lifeafterdivorce_podcast

Divorce Recovery Isn't What You Think: How People Really Heal

When a relationship ends, people are told a lot of things: "Just give it time," "stay busy," "be strong," "you'll get over it." But if you've been through divorce—or supported someone who has—you know that advice often falls flat. In this episode, we take a clear, grounded look at how people actually experience divorce, where they tend to look for help, and why so many well-meaning solutions miss the mark. We talk about the invisible emotional load of divorce, the difference between being "functional" and being truly okay, and why structure and support matter more than willpower. You'll learn: * Why divorce affects sleep, focus, and decision-making even when people "seem fine" * Where people most often turn for help—and why those paths don't always work * The myths that keep people stuck longer than necessary * What real recovery looks like (and what it isn't) * How to think about healing in a way that's practical, measurable, and humane Whether you're going through a divorce yourself, supporting someone who is, or simply trying to understand what actually helps during one of life's hardest transitions, this conversation will give you a clearer map forward. Take the Self Test here [https://rebuilders.net/rb-self-test?utm_source=episode41]

How to Support Someone Going Through Divorce

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "5154c09f-31bf-41cc-9d8b-fd826b0472f3" data-testid= "conversation-turn-20" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> When someone you care about is going through divorce or separation, you might feel stuck. You want to help—but you're afraid of saying the wrong thing, taking the wrong side, or making it worse. In this episode, Kevin from Rebuilders International shares what actually helps, based on what people in our programs say they need most from friends and family. You'll learn why divorce is like an emotional broken leg, why unsolicited advice usually backfires, and how to replace "why" questions with "what" questions that feel supportive instead of judgmental. You'll also get simple, copy-and-paste check-ins that work better than "How are you?", plus the 7 best things you can do to help someone feel less alone while they heal. Educational only. Not therapy or legal advice. Learn more at Rebuilders.net.