Bent Not Broken: Starting Over After Divorce | Post Divorce Life

Starting Over After Divorce: Helping Your Child Recover From Emotional Stress & Conflict

Divorce can leave families feeling lost, emotionally overwhelmed, and unsure how to rebuild when life falls apart. While parents are navigating the pain of starting over after divorce, children are often quietly carrying the emotional weight of conflict, stress, and emotional instability. In this bonus coaching session of Bent Not Broken, Deborah expands on the powerful conversation with Dr. David Marcus about how high-conflict divorce, emotional abuse, and unhealthy co-parenting dynamics impact children long after the marriage ends. This episode focuses on one of the most important tools for helping children heal and recover after divorce: becoming a “soothing presence” for your child. When children are surrounded by arguments, tension, or emotional chaos, they often internalize the conflict. Some emotionally withdraw, some act out, and others feel responsible for fixing the family around them. Deborah explains why emotionally safe parenting becomes critical when a family is trying to rebuild and reclaim stability after divorce. In this episode, you’ll learn: * What it means to become a calming, emotionally safe parent during divorce recovery * Why emotional safety matters more than overexplaining the divorce * How children absorb stress, emotional abuse, and parental conflict * Why regulating your emotions helps your child feel secure and supported * How consistency, healthy boundaries, and calm communication help children heal * Encouragement for parents navigating parental alienation, co-parenting struggles, and starting over after divorce Deborah also reminds listeners that while you cannot control the other parent’s behavior, you can control the emotional environment your child experiences with you. Even when a marriage falls apart, one emotionally grounded parent can help a child rebuild trust, resilience, and emotional security. If you are navigating divorce, co-parenting challenges, emotional abuse recovery, or the pain of starting over after divorce, this coaching session offers practical guidance, hope, and encouragement to help both you and your child heal with purpose. Enjoyed this episode of Bent Not Broken: Life After Divorce with Deborah Griffiths? Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify [https://spotify.com/] so more people searching for life after divorce, divorce recovery, co-parenting, dating after divorce, and healing from gaslighting can discover this empowering podcast. Every review helps others find hope, inspiration, and practical tools for thriving after divorce. Explore more resources: Visit BrokenToBoldness.com [https://brokentoboldness.com/] for coaching, workshops, and guidance on divorce recovery and life transitions. Follow Deborah Griffiths for daily empowerment and support: * Instagram: @BrokenToBoldness [https://instagram.com/brokentoboldness] * Facebook: Broken to Boldness [https://facebook.com/brokentoboldness] Remember: divorce may bend you, but it does not break you. You are stronger than you think, and your bold new chapter starts now. Disclaimer: The commentary and opinions available on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal or psychological advice. You should contact an attorney, coach, or therapist in your state to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.

How High-Conflict Divorce Hurts Children — And How to Help Them Heal & Feel Safe Again | David Marcus

Divorce does not just affect parents — it deeply impacts children, especially when conflict, emotional abuse, and unhealthy communication continue after the marriage ends. In this episode of Bent Not Broken, Deborah speaks with Dr. David Marcus about how high-conflict divorce affects a child’s emotional wellbeing and what parents can do to help children heal, rebuild trust, and feel emotionally safe again. Dr. Marcus explains how children absorb stress, anxiety, and conflict even when they cannot express it with words. He shares why some children become people-pleasers, emotionally withdraw, or try to mediate between parents just to survive the emotional chaos around them. This episode explores: * The emotional impact of high-conflict divorce on children * Warning signs of emotional stress and parental alienation * How children “borrow your okayness” from emotionally grounded parents * Healthy co-parenting communication and emotional boundaries * Practical ways to help children process feelings and recover after divorce Dr. Marcus also shares parenting insights from his upcoming book, Parent Rx: Prescriptive Wisdom, Tips and Strategies for Communication With Your Child. If you are navigating divorce, co-parenting struggles, blended family challenges, or emotional abuse recovery, this episode offers practical tools to help your children heal and reclaim emotional safety after divorce. Learn more at: parentrx.org [https://parentrx.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Enjoyed this episode of Bent Not Broken: Life After Divorce with Deborah Griffiths? Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify [https://spotify.com/] so more people searching for life after divorce, divorce recovery, co-parenting, dating after divorce, and healing from gaslighting can discover this empowering podcast. Every review helps others find hope, inspiration, and practical tools for thriving after divorce. Explore more resources: Visit BrokenToBoldness.com [https://brokentoboldness.com/] for coaching, workshops, and guidance on divorce recovery and life transitions. Follow Deborah Griffiths for daily empowerment and support: * Instagram: @BrokenToBoldness [https://instagram.com/brokentoboldness] * Facebook: Broken to Boldness [https://facebook.com/brokentoboldness] Remember: divorce may bend you, but it does not break you. You are stronger than you think, and your bold new chapter starts now. Disclaimer: The commentary and opinions available on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal or psychological advice. You should contact an attorney, coach, or therapist in your state to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.

Lost Yourself in Marriage? 3 Steps to Rebuild Your Life After Divorce

After divorce, many women realize something deeper than the end of a relationship has occurred. They’ve lost pieces of themselves along the way. In this Bent Not Broken Bonus Coaching episode, Coach Deborah Griffiths reflects on the conversation with writer Heather Sweeney and explores an experience many women quietly struggle with — losing their identity inside a marriage. For years, many women prioritize supporting their partner’s career, raising children, and maintaining the household. Over time, their own dreams, passions, and voice slowly fade into the background. But recognizing that loss can also be the beginning of something powerful — reclaiming who you truly are. In this coaching episode, Deborah shares practical steps for rebuilding confidence, reconnecting with your passions, and creating a life that reflects your authentic self after divorce or a major life transition. If you’ve ever felt like you lost yourself in a relationship, this episode will remind you that rediscovering your voice is possible. Because life may bend you — but it doesn’t have to break you. In This Bonus Coaching Episode • Why many women lose their identity in long-term relationships • How small compromises can lead to self-abandonment over time • The first step to reconnecting with who you truly are • How taking action rebuilds confidence after divorce • Why healing requires grace, patience, and self-compassion • The power of rediscovering passions that bring you back to life Ready to Take the Next Step? If you’re navigating divorce or a major life transition and want guidance on rebuilding your confidence, identity, and next chapter, Coach Deborah offers one-on-one discovery calls to help you create a clear path forward. Schedule a call here: https://calendly.com/brokentoboldness7/boldnessblueprint [https://calendly.com/brokentoboldness7/boldnessblueprint] Enjoyed this episode of Bent Not Broken: Life After Divorce with Deborah Griffiths? Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify [https://spotify.com/] so more people searching for life after divorce, divorce recovery, co-parenting, dating after divorce, and healing from gaslighting can discover this empowering podcast. Every review helps others find hope, inspiration, and practical tools for thriving after divorce. Explore more resources: Visit BrokenToBoldness.com [https://brokentoboldness.com/] for coaching, workshops, and guidance on divorce recovery and life transitions. Follow Deborah Griffiths for daily empowerment and support: * Instagram: @BrokenToBoldness [https://instagram.com/brokentoboldness] * Facebook: Broken to Boldness [https://facebook.com/brokentoboldness] Remember: divorce may bend you, but it does not break you. You are stronger than you think, and your bold new chapter starts now. Disclaimer: The commentary and opinions available on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal or psychological advice. You should contact an attorney, coach, or therapist in your state to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.

How to Rebuild Your Identity After Divorce | From Military Wife to Finding Her Voice with Heather Sweeney

What happens when the life you built your identity around suddenly disappears? For many women, especially those who spent years supporting a partner’s career and putting their own dreams on hold, divorce doesn’t just end a marriage—it forces a complete rediscovery of self. In this powerful episode of Bent Not Broken, Coach Deborah Griffiths speaks with writer and memoirist Heather Sweeney, who shares her journey of rebuilding her life after the end of her military marriage. For years, Heather lived the life of a Navy spouse and stay-at-home mother, supporting her husband’s career while raising their children and moving around the world. But when her marriage ended, she found herself facing the daunting challenge of starting over—financially, emotionally, and personally. Heather opens up about the quiet identity loss many military spouses experience, the emotional toll of divorce, and the courage it takes to reclaim your voice after years of self-abandonment. Her memoir Camouflage: How I Emerged from the Shadows of a Military Marriage tells the story of rediscovering independence, confidence, and purpose after divorce. Heather’s writing has appeared in The New York Times Modern Love, The Washington Post, HuffPost, TODAY, and Newsweek, where she explores topics such as identity, relationships, parenting, and personal reinvention. This conversation is a powerful reminder that life may bend us—but it doesn’t have to break us. In This Episode, We Discuss • The hidden identity loss many military spouses experience • Why divorce often forces women to rediscover who they truly are • The unspoken rules of military spouse culture and resilience • The emotional impact of starting over after a long marriage • Financial independence and rebuilding stability after divorce • Recognizing emotional invalidation and chronic self-abandonment • Co-parenting challenges within military families • Dating again after divorce and learning to trust yourself • The role of journaling, therapy, and community in healing • Why hope and self-trust are essential when rebuilding your life About Heather Sweeney Heather Sweeney is a writer and memoirist whose work has appeared in The New York Times Modern Love, The Washington Post, HuffPost, TODAY, Newsweek, Electric Literature, and Brevity Nonfiction Blog. Her memoir Camouflage: How I Emerged from the Shadows of a Military Marriage explores identity loss, self-abandonment, and the journey of rebuilding life after divorce. Connect With Heather Website: heatherlsweeney.com Instagram: @heatherlsweeney Book: Camouflage: How I Emerged from the Shadows of a Military Marriage (available wherever books are sold) Enjoyed this episode of Bent Not Broken: Life After Divorce with Deborah Griffiths? Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify [https://spotify.com/] so more people searching for life after divorce, divorce recovery, co-parenting, dating after divorce, and healing from gaslighting can discover this empowering podcast. Every review helps others find hope, inspiration, and practical tools for thriving after divorce. Explore more resources: Visit BrokenToBoldness.com [https://brokentoboldness.com/] for coaching, workshops, and guidance on divorce recovery and life transitions. Follow Deborah Griffiths for daily empowerment and support: * Instagram: @BrokenToBoldness [https://instagram.com/brokentoboldness] * Facebook: Broken to Boldness [https://facebook.com/brokentoboldness] Remember: divorce may bend you, but it does not break you. You are stronger than you think, and your bold new chapter starts now. Disclaimer: The commentary and opinions available on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal or psychological advice. You should contact an attorney, coach, or therapist in your state to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.

Mother’s Day for Single Moms: Reclaiming Joy, Strength, and Self-Worth

Mother’s Day isn’t always flowers, cards, and breakfast in bed—especially for single moms navigating life after divorce, separation, or major life transitions. In this powerful bonus coaching episode of Bent Not Broken, Coach Deborah Griffiths speaks directly to the heart of single mothers who may be feeling unseen, overwhelmed, or emotionally stretched thin on a day that can bring both love and loneliness. If you’ve ever struggled with Mother’s Day as a single mom, this episode is for you. The Truth About Mother’s Day as a Single Mom For many women, Mother’s Day can bring: * Feelings of loneliness or isolation * Disappointment from unmet expectations * Emotional triggers from divorce or co-parenting challenges * The pressure to “hold it all together” for everyone else This episode creates a safe space to acknowledge the hard emotions while reminding you that your feelings are valid—and you are not alone. How to Reclaim Mother’s Day on Your Terms Instead of waiting for recognition from others, this episode walks you through how to redefine Mother’s Day with intention, self-love, and empowerment. Coach Deborah shares how to shift from: * Waiting → Creating your own joy * Disappointment → Self-validation * External validation → Internal empowerment 3 Powerful Coaching Shifts for Single Moms You’ll walk away with simple, actionable tools you can use immediately: 1. Celebrate Yourself Without Apology Learn how to recognize your strength, resilience, and growth as a single mother. 2. Create Your Own Mother’s Day Traditions Discover how to design a day that actually feels good to YOU—whether that’s quiet, joyful, restful, or empowering. 3. Release the Expectation Trap Let go of what others didn’t do and reclaim your power by focusing on what you can give yourself. From Surviving to Rebuilding Being a single mom is not a limitation—it’s a transformation. This episode is a reminder that you are: * Stronger than your circumstances * Rebuilding your life with intention * Creating a powerful example for your children Your story matters. Your journey matters. And YOU deserve to be celebrated. A Mother’s Day Message You Need to Hear Whether today feels joyful, painful, quiet, or somewhere in between… You are still an incredible mother. You are still worthy of recognition. And you are never alone on this journey. Ready to Take the Next Step? If this episode resonated with you and you’re ready to move from pain to purpose, I invite you to connect with me. Book your discovery call here: https://calendly.com/brokentoboldness7/boldnessblueprint [ https://calendly.com/brokentoboldness7/boldnessblueprint] Enjoyed this episode of Bent Not Broken: Life After Divorce with Deborah Griffiths? Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bent-not-broken-starting-over-after-divorce/id1840019186] and Spotify [https://spotify.com/] so more people searching for life after divorce, divorce recovery, co-parenting, dating after divorce, and healing from gaslighting can discover this empowering podcast. Every review helps others find hope, inspiration, and practical tools for thriving after divorce. Explore more resources: Visit BrokenToBoldness.com [https://brokentoboldness.com] for coaching, workshops, and guidance on divorce recovery and life transitions. Follow Deborah Griffiths for daily empowerment and support: * Instagram: @BrokenToBoldness [https://instagram.com/brokentoboldness] * Facebook: Broken to Boldness [https://facebook.com/brokentoboldness] * LinkedIn: Broken to Boldness [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-griffiths/] Remember: divorce may bend you, but it does not break you. You are stronger than you think, and your bold new chapter starts now. Disclaimer: The commentary and opinions available on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal or psychological advice. You should contact an attorney, coach, or therapist in your state to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.