Divorce with Sam and Leah

5 Lies That Keep Women Stuck After Divorce (And How to Break Free)

So many women think the hardest part of divorce is signing the papers… but the truth is, the beliefs you carry afterward can keep you emotionally stuck for years. In this episode, we break down 5 common lies women tell themselves after divorce that quietly keep them trapped in guilt, fear, and self-doubt — and how to shift those beliefs so you can actually move forward. We talk about: • Why waiting for your ex to change keeps you stuck • The truth about divorce and your kids • Why your marriage ending does not mean you failed • How people-pleasing in co-parenting makes things worse • Rebuilding confidence and identity after divorce You’ll also learn practical mindset shifts and real-life steps you can start using today to stop living in the past and start building a life that actually feels good again. If you’re ready for deeper support, guidance, and a community of women who truly understand what you’re navigating, join us inside The Next Chapter membership where we help moms heal after divorce, rebuild confidence, and co-parent with clarity and strength: https://www.samandleah.com/services [https://www.samandleah.com/services]

How to Stop Your Ex From Ruining Your Day: The Divorce Email Boundary Strategy

Does communication with your ex constantly trigger you? A text in the middle of the workday.An email that ruins your entire evening.A notification from the co-parenting app that instantly spikes your stress. In this episode, we’re sharing a simple but powerful boundary that can dramatically reduce the emotional toll of divorce and high-conflict co-parenting: the Divorce Inbox Strategy. Instead of letting your ex interrupt your day whenever they want, you’ll learn how to create a separate email or communication space specifically for co-parenting so you can decide when and how you engage. We talk about: * Why constant notifications keep your nervous system stuck in stress mode * How a dedicated divorce/co-parenting inbox protects your mental health * Setting boundaries around when you read and respond to messages * How to prepare yourself emotionally before opening communication * The “bingo card” mindset that helps you stay calm when predictable behaviors show up * Why responding calmly instead of reacting emotionally can change the entire dynamic If you’re navigating divorce or high-conflict co-parenting, this simple shift can help you protect your peace, reduce emotional triggers, and regain control of your day. 💙 Need more support while navigating divorce and co-parenting? Inside The Next Chapter membership, we help moms heal after divorce, rebuild their confidence, and learn practical strategies for handling difficult co-parents without losing themselves in the process. You’ll get access to: * Weekly live workshops * A private supportive community of women who understand what you're going through * Expert trainings on divorce, co-parenting, healing, finances, and parenting * Live Q&A sessions with Leah and Sam * A growing library of practical tools and replays Join us here:https://www.samandleah.com/services [https://www.samandleah.com/services]

Monkey Branching: Why Narcissists Move On So Fast After Divorce

Why do narcissists seem to move on instantly after a breakup or divorce? In this episode, Sam and Leah break down the psychology behind “monkey branching” — a common narcissistic relationship pattern where someone lines up a new partner before leaving the current relationship. For many women, watching their ex jump into a new relationship immediately can feel deeply personal, confusing, and incredibly painful. But the truth is, this behavior has far more to do with narcissistic supply, control, and avoiding emotional accountability than it does with your worth. Sam and Leah discuss: * What monkey branching actually is * Why narcissists rarely stay single * The role of narcissistic supply and dopamine chasing * Why the new relationship often happens so quickly * How narcissists rewrite the history of the relationship * Why this behavior creates trauma bonds and deep confusion * How to stop personalizing their actions and start healing If you're navigating divorce or co-parenting with a narcissistic ex, understanding these patterns can help you regain clarity, protect your peace, and start rebuilding your life with confidence. If you’re looking for deeper support, tools, and community while navigating divorce and high-conflict co-parenting, check out The Next Chapter membership. Inside, we help moms heal, set boundaries, regulate their nervous systems, and rebuild their confidence after toxic relationships. 💙 Learn more about The Next Chapter: https://www.samandleah.com/services [https://www.samandleah.com/services]

How to Regulate Your Nervous System During High-Conflict Divorce

If you’re navigating high-conflict divorce or co-parenting and feel constantly overwhelmed, triggered, or angry… your nervous system is likely stuck in survival mode. In this episode, we break down simple, practical tools like box breathing and basic meditation to help you regulate your nervous system, reduce reactivity, think more clearly, and protect your peace. You’ll learn how these techniques improve your mental clarity, emotional control, sleep, stress levels, and even how you show up for your kids. This is especially powerful for divorced moms dealing with high-conflict dynamics, manipulation, or constant stress. When you regulate your nervous system, you stop reacting emotionally and start responding strategically. If you’re ready for deeper support, live coaching, and practical tools to help you heal, regulate, and co-parent with confidence, join us inside The Next Chapter membership. This is where we do the real work together. 💙https://www.samandleah.com/services [https://www.samandleah.com/services]

When Your Ex Introduces a New Girlfriend to the Kids: Why It’s So Triggering (And What to Do About It)

When your ex starts bringing a new girlfriend around your kids, it can hit in a way you weren’t prepared for. Even if you don’t want him back. Even if you’re the one who filed. In this episode, we’re talking about why it feels so triggering when your ex moves on — especially when he’s not “doing it alone” and your kids are suddenly around another woman. We unpack the jealousy, the anger, the curiosity, the spiraling thoughts… and what’s actually underneath all of it. You’ll learn: * Why this dynamic activates your nervous system * The real reason you feel so mad (even if you don’t want him) * How to stop obsessing over her * How to regulate yourself before reacting * How to protect your peace while co-parenting If you’re navigating high-conflict co-parenting or struggling with your ex introducing a new partner, this conversation will help you feel grounded, validated, and back in control. 💙 If you want deeper support, live coaching, and a private community of moms who truly get it, join us inside The Next Chapter membership. We help divorced moms regulate their nervous system, set boundaries, rebuild confidence, and co-parent with clarity. 👉 Learn more and join here: https://www.samandleah.com/services [https://www.samandleah.com/services] #DivorceRecovery #CoParenting #HighConflictDivorce #SingleMomLife #DivorcedMoms #HealingAfterDivorce #BlendedFamily #WomenEmpowerment