Dishing on Divorce Podcast

Divorce Over 40: Rebuilding Confidence, Identity & Dating Again | Heather Theisen-Gandara

What happens when divorce arrives just as your children leave home and everything you thought your future would look like suddenly changes? In this heartfelt and empowering episode of Dishing on Divorce, Mandy and Deanna sit down with Heather Theisen-Gandara, founder of Reignite Collective, certified divorce coach, and author of The Ultimate Glow Up Guide for Women Over 40. Heather shares her deeply personal story of navigating divorce after 24 years of marriage, rebuilding her confidence, rediscovering her identity, and creating a life filled with purpose, wellness, and self-trust. Together, they explore: • Rebuilding your identity after divorce • Why many women lose themselves in motherhood and marriage • Dating after divorce and recognizing unhealthy patterns • The difference between loneliness and readiness • Boundaries, self-respect, and trusting yourself again • Empty nesting and rediscovering purpose • Style, wellness, and the emotional side of a “glow up” • The importance of therapy, coaching, and support during transition This conversation is honest, vulnerable, inspiring, and full of wisdom for anyone navigating life after divorce or major personal transformation. Connect with Heather: https://www.reignitecollective.com/  [https://www.reignitecollective.com/] Sign up for her masterclass: https://www.reignitecollective.com/returntoselfmasterclass [https://www.reignitecollective.com/returntoselfmasterclass] Connect with Mandy and Deanna: concierge@vestadivorce.com

Narcissistic Abuse, Divorce & Healing: Rya Hazelwood on Relentless Optimism

What happens when the life you fought so hard to build falls apart? In this deeply powerful episode of Dishing on Divorce, author and speaker Rya Hazelwood shares her journey through narcissistic abuse, divorce, emotional manipulation, grief, heartbreak, and ultimately healing. Through the pain of betrayal and rebuilding her life as a single mother, Rya discovered what she calls “relentless optimism” — the choice to keep believing in hope, even when life feels impossible. From love bombing and gaslighting to parenting through heartbreak and learning to trust herself again, this conversation is filled with raw honesty, wisdom, healing, laughter, and practical tools for anyone navigating life after loss. Topics include: • Narcissistic abuse and emotional manipulation • Love bombing and gaslighting • Divorce recovery and rebuilding after heartbreak • Parenting while healing • The difference between optimism and magical thinking • Anxiety vs intuition • Learning to trust yourself again • Healing through vulnerability and community Rya Hazelwood is the author of Relentless Optimism and Other Life Goals, a moving blend of memoir, mindset, and hope that reminds readers they are not alone and that healing is possible, even after life’s hardest chapters. Connect with Rya - https://www.ryahazelwood.com/ [https://www.ryahazelwood.com/] Connect with Deanna and Mandy- concierge@vestadivorce.com [concierge@vestadivorce.com]

Breaking the Silence: Reclaiming Your Voice After Abuse and Divorce with Angeline Constantinou

For years, she walked on eggshells, silenced her voice, and questioned her worth. Then one day, she chose herself. In this powerful episode, Angeline Constantinou shares her courageous journey through domestic abuse, divorce, healing, and personal transformation. From fear and financial hardship to empowerment and purpose, her story is a testament to the strength women carry, even in their darkest moments. Angeline opens up about the moment she reached her breaking point, the strategic safety plan that helped her leave, and the emotional and financial realities of rebuilding her life after divorce. She shares how mentorship, faith, gratitude, journaling, meditation, and mindset work helped her rediscover her confidence and reclaim her voice. Today, Angeline is a women’s empowerment coach, speaker, podcast host, and survivor advocate dedicated to helping women heal from abuse, uncover limiting beliefs, and step into lives rooted in freedom, confidence, and self-worth. This conversation is honest, emotional, inspiring, and filled with hope for anyone navigating divorce, healing from trauma, or learning to believe in themselves again. Topics Include: • Domestic violence and coercive control • Creating a safety and exit plan • Financial abuse and rebuilding independence • Healing after divorce • Reclaiming your voice and identity • Mindset, gratitude, and self-worth • Transforming pain into purpose • The importance of support and community Connect with Angeline: https://letsbreakthesilence.com/index [https://letsbreakthesilence.com/index] Connect with Deanna and Mandy: concierge@vestadivorce.com

Sacred Reckoning with Adrienne Beloin: Healing, Relationships, and Finding Yourself After Divorce

What if divorce, conflict, and emotional pain were not just endings, but invitations to something deeper? In this powerful episode of Dishing on Divorce, Deanna Coyle and Mandy Pullen Barr sit down with psychotherapist, behavioral health consultant, and transformation coach Adrienne Beloin for an honest conversation about healing, identity, relationships, and the inner work that often follows divorce. Adrienne shares her deeply personal divorce story, the physical and emotional toll of living disconnected from herself, and how her journey inspired her groundbreaking framework called Sacred Reckoning. Together, they explore emotional safety, attachment wounds, co-parenting, self-abandonment, relational intelligence, and the courage it takes to truly know yourself. This episode is filled with powerful insights for anyone navigating divorce, burnout, relationship struggles, or major life transitions. It is a conversation about moving beyond survival mode and learning how to become whole within yourself so you can build healthier, more authentic relationships moving forward. Topics include: • Emotional and psychological safety in relationships • Divorce as a catalyst for transformation • The connection between emotional stress and physical health • Co-parenting and healing after divorce • Attachment wounds and relational patterns • Sacred Reckoning and self-discovery • Why “fight with me like you love me” changes everything If you have ever wondered who you are outside of your roles, relationships, or responsibilities, this episode will resonate deeply. Connect with Adrienne: https://www.betterhalf.solutions/ Connect with Mandy and Deanna: concierge@vestadivorce.com

How Divorce Impacts Children (And Why How You Handle It Matters) | Dr. Kathy Memel

What if the patterns showing up in your divorce didn’t start with you? In this episode of Dishing on Divorce, Mandy and Deanna sit down with Dr. Kathy Memel, a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 40 years of experience, to discuss why the court is often not the best place to begin the divorce process and what families can do instead. Dr. Memel shares how looking at your family tree can uncover generational patterns that influence how you communicate, handle conflict, and make decisions in relationships. With that awareness, it becomes possible to move through divorce in a more intentional and child-centered way. This conversation goes beyond the legal process. It is about understanding behavior, reducing conflict, and creating a path forward that supports both you and your children. In this episode, we cover: • Why the court system can feel overwhelming and disempowering • When court is necessary, including situations involving safety concerns • How staying out of court can support better outcomes for families • What makes a strong and detailed parenting plan • Why details matter more than most people expect • The impact of conflict on children’s emotional development • How generational patterns shape relationships and divorce • Why does how you speak about the other parent matter • What it takes to build a healthy co-parenting relationship over time Dr. Memel also shares a powerful reminder that change is possible. It may feel slow, uncomfortable, and unfamiliar, and it can lead to a completely different future for your family. If you are early in the process, feeling overwhelmed, or wondering how to do this more healthily, this episode offers clarity, perspective, and hope. Connect with Kathy: https://drkathymemel.com/ [https://drkathymemel.com/] Connect with Deanna and Mandy: concierge@vestadivorce.com