Ep. 15: Dear Diary — The Day I Became Allison Kahler Again

Ep. 23: This Is Your Brain on Divorce — What Psychedelics Actually Do

Today's conversation with psychedelic-assisted therapist Dr. Nick Brüss explores why divorce activates our most protective parts — rage, blame, the inner critic — and how healing comes from turning toward them rather than numbing them, with or without psychedelics. In this episode: * Why "this is your brain on drugs" gets psychedelics backwards — what psychedelic-assisted therapy really does is help you see and feel what you've been avoiding * How Internal Family Systems (IFS) explains the "parts" that take over in divorce — the managers, firefighters, and exiles driving your reactions * The most popular "part" of all? The Inner Critic — if it had an IG account, it'd have a billion followers, and Nick explains how to stop taking its voice as gospel * Why divorce lands like an "attachment rupture" — a nervous-system event your body lives through, not just a legal one * What it means to meet your most wounded parts with self-compassion instead of judgment — the real healing, with or without psychedelics About Dr. Nick Brüss: Dr. Nick Brüss is a psychedelic-assisted therapist, researcher, and trainer who helps people heal and live more freely — with or without psychedelic medicine. A leader in psychedelic-assisted Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, he has practiced IFS since 2013 and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy since 2017, and served as a therapist and clinical supervisor on the MAPS Phase III trial of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. His work pairs clinical rigor with a deep grounding in mindfulness and self-compassion. His book, “The Psychedelic Mindset: Liberate Yourself With or Without Psychedelics,” is forthcoming from HarperCollins. Learn more at A Practice of Freedom: apracticeoffreedom.com [http://apracticeoffreedom.com] Follow Nick on Instagram: @drnickbruss [https://www.instagram.com/drnickbruss/] Connect with Nick on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nicholas-bruss [http://linkedin.com/in/nicholas-bruss] Episode-Specific Notes: This conversation offers general perspective on psychedelic-assisted therapy, Internal Family Systems, and emotional healing — it is not personalized medical, mental health, or therapeutic advice. Psychedelics are not appropriate for everyone and can be unsafe or destabilizing; please consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation. About "The D. Tales with Allison Kahler": The D. Tales blends real divorce stories with grounded expert insight — helping you find clarity and courage to move forward on your own terms. Follow The D. Tales wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow along on Instagram: @thedtalespodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thedtalespodcast/] Learn more at https://thedtalespodcast.com [https://thedtalespodcast.com] This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, medical, mental health, or financial advice.

Ep. 22: Starting Fresh When Divorce Happens — with Olivia Howell

Today's conversation with Olivia Howell, CEO and co-founder of Fresh Starts Registry, is about what it actually takes to begin again after divorce, why the hardest part isn't replacing what you lost, and why no one should have to start fresh alone. In this episode: * The toothbrush holder that changed everything — how one small, ordinary object became Olivia's permission to claim a new life: "this is my new life, I can have this" * Why Olivia didn't recognize the coercive control in her own marriage until she was out — and how invisible it can be from the inside * The thinking behind a "divorce registry" — reframing the messy logistics of starting over as something worthy of support, not shame * "Get Your Pink Back" — reclaiming the color, the joy, and the parts of yourself that quietly went missing inside the marriage * Why rebuilding after divorce is rarely about the stuff — and how changing the things around you slowly changes who you become * Why no one should have to start fresh alone — and how a "hype team" becomes the difference between surviving a divorce and rebuilding from it About Olivia Howell: Olivia is the CEO and co-founder of Fresh Starts Registry. A clinical hypnotherapist, certified divorce and life coach, and award-winning podcast producer — including the top-rated Divorce Happens — she built Fresh Starts with her sister Genevieve Dreizen after her own 2019 divorce, when she realized there was no real system to help people rebuild. She's also the author of the forthcoming Divorce Happens: A Compassionate Guide to Starting Fresh (Sheldon Press, 2027). Her writing has appeared in New York Magazine, Newsweek, and Business Insider, and her work has been shared by Monica Lewinsky, Shannon Watts, and Eve Rodsky. Follow Olivia on Instagram: @oliviahowell [https://www.instagram.com/oliviahowell/] Follow Olivia on Threads: @oliviahowell [https://www.threads.com/@oliviahowell] Connect with Olivia on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oliviadreizenhowell [http://linkedin.com/in/oliviadreizenhowell] About Fresh Starts Registry: Fresh Starts Registry is the first divorce registry of its kind — recognized as exactly that by Forbes, and credited by New York Magazine with "destigmatizing divorce." Founded by Olivia and her sister Genevieve Dreizen, it gives people a real system for starting over, and has supported millions worldwide through free resources, 150+ vetted experts, free 1:1 Zoom consults, and Divorce Guide Magazine — the only divorce magazine in America. Learn more about Fresh Starts Registry: freshstartsregistry.com [http://freshstartsregistry.com] Follow Fresh Starts Registry on Instagram: @freshstartsregistry [https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/] Follow Fresh Starts Registry on Threads: @freshstartsregistry [https://www.threads.com/@freshstartsregistry] Connect with Fresh Starts Registry on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/freshstartsregistry [http://linkedin.com/company/freshstartsregistry] Like Fresh Starts Registry on Facebook: facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry [http://facebook.com/FreshStartsRegistry] Episode-Specific Notes: Content note: This episode includes candid discussion of emotional abuse and coercive control. If you or someone you know needs support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788. This conversation offers general perspective on healing and starting over after divorce and is not personalized therapeutic, medical, or legal advice. Please consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation. Want to be a Registry Fairy? You can help someone else start fresh — Fresh Starts Registry lets you support people rebuilding after divorce by contributing to their registries. Learn how at https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/becomearegistryfairy [https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/becomearegistryfairy]. About "The D. Tales with Allison Kahler": The D. Tales blends real divorce stories with grounded expert insight — helping you find clarity and courage to move forward on your own terms. Follow The D. Tales wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow along on Instagram: @thedtalespodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thedtalespodcast/] Learn more at https://thedtalespodcast.com [https://thedtalespodcast.com] This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, medical, mental health, or financial advice.

Ep. 21: Prenups & Postnups — Does True Love Need Them?

Sparked by the cultural firestorm around Belle Burden's “Strangers,” today's conversation with matrimonial attorney and CDFA Lisa Zeiderman opens up the talk we avoid: prenups, postnups, and why the most loving move is having the hard money conversation before you need it. In this episode: * What Belle Burden's “Strangers” teaches about financial blindness — and the choices we make out of love * Who actually needs a prenup — and why it's not just for the wealthy * What a postnup really is — and the life moments that make it worth putting in place * Why prenups and postnups are becoming far more common — and less taboo * How to bring up the conversation without killing the romance — and why timing matters About Lisa Zeiderman: Lisa is Managing Partner at Miller Zeiderman LLP in New York — a matrimonial attorney, CFL, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst who handles complex, high-net-worth divorce and custody matters, along with prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. A contributor to Psychology Today, Board Chair of Savvy Ladies, and VP of the Board of Family Legal Care, she has been recognized as a New York Super Lawyer and named to Crain's New York lists of Notable Woman Attorneys and Notable Diverse Lawyers. She brings a practical, forward-looking approach to high-conflict dynamics, helping clients move through divorce with structure, informed decision-making, and a clear path toward independence. Website: lisazeiderman.com [http://lisazeiderman.com] Follow Lisa on Instagram: @lisazeiderman [https://www.instagram.com/lisazeiderman/] About "The D. Tales with Allison Kahler": The D. Tales blends real divorce stories with grounded expert insight — helping you find clarity and courage to move forward on your own terms. Follow The D. Tales wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow along on Instagram: @thedtalespodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thedtalespodcast/] Learn more at https://thedtalespodcast.com [https://thedtalespodcast.com] This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, medical, mental health, or financial advice.

Ep. 20: My Adventures in Dating After Divorce — So Far (Solo)

In this solo episode, I'm spilling the tea on my own adventures in dating after divorce — approximately 27 first dates, 3 pseudo-relationships, 1 situationship, and the 5 lessons it's taught me so far. In this episode: * Why this episode felt scarier to record than my divorce stories — recording from the "messy middle" while I'm still living it * The early days: electric first kisses, my 3-date curse, getting stood up, and the questions no one prepares you for after divorce * From dating "vanilla" in Chicago to taste-testing my way though 31 flavors in LA — the actor, the vegan paleontologist, the crypto finance bro, and more * Why knowing what you want in a relationship isn’t just a checklist (I’m looking for a man in finance, trust fund, 6’5”, blue eyes) — but also how it makes you feel * My honest take on the dating apps — and the 3 reasons I'm stepping away, maybe for good * Where my dating life stands today — and what I'm really looking for in an aligned partner and relationship Episode-Specific Notes: Email allison@thedtalespodcast.com [allison@thedtalespodcast.com] to share your post-divorce dating stories — stay tuned for a potential compilation episode of others’ adventures in dating! About "The D. Tales with Allison Kahler": The D. Tales blends real divorce stories with grounded expert insight — helping you find clarity and courage to move forward on your own terms. Follow The D. Tales wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow along on Instagram: @thedtalespodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thedtalespodcast/] Learn more at https://thedtalespodcast.com [https://thedtalespodcast.com] This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, medical, mental health, or financial advice.

Ep. 19: "My Body Woke Up" — Coming Out and Coming Home to Myself

After 25 years of marriage, Lisa Madsen's body "woke up" — and everything she thought she knew about love, marriage, and who she was came up for question. This is a story about coming out later in life, choosing to stay married while building a life with someone new, and discovering that when it comes to marriage, divorce, and family, there are no rules — you get to make them up. In this episode: * The phone call from her college girlfriend that made her body "wake up" — and the question she couldn't stop asking: "What does this even mean?" * Coming out in her twenties, "un-coming out" when she fell in love with her husband, and coming out again later in life — and what it meant to finally come home to herself * How Lisa told her husband the truth — and the response that surprised everyone * "Husband not husband": why she and her husband never divorced — and stayed close enough to share regular Wednesday dinners * Building a blended family across two states — and why she decided there are no rules except the ones you make About Lisa Madsen: Lisa is a certified life coach and licensed clinical social worker who works with people navigating big relationship transitions — including women coming out later in life — and helps them move forward with clarity and self-trust. After 25 years of marriage, her own life became one of the most unconventional, and loving, answers to the question of what "family" can look like. Learn more at www.lisamadsencoaching.com [http://www.lisamadsencoaching.com] Follow Lisa on Instagram: @lifecoachforcaregivers Find Lisa on Psychology Today: Lisa Madsen, LCSW [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/lisa-madsen-lakewood-co/844833] About "The D. Tales with Allison Kahler": The D. Tales blends real divorce stories with grounded expert insight — helping you find clarity and courage to move forward on your own terms. Follow The D. Tales wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow along on Instagram: @thedtalespodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thedtalespodcast/] Learn more at https://thedtalespodcast.com [https://thedtalespodcast.com] This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, medical, mental health, or financial advice.