You can know that leaving your marriage was the right decision and still feel heartbroken. ❤️ But why does divorce still hurt, even when you know it was necessary?

Divorce is more than the end of a marriage. It's the loss of the future you imagined, the identity you built, and the life you thought you would have.

In this episode of The Better Divorce Podcast, host Pette Rigo welcomes Chel Cartmill, Next Chapter Transition Specialist and Certified Trauma-Informed Master Coach, for an honest conversation about divorce grief, emotional healing, betrayal, and rebuilding your life after a difficult relationship.

Together, they explore why divorce can feel like a death, why healing doesn't follow a predictable timeline, and how to process difficult emotions without rushing yourself to move on.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS:

Why divorce can feel like losing someone to death.

What ambiguous loss means and why it makes moving on difficult.

Why you can miss someone even when leaving was the right decision.

How to process grief without judging yourself.

Why staying busy can prevent emotional healing.

How journaling, breathwork, yoga, and somatic practices support emotional recovery.

How to reconnect with your intuition and rebuild self-trust after betrayal.

Why you don't need closure from your ex to move forward.

How to rediscover your identity and create a fulfilling next chapter.

ABOUT THE GUEST: CHEL CARTMILL

Chel Cartmill is a Next Chapter Transition Specialist and Certified Trauma-Informed Master Coach who has been helping people navigate divorce, grief, broken relationships, and major life transitions since 2007.

She shares practical insights on emotional regulation, breathwork, embodiment, self-trust, and learning to move forward after painful life experiences.

ABOUT BETTER DIVORCE ACADEMY

Better Divorce Academy provides compassionate guidance, divorce coaching, preparation, and resources to help individuals navigate divorce with greater clarity, confidence, and informed decisions.

Explore Better Divorce Academy:

https://betterdivorceacademy.com

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Have you ever felt that leaving a relationship was the right decision, but emotionally, you were still grieving? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Subscribe to The Better Divorce Podcast for more conversations about divorce recovery, emotional healing, healthy relationships, and building a better next chapter.

#DivorceGrief #DivorceRecovery #HealingAfterDivorce #LifeAfterDivorce #EmotionalHealing #BetterDivorceAcademy #DivorceSupport #StartingOverAfterDivorce #DivorceHealing #MovingOnAfterDivorce

What if the key to finding clarity in your life is learning to trust yourself again? 💜After major life changes like divorce, it can be difficult to reconnect with who you are, understand what you truly want, and feel confident in your decisions.In this episode of the Better Divorce Podcast, Plet Rigo, founder of Better Divorce Academy, talks with Cindy Anderson, also known as Seer, founder of Soul Epiphany. Together, they explore intuition, spiritual guidance, self-trust, and how challenging life experiences can become opportunities for personal growth.Cindy shares her perspective on connecting with your inner guidance, becoming more mindful, and finding grounding in everyday life. Whether you're navigating divorce, rebuilding your identity, or simply looking for more clarity, this conversation offers ideas to help you reconnect with yourself.✨ IN THIS EPISODE:- How to rebuild self-trust when life feels uncertain- The connection between intuition and confident decision-making- How to reconnect with yourself after divorce- Ways to find grounding through mindfulness and nature- How to view difficult experiences as opportunities for growthRemember, your journey is your own. You can explore guidance and new perspectives while still taking responsibility for your choices.💜 EXPLORE BETTER DIVORCE ACADEMY RESOURCESSIGN UP FOR THE BETTER DIVORCE BLUEPRINT PROGRAM:https://betterdivorceblueprint.com/bdbBETTER DIVORCE ACADEMYCertified Divorce Coaching and Private Mediation Services:https://betterdivorceacademy.com/BUY THE BETTER DIVORCE BLUEPRINT BOOK & WORKBOOK:https://betterdivorceblueprint.com/RESOURCES, BOOK, WORKBOOK & AUDIOBOOK:https://betterdivorceacademy.com/resources/SOCIAL MEDIA:https://bit.ly/betterdivorceacademy#divorce #selftrust #intuition #personalgrowth #divorcerecovery #selfdiscovery #spiritualgrowth #emotionalhealing #divorcejourney #betterdivorceacademy

Summary:

In this episode, Paulette Rigo interviews Betsy Pake about the emotional and decision-making aspects of divorce, introducing her Navigate Method to help women gain clarity and confidence before making life-changing choices.

About Betsy:

Betsy Pake is a certified master coach, speaker, and writer. For over 12 years, helping women uproot unconscious patterns, expand their potential, and design change has devotedly been her mission. And in working with a breadth of women from all walks of life, she found herself and her clients facing many of the same challenges, grappling with “the big questions” that come with nuanced marriage dynamics. Her commitment to digging deep and going inward alongside her clients has earned her a skillset that only experience can buy, and she uses it to help women live better, brighter, and bigger.

Armed with a career full of insights and her own lived experience, Betsy developed a world class resource widely applicable and wildly helpful to women in need of a new pathway in (or out of) their marriage: the Navigate Method.

[divorce, identity, rebuilding, mindset, body, positivity, resilience, women, self-discovery, personal growth]

SIGN UP FOR my Better Divorce Blueprint PROGRAM: https://betterdivorceblueprint.com/bdb

WEBSITE - resources for those in need of Certified Divorce Coaching and Private Mediation Services: https://betterdivorceacademy.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA - bit.ly/betterdivorceacademy

Buy my book and workbook: Better Divorce Blueprint https://betterdivorceblueprint.com/

RESOURCES - https://betterdivorceacademy.com/reso...

AUDIOBOOK FROM AUDIBLE - https://www.audible.com/pd/Better-Div...

Are you looking for answers and guidance? BOOK a 30 minute assessment consultation: https://calendly.com/betterdivorceaca...

Summary:

In this episode, Paulette Rigo interviews Sass Schaefer about rebuilding identity after major life disruptions like divorce. They explore the importance of starting with the body, embracing beginner's mindset, and practical steps for recovery and growth.

Key topics:

• The importance of starting with the physical body in rebuilding identity
• Embracing the beginner's mindset after life disruptions
• Practical daily actions to foster positivity and self-confidence
• The connection between body, breath, and mindset
• The power of small, consistent reps in personal growth
• How highly successful women often hide their struggles behind a facade
• The significance of posture and breath in emotional regulation
• The concept of positivity as a discipline, not a personality trait
• The importance of letting go of attachment to specific outcomes
• Building a new identity without needing to have everything figured out

About Sass:

Sass is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Personal Trainer, and MBA who's spent her career helping women rebuild their identity after major life disruption. She's the creator of Baddie Rebuild, an identity coaching program for women who've lost themselves somewhere between the divorce, the diagnosis, the move, or the moment everything changed — built on three pillars: physical foundation, mindset and identity, and relationships and expression. She's also the founder of Team Positive™, an athletic lifestyle brand built on the belief that positivity is a discipline, not a personality trait. With a background in stand-up comedy and Golden Gloves boxing, Sass brings humor, grit, and zero fluff to the identity work she does with clients.

[divorce, identity, rebuilding, mindset, body, positivity, resilience, women, self-discovery, personal growth]

SIGN UP FOR my Better Divorce Blueprint PROGRAM: https://betterdivorceblueprint.com/bdb

WEBSITE - resources for those in need of Certified Divorce Coaching and Private Mediation Services: https://betterdivorceacademy.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA - bit.ly/betterdivorceacademy

Buy my book and workbook: Better Divorce Blueprint https://betterdivorceblueprint.com/

RESOURCES - https://betterdivorceacademy.com/reso...

AUDIOBOOK FROM AUDIBLE - https://www.audible.com/pd/Better-Div...

Are you looking for answers and guidance? BOOK a 30 minute assessment consultation: https://calendly.com/betterdivorceaca...

Summary:

In this episode, Paulette Rigo interviews Marcelle LeBlanc about the importance of having honest conversations during divorce, how to overcome fear and silence, and practical steps to gain clarity and trust in oneself.

About Marcelle:

Marcelle LeBlanc is an entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of The Conversation Architect. After surviving an unhealthy marriage, infidelity, and a difficult divorce, she discovered a powerful truth: one honest conversation can save a woman years of confusion, loneliness, and misalignment. Through her work, Marcelle teaches women the skill of having difficult conversations so they can gain clarity, trust themselves, and make decisions that align with the life they truly want. She is also the founder of a successful multi-location retail business and a former President of Entrepreneurs' Organization Fort Worth.

Resources:

SIGN UP FOR my Better Divorce Blueprint PROGRAM: https://betterdivorceblueprint.com/bdbWEBSITE - resources for those in need of Certified Divorce Coaching and Private Mediation Services: https://betterdivorceacademy.com/SOCIAL MEDIA - bit.ly/betterdivorceacademyBuy my book and workbook: Better Divorce Blueprint https://betterdivorceblueprint.com/RESOURCES - https://betterdivorceacademy.com/reso...AUDIOBOOK FROM AUDIBLE - https://www.audible.com/pd/Better-Div...Are you looking for answers and guidance? BOOK a 30 minute assessment consultation: https://calendly.com/betterdivorceaca...#divorce #mediation #coaching #lifeafterdivorce #divorcesupport

Summary:

In this episode, Clay shares his personal journey through divorce, the lessons learned, and how it can be a beginning rather than an end. Discover insights on communication, healing, and creating a better future after breakup.

About Clay:

Clay Schmitz is an author, filmmaker, coach, and lifelong student of personal growth, relationships, and healing. After navigating multiple divorces, long-term relationships, and the heartbreak that followed, he wrote Breakup Is the Beginning to help others transform loss into growth, self-discovery, and deeper love. Through his writing, coaching, and media work, Clay explores emotional healing, conscious relationships, purpose, and what it means to live with authenticity and integrity. His mission is simple: to help people rebuild community, heal their hearts, awaken their purpose, and create lives they genuinely love.

Resources:

SIGN UP FOR my Better Divorce Blueprint PROGRAM: https://betterdivorceblueprint.com/bdb

WEBSITE - resources for those in need of Certified Divorce Coaching and Private Mediation Services: https://betterdivorceacademy.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA - bit.ly/betterdivorceacademy

Buy my book and workbook: Better Divorce Blueprint https://betterdivorceblueprint.com/

RESOURCES - https://betterdivorceacademy.com/reso...

AUDIOBOOK FROM AUDIBLE - https://www.audible.com/pd/Better-Div...

Are you looking for answers and guidance? BOOK a 30 minute assessment consultation: https://calendly.com/betterdivorceaca...

#divorce #mediation #coaching #lifeafterdivorce #divorcesupport

Summary:

In this episode, Paulette Rigo interviews Tunji Ajigbeda about the importance of financial literacy, managing money during divorce, and building a healthy financial future. They explore practical strategies, mental models, and the emotional aspects of money to help listeners improve their financial health and relationships.

About Tunji:

I'd like to introduce you to a man who technically retired… and then immediately decided to keep working anyway. Not because he has to – but because he genuinely loves helping people achieve their dreams. He helps people get out of debt, build financial confidence, and create long-term habits that stick. He saw a gap in our society: nobody really teaches us how to budget, save, create passive income, or build financial freedom. So he made it his mission to help fill that gap. And he practices what he preaches. He often will run scenarios on himself first before pitching a strategy to a client because he wants them to be prepared for success, not surprised. He has over 20 years of expertise. He is certified as a ProAdvisor by Intuit for QuickBooks Online. He’s also a member of the American Association of Daily Money Managers — a professional organization helping businesses and individuals with day-to-day financial tasks with trust and integrity. I give you Tunji Ajigbeda with Moneycopilot, LLC.

Resources:

SIGN UP FOR my Better Divorce Blueprint PROGRAM: https://betterdivorceblueprint.com/bdb

WEBSITE - resources for those in need of Certified Divorce Coaching and Private Mediation Services: https://betterdivorceacademy.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA - bit.ly/betterdivorceacademy

Buy my book and workbook: Better Divorce Blueprint https://betterdivorceblueprint.com/

RESOURCES - https://betterdivorceacademy.com/reso...

AUDIOBOOK FROM AUDIBLE - https://www.audible.com/pd/Better-Div...

Are you looking for answers and guidance? BOOK a 30 minute assessment consultation: https://calendly.com/betterdivorceaca...

#divorce #mediation #coaching #lifeafterdivorce #divorcesupport

Summary:

In this episode, Donna Jean Kendrick shares her heartfelt journey from personal tragedy to becoming a financial planning expert specializing in supporting individuals through divorce and widowhood. Discover practical tools, insights on asset management, and emotional resilience strategies to navigate life's transitions with confidence.

Key Topics:

• Donna Kendrick's personal journey from loss to financial expert.
• The importance of financial organization during divorce.
• How to assess and manage assets and debts in divorce.
• Emotional resilience and mental health in life transitions.
• The role of a financial planner and questions to ask.
• Using the Divorce Money Map for control and clarity.
• Strategies for managing risk tolerance and investments.
• The parallel between grief in death and divorce.
• Legal and financial considerations in divorce and widowhood.

About Donna:

Donna Jean Kendrick discovered her husband Greg had passed away suddenly in 2013 and found herself navigating widowhood with three young children. After settling into their new normal she went back to school to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner and made it her mission to support families in transition. She co-hosts the Widow, Wisdom and Wealth Podcast and is the author of the Life Stages Financial Guides series. Donna, along with her blended family of six kids, raise funds for causes such as Safe Harbor, a grief counseling program for children

Resources:

Donna Jean Kendrick - Official Website - https://donnajeankendrick.com

The Divorce Money Map (Book) - https://www.amazon.com/Divorce-Money-Map-Donna-Kendrick/dp/XXXXXX

Certified Financial Planner (CFP) - https://www.cfp.net

AnnualCreditReport.com - https://www.annualcreditreport.com

SIGN UP FOR my Better Divorce Blueprint PROGRAM: https://betterdivorceblueprint.com/bdb

WEBSITE - resources for those in need of Certified Divorce Coaching and Private Mediation Services: https://betterdivorceacademy.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA - bit.ly/betterdivorceacademy

Buy my book and workbook: Better Divorce Blueprint https://betterdivorceblueprint.com/

RESOURCES - https://betterdivorceacademy.com/reso...

AUDIOBOOK FROM AUDIBLE - https://www.audible.com/pd/Better-Div...

Are you looking for answers and guidance? BOOK a 30 minute assessment consultation: https://calendly.com/betterdivorceaca...

#divorce #mediation #coaching #lifeafterdivorce #divorcesupport