The Divorce Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

This week, Kate is joined by Candice Bull, Divorce Specialist at amicable, to unpack what a prenup is and why you might need one.

Prenup 101

Kate and Candice talk through everything you need to know about prenuptial agreements - what they cover, how long they last and whether they’re automatically legally binding. They explore how to make sure a prenup is fair for both partners and why these agreements are not just for the wealthy.

Candice also shares why more couples are choosing prenups today, how often they need to be updated and how to start this conversation with your partner.

Here are some points covered in this episode:

• What a prenup is and what it includes
• When to update your prenup
• How to keep things fair when one partner has more money
• Why prenups are becoming more common among younger couples
• Top tips for discussing a prenup together

Candice Bull from amicable

Candice is a Negotiation Divorce Specialist and part of the Negotiation Team at amicable. After qualifying as a family law solicitor in 2019, she gained invaluable experience in private family law practice. Passionate about supporting couples through separation, Candice is dedicated to empowering them to make informed decisions about their future and guiding them through constructive negotiations which are kind, collaborative and truly amicable.

More divorce resources

Got a question on divorce, separation or co-parenting you’d like us to cover? Share your thoughts with us at hello@amicable.co.uk or through direct messages on Instagram.

We've created amicable space to give you more personalised support. Become a member of amicable space for bonus podcast episodes, exclusive webinars, articles and an interactive community. You can share your questions and get expert advice from amicable specialists. Start your free trial here.

You can also get in touch with amicable for more information on the legal, financial and parenting aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert today. 

amicable’s YouTube channel is full of practical guidance on separation, divorce and co-parenting, explained in a clear and supportive way. From expert tips to interviews, it’s a helpful place to find answers and feel more confident about what comes next.

Subscribe now: https://www.youtube.com/@amicable_world 

#LegalBit

In this episode, Kate is joined by Susie Giles and Liz Harrington from Family Flow, and Anthony Syder from amicable, to explore what being truly amicable looks like when relationships end.

Amicable divorce: expectation vs reality

Kate and her guests discuss how Family Flow supports women through separation with a compassionate, trauma-informed approach, and how amicable helps couples navigate divorce. Together, they dive into why an ‘amicable separation’ is often more of an aspiration than a reality, how things can shift from calm to conflict when solicitors and finances get involved, the common concerns women face when using joint divorce services and how to create a fairer balance around money. Anthony also shares what support couples can expect from amicable’s experts during negotiations, and we wrap up with practical tips for staying amicable - and redefining your relationship post-split.

Family Flow and amicable

Susie Giles is a trauma-informed coach specialising in separation, divorce and family wellbeing. ICF-trained and grounded in evidence-based approaches, she supports individuals - particularly mothers - in navigating the emotional and practical complexities of family breakdown with clarity, confidence and compassion. Her work is informed not just by professional expertise but by lived experience. Alongside her coaching, Susie offers specialist guidance on post-separation communication, co-parenting and keeping children emotionally safe through transition.

Liz Harrington is a Somatic Trauma Therapist and coach with over 12 years’ experience supporting women through the complex aftermath of toxic relationships, coercive control and high-conflict divorces. Her work is deeply informed by both her professional expertise and her personal journey - including the power imbalances she has witnessed and lived through, pre- and post-divorce. She is currently finishing a bold, potentially controversial book that challenges the systemic issues within the divorce landscape - from how professionals handle family breakdown to the wider cultural forces at play.

Anthony Syder is a Negotiation Specialist and the team lead for amicable's financial consent order drafting team. His areas of interest include the voice of the child in separation and diverse families. Anthony was previously an accredited family mediator and also sat on the board of the Family Mediators Association.

More divorce resources:

You can learn more about Family Flow on their website and you can listen to the previous episode of The Divorce Podcast with Liz Harrington on your favourite platform.

Got a question on divorce, separation or co-parenting you’d like us to cover? Share your thoughts with us at hello@amicable.co.uk or through direct messages on Instagram.

We've created amicable space to give you more personalised support. Become a member of amicable space for bonus podcast episodes, exclusive webinars, articles and an interactive community. You can share your questions and get expert advice from amicable specialists. Learn more and sign up here.

You can also get in touch with amicable for more information on the legal, financial and parenting aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert today. 

#LegalBit

In this mini-episode, Kate talks about something many people experience but rarely talk about openly: when your ex ends the relationship or marriage without giving you a real reason why. This might bring up a lot of difficult feelings, and without closure, it may feel like it’s impossible for you to move on with your divorce. 

About the episode:

Kate starts off by exploring why your ex-partner might want to separate but can’t give you a reason why. She then explains why moving on is so important, even though it seems nearly impossible at the beginning. Kate finishes by sharing some actionable tips for dealing with the lack of closure, from acknowledging your feelings to getting the support you need.

Here are some of the points covered in this episode to help on your divorce journey:

• Why your partner wants a divorce but can’t give you a real reason
• Why it’s important to move on
• Tips for getting closure that your ex-partner can’t provide 

More resources:

We'd love to know how we can help you further. Share your questions on divorce, separation and co-parenting with us at hello@amicable.co.uk, through direct messages on Instagram or by starting a new forum thread on amicable’s advice forum. They might be the topic of our next podcast!

You can also get in touch with amicable for more information on the legal, financial and parenting aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert today. 

#EmotionalJourney

In this episode, Kate was joined by Helen Adam and Kate Stanley to talk about language and divorce.

About the episode:

Kate and her guests discuss the power of language in shaping and reforming social issues and apply this to divorce and separation. The language that is used in policy and in wider society, has a real impact on people who are separating. They explore the changes in language brought in with the Children’s Act, and the move away from ‘battle language’ towards cooperative language, as well as the changes in language brought in with 'no-fault divorce' earlier this year.  Finally, Kate and her guests look at other social issues and how shifting the language has had a positive effect.

About our guests:

Helen Adam started her work with separating families as a solicitor in London.  These were pre-Children Act days, with battles over custody and residence. Following a career break, she retrained as a mediator and founded Wells Family Mediation. Helen is also chair of the Family Solutions Group (FSG).  The FSG presses for coordinated political oversight and funding for separated families.  Helen is currently part of an FSG sub-group who are reviewing the language used ‘in the system’ for families who live apart. They will be making recommendations for change away from adversarial vocabulary to language which is more family-focussed, promoting child welfare and safe outcomes for all.

Kate Stanley is Executive Director of FrameWorks UK – a not for profit communications and research organisation that helps mission-driven organisations achieve the social change they seek.  From 2011, Kate served as Board Director at NSPCC, for nearly ten years.  Previously, Kate was Deputy Director of the leading thinktank, the Institute for Public Policy Research, where she worked closely with academics and organisations to influence government social policy and practice. She has published widely on social policy and advised a wide range of governmental and non-governmental organisations including the University of Glasgow and UK Research and Innovation, and served on the Steering Group on Early Years advising the Duchess of Cambridge on her work in this field. Kate started her career in international development charities, including Save the Children, working in the UK and overseas. She was awarded a Clore Social Leadership Fellowship in 2010, is a Fellow of the British American Project, and former trustee of Hope and Homes for Children. She holds an MA in Social Anthropology from the University of Edinburgh.

P.S. We're sorry about the sound quality of Kate Stanley's audio. There was a problem with the recording equipment, and it's not up to our usual standard. 

More resources:

Get in touch with amicable for information on the legal, financial and children aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert through the amicable website.

#TheLegalBit

In this episode, Kate was joined by Scottish actor and comedian, Wendy Wason, to talk about her divorce and navigating life after separation.

 About the episode:

Kate and Wendy discuss Wendy’s first marriage and subsequent divorce, which took place when her children were still young. They look at the impact her parent’s divorce had on how she managed her own separation, including her need to avoid conflict at all costs. Wendy talked about how stand-up presented a lifeline both financially and emotionally, although she described the difficulties that come with being a working single parent, particularly around organising childcare. They also explore Wendy’s blended family with both she and her ex-husband remarrying and the benefit of being able to sit down with a new partner and discuss how to navigate parenting in a new family setup.

About our guests:

Wendy has had many notable appearances across Theatre, Stand-up, Film and TV including roles in Coupling, The IT Crowd, Midsomer Murders, Sherlock, and Outcast. She is a mother of three and went through her own divorce in 2007 and has since remarried.

You can find follow Wendy on social media here. 

More resources:

Get in touch with amicable for information on the legal, financial and children aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert through the amicable website.

#LifeAfterDivorce

In this episode, Kate was joined by Mark Groves to discuss self-growth and healing following breakups, separation and divorce.

About the episode:

In this episode, Kate and Mark explore how to heal from a breakup or a separation. They also looked at the context of marriage and relationships, including how society perpetuates ‘bad’ breakups by reinforcing shame and guilt on those going through them. Mark explained the paradox of not having ‘important’ conversations, out of fear of losing that relationship, when in reality, silence often contributes to relationship breakdown. They looked at whether the way people deal with breakups is gendered and how we could do more to help cultivate healthy relationships individually and as a society. They agreed that a relationship ending is not a failure, but rather an opportunity for self-exploration and growth.

About our guests:

Mark is a Human Connection Specialist, speaker, writer, and motivator. Mark founded Create The Love a platform that guides people to design the life and love they long for, following on from his own rock bottom when his relationship ended. He hosts The Mark Groves Podcast and has a significant following on social media where he shares his insight into relationships. 

More resources:

Get in touch with amicable for information on the legal, financial and children aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert through the amicable website.

#EmotionalJourney

In this second myth-busting episode, Kate was joined by Tracey Moloney, known to many as The Legal Queen on Tiktok and other social media platforms.

About the episode:

This is the second time Tracey has joined Kate on the podcast, so if you haven’t already, listen to their first episode (#58). For a number of years, she worked exclusively with clients that qualified for legal aid and specialised in children and financial matters following separation and divorce.  She was Head of the Family Department for a nationwide legal firm, where she was responsible for a team of 28 legal advisors. Tracey trained solicitors in her role as training principal and is an associate lecturer in family law at the University of Bristol. She aims to provide a clear explanation of people’s legal rights and help them to navigate the legal system. She shares her knowledge on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube as 'The Legal Queen' on all matters related to Family law.

They spent this episode busting common divorce and separation myths such as; whether divorces will be automatic with the introduction of no-fault divorce, whether you ‘need’ to split your pensions or inheritance when you separate, why you may need to disclose your finances on divorce and myths around children and custody. This episode covered the most commonly asked questions about divorce and separation in easy digestible snippets. Watch this space for future myth-busting episodes.

You might be able to hear Tracey's dog in this episode!

About our guests:

For a number of years, Tracey Moloney worked exclusively with clients that qualified for legal aid and specialised in children and financial matters following separation and divorce. She was Head of the Family Department for a nationwide legal firm, where she was responsible for a team of 28 legal advisors. Tracey trained solicitors in her role as training principal and is an associate lecturer in family law at the University of Bristol. She aims to provide a clear explanation of people’s legal rights and help them to navigate the legal system. She shares her knowledge on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube as 'The Legal Queen' on all matters related to Family law. 

More resources:

Get in touch with amicable for information on the legal, financial and children aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert through the amicable website.

#TheLegalBit

In this episode, Kate was joined by James Hayhurst and Adam Colthorpe to discuss Dads and divorce or separation.

About the episode:

This episode started with Kate, James and Adam looking at some typical issues faced by Dads following on from a divorce or separation. What emerged was a clear set of gender-specific issues, routed in society, and a real need for reform, particularly in the workplace. They also explored the value of early intervention and limiting the negative impact of separation on families and children in particular.

About our guests:

James is the founder of the Positive Parenting Alliance and creator of the Parents Promise.  He has a background in Marketing and PR but was compelled to set up the Positive Parenting Alliance having seen up close the multitude of issues in the family courts and the scale and numbers of children affected. James wanted to begin a new conversation about separation and so in May 2021, after many conversations with like-minded people and organisations the Parents Promise was launched. Backed by over 20 organisations including Only Mums & Dads, the children’s mental health charity Place2Be, Relate, Black Mums Upfront and our very own amicable, the aim of the Alliance is to effect important cultural change around separation in the UK and beyond. 

Adam is the Director of Co-parenting for Dads Unlimited, a men’s mental health charity working with fathers who have gone through family separation and male victims of domestic abuse to help improve the outcomes for the men and the people they care for. He is the author and facilitator of the Co-parenting Programme ‘5 Steps to Co-parenting Success!’ which has been improving the lives of separated families for the last 4 years. He has two children which he co-parents with his ex-wife.

More resources:

Get in touch with amicable for information on the legal, financial and children aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert through the amicable website.

Thanks for listening - here’s 3 months of the amicable co-parenting app for free! Open this link on your phone, install the app and create your account. Once that’s done, select 'I have a promo code' when setting up your family, enter PODCAST, press ‘apply’ and enjoy staying organised together.

#Coparenting

In this first myth-busting episode, Kate was joined by Tracey Moloney, known to many as The Legal Queen on Tiktok and other social media platforms.

About the episode:

Kate and Tracey spent this episode busting common divorce and separation myths such as whether or not you need a solicitor to get divorced, when a financial order is needed in divorce proceedings, if common-law spouses exist and whether cohabiting couples have rights to property. This is part one of two myth-busting episodes, so keep an eye out for part two.

About our guests:

For a number of years, Tracey Moloney worked exclusively with clients that qualified for legal aid and specialised in children and financial matters following separation and divorce.  She was Head of the Family Department for a nationwide legal firm, where she was responsible for a team of 28 legal advisors. Tracey trained solicitors in her role as training principal and is an associate lecturer in family law at the University of Bristol. She aims to provide a clear explanation of people’s legal rights and help them to navigate the legal system. She shares her knowledge on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube as 'The Legal Queen' on all matters related to Family law. 

More resources:

Get in touch with amicable for information on the legal, financial and children aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert through the amicable website.

#TheLegalBit

In this episode, Kate was joined by Dr Angharad Rudkin a clinical psychologist with over 20 years experience of working with children and families to discuss divorce and separation from the perspective of children.

About the episode:

In the episode, Kate and Angharad explored how children of different ages and genders deal with divorce and separation and the delayed impact this can have in their later life. Angharad explained the idea of ‘re-grieving’ and the benefits revisiting a separation can have for children, even years later.  They also looked at the different types of conflict and how in all its forms this can have a significant impact on children. They discussed the importance of including the other parent in your child’s life, even if they are no longer physically present. Finally, Angharad set out some useful tips on effective ways to tell your children that you’re separating, why parents often experience ‘guilt’ after they separate and what society should be doing in the future to redress the stigma that exists around parental separation.

About our guests:

Angharad is also an expert for the Metro's relationship column, offers training and consultation for family lawyers and worked as a lecturer on the Clinical Psychology doctorate at the University of Southampton for 12 years. Angharad was consulting editor for ‘101 Questions Answered about Separating with Children’ and has recently published a book for children on how to cope with their parent’s divorce, The Split Survival Kit, written with children’s author  Ruth Fitzgerald. Angharad is also passionate about communicating her work and believes key messages around child and family wellbeing should not be limited to the clinic room or the classroom.

Click on the link to find out more about Angharad's new book 'The Split Survival Kit: 10 Steps For Coping With Your Parents' Separation'.

More resources:

Get in touch with amicable for information on the legal, financial and children aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert through the amicable website.

Thanks for listening - here’s 3 months of the amicable co-parenting app for free! Open this link on your phone, install the app and create your account. Once that’s done, select 'I have a promo code' when setting up your family, enter PODCAST, press ‘apply’ and enjoy staying organised together.

#Coparenting