Drama-Free Divorce Podcast

Divorce is common — but for years, it was rarely discussed openly or thoughtfully in the media. In this episode of the Drama-Free Divorce Podcast, Cary Jacobson sits down with veteran journalist Ilyssa Panitz to explore how journalism can shine a light on divorce and help people heal.

After a successful career covering entertainment and celebrity news, Ilyssa experienced a harrowing divorce that changed her life — and her mission. S...

Divorce can feel overwhelming—especially when it comes to money. In this episode of the Drama-Free Divorce Podcast, Cary Jacobson sits down with financial empowerment expert Rhonda Noordyk to break down the financial side of divorce in a clear, practical, and empowering way.

Rhonda shares why so many women feel uncertain about finances during and after divorce, and how to shift from fear and confusion to confidence and control. From...

In this episode of Divorce Diaries: Lessons from the Trenches, host Cary Jacobson is joined by Certified Divorce Financial Analyst Allison Terrill to explore how financial experts can help individuals navigate the complex financial aspects of divorce. From understanding asset division and business valuations to planning for long-term stability, this conversation sheds light on the strategies that bring confidence and clarity to the...

Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator at Jacobson Family Law, explores when and how custody and child support orders can be modified in Maryland. Cary brings her extensive family law experience to help parents understand their options and responsibilities when circumstances change after a court order has been established. 

If you’re weighing a modification or just want to be prepared, listen now and share this with someone ...

Host Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator with Jacobson Family Law, is joined by Rita Morris, Co-Parent Coach and Mediator. Together, they explore the challenges of co-parenting after divorce and share strategies for creating healthier family dynamics. Discover how to stay anchored in your values, manage differing parenting styles, reduce conflict, and prioritize your child’s peace for a stronger future. .

Ready to transfo...

When divorce looms, most people fixate on the emotional fallout or legal battles ahead – rarely do they understand how profoundly financial decisions made during this vulnerable time will shape their future for decades to come. Host Cary Jacobson sits down with Melissa Murphy Pavone, a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst who brings mindfulness to the dollars and cents of divorce. 

Whether yo...

Divorce can be one of life’s most overwhelming transitions—but it can also be an opportunity for growth, strength, and transformation. In this episode of Divorce Diaries: Lessons from the Trenches, host Cary Jacobson sits down with Heather Quick, founder and CEO of Florida Women’s Law Group, to discuss why women often feel pressure to “give in” during divorce and how they can reclaim their power in the process. Heather shares her j...

Attorney and mediator, Cary Jacobson, is joined this week by Lance Hilsinger as he pulls back the curtain on the misunderstood world of child welfare after spending 34 years on the frontlines. His candid conversation reveals surprising truths about the system designed to protect our most vulnerable children.

Lance's advice resonates with compassion and practicality: normalize life for children caught in custody disput...

Forget everything you thought you knew about divorce. The battlefield metaphor? The years of expensive court battles? The permanent damage to family relationships? None of that is inevitable. Family law attorney and mediator Cary Jacobson pulls back the curtain on divorce mediation—a powerful alternative that's transforming how couples navigate separation.

Preparing for successful mediation means gathering financial ...

In this powerful conversation, host Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator, is joined by Olivia Howell, founder of Fresh Starts Registry. Olivia shares how personal experience led her to create the world's first divorce registry – a platform where friends and family can tangibly support loved ones rebuilding their lives.

Whether you're experiencing divorce yourself or supporting someone who is, Fresh Starts Registr...

What happens when you realize the courtroom isn’t the only path to divorce? In this episode, attorney and mediator Cary Jacobson sits down with Azizah Ahmad, Esq., whose personal four-year battle in family court transformed how she now helps others navigate divorce. Azizah shares her story of moving from high-conflict litigation to out-of-court mediation — and how choosing dignity and collaboration can lead to healthier co-parentin...

The deepest wounds in our relationships often trace back to our earliest experiences. When divorce happens, these hidden patterns suddenly emerge, demanding our attention. In this transformative episode of Divorce Diaries, host Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator with Jacobson Family Law, is joined by somatic trauma recovery guide Danielle Bird as she reveals why divorce acts as a powerful catalyst for exposing attachment wounds w...

Host Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator, is joined this week by Jeff Kolez as he shares his journey through a brutal seven-year divorce that cost him $100,000 and left him emotionally devastated with a "soul wound." He reveals how he developed a five-step process for healing and rebuilding trust in himself after losing friends, money, and his sense of identity.

Whether you're contemplating divorce, in the ...

Documenting the invisible battles of divorce can be your strongest defense against ongoing manipulation and control. Join host, Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator with Jacobson Family Law, as she sits down with divorce coach, Tiffany Colburn. Tiffany reveals how proper documentation becomes not just preparation for potential court appearances, but a crucial tool for recognizing harmful patterns in high-conflict co-parenting relat...

Attorney and mediator, Cary Jacobson is joined by divorce coach Jill Kaufman to tackle one of the most challenging aspects of family separation—co-parenting with high-conflict ex-spouses or narcissistic personalities. Drawing from her own difficult divorce experience and professional expertise as a therapist, Kaufman shares transformative strategies that can revolutionize even the most strained co-parenting relationships.

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The emotional aftermath of divorce often blindsides us when we least expect it. Just when the paperwork is finalized and court appearances end, a profound sense of grief emerges—catching many off guard who anticipated only feeling relief. Dr. Emma Mansour, licensed psychologist and owner of Life Matters Counseling, joins Cary Jacobson to unpack this complex emotional landscape and offer guidance for those navigating the turbulent w...

Divorce fundamentally changes who we are—and that's not something to fear, but to embrace. When former divorce attorney and certified coach Sharri Freedman joins host Cary Jacobson, she reveals the transformative power hidden within the painful process of ending a marriage. Drawing from 30+ years of experience and her innovative "liberated method," Sharri explains how understanding divorce as an identity evolution ca...

Facing family court without an attorney can feel like entering a foreign country without speaking the language. In this illuminating conversation, former family law attorney Tracey Bee reveals how she transformed her 25-year legal career into a mission helping self-represented litigants navigate the complex world of divorce and family court proceedings.

Whether you're considering self-representation by choice or neces...

The home you shared is often the most emotionally and financially complex asset to handle during divorce. With today's rising interest rates, many couples face agonizing decisions about what to do with property they purchased at historically low rates.

Bridget McGee, known as the Maryland Mortgage Mama, brings 24 years of mortgage expertise and specialized divorce lending certification to help you navigate these chall...