The Separation Guide | A starting point for better separation and divorce
The Separation Guide is an independent podcast about separation and divorce in Australia. It offers support from start to finish, aiming to make separation simpler, more manageable, and less stressful. The show helps listeners build confidence to make the right decisions for their future.
Episodes
Episode 34: Separation Stories - Beyond the Script: Love, Identity and Life After Marriage with Aubrey Blanche
Title: Radical Intentionality and Post-Traumatic Growth with Aubrey BlancheIs it possible to experience divorce as a catalyst for growth rather than a sign of failure?In this incredibly candid and refreshing episode, DEI expert and "double divorced" advocate Aubrey Blanche joins Sabina Read to debunk the stigma surrounding multiple separations. Aubrey shares how they navigated two divorc
Episode 33: How to divorce and separate well with Jill Johnstone
What does it really look like to navigate separation with your values intact?In this insightful episode, family lawyer Jill Johnstone of The Law People joins Sabina Read to bridge the gap between professional legal advice and the raw, personal reality of ending a marriage. Jill shares how her own experience with shared care and the emotional "silence" of a quiet home transformed how she
Episode 32: Debunking narcissistic behaviours in divorce
Debunking narcissistic behaviours with Dr Ahona GuhaWhat is narcissism, really?In this powerful episode, psychologist and forensic expert Dr Ahona Guha joins Sabina Read to unpack one of the most misunderstood and emotionally loaded issues in separation and divorce.Together, they explore:How narcissistic traits show up in relationships and why the term is so often misusedThe difference between ten
Episode 31: Separation Stories - Love, loss and alcohol addiction
Journalist and author Kate Halfpenny joins Sabina Read to share her raw and unflinching story of divorce, remarriage, midlife reinvention and love in the face of addiction. Drawing from her memoir Boogie Wonderland, Kate speaks with courage and candour about the grief of divorce, the challenges of raising children through separation, and the unexpected struggles of her second marriage when addicti
Episode 30: Navigating property in separation
Property is often the biggest asset in a separation – and one of the hardest to navigate. Should you sell the family home? Can you afford to stay? How do you avoid costly mistakes when emotions are running high?In this episode, host Sabina Read is joined by Evan Thornley, Co-Founder and CEO of Longview, and Jules Hewitt, Head of Customer Success at Agent Select, to unpack the complexities of prope
Episode 29: Separation Stories - How to navigate social support
We often expect separation to be marked by conflict and disconnection - but what if it didn’t have to be that way?In this heartwarming and honest episode of The Separation Guide podcast, psychologist and host Sabina Read sits down with Jane and Matt Martino - former partners who chose a different path. Married for 12 years and separated for eight, they share how they put the needs of their three b
Episode 28: How to know when it's really over (and what to do next).
What are the signs a relationship has run its course - and how can you tell the difference between natural relationship challenges and something more? In this heartfelt and insightful episode, psychologist and host Sabina Read speaks with accredited divorce coach Bev Berelowitz about the deeply personal and often painful decision to separate.Bev shares her own experience of leaving her marriage, a
Episode 27: Domestic and Family Violence in Separation
May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month. And with 25% of those who come to The Separation Guide for help experiencing some sort of violence or abuse, it is a very real barrier to many trying to leave relationships. In this episode, White Ribbon Australia Acting Director Dean Cooper and Coordinator of Counselling Services Zoe Hughes join host Sabina Read to shed light on the many types
Episode 26: The Gender Superannuation Gap
Superannuation is often overlooked in separation, but it’s a crucial asset that can significantly impact your financial future. In this episode, we break down the key things you need to know about super in separation—why it matters, common misconceptions, and how to approach it fairly and equitably.We explore the common fight-or-flight response in high-conflict separations, the importance of finan
Episode 25: Separation support for men
In this episode, host Sabina Read sits down with Arabella Feltham, Separation Consultant at The Separation Guide, to explore how men can navigate separation with strength and support. They discuss:
Staying out of conflict and prioritising health
The importance of support networks
Why men are often blindsided by separation news
Managing grief, anger, and mental health challenges
Practical
Episode 24: Positive Co-parenting during the holiday season
Positive Co-parenting over the holiday season
In this episode, Lisanne Iriks of the Co-Parenting Institute talks with Sabina Read about creating a positive co-parenting environment for your children during the holiday season.
Whether the separation is relatively new or you are tackling your first Christmas as a separated family, Lisanne shares some ways to manage the emotions and changes to tradit
Episode 23: How can I plan my financial future with Tribeca Financial
How can I plan for my financial future?
Live, love, legacy and laugh
During this episode, Ryan Watson of Tribeca Financial will share how to escape fear and live the life you want in the future, following the priorities to live, love, legacy and laugh.
Ryan shares the range of emotions you may feel about your finances during separation. He shares some common fears many people experience during thi
Episode 22: How can I pay for my separation?
This episode explores family law finance - a line of credit available to people who are going through separation and need to access funds to pay for professional support to reach a fair and equitable settlement that will set them up for a secure future.
We talk to Jack O'Donnell from JustFund about:
the purpose of family law finance
what it can cover
how it differs from traditional loans
Episode 21: How to live with your ex
The number of separated couples still living together in Australia is on the rise. Over 50% of people tell us that they have separated but are still living under one roof. The transition from partners to moving out can take some time, but we’re seeing that period grow longer for more and more couples. In this episode, separation and relationship coach Kelly Bagshaw joins us to talk about
what’s
Episode 20: What's fair when you split your assets?
Dividing assets and property in separation and divorce may seem like a simple equation, but it gets complicated quickly. A 50-50 split may not always be the best outcome. Listen to find out what factors need to be considered in determining a fair property split. In this episode, we talked to Lauren Patford-Smith of Padford-Smith Legal Services about:
the 4-step process of Family Law
what assets
Episode 19: How to tell your partner you want to separate
Telling your partner that you want to separate is a daunting prospect. Doing it wrong could have consequences like escalating conflict, creating unnecessary hurt for those around you and, in extreme circumstances, it could be dangerous. Preparing yourself to tell your spouse the right way can set the tone for a low-conflict separation from day one.
In this episode, we speak to our Senior Separatio
Episode 18: Immigration and separation in Australia
Around a third of Australia’s population was born overseas. Many married and de facto couples have at least one person from another country. If this is you, what happens if you separate in Australia?
In this episode, we talk to experienced migration and family Lawyer from Starlight Legal, Eva Liang, about:
how Australian Family Law recognises overseas marriages
how to divorce when one par
Episode 17: What you need to know about child support
Child support is a way for both parents to make sure that their kids are properly supported financially. There are a lot of decisions that need to be made around how your child support arrangement is set up, managed and collected. There are also a lot of implications to these decisions which might not become clear until you are a fair way down the child support road.
In this episode, we speak to C
Episode 16: Kindness in Family Law
We’ve had ‘no-fault’ divorce in Australia since 1975. Unlike criminal law, there's not a guilty verdict. Your lawyer isn't fighting to 'win' - their job is to help you reach an agreement with your spouse over property and financial settlement and child arrangements.
So is there really a place for escalating your matter to an inevitable court date, and who is actually benefiting when that happens?
Episode 15: Buy out or sell? Mortgages and separation
75% of the couples we hear from own property together. Find out about your borrowing options and know where you stand before you negotiate your financial settlement. In this episode, we speak to Senior Lending Specialist Jyana Papanastasiou from SCM Finance Solutions about:
covering your loan when you separate
refinancing when one person keeps the home
pros and cons of selling and releasing eq
Episode 14: Helping your kids navigate separation
Putting children through a family separation isn’t something anyone ever wants to do. So, how should you approach it if it happens? In this episode, we speak with Bron O’Loan from O’Loan Family Law about:
telling children about your separation
what to say if you can’t answer their questions
involving children in decisions about their future
messages you give children about the separation
Episode 13: Separating with super
What happens to your superannuation when you separate? In this episode, we chat with Samatha Miller from Clarity Lawyers, Chris Fagan from SCM Wealth Management and Christina Hobbs, CEO and co-founder of Verve Super about superannuation and separation.
Read the show notes.
Are you impacted by separation? Our 3-minute Q&A can help connect you with experts like those featured in our podcast to g
Episode 12: Financial Empowerment, before, during and after separation
The Separation Guide CEO, Angela Harbinson, spoke with industry experts Kylie Harding and Selena James about their advice and suggestions for financial empowerment before, during and after separation.
Find out more about your options in separation and divorce at www.theseparationguide.com.au
Note that Kylie Harding was known by her married name Kylie MacDonald when our podcast was recorded.
Episode 11: Family violence in separation
In this episode, Jack Whelan speaks with Heidi Rogers from Moving Mindsets, Tanya Hibberd from Aubrey Brown and Andrew Wilson, who is a Mediator with The Separation Guide, about the different types of family violence, how these can affect your separation, and some tips about what you can do if you find yourself facing family violence while also going through a separation.
Episode 10: Parental alienation in separation and divorce
Jack Whelan, Mediator, Barrister, FDRP and Co-founder of The Separation Guide, leads the discussion on the controversial subject of Parental Alienation with Lawyers Kath Manby and Bron O'Loan, together with Family Therapist and Psychologist Lynne Datnow.
Episode 9: Separating in a Pandemic
Jack Whelan, Barrister, Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner spoke with Dr Mandy-Jo Ellis from the Relationspace, Carolyn Devries, CEO of NEW Way Lawyers, Australia’s first not for profit law firm, and New Way Law Family Law expert practitioner Ryan Cropper to discuss some of the issues facing separating and divorced families in a pandemic.
Episode 7: Busting common separation and divorce myths
We chat with Rebecca Dahl, partner at Nicholes Family Lawyers, about 10 common family law myths.
True or false?
If you leave the family home, you'll lose your share in the property.
If you're still living together, you can't be separated.
'I put the money in and so I should get the money back.'
Do you need help sorting family law fact from fiction?
Our 5-minute Q&A can help c
Episode 6: Overcoming communication barriers in separation
Today, we chat with Davide Di Pietro, Principal therapist at The Resilience Centre's Family Clinic, about communicating through separation.
This practical conversation covers:
Setting separation conversations up the right way
Communication barriers
Grounding strategies
Psychological rigidity vs. psychological flexibility.
'The families that I've worked with where I've met them before the sep
Episode 5: How to discuss separation with your kids
We chat with Tarnya Davis, principal Clinical Psychologist at NewPsych, about the importance of mental health through separation — and how to support your children through this unsettling period.
Thinking about separation?
Our 3-minute Q&A can help connect you with the right experts to guide you through the maze.
For more free separation resources, go to theseparationguide.com.au.
Episode 4: Planning your finances after divorce
'When we have had a successful meeting with a client in this situation, the overall feeling they walk out with is hope. They see they have choices and that despite the change, there is room for a positive future ahead of them.'
We chat with Steve Fort, Financial Planner and Director Invest Blue, about how to prepare for a new financial future.
The transcript of this podcast is here.
Thinking abou
Episode 3: The cost of conflict- an accountant's perspective on separation
'I’ve always had a view that, and it’s a view born of experience, that I think the accountants are just as important as the lawyers when it comes to assisting people in separation and divorce.'
We chat with John Swaine, accountant and Director of PKF Accounting Central Coast, about the role of accountants in:
Understanding your assets
Bridging the financial knowledge gap
Planning for the futu
Episode 2: How to keep your separation or divorce out of the courts
We chat with Anna Cruckshank and Kate O'Grady of Aubrey Brown Lawyers about:
Being stuck in the ‘escalation cycle’
Debunking divorce myths
What it actually means to go to the family court
The transcript of this podcast is here.
Thinking about separation?
Our 3-minute Q&A can help connect you with the right experts to guide you through the maze.
For more free separation resources
Episode 1: How to divorce or separate well
'This is a time where we can have new freedoms, new opportunities. We’re not held up by perhaps how someone saw us for many years. We can rebuild ourselves, get a new sense of self and we can actually flourish.'
We chat with Heather Irvine Rundle, Senior Clinical Psychologist at READ Clinic, about:
Staying physically well through separation
Life after separation
Being in the life-long b
