Narcissism has become a popular buzzword.  But despite the interest, there are many myths that undermine the complexity and destructive impact of this personality disorder. We were delighted to be joined again by Dr Supriya McKenna, one of the leading experts in the field of narcissism, to discuss how you can tell if you are in a relationship with a ‘real’ narcissist, and why knowing this is so important, particularly if you want to leave them.   00:00 Introductions  02:25 Why is it important to know that you are in a relationship with a ‘real’ narcissist? 03:05 Why are narcis ..read more

High-net-worth divorce brings its own unique challenges, especially around understanding, valuing and dividing complex earning structures, assets and pensions, often with international elements.  In this episode, Ceri Griffiths a chartered financial planner specialising in supporting women divorcing high earners shares her advice on how to navigate the unique issues that high-net-worth divorce can bring.  01:43 What is a high net worth divorce?  03:40 Common power imbalances in high-net-worth marriages  05:00 The lack of knowledge and understanding around finances  0 ..read more

You may have made the decision, or had it made for you, but however you arrived at the moment, facing a divorce can be daunting So what should you do first? In this episode, family lawyers and hosts Matt & Liza share their tips on the most important things to do and consider before getting a divorce. 00:00 Introductions 01:00 The different scenarios 01:10 The first thing to do is take your time 03:00 Getting in the right headspace 03:29 Building your support team 05:10 Use of divorce coaches and counsellors 05:45 The role of online resources, including Stowe support 08:10 Understand you ar ..read more

It is normal to face challenges in a relationship, but what happens when one, or both people, completely disconnects and thoughts turn to leaving? How do you know the right time to end a relationship? In this episode, divorce coach Dr. Sue Palmer-Conn joined us to discuss the challenging question of whether to stay or go, including common stress points and challenges couples face, how discernment counselling can help them make a decision, and why divorce or separation can change your life for the better. Chapters 00:00 Introductions 03:07 What is discernment counselling? And how can it help ..read more

Introducing a new partner to your kids can be complicated, and requires careful thought and planning to get it right.  So we asked parenting and relationship coach Nichole Farrow to join us to share her advice on how to introduce a new partner, including:  Fostering good communication with the other parent  The importance of a gradual introduction - baby steps all the way  Ensuring thoughtful planning Setting and sticking to boundaries The challenges and joy of a blended family  And the need for patience, allowing time for adjustment in the new family dynamics. 00:00 ..read more

School holidays can be difficult to juggle for any parents, but for those separated and co-parenting, it can bring a whole host of additional issues.  In this episode, hosts Matt & Liza were joined by The Divorce & Separation Coach, Chloe O. to look at the best way to plan the holidays as a separated parent.  Take a listen as they explore the challenges of planning holidays, the importance of communication, flexibility, and child-focused decision-making.  How to address objections, your legal options and the use of mediation to resolve any issues, along with practical ad ..read more

The family home can often be the most emotive element of a divorce. Steeped in memories, many ex-couples face the difficult decision about what to do with the house, in the short and long term.  In this episode, hosts Matt & Liza deep dive into all things property and divorce including:  00:35 Why is the family home so important?  01:56 The legal ownership of a property - joint tenants v tenants in common 04:00 What happens if the house is in one person’s name? 06:00 The importance of Wills 07:25 Living together or moving out during the separation? Options and considerations ..read more

No longer the preserve of the ultra- wealthy, prenups, postnups and petnups are on the rise. But what are they, what can they cover, and do they stand up in court? Take a listen as Matt & Liza dive into nuptial agreements, the advantages, the challenges, and the laws surrounding them. Along with when and how they are useful, especially for people marrying later in life, wanting to protect family assets or preserve inheritance for their kids, and when they are not.  Conversation then moves to the rise of the petnup, how pets are viewed in divorce, the need to recognise the importance ..read more

A staggering 95% of survivors of domestic abuse experience economic abuse, leaving them isolated, trapped, dependent and confused.  So, we asked Tamsin Caine, a Chartered Financial Planner from Smart Divorce, to join us to look at how to recognise the signs of economic abuse and what you can do about it.  A financial specialist in advising people going through a divorce or separation. Tamsin covers:  What is economic abuse?  What are the red flags of economic abuse  What is the effect of the abuse on survivors?  Reducing the stigma around economic abuse  The ..read more

Surrogacy is a wonderful way for people to build their family outside traditional norms, but it comes with legal complexities that often surprise people.  In this episode, Matt & Liza were delighted to welcome Andrew Powell, one of the country’s leading children's law barristers from 4PB, who specialises in surrogacy law, to explore how surrogacy works in the UK and internationally.  An expert on surrogacy and the modern family, Andrew covers:  What is surrogacy? What are the surrogacy laws in the UK? What is a parental order? And the role of parental responsibility? What c ..read more