Off the Fence with Karen Covy: Mastering Decision Making, Divorce & More

When you're trying to have a serious conversation but it keeps going sideways, it’s not always what’s being said that’s the problem. More often than not it’s about how you’re listening. In this podcast episode, communication expert and professional listener Deb Porter breaks down what it really means to feel heard and how most of us have never been taught to truly listen. 

With a background in pastoral counseling and a business built around deep, empathetic listening, Deb shares her journey through caregiving, divorce, and ministry – as well was the lessons she learned along...

Have you ever wondered why even small disagreements can explode into intense emotional battles? In this podcast episode, Dr. Greg Stewart, a counselor and executive coach, explores why negative emotions often become inflated, causing us to react disproportionately in our relationships. 

Drawing from personal experiences, including his own struggles and extensive academic background, Dr. Stewart reveals how understanding the deeper sources of our insecurities can transform our emotional responses and strengthen our connections.

Throughout the episode, we discuss the phenomenon of "emotional inflation," in which small triggers evoke intense reactions because of unresolved insecurities. By l...

What if you could create an amazing marriage with the precision and effectiveness of an engineer? That's exactly what Gabriela Embon, a certified relationship coach and former engineer, helps couples do. Gabriela combines engineering strategy with deep emotional insights in a transformative relationship strategy, empowering couples to build legendary marriages through structured, actionable frameworks.

In her book, Becoming a Power Couple: Four Pillars to Engineer Legendary Marriages Gabriela helps couples reconnect, rekindle love, and establish meaningful rituals that sustain their bond. Gabriela highlights the importance of emotional attunement and proactive habits, making relationship-building a deliberate and strategic...

Life often throws curveballs that leave us feeling overwhelmed or trapped - especially during challenging times like divorce. But it doesn't have to stay that way. Dr. Carrie Johansson, a psychologist and author affectionately known as "The Sensible Psychologist," introduces a powerful yet simple framework that will shift you out of the "Drama Triangle" so you can reclaim your life. 

Throughout this podcast episode, Dr. Johansson reveals practical tools that allow you to honestly assess your situation without judgment and finally break free from the cycle of avoidance that’s keeping you stuck. She also highlights the cru...

Ever feel like no matter how hard you try, life just keeps throwing more and more challenges at you? Psychologist Faust Ruggiero has spent over 35 years guiding clients through personal transformation by way of action. In his empowering “Fix Yourself” book series, Faust shares the keys to addressing anxiety, depression, anger, addiction, and life's countless hurdles through practical, action-based steps that anyone can follow.

Faust believes information alone isn't enough—real change happens when you put practical knowledge into action. That's why each book in his Fix Yourself Empowerment Series features short, accessible chapters paired with clear, measur...

When your marriage isn’t going well, it’s easy to believe divorce is your only option. But what if the answer isn’t leaving, but breathing new life into your marriage?

Cristie Cerniglia, a certified relationship coach, shares her hard-earned wisdom on how women can shift their approach to love and marriage—without devaluing themselves or waiting for their husbands to change. Having transformed her own 30-year marriage, Cristie helps women rediscover the romance and joy in their relationships, even when their spouse seems to be disengaged and their marriage feels like it's beyond repair.

In thi...

Divorce and menopause. Are they just two random events in a woman’s life? Or is there a connection between them?

In this podcast episode certified health coach and menopause specialist Denise Stegall explores how unaddressed menopausal changes can silently erode relationships. That’s especially true when couples stop communicating about intimate challenges like diminishing libido or emotional upheaval. 

Throughout the conversation, Denise tackles misconceptions about menopause, emphasizing that it's not a one-size-fits-all experience. She shares practical strategies, from tracking symptoms and optimizing hormones to managing mood swings, weight changes, and libido. 

All in all...

Imagine discovering that your once-loving adult child has suddenly become a stranger, cutting you off from their life and your grandchildren over seemingly trivial incidents like giving them a strawberry or a cup of water. Tracy Malone, an international divorce and narcissist abuse survival coach, reveals a disturbing trend of narcissistic alienation of adult children.  This alienation occurs when an adult child's narcissistic partner systematically isolates them from their parents, siblings, and other family members.

The narcissist’s tactics usually follow a calculated pattern, starting with love-bombing the family before marriage, then gradually introducing false allegations and twi...

Here's a secret that most employers and government agencies don’t know. An employee’s divorce costs the company or government agency that the employee works for far more than it costs the employee to go through it. That’s especially true in first responder divorce.

Divorcing employees experience a loss of productivity, increased absences, increased distractions, and a higher turnover rate than non-divorcing employees. Since first responders experience divorce at a much higher rate than the general public, this is even more of a problem for them.

Vicky Townsend, a trailblazer in the divorce indust...

If you could potentially save over a million dollars in taxes when you retire by making a few changes in your retirement planning strategy now, would you do it? Karen Stawicki and Samantha Irish, a dynamic mother-daughter financial planning team with over 50 years of combined experience, are betting you would … if you knew how! 

Samantha and Karen are on a mission to revolutionize retirement planning. They’ve identified a critical flaw in conventional retirement planning: the assumption that simply saving enough money and getting good returns will guarantee a comfortable retirement. 

While that strategy makes sense...

Conventional wisdom says that you shouldn’t leave your marriage until it has completely broken down. But what if that’s not true? What if leaving while you and your spouse still care about each other is the key to having a good divorce?

When her marriage was floundering, Karen McNenny found herself paralyzed by fear. She didn’t want to give up on her marriage if it could be saved. But she didn’t want to wait until she and her ex hated each other before she left.

That’s when she discovered a life-chang...

Have you ever felt deeply misunderstood in relationships, yearning for emotional connection and lasting love but unsure how to create either one? That’s exactly what Valerie Greene, relationship mentor and author of The Commitment Roadmap, tackles in this podcast episode.

Growing up in an intellectual household where her parents often dismissed her feelings, Valerie learned to suppress her naturally empathic nature and to operate from her head rather than her heart. When her first marriage fell apart, Valerie started studying various emotional healing modalities in order to reconnect herself with her feelings. In doing so she le...

What if you could turn the chaos of post-divorce dating in mid-life into a journey of self-discovery and empowerment? Jonathon Aslay, one of America’s top mid-life dating coaches, did exactly that.

After losing his 19-year-old son Connor, Jonathon embarked on an unexpected journey that transformed his understanding of love, relationships, and human connection. While grieving this profound loss, Jonathon discovered that the biggest challenge facing most singles isn't finding the right partner - it's learning to truly love themselves.

Jonathon is now on a mission to help singles cultivate more meaningful relationships by building th...

Relationship intimacy is complicated.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jenn Kennedy, a clinical sexologist and licensed marriage and family therapist, unpacks the complexities of relationship intimacy, diving deeply into the challenges couples face when navigating sex and desire. 

Dr. Kennedy breaks down the common struggle of desire discrepancy—when partners have mismatched levels of sexual interest—and explains the emotional, biological, and relational factors that often drive these differences. She candidly reveals why most therapists aren’t adequately trained to handle issues around sexuality and how this impacts the relationships of the couples those therapists work wi...

Everyone knows the emotional pain of feeling stuck. But what if the key to getting unstuck lies in understanding your own energy patterns? In this podcast episode, spiritual teacher and healing artist Leah Guy shares her journey from trauma survivor to transformational guide, revealing how she helps people break free from toxic relationships and rediscover their authentic selves.

Drawing from over two decades of experience working with clients, Leah challenges common misconceptions about narcissistic relationships and codependency. Rather than focusing solely on the narcissist’s behavior, Leah dives deeply into BOTH parties’ behavior, since breaking those patterns is t...

When your marriage crumbles, figuring out how to effectively parent with your ex can feel like navigating a minefield. Co-parenting counseling, an approach that helps divorced couples prioritize their children's needs over their own complicated emotions, can help. 

In this podcast episode licensed professional counselor Kelley Hopkins-Alvarez explains how.

Co-parenting counselors are licensed mental health professionals who provide expert recommendations and guidance to help parents communicate better and make child-focused decisions.  

Unlike court-appointed parenting coordinators, co-parenting counselors don’t have the authority to adjudicate disputes or enforce parenting agreements. They do, however, have the...

When your spouse's addiction threatens to destroy not just your marriage but your whole family's future, you need expert guidance to protect yourself and your loved ones. Attorney Mitchell Gordon brings over 23 years of specialized experience helping clients navigate the complexities that occur when addiction intersects with divorce, offering strategic solutions that safeguard both families and finances.

Drawing from his extensive experience with cases involving alcohol, drugs, gambling, and other addictions, Mitch emphasizes that the key to navigating a divorce and addiction is to treat the addiction as a disease rather than a moral failing. 

M...

Navigating the financial maze of divorce can feel overwhelming - until you discover the transformative power of strategic financial advocacy.

Certified Divorce Financial Analyst Rhonda Noordyk has created a strategic approach to finance that goes beyond traditional divorce financial planning and into the realm of financial advocacy. Rhonda goes beyond the numbers to actually advocate for her clients, asking tough questions during their mediation or negotiation that helps them uncover details they might otherwise overlook.

In this podcast episode, Rhonda explains what it means to be a "financial advocate" and why her role is critical...

What if the most difficult conversations in life could not only give you answers but they could shine a light on a clear path forward? 

This special episode brings together the best insights from our guests in 2024. You’ll hear about how to tackle complex relationship challenges like divorcing a narcissist, navigating sexless marriages, and implementing creative solutions like bird nesting for families in transition. This is a curated mix of powerful interviews that address not just the legal and logistical aspects of these struggles but also the emotional and psychological hurdles that keep people stuck.

T...

Navigating the holidays when you’re going through a divorce – or have recently gone through a divorce – can really suck. Money will likely be tighter, you may not see your kids as much, and the holiday traditions you once cherished are likely to be gone forever.

But just because your holidays will be undeniably different, that doesn’t mean they have to be miserable.

In this podcast episode, divorce expert Jackie Pilossoph—creator of Divorced Girl Smiling—shares deeply relatable stories and actionable tips for surviving the holidays, even if you’re feeling sad, alone, or overwhelmed...

Ever wonder why you and your spouse seem to have the same fight over and over again? Or why the way your spouse treats you reminds you of how your mother/father/brother/sister treated you? Or why – if you’re already divorced and are dating again – you seem to pick the same kind of romantic partner over … and over … and over again?

The answer to these questions and more often lies buried deeply in your past.

In this week’s podcast episode, Tammy Cox, a transformational coach, reveals how even seemingly minor emotional experiences can create d...

Has your marriage become dull and boring? What if you could rekindle the passion you used to have for your spouse while simultaneously deepening your emotional connection and revving up your sex life?

Sound too good to be true?

According to health and sex researcher Matt Cook, all of that (and more!) is possible.

In this podcast episode Matt shares the groundbreaking concepts he discovered that transformed his own 25-year marriage from boring to booming. He reveals secrets about the "oxytocin track," the “Coolidge effect,” and the often-overlooked orgasm cycle.  Matt also shares how s...

Unresolved emotions and insecure attachment styles can silently shape our relationships and lives—but what if you could break free? In this second part of a two part series, Bev Mitelman, a certified attachment practitioner and founder of Securely Loved, explains how deeply rooted attachment patterns influence everything from emotional regulation to the way we connect with others. 

The conversation goes beyond just theory, though. Using practical examples, Bev highlights how attachment styles govern the way we interact with our partner especially the cycle of approach-avoid that often traps couples in an endless cycle of “I want you/I...

Ever wonder why you chose the spouse that you did? Or why you and your spouse seem to be locked in the same dance – pushing each other’s buttons and arguing over the same things you’ve argued about 1000 times before?

In this podcast episode, Bev Mitelman, a certified attachment practitioner and founder of Securely Loved, discusses the profound impact our attachment style has on all of our future relationships.

Bev explains how our early relationships with our primary caregivers create lifelong patterns for how we give and receive love—and why understanding these patterns is key t...

What drives someone to redefine their life after decades of marriage? How can you live through some of life’s biggest challenges – like the loss of a child, the loss of a job and the loss of a marriage, and not only survive but thrive afterwards?

In this podcast episode Dana Cox shares her transformative journey of personal growth and resilience after deciding to end her 33-year marriage. She openly shares how she strategically navigated the divorce process, not just to protect herself financially but also to preserve an amicable relationship with her ex-husband, which was crucial for...

How amazing would your marriage, your family, and your community be if you had the tools to transform conflict into connection? 

In this podcast episode, psychotherapist and author Phyllis Leavitt dives deeply into the complex topic of conflict resolution and decision-making within personal relationships, families, and communities. She breaks down the dynamics of both healthy and unhealthy family relationships and talks about strategies you can use to improve your own ability to resolve conflicts in a healthier way.

Beyond healing our individual relationships, Phyllis also reflects on America’s current cultural divide, noting the way we...

When divorce attorney and bestselling author Raiford Palmer sits down for a conversation, he doesn’t hold back. 

In this candid and thought-provoking episode, Raif draws from nearly three decades of legal experience to share not only his legal insights in divorce, but also his own journey through divorce. That journey reshaped his legal practice, helping him empathize with clients on a deeper level.

Throughout this conversation, Raif stresses the critical role knowledge and understanding the emotional and financial rollercoaster of divorce plays in navigating divorce effectively. He also shares insider insights on the way div...

What would you do if your personal safety was at risk? Do you even know what you would do?

This podcast episode takes a deep dive into practical safety strategies with Catherine Trimboli, a seasoned law enforcement professional turned personal protection advocate. 

Catherine shares how she empowers high-level women to feel secure through situational awareness, safety planning, and discrete security services. With her background as a law enforcement captain with 30 years of experience Catherine is particularly well-poised to share practical advice and real-world tips on everything from avoiding dangerous encounters to safeguarding yourself when traveling, a...

Is there ever a right time to divorce? Is there such a thing as waiting too long to get a divorce? How do you know if NOW is the right time to go?

In this special episode, we dive into the thorny question of when to divorce by exploring the story of Sue, who faces the heart-wrenching decision of whether to leave her husband, Brad, due to his escalating drinking problem. 

Grappling with financial constraints and familial duties, Sue's story is one of emotional turmoil and the heavy burden of pondering life-altering choices.

I...

How do you decide whether to keep the house in your divorce?

With your home typically being one of the biggest assets you have, it’s not a simple question. It also has tremendous implications for your future, both from a financial, as well as from an emotional standpoint.

In this podcast episode, real estate expert Maci Chance shares her own journey through divorce and how it led her to specialize in helping women navigate the often-complicated decisions surrounding whether to keep their home in a divorce … or not.

Maci’s practical advice and re...

Love and intimacy can be complicated, especially when sexual challenges arise in a marriage. In this podcast episode Janelle Orion, an Ivy League-educated life coach, opens up about her unique path from a deeply committed relationship to a sexless marriage to a "divorce in love." 

In this candid conversation, Janelle shares how she married for the first time at age 45 and faced unexpected challenges when her husband no longer wanted to have sex with her. Through therapy, Tantra, and personal growth, Janelle embarked on a quest to better understand, not only what was happening in her marriage, b...

What if there was a simple way that you could save time and money in your divorce while also securing your post-divorce financial future too? By creating a divorce financial plan you can do exactly that.

Amy Colton, a wealth advisor, mediator, and the founder of Your Divorce Made Simple LLC, shares her unique approach to divorce financial planning that helps divorcing couples streamline the divorce process without compromising their financial future. Amy guides her clients to make sound financial decisions by creating and using a comprehensive “divorce financial plan.”

Amy has combined her extensive fina...

What do you do when you’re leaning towards getting a divorce and your spouse wants to work on your marriage? That’s the question we dive into today in this discussion with Dr. Ginny Wright, a seasoned clinical psychologist who is certified in discernment therapy (a/k/a discernment counseling.)

Dr. Wright works with couples who are on the brink of divorce to cut through the fog of indecision and come to a decision about their marriage with clarity and confidence. She uses a process developed by Bill Doherty called discernment counseling or discernment therapy. It is a...

What happens when a marriage is no longer working, but the couple wants to stay together for the kids? Is there a way that they can continue to co-parent together, pursue romantic relationships outside of their marriage, but also avoid getting a divorce until their kids are grown?

According to therapist and author Susan Pease Gadoua the answer is “Yes.”

Through her work with couples, Susan developed the revolutionary concept of a "parenting marriage" - a compassionate alternative that allows parents to prioritize their children's well-being while redefining their relationship. This innovative type of relationship enab...

Imagine discovering that your life's work could vanish overnight. John Rodriguez, co-founder of Hill Country Business Strategies, reveals just how fragile many small businesses are, especially when their owners go through a divorce. With his unique background as both an entrepreneur and advisor, John provides invaluable insights into what happens to businesses in a divorce.

In this podcast episode, we talk about implementing buy-sell agreements, valuing a business, and creating long-term exit strategies. For couples who co-own a business together, John offers valuable advice on how to handle a divorce without tanking the business.

If...

In today’s podcast conversation, Karis Nafte, a certified dog behavior consultant and family mediator, delves into the sensitive issue of pet custody during a breakup or divorce. With over 25 years of experience and her deep understanding of dog behavior, Karis has a unique perspective on what’s really best for your dog when you divorce.

Karis explores the challenges of shared custody for pets, the differences in how various dog breeds might handle such arrangements, and the heartbreaking reality that sometimes, the best decision for the dog may require one person to let go. 

Wheth...

Ever wondered how to truly support your children through the emotional whirlwind of divorce? Family law attorney and children’s book author, Misty Hardison from the Rosen Law Firm in North Carolina, knows. 

As a family law attorney, Misty has seen how children often struggle to express their feelings and concerns during their parents’ divorce, particularly when they feel caught in the middle between their parents.

Misty’s experiences prompted her to write “Jake's Fridays" a children's book which aims to facilitate discussions between parents and children about the changes that come with divorce. The book addr...

What if getting divorced didn't have to be a painful, expensive, and drawn-out battle? According to Cary Jacobson, founder and CEO of Jacobson Family Law, it doesn’t have to be.

Cary's firm takes a radically different approach to divorce than most divorce lawyers. They only handle non-litigated cases, focusing on mediation and Collaborative Divorce to keep the drama and costs down. They also offer flat-fee packages instead of billing by the hour - giving their clients peace of mind and control over their divorce costs.

Cary reveals how establishing clear expectations and utilizing advanced te...

Ever wonder how societal norms and deep-seated beliefs shape your relationships and self-worth? 

In this episode, Junie Moon, CEO of Midlife Love Out Loud, shares her transformational journey from a life consumed by fear and low self-esteem to one of self-love and empowerment. Junie reveals the life-changing impact that Shadow Work had for her and how she now uses Shadow Work as a tool to help others change their lives as well.

We also dive deeply into the complexities of relationship dynamics, focusing on the crucial role that boundaries and effective communication have in creating r...

Imagine unlocking the power of your soul to revolutionize your business and relationships. That's exactly what Jennifer Urezzio, an intuitive business strategist and creator of Soul Language, helps people do. 

With nearly 20 years of experience in personal development and spiritual growth, Jennifer enables individuals to bypass years of talk therapy and address deep-seated issues quickly by tapping into their core soul energies. Her innovative approach has earned her the reputation of being "liquid nitrogen for the soul" and has skyrocketed her podcast “Asked and Answered by the Soul" into the top 3% of podcasts worldwide.

Jennifer's wor...