The Empowered Divorce Podcast; Navigating Divorce After Betrayal Trauma and Abuse

Divorce is not a one-time conversation with your children.
It is an ongoing relationship conversation that unfolds over months, years, and different stages of development.
Whether you are preparing to talk to your children about separation, recently divorced, or years down the road and still navigating hard questions, this episode offers guidance for staying steady in those moments.
Many parents carry enormous pressure to say the right thing, avoid causing harm, or protect their children from pain. But what children need most is not perfection—it is presence, honesty, and emotional safety.
In this episode, I walk through what actually helps children adjust to divorce and how to respond when new questions arise long after the initial transition. We talk about how to stay grounded when emotions run high, how to answer difficult questions about the other parent, and how to support your child’s nervous system through ongoing change.
You will also hear reassurance that repair matters. Even if conversations didn’t happen in the “ideal” way at the beginning, trust can still be rebuilt over time.
This conversation is for any parent who wants to show up as the steady, safe place for their child—no matter where they are in the divorce journey.
This episode is especially helpful if you:
Are preparing to tell your children about divorce
Recently separated or divorced
Have been divorced for years and your child is asking new questions
Are navigating co-parenting challenges
Feel pressure to “get the conversation right”
Worry about how divorce is affecting your children
Want to be the steady, safe parent in the middle of uncertainty
✨ WORK WITH AMIE + NEXT STEPS IN YOUR HEALING
⁠⁠https://amiewoolsey.com/amie-woolsey⁠⁠
📍 Dating From Within Workshop- June 11th-13th 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cli⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ck here to register⁠⁠
⁠⁠https://datingfromwithin.amiewoolsey.com/dating-from-within-page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
💬 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Empowered Divorce Q&A⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Free monthly group coaching. First Thursday of each month.
👣 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Body Love Class⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Learn how to reclaim your body after betrayal.
📍 Divorce 101: Self-Paced GuideFeeling stuck in the aftermath of betrayal or unsure where to go next? This guide meets you right where you are and helps you make your next best step.🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Start by taking the quiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📍 Intimacy Within: Self-Paced CourseWant real connection in a future relationship? Start by building healthy intimacy within. Learn the 7 levels of intimacy and how to practice them—first, with YOU.👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check it out here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📍 Should I Stay or Go? CourseThis guide walks you through one of the hardest questions you'll ever face. It's not about finding the right answer—it's about becoming the chooser of it.👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more + enroll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
💻 Want to work with Amie 1:1?Book a consult: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎥 Watch on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠: Get episodes early + visual tools to support your journey.📲 Follow me on social:Instagram | Facebook | TikTok → @amiewoolsey

Need support ?📩 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Musicbed -January 8, 2024The Music Bed, LLC ("MB") approves the use of "Today Will Be The Day - Instrumental" (Composition(s) and Master(s)) for intro"intro" (the "Production") pursuant to your request date January 8, 2024 as follows:SECTION IComposition/Master: Today Will Be The Day - InstrumentalArtist(s): Summer Kennedy

Divorce, especially after betrayal or ongoing conflict, can feel overwhelming, confusing, and deeply personal. You may feel like you're constantly defending yourself, explaining your choices, or trying to make others understand your reality.
In this episode, I sit down with divorce strategist Meagan Norris to talk about what it really means to own your story while you're still in the middle of the storm. Meagan brings a grounded, strategic perspective to the divorce process—helping women move from emotional survival into thoughtful, intentional action.
Together, we explore how to step out of reactive patterns, stay focused on what you can control, and begin building confidence even when the outcome still feels uncertain.
This conversation is especially powerful for women navigating high-conflict divorce, feeling misunderstood, or struggling to stay steady while everything around them feels chaotic.
About the Guest
Meagan Norris is a divorce strategist and coach who supports women through the emotional and practical realities of separation and divorce. Her work focuses on helping women feel prepared, informed, and confident as they make decisions about their future.
She is known for helping clients shift from reacting to responding—so they can move through divorce with clarity, strength, and self-trust.
You can connect with Meagan here:
Website: meagannorris.com
Instagram: @meagannorriscoaching
_____________
✨ WORK WITH AMIE + NEXT STEPS IN YOUR HEALING
⁠⁠https://amiewoolsey.com/amie-woolsey⁠⁠
📍 Dating From Within Workshop- June 11th-13th👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cli⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ck here to register⁠⁠
⁠⁠https://datingfromwithin.amiewoolsey.com/dating-from-within-page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
💬 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Empowered Divorce Q&A⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Free monthly group coaching. First Thursday of each month.
👣 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Body Love Class⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Learn how to reclaim your body after betrayal.
📍 Divorce 101: Self-Paced GuideFeeling stuck in the aftermath of betrayal or unsure where to go next? This guide meets you right where you are and helps you make your next best step.🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Start by taking the quiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📍 Intimacy Within: Self-Paced CourseWant real connection in a future relationship? Start by building healthy intimacy within. Learn the 7 levels of intimacy and how to practice them—first, with YOU.👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check it out here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📍 Should I Stay or Go? CourseThis guide walks you through one of the hardest questions you'll ever face. It's not about finding the right answer—it's about becoming the chooser of it.👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more + enroll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
💻 Want to work with Amie 1:1?Book a consult: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎥 Watch on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠: Get episodes early + visual tools to support your journey.📲 Follow me on social:Instagram | Facebook | TikTok → @amiewoolsey

Need support ?📩 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Musicbed -January 8, 2024The Music Bed, LLC ("MB") approves the use of "Today Will Be The Day - Instrumental" (Composition(s) and Master(s)) for intro"intro" (the "Production") pursuant to your request date January 8, 2024 as follows:SECTION IComposition/Master: Today Will Be The Day - InstrumentalArtist(s): Summer Kennedy

So many women reach a point in their healing journey where they feel completely exhausted and quietly ask themselves, “I am so done with the hard… when does this get easier?” In this episode, I talk directly to that moment. Not to dismiss the fatigue or tell you to push through it, but to explore why the hard can linger long after the divorce is finalized—and what actually helps it begin to soften.
One of the biggest reasons the hard stays stuck is because the story hasn’t been fully named, seen, or spoken. Many women learn to summarize what happened or keep their pain at a safe distance just to function day to day. But healing often begins when you allow yourself to tell the truth about your experience in your own words—without minimizing it, editing it, or protecting others from the reality of what you lived through. In this episode, I walk you through a simple but powerful process: writing your story, seeing it clearly, and speaking it out loud so your nervous system can finally recognize that it was real—and that you survived it.
If you’ve been feeling tired, overwhelmed, triggered, or stuck in grief, this conversation will help you understand why those feelings make sense and what you can do to start releasing the weight you’ve been carrying. You’ll also hear how owning your story can become the turning point that helps you move from just surviving the hard… to finally feeling some relief.
Next week, I’ll be joined by divorce coach Megan Norris as we continue this conversation and explore how owning your story can shape your future in powerful ways.
_______________
✨ WORK WITH AMIE + NEXT STEPS IN YOUR HEALING
⁠⁠https://amiewoolsey.com/amie-woolsey⁠⁠
📍 Dating From Within Workshop- June 11th-13th 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cli⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ck here to register⁠⁠
⁠⁠https://datingfromwithin.amiewoolsey.com/dating-from-within-page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
💬 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Empowered Divorce Q&A⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Free monthly group coaching. First Thursday of each month.
👣 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Body Love Class⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Learn how to reclaim your body after betrayal.
📍 Divorce 101: Self-Paced GuideFeeling stuck in the aftermath of betrayal or unsure where to go next? This guide meets you right where you are and helps you make your next best step.🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Start by taking the quiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📍 Intimacy Within: Self-Paced CourseWant real connection in a future relationship? Start by building healthy intimacy within. Learn the 7 levels of intimacy and how to practice them—first, with YOU.👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check it out here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📍 Should I Stay or Go? CourseThis guide walks you through one of the hardest questions you'll ever face. It's not about finding the right answer—it's about becoming the chooser of it.👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more + enroll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
💻 Want to work with Amie 1:1?Book a consult: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎥 Watch on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠: Get episodes early + visual tools to support your journey.📲 Follow me on social:Instagram | Facebook | TikTok → @amiewoolsey

Need support ?📩 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Musicbed -January 8, 2024The Music Bed, LLC ("MB") approves the use of "Today Will Be The Day - Instrumental" (Composition(s) and Master(s)) for intro"intro" (the "Production") pursuant to your request date January 8, 2024 as follows:SECTION IComposition/Master: Today Will Be The Day - InstrumentalArtist(s): Summer Kennedy

After divorce—especially after betrayal or a life-saving separation—many women find themselves using one word to describe their experience: alone.
But being alone and feeling lonely are not the same thing.
In this episode, I talk about the difference between those two experiences and why separating them can be a turning point in healing. I share personal stories about grief that still shows up years later, the quiet moments that test self-trust the most, and why learning to stand inside your own life is one of the most powerful things you can do after divorce.
This conversation is not about putting a positive spin on something painful.
It’s about telling the truth about grief, honoring the reality of loss, and discovering that being alone can become purposeful—even when it’s not what you chose.
If you’ve ever stood in a quiet house, missed partnership, or wondered why the loneliness feels so heavy, this episode will help you understand what’s really happening—and what to do next.
_______________________
✨ WORK WITH AMIE + NEXT STEPS IN YOUR HEALING
⁠⁠⁠https://amiewoolsey.com/amie-woolsey⁠⁠⁠
📍 Dating From Within Workshop- June 11th-13th 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cli⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ck here to register⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠https://datingfromwithin.amiewoolsey.com/dating-from-within-page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
💬 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Empowered Divorce Q&A⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Free monthly group coaching. First Thursday of each month.
👣 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Body Love Class⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Learn how to reclaim your body after betrayal.
📍 Divorce 101: Self-Paced GuideFeeling stuck in the aftermath of betrayal or unsure where to go next? This guide meets you right where you are and helps you make your next best step.🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Start by taking the quiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📍 Intimacy Within: Self-Paced CourseWant real connection in a future relationship? Start by building healthy intimacy within. Learn the 7 levels of intimacy and how to practice them—first, with YOU.👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check it out here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📍 Should I Stay or Go? CourseThis guide walks you through one of the hardest questions you'll ever face. It's not about finding the right answer—it's about becoming the chooser of it.👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more + enroll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
💻 Want to work with Amie 1:1?Book a consult: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎥 Watch on ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠: Get episodes early + visual tools to support your journey.📲 Follow me on social:Instagram | Facebook | TikTok → @amiewoolsey

Need support ?📩 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Musicbed -January 8, 2024The Music Bed, LLC ("MB") approves the use of "Today Will Be The Day - Instrumental" (Composition(s) and Master(s)) for intro"intro" (the "Production") pursuant to your request date January 8, 2024 as follows:SECTION IComposition/Master: Today Will Be The Day - InstrumentalArtist(s): Summer Kennedy

Trust can feel impossible after betrayal.
Not just trust in another person, but trust in yourself. Trust in your intuition. Trust in love. Trust in life.
In this powerful conversation, I sit down with psychotherapist and author David Richo to explore what trust really is, why trusting again feels so risky after betrayal or divorce, and how rebuilding trust begins from the inside out.
We talk about the courage it takes to trust again, the role of self trust in healing, and how strength is not about avoiding pain but knowing you can handle it if it comes. This episode is not about blind trust. It is about grounded trust.
The kind that grows from inner strength, emotional maturity, and radical acceptance of reality.
About the Guest
David Richo is a psychotherapist, teacher, and author known for his work on emotional healing, relationships, and mindfulness. His teachings integrate Jungian psychology, Buddhist principles, and decades of clinical experience helping individuals navigate loss, betrayal, and personal growth.
His books, including Daring to Trust and When the Past Is Present, focus on building emotional strength, self awareness, and resilience in relationships.
Memorable Quotes From This Episode
Trust is daring because there is always a possibility that someone will disappoint you.
We are not looking for someone who will never hurt us. We are looking to become strong enough to handle it.
You do not need revenge to move forward. You need strength.
Trust is not about controlling outcomes. It is about building inner resources.
Resources Mentioned
Daring to Trust by David Richo
When the Past Is Present by David Richo
The Five A's of Love
The Trust Compass
The Five Givens of Life
https://davericho.com/
_______________________________________________________

✨ WORK WITH AMIE + NEXT STEPS IN YOUR HEALING
⁠https://amiewoolsey.com/amie-woolsey⁠
📍 Dating From Within Workshop- June 11th-13th 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cli⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ck here to register⁠
⁠https://datingfromwithin.amiewoolsey.com/dating-from-within-page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
💬 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Empowered Divorce Q&A⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Free monthly group coaching. First Thursday of each month.
👣 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Body Love Class⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Learn how to reclaim your body after betrayal.
📍 Divorce 101: Self-Paced GuideFeeling stuck in the aftermath of betrayal or unsure where to go next? This guide meets you right where you are and helps you make your next best step.🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Start by taking the quiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📍 Intimacy Within: Self-Paced CourseWant real connection in a future relationship? Start by building healthy intimacy within. Learn the 7 levels of intimacy and how to practice them—first, with YOU.👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check it out here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📍 Should I Stay or Go? CourseThis guide walks you through one of the hardest questions you'll ever face. It's not about finding the right answer—it's about becoming the chooser of it.👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more + enroll⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
💻 Want to work with Amie 1:1?Book a consult: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎥 Watch on ⁠YouTube⁠: Get episodes early + visual tools to support your journey.📲 Follow me on social:Instagram | Facebook | TikTok → @amiewoolsey

Need support ?📩 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Musicbed -January 8, 2024The Music Bed, LLC ("MB") approves the use of "Today Will Be The Day - Instrumental" (Composition(s) and Master(s)) for intro"intro" (the "Production") pursuant to your request date January 8, 2024 as follows:SECTION IComposition/Master: Today Will Be The Day - InstrumentalArtist(s): Summer Kennedy