Divorce with Sam and Leah

Latest Episodes:

How to Stop Letting Your Ex Control Your Emotions After Divorce Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

If your ex can still ruin your mood, your day, or your peace with one text… this episode is for you 💙

In this episode, we’re breaking down exactly why your ex still has emotional control over you after divorce—and more importantly, how to take that power back.

You’ll learn:

Why expectations keep you emotionally hooked
How to stop taking their behavior personally
The exact shifts that help you respond instead of react
Simple, practical tools you can use immediately in co-parenting situations

Because healing isn’t about your ex changing… it’s about you no longer being emotionally available for their chaos.

If you’re navigating divorce or high-conflict co-parenting and you’re tired of feeling triggered, reactive, and drained—this is where it starts to change.

💙 Ready to stop feeling controlled and start feeling confident again? Join The Next Chapter membership for weekly coaching, real-life tools, and a supportive community of women who get it. 👉Join us: https://www.samandleah.com/services

5 Lies That Keep Women Stuck After Divorce (And How to Break Free) Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

So many women think the hardest part of divorce is signing the papers… but the truth is, the beliefs you carry afterward can keep you emotionally stuck for years.

In this episode, we break down 5 common lies women tell themselves after divorce that quietly keep them trapped in guilt, fear, and self-doubt — and how to shift those beliefs so you can actually move forward.

We talk about: • Why waiting for your ex to change keeps you stuck • The truth about divorce and your kids • Why your marriage ending does not mean you failed • How people-pleasing in co-parenting makes things worse • Rebuilding confidence and identity after divorce

You’ll also learn practical mindset shifts and real-life steps you can start using today to stop living in the past and start building a life that actually feels good again.

If you’re ready for deeper support, guidance, and a community of women who truly understand what you’re navigating, join us inside The Next Chapter membership where we help moms heal after divorce, rebuild confidence, and co-parent with clarity and strength: https://www.samandleah.com/services

5 Lies That Keep Women Stuck After Divorce (And How to Break Free) Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

So many women think the hardest part of divorce is signing the papers… but the truth is, the beliefs you carry afterward can keep you emotionally stuck for years.

You’ll also learn practical mindset shifts and real-life steps you can start using today to stop living in the past and start building a life that actually feels good again.

How to Stop Your Ex From Ruining Your Day: The Divorce Email Boundary Strategy Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

Does communication with your ex constantly trigger you?

A text in the middle of the workday.An email that ruins your entire evening.A notification from the co-parenting app that instantly spikes your stress.

In this episode, we’re sharing a simple but powerful boundary that can dramatically reduce the emotional toll of divorce and high-conflict co-parenting: the Divorce Inbox Strategy.

Instead of letting your ex interrupt your day whenever they want, you’ll learn how to create a separate email or communication space specifically for co-parenting so you can decide when and how you engage.

We talk about:

Why constant notifications keep your nervous system stuck in stress mode
How a dedicated divorce/co-parenting inbox protects your mental health
Setting boundaries around when you read and respond to messages
How to prepare yourself emotionally before opening communication
The “bingo card” mindset that helps you stay calm when predictable behaviors show up
Why responding calmly instead of reacting emotionally can change the entire dynamic

If you’re navigating divorce or high-conflict co-parenting, this simple shift can help you protect your peace, reduce emotional triggers, and regain control of your day.

💙 Need more support while navigating divorce and co-parenting?

Inside The Next Chapter membership, we help moms heal after divorce, rebuild their confidence, and learn practical strategies for handling difficult co-parents without losing themselves in the process.

You’ll get access to:

Weekly live workshops
A private supportive community of women who understand what you're going through
Expert trainings on divorce, co-parenting, healing, finances, and parenting
Live Q&A sessions with Leah and Sam
A growing library of practical tools and replays

Join us here:https://www.samandleah.com/services

Monkey Branching: Why Narcissists Move On So Fast After Divorce Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

Why do narcissists seem to move on instantly after a breakup or divorce?

In this episode, Sam and Leah break down the psychology behind “monkey branching” — a common narcissistic relationship pattern where someone lines up a new partner before leaving the current relationship. For many women, watching their ex jump into a new relationship immediately can feel deeply personal, confusing, and incredibly painful.

But the truth is, this behavior has far more to do with narcissistic supply, control, and avoiding emotional accountability than it does with your worth.

Sam and Leah discuss:

What monkey branching actually is
Why narcissists rarely stay single
The role of narcissistic supply and dopamine chasing
Why the new relationship often happens so quickly
How narcissists rewrite the history of the relationship
Why this behavior creates trauma bonds and deep confusion
How to stop personalizing their actions and start healing

If you're navigating divorce or co-parenting with a narcissistic ex, understanding these patterns can help you regain clarity, protect your peace, and start rebuilding your life with confidence.

If you’re looking for deeper support, tools, and community while navigating divorce and high-conflict co-parenting, check out The Next Chapter membership. Inside, we help moms heal, set boundaries, regulate their nervous systems, and rebuild their confidence after toxic relationships.

💙 Learn more about The Next Chapter: https://www.samandleah.com/services

How to Regulate Your Nervous System During High-Conflict Divorce Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

If you’re navigating high-conflict divorce or co-parenting and feel constantly overwhelmed, triggered, or angry… your nervous system is likely stuck in survival mode.

In this episode, we break down simple, practical tools like box breathing and basic meditation to help you regulate your nervous system, reduce reactivity, think more clearly, and protect your peace. You’ll learn how these techniques improve your mental clarity, emotional control, sleep, stress levels, and even how you show up for your kids.

This is especially powerful for divorced moms dealing with high-conflict dynamics, manipulation, or constant stress. When you regulate your nervous system, you stop reacting emotionally and start responding strategically.

If you’re ready for deeper support, live coaching, and practical tools to help you heal, regulate, and co-parent with confidence, join us inside The Next Chapter membership. This is where we do the real work together. 💙https://www.samandleah.com/services

When Your Ex Introduces a New Girlfriend to the Kids: Why It’s So Triggering (And What to Do About It) Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

When your ex starts bringing a new girlfriend around your kids, it can hit in a way you weren’t prepared for. Even if you don’t want him back. Even if you’re the one who filed.

In this episode, we’re talking about why it feels so triggering when your ex moves on — especially when he’s not “doing it alone” and your kids are suddenly around another woman. We unpack the jealousy, the anger, the curiosity, the spiraling thoughts… and what’s actually underneath all of it.

You’ll learn:

Why this dynamic activates your nervous system
The real reason you feel so mad (even if you don’t want him)
How to stop obsessing over her
How to regulate yourself before reacting
How to protect your peace while co-parenting

If you’re navigating high-conflict co-parenting or struggling with your ex introducing a new partner, this conversation will help you feel grounded, validated, and back in control.

💙 If you want deeper support, live coaching, and a private community of moms who truly get it, join us inside The Next Chapter membership. We help divorced moms regulate their nervous system, set boundaries, rebuild confidence, and co-parent with clarity.

👉 Learn more and join here: https://www.samandleah.com/services

#DivorceRecovery #CoParenting #HighConflictDivorce #SingleMomLife #DivorcedMoms #HealingAfterDivorce #BlendedFamily #WomenEmpowerment

Why Divorced Moms Are So Hard on Themselves (And How to Build Confidence After Divorce & Co-Parenting) Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

Divorced moms are some of the strongest women we know… and also the hardest on themselves.

In this episode, we’re talking about the silent guilt, shame, and self-criticism so many moms carry after divorce — especially when navigating high-conflict co-parenting.

If you’ve ever thought:

“I broke my family.”
“I should handle this better.”
“A good mom wouldn’t get so triggered.”
“I should’ve known better.”

This episode is for you.

We’re breaking down why self-blame skyrockets after divorce, how nervous system triggers get mistaken for weakness, and the practical steps you can take to stop attacking yourself and start rebuilding real confidence.

You’ll learn:

Why emotional reactivity doesn’t make you a bad mom
How to separate responsibility from shame
A simple nervous system reset you can use during co-parenting triggers
How to build confidence through small self-trust wins
How to give yourself grace without lowering your standards

You are not failing. You are rebuilding.

If you’re ready for deeper support, live coaching, and real tools to help you heal, regulate your nervous system, set boundaries, and co-parent with confidence — that’s exactly what we do inside The Next Chapter.

👉 Join The Next Chapter here: https://www.samandleah.com/services

You don’t have to do this alone. 💙

#DivorceRecovery #DivorcedMoms #HighConflictCoparenting #HealingAfterDivorce #SingleMomLife #CoparentingStruggles #MomGuilt #RebuildingAfterDivorce #WomenEmpowerment #TheNextChapter

Why Your Kids Take It Out on You After Visiting Their Dad (The Truth About Being the Safe Parent) Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

If your child comes home from their other parent’s house and suddenly you’re getting attitude, shutdown, coldness, or full-blown emotional explosions… this episode is for you.

Before you spiral and assume you’re failing, we need you to hear this clearly:

It doesn’t mean your child doesn’t love you.It often means you’re the safe parent.

In this episode, we break down why kids in high-conflict co-parenting dynamics often hold it together at one house… and then unload everything onto mom. We talk about nervous system crashes, loyalty binds, displacement, control-seeking behavior, and why testing limits can actually be a test of unconditional love — not defiance.

You’ll walk away understanding what’s really happening underneath the behavior — so you can stop taking it personally, regulate yourself first, and respond in a way that protects your peace and your relationship with your child.

If this dynamic feels painfully familiar, you do not have to navigate it alone. Inside The Next Chapter, we give you weekly coaching, practical tools, and real support from women who get it — so you can stay steady even in high-conflict chaos.

Join us inside The Next Chapter 💙https://www.samandleah.com/services

#HighConflictCoparenting #DivorceRecovery #CoparentingSupport #SafeParent #CustodyTransitions #SingleMomLife #EmotionalRegulation #HealingAfterDivorce

How to Know When It’s Time to Walk Away from Your Marriage (Fears, Mom Guilt & Finding Yourself After Divorce) Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

How do you know when it’s actually time to walk away from your marriage?

In this episode, we’re having the honest conversation so many women are scared to say out loud. We talk about the quiet signs your marriage may be over, the fear of blowing up your kids’ lives, the overwhelm that keeps you stuck, and the identity crisis that can follow divorce.

We also dive into:

The difference between a rough season and a dead marriage
The fears that keep women frozen (money, custody, judgment, shame)
Mom guilt and the pressure to “keep the family together”
The stigma women carry when they choose themselves
How to begin finding your identity again after divorce

If you’ve been lying awake at night wondering, “Is this it?” — this episode is for you.

You are not weak for questioning. You are not selfish for wanting peace. And you are not crazy for wanting more.

If you’re navigating divorce, high-conflict co-parenting, or trying to rebuild your confidence after walking away, we support you every step of the way inside The Next Chapter 💙

Inside the membership, you’ll get:

Weekly live coaching + trainings
Practical tools for high-conflict co-parenting
Replays and resources you can use anytime
A private, judgment-free community of women who truly get it

If you’re ready for steadiness, clarity, and support during one of the hardest seasons of your life, enroll in The Next Chapter: https://www.samandleah.com/services

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