The Divorce Podcast

• Who gets the dog? Legal truths, animal welfare and post-split pet arrangements with the RSPCA

  In this episode, host Kate is joined by Dr Samantha Gaines, Head of the RSPCA’s Companion Animals Science and Policy department, and Carol Harte, Divorce Specialist at amicable, to debunk some common myths about separating with pets.About the episode:Kate, Carol and Samantha break down common myths about pet ownership during separation or divorce. They explain the legal realities, the emotional impact on pets – whether it’s a dog, cat or even a hamster – and share practical tips to help pets adjust to new routines. You'll also learn how to spot signs your pet might be struggling, and what to do if neither you nor your ex can care for them after your divorce or separation.About our guests:Dr Samantha Gaines is Head of the RSPCA’s Companion Animals Science and Policy department. She leads a specialist team who use evidence to advocate for good lives for companion, working and sporting animals through corporate and government policy change and human behaviour change. She is the lead on a variety of issues including dog control, racing greyhounds and dogs kept for working purposes. Prior to working at the RSPCA, Sam worked as a research scientist for the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. She managed various projects studying the behaviour, performance and welfare of working dogs. She has an MSc in applied animal behaviour and welfare as well as a PhD from Bristol University, where she studied the effects of housing and husbandry on the welfare of kennelled dogs.Carol Harte is a Divorce Specialist at amicable and holds decades of experience in global change management, project negotiation and training. Having embarked on a career change to become an accredited family mediator, Carol aims to support separating parents and pet parents in their transition to being successful co-parents.More resources:You can find more advice on how to improve your pet’s welfare on the RSPCA website. We'd love to know how we can help you further. Share your questions on divorce, separation and co-parenting with us at [email protected]. They might just be the topic of a future episode!You can also get in touch with amicable for more information on the legal, financial and parenting aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert today. #Pets

  --------  

  28:48
• In brief: Why Pep Guardiola's amicable approach to divorce is couple goals

  This week, Kate is going behind the headlines of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and his ex-partner Cristina Serra’s divorce. Reports claim they’re using the ‘one lawyer, one couple’ approach to end their marriage while staying on good terms.About the episode:Kate breaks down the top three benefits of a collaborative divorce, using Pep Guardiola’s separation as an example. She explains who this approach works best for, and explores whether amicable divorces really are as rare as the media makes out  – or if they’re becoming the norm.More resources:We'd love to know how we can help you further. Share your questions on divorce, separation and co-parenting with us at [email protected]. They might just be the topic of a future episode!You can also get in touch with amicable for more information on the legal, financial and parenting aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert today. 

  --------  

  9:19
• "I didn't skip a moment of the pain" Emma Campbell on surviving cancer, traumatic separation and single-parent guilt

  In this episode, Kate is joined by author and speaker Emma Campbell, better known to her Instagram followers as Limitless Em, to discuss her separation stories, cancer diagnosis and passion for running.About the episode:Emma starts by telling Kate how her parents' marriage and her relationship with her dad shaped her own romantic life. They go on to discuss her relationship with the father of her four children (including triplets!) and her difficult fertility journey. Emma shares her very personal take on how she found separation more difficult than her cancer diagnosis around the same time.Kate and Emma then talk about Emma’s subsequent marriage and the trials and tribulations of a blended family, what made it special and how it ultimately ended in divorce. Emma tells Kate why taking the time to feel the pain and sadness is vital after a separation. Ever the optimist, she finishes by discussing her passion for running and why she believes that physical activity can help you get through anything, from cancer to a breakup. About our guest:Emma Campbell is an author, speaker and podcast host known to her 66K followers on Instagram as Limitless Em, where she shares aspects of the incredible journey she’s been on as a cancer survivor, single mum of teenage triplets and so much more. She is known for her honesty, vulnerability and open-hearted approach to life and passionately believes that we all have limitless potential despite the challenges we may face. Emma offers hope to thousands of women in the breast cancer community. She has learnt to celebrate a body that has been through so much, whilst accepting that she will remain on cancer treatment for life.Emma has completed two Virgin London Marathons, the Great South Run, the Vitality 10K, takes part in CRUK’s Race for Life every year and has a media place in the 2025 TCS London Marathon where she’ll be running as part of Team Bowelbabe, raising vital funds for cancer research. More resources:Find more about Emma Campbell on Instagram and on her website.Donate to Emma’s London Marathon fundraiser for Bowelbabe Fund here.Get in touch with amicable for information on the legal, financial and children aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert through the amicable website.#EmotionalJourney

  --------  

  43:03
• Support in unlikely places: Who really helps kids through parental separation?

  In this episode, Kate is joined by the founder of Restored Lives Erik Castenskiold to discuss how to thrive as a child of separated parents, even as an adult.About the episode:Erik starts off by sharing his own experience of divorce and how it ultimately led him to found Restored Lives, a UK-based charity that provides resources and support for individuals and families affected by relationship breakdown. He then goes on to talk about Your Direction, a course that offers tools and skills for 12-30-year-old children of divorce to help them find future happiness and success. Kate and Erik explore why the course was created and what the sessions cover. They also address common concerns that parents may have about the initiative. Finally, they discuss the types of conversations that 12-17-year-old and 18-30-year-old children of divorce might be having during the sessions and how both age groups can benefit from this kind of support.About our guest:Erik Castenskiold is the founder of the charity Restored Lives which helps adults and children navigate the impact of divorce and separation. In the last 23 years, over 3,000 adults have been supported across 10 different countries with multiple resources, including an eight-week course, a book, and countless videos. Restored Lives has partnered with Spurgeons, a children’s charity, to launch Your Direction, a series of workshops for children of separated parents aged 12-17 and 18-30 years old. Your Direction helps to break the silence surrounding divorce and separation and helps children to build resilience, improve their wellbeing and enhance their relationships with their parents, as well as their friends and future partners. More resources:You can learn more about Restored Lives and Your Direction on their website. You can also follow Your Direction on Instagram for helpful tips and testimonials.Get in touch with amicable for information on the legal, financial and parenting aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert today.#Coparenting

  --------  

  40:57
• Blame, forgiveness and key traits for divorce recovery

  In this episode, Kate is joined by the founder of Divorce Recovery Seminars, author, former barrister, and family court judge Christopher Compston to discuss his personal experience of divorce through his unique professional legal lens.About the episode:Kate and Christopher start by discussing Christopher’s parents’ divorce and how this formed his view of marriage. He shares an invaluable insider perspective on the legal process having worked as a barrister and a judge. Christopher then goes on to explore his own experience of adultery and divorce. Kate and Christopher finish off by sharing some tips on how to recover, move on and lead a happy life after divorce, as well as some hard-hitting truths about how painful the experience can truly be.About our guest:Christopher Compston is a former barrister and was a Circuit Judge for nearly thirty years, dealing with everything from criminal to family matters. He retired in 2013. Twice married, he has had six children. For many years he and his current wife, Caroline, attended Holy Trinity Church in Brompton where he started and ran Divorce Recovery seminars for ten years. Christopher has written two books on the subject: ‘Recovering from Divorce’ (1993) and ‘Breaking Up Without Cracking Up’ (2011).More resources:You can learn more about Restored Lives on their website, and you can purchase Christopher’s book ‘Breaking Up Without Cracking Up’ on Amazon.Get in touch with amicable for information on the legal, financial and parenting aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert today.#LifeAfterDivorce

  --------  

  15:57

More Society & Culture podcasts

Trending Society & Culture podcasts

About The Divorce Podcast

The Divorce Podcast: Podcasts in Family