We often expect separation to be marked by conflict and disconnection - but what if it didn’t have to be that way? In this heartwarming and honest episode of The Separation Guide podcast, psychologist and host Sabina Read sits down with Jane and Matt Martino - former partners who chose a different path. Married for 12 years and separated for eight, they share how they put the needs of their three boys at the centre of every decision, even when it wasn’t easy. From co-parenting holidays and famil...
Jul 09, 2025•47 min
What are the signs a relationship has run its course - and how can you tell the difference between natural relationship challenges and something more? In this heartfelt and insightful episode, psychologist and host Sabina Read speaks with accredited divorce coach Bev Berelowitz about the deeply personal and often painful decision to separate. Bev shares her own experience of leaving her marriage, and the wisdom she’s gained from supporting others on their separation journeys. Together, they expl...
Jun 11, 2025•37 min•Ep. 28
May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month. And with 25% of those who come to The Separation Guide for help experiencing some sort of violence or abuse, it is a very real barrier to many trying to leave relationships. In this episode, White Ribbon Australia Acting Director Dean Cooper and Coordinator of Counselling Services Zoe Hughes join host Sabina Read to shed light on the many types of violence and abuse happening in Australian homes. With some practical tips for how to find help ...
May 07, 2025•57 min
Superannuation is often overlooked in separation, but it’s a crucial asset that can significantly impact your financial future. In this episode, we break down the key things you need to know about super in separation—why it matters, common misconceptions, and how to approach it fairly and equitably. We explore the common fight-or-flight response in high-conflict separations, the importance of financial disclosure, and practical steps to take control of your super. From understanding your balance...
Feb 27, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 28
In this episode, host Sabina Read sits down with Arabella Feltham, Separation Consultant at The Separation Guide, to explore how men can navigate separation with strength and support. They discuss: Staying out of conflict and prioritising health The importance of support networks Why men are often blindsided by separation news Managing grief, anger, and mental health challenges Practical advice for FIFO and emergency service workers Discover tools and resources to regain control and move forward...
Dec 19, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Positive Co-parenting over the holiday season In this episode, Lisanne Iriks of the Co-Parenting Institute talks with Sabina Read about creating a positive co-parenting environment for your children during the holiday season. Whether the separation is relatively new or you are tackling your first Christmas as a separated family, Lisanne shares some ways to manage the emotions and changes to traditions over this time. She shares how to give yourself and your children a positive experience, creati...
Dec 13, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 26
How can I plan for my financial future? Live, love, legacy and laugh During this episode, Ryan Watson of Tribeca Financial will share how to escape fear and live the life you want in the future, following the priorities to live, love, legacy and laugh. Ryan shares the range of emotions you may feel about your finances during separation. He shares some common fears many people experience during this time, such as the fear that you will lose everything in the process (which isn’t true if you get t...
Dec 13, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 25
This episode explores family law finance - a line of credit available to people who are going through separation and need to access funds to pay for professional support to reach a fair and equitable settlement that will set them up for a secure future. We talk to Jack O'Donnell from JustFund about: the purpose of family law finance what it can cover how it differs from traditional loans who is eligible, and how it is assessed who can benefit from a family law line of credit. This episode is a m...
Jan 15, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 24
The number of separated couples still living together in Australia is on the rise. Over 50% of people tell us that they have separated but are still living under one roof. The transition from partners to moving out can take some time, but we’re seeing that period grow longer for more and more couples. In this episode, separation and relationship coach Kelly Bagshaw joins us to talk about what’s causing this rising trend making this period work in the best way re-negotiating your relationship, yo...
Sep 21, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Dividing assets and property in separation and divorce may seem like a simple equation, but it gets complicated quickly. A 50-50 split may not always be the best outcome. Listen to find out what factors need to be considered in determining a fair property split. In this episode, we talked to Lauren Patford-Smith of Padford-Smith Legal Services about: the 4-step process of Family Law what assets and debts should you should include in your marital asset pool how the length of your relationship and...
Mar 20, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Telling your partner that you want to separate is a daunting prospect. Doing it wrong could have consequences like escalating conflict, creating unnecessary hurt for those around you and, in extreme circumstances, it could be dangerous. Preparing yourself to tell your spouse the right way can set the tone for a low-conflict separation from day one. In this episode, we speak to our Senior Separation Consultant, Arabella Feltham, about: safety as your number one consideration discussing separation...
Dec 11, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Around a third of Australia’s population was born overseas. Many married and de facto couples have at least one person from another country. If this is you, what happens if you separate in Australia? In this episode, we talk to experienced migration and family Lawyer from Starlight Legal, Eva Liang, about: how Australian Family Law recognises overseas marriages how to divorce when one party is overseas relocating children overseas in a separation spousal visas and their effect on separation cult...
Nov 02, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Child support is a way for both parents to make sure that their kids are properly supported financially. There are a lot of decisions that need to be made around how your child support arrangement is set up, managed and collected. There are also a lot of implications to these decisions which might not become clear until you are a fair way down the child support road. In this episode, we speak to Crystal Paduch from Child Support Consultants about many aspects of child support in Australia to giv...
Aug 24, 2022•42 min
We’ve had ‘no-fault’ divorce in Australia since 1975. Unlike criminal law, there's not a guilty verdict. Your lawyer isn't fighting to 'win' - their job is to help you reach an agreement with your spouse over property and financial settlement and child arrangements. So is there really a place for escalating your matter to an inevitable court date, and who is actually benefiting when that happens? Is it time in Australia for a kind approach to Family Law? In this episode, we speak to Perpetua Kis...
Jul 26, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 16
75% of the couples we hear from own property together. Find out about your borrowing options and know where you stand before you negotiate your financial settlement. In this episode, we speak to Senior Lending Specialist Jyana Papanastasiou from SCM Finance Solutions about: covering your loan when you separate refinancing when one person keeps the home pros and cons of selling and releasing equity getting a mortgage as a single person what counts as income for your application when you should sp...
Jun 10, 2022•37 min
Putting children through a family separation isn’t something anyone ever wants to do. So, how should you approach it if it happens? In this episode, we speak with Bron O’Loan from O’Loan Family Law about: telling children about your separation what to say if you can’t answer their questions involving children in decisions about their future messages you give children about the separation support networks for parents and children resilience in children talking about the future after separation. Y...
Apr 28, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 14
What happens to your superannuation when you separate? In this episode, we chat with Samatha Miller from Clarity Lawyers, Chris Fagan from SCM Wealth Management and Christina Hobbs, CEO and co-founder of Verve Super about superannuation and separation. Read the show notes . Are you impacted by separation? Our 3-minute Q&A can help connect you with experts like those featured in our podcast to guide you through the maze. Find out more about your options in separation and divorce at www.thesep...
Mar 17, 2022•30 min
The Separation Guide CEO, Angela Harbinson, spoke with industry experts Kylie Harding and Selena James about their advice and suggestions for financial empowerment before, during and after separation. Find out more about your options in separation and divorce at www.theseparationguide.com.au Note that Kylie Harding was known by her married name Kylie MacDonald when our podcast was recorded.
Feb 01, 2022•50 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In this episode, Jack Whelan speaks with Heidi Rogers from Moving Mindsets, Tanya Hibberd from Aubrey Brown and Andrew Wilson, who is a Mediator with The Separation Guide, about the different types of family violence, how these can affect your separation, and some tips about what you can do if you find yourself facing family violence while also going through a separation.
Nov 29, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Jack Whelan, Mediator, Barrister, FDRP and Co-founder of The Separation Guide, leads the discussion on the controversial subject of Parental Alienation with Lawyers Kath Manby and Bron O'Loan, together with Family Therapist and Psychologist Lynne Datnow.
Oct 25, 2021•38 min
Jack Whelan, Barrister, Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner spoke with Dr Mandy-Jo Ellis from the Relationspace, Carolyn Devries, CEO of NEW Way Lawyers, Australia’s first not for profit law firm, and New Way Law Family Law expert practitioner Ryan Cropper to discuss some of the issues facing separating and divorced families in a pandemic.
Aug 25, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 9
We chat with Rebecca Dahl, partner at Nicholes Family Lawyers, about 10 common family law myths. True or false? If you leave the family home, you'll lose your share in the property. If you're still living together, you can't be separated. 'I put the money in and so I should get the money back.' Do you need help sorting family law fact from fiction? Our 5-minute Q&A can help connect you with experts like Rebecca to guide you through the maze. For more free separation resources, go to thesepar...
Dec 21, 2020•36 min•Ep. 7
Today, we chat with Davide Di Pietro, Principal therapist at The Resilience Centre's Family Clinic, about communicating through separation. This practical conversation covers: Setting separation conversations up the right way Communication barriers Grounding strategies Psychological rigidity vs. psychological flexibility. 'The families that I've worked with where I've met them before the separation has occurred and been able to...walk through with them that whole process, it seems to go quite we...
Dec 08, 2020•25 min•Ep. 6
We chat with Tarnya Davis, principal Clinical Psychologist at NewPsych, about the importance of mental health through separation — and how to support your children through this unsettling period. Thinking about separation? Our 3-minute Q&A can help connect you with the right experts to guide you through the maze. For more free separation resources, go to theseparationguide.com.au ....
Oct 17, 2019•35 min•Ep. 5
'When we have had a successful meeting with a client in this situation, the overall feeling they walk out with is hope. They see they have choices and that despite the change, there is room for a positive future ahead of them.' We chat with Steve Fort, Financial Planner and Director Invest Blue, about how to prepare for a new financial future. The transcript of this podcast is here . Thinking about separation? Our 3-minute Q&A can help connect you with the right experts to guide you through ...
Oct 16, 2019•26 min•Ep. 5
'I’ve always had a view that, and it’s a view born of experience, that I think the accountants are just as important as the lawyers when it comes to assisting people in separation and divorce.' We chat with John Swaine, accountant and Director of PKF Accounting Central Coast, about the role of accountants in: Understanding your assets Bridging the financial knowledge gap Planning for the future The transcript of this podcast is here . Thinking about separation? Our 3-minute Q&A can help conn...
Oct 16, 2019•21 min•Ep. 4
We chat with Anna Cruckshank and Kate O'Grady of Aubrey Brown Lawyers about: Being stuck in the ‘escalation cycle’ Debunking divorce myths What it actually means to go to the family court The transcript of this podcast is here . Thinking about separation? Our 3-minute Q&A can help connect you with the right experts to guide you through the maze. For more free separation resources, head to theseparationguide.com.au . If you offer professional help and advice to people going through separation...
Oct 16, 2019•28 min•Ep. 2
'This is a time where we can have new freedoms, new opportunities. We’re not held up by perhaps how someone saw us for many years. We can rebuild ourselves, get a new sense of self and we can actually flourish.' We chat with Heather Irvine Rundle, Senior Clinical Psychologist at READ Clinic, about: Staying physically well through separation Life after separation Being in the life-long business of ‘raising children’ The transcript of this podcast is here . Thinking about separation? Our 3-minute ...
Oct 16, 2019•35 min•Season 1Ep. 1
