This episode of Divorce, Healthy! features Attorney Ashley-Nicole Russell and her business partner Attorney Ashley Michael. They discuss the profound impact of divorce, not only on the immediate family but also on co-workers, employers, friends, and the broader community. They emphasize that divorce can change how people approach the world, both individually and as a community.

They advocate for a better way forward in divorce and conflict resolution, drawing on their personal and professional experiences in collaborative family law. They aim to shift the conversation around divorce by providing insights into the culture of conflict and its statistical effects on children and adults. They offer collaborative strategies for managing divorce at home and in the workplace.

The speakers highlight the destructive impact of litigation on the workforce, noting that divorcing individuals often experience decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and mental duress, which can affect their job performance and the overall business. They stress the importance of employer assistance programs (EAPs) and educational resources to help employees navigate divorce more healthily.

They contrast the chaotic and unpredictable nature of litigation—with its extensive document production, intense depositions, and court appearances—with the more controlled and cooperative processes of mediation and collaborative divorce. They share personal anecdotes and discuss how litigation can be intrusive and emotionally draining, leading to long-term "generational damage" for families.

The discussion also touches on the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study, which identifies divorce as one of ten significant factors affecting children's well-being. They argue that while divorce is a reality, the goal should be to approach it in a way that minimizes negative effects on children and future generations. The episode concludes by advocating for a "cure for divorce culture" by promoting collaborative and healthier approaches to conflict resolution.

Tune in to this episode of Divorce, Healthy! with Ashley-Nicole Russell, Collaborative Attorney serving Beaufort, Wilmington, and Greenville, NC.

💡 Featured Guest 💡

Name: Ashley Michael, Esq.

What she does: Ashley Michael is one of the few recognized adoption specialist attorneys in North Carolina, the co-owner and managing attorney of Michael & Russell, PLLC, the only collaborative family law firm and adoption firm in southeast North Carolina. Whether she is working on domestic, juvenile, or guardianship cases, Ashley Michael uses her training as a litigator, mediator, and collaborative law professional to resolve people’s issues with empathy and respectability. Attorney Michael is also Board Certified in Family Law by the North Carolina State Bar, NC-CAN Board of Directors, Founder of Coastal Collaborative, and Family Financial Mediator.

⭐ To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com.

⭐ You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw.

⭐ Collaborative Divorce Attorney Ashley-Nicole Russell has law offices serving clients in Greenville, Raleigh, Beaufort, and Wilmington.

⭐ Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.

More information can be found at anrlaw.com, thecopparent.org, and michaelandrussell.com.