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In this episode, we sit down with Olivia Howell, CEO and co-founder of Fresh Starts, the world’s first divorce registry and divorce education platform, to talk honestly about divorce, emotional abuse, financial control, and what women actually need before, during, and after separation.

Olivia shares her personal story of leaving an emotionally abusive marriage, becoming a single mother of two, and rebuilding her life — not through shame or secrecy, but through support, education, and community. We unpack why emotional abuse is often invisible, how gaslighting and financial control slowly erode self-trust, and why so many women don’t recognize abuse until years into a relationship.

We also explore why divorce is one of the most misunderstood life transitions, especially for mothers. Olivia explains why “just leave” advice is often dangerous, how lack of access to money keeps women stuck, and why divorce education is frequently gatekept behind legal and financial barriers.

This episode covers:

• Financial abuse, surveillance, and control inside marriage
• How Fresh Starts connects women to divorce coaches, financial analysts, mediators, and co-parenting support
• Why divorce isn’t a failure — but a transition that can lead to stability and clarity and an amazing co-parenting relationship

This conversation is essential listening for anyone navigating divorce, separation, emotional abuse, financial independence, single motherhood, or co-parenting, as well as friends and family who want to better support someone going through it.

divorce podcast, emotional abuse, financial abuse in marriage, divorce support for women, single motherhood, life after divorce, co-parenting, divorce education, gaslighting, domestic inequity, married single mom, women and divorce, abusive relationships, Fresh Starts divorce, divorce recovery, modern motherhood, coparenting

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