Healing After Divorce with Jill Kaufman

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Jill Kaufman, a therapist, divorce coach, and author who splits her time between Colorado and New Jersey. Jill candidly shares her personal story of a 20-year marriage, enduring a high-conflict divorce, and ultimately finding happiness and healing as a single mom and later in a blended family. Together, Amy and Jill explore the realities of ending a long-term relationship, the emotional complexities of divorce for both parents and children, and why sharing our divorce stories reduces isolation and shame.

About the Guest:

Jill Kaufman is a Divorce Coach, Therapist, Mediator & Co-parenting Expert. After going through her own difficult divorce, she made it her life’s mission to help others not have it so tough. Her book, online course, and her transformational coaching program help parents navigate the overwhelming process of divorce both emotionally and practically with less stress, more confidence and a greater sense of peace. 

Main Topics Covered:

• Jill’s marriage story: college sweethearts, 20 years together, and raising kids in a faith-based home
• The isolating experience of divorce and the importance of support and community
• How therapy and counseling—with both successes and limits—factored into the marriage’s timeline
• High-conflict divorce: working with attorneys, mediators, and the impact of adversarial legal processes
• The difficult process of telling children about divorce and supporting them through the transition
• Living together during divorce and navigating finances, co-parenting, and shared assets
• Healing after divorce: rebuilding, single parenting, new partnerships, and shifting perspectives on marriage
• The role and value of divorce coaching, and how it differs from therapy

Quote from the Episode:

“You have this little baby and you’re going to protect it for the rest of your life... and you’re hurting your children. Not in the long term—you’re helping them in the long term—but immediately it feels like you’re hurting them. All those emotions are—you can’t describe what it is to go through all of that.”—Jill Kaufman

Timestamps: [00:00:07] Opening—Jill’s bi-coastal lifestyle and sources of daily laughter

[00:01:08] Life before divorce: Meeting her husband, raising kids, and faith traditions

[00:04:34] Therapy and counseling throughout marriage, and what finally led to divorce

[00:15:34] High-conflict divorce: attorneys, mediation, and adversarial pitfalls

[00:21:16] Why divorce was harder than grief, and the emotional toll

[00:23:35] Living together during the process, asset division, and legal considerations

[00:25:35] Telling the kids, their reactions, and how they’ve coped and thrived long-term

[00:32:01] Single parenting, blended families, and Jill’s path forward

[00:34:25] Jill’s approach to divorce coaching, therapy vs coaching, and available resources

[00:36:01] Special offer for listeners and how to connect with Jill

[00:37:22] Fun rapid-fire questions and show close

Special Offer from the Guest:

30 Minute Divorce Clarity Session, Value $175, Email me at [email protected]

Note from the show: Guest offers are often limited-time and limited quantity. If you have an issue redeeming the guest offer please reach out to the guest or vendor directly.

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