Kate Daly is co-founder of amicable and host of the The Divorce Podcast.
Kate created The Divorce Podcast to discuss and demystify divorce, separation and co-parenting in the UK. The podcast aims to address divorce in the UK with a fresh lens, countering the often sensationalist way it is portrayed in the media, challenging the status quo, driving for reform and being a source of trustworthy support and advice for people who are navigating a break-up.
Latest Episodes:
Episode #33 Helen Lederer
Kate is joined by Helen Lederer to discuss her divorce, being a single mother and how to 'get back on the horse' after separation. Helen is a comedian, writer and actress who emerged as part of the alternative comedy boom at the beginning of the 1980s. She established a stand-up act at the Comedy Store in London and then won parts in episodes of The Young Ones, which had been written by her Comedy Store contemporaries Ben Elton and Rik Mayall. Among her television credits are the BBC2 sketch series Naked Video and BBC One's Absolutely Fabulous. Helen has been a constant TV presence appearing on a myriad of comedy and panel shows as well as Theatre, taking a role in The Vagina Monologues and Calendar Girls. More recently, Helen launched a new literary prize for comic fiction written by women. Helen is twice married and once divorced and has a daughter from her first marriage.
Episode #32 Pets, separation and divorce
Kate is joined by Rory the Vet and Oli Juste, dog behaviourist, in the latest episode of The Divorce Podcast to discuss all things pet and separation. Kate and her guests explore various topics related to pets, divorce and separation – from pet anxiety if their owners split up, to whether ‘petnups’ might be the way forward. Dr Rory Cowlam, also known as Rory the Vet is a practising veterinary surgeon in the UK, with a popular television presence. Oli Juste, from Channel Four’s Puppy School, is a dog behaviourist, who provides positive, modern, ethical dog training with an emphasis on behaviour to dogs and their owners all over the UK & Europe.
Episode #31 Dr. Amy Baker
In this episode, Kate is joined by Dr. Amy Baker who has a PhD in Developmental Psychology from Teachers College of Columbia University in the USA and is a researcher, expert, author, and a nationally recognized expert in parent child relationships, especially children of divorce. Dr. Amy Baker discusses parental alienation, co-parenting with a toxic ex, and helping teenagers navigate their parent’s divorce.
Episode #30 Carl Donnelly
In this episode, Kate is joined by Carl Donnelly, who is an award-winning stand-up comedian, writer, and podcaster. Carl discusses with Kate, his divorce, it's impact on his mental health and his journey to recovery through therapy. He’s been twice nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award and appeared on a selection of TV shows such as Mock The Week, and Russell Howard’s Good News. Carl has travelled the world having performed at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, The Melbourne International Comedy Festival, The New Zealand Comedy Festival.
Episode #29 Rosie Wilby
In this episode, Kate is joined by Rosie Wilby is an award-winning comedian, author and podcaster who has appeared many times on BBC Radio 4 programmes including Woman's Hour and Four Thought. Her first book Is Monogamy Dead? was longlisted for the Polari First Book Prize and followed a trilogy of solo shows investigating the psychology of love and relationships. Her new book The Breakup Monologues is based on her acclaimed podcast of the same name. Rosie and Kate discuss the ins and outs of breakups and the role of monogamy in society.
Episode #28: Zemar Dajani
In this episode, Kate is joined by Zemar Dajani, proud mum of two girls, who are from two different marriages in two different countries. Zemar re-invented herself after her divorce from her first and very difficult marriage in Jordan. She went to law school and since qualifying, has been working as a Commercial Solicitor in London for over 15 years and is also an accredited breakup and divorce coach practitioner. Her book "From Breakup to Empowerment" is a guidebook on divorce to provide helpful tips for any person embarking on a divorce in England or America.
Episode #27: Lucy Fry
In this episode, Kate is joined by Lucy Fry writer, author and speaker. Lucy shares how she and her wife co-parent their son and how they've achieved an amicable split, despite the bumps along the road. Lucy's memoir, Easier Ways To Say I Love You, explores love, lust and loss in all its rawest forms. Lucy has worked as a weekly columnist at The Sunday Telegraph newspaper and has written articles for publications like The Guardian, Times, Telegraph, Mail on Sunday, Stylist, Psychologies and Women’s Health.
Episode #26: I want a divorce but my partner doesn't
In this episode, Kate is joined by Dee Holmes, couple counsellor for Relate and Peter Saddington is an experienced relationship counsellor and sex therapist. Relate are known as ‘the relationship people’, specialising in counselling for every type of relationship including marriage counselling, LGBT issues, divorce and parenting. The topic for this episode revolves around the difficult bit when one of you knows the relationship is over but the other person isn't ready to move forwards.
Episode #25: Dan Betts - The Breaking Dad
In this episode, Kate is joined by Dan, father and co-parent to his daughter Evie. Dan catalogues the ups and downs of co-parenting life via social media, following his separation from Evie's mother. He now has a substantial online following and is known as The Breaking Dad. The Breaking Dad shares Dan's co-parenting experience in an honest, no-frills, candid way, to show other co-parents who are struggling with parental separation that they aren’t alone.
Episode #24: The Parents Promise
In this episode, Kate is joined by James Hayhurst is the founder of the Positive Parenting Alliance and creator of the Parents Promise, and Dr. Angharad Rudkin is a clinical psychologist with 20 years experience of working with children and families. Kate, James and Dr. Angharad Rudkin discuss the newly launched Parent's Promise . You can read more about the Parent's Promise and why amicable support it here.
Episode #23: Holly Bell
In this episode, Kate is joined by Holly Bell, Great British Bake-Off finalist, author and blogger. Kate and Holly discuss her new book “I know I don't know you, but... True stories, reflections & advice on divorce", which she released following on from her divorce. Holly has three sons and decided to write the book after many women reached out to her for advice and support. The book is based off of Holly's own experience and is written a bit like a friend, who would advise you on what to do with your wedding ring as well as how to cope with sleeping alone. She believes stigma should be banished from divorce and has sat in too many coffee shops in Leicester advising friends to believe that all divorces can be amicable.
Episode #22: Financially planning your way through divorce and separation
In this episode, Kate is joined by Tamsin Caine, founder of Smart Divorce. With over 15 years experience in financial divorce-diagnostic, and following her own experience of divorce, Tamsin now advises people going through divorce and separation. In doing so, she helps empower them to take back control of their life and finances through providing bespoke divorce financial planning divorce-diagnostic to those who are faced with navigating the challenges of divorce or dissolving a civil partnership.
Episode #21: Solo episode with Kate Daly
Following the milestone of over twenty episodes of The Divorce Podcast, we wanted to give you a chance to get to know your host, Kate Daly, better. Kate shares her journey and including why she created amicable and the subsequent podcast. It's short but sweet and we hope you enjoy it learning more about Kate.
Episode #20: Ulrika Jonsson
In this episode, Kate is joined by Ulrika Jonsson, a television presenter and writer. Ulrika has an illustrious TV career including TV AM, Gladiators, Shooting Stars and Celebrity Big Brother to name just a few. Ulrika has been married three times and has four children. During this episode, Ulrika talks honestly and openly about each of her three divorces and how she and her exes have navigated co-parenting and blended families for over 25 years.
Episode #19: Sue Atkins, The Parenting Coach
In this episode, Kate is joined by Sue Atkin's, the Parenting Expert for ITV’s ‘This Morning’, BBC Radio, Disney Junior and Good Morning Britain. With over 15 years experience as a parenting coach and teacher, and a Mum to two kids, she has helped thousands of parents to overcome challenges and develop a balanced, down to earth parenting approach that creates happy, positive children, and relaxed confident parents. Kate and Sue discuss; back to school anxiety, common questions from separating and separated parents, journalling and how it can help children through their parents' divorce or separation.
Episode #18: Ian Soars, CEO of Dad.Info and Fegans
In this episode, Kate is joined by Ian Soars, CEO of Dad.Info to discuss the role of Dads, the most common topics and questions that are being asked on Dad.Info, the impact of the pandemic on shared care arrangements and visits, and how parents can avoid damaging their kids mental wellbeing when they divorce and separate. Dad.Info is one of Europe's largest support and advice website for fathers.
Episode #17: Dating after divorce (and during a pandemic)
In this episode, Kate is joined by Rachael Lloyd eharmony's relationship expert and James Preece, the UK's top celebrity dating expert and dating coach to discuss dating after divorce (and during a pandemic).
Episode #16: Mental health, divorce and work
In this episode, Kate is joined Petra Velzboer and Gareth Jones to discuss mental health during and after the breakdown of relationships. Petra’s expertise and passion in mental health in the workplace stems from her own personal experience battling mental illness and struggling with cultural and circumstantial challenges. Gareth is a passionate HR practitioner with multi sector experience including technology, media, design, and luxury consumer with over 14 years’ expertise working with some of the markets leading start-up and growth businesses.
Episode #15: Blended families
In this episode, Sophia Rantzau, a qualified counsellor, joins Kate in discussing blended families. Sophia has worked with many parents, children and blended families over the years. Drawing on her own experience of having a blended family, Sophia honestly shares her “wins” and “mistakes” as a step-mum in the book. She does this along with providing guidance, reassurance and a bit of humour to enable you to enjoy your “wins” too.
Sophia lives in Storrington, West Sussex with her husband and their two cats Cotton and Bud! Her Stepson now refers to her as “the best stepmum in the world”!
Episode #14: How to tell your children you're getting divorced
During this episode, Kate is joined by Divorce Coaches Sara Davison and Rhiannon Ford as they discuss when and how to tell your children you're getting divorced.
Sara is a break-up expert, divorce coach and best-selling author. Sara launched her break - up retreats back in 2016 and her mission is to banish stigma around divorce. Rhiannon is a divorce consultant, and was previously a family lawyer, and left the profession to support people with more practical help and emotional support.
The trio discuss when and how to tell your children, how to tailor the conversation for different ages and stages, how to support your child in the early stages of separating, how to spot if your child isn't coping well with the news and the change.
Episode #13: Dads and Divorce with OnlyDads
Bob Greig is the co-founder of OnlyDads and OnlyMums that was set up to support Mums and Dads through divorce, separation and co-parenting.
Episode #12: Meet the founders of The Divorce Surgery
Meet specialist family law barristers Samantha Woodham and Harry Gates who founded The Divorce Surgery.
Hear why they believe their 'one couple, one lawyer' approach is better for many separating couples over the traditional lawyer vs lawyer approach. Samantha and Harry's insights and advice for couples who are about to embark on their divorce or separation, including how to avoid the common obstacles. The importance of early intervention and impartial advice on what the options are for sorting out their separation. How we, as a society need to change our approach to divorce and separation by not seeing it as a failure.
Episode #11: Anthea Turner
During this episode, Kate is joined by Anthea Turner. Anthea has been in the spotlight for over 30 years presenting some of the UK's favourite shows including GMTV, Blue Peter, The National Lottery and most recently starring in the brilliant Celebrity SAS on Channel 4.
In 2018, Anthea wrote ‘How To Survive Divorce’, which aims to inspire, motivate and help those going through relationship breakups. How to Survive Divorce is Anthea's candid take on the emotional toll the end of her marriage took on her well-being and how she came out of the ordeal, a stronger, more confident woman.
Anthea shares her experience of divorce and what it was like for such a private moment to be so public, what led Anthea to write her book and her advice for couples who are facing their separation journey.
You can purchase Anthea's book via Splendid Publications or Amazon.
Episode #10: No-Fault divorce update with Nigel Shepherd
No-fault divorce is not yet law in England and Wales despite a 2019 YouGov poll commissioned by Resolution showed 71% of the population agrees that no-fault divorce is urgently needed to protect the long-term interests of children.
On Wednesday 17th June, No-fault divorce given the go-ahead in England and Wales as the Divorce Bill passed its final stages in Parliament.
During this episode, Kate is joined by Nigel Shepherd. Nigel Shepherd is twice Chair, honorary Life Member and current national committee member of Resolution, adviser to family law funder Ampla Finance, and Consultant with the national firm law firm, Mills & Reeve. The firm and Nigel, in particular, were permitted to intervene in the now infamous Tini Owens case divorce case.
Nigel has been campaigning for no-fault divorce for over 25 years and was awarded the John Cornwell Award for Outstanding Contribution to Family Law at the Jordans Family Law Awards in 2019.
Nigel breaks down what the Divorce Bill is, what's going to change from the current divorce laws in England and Wales and when it's likely to become law (because it isn't yet). This is a brilliant episode that succinctly summarises what's in the news and what it means for couples who are divorcing and separating in England and Wales.
Episode #9: Aruna Bansal, Founder of The Asian Single Parents Network
In 2011 Aruna founded the Asian Single Parents Network, the network was created for Asian single parents and their kids and offers a network of support and friendship, and to enhance lives in the process.
Listen to Aruna's story and how the Asian Single Parents Network is supporting single parents across the UK.
Episode #8: John Hind, Mediator and Conflict Coach
During this episode, Kate is joined by John Hind. John is a Family/Civil/Workplace mediator, lawyer, NLP practitioner, conflict coach and national conflict resolution trainer. Kate and John discuss what mediation is when it comes to divorce and separation, what the process looks like and how it can help couples to navigate the divorce and separation journey. Advice for couples who are at the beginning the divorce process, and the importance of understanding all the options available to resolve things and move forward. How Covid-19 is impacting mediation and how John helps couples to move through conflict and improve communication.
Episode #7: Frolo, The Online Community for Single Parents
This week host Kate Daly is joined by Zoë Desmond, the founder of Frolo.
Frolo is a community for single parents, parents connect through online (mainly through the Frolo app and offline events too. Listen to hear how and Zoë created Frolo with and for single parents.
Episode #6: What is a Divorce Coach?
This week, Kate is joined by Claire Black. Claire is a Bristol based Divorce Coach who helps people to navigate the divorce process. Find out what divorce coaching is and if it may be right for you and your ex. Claire also shares her own divorce journey and how it impacted her career and outlook on life. Claire also shares advice for separating couples who are currently in lockdown together because of COVID-19.
Episode #5: COVID-19 Co-parenting
In this special Coronavirus episode, host Kate Daly is joined by co-parenting expert Marcie Shaoul. We are living in the most extraordinary times and all having to adjust to a new way of living. For co-parents, amicable or not, this is a challenge period of our lives. During this episode Marcie shares what she's observed with her clients and what co-parents can do to navigate this time and embrace the gifts and opportunities.
Episode #4: ‘Happily even after’ – the legal process vs the emotional journey
In this episode Kate is joined by Nigel Shepherd, Head of Family Law at Mills and Reeve and David Leckie, Global Director of The Divorce Hotel.
The discussion covers the current divorce processes including the concept behind new ways to divorce including Divorce Hotel and the Australian model for divorce. The emotional journey of divorce vs the legal process. Ending the blame game - the case for no-fault divorce, including an overview of Tini Owen’s divorce case. The issue of access to justice, advice, and guidance. What’s got to change to improve the divorce journey for families? How the experience of the divorce as a child – how does it affect younger people who are getting divorced.
Episode #3: Divorce and co-parenting
In this episode, Kate Daly is joined by CAFCASS CEO, Anthony Douglas, Penny Mansfield – Director of One plus One and Sociologist specialising in couple and family relationships, and Marcie Shaoul – a co-parenting expert and founder of Rolling Stone Coaching. The guests discuss divorce and parenting and the challenges couples face when transitioning from parent to co-parent, as well as the skills and knowledge parents need to enable a positive co-parenting relationship. Kate discusses the trend towards shared parenting and the importance of being emotionally ready to divorce and make arrangements. The episode also explores how divorce effects children and what can be done to protect them and help them thrive.
Episode #2: Today’s Divorce laws – fit for purpose? A discussion with David Hodson OBE
In this episode, we discuss how divorce has changed over the years and how expectations of our new generation clash with the expectations of the past. The case for no-fault divorce. The conceptuality of marriage and divorce. The options for a new way to divorce and what we can learn from other countries. The power of reflection periods. How technology is changing the divorce process. Mediation – the government has invested heavily in promoting mediate, so why hasn’t it taken off? The benefits and downsides of the range of current ways to get divorced.
Episode #1: Divorce & Society
Jeremy Gordon, Rabbi of New London Synagogue, Thomas Pascoe, Campaign Director at the Coalition for Marriage, and Isabel Russo, Head of Ceremonies at Humanists UK, join Kate for this inaugural episode of the Divorce Podcast. In this edition, they discuss divorce in our society, and whether, as society changes, divorce laws should change too; the current system of divorce, and how it affects couples looking to separate; whether No Fault divorce serves to help or hinder the most vulnerable people in our society; and the role of religious institutions and their leaders.
The Divorce Podcast Channels:
If you would like to be involved in future episodes of the Divorce Podcasts or have a topic / guest suggestion, then please get in touch.
