In this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, host Ashley-Nicole Russell is joined by Ashley Michael to explore the profound role of faith during divorce and how spiritual guidance can transform one of life’s most challenging transitions. From personal experience to professional insight, they unpack how leaning on God—not material things, relationships, or temporary fixes—can provide true comfort and resilience during marital separation.

Ashley-Nicole Russell reframes what healing and strength really look like during divorce: embracing personal growth, spiritual renewal, and collaborative approaches that reduce chaos, foster accountability, and promote long-term emotional well-being.

Together, Ashley-Nicole Russell and Ashley Michael break down:

• Why faith can serve as a stabilizing force amid the chaos of divorce.
• How a faith-based approach to family law supports better legal and emotional outcomes.
• The ripple effects of unresolved conflict on children, communities, and workplaces.
• Practical ways to lean into God as the ultimate source of comfort during personal upheaval.
• Biblical guidance from First Peter, Matthew, and Isaiah on resilience, hope, and peace.
• How integrating spirituality into legal processes transforms not only clients, but also the attorneys and staff supporting them.
• This powerful conversation challenges the notion that comfort comes from external sources and advocates for a higher standard of support, accountability, and emotional healing during divorce. True peace and growth come from spiritual grounding, personal reflection, and trusting God through the process.

Resources & Links:

Learn more about faith-based approaches to divorce at ANRLaw.com

Follow Ashley-Nicole Russell and ANR Law on social media: @ANRLaw

In this episode of Divorce, Healthy!, host Ashley-Nicole Russell is joined by Ashley Michael to unpack one of today’s most troubling social media trends: the so-called “divorce glow up.” From flashy Instagram posts to celebrity headlines, the idea that divorce equals a glamorous reinvention is not only misleading, but deeply harmful—especially for children caught in the middle.

Ashley-Nicole Russell challenges the toxic narrative that a post-divorce makeover is something to celebrate. Instead, she reframes what a true “glow up” looks like: taking accountability, practicing self-reflection, and choosing healthier, collaborative approaches to divorce that protect children, preserve dignity, and promote long-term emotional well-being.

Together, Ashley-Nicole Russell and Ashley Michael break down:

• Why the “divorce glow up” is damaging to families and children.
• How social media glamorizes divorce in unrealistic ways.
• The ripple effects of high-conflict divorce on kids, communities, and workplaces.
• What It Really Means to Model Conflict Resolution for Children.
• How prenuptial agreements and collaborative divorce can prevent years of pain and litigation.
• Sobering statistics on how adversarial divorces impact mental health, substance abuse, and future relationships.
• Celebrity examples—from Reese Witherspoon to Jennifer Garner—that highlight the importance of handling divorce with dignity and accountability.

This powerful conversation challenges cultural myths and advocates for a new standard in how we approach separation, parenting, and personal growth following divorce. The real “glow up” isn’t about Botox or gym selfies—it’s about breaking cycles of conflict, protecting your children, and becoming a healthier version of yourself.

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about collaborative divorce and conflict resolution at ANRLaw.com.
• Get your copy of The Cure for Divorce Culture by Ashley-Nicole Russell.
• Follow Ashley-Nicole and ANR Law on social media: @ANRLaw

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.