Divorce can be the best thing that ever happened to you.

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy talks with Linda Stephens, a clinical nutritionist, IFBB Pro athlete, and nationally recognized women’s health expert, about how her 2017 divorce became the beginning of a powerful reinvention. What started as a painful life transition became an opportunity to get honest about what she wanted, step into her next chapter and help other women do the same.

Amy and Linda discuss what it means for women in midlife to stop accepting outdated messages about aging, hormones and menopause–and start advocating for themselves. This is a conversation about strength, clarity, health and why your 50s and beyond can be one of the most powerful seasons of your life.

In this episode, we cover:

• Linda’s divorce story and how it became a turning point
• Reinventing yourself in midlife
• How she got into fitness, nutrition, and women’s health
• Why women need to self-advocate in today’s medical system
• The problem with outdated standards of care around menopause
• How to see menopause as an opportunity, not just a struggle
• What’s possible for women in their 50s and beyond

If this episode speaks to you, share it with a woman who needs the reminder that it is not too late to become stronger, healthier, and more fully yourself.

If you’re navigating divorce or thinking about it, connect with Amy for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info

Find out more about Linda Stephens Health & Wellness here: www.lindamstephens.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindastephensfit/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindamstephens

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindastephensfit/

For many women, the family home feels like the heart of the family–the place tied to stability, memories and the future they imagined.

But in divorce, decisions about the house can quickly become complicated, emotional, and financially risky.

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Divorce Coach Amy Polacko is joined by mortgage advisor and Certified Divorce Lending Professional John Marroni to talk about what divorcing women need to know before deciding whether to keep the home, sell it, or start over somewhere new. Because what looks good in a divorce agreement still has to work in real life.

This episode covers:

• Why keeping the house is not always as simple as being awarded it in divorce

• The difference between emotional attachment and financial reality

• How buyouts work and what women need to understand before agreeing to one

• Whether you can take over an existing mortgage• How HELOCs and other debts can complicate the picture

• When selling the family home may actually be the smartest move

• The importance of getting answers early, before a settlement is signed

If you’re navigating divorce and trying to make smart, strategic decisions, connect with Amy for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info

John's info:

Website: https://www.divorcelendingassociation.com/offices/john-marroni.cfm

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmarroni/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnmarronidkmc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marronijohn/

#girlwakeup #podcast #takeyourpowerback #divorcesupport #financialeducation

Too many women enter divorce believing family court will be the place where fairness finally shows up. Instead, many find a system that is expensive, exhausting, slow and often blind to power imbalances playing out behind closed doors.

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy sits down with Chicago divorce attorney and mediator Kimberly Cook for a candid conversation about why family court so often does not feel fair-and what women need to understand before they enter it.

Kimberly shares what shifted for her after the pandemic, when she began moving away from litigation and toward mediation.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why so many women walk away from family court feeling shocked and disillusioned
• What Kimberly saw in litigation that led to her own professional wakeup call
• How the pandemic changed the way she viewed divorce and dispute resolution
• What mediation can do well — and where it can fall short
• When mediation is not safe, balanced or appropriate
• How women can better prepare themselves before stepping into divorce or family court

Learn more about Kimberly A. Cook:

Schiller DuCanto Fleck: https://sdflaw.com/team/detail/kimberly-a-cook

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyjohnsoncook

Instagram: @growngirldivorce

Podcast: available on iTunes, Spotify, IHeartRadio, Audible

How to connect with Amy Polacko:

Book a free Divorce or Life Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.

Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe

Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube or on your favorite podcast platform: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

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0:00 - 00:45 Podcast Intro: Girl Wake Up

00:45 - 02:43 Episode Overview: Family Court Realities | Introducing Kimberly Cook

2:44 - 6:36 The Disconnect Between TV and Reality | Expectations vs. Experience | The 5% Trial Myth

6:37 - 14:08 Litigation vs. Mediation

14:09 - 17:30 Navigating Power Imbalances | Financial Abuse and Mediation Concerns | Creating Balance with Attorney Assistance

17:31 - 21:41 Strategic Preparation for Divorce | Educating Yourself on Legal Basics | Uncovering Hidden Financial Knowledge | The Reality Show Timeline Strategy | Modern Trends in Divorce Settlements |

21:42 - 27:54 The High Cost of Legal Conflict High Conflict Case Options | The Reality of Legal Billing The Role of a Divorce Coach

27:55 - 37:37 Listener Advice: Truth, Traps, and Tactics | Truth or Trap: Flexibility in Court Letter: Feeling Scrutinized by the System | Reframing the Narrative for Judges | Battles vs. The Long Game Strategy

37:37 Conclusion and Resources

Betrayal doesn’t just break your heart, it can break your sense of reality. In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, we’re unpacking betrayal trauma–why it’s so uniquely devastating and what it actually does to your mind and body when trust is shattered.

Amy is joined by Dr. Jill Manning, a leading expert in betrayal trauma, to talk about the real impact of infidelity, secrecy and hidden behaviors–and why so many women feel destabilized after discovering the truth.

We also explore how pornography is shaping both young people and adult relationships in ways many aren’t talking about.

We cover:

• What makes betrayal trauma different from typical heartbreak

• The psychological impact of infidelity and deception

• Why women often feel confused, anxious or “crazy” after betrayal

• How pornography is influencing expectations, intimacy and trust

• Where healing begins after your reality has been shaken

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Website: https://drjillmanning.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjillmanning/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjillmanning/

Two-Day Intensives: https://drjillmanning.com/intensives/

Digital Downloads: https://drjillmanning.com/digital-downloads/ Directory of Betrayal Trauma experts: www.APSATS.org

Book a free Divorce or Life Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here. Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe

Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

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Episode Timestamp:

00:01 - 00:45 Girl Wake Up! Intro

00:46 - 02:44 Introduction to Betrayal Trauma & guest Dr. Jill Manning

02:45 - 06:04 The "Wake Up" that changed the course of Dr. Manning's career path

07:53 - 10:12 Betrayal Trauma Explained (This isn't just "heart break"– it's neurological)

11:21 - 11:58 Secondary Trauma & the psychological & physiological effects

13:16 - 13:54 Gaslighting is commonly involved in Betrayal Trauma

13:55 - 14:31 Why your support & surroundings matter during trauma

14:57 - 17:40 How does your brain + body respond when your partner cheats?

18:08 - 21:37 Your nervous system is on fire – fight or flight -vs- freeze response & getting help

21:45 - 26:50 Betrayal Trauma & Gaslighting

26:54 - 28:25 The three phases of navigating betrayal

28:26 - 30:55 Betrayal Trauma & making good decisions in the divorce process

32:33 - 35:16 Why specialize care matters in life & divorce

37:28 - 41:06 Truth or Trap: Is pornography harmless as long as it doesn't involve cheating?

41:38 - 43:30 Sexual Ethics & Values as a metric

50:00 - 50:36 Final thoughts

50:37 - 50:58 GIRL, WAKE UP! outro

For years, women were told we were making steady progress—that equality was inevitable. But in today’s world, many of those assumptions are being challenged. Rights are being rolled back. Misogyny feels louder. And women are left asking: Was that progress real—or were we sold a version of empowerment that didn’t fully protect us?

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, I sit down with feminist scholar and writer Dr. Marcie Bianco to unpack what feminism looks like right now—in a moment of backlash, confusion and cultural shift.

This is not a surface-level conversation. We go deeper—questioning where feminism has succeeded, where it may have fallen short, and what women need to understand moving forward.

• Why feminism may need a reboot in today’s climate
• The difference between real power vs. the illusion of empowerment
• The growing backlash against feminism and what it means
• What modern feminism gets right—and where it needs to evolve
• How feminism shows up in dating, relationships and everyday life
• What women should be paying attention to right now
• Practical ways women can take back agency and protect themselves

Learn more about Dr. Marcie Bianco here:

marciebianco.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcie-bianco/

https://www.instagram.com/marciebianco/?hl=en

Book a free Divorce or Life Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.

Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe

Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

Even if you have felt like you knew where the family assets were, they can also start mysteriously moving around!

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, I sit down with forensic accountant Sara Nanchanatt to expose what really happens behind the scenes when spouses try to hide assets. From secret accounts to “missing” income, we break down the financial games that can cost women everything if they’re not paying attention.

Because here’s the truth: if you don’t follow the money, you may never see it.

• What a forensic accountant actually does in divorce cases
• The most common ways spouses hide money
• Red flags that something isn’t adding up
• Why “I don’t have the money” is often not the full story
• How lifestyle can reveal more than financial documents
• The truth about cash businesses, cryptocurrency and hidden income
• When to bring in a forensic expert—and why timing matters
• The biggest mistakes women make when it comes to finances in divorce
• How to protect yourself before and during the process

You can learn more about Sara on her S.N. Forensics website–tell her that Amy sent you:

https://www.snforensics.com/

Book a free Divorce or Life Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.

Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe

Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

Violence against women is often described as unpredictable. But according to one of the world’s leading criminologists, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy speaks with Laura Richards, a global expert on coercive control, stalking and risk assessment. Richards has spent decades studying the patterns behind men’s violence and the warning signs that are too often dismissed by police, courts and other institutions.

• What coercive control really is–and why it’s often misunderstood
• Why violence against women is predictable, not random
• The warning signs professionals frequently miss or minimize
• Why separation and divorce can increase danger for women
• How charm and social status can obscure dangerous behavior
• Why institutions often label women “low risk” before tragedy

Where to find Laura Richards:

YouTube @crimeanalyst

Instagram @crimeanalyst @laurarichards999

Twitter @thecrimeanalyst @laurarichards99

TikTok @crimeanalystpod

Websites www.crime-analyst.com

https://www.thelaurarichards.com,

https://www.dashriskchecklist.com/

Now, more women are wearing them for a different reason–and the term “divorce ring” isn’t always strong enough.

That’s where the F-You Ring comes in. It’s a growing term among women who choose to mark the end of a relationship not with silence or shame–but with a symbol of independence.

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy speaks with Alex Weinstein, an influencer who went viral after creating her own F-You ring after a breakup, and Mollie Suarez, a jeweler who designed one for herself after divorce and now helps other women create theirs.

Both women were featured in Amy’s recent Guardian article on the rise of F-You Rings, and together they explore why more women are reclaiming jewelry–and their stories–on their own terms.

• How Alex Weinstein’s breakup inspired her to create her own F-You ring

• Why Mollie Suarez began designing these rings for women after experiencing divorce herself

• The emotional power of reclaiming an engagement diamond or creating something new

• Why the idea of women buying meaningful jewelry for themselves is gaining momentum

• What the F-You ring really represents–anger, closure, freedom or reinvention

• How women are rewriting the narrative around divorce and breakups

• The deeper cultural shift behind this trend

Follow Alex Weinstein on Instagram: @alexandrajaye

Learn more about Mollie Suarez’ Westshore Diamond: https://www.westshorediamond.com

Follow Westshore Diamond on Instagram: @westshorediamond

Book a free Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.

Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe

Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts