Understanding what mediation is as a process, and finding the right mediator, are critical elements to developing a smart and long lasting parenting and financial agreements that are predicated on informed, thoughtful decision making.  A good mediator will discuss what your goals are for the process, what is important to each of you and will help you to craft a plan that addresses those goals and intentions.  This is important to understand, as all mediators are not created equal!

Our guest, Cara Raich, (http://www.srmediators.com/mediators/cara-raich-esq/)  (http://mediatetrix.wordpress.com/) explores the specifics of mediation in this episode of The Smart Divorce, with Deborah Moskovitch and Steve Peck.   Cara is a mediator and attorney who specializes in helping people find non-adversarial resolutions to conflict. She mediates a wide range of cases including divorce, family conflicts, and organizational and civil disputes.

Cara is dedicated to helping her clients avoid the challenges and acrimony that frequently accompany adversarial proceedings. She does this by enabling her clients to come to realistic and informed agreements that work for them and their families. Cara believes that separation and divorce are family matters with a legal element, not a lawsuit that happens to be about a family.

To understand how these goals are accomplished in a fair and reasonable manner – and gain perspectives on alternative ways to view mediation and settlement we discuss:

• What does neutrality really mean?
• What are the process choices that people have when contemplating divorce?
• How do we as a society view divorce?
• What is a successful divorce?
• What is the role the law will play in your divorce? Is the law relevant, determinative or something in between?

This interview will surely help you understand the many aspects of mediation. 

Also, Like us on our Facebook pages, The Smart Divorce and Divorce Source Radio.  Join the community!

Regular communication between you and your ex will help to make your co-parenting more successful. Communicating clearly is hard work. You and the your former partner may have longstanding conflicts that make it difficult to discuss any issue. You might misunderstand each other. Do your best to set aside those past differences and relationship issues.

In this episode of "Ask Henry" on Divorce Source Radio, Attorney Henry Gornbein addresses the topic of Parenting Time, formerly known as Visitation.

Successful Do's for Co-Parenting - Making The Most of Your Time with Your Kids

• Focus on common goals.
• Work together to resolve problems involving your child.
• Once you and the other parent agree on a plan, write it down so you are sure that you both understand.
• Inform each other about important issues affecting your child, such as those involving school, health problems, medication, and discipline.
• Call the other parent if you are going to be late, or your schedule changes.
• To resolve disagreements, seek help from a mutually trusted person, such as a counselor or a shared friend.

(The Program was recorded at The Divorce Expo in Michigan)

Many times, a person may fear becoming involved in a new relationship after divorce.  In this episode of Sex after Divorce, sex therapist Juliana Neiman helps us understand the healing process after being emotionally wounded in a past relationship.

Juliana speaks to the importance of facing your fears and discussing them with your new person of interest. If you're a woman fearing commitment, know that you're not alone. According to the State of Our Union, National Marriage Project, approximately 30 million women in the United States alone are single.  Not surprisingly, men experience the same fears as women.

You may have been married to a jerk, but that doesn't mean your new boyfriend or girlfriend has to be. Learn to spot the qualities you don't want in a new partner, to reduce the risk of marrying the same type of person you just divorced or broke up with.

For more on Juliana Neiman, visit: www.JulianaNeiman.com

In this episode of Divorce Source Radio with Steve Peck, we introduce our listeners to a new online resource for divorce.  LifeThruDivorce.com  was the brainchild of a group of friends who has each been touched by divorce.  After having  found that there is no single reliable, full-service resource to get advice, support, and empowerment from professionals and peers, they banded together to help others navigate the uncharted, and sometimes rough, seas.

Experts providing content to LifeThruDivorce include attorneys, financial planners, family therapists, mediators, realtors, travel agents, and much more. The website has resources designed to help you, regardless of the stage of the divorce process in which you find yourself, including content for parents to help identify and address their child’s emotions, stress, and acceptance.

In this program, we're joined by LifeThruDivorce partners, Perri Teitelbaum and Michelle Zudeck.  Later in the show, we're joined by a contributor to the site, advisor Julie Arkush.

To check out the website and learn more, visit: www.LifeThruDivorce.com.

In this program recorded at The Divorce Expo in Novi, Michigan, DSR Legal Corrospondent Henry Gornbein and Steve Peck speak with Family Court Judge Connie Kelley who is currently running for state Supreme Court Justice.

Citizens enter judge Kelley's courtroom with difficult, complex problems. It is her responsibility to solve those problems without bias, giving equal consideration to both the defendant and plaintiff. Judge Kelley is focused on letting both sides of the argument be heard, and then applying the law based on the facts presented. It is her philosophy that practical resolutions can often be reached without lengthy, expensive, and adversarial legal battles.

Judge Kelley talks about what it's like to be a judge and shares how she trys to help divorcing couples separate peacefully for the sake of their children.  In her job she sees much pain but realizes that much of it may be self enflicted.  She also shares some tips having a more peaceful divorce.

For more on Judge Kelley, visit: www.ConnieKelleyForJustice.com

Food plays an important role in our lives, as both sustainment and enjoyment.  When going through a divorce, many people's eating habits change.  Some people are so depressed, they don't feel like eating at all.  Others look at food as something that comforts, and they find themselves over-eating as a means of feeling better.

In this episode of The Intelligent Divorce with Mark Banschick, M.D., we unwrap the truth about food and eating disorders.  Eating disorders are one of the psychiatric illnesses that result in a number of medical complications, such as electrolyte imbalances, osteoporosis, and dental problems, as well as the many diseases related to obesity.

In this program, you'll learn the importance of eating healthy during one of the most stressful times in your life.  Dr. Banschick also educates us on the signs that you may have an eating disorder.

For more on Dr. Banschick visit:  www.TheIntelligentDivorce.com

Joanie, Lesley & Steve are back this week with ton of topics and fun.  Steve asked Lesley to write the liner notes for this show, because there was so much packed into the hour that he didn't feel up to the task.  Lesley said no.  Steve then asked Joanie if she would like to do the honor, to which she said, "You do it. You're so good at it.  Steve just wasn't up to the task and made the call to the script writers bull pen, and that's where I come in.  Who am I?  Just a fan of the show.

I don't have a clue what they talked about since I haven't heard the show, but I LOVE Single Again! Now What? and figured, piece of cake!  Steve told me they talked about Lesley's trip to New York, and that during the delay to get in her hotel room, she read the first two Fifty Shades of Grey.  (Steve thinks she arrived early on purpose to have an excuse to devour the e-books.

Steve talks about going to a big-life event and running into your ex, and then proceeded to talk about reality TV.  (He's not that deep.)  And Joanie joins the fun with her insight and sense of humor.  The show was recorded on National Prayer Day and Steve ended with a prayer.  The girls were rendered speechless!  Joanie and Lesley speechless?  Really?  Enough writing, I'm sending this in so they can post the program. Speechless... I'll believe it when I hear it.  Cheers!

"Like" our show on Facebook at: www.Facebook.com/SingleAgainNowWhat

In this episode of Divorce Source Radio with Steve Peck, Audrey Silcox, founder of the Divorce Tool Box, joins us.  Audrey is a certified divorce and family mediator, with credentials from two supreme courts, and a certified professional coach specializing in divorce.

The Divorce Tool Box is designed to help people through this most difficult stage in their lives with the tools to move forward towards a healthier, happier future. Whether contemplating divorce, making the decision to leave, in the middle of divorce, or putting your life back together after divorce, Divorce Tool Box provides valuable and comprehensive information to help you through the divorce process.

For more info on Audrey Silcox and The Divorce Tool Box, visit www.DivorceToolBox.com.  (This program was recorded at The Divorce Expo in Novi, Michigan)

For the new generation of empty-nesters, divorce is becoming more common.  Moreover, among people ages 50 and older, the divorce rate has doubled over the past 20 years.  It used to be that as people got aged, the chances of divorce declined – but this is no longer the case.  Given that the aging population is living longer and healthier, retiring post divorce is an issue for the grey divorce segment.

On this episode of The Smart Divorce with Deborah Moskovitch, our guest is Eva Sachs, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and founder of Women in Divorce Financial http://www.WomenInDivorce.ca discusses the many concerns, considerations and consequences of financial planning post divorce for the older divorcee. 

What do you need to think about, is a question many ponder. We answer that question and explore more:

• Creative solutions for a financially prudent separation agreement
• Adjusting to lifestyle differences post divorce
• Managing debt with less
• Medical/health benefits
• Retirement plans
• The home as a burden or asset

Find out how to protect yourself and develop a list of questions, as you work through your finances for a financially secure retirement.

In this episode of Divorce Source Radio with Steve Peck, Attorney Henry Gornbein and Therapist Susan Pease Gadoua discuss the legal and emotional side of divorce.

When people enter into divorce, it seems it's all about the legal aspect.  We soon realize that divorce is an extremely emotional time in our lives.  If one or both of the parties have a controlling mindset, the situation can become more hostile, potentially leading to a lengthy, destructive, and unnecessarily expensive divorce process.  Tempers flare, heels dig in, and none of it leads to satisfaction in the end.

Susan shares tips on how to navigate your divorce in a more peaceful manner and shows the value of therapy.  Henry provides advice on dealing with an attorney who is trying to stir the pot between you and your ex.  Susan reminds us of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which suggests that people are motivated to fulfill basic needs before moving on to other, more advanced, needs. If you're worried about your survival, it's hard to get to a place of love. If safety and esteem are an issue, you can't get to self-actualization.

This is a "must hear" for any of our listeners new to the process of divorce.  For more on Susan Pease Gadoua, visit: www.SusanPeaseGadoua.com, and for Henry Gornbein, visit: www.Family Law of Michigan.com.  (This program was recorded at The Divorce Expo in Novi, Michigan).