What if everything you've been told about retirement is wrong—especially after divorce?

In this episode, Natalie and Diana explore why the traditional retirement model might actually be keeping you stuck in fear and financial anxiety. You'll discover how retirement is just a cultural construct from 1889 that may not serve your post-divorce life at all—and what to do instead.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Why divorced women might actually have a strategic advantage when it comes to financial freedom (this will surprise you!)
• What you're really seeking isn't retirement—it's something far more attainable starting TODAY
• The shocking math behind traditional retirement that explains why you feel so much pressure
• How working longer could actually reduce your stress and create MORE freedom (not less!)
• The powerful question that replaces "Will I have enough money?" and changes everything
• Why your most valuable asset has nothing to do with your 401(k)
• The "portfolio life" concept that gives you options instead of leaving you dependent on one income source

Resources mentioned:

• Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode 897 with Derek Coburn
• Book: "Let's Retire Retirement" by Derek Coburn
• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.
• Flying Higher is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $590 for an entire year of learning how to be remarkable in every way!
• Be sure to check out Diana’s podcast, Renew Your Mind!

Full show notes HERE

In Season 3, Episode 8 of the Divorced Christian Woman Podcast, Natalie and Diana sit down with Diane Wallenta, a certified divorce lending specialist with 25 years in the mortgage industry. If you're confused about whether you can afford to buy, whether you're "too old" to get a mortgage, or whether you should just keep renting, this conversation is for you.

You'll learn the truth about age limits, what lenders actually look at when you're divorced, how to rebuild your credit after divorce, and why your gut instinct about your budget matters more than what you "qualify" for. Diane breaks down the numbers without the intimidation and gives you the roadmap for making the housing decision that's right for your unique situation.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Why an 89-year-old man just got a 30-year mortgage (and what that means for you)
• The hidden reason renting might be your smartest financial move right now
• What loan officers don't tell you about the "12-24 month rule" for divorced women
• The one mistake with child support payments that could tank your mortgage application
• Why the amount you "qualify" for could be a trap (and how realtors benefit from it)

Would you like to talk to Diane about your situation? You can contact her by email: dwallenta@fbst.com or phone: 612-875-7414

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.
• Flying Higher is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $59/month.
• Be sure to check out Diana’s podcast, Renew Your Mind!

Today we’re going to explore something you probably never expected to find after divorce: abundance. Not the kind with a big bank account. The kind that fills your soul.

You'll hear about the shift that happens when you stop waiting for heaven and start creating it now. There's a perspective change that transforms your ex from villain to... something surprising. And you'll discover why one woman says she makes poverty look good and absolutely means it as a compliment.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• The difference between being financially wealthy and living a rich life
• Why your rich life might have nothing to do with your bank account
• What changes when you ask yourself one simple question every single day
• The identity shift that makes healthy habits actually stick
• How to know if something is worth the cost (hint: it's not about the price tag)

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Let’s talk about everyone’s favorite topic: death and disaster! Kidding. Kind of.

In this episode, I sat down with Leah Hadley (who has so many professional credits after her name, that I’ll just let you scroll down to see all of them. Trust me. She’s qualified.) to tackle the post-divorce brain bender that is estate planning and insurance.

If you’ve ever wanted to scream into the void because you don’t know what kind of health insurance to get or who should get your vintage Corelle dishes when you die, this episode is for you.

Because as Leah and I discussed, doing nothing is still doing something. But is it really what you WANT to do?

Key Takeaways:

• Insurance isn’t evil. It’s protection.
• Health insurance gets complicated after divorce.
• Life insurance = love letter from the grave.
• Auto, renter’s, and umbrella insurance matter.
• Estate planning isn’t about death. It’s about love.
• Update beneficiaries, stat.
• Power of attorney & healthcare directives = urgent.
• Considering marriage again? Get a prenup.

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.
• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $59/month.
• Get free classes through Leah’s Instagram account.

Today's guest is Leah Hadley, AFC®, CDFA®, MAFF®

Founder/Senior Financial Planner

As the Founder of Intentional Divorce Solutions (formerly known as Great Lakes Divorce Financial Solutions) and Intentional Wealth Partners. Leah Hadley is committed to guiding clients to financial independence through thoughtful and strategic planning.

An influential voice in the financial community, Leah is a sought-after speaker and expert in overcoming financial setbacks and navigating the financial complexities of divorce. She's a frequent guest on podcasts and has contributed her insights to numerous books and online platforms. Leah is also the author of "When It's Just Not Working: A Practical Divorce Guide for Stay-At-Home Moms." At the heart of her practice, Leah finds genuine satisfaction in empowering her clients to achieve their most heartfelt financial goals.

In her leisure time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and spending quality time with her husband, three children, and three dogs.

Professional Credentials:

• Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC)
• Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA)
• Master Analyst in Financial Forensics (MAFF)
• Collaboratively trained Financial Neutral
• Mediator trained through an Ohio Supreme Court-approved program with 100+ hours of continuing education in alternative dispute resolution

So, you want to start a business?

In this episode, Diana and I share our not-so-glamorous but totally doable journeys of starting businesses from the ground up.

We’ll help you get clear on whether building a business is even for you, how to start small, test your ideas and how to make peace with imperfection. You’ll walk away with tangible steps and permission to start messy.

Key Takeaways:

• You don’t need permission to start a business.
• Fear and perfectionism are lying liars.
• Approval-based thinking will kill your dream.
• Start small. Test first.
• Your business doesn’t have to be full-time or world-changing on Day One.
• If you’re not confident, you’re normal.

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.
• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $59/month.
• Be sure to check out Diana’s podcast, Renew Your Mind, and then reach out to her at diana@dianaswillinger.com to get business coaching.

This week we’re going to tackle one of the most pressing questions divorced women face: What if you're rebuilding from nothing? What if you had to take on debt just to leave? And what if the shame around your financial situation feels heavier than the actual numbers?

There's a two-word phrase that changes everything when it comes to managing your money. You'll discover unconventional ways women have eliminated major expenses while still living full lives. And you'll hear why one of the biggest lies you've been told might be the very thing keeping you stuck.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Why the emotion attached to your debt matters more than the number
• The two-word reframe that removes anxiety from financial planning
• What actually happens when you call your lenders
• The creative income strategies you've probably never considered
• Why your timeline doesn't have to match anyone else's expectations

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Diana’s podcast, Renew Your Mind
• Jillian’s podcast, Hungry for Love
• Flying Higher is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $59/month.
• Money with Katie Budgeting Tool
• Monarch Budgeting App (Get 50% off your first year HERE)

In this episode of The Divorced Christian Woman Podcast, I’m joined by Diana Swillinger and accredited financial counselor and tax genius Dee Carter.

Whether you’re DIY-ing your taxes or outsourcing to someone, this one’s for you.

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.
• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $59/month.
• Get in touch with today’s guest, Dee Carter: mdcarter1205@gmail.com
• Check out the Renew Your Mind Podcast with Diana Swillinger

Today’s Guest: Dee Carter

Dee is an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC). She has 15 years of experience as a tax professional where she educates, guides, and supports her clients through their tax preparation, planning and responding to the IRS, if necessary. She empowers women through education in personal finance and helps them build financial confidence through creating and achieving financial goals.

"I'm not selling my house right now, so it doesn't matter what it's worth today."

That one sentence changed everything about how I look at my INVESTMENT accounts. And if watching your investments go up and down makes you want to hide under the covers, you need to hear this analogy.

Today we’re talking about investing after divorce by breaking down the three buckets every divorced woman needs to understand, what to do with settlement money sitting in your bank account, and when you actually need a financial advisor versus when you can handle it yourself.

If you've ever thought "someone needs to rescue me financially," this episode is for you.

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.
• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $59/month.
• The Renew Your Mind Podcast with Diana Swillinger
• Dave Ramsey Baby Steps
• Money with Katie Show
• Investing for Dummies

Today's Guest: Samantha Compton, President & Senior Financial Advisor

It wasn’t until a major life event that Samantha realized a desire to understand and set up her own financial future. That transitional experience helps her remember that financial topics can be intimidating and confusing, especially for those unfamiliar with industry lingo.

Once Samantha became educated and equipped in her own finances, she wanted to serve others by giving insight for their financial futures. She especially enjoys helping women going through divorce and/or the loss of a spouse as well as facilitating financial conversations between couples and helping the non-CFO of the family understand what is in place for their future.

Samantha has helped singles and couples develop their long-term financial plans since 2012, when she began her financial career. In 2016, she transitioned to Wise Wealth as a senior financial advisor, and in 2023, she opened Insight Wealth, an EverSource Wealth Advisors team.