Back to Blog

Unpacking the Emotional Toll: A Deep Dive into Divorce Grief with Grief Coach, Shelby Forsythia

divorce grief grief during divorce grief recovery life after divorce Mar 12, 2025

In this emotional episode of the Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast, host Karen McMahon dives deep into the complex emotions of divorce grief with expert guest Shelby Forsythia, a grief coach, author, and founder of Life After Loss Academy. Together, they explore the often-overlooked and multi-layered grief that accompanies the end of a marriage and how it impacts individuals during and after divorce.

Shelby shares her personal journey through grief, starting with the loss of her mother in 2013, and how this transformed her approach to loss and healing. She reveals how unresolved grief from past losses, such as the death of a loved one or the dissolution of a marriage, can resurface during difficult transitions, like divorce. In this episode, Shelby offers practical strategies for divorce recovery, including mindfulness tools, personal stories, and the importance of setting emotional boundaries with unsupportive loved ones.

The discussion also covers how societal perceptions often ignore the grief that comes with divorce and why it’s essential to acknowledge and process these emotions to move forward. Shelby provides actionable steps to help those grieving during divorce find peace, build resilience, and rebuild a fulfilling life.

Shelby Forsythia (she/her) is a compassionate grief coach and the creator of Life After Loss Academy, a powerful online course and community that supports individuals through life transitions such as divorce, death, and diagnoses. Featured in Huffington Post, Bustle, and The Oprah Magazine, Shelby has made it her life’s work to help others embrace grief as a teacher and create meaningful lives after major loss.

Connect with Shelby:

Journey Beyond Divorce Resources:

A word from our sponsor:

TalkingParents provides a comprehensive platform designed to simplify co-parenting and enhance communication between parents. With secure messaging, a shared calendar, and features for tracking parenting time, TalkingParents ensures that all important details and agreements are documented and accessible. 

We’re grateful for TalkingParents' support in simplifying co-parenting and enhancing communication for our listeners. Discover how TalkingParents can bring clarity and organization to your co-parenting journey at www.talkingparents.com/jbd

 

00:00 Introduction to Co-Parenting Solutions
00:34 Understanding Divorce Grief
01:04 Welcome to the Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast
02:02 Meet Shelby Forsythia: Grief Guide and Author
02:38 Shelby's Journey Through Grief
07:31 The Complexities of Divorce Grief
15:20 Navigating Friendships After Loss
30:01 Personal Journey into Grief Coaching
30:15 The Residue of Past Losses
32:24 Grief and Physical Objects
34:37 Expressing Grief Through the Body
39:01 Grieving Toxic Relationships
49:28 The Long-Term Nature of Grief
50:22 Getting Stuck in Grief
59:35 Media Representations of Grief and Divorce
01:01:50 Conclusion and Resources

Feeling stuck or overwhelmed?

Letā€™s dive into your unique challenges and create a personalized plan to help you move forward.

This FREEĀ rapid relief call call is your chance to experience the powerful transformation coaching can bring to your life and future!

Book Your Call Now!