Surviving a High Conflict Divorce Changed My Life with Paulette Rigo

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Paulette Rigo—divorce coach, credentialed mediator, and founder of Better Divorce Academy—to explore the realities of surviving and rebuilding after a high-conflict, litigated divorce. Paulette shares her personal story of a twenty-one-year marriage that ended in an eight-and-a-half-year court battle, how it sparked a total life transformation, and her mission to disrupt the divorce industry by empowering others through education, support, and mediation.About the Guest:Paulette Rigo is the CEO of Better Divorce Academy as a Credentialed Private ADR Mediator, Certified Divorce Coach, Speaker, Podcast Host and Author.Main Topics Covered:Paulette’s origin story: Growing up in a legacy-driven ballet family, marrying young, and living by others’ expectationsThe realities of high-conflict divorce: An eight-and-a-half-year court battle, financial and emotional toll, and learning the legal system from the insideBreaking family and cultural taboos around divorce, especially in faith-based upbringingsThe psychological and practical steps required for rebuilding after divorce—“exfoliating the soul and the body and the mind”Why divorce is a $50+ billion industry and how mediation can save time, money, and sanityThe importance of self-awareness, learning to say “no,” and reclaiming one’s passionsHow Paulette turned her pain into purpose, and positioned herself as a disruptor and educator in the divorce spaceStrategies for preserving dignity, managing court requirements, and building a new life after leaving a consuming relationshipQuote from the Episode:“My whole life felt like it wasn’t my life. I felt like I was being an actress and I was pretty good at it. Even my best friend said, ‘I had no idea.’ … It was an exfoliation of the soul and of the body and the mind.” — Paulette RigoTimestamps: [00:00:05] Paulette’s introduction and background (Boston, Belize, Atlanta)[00:00:50] Favorite ways to transition to downtime[00:01:45] Meeting her ex, marrying young, and family pressures[00:05:43] Growing up with Catholicism and inherited divorce stories[00:11:11] On recognizing the signs, power dynamics, and ignoring inner doubts[00:18:23] Stepping into family business and building a consuming life[00:22:08] The tipping point: resentment, self-reflection, and quitting the job[00:27:58] An eight-and-a-half year divorce, the court system, and financial realities[00:32:08] Mediation, legal complexities, and why mediation sometimes fails[00:38:53] The aftermath: changing everything, self-discovery, and new beginnings[00:47:10] Becoming a mediator and advocate for change in the divorce process[00:50:15] The true cost of divorce and how Paulette’s work saves others time and money[00:53:17] Closing questions and Paulette’s plant-based lifestyleSpecial Offer from the Guest:Paulette is offering a FREE digital version of her book and workbook, Better Divorce Blueprint, for listeners. Visit betterdivorceacademy.com to download.Note from the show: Guest offers are often limited-time and limited quantity. If you have an issue redeeming the guest offer, please reach out to the guest or vendor directly.If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/supportNever Miss a Moment of Imperfect AdultingWe invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.Why subscribe?Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast appGet guest offers delivered straight to your inboxAccess all important links in one convenient placeCatch the highlights even when you don't have time to listenAre you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com If you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that happen. Pitch yourself at https://www.imperfectadulting.com/be-a-guestHere are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)For livestreaming and recording ECamm https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=amy69Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofjFor Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stonebefore that I used Kit. Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors