Understanding Divorce Grief and Why It Happens

In this episode of The D Shift, Strategic Divorce Consultant Mardi Winder sits down with Karen Omand, divorce and grief specialist, to talk about the often-overlooked grief that accompanies the end of a marriage. Karen brings both professional expertise and personal insight, drawing on her background in thanatology, the study of grief and loss, which she pursued after experiencing the sudden loss of her parents and navigating her own difficult divorce.Mardi and Karen explore how grief can appear in unexpected ways during divorce, including emotional overwhelm, cognitive fatigue, physical symptoms, and changes in relationships with friends and family. They also discuss why society tends to acknowledge grief after death but often minimizes the emotional impact of divorce.Topics covered include:• Why divorce can trigger grief responses similar to bereavement• The hidden losses people experience after separation• How identity, future plans, and even family pets can become part of the grieving process• Why many people feel unsupported during divorce• Practical ways to process grief and move forward with resilienceKaren also shares how journaling and narrative therapy can help individuals process their emotions while navigating the practical realities of divorce. She introduces her workbook Just Separated, a resource designed to help individuals address the emotional, legal, and financial transitions that follow the end of a marriage.About the Guest:Karen Omand is a divorce and grief specialist with degrees in Sociology and Thanatology—the study of grief and loss. She works with people going through divorce who feel overwhelmed, conflicted, or stuck in grief, helping them find clarity, confidence, and calm so they can make decisions that truly serve them. As co-founder of The Divorce Workshop, certified grief counselor, and co-author of The Just Separated Workbook, Karen blends practical strategies with emotional insight. Her workshops, quizzes, and Just Separated Podcast offer real-world tools to manage loss, rebuild identity, and create a plan for life after divorce. Karen’s approach bridges the emotional and practical sides of separation, helping listeners move from chaos to clarity with strength and self-awareness.For Karen’s gifts: sample of Just Separated workbook www.divorceworkshop.ca/workbook22 Free Grief Quiz: What are you really Grieving? https://divorce-grief-meter-karen107.replit.appTo connect with Karen: Website: www.divorceworkshop.ca Instagram: www.instagram.com/divorceworkshop.ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.omandsheldon YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@divorceworkshop LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-omand-06673a250/About the HostMardi Winder is an ICF and BCC Executive and Leadership Coach, Certified Divorce Transition Coach, Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS®) and a Credentialed Distinguished Mediator in Texas. She has worked with women in executive, entrepreneur, and leadership roles, navigating personal, life, and professional transitions. She is the founder of Positive Communication Systems, LLC, and host of Real Divorce Talks, a quarterly series designed to provide education and inspiration to women at all stages of divorce. Are you interested in learning more about your divorce priorities? Take the quiz "The Divorce Stress Test".Connect with Mardi on Social Media:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Divorcecoach4womenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mardiwinderadams/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcecoach4women/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@divorcecoach4womenThanks for Listening!Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.Do you have feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!Subscribe to the PodcastIf you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.Leave an Apple Podcast ReviewRatings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.