How Not To Suck At Divorce: Divorce Advice You Need To Hear

149. How To Prepare to Divorce a "Narcissist" with Renee Swanson of the Covert Narcissism Podcast

Apr 18, 2025

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Our Divorce Crash Course was designed to hold your hand through the process and help you avoid major and expensive mistakes. Learn more here: https://www.hownottosuckatdivorce.com/divorce-crash-course

In this episode on How Not to Suck at Divorce, Morgan and Andrea welcome Renee Swanson, host of the Covert Narcissism podcast, for a powerful conversation about planning your way out of an emotionally abusive marriage. Renee shares how she reclaimed her identity, protected her children, and gathered strength before initiating divorce — all while still living under the same roof as her husband. It's an episode full of actionable guidance, healing truths, and hope for anyone feeling stuck, exhausted, and unsure of their next move.

What you’ll learn:

How to emotionally prepare before leaving a toxic relationship
The power of “baby steps” and small daily actions that build long-term momentum
Ways to gather legal and emotional information to reduce overwhelm
How to communicate safely and reclaim your dignity while still in the marriage
Tools and strategies for coexisting with a high-conflict partner during separation
Why there’s never a perfect time to divorce — and why that’s okay

Questions answered in this episode:

Can you begin healing while still in an emotionally abusive marriage?
What does a practical, step-by-step divorce exit plan look like?
How do you manage sharing a home with someone who triggers or controls you?
How do you know when it’s really time to leave?
What legal steps should you take while you’re still deciding?
How do you stop reacting and start protecting your peace?

Our Family Wizard is another fantastic resource for those who need help navigating the "fun" world of coparenting. Head to this landing page to see how we work closely with them to support our listeners! http://www.ourfamilywizard.com/notsuck

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