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Removing the Guilt and Shame from Divorce (w/ Bethany Pace and Hillary Livingston of Sincerely Divorced)
Description
Rebuilding isn't about going back to who you were. It's about discovering who you are becoming and having the courage to imagine what's possible next.
In this episode, I sat down with Hillary Livingston Giddings and Bethany Pace, co-creators of Sincerely Divorced, a global support community dedicated to breaking the stigma and isolation that often follows divorce. They share how their own experiences with divorce led them to build a community rooted in connection, vulnerability, and hope.
Together, we explore what it means to reframe divorce, let go of the version of yourself you thought you had to be, listen to your own voice again, and rebuild a life that actually aligns with who you are now.
Topics Covered:
00:00:00 – Episode snippet
00:01:48 – Introducing Hillary Livingston Giddings and Bethany Pace
00:03:37 – The origin story of Sincerely Divorced
00:05:06 – Showing up is enough
00:08:06 – Healing through handwritten encouragement
00:13:54 – Reframing divorce for high-achieving women
00:16:38 – Letting life experience become your teacher
00:20:25 – Pay attention to your voice
00:21:17 – Let go of who you thought you were
00:23:37 – Rebuilding after divorce
00:24:11 – The courage it takes to rebuild
00:30:34 – Healing the trauma of family court
00:36:32 – Dating, unlearning, and discovering yourself after divorce
00:43:19 – Creating a life that actually fits you
00:47:00 – One word of Hillary: Brazen
00:48:09 – One word of Bethany: Imagine
00:49:09 – Embracing the Whimsy
00:49:31 – Connect with Sincerely Divorced
Key Takeaways:
“Reframing shifts the view from what I didn't do or the target I did miss to what is next.” - Bethany Pace
“Show me a divorced woman and I'll show you the most courageous, most amazing, beautiful, strong person in the world.” – Dr. Nicole
“Pay attention to your voice and look for ways to hear yourself.” — Hillary Giddings
✨Season 5 Sponsor:
Our Season 5 sponsor is FirstLight Home Care of Bowie. They are a Black-woman owned non-medical home care agency serving families throughout Prince George’s County, MD since 2017. They offer specialized in-home care for individuals navigating: Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Stroke Recovery, and Diabetes. Please visit their website or call 301-778-1988 for more information.
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About Our Guests
Hillary Livingston Giddings, M.S. and Bethany Pace, M.Ed. are the creators and co-founders of Sincerely, Divorced, a vibrant online and in-person community dedicated to reframing an often-shamed shared experience. Through compassionate advice, humor, research, and education on positive reframing, they help people navigate adversity, rebuild their lives, and find hope after divorce and other major life transitions.
Connect with Sincerely, Divorced
Website: https://sincerelydivorced.com/
About Your Host
Dr. Nicole is a pediatrician, the owner of a successful healthcare consulting company, a riveting keynote and TEDx speaker, and the mom of two beautiful young adult daughters. From the outside, she appeared to have it all. But in 2023 she faced the most difficult challenge of her life- ending a 28-year marriage and navigating heartbreak, deception, and loss. Dr. Nicole is committed to creati