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’ expectations
• The realities of high-conflict divorce: An eight-and-a-half-year court battle, financial and emotional toll, and learning the legal system from the inside
• Breaking family and cultural taboos around divorce, especially in faith-based upbringings
• The 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 sanity
• The importance of self-awareness, learning to say “no,” and reclaiming one’s passions
• How Paulette turned her pain into purpose, and positioned herself as a disruptor and educator in the divorce space
• Strategies for preserving dignity, managing court requirements, and building a new life after leaving a consuming relationship

Quote 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 Rigo

Timestamps: [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 lifestyle

Special 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.

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