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High Vibe Divorce

High Vibe Divorce

Written by: Melissa Wheeler Farag
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 High Vibe Divorce is a place where divorce, wellness, and spirituality meet. High Vibe Divorce is hosted by a family law mediator, divorcee, and recovering divorce litigator of 10 years, Melissa Wheeler Farag. On this podcast, Melissa and featured guests discuss how divorce can be a catalyst for a more fulfilling, authentic, and transformed life. This isn’t a place to bemoan the horrors and pain points of divorce; this is a place to look for higher vibe solutions and optimism. The only way out is through.Copyright 2024 All rights reserved. Relationships Self-Help Social Sciences Spirituality Success
Episodes
  • 50 - Finding Growth in Divorce: Insights from Attorney Katie Padilla of Bloom Family Law

    50 - Finding Growth in Divorce: Insights from Attorney Katie Padilla of Bloom Family Law
    Feb 25 2026
    In this 50th episode Melissa Farag interviews Katie Padilla of Bloom Family Law about moving away from adversarial litigation toward mediation, legal consulting, flat-fee packages, divorce coaching, and restorative retreats focused on nervous-system regulation and value mining. They offer practical guidance for people considering divorce: begin with emotional support, choose trusted guides carefully, spend limited resources intentionally, and prioritize processes that protect long-term wellbeing and healthier co-parenting. Episode 50 - Finding Growth in Divorce: Insights from Attorney Katie Padilla of Bloom Family Law High Vibe Divorce Podcast — Show Notes Episode Snapshot Episode 50 is a milestone—and a reminder that divorce doesn’t have to be a purely adversarial, low-vibration experience. Melissa sits down with Katie Padilla (founder of Bloom Family Law in Oakland), an attorney-mediator-collaborative professional who intentionally stepped away from litigation to support families entirely out of court. Together, they explore divorce as an “underworld initiation”—a sacred rite of passage that can crack you open, help you value-mine the hard parts, and guide you toward a more intentional next chapter. This conversation is also a practical reality check: who you listen to (friends, family, professionals) matters. Your nervous system matters. And the way you choose to move through the fire shapes your future—especially if you’ll be co-parenting. Today’s Affirmation “Every adversity carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” — Napoleon Hill Melissa and Katie connect this to “value mining”: finding the benefit—even if you can’t see it yet—and using journaling, reflection, and support to discover the growth on the other side. In This Episode, Melissa and Katie Talk About… 1) Divorce as an initiation (and why it can be transformational) Katie reframes divorce as a sacred transition—an opportunity to look inward, interrupt old patterns, and ask: What do I want out of this life now? What matters most to me? What do I want to stop repeating? Melissa connects this to grief work and “ego death”: the loss of identity and reality can be destabilizing, but also deeply catalytic. 2) Why Bloom Family Law no longer litigates Katie shares the “why” behind leaving court: Litigation can amplify blame, defensiveness, and shame Judges don’t know your family and often have limited time People can “win” legally and still feel depleted, empty, or harmed Court is public, and the process can be humiliating and escalatory They both name what many people sense: even when big emotions show up in mediation, it can still feel like progress—because there’s room for humanity, nuance, and forward motion. 3) Surrender doesn’t mean weakness A key theme: accepting what is without collapsing your boundaries. Surrender = choosing battles wisely, staying grounded, and moving with integrity—not “giving in.” Katie emphasizes doing things in a way your body can feel proud of later: What does integrity mean to you? How do you want to show up in the fire? What do you want to be able to say about yourself afterward? 4) How Bloom Family Law supports clients (out-of-court + whole-person support) Katie outlines Bloom’s approach: Collaborative divorce (out of court) Mediation and mediation-focused resolution Consulting for people negotiating directly or working with a neutral mediator Legal consulting + coaching bundled into a flat-fee model Access to pre-vetted divorce coaches through Bloom The thread running through it all: support the whole person—not just the legal problem. 5) “Be intentional about your audience” Katie offers a simple but powerful practice: not everyone gets a front-row seat to your divorce. They discuss how well-meaning friends and family can unintentionally project, escalate, or dysregulate you—and why discernment is everything right now. A gut-check they share: Do you feel supported after talking to this person—or drained? Are they regulated—or emotionally fanning flames? Are they advising from wisdom—or from their own unresolved stuff? 6) The uncomfortable truth about litigation incentives Melissa breaks down the reality of billable-hour family law and why clients must ask better questions before hiring counsel. They discuss how easy it is for fear and anger to steer the ship—and how quickly costs can balloon without creating real resolution. Takeaway: Interview professionals like your peace depends on it—because it does. 7) Start with regulation + support: why a divorce coach can be the best first hire Katie shares a stat she’s seen: many people retain the first attorney who calls them back—often from a dysregulated, urgent state. They discuss why beginning with a therapist and/or divorce coach can help you: calm the nervous system clarify goals learn what questions to ask choose the right team (...
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    46 mins
  • 49 - Divorce and Home Ownership: Expert Tips with Karla Kyte, CDLP

    49 - Divorce and Home Ownership: Expert Tips with Karla Kyte, CDLP
    Feb 18 2026
    Episode 49 - Divorce and Home Ownership: Expert Tips with Karla Kyte, CDLP Episode snapshot Keeping the house after divorce can feel like the “obvious” choice—until lending rules, buyouts, support income, and loan terms collide. In this episode, Melissa sits down with Karla Kyte (Certified Divorce Lending Professional) to unpack the real-world mortgage hurdles that derail well-intentioned settlement agreements, especially in a higher-rate environment. Karla explains the critical differences between refinance vs. assumption vs. release of liability, how support and employment income are treated for qualifying, and why asking the right questions (to the right department) can save clients from losing options that disappear once the judgment is signed. Today’s affirmation “We are only subject to a negative thought or belief if we consciously say that it applies to us.” — from the Letting Go Deck (and Letting Go book) by David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D. About today’s guest: Karla Kyte, CDLP Karla Kyte of My Divorce Mortgage Planning is a divorce mortgage planning expert with nearly 30 years in lending. She supports divorcing homeowners (and the professionals guiding them) to ensure housing decisions made during divorce actually work when it’s time to qualify—before it’s too late to change course. Karla’s specialty includes the issues that most often trip people up: buyouts, refinances, assumptions, release of liability, support income, self-employment, and debt/income allocation. She’s based in Denver, Colorado, and works nationwide. What we cover Why “I can afford the payment” isn’t the same as “I can qualify to keep the house” The Tetris of divorce terms: legal language, tax concerns, and lending guidelines have to align Refinance basics (and why it often means losing the low rate) The difference between a cash-out refi and a buyout refinance (and why the distinction matters) Assumption vs. release of liability: what’s actually possible, and when Why calling the wrong department can get you a flat “no” that isn’t the full story Support income rules: what qualifies, how long it must be received, and why documentation + timing matter Why cash support payments can wreck mortgage qualification Return-to-work income: full-time vs. part-time and what lenders typically require Self-employment: why divorce “income for support” can look nothing like “income for lending” A creative (and risky) option: Garn-St. Germain protections and continuing to pay an existing mortgage post-divorce (when the other spouse stays on the loan) Key takeaways (save these if you’re navigating divorce + a house) Don’t assume your lender—or your lawyer—knows every option. Mortgage rules are technical, and divorce adds extra layers. If you’re exploring an assumption or release of liability, you must speak to the loan servicing department (not general customer service). For many loans, assumability is limited—but in divorce, some servicers may allow a release of liability even when the spouse wasn’t originally on the mortgage (often at servicer discretion). Support income may be usable for qualification only if it’s court-ordered, paid consistently, and properly documented (and it must generally be expected to continue long enough). Never pay support in cash if the recipient needs it to qualify—paper trail matters. Part-time income can be hard to use without the right history/guarantees; full-time income is usually easier to re-establish for lending. For self-employed borrowers, “income” in divorce calculations can be wildly different from what underwriters can count—plan early, because changing tax strategy often takes time. Notable moments / mic-drop reminders “Ask the right question to the right department—or you could lose a huge opportunity.” “A settlement term can be perfectly legal—and still not lendable.” “Paper trail is everything when support income is part of qualification.” Resources mentioned Letting Go (book) + Letting Go Deck — David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D. Karla’s website: mydivorcemortgageplanning.com Mentioned concept: Garn-St. Germain (due-on-sale protections in specific transfer situations, including divorce) Connect with Karla Kyte Website: mydivorcemortgageplanning.com Find her by name: Karla Kyte on TikTok / Instagram Connect with Melissa / High Vibe Divorce Podcast + DMs: @highvibedivorce Mediation: @highvibemediation Website: highvibemediation.com Listener call-to-action If this episode helped you think differently about keeping (or selling) the house, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs steady guidance right now. Divorce can be stressful and isolating—let’s keep the conversation going. Until next time: keep the vibes high and the conflict low. Friendly disclaimer This episode is educational and not legal, tax, or financial advice. Mortgage and ...
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    55 mins
  • 48 - Reiki Energy and Financial Empowerment During Divorce with Heather Reeves, CDFA

    48 - Reiki Energy and Financial Empowerment During Divorce with Heather Reeves, CDFA
    Feb 4 2026
    Episode 48: Reiki Energy + Financial Empowerment During Divorce (with Heather Reeves, CDFA) Episode snapshot In this episode of High Vibe Divorce, Melissa sits down with returning guest (and friend) Heather Reeves—a Reiki Master, divorce coach, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA)—for a conversation that blends energy healing with practical money strategy. Together, they explore how Reiki can help regulate the nervous system during divorce, and why emotional steadiness is often the missing link to making smart financial decisions. Today’s opening affirmation “As we relinquish the negative suppressed feelings from all the programs we have internalized, they’re automatically replaced by higher ones… When our inner feelings are peacefulness, serenity, tranquility, stillness, openness, and simplicity, the effect on others is to increase their awareness… and to give them a greater sense of freedom, perfection, unity, and at oneness with ourselves.” What you’ll hear in this episode What Reiki is (and why it’s not as “woo woo” as people think) Heather’s story: finding Reiki during her divorce and feeling immediate relief Reiki as universal life force energy + how a Reiki Master acts as a channel Why divorce dysregulation (fight/flight/freeze/fawn) can make people avoid finances entirely How Reiki can support: stress + anxiety reduction physical pain relief emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual healing The 5 Reiki principles and how they apply to divorce (including being kind to yourself—and yes, even your ex) In-person vs remote Reiki (and what a session actually feels like) Why “I just want to be done” can be a red flag when it’s coming from fear The confidence shift: moving from fear → neutral → informed → decisive How Heather blends her CDFA work with nervous system support—so clients can think clearly about money Why a CDFA + mediator can be a cost-effective team versus litigation + forensic accounting (when appropriate) The importance of budgets, disclosures, and not double-counting expenses Special note: why finances can be extra nuanced when one spouse is self-employed A local Orange County wellness event announcement featuring Reiki, breathwork/hypnosis, and a sound bath Powerful takeaways You don’t need to be “spiritual” to benefit from Reiki—what matters is willingness and consent. If you’re dysregulated, it’s harder to: read documents engage in discovery negotiate fairly understand options advocate for yourself Financial empowerment in divorce isn’t about power over your spouse—it’s power from within. The divorce process is often a business unwinding, and calming your nervous system can help you participate instead of freeze. Reiki 101 (quick explainer) Reiki = “universal life force energy.” A Reiki Master doesn’t “take” your energy or force anything—Heather describes it as intelligent energy that flows where it’s needed. Sessions can be hands-on or hands-off, and can be done remotely with similar impact. What you might experience: deep relaxation (many people fall asleep) tingling sensations seeing colors/lights behind closed eyes emotional release increased clarity in the days after (journal + notice dreams/insights) Heather’s beginner suggestion: Try once a week for 4 weeks to feel the shift and allow time for integration. Event mention Heather shares an upcoming women’s wellness event focused on alignment: Date: March 8, 2026 Location: Costa Mesa, CA (at Enjoy Yoga) Modalities offered: Reiki (Heather), breathwork/hypnosis, and a sound bath About Heather Reeves Heather is a Reiki Master, divorce coach, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA). She supports clients through the financial realities of divorce—budgeting, strategy, proposal analysis, tax implications, and long-term planning—while also integrating tools that help clients stay regulated and grounded during an emotionally charged process. Resources & links (for show notes) Melissa / High Vibe Divorce + High Vibe Mediation: https://www.instagram.com/highvibedivorce https://www.highvibemediation.com/ https://www.instagram.com/highvibemediation/ Heather Reeves: https://www.coachingwithorigin.com/ https://www.instagram.com/coachingwithorigin/ Event info: (add registration link once posted) Listener reminder If this episode helped you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might need a little grounding and support. Divorce can feel isolating—let’s keep the conversation going. Until next time: keep the vibes high and the conflict low.
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    54 mins
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