Fortified: Lessons on Love & Divorce

Are you going through a divorce and struggling with the roller coaster of emotions? Dreading the impact a separation will have on your kids? Scared about losing it all?

You are not alone. Divorce and separation are some of the hardest and most challenging times you will ever go through. Some days, you don’t know how you will survive.

In our video podcast series, Fortified: Lessons on Love and Divorce, you will hear from Leisa Toomey, who has over 3 decades of Family Law experience (including as a children’s lawyer) and a range of super successful sports and business people.

In these interviews, they will share deeply from their heart the things they wish they had known, how they overcame the heartache and how they broke through and are now living their best lives.

Season 2

Episode 1 with Laura Dodd’s

In the first episode of season 2, we welcome Laura Dodds to the couch with Leisa Toomey, and our facilitator, Laticia Braving.

In this thought-provoking episode, we embark on a journey into the intricate world of high-conflict parenting issues with Laura Dodds. Laura is a seasoned expert who steps in when parenting conflicts reach a critical point, dedicated to uncovering the root causes and forging agreements that prioritise the well-being of the children involved.

Laura Dodds is a single expert witness and an appointed family consultant for the family and Federal Circuit Court of Australia. With over 20 years experience in undertaking forensic social science risk assessments and working with individuals and families who’ve experienced trauma, substance misuse, domestic and family violence, parental separation, and mental health issues.

She is the program coordinator for the Bachelor of Social Work and an associate lecturer in social work teaching in undergraduate and master’s programs within the School of Law and Society at the University of the Sunshine Coast. She’s also the managing director and senior family consultant of Edgeways Consultancy on the Sunshine Coast, a forensic assessment agency providing best practice, high-quality social science assessments of children and their families.

As a single expert witness, Laura’s role isn’t about establishing evidence or facts; rather, it’s a compassionate endeavour to conduct a risk assessment focused on child safety. This path is often emotionally charged and challenging for parents who grapple with their own narratives, amidst the complexity of family dynamics and behaviours.

The barriers to reaching parenting agreements often originate from anticipated relational complexities linked to the grief and loss of separation. Laura emphasises that her intervention isn’t limited to extreme cases; it extends to many high-conflict situations.

Don’t miss this enlightening discussion, which offers a profound understanding of the challenges inherent to high-conflict parenting situations.

Episode 2 with Kristine Young on Finding Success & Purpose After Divorce

In this episode we are joined by Kristine Young, a successful Sunshine Coast restaurant owner and entrepreneur, author and inspirational leader.

Kristine is also heavily involved in a range of domestic violence charities and causes, including SunnyKids and Risetwo, helping people restart in a safe environment. Her passion for advocating for these issues stems from her own journey, having survived and thrived through adversity, carving her own path.

Kristine shares her story of how, after a devastating divorce, she became successful in her own right and now wants to give women hope and inspire change.

Episode 3 with Lisa Curry

Join us as Lisa shares the raw and unfiltered account of her transformative journey—a narrative filled with hard lessons, heartbreak and the strength to rebuild.

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Lisa Curry, the iconic Australian elite athlete who not only dominated the pool with her record-breaking performances but also navigated the tumultuous waters of life, love, and heartache.

A trailblazer in both sport and business, Lisa boasts Commonwealth and Australian records in every stroke except backstroke. Her remarkable athletic career includes seven gold, two silver, and one bronze Commonwealth Games medals, spanning three Olympic Games. Notably, Lisa competed in her last Olympics at the age of 30, all while being a mother of two. Beyond the pool, she served as the chair of the National Australia Day Council from 2000 to 2008.

Lisa met Iron Man Grant Kenny, at the pinnacle of their careers and became one of Australia’s most high-profile sporting couples. Together for nearly three decades and raising three children, they faced the decision to part ways. Discover the emotional journey of love, loss, and the resilience needed to move forward.

Lisa opens up about the importance of financial literacy and the necessity of having tough conversations in relationships.

Join us for an intimate conversation with Lisa Curry, where her authenticity and wisdom serve as a beacon of inspiration for anyone facing life’s challenges.

Watch or listen on our platforms for a story that transcends the pool and dives deep into the currents of the human experience.

Season 1

Episode 1 with Leisa Toomey 29th November 2022

No matter who you are one thing is certain, life will throw many challenges and lessons at you. So how do you prepare for one of the most challenging of them all separation?

Episode 1 with Leisa Toomey we dive into the raw, sad and funny realities of divorce and how we can all do it better If the time comes. Watch or listen on November 29th on Facebook, Youtube or Podbean!

Episode 2 – No longer available

This episode is no longer available.

Episode 3 with Tristan Kurtz – 7th January 2023

In Episode 3 we chat with Tristan Kurtz about the lessons learned through his divorce and mediation experience.

We discuss how If your case is going nowhere, frustrating, confusing and emotionally fuelled, getting a second, or even third opinion can give so much clarity.. and in his experience, a short call under 5 minutes was all it took!

Tristan also shares about a pivotal life-changing solo trip after his divorce that really changed his perspective and allowed him to move forward.

Episode 4 with Kristy Munroe – 14th March 2023

This episode’s guest Kristy Munroe has a huge list of sporting accolades.

A member of the order of Australia, Kristy Munroe is one of Australia’s most decorated lifesavers inducted into the sporting hall of fame in 2016, when she was 33 years old, Kristy’s 11 year professional career included state national and world championships, including 14 Australian teams, two as captain.

Kristy shares some of her life lessons with us in this episode.
She says that it is thanks to her training as an athlete that provided her with the resilience and grounding to help her get out of a bad marriage.

Fortifed: Lessons on Love & Divorce

Are you going through a divorce and struggling with the roller coaster of emotions? Dreading the impact a separation will have on your kids? Scared about losing it all?

You are not alone. Divorce and separation are some of the hardest and most challenging times you will ever go through. Some days, you don’t know how you will survive.

In our video podcast series, Fortified: Lessons on Love and Divorce, you will hear from Leisa Toomey, who has over 3 decades of Family Law experience (including as a children’s lawyer) and a range of super successful sports and business people.

In these interviews, they will share deeply from their heart the things they wish they had known, how they overcame the heartache and how they broke through and are now living their best lives.

Season 2

Episode 1 with Laura Dodd’s

In the first episode of season 2, we welcome Laura Dodds to the couch with Leisa Toomey, and our facilitator, Laticia Braving.

In this thought-provoking episode, we embark on a journey into the intricate world of high-conflict parenting issues with Laura Dodds. Laura is a seasoned expert who steps in when parenting conflicts reach a critical point, dedicated to uncovering the root causes and forging agreements that prioritise the well-being of the children involved.

Laura Dodds is a single expert witness and an appointed family consultant for the family and Federal Circuit Court of Australia. With over 20 years experience in undertaking forensic social science risk assessments and working with individuals and families who’ve experienced trauma, substance misuse, domestic and family violence, parental separation, and mental health issues.

She is the program coordinator for the Bachelor of Social Work and an associate lecturer in social work teaching in undergraduate and master’s programs within the School of Law and Society at the University of the Sunshine Coast. She’s also the managing director and senior family consultant of Edgeways Consultancy on the Sunshine Coast, a forensic assessment agency providing best practice, high-quality social science assessments of children and their families.

As a single expert witness, Laura’s role isn’t about establishing evidence or facts; rather, it’s a compassionate endeavour to conduct a risk assessment focused on child safety. This path is often emotionally charged and challenging for parents who grapple with their own narratives, amidst the complexity of family dynamics and behaviours.

The barriers to reaching parenting agreements often originate from anticipated relational complexities linked to the grief and loss of separation. Laura emphasises that her intervention isn’t limited to extreme cases; it extends to many high-conflict situations.

Don’t miss this enlightening discussion, which offers a profound understanding of the challenges inherent to high-conflict parenting situations.

Episode 2 with Kristine Young on Finding Success & Purpose After Divorce

In this episode we are joined by Kristine Young, a successful Sunshine Coast restaurant owner and entrepreneur, author and inspirational leader.

Kristine is also heavily involved in a range of domestic violence charities and causes, including SunnyKids and Risetwo, helping people restart in a safe environment. Her passion for advocating for these issues stems from her own journey, having survived and thrived through adversity, carving her own path.

Kristine shares her story of how, after a devastating divorce, she became successful in her own right and now wants to give women hope and inspire change.

Episode 3 with Lisa Curry – Coming soon

Coming soon…

Season 1

Episode 1 with Leisa Toomey 29th November 2022

No matter who you are one thing is certain, life will throw many challenges and lessons at you. So how do you prepare for one of the most challenging of them all separation?

Episode 1 with Leisa Toomey we dive into the raw, sad and funny realities of divorce and how we can all do it better If the time comes. Watch or listen on November 29th on Facebook, Youtube or Podbean!

Episode 2 – No longer available

This episode is no longer available.

Episode 3 with Tristan Kurtz – 7th January 2023

In Episode 3 we chat with Tristan Kurtz about the lessons learned through his divorce and mediation experience.
We discuss how If your case is going nowhere, frustrating, confusing and emotionally fuelled, getting a second, or even third opinion can give so much clarity.. and in his experience, a short call under 5 minutes was all it took!
Tristan also shares about a pivotal life-changing solo trip after his divorce that really changed his perspective and allowed him to move forward.

Episode 4 with Kristy Munroe – 14th March 2023

This episode’s guest Kristy Munroe has a huge list of sporting accolades.

A member of the order of Australia, Kristy Munroe is one of Australia’s most decorated lifesavers inducted into the sporting hall of fame in 2016, when she was 33 years old, Kristy’s 11 year professional career included state national and world championships, including 14 Australian teams, two as captain.

Kristy shares some of her life lessons with us in this episode.
She says that it is thanks to her training as an athlete that provided her with the resilience and grounding to help her get out of a bad marriage.

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