In this episode of the Don't Pick the Scab Podcast, host David sits down with Paula Waterman, founder of Castle Rock Mediation, to break down how divorce mediation can save men over 40 thousands of dollars, months of heartache, and years of court battles.
Paula knows this world from the inside out. After 24 years of marriage, she was blindsided when her husband — a pilot living a double life — served her divorce papers while she was working at a church. Her painful, high-conflict divorce inspired her to become a mediator so others could navigate divorce with dignity instead of devastation. There are definitely pearls to consider with this podcast even if you are in a post-divorce phase.
⚖️ What you'll learn in this episode:
✅ What divorce mediation actually is — and why Colorado courts require it BEFORE you can see a judge ✅ The real cost: how an amicable mediation can cost UNDER $1,000 vs. $10,000+ in attorney fees ✅ Why "equitable distribution" almost always means 50/50 — and why demanding 70% will backfire in court ✅ The #1 mistake emotionally "dialed up" men make in mediation (Paula mediated SIX times because of it) ✅ How to prepare for mediation so you don't get steamrolled ✅ Why 50/50 parenting is the new normal — and what that means for Dads ✅ The common law marriage trap that could wreck men who never said "I do" ✅ Why prenups are "putting the teeth back" into divorce ✅ Should you stay together "for the kids"? Paula and David go head-to-head on this one
💬 Whether you're contemplating divorce, in the thick of it, or picking up the pieces — this conversation could save you a year and a half of litigation (like David's was) and a small fortune.
📌 Connect with Paula Waterman: 🌐 CastleRockMediation.com — Castle Rock, Colorado
-www.castlerockmediation.com
🎧 New episodes of the Don't Pick the Scab Podcast drop weekly — real conversations about divorce recovery, healing, and rebuilding your life after 40. No pity parties. No picking the scab. Just forward motion.