From the outside, Madeleine West had it all. A successful acting career, six beautiful kids, life in Melbourne, and a marriage of 15 years. Until a conversation about placemats made her question, 'Is this really what I want?'.

It was at this moment that, Madeleine West chose to press 'Restart' on her life. It was hard- really hard in fact. So has it all been worth it?

In the first episode of Restart, Madeleine explores something almost half of all Australian adults will go through at some point in their lives: divorce. Madeleine speaks to Divorce Coach & Legal and Separation Strategist (and divorcee) Nikki Parkinson, about the reality of separation.

PLUS has a truly heartbreaking and hilarious chat with comedian and podcast host Helen Thorne, whose marriage became immediately unraveled after she found a love note in her husband's jacket pocket...that wasn't from her.

No stone will be left unturned as Madeleine West explores what it is really like to restart your life.

THE END BITS

Buy Get Divorced, Be Happy by Helen Thorn and listen to her podcast Scummy Mummies.

Learn about The Divorce and Separation Hub.

GET IN TOUCH

Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au.

CREDITS

Host: Madeleine West

Producers: Emmeline Peterson

Executive Producers: Tia Ucich, Elissa Ratliff & Holly Wainwright 

Audio Production: Madeline Joannou

Guests: Nikki Parkinson and Helen Thorn.

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Just by reading our articles or listening to our podcasts, you’re helping to fund girls in schools in some of the most disadvantaged countries in the world - through our partnership with Room to Read. We’re currently funding 300 girls in school every day and we aim to get to 1,000. Find out more at mamamia.com.au