By Karen Arndt, Co-founder, Whatwouldajudgesay.com & Robin Leonard, Founder, HisJourney.org
The Silent Epidemic in Divorce
Divorce is never easy—but for men, it can be particularly isolating.
While society has slowly opened space for women to process the emotional impact of separation, men are often left in the shadows. They’re expected to cope silently, carry on stoically, and somehow “be fine.” But the data—and the human cost—tell a different story.
Men are:
- More likely to suffer long-term health issues post-divorce, including heart disease and weight gain.
- Less likely to seek emotional support, therapy, or even speak to close friends.
- Three times more likely to die by suicide than married men.
- And often plunge into financial uncertainty or identity crisis without the tools to navigate it.
Behind every statistic is a man feeling like he’s lost everything—his home, his family, his role as a dad. And too often, no one is there to ask him, “Are you okay?”
One Story That Sparked a Movement
HisJourney.org was born out of one such story. Robin Leonard, its founder, was living in Sydney when a close friend in London went through a devastating divorce. The distance made it harder—but what struck Robin most was how emotionally unprepared and unsupported his friend felt.
Night after night, the two spoke—sometimes about legal battles, sometimes just about trying to get through the next day. That friend had been the family provider, the dad who read bedtime stories, the man who thought he had it all figured out.
But when his marriage ended, he was suddenly alone, unsure, and ashamed.
That experience stayed with Robin. When he searched for support services designed specifically for men, he found very little. So he built one.
HisJourney.org now offers a moderated, safe, and private space where men can connect with others, access trusted experts, and take the first steps toward healing—not in isolation, but with purpose.
Why Divorce Hits Men Differently
Articles from mental health and legal experts repeatedly show the same pattern:
men experience divorce not just as a legal event—but as a profound emotional collapse.
They:
- Blame themselves, even when it isn’t warranted.
- Rush into new relationships, before truly healing.
- Lose social connections, particularly those formed through couples and parenting.
- And avoid medical care at the moment they need it most.
One common theme? Men often skip the grieving process.
They don’t cry, they don’t talk, they don’t process. They bottle it up—until it becomes depression, anxiety, or worse.
As one study put it: “Divorce is the second most stressful event in life—after the death of a loved one. But unlike death, divorce comes with blame.”
Introducing the Podcast: A New Conversation
To take this movement further, we’ve launched a new podcast—a heartfelt, unfiltered conversation between Robin and Karen that takes men step-by-step through the real stages of separation and divorce.
We start at that gut-wrenching moment many men know too well—“We need to talk.”
From the first signs of separation, through the fog of financial fear, legal confusion, and emotional upheaval, we walk you all the way through to rebuilding on the other side.
We talk openly about what to do in those first 72 hours.
How to protect yourself financially.
Why grief hits so hard—and why it matters.
What kind of support actually works.
And yes—that there is life after divorce. A good life. A different one. One worth building.
Because we’ve been there. And we know it’s possible.
Building A New Way Forward
There is a quiet revolution happening. Not just in legal tech, but in how we think about support during separation.
While Whatwouldajudgesay.com offers legal clarity in divorce through direct access to a judge’s opinion, platforms like HisJourney.org are equally vital—offering men emotional clarity and connection.
We’re moving toward a future where a man navigating divorce doesn’t have to choose between legal advice or emotional support. He can have both. In fact, he needs both.
And it starts with reframing divorce not as a personal failure, but as a transition that, handled well, can lead to something better.
Let’s Change the Narrative
Men don’t need to “tough it out.”
They need:
- Clear financial guidance
- Trusted legal options
- Supportive spaces to grieve, vent, and reflect
- And most of all—permission to not have all the answers right away
As Robin says:
“It’s time to break the silence. Divorce doesn’t have to mean devastation. With the right help, it can be the start of something new.”
And as Karen shares in the podcast:
“My own divorce taught me that strength isn’t silence. That rebuilding is possible—and sometimes, your best life starts just after your worst moment.”
🎧 Listen and Explore
This article is just the start of the conversation. Robin and Karen go deeper in our podcast series, where we explore the emotional, financial, and legal realities of divorce—specifically for men.
You can choose how you listen:
👉 Tune into the full-length episode for the complete journey, or
👉 Skip to specific questions and answers as they come up in your own situation; whether it’s “What should I do in the first 72 hours?” or “What are some common issues men face going through divorce?“
Quick disclaimer: everything we talk about here should be double-checked with a lawyer or financial advisor in your own country—laws and rules can vary, so always get advice that’s tailored to you.
Full episode on YouTube here :
You Are Not Alone
Whether you’re in the early days of separation or deep in the chaos of divorce, you don’t have to navigate it solo.
đź“Ś Visit HisJourney.org & The Fork In The Road Podcast series – For men facing change, seeking connection, or just needing to hear: “You’re not the only one.”
📌 Explore WhatWouldAJudgeSay.com – For legal clarity that doesn’t cost your sanity.
🎙️ Tune into the podcast – for honest conversations, practical guidance, and proof that life doesn’t end with divorce. Sometimes, it begins there.
Because everyone deserves to heal.Â