A Little Light from 1967 I came across this photo of The Heffron Kids—my brother, sister, and me—standing in the sun on Easter morning, 1967. We’re each holding our little baskets, filled with the eggs we had carefully dyed the night before at our kitchen table. Dressed in our Easter best, we squinted into the light, doing our best to pose for the photo. I look so serious, but I’m pretty sure it was just the sun in my eyes. I thought I’d share it with you today and send a simple wish for...
2 days ago • 2 min read
EPISODE 50 When Mediation Meets Meaning: Co-Creating a Kinder Divorce In this powerful and timely episode of Getting to the Heart, Michèle Heffron welcomes Ellen Barron Feldman, an attorney and seasoned divorce and family mediator, for a candid conversation about navigating divorce with compassion, clarity, and control. Ellen shares her unique journey from commercial litigation to co-mediating with mental health expert Brian James, a partnership that bridges legal structure with emotional...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Open-Window Morning Before diving into your day’s tasks, open a window—just a crack if it’s chilly. Close your eyes and let the gentle morning air brush your face. Breathe in the freshness, allowing it to energize and awaken you before you pick up your phone or turn on the TV. Taking care of yourself, both mentally and physically, is crucial as you navigate life transitions. You're not alone, and there is a path forward, even if it doesn't feel like it right now. If you know someone that...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Replacements There used to be a company called Replacements—the go-to place for finding discontinued china patterns. It was where you could track down the exact gravy boat you dropped on Thanksgiving, the one that shattered into a thousand porcelain pieces and, according to my mom (a.k.a. Doreen), broke Great Grandma’s legacy right along with it. The beauty of a china pattern is its consistency. Every plate, cup, saucer—identical. It’s a pattern, after all. Replace one, and it seamlessly fits...
9 days ago • 3 min read
EPISODE 49 When Divorce Isn’t Just Difficult—It’s Strategic Family law attorney Marc Garelick joins Michèle Heffron for a grounded conversation on navigating high-conflict divorce, custody complications, and coercive control—with strategy, support, and the clarity to move forward. In this powerful and insightful episode of Getting to the Heart: Life, Relationships & Divorce, Michèle Heffron is joined by Marc Garelick, managing partner of the Orange County office of Meyer, Olson, Lowy &...
11 days ago • 1 min read
When You’ve Done Everything “Right” You did everything you thought you were “supposed” to do. You left behind a promising career to be a stay-at-home mom. A noble choice, they said.You drove the carpools, baked the cupcakes, chaired the school auction.You were the one who always had the costume, the uniform, the permission slip, and the soccer cleats ready to go.You made the dinners, planned the vacations, kept the calendar, showed up at every school event.You were the glue. And you looked...
16 days ago • 3 min read
The Quiet Signs Your Marriage is Over (and what to do next) I remember walking through my neighborhood one chilly afternoon, coffee in hand, sunglasses on even though the sun had dipped low. I was hoping no one would see the tears quietly slipping down my face. From the outside, I looked like a woman deep in thought. But inside, I was unraveling. I wasn’t sure if my marriage was ending or if I was just falling apart. I didn’t recognize myself anymore—not in the mirror, not in my marriage, and...
18 days ago • 5 min read
Pain Is Often a Sign That Something Needs to Change I don’t know about you, but for me, this is a lesson that seems to resurface time and time again. Think about it—when your heart has been broken by someone you love, where do you feel the pain? And more importantly, what do you do with it? Do you vent to your friends about how victimized you feel? Do you push it away, pretending everything is fine while burying the hurt deep inside? Or maybe, like I once did, you build walls around yourself,...
23 days ago • 4 min read
Join Me for a Free Bi-Weekly Divorce Workshop – Let’s Navigate This Together Divorce isn’t just about what’s ending—it’s about what comes next. And how you navigate this transition will shape your future in ways you may not even realize yet. That’s why I’m inviting you to join me for my FREE bi-weekly Instagram Live workshop: Divorce With the End in Mind. In each session, we’ll dive into topics like: ✔️ The biggest mistake people make when considering divorce (and how to avoid it) ✔️ How to...
26 days ago • 2 min read