A weekly podcast designed specifically for fathers navigating divorce.
"The first few episodes will be rough — that’s normal."
Today Jude Sandvall, the creator of The Divorced Dadvocate: Divorce Support For Dads shares his story of parenting podcast.
► Tell us about you and your podcast
I’m Jude Sandvall, host of The Divorced Dadvocate, a podcast focused on supporting men through divorce and everything that comes after. I started the show after going through my own divorce and realizing how little guidance was out there for fathers trying to hold their lives together and move forward.
The podcast covers the full spectrum of what men face during and after divorce. We talk about co-parenting, custody, emotional recovery, dating again, rebuilding identity, and how to be a strong father through it all. I bring on experts in law, psychology, and coaching, along with men who have lived through it and come out stronger. Every episode is built to deliver real, actionable insight.
Our listeners are primarily fathers who are separated, recently divorced, or years past it but still dealing with the long-term impact. Some are looking for tools and strategies, some just want to hear that someone else understands. What brings them together is a desire to grow, heal, and be the best version of themselves for their kids and their future.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
I started The Divorced Dadvocate because when I went through my own divorce, I saw a huge gap in support for men. There were books and therapists out there, but not much that spoke directly to fathers going through this transition. I wanted to create something real, practical, and focused on what men actually experience during and after divorce.
Podcasting made sense because it's personal. Hearing someone’s voice creates connection, and that’s exactly what I felt was missing for men in this space. I do listen to a lot of podcasts myself, and I’ve always appreciated how they allow deep conversations that you can take in while driving, working out, or just trying to clear your head. That format gave me the freedom to talk openly and bring on guests who could speak to the emotional, legal, and practical sides of divorce in a way that’s honest and helpful.
The podcast launched in 2020. From the moment I committed to doing it, it took about a month to release the first episode. I had to figure out the tech, plan the content, and just get over the fear of putting my voice out there. The original goal was simple: help one man feel less alone and give him something solid to stand on. From there, it’s grown into a mission to support as many fathers as possible through one of the hardest experiences life can throw at them.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
Like most passion projects, I started The Divorced Dadvocate by carving out time wherever I could. I was working a full-time job, co-parenting, and rebuilding my life, so it wasn’t easy. But I believed in the mission, so I treated it like a priority. I blocked off time early in the mornings, late at night, and on weekends to plan, record, and produce episodes. It wasn’t always convenient, but it was worth it.
I fund the podcast myself. I cover everything from hosting and recording equipment to editing and marketing. I’ve kept costs lean by doing most of the work on my own, especially in the beginning. My main expenses are podcast hosting, a decent microphone setup, some basic editing software, and promotional tools. On average, I spend a few hundred dollars a month to keep it running.
I release one episode a week. Depending on the topic and whether I’m doing a solo episode or interviewing a guest, each one takes anywhere from one to two hours to produce from start to finish. That includes prep, recording, editing, and publishing. It’s a serious time investment, but the impact it makes for the listeners makes every minute worth it.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
Podcasting has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done. It’s connected me with people I never would have met otherwise — professionals, other fathers, and men who just needed someone to say, “You’re not alone.” It’s helped me grow personally and professionally. I’ve learned more about relationships, mental health, fatherhood, and resilience through my guests than I ever expected. It’s also made me a better communicator and listener, which has helped in every part of my life.
I do take sponsorships, but I’ve been careful about who I work with. I only promote products or services that actually align with the mission of helping men through divorce.
Right now, I’m averaging around 3,000 downloads per month. I find sponsors through a mix of outreach and platforms that connect podcasters with advertisers. Some come from personal connections, others from brands reaching out directly after hearing the show.
In terms of revenue, it’s not my full-time income, but the podcast does help offset its own costs and support growth. The real payoff, though, is in the impact — hearing from men who say the show helped them get through the hardest time in their lives. That’s the kind of return you can’t measure in dollars.
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► How does your podcasting process look like?
The process starts with planning. I usually map out topics a few weeks in advance based on what I know listeners are going through — things like co-parenting struggles, rebuilding confidence, dating after divorce, or legal questions. If I’m bringing on a guest, I look for someone who has real value to offer, whether that’s from personal experience or professional expertise.
Most of my interviews happen over Riverside.fm. It’s reliable, easy to use, and gives me the flexibility to talk with guests from anywhere. I rarely do in-person interviews unless it’s local and easy to arrange.
I prep for each episode by researching the topic and the guest. I’ll write down key points I want to hit, but I keep the structure loose so the conversation can flow naturally. I want it to feel real, not scripted.
For recording, I use a quality USB mic and record through Riverside.fm.
I host the podcast on a platform that distributes it to all major players like Apple, Spotify, and Google. For promotion, I use social media, my website, and a mailing list to keep listeners in the loop and grow the audience. Everything is streamlined now, but it took time to figure out a system that works and keeps the quality high.
► How do you market your show?
Marketing The Divorced Dadvocate is all about meeting listeners where they already are — usually searching for help, answers, or community. Most people find the show through podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, followed by Google searches. Apple makes up the biggest chunk of downloads, around 60 percent, with Spotify and Google Podcasts following behind.
I also use social media to share new episodes and highlight key takeaways. Facebook and Instagram have been especially useful since many dads in my audience use those platforms regularly. I post short clips, quotes, and episode highlights to catch attention and drive traffic.
Email is another important channel. I’ve built a mailing list that goes out with new episodes, resources, and updates. That’s where I get some of the most engaged listeners because they’ve opted in and are looking for consistent support.
I’ve also been featured on other podcasts, which helps introduce the show to new audiences. Guesting on aligned shows is one of the most effective ways I’ve grown the listener base organically. In the end, it’s about trust — if someone hears value in one episode, they’re more likely to subscribe, share it, and stick around.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
Start before you feel ready. You’ll never have the perfect mic, the perfect voice, or the perfect plan. Just hit record and get going. The first few episodes will be rough — that’s normal. What matters is consistency and staying focused on why you’re doing it in the first place.
One thing I learned that wasn’t obvious at first: podcasting is a marathon, not a sprint. Growth takes time. You have to keep showing up even when downloads are low or you’re not sure anyone’s listening. That’s when the real foundation is being built.
Also, make the show for your listeners, not your ego. It’s easy to get caught up in stats, but what really matters is impact. Are you helping someone? Are you saying something that matters? Keep the focus there.
And here’s something that doesn’t get said enough — your voice and your perspective matter. There’s someone out there who needs to hear what only you can say. Focus on serving them, and the rest will follow.
► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?
You can find everything related to The Divorced Dadvocate at www.thedivorceddadvocate.com. That’s where all the episodes live, along with blog posts, resources, and ways to connect with the community.
I’m also active on social media:
Instagram: @divorced.dadvocate
Facebook: The Divorced Dadvocate
YouTube: The Divorced Dadvocate
If you want to reach out directly or ask a question, you can email me at jude@thedivorceddadvocate.com.
If the podcast has helped you and you want to support it, you can do that through Patreon at patreon.com/divorceddadvocate or by donating through PayPal at paypal.me/divorceddadvocate. Every bit goes back into creating more content and reaching more dads who need it.
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