Ep 3/12 || Divorce, Art and Finding your way with Lira van Staden
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In this deeply moving and honest conversation, Pierre sits down with artist, teacher, and divorce doula Lira van Staden.
Together they explore the intersections of creativity, loss, personal reinvention, and what it truly means to find your voice again after life doesn’t go according to plan.
Lira shares her journey from a childhood dream shaped by societal expectations to becoming a celebrated public artist and a compassionate guide for those navigating the pain of divorce. They discuss the cultural narratives around marriage, the subtle early signs that relationships are changing, and how grief can be an essential — and even beautiful — part of starting anew.
This episode is a powerful reflection on resilience, authenticity, and the unexpected paths life asks us to walk.
Get in touch with Lira:
Instagram @divorcedoulafindingaway
Whatsapp: 082 524 5375
www.divorcedoulaway.com
Time-stamped Topics
[00:00] Meet Lira: Artist, mother, and newly minted divorce doula
[02:00] Early memories: How community shaped their friendship
[05:00] Growing up on a farm and early dreams of motherhood
[08:30] Art, identity, and discovering hidden callings
[11:30] Megaphone Me: Giving voice to the unheard
[16:00] Uncovering subconscious desires through art
[20:00] How we sometimes “know” before we consciously know
[24:00] Cultural expectations of marriage and the pressure to conform
[28:00] What makes relationships last — and what makes them falter
[32:00] Grief, guilt, and “gorillas” after separation
[36:00] Creating new routines after loss
[39:00] Why you should be careful who you sit with after a breakup
[42:00] Redefining success, love, and belonging on your own terms
Key Takeaways
- Grief is not a detour; it is a necessary part of personal transformation
- You can lose yourself in the idea of a life before you realize it
- True love accepts, rather than tries to change, the other person
- New identities are often hidden inside old stories
- Trusting your instincts early can save years of pain
- Post-divorce life is not survival, it can be a season of creativity and hope
Together they explore the intersections of creativity, loss, personal reinvention, and what it truly means to find your voice again after life doesn’t go according to plan.
Lira shares her journey from a childhood dream shaped by societal expectations to becoming a celebrated public artist and a compassionate guide for those navigating the pain of divorce. They discuss the cultural narratives around marriage, the subtle early signs that relationships are changing, and how grief can be an essential — and even beautiful — part of starting anew.
This episode is a powerful reflection on resilience, authenticity, and the unexpected paths life asks us to walk.
Get in touch with Lira:
Instagram @divorcedoulafindingaway
Whatsapp: 082 524 5375
www.divorcedoulaway.com
Time-stamped Topics
[00:00] Meet Lira: Artist, mother, and newly minted divorce doula
[02:00] Early memories: How community shaped their friendship
[05:00] Growing up on a farm and early dreams of motherhood
[08:30] Art, identity, and discovering hidden callings
[11:30] Megaphone Me: Giving voice to the unheard
[16:00] Uncovering subconscious desires through art
[20:00] How we sometimes “know” before we consciously know
[24:00] Cultural expectations of marriage and the pressure to conform
[28:00] What makes relationships last — and what makes them falter
[32:00] Grief, guilt, and “gorillas” after separation
[36:00] Creating new routines after loss
[39:00] Why you should be careful who you sit with after a breakup
[42:00] Redefining success, love, and belonging on your own terms
Key Takeaways
- Grief is not a detour; it is a necessary part of personal transformation
- You can lose yourself in the idea of a life before you realize it
- True love accepts, rather than tries to change, the other person
- New identities are often hidden inside old stories
- Trusting your instincts early can save years of pain
- Post-divorce life is not survival, it can be a season of creativity and hope
