Mayim Bialik went through a “terribly sad” divorce from her husband of nine years.
She later found happiness and humor with her current boyfriend, Jonathan Cohen.
She shares her insights on mindful co-parenting dynamics with her ex after their divorce.
Mayim Bialik is a multi-talented actress, neuroscientist, author, and podcast host who has entertained audiences for over three decades. With a career spanning over three decades, she first captured audiences’ hearts as Blossom Russo in the 1990s sitcom “Blossom” and later gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Amy Farrah Fowler on the CBS hit “The Big Bang Theory.”
Her talent has garnered her multiple awards and nominations. Currently, Bialik holds the prestigious role as a host on “Jeopardy!” alongside Ken Jennings and takes on the lead and production duties in the FOX show “Call Me Kat.” She passionately advocates for mental health awareness, a cause she explores openly on her popular podcast, “Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown,” co-hosted with her boyfriend, Jonathan Cohen.
But behind her successful and busy career, Bialik has also faced many challenges in her personal life, especially regarding love and family. She went through a painful divorce in 2012 after nine years of marriage.
The actress rarely reveals details about her relationship with Cohen. However, she has shared glimpses of their chemistry and humor on their podcast and social media. She has also expressed gratitude for finding love again after her divorce and for having an excellent co-parenting relationship with her ex-husband, Michael Stone.
Bialik and Stone married in 2003 and had two sons, Miles and Frederick. They practiced a hands-on parenting style, including attachment parenting and homeschooling. They also shared a Jewish faith and culture, which was important to Bialik, an observant Jew. However, after nine years, the couple made the difficult decision to divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
Bialik announced the news on her blog in November 2012, writing, “Divorce is terribly sad, painful and incomprehensible for children. It is not something we have decided lightly.” She shared that their decision to separate wasn’t a result of their parenting style, acknowledging that relationships are complicated regardless of any parenting style.
In the heartfelt statement, Bialik also revealed that they were squarely focused on ensuring a seamless and gentle transition for their sons — aged four and seven at the time of the divorce — amid the decision to embrace two separate but loving homes. The couple expressed a shared commitment to their children’s growth and well-being during the period of change.
In 2016, Bialik took a courageous step by sharing a candid video on YouTube, marking the first time she openly discussed her experience with divorce. In this recording, she provided insights into how she navigates the complexities of being divorced and shared her strategies for framing the situation to benefit not only herself but also her ex-spouse and, most importantly, her children.
The motivation behind creating and sharing this video was rooted in a desire to educate and offer support to individuals who might find themselves in similar circumstances. By opening up about her personal journey, Bialik aimed to provide guidance and understanding for those facing the challenges of divorce.
She said that she and Stone have redefined their concept of family life post-divorce, emphasizing shared experiences that include celebrating holidays, attending synagogues, and being present for each other’s family events, even funerals.
Despite the challenges, they remain integral parts of each other’s families, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining a positive and supportive environment for their children. Notably, she highlighted their conscious decision not to engage in negative talk about each other in front of the kids.
Acknowledging the inherent difficulties of raising children in a divorced setting, Bialik candidly admitted to being profoundly grateful for Stone’s role as a wonderful ex-husband and father.
Bialik openly discussed the emotional aspects of divorce, recognizing the natural inclination to miss the togetherness of a traditional family under one roof. Despite these feelings, she conveyed that divorce marks the end of a couple sharing a residence, not the termination of a family.
“We get to make the most of what we have. And, in some cases, we get to make the most of what we have left,” she shared. Amidst the challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic, Bialik expressed deep gratitude for the thriving co-parenting relationship with her ex-husband.
In August 2020, she acknowledged their collective effort to foster open and constructive conversations, enabling a unique form of cohabitation during the quarantine period. Describing the situation as essentially “quarantining together in two houses,” Bialik highlighted the seamless transition their children experience between the two homes.
This arrangement, born out of effective communication and cooperation, allowed for a sense of continuity and stability for the family. The pandemic, somewhat unexpectedly, provided a silver lining by unveiling differences in parenting styles.
Bialik humorously shared, “It’s actually been a really beautiful opportunity for us to also see where we don’t align. He is much stricter than I am. He practically takes out a tape measure when my mom comes over.” The ability to discuss these disparities openly, finding humor in the differences, has been a critical element in maintaining a harmonious co-parenting dynamic for the ex-couple.
Bialik, who has since moved on to a new relationship, did not reveal the details of when or how she met her current boyfriend, Cohen, but she has hinted that they met over a decade ago at a toddler’s birthday party. Cohen is a Canadian writer and creative director who is a co-founder of Lotic AI.
He is also a father of a son who lives in Toronto. In 2018, he revealed through an Instagram post that he was moving to Toronto to be close to his son. Bialik and Cohen started a podcast about mental health called “Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown” in January 2021. The podcast features the couple interviewing celebrities, experts, and friends about their mental health struggles and experiences.
The podcast also showcases Bialik’s neuroscience background as she explains the science behind various mental health topics. The podcast has been a hit, with over 20 million downloads and counting. It has also received positive reviews from critics and listeners, who praise Bialik and Cohen’s chemistry, humor, and honesty.
They often trash-talk each other, joke around, and tease each other, but they also support, compliment, and appreciate each other.
Bialik said that she has never dated someone who talks so much trash but that it’s fun. She also said that she sometimes gets her feelings hurt, and Cohen replied, “It was your mistake. Very early on, she said to me, ‘Never let a joke pass.’”
In June 2022, the couple posted a clip of Cohen cleaning the house on their podcast Instagram page while Bialik narrated his actions in a sarcastic tone. The caption read, “Good job Jonathan!”
Bialik is a remarkable woman who has shown her versatility and talent in various fields and genres and has earned the respect and admiration of her fans and peers. She has also balanced her career with her personal life and found happiness and fulfillment. She exemplifies resilience and empowerment for many people who struggle with similar issues.
