Real Housewives of Potomac season 9, episode 9 recap: Stacey mediates with Greg while Ashley navigates custody talks

Real Housewives of Potomac returned with another engaging episode on December 1, 2024, titled 'Mediation Nation'. The ninth episode of season 9 delved into personal and legal challenges faced by two cast members, Stacey Rausch and Ashley Darby.

Stacey entered mediation with Greg as part of her ongoing divorce proceedings, confronting financial details that caught her off guard. Meanwhile, Ashley faced a lengthy custody discussion with her ex-husband, Michael, highlighting the complexities of co-parenting after separation.

The episode continued with scenes from Wendy Osefo’s birthday celebration, where emotions ran high. Mia and Gizelle addressed their ongoing conflict, creating more tension within the group.

The official synopsis of the episode 9 of Real Housewives of Potomac stated:

"Unexpected results arise from Ashley and Stacey's separate divorce mediation sessions; Keiarna and Greg delve deeper into their relationship; Gizelle enjoys quality time with Grace."

---

Stacey mediates with Greg during their divorce process in Real Housewives of Potomac

Stacey Rusch’s mediation with Greg brought up financial matters that she hadn’t anticipated. Earlier, during Wendy’s party, Stacey sought advice from the group about her upcoming meeting. Confident about a positive outcome, she assumed the process would be straightforward.

However, during mediation, Stacey discovered multiple financial accounts and assets she was unaware of, leading to unexpected discussions about their division. After the session, Stacey joined Wendy, Karen, and Gizelle for lunch, where she shared her experiences.

Stacey admitted that she hadn’t paid bills in over a decade, highlighting how much control Greg had over their finances during their marriage. Gizelle, reflecting on her own divorce, warned Stacey about the challenges women often face in securing their fair share during separation.

"So getting divorced, I wasn’t going into it blind. Because these men try to make sure you have nothing. Stacey girl, you’re in danger." - Gizelle said.

The group encouraged Stacey, sharing the importance of staying informed and proactive. Stacey acknowledged that this mediation was only the first of many, preparing herself for what lay ahead. She was positive about her ex-husband not being like the rest.

---

Ashley navigates custody discussions with Michael in Real Housewives of Potomac

As episode 9 of Real Housewives of Potomac progressed, Ashley dropped her kids at camp. She attended a nine-hour mediation session with her ex-husband, Michael, to discuss custody arrangements for their children.

Both agreed to share custody. However, they were unable to settle another issue. Michael asked Ashley to stop talking about him on the show, which she refused to do.

After the session, Ashley shared her thoughts with Karen. She explained that while the custody arrangement was clear, the discussion about her public comments had added more tension. Karen suggested that Ashley could use Michael’s request as leverage in future negotiations.

Specifically, she advised Ashley to consider asking for financial support or alimony in return for agreeing to his demand. Karen advised:

"She got a bargaining chip; he wants her silence. Well, that’s called alimony. Ding, ding, ding, Ashley! Get paid!"

Ashley also spoke about her concerns for the future. She worried that if they failed to agree on all matters, there might be times when she would not see her children for extended periods. According to Ashley, this was the worst-case scenario.

---

Watch the new episodes of Real Housewives of Potomac airing every Sunday at 8/7c on Bravo.