The Divorce and Beyond® Podcast with Susan Guthrie, Esq.

Divorce season is in full swing, and for many listeners, that means overwhelm, fear, and financial uncertainty. Susan Guthrie welcomes back two of her favorite returning experts, Karen Chellew and Catherine Shanahan of My Divorce Solution, to talk about what truly matters in the earliest days of divorce: financial clarity before legal action.

Divorce may be a legal process, but in the beginning, it feels emotional and financial. Fear can drive rushed decisions. Anger can fuel unnecessary conflict. And too often, people hire attorneys before they understand what they actually own, owe, or need. Karen and Catherine specialize in helping individuals slow down, gather the facts, and understand what is truly in the marital “pie” before anyone starts slicing it up.

Through their structured preparation platform and signature MDS Financial Portrait™, they help people turn panic into power and confusion into confidence. This conversation is about avoiding early mistakes, preventing unnecessary legal costs, and building a foundation that supports smart, informed decisions from day one.

What You’ll Learn

Why divorce should often begin with financial clarity, not immediate legal action

How emotional agreements like “you keep the house, I’ll keep my retirement” can create long-term financial damage

What really happens when couples rely on spreadsheets without full documentation

The difference between financial literacy and financial empowerment during divorce

How understanding the financial impact of decisions allows you to pivot confidently during negotiations

Why assembling the right professional team depends on first understanding the complexity of your financial picture

Episode Blog Article:  What Is the #1 Financial Mistake Before Filing for Divorce?

Free Episode Resource: Before You File: Divorce Financial Readiness Checklist

About the Guests 
Catherine Shanahan, CDFA
After 25 years in the financial industry, having raised five children and endured her own experience with divorce, Catherine became a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), trained Mediator and Daily Money Manager(PDMM). Catherine is collaboratively trained and was a member of the Bucks County Collaborative Law Group. She is a member of the  American Association of Daily Money Managers (AADMM) the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts, and the Association of Divorce Financial Planners (ADFP). Catherine is fully dedicated to helping clients understand and navigate all aspects of divorce including planning a secure financial future post-divorce. 

Karen Chellew, Legal Liaison 
For over 30 years, Karen has worked in the legal field as a paralegal and business manager. During her career, she served as an affiliated member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and President Elect of the ALA (Association of Legal Administrators). Karen now serves clients and the professional team in her role as legal liaison. She is also a certified QDRO Administrator, Founder and President of Sisters U Foundation, and an Auditor of East Rockhill Township. As the mom of three children and one granddaughter, Karen is extremely passionate about helping women in all that she does.   

My Divorce Solution
Through their professional and personal experiences, Karen Chellew and Catherine Shanahan have created a unique and comprehensive process that greets divorce in a whole new way – a way that empowers those who experience this major life transition. Our mission is simple: to help people move through the divorce process with financial clarity and confidence so they can make the rest of their lives the best of their lives.

The MDS Financial Portrait™ is a compilation of data and financial records utilizing the family’s key and supporting documentation.  The MDS Financial Portrait provides a clear neutral snapshot of the family’s marital and non-marital estate for purposes of determining alimony, child support, and the division of assets and liabilities.  This comprehensive Portrait can then be used by divorce professionals as verification of marital/non-marital assets, and the blueprint when considering various scenarios, alternatives and the resulting implications of any financial decisions.

Our services, specialties and certifications help individuals and couples develop a transparent and comprehensive financial plan that will optimize the outcome of their divorce.  We meet with couples in our virtual office so we can assist you no matter where you live!

Connect with Karen and Catherine of My Divorce Solution
Website: http://mydivorcesolution.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mydivorcesolution

Podcast: https://mydivorcesolution.com/we-chat-divorce-podcast/

Make the Most of Your Listening Experience:
If this episode resonates with you, be sure to:

Subscribe to Divorce & Beyond so you never miss an episode.

Share this episode with friends or loved ones who need hope and healing.

Leave a 5-star review to help us reach even more listeners.

Follow Us Online:

Divorce & Beyond:  https://divorceandbeyondpod.com,

IG: @divorceandbeyondpod

Meet Our Host
Susan E. Guthrie®, Esq. is one of the nation’s leading family law and mediation experts, with more than 35 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate divorce and conflict with clarity and compassion. She is the Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, a best-selling author, and a sought-after speaker, trainer, and practice-building consultant.

Susan recently appeared as the featured expert on The Oprah Podcast, where she shared her insights on gray divorce and the changing landscape of relationships. Her expertise has also been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Washington Post, NewsNation, and NBC’s Chicago Today, among many others.

As the creator and host of the award-winning Divorce & Beyond® Podcast, ranked in the top 1% of all podcasts worldwide with more than 3.4 million downloads, Susan brings together top experts and powerful personal stories to help listeners move through divorce and beyond with confidence, insight, and hope.

Learn more about Susan and her work at susaneguthrie.com.

Divorce & Beyond is a Top 1% Overall and Top 100 Self-Help podcast designed to help you with all you need to know to navigate your divorce journey and most importantly, to thrive in your beautiful beyond!  

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A Smarter, Simpler Way to Navigate Your Divorce
Looking for a clearer and more affordable way to move through your divorce? Check out Hello Divorce. Their guided online platform combines easy-to-follow tools with real legal and coaching support to help you complete your divorce with less stress, less confusion, and far lower costs than a traditional courtroom battle.

They have created a special page just for Divorce & Beyond listeners. Explore your options at hellodivorce.com/susan.

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A Special Offer from Yumiyu

YUMIYU Jewelry is Susan’s favorite source for meaningful, handcrafted jewelry designed to empower women and celebrate individuality. Each piece is made with care, using high-quality materials like real gold and vermeil, and is water-resistant, non-tarnish, and hypoallergenic.

During difficult times, like divorce, wearing a symbol of hope or protection—such as a hamsa or an evil eye—can be a comforting reminder to keep the faith and stay strong.

As a special gift to my listeners, YUMIYU Jewelry is offering 20% off your purchase! Use the code "BEYOND" at checkout to claim your discount.

Explore their stunning collection at yumiyujewelry.com and find your perfect piece today!

Link: https://divorcebeyond.com/YUMIYU  Code: “BEYOND” for 20% off!

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Opportunities for Expert Guests and Fellow Podcasters

Partner with Divorce & Beyond
Whether you're a podcaster looking to expand your reach or an expert ready to share your insights, Divorce & Beyond offers the perfect platform to amplify your voice.  Find out more here: https://divorceandbeyondpod.com/guest-opportunities

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DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM

Dating again in midlife can stir up a mix of curiosity, hope, and very real hesitation. After divorce, it’s not just about meeting someone new, it’s about trusting your instincts and believing that love can feel different this time. Susan Guthrie welcomes back one of Divorce & Beyond’s most trusted and favorite guests, Bela Gandhi, for an honest, encouraging conversation about what it truly takes to move from fear to confidence when dating again in midlife.

Known as America’s go-to dating coach and beloved by the Divorce & Beyond community, Bela brings warmth, optimism, and refreshingly practical wisdom to a chapter that often feels overwhelming. Together, Susan and Bela unpack why midlife dating can actually be better than ever, how to stop repeating old patterns that no longer serve you, and what smart, intentional dating looks like when you’re choosing differently and more consciously this time around.

What You’ll Learn

Why fear around dating after divorce is normal

How those “rollercoaster butterflies” are usually a sign of anxiety, not chemistry, and how to recognize calm as a healthier sign of compatibility

How dating today offers more options, visibility, and agency than ever before, especially for midlife daters

Why confidence in dating comes from having a clear plan, not luck, timing, or instant sparks

How slowing down and allowing connection to develop over time leads to better long-term outcomes

About the Guest 
Bela Gandhi is a dating/relationship expert, TEDx speaker, founder of Smart Dating AcademyÒ and has been featured on most national/local media outlets including Good Morning America, Steve Harvey, the Today Show, Kelly Clarkson, Access, ABC, NBC, Fox, and more. 

Bela realized her gift for love when she was in college and started matchmaking and coaching her friends – watching them sail on to relationship bliss and marriage.  Using her own system, Bela found her own amazing husband of over 20 years, and in 2009, founded Smart Dating AcademyÒ.  Smart Dating Academy teaches singles all over the globe the Smart DatingÒ four phase system – 1) Preparing to Date, 2) Dating, 3) Exclusivity and 4) Happily Ever After.   They specialize in VIP 1:1 coaching, and with clients that have followed their system, they’ve had ‘zero divorces.’  They help singles to ‘fix their pickers’ because their coaches are deep in the weeds with clients, helping read profiles, message, and rate each date after it happens – she makes dating fun, easy and successful!  

Before starting Smart Dating Academy, Bela earned dual degrees in Finance and German from the University of Illinois in Urbana/Champaign.  Bela worked in mergers and acquisitions for Arthur Andersen in Chicago for a year before joining her family's chemicals manufacturing company (called CCC), where she divided her time between Chicago and Europe helping to expand the business. When they sold the business to Fortune 500 company Akzo Nobel, she was asked to remain its leader and became Akzo Nobel Non-Stick Coating’s Global Vice President of Housewares.   While climbing the corporate ladder, she realized it was time to unveil her system to the world, and it was her best decision ever. 

Bela lives in Lincoln Park with her husband Andy and 2 children, Jaden and Max, and is going to be an empty nester next year!   

Connect with Bela Gandhi
Website: http://smartdatingacademy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy

Podcast: https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/podcast

The Midlife Dating Mindset Reset Guide Download

Make the Most of Your Listening Experience:
If this episode resonates with you, be sure to:

Subscribe to Divorce & Beyond so you never miss an episode.

Share this episode with friends or loved ones who need hope and healing.

Leave a 5-star review to help us reach even more listeners.

Follow Us Online:

Divorce & Beyond:  https://divorceandbeyondpod.com,

IG: @divorceandbeyondpod

Meet Our Host
Susan E. Guthrie®, Esq. is one of the nation’s leading family law and mediation experts, with more than 35 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate divorce and conflict with clarity and compassion. She is the Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, a best-selling author, and a sought-after speaker, trainer, and practice-building consultant.

Susan recently appeared as the featured expert on The Oprah Podcast, where she shared her insights on gray divorce and the changing landscape of relationships. Her expertise has also been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Washington Post, NewsNation, and NBC’s Chicago Today, among many others.

As the creator and host of the award-winning Divorce & Beyond® Podcast, ranked in the top 1% of all podcasts worldwide with more than 3.4 million downloads, Susan brings together top experts and powerful personal stories to help listeners move through divorce and beyond with confidence, insight, and hope.

Learn more about Susan and her work at susaneguthrie.com.

Divorce & Beyond is a Top 1% Overall and Top 100 Self-Help podcast designed to help you with all you need to know to navigate your divorce journey and most importantly, to thrive in your beautiful beyond!  

*****************************************************************************

A Smarter, Simpler Way to Navigate Your Divorce
Looking for a clearer and more affordable way to move through your divorce? Check out Hello Divorce. Their guided online platform combines easy-to-follow tools with real legal and coaching support to help you complete your divorce with less stress, less confusion, and far lower costs than a traditional courtroom battle.

They have created a special page just for Divorce & Beyond listeners. Explore your options at hellodivorce.com/susan.

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Special Offer from Blue Mercury
Treat yourself to luxury skincare, makeup, and fragrance favorites from Blue Mercury, your destination for beauty and self-care. Divorce & Beyond listeners receive 15% off their first order when they use the special link in the show notes. Because you deserve to look and feel your best,  inside and out.

You must use this link to receive the 15% off on your first Blue Mercury order: https://divorcebeyond.com/Blue-Mercury

*****************************************************************************

Opportunities for Expert Guests and Fellow Podcasters

Partner with Divorce & Beyond
Whether you're a podcaster looking to expand your reach or an expert ready to share your insights, Divorce & Beyond offers the perfect platform to amplify your voice.  Find out more here: https://divorceandbeyondpod.com/guest-opportunities

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DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM

Gray divorce is one of the fastest-growing divorce trends, yet it remains one of the least talked-about experiences. It is not just the end of a marriage. It is the unraveling of decades of shared life, identity, routines, and expectations.

In this episode, Susan Guthrie is joined by gray divorce coach Maryjane Sweet, whom she first met when they were both featured on the Oprah Podcast in a powerful conversation about gray divorce. Maryjane appeared alongside her adult daughter, and their story stood out for its honesty, depth, and the grace with which Maryjane navigated this life-altering transition.

Together, Susan and Maryjane explore what it truly takes to move through gray divorce with intention, emotional awareness, and integrity. They discuss why gray divorce can feel especially destabilizing, particularly when it arrives unexpectedly, and how the losses extend far beyond the marriage itself. The conversation dives into grief, identity shifts, nervous system overwhelm, and the invisible emotional labor women carry as they work to hold themselves and their families together during profound change.

This is not a conversation about quick fixes. It is about honoring loss, building emotional safety, and discovering what gray divorce can give back on the other side.

What You’ll Learn

Why gray divorce is not just a legal ending, but a profound emotional and identity shift after decades of shared life

Why rituals around loss, such as leaving a family home or removing wedding rings, help create closure and support healing

How daily anchors like sleep, nourishment, movement, and connection are essential tools during divorce

Why adult children are deeply impacted by gray divorce and how parents can model integrity, resilience, and self-compassion

How focusing on how you want to feel can help guide decisions when the future feels like a black hole

Why coaching support can be critical during gray divorce and how it helps women move forward without getting stuck in the past

About the Guest 
Maryjane is a gray divorce coach and consultant. She combines the lived experience of ending a 26-year marriage with deep professional training to help women navigate the emotional and practical complexities of gray divorce. She holds a master's in Organizational Behavior and is an !CF-certified PCC coach with over 1,500 client hours worldwide. She's trained in mindfulness and meditation through Duke University, is a certified trauma-informed yoga instructor, and has taught university courses on well-being and neuroscience-based stress regulation. With more than twenty years in leadership development and human transformation, she offers women a grounded, evidence-based pathway through midlife divorce - one that honors both the unraveling and the rising.

Connect with Maryjane Sweet
Website: http://maryjanesweet.com

Instagram: @thegreydivorcecoach

Blog Article + Free Downloadable Resource

📝 Rituals for Grief in Gray Divorce: Why Closure Matters

In this companion article, Susan explores why gray divorce requires more than legal resolution. It requires emotional closure. Drawing from this conversation, she explains how intentional rituals, such as marking the end of a marriage, leaving a longtime home, or acknowledging decades of shared life, can help the nervous system process loss and support healing during profound transition.

You’ll also find a simple, downloadable resource designed to help you reflect on what closure might look like for you.

Read here: https://divorceandbeyondpod.com/blog

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Make the Most of Your Listening Experience:
If this episode resonates with you, be sure to:

Subscribe to Divorce & Beyond so you never miss an episode.

Share this episode with friends or loved ones who need hope and healing.

Leave a 5-star review to help us reach even more listeners.

Follow Us Online:

Divorce & Beyond:  https://divorceandbeyondpod.com,

IG: @divorceandbeyondpod

Meet Our Host
Susan E. Guthrie®, Esq. is one of the nation’s leading family law and mediation experts, with more than 35 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate divorce and conflict with clarity and compassion. She is the Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, a best-selling author, and a sought-after speaker, trainer, and practice-building consultant.

Susan recently appeared as the featured expert on The Oprah Podcast, where she shared her insights on gray divorce and the changing landscape of relationships. Her expertise has also been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Washington Post, NewsNation, and NBC’s Chicago Today, among many others.

As the creator and host of the award-winning Divorce & Beyond® Podcast, ranked in the top 1% of all podcasts worldwide with more than 3.4 million downloads, Susan brings together top experts and powerful personal stories to help listeners move through divorce and beyond with confidence, insight, and hope.

Learn more about Susan and her work at susaneguthrie.com.

Divorce & Beyond is a Top 1% Overall and Top 100 Self-Help podcast designed to help you with all you need to know to navigate your divorce journey and most importantly, to thrive in your beautiful beyond!  

*****************************************************************************

A Smarter, Simpler Way to Navigate Your Divorce
Looking for a clearer and more affordable way to move through your divorce? Check out Hello Divorce. Their guided online platform combines easy-to-follow tools with real legal and coaching support to help you complete your divorce with less stress, less confusion, and far lower costs than a traditional courtroom battle.

They have created a special page just for Divorce & Beyond listeners. Explore your options at hellodivorce.com/susan.

*****************************************************************************

Special Offer from Blue Mercury
Treat yourself to luxury skincare, makeup, and fragrance favorites from Blue Mercury, your destination for beauty and self-care. Divorce & Beyond listeners receive 15% off their first order when they use the special link in the show notes. Because you deserve to look and feel your best,  inside and out.

You must use this link to receive the 15% off on your first Blue Mercury order: https://divorcebeyond.com/Blue-Mercury

*****************************************************************************

Opportunities for Expert Guests and Fellow Podcasters

Partner with Divorce & Beyond
Whether you're a podcaster looking to expand your reach or an expert ready to share your insights, Divorce & Beyond offers the perfect platform to amplify your voice.  Find out more here: https://divorceandbeyondpod.com/guest-opportunities

*****************************************************************************

DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM

It was never about the dishes…
It’s about mental load, invisible labor, and power inside modern marriage.

To dig into why so many women feel this strain inside their marriages, Susan Guthrie is joined by Kate Anthony, a globally recognized divorce coach, feminist thought leader, and the author of The D Word: Making the Ultimate Decision About Your Marriage. Kate is also the creator and host of the top-ranked Divorce Survival Guide Podcast.

Together, Susan and Kate talk candidly about how deeply ingrained expectations still shape modern relationships, often in ways people don’t recognize until the damage is done. They explore why patriarchy harms women while also isolating men, what real partnership actually looks like in practice, and how patterns like deflection, denial, and  quietly erode trust over time. The conversation also addresses the very real impact these dynamics have on women’s emotional and physical safety, and why naming them clearly can be a powerful first step toward change.

What You’ll Learn

How mental load becomes a proxy for deeper issues of power, responsibility, and respect

How patriarchy shapes modern marriage in ways that harm women while also isolating men and fueling resentment

What real partnership looks like in practice and why occasional help is not the same as shared ownership

What it often means when one partner says they were “blindsided” by divorce and how invisible labor plays a role

Why naming these dynamics clearly can be a critical first step toward safety, clarity, and meaningful change

About the Guest

Kate Anthony is a feminist thought leader, divorce coach, and author of The D Word: Making the Ultimate Decision About Your Marriage. As the host of The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast (3.5M+ downloads; globally ranked in the top 0.5%), Kate brings fierce clarity and grounded compassion to conversations about coercive control, codependency, and the complex dynamics that shape women’s relationships and choices.

For well over a decade, Kate has guided women through the emotional and practical challenges of deciding whether to stay or leave their marriages, helping them rebuild self-trust, navigate high-conflict partners, and dismantle patriarchal conditioning. Her work blends feminist analysis, relational insight, and practical communication tools that empower women to make safe, self-led decisions.

Kate is also developing a groundbreaking project exploring true crime as women’s survival literature, illuminating the coercive control patterns and systemic failures embedded in headline cases.

Connect with Kate Anthony
Website: http://kateanthony.com

Instagram: @kateanthony_divorcecoach

Make the Most of Your Listening Experience:
If this episode resonates with you, be sure to:

Subscribe to Divorce & Beyond so you never miss an episode.

Share this episode with friends or loved ones who need hope and healing.

Leave a 5-star review to help us reach even more listeners.

Follow Us Online:

Divorce & Beyond:  https://divorceandbeyondpod.com,

IG: @divorceandbeyondpod

Meet Our Host
Susan E. Guthrie®, Esq. is one of the nation’s leading family law and mediation experts, with more than 35 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate divorce and conflict with clarity and compassion. She is the Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, a best-selling author, and a sought-after speaker, trainer, and practice-building consultant.

Susan recently appeared as the featured expert on The Oprah Podcast, where she shared her insights on gray divorce and the changing landscape of relationships. Her expertise has also been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Washington Post, NewsNation, and NBC’s Chicago Today, among many others.

As the creator and host of the award-winning Divorce & Beyond® Podcast, ranked in the top 1% of all podcasts worldwide with more than 3.4 million downloads, Susan brings together top experts and powerful personal stories to help listeners move through divorce and beyond with confidence, insight, and hope.

Learn more about Susan and her work at susaneguthrie.com.

Divorce & Beyond is a Top 1% Overall and Top 100 Self-Help podcast designed to help you with all you need to know to navigate your divorce journey and most importantly, to thrive in your beautiful beyond!  

*****************************************************************************

A Smarter, Simpler Way to Navigate Your Divorce
Looking for a clearer and more affordable way to move through your divorce? Check out Hello Divorce. Their guided online platform combines easy-to-follow tools with real legal and coaching support to help you complete your divorce with less stress, less confusion, and far lower costs than a traditional courtroom battle.

They have created a special page just for Divorce & Beyond listeners. Explore your options at hellodivorce.com/susan.

*****************************************************************************

Special Offer from Blue Mercury
Treat yourself to luxury skincare, makeup, and fragrance favorites from Blue Mercury, your destination for beauty and self-care. Divorce & Beyond listeners receive 15% off their first order when they use the special link in the show notes. Because you deserve to look and feel your best,  inside and out.

You must use this link to receive the 15% off on your first Blue Mercury order: https://divorcebeyond.com/Blue-Mercury

*****************************************************************************

Opportunities for Expert Guests and Fellow Podcasters

Partner with Divorce & Beyond
Whether you're a podcaster looking to expand your reach or an expert ready to share your insights, Divorce & Beyond offers the perfect platform to amplify your voice.  Find out more here: https://divorceandbeyondpod.com/guest-opportunities

*****************************************************************************

DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM

For many people quietly navigating divorce season, one question lingers beneath the surface:

Is this just a rough season, or is this relationship truly over?

In this powerful and deeply honest episode of Divorce & Beyond, Susan Guthrie sits down with renowned psychotherapist Dr. Jenn Mann to explore how to tell the difference, and why clarity, not guilt, is often the most caring path forward.

Inspired by Dr. Jenn’s widely shared insight, “Not every relationship is meant to be saved,” this conversation goes far beyond the familiar stay-or-leave debate. Together, Susan and Dr. Jenn examine how therapy can sometimes help repair a marriage and other times provide the clarity needed to trust yourself enough to let go.

They discuss the emotional cost of staying too long, the deal breakers people often rationalize away, and why ending a marriage can be an act of courage and strength rather than failure.

This is a compassionate, nuanced conversation for anyone questioning what comes next.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

How to tell the difference between a rough season and a relationship that has truly run its course

Why therapy is not always about fixing the marriage, but often about gaining clarity

The deal breakers people ignore for years, including emotional unavailability and refusal to seek help

Why “staying for the kids” is far more complex than it sounds and what children actually absorb

How leaving a marriage can build confidence, resilience, and deeper self-trust

About the Guest
Dr. Jenn Mann is one of the most widely recognized psychotherapists in the country, with nearly three decades of clinical experience as a licensed Marriage, Family, and Child Therapist (LMFT).

She is best known as the longtime host and therapist on VH1’s hit series Couples Therapy with Dr. Jenn and Family Therapy with Dr. Jenn, and has appeared as a trusted expert on hundreds of television programs, including The Today Show, Dr. Oz, The Wendy Williams Show, The Doctors, Steve Harvey, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, and Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Dr. Jenn is the author of multiple bestselling books, including The Relationship Fix, SuperBaby, and The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy Confident Kids, which have collectively spent weeks on national bestseller lists. She is also the co-author of the children’s book Rockin’ Babies, written with her mother, Grammy-award-winning songwriter Cynthia Weil.

In addition to her television and publishing work, Dr. Jenn hosted The Dr. Jenn Show on SiriusXM for five years and has contributed award-winning writing to national parenting and family publications.

She lives in Beverly Hills, California, with her partner and twin daughters.

🔗 Dr. Jenn Mann’s Book:
The Relationship Fix
https://amzn.to/3LtS4If

📲 Connect with Dr. Jenn Mann:
Instagram: @drjennmann

Website: https://doctorjenn.com/

 

Blog Article + Free Downloadable Resource
📝 Staying for the Kids? What Children Actually Absorb From Unhappy Marriages

This companion article explores why children are deeply sensitive to emotional environments and how thoughtful decisions, whether staying or leaving, shape their long-term wellbeing.

Read here: https://divorceandbeyondpod.com/blog

 

🎁 Free Download:
Staying for the Kids? A Clarity Worksheet for Thoughtful Parents
A supportive, non-judgmental reflection tool to help parents think through these questions without pressure or fear.

Download here: https://divorcebeyond.com/stayingforthekids

 

You’ll find the article, the worksheet, and the full episode on the latest episode page at divorceandbeyondpod.com.

Make the Most of Your Listening Experience
If this episode resonated with you:

Subscribe to Divorce & Beyond so you never miss an episode

Share this episode with someone who may need clarity, reassurance, or hope

Leave a 5-star review to help us reach even more listeners

Follow Divorce & Beyond
🌐 Website: https://divorceandbeyondpod.com
📸 Instagram: @divorceandbeyondpod

Meet Your Host
Susan E. Guthrie®, Esq. is one of the nation’s leading family law and mediation experts, with more than 35 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate divorce with clarity and compassion.

She is the Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, a bestselling author, and a sought-after speaker, trainer, and practice-building consultant. Susan recently appeared as a featured expert on The Oprah Podcast, sharing insights on gray divorce and the changing landscape of relationships.

Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Washington Post, NewsNation, and NBC’s Chicago Today.

As the creator and host of the award-winning Divorce & Beyond® Podcast, ranked in the top 1% of podcasts worldwide with millions of downloads, Susan brings together trusted experts and powerful lived experiences to help listeners move through divorce and beyond with confidence and hope.

Learn more at https://divorceandbeyondpod.com/about

 

A Smarter, Simpler Way to Navigate Your Divorce
Looking for a clearer and more affordable way to move through divorce? Hello Divorce offers a guided online platform that combines easy-to-follow tools with real legal and coaching support, helping you reduce stress, confusion, and costs.

🎧 Divorce & Beyond listeners can explore a special page here:
https://hellodivorce.com/susan

Special Offer from Blue Mercury
Treat yourself to luxury skincare, makeup, and fragrance from Blue Mercury, your destination for beauty and self-care.

💄 Divorce & Beyond listeners receive 15% off their first order when using the special link in the show notes. Because you deserve to feel your best, inside and out.

🔗 https://divorcebeyond.com/Blue-Mercury

Opportunities for Experts and Fellow Podcasters
Interested in partnering with Divorce & Beyond or appearing as a guest?

Learn more here:
https://divorceandbeyondpod.com/guest-opportunities

Disclaimer
The commentary and opinions expressed on this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. You should consult an attorney licensed in your state regarding any specific legal issue.