Ending a marriage after a couple of years is hard enough. But walking away after decades — 20, 30, even 40 years of shared history — is a whole different kind of heartbreak. And yet, more women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s are doing exactly that. This isn’t about sudden explosions; it’s about years of unmet needs, quiet resentment, and love quietly replaced by polite cohabitation. In this episode, I sit down with Jackie Pilossoph, founder of Divorced Girl Smiling, to talk honestly about what’s driving this wave of late-life divorces and what it really looks like to start over. We explore the identity shifts that happen when the “we” you’ve been for decades becomes just “me,” the emotional and financial shockwaves that follow, and why taking control of your money early can change everything. Jackie shares stories of women who’ve reconnected with long-buried passions, proving it’s never too late to create a life you love. And because we both know divorce isn’t all doom and gloom, we talk about the role of humor as a healing force, and how even in the middle of an emotional earthquake, moments of laughter can help you breathe again. This conversation is real, it’s raw, and it’s threaded with hope — for anyone thinking about divorce, living through it, or helping a friend find her way. In this conversation, you’ll hear: • Why so many women are leaving long marriages now — and why it’s not as sudden as it seems. • How to navigate the loss of the life you thought you had while returning to the woman you were always meant to be. • Ways to step into financial clarity, even if it scares you. • The importance of pursuing passions at any age. • How laughter can soften the sharpest edges of the hardest days. If you or someone you love is navigating life after a long marriage, this episode will give you the insight, encouragement, and spark you need to see what’s possible on the other side.