Episode 348: Divorce Mediation Explained: What It Is and How It Works with Susan Guthrie, Esq.

Mediation can feel confusing, intimidating, and wildly misunderstood, especially when you're being told you "don't need a lawyer" because you're mediating." That's exactly why I invited my good friend and colleague Susan Guthrie back to the show. Susan is going to help break down what mediation actually is, how it works, and how to protect yourself in the process. Susan is a former family law attorney, longtime mediator, and the host of the podcast Divorce & Beyond. She's also my go-to expert when my clients have questions about mediation. In this conversation, Susan and I walk through what mediation really looks like from the very beginning, why mediators are not judges, and why having a consulting attorney is still essential even if you are fully committed to mediating.  When you are mediating, the only people who make decisions are the people getting divorced. Nothing is decided unless both of you agree, and that's what gives the process its power. When mediation is done well, it creates space for clarity, informed choices, and agreements you can actually live with, not decisions handed down by someone who doesn't know your life. What you'll hear about in this episode: Misconceptions about mediation and why many misunderstand the process (3:36) Why you must have a consulting attorney, even if you are mediating (15:40) Different forms of mediation, including the benefits of shuttle mediation (27:08) What the mediation process actually looks like from the start (46:40) Bringing other professionals into mediation can save time, money, and conflict (51:54) How to know when mediation is not working and who gets to make that decision (55:24) ✨ If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode, you can find it here. Learn more about Susan Guthrie: Susan Guthrie, Esq. is one of the nation's leading voices in family law and mediation. With more than 30 years of experience as a top divorce attorney, mediator, and trainer, Susan has helped thousands of individuals and families navigate separation with dignity, clarity, and compassion. As the creator and host of the award-winning Divorce & Beyond Podcast, Susan has built one of the most trusted platforms for real conversations about divorce, healing, and new beginnings. Her expertise and approachable style have made her a sought-after media expert, featured on The Oprah Podcast, NewsNation, NBC's Chicago Today, and numerous other national and regional outlets. Beyond her media appearances, Susan is a respected educator and speaker, regularly training professionals in mediation, communication, and practice development across the country. She is also a best-selling author, sharing practical insights that help individuals and professionals alike navigate change with confidence. Susan's work bridges legal knowledge, emotional intelligence, and innovative thinking — helping people not only end their marriages more peacefully but also begin their next chapters with purpose. Resources & Links: Get Your Curated Podcast PlaylistFocused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube! Susan's websiteThe Divorce and Beyond Podcast =================== DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM. =================== Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-348-divorce-mediation-explained-what-it-is-and-how-it-works-with-susan-guthrie-esq/

The holidays have a magical way of triggering every wound you've ever had. In this solo episode, I'm sharing how you can take care of yourself so you don't lose your mind, your center, or your sanity in the process. Whether this is your first holiday season post separation, you're holding it together until January to file, or you're already divorced and juggling co-parenting, conflict, grief, or the pressure to make everything look "fine," nothing you're feeling means you're a bad mom or a bad person. It means you're human, and you deserve far more gentleness than you've ever been taught to give yourself. You'll hear me walk you through the predictable triggers and patterns that show up this time of year and why the holidays feel so damn hard. And together, we'll shift into a new way of moving through the season that protects your peace and honors your truth.  What you'll hear about in this episode: The predictable patterns and triggers that show up every holiday season What your holiday reactions are actually rooted in and why they feel so overwhelming A new way of approaching the season that protects your peace and honors your truth Seven practical ways to care for yourself so you stay connected instead of collapsing under the pressure ✨ If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode, you can find it here. Resources & Links: Get Your Curated Podcast PlaylistFocused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube! =================== DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM. Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-347-when-the-holidays-trigger-every-old-wound-how-to-get-through-without-losing-yourself/  

This episode is about the loneliness women feel inside of relationships and how that loneliness can cut deeper than anything else, even when someone is sitting right next to you. If you've been moving through your days feeling invisible, misunderstood, or emotionally starved inside your own home, please hear me when I say this: you are not alone. Loneliness in marriage has become one of the most common and most deeply painful experiences women quietly carry. Throughout this episode, you'll hear me talk about the female loneliness epidemic inside relationships and why the loneliness you feel is not a personal failure. It is your body, your intuition, and your unmet needs trying to get your attention in the most honest way they know how. I also share seven grounding steps that can help you gently validate your own experience, reconnect with what you truly need, and begin rebuilding emotional safety from the inside out. As I always say, you, my love, deserve to be happy. What you'll hear about in this episode: How emotional labor conditions women into feeling disconnected and unseen The somatic signs of emotional deprivation and what your body is quietly trying to tell you Seven gentle grounding steps to help you validate your reality and rebuild emotional safety How to recognize the difference between a temporary rut and the deeper experience of chronic loneliness Why the loneliness you feel may be a sign that you are waking up to your truth, not breaking down Resources & Links: Get Your Curated Podcast PlaylistFocused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube! =================== DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM. =================== Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-346-the-female-loneliness-epidemic/

Enjoy this encore episode as I walk you through a big one: navigating the holidays during divorce. The holidays can feel like walking an emotional tightrope while trying to hold onto some joy. Whether it's your first holiday season after divorce, your last one as a family before separating, or you've been navigating holidays in divorce for a while, it's a time that stirs up all the emotions.  Wherever you are in this process, I want you to know that you're not alone. Also, were the holidays stress-free before divorce? Probably not. This episode isn't just about surviving the holidays, it's about reclaiming them in a way that works for you and your kids. Get emotionally prepared, collaborate where it counts, and make choices that put your kids at the heart of it all.  In this episode, I also explore: Self-care survival to ensure you're showing up for yourself and your kids Creating new traditions that align with who you are now Navigating the tricky question of whether to celebrate together "for the kids" Practical co-parenting strategies for gift-giving, scheduling, and prioritizing your children Resources & Links: Focused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube! =================== DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.  

If you've gone through divorce, are contemplating it, or you're smack in the messy middle, you already know: one of the hardest parts isn't the paperwork. It's learning how the hell to communicate with your ex. This is someone you likely have a lot of emotional heat with: toxic, irritating, disappointing, or all of the above and communication might even be one of the reasons you're not together anymore. And if you share kids? The communication doesn't end just because the relationship does. You still have to find a way to talk calmly, clearly, and with as much emotional self-protection as possible. That's why I brought on today's guests:Tessa Noel and Heather Ruiz from Talking Parents, a platform designed to reduce the chaos, conflict, and emotional landmines that come with co-parenting. Tessa is a certified divorce transition coach and a co-parent who's lived through a brutally high-conflict divorce. Heather brings 20+ years of communications and leadership experience, and her own co-parenting journey, to the work she does shaping Talking Parents' mission. At the end of the day, healthy communication isn't about fixing your ex, it's about reclaiming your power and creating the calm your kids need. ✨ If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode, you can find it here. What you'll hear about in this episode: The biggest mistakes people make when they first start co-parenting with a difficult or high-conflict ex (11:45) Real-life communication patterns that support healthier outcomes for kids (16:00) How boundaries changed everything for Tessa and why Heather says they're essential to set early, even when things feel amicable (23:45) Tessa's children's book Stella's Two Homes and how it helps kids navigate two-household families (28:45) Learn more about Tessa Noel and Heather Ruiz: Tessa Noel is a certified divorce transition and recovery coach with extensive knowledge in multiple life coaching frameworks. She holds a degree from California State University of San Marcos and has firsthand experience in the family courts of California. Tessa is also a co-parent with two children. In her free time, she loves to take them on adventures around their home state of California. With over 20 years in marketing and communication, Heather Ruiz is at the forefront of software services as TalkingParents Marketing Director, shaping the narrative around a pivotal time when digital platforms are redefining how co-parents coordinate, collaborate, and care for their children. Resources & Links: Focused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube! Talking Parents Talking Parents on Facebook Talking Parents on Instagram Talking Parents on LinkedIn Talking Parents on TikTok Talking  Parents on YouTube Tessa on Instagram Stella's Two Homes =================== DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM. Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-345-how-to-communicate-with-your-ex-without-losing-your-mind-with-the-pros-at-talking-parents/  

This episode is all about parenting plans, spousal support, and the biggest legal truths people miss when they're divorcing with kids. I'm joined by award-winning divorce attorney and My Next Chapter's legal expert, Renee Bauer, who brings over two decades of family law experience to this conversation. We get into how courts are shifting toward shared parenting, why some parenting plans need two pages and others need fifty, and the real story behind modern alimony. We also talk about the legal roadmap inside My Next Chapter and why having good information early can save you time, money, and heartache. ✨ If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode, you can find it here. What you'll hear about in this episode: How custody language has shifted from "visitation" to shared parenting and why that shift matters (3:23) What happens when someone demands 50/50 but can't follow through (8:18) Why parenting plans range from simple to extremely detailed and how to know what level your family needs (25:23) How My Next Chapter pulls legal, financial, and emotional guidance together so you're not navigating alone (30:23) The big things Renee wishes people understood before hiring a divorce attorney (35:08) How alimony has changed in recent years and why lifetime support is rarely on the table anymore (43:08) Learn more about Renee Bauer: Renee Bauer is an award-winning divorce attorney, published author, and the legal expert at My Next Chapter. As the founder of Happy Even After Family Law in Connecticut, she's spent over two decades helping people navigate divorce with dignity and confidence. Renee is also a sought-after speaker and advocate for reshaping how we think about divorce — not as failure, but as a chance to rewrite your next chapter with intention. Resources & Links: Focused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube! My Next Chapter - Use code DSG to receive $30 off your first month Episode 342: From Uncertainty to Clarity with Tamara Frankfort Odinec and Shari Joseph of My Next Chapter Renee's websiteRenee on Instagram =================== DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM. =================== Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-344-parenting-plans-support-and-legal-truths-with-renee-bauer/  

If you've ever found yourself in that painful in-between of "I can't stay, but I don't know how to move forward," my hope is that this episode will feel like a big exhale. I'm joined by Dr. Marianna Strongin, licensed clinical psychologist, child of divorce, and the mental health expert at My Next Chapter, where she and I have been collaborating to support people through every stage of divorce. In this episode, we talk about finding your footing in uncertainty - as a parent, as a partner letting go, and as a person rebuilding a life. Marianna and I explore co-parenting dynamics, the fear of staying and leaving, teaching kids to trust and use their voice, and using mindfulness to stay with yourself instead of spiraling into "what ifs." We also discuss how returning to your values becomes a grounding compass, and how self-trust rebuilds slowly, one honest step at a time. You don't have to rush or have it all figured out, but do you get to take the next right step toward a life that feels like yours again. ✨ If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode, you can find it here. What you'll hear about in this episode: How being a child of divorce informed Marianna's work (2:40) Why values work clears everything up, especially when you're stuck (16:06) Mindfulness as a here-and-now practice (not perfectionism) (17:36) The My Next Chapter coaching platform and why expert collaboration matters (23:11) Co-parenting and rooting every decision in your child's wellbeing + teaching kids to use their voice and advocate for themselves (29:49) Rebuilding after divorce by asking: "What do I want?" and starting small (41:38) Learn more about Dr. Marianna Strongin: Dr. Marianna Strongin is a licensed clinical psychologist who treats adults for Mood and Anxiety Disorders. In addition, Dr. Strongin treats relationship, financial, family and workplace problems. Through exploration of feelings, behaviors and life choices Dr. Strongin helps clients become STRONGER and more confident individuals. Dr. Strongin serves as an adjunct supervisor at the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, where she mentors and supervises the next generation of mental health professionals. Her work has been featured in prestigious publications such as The New York Times, CNN, Forbes, and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). In addition, Dr. Strongin writes a weekly column for Survivornet called Strong in Cancer, offering valuable mental health advice for the cancer community. She also advises various mental health startups, contributing her expertise to innovative approaches in the field. Resources & Links: Focused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube! My Next Chapter - Use code DSG to receive $30 off your first month Dr. Marianna's websiteDr. Strongin on Instagram  @Strong_in_therapy @drmariannastrongin =================== DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM. =================== Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-343-healing-resilience-and-redefining-life-after-divorce-with-dr-marianna-strongin/

I'm thrilled to welcome back two women I absolutely adore:Tamara Frankfort Odinec and Shari Joseph, the powerhouse duo behind My Next Chapter, an expert-led platform and community that supports people at every stage of divorce. When they first joined me, the platform was just getting started. Now, they've built something extraordinary: a vibrant, growing community with nearly a thousand members, expert guidance across legal, financial, and emotional topics, and a new premium option designed to help you move from uncertainty to clarity. We dig deeper into what's new with My Next Chapter and how it's evolving into a go-to resource for anyone contemplating divorce, navigating the thick of it, or rebuilding life afterward. ✨ If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode, you can find it here. What you'll hear about in this episode: How My Next Chapter has grown into a thriving expert-led community supporting people at every stage of divorce from "divorce curious" to rebuilding with confidence (2:30) Shari's firsthand insights on navigating a high-conflict divorce and how creating My Next Chapter has helped her heal in real time (15:36) The power of community and shared stories in breaking isolation, finding validation, and designing life intentionally after divorce.(18:53) Learn more about Tamara Frankfort Odinec: Tamara Frankfort Odinec has spent the past 25 years at the forefront of technology and marketing in various leadership roles, most recently as the founder of My Next Chapter, an expert-led platform and community for people going through every stage of divorce. Tamara also founded and runs Monty Media, an app development company that creates innovative apps for adults and kids, leveraging new technologies. Prior to this, Tamara led successful entrepreneurial endeavors for brands such as Real Simple Magazine and American Express and served as Chief Marketing Officer of Flywheel Sports. Tamara lives in New York City with her three kids and is happily divorced. Learn more about Shari Joseph: Shari Joseph is a global brand marketing leader with extensive experience in digital partnerships and social media communications. She is President and co-creator of My Next Chapter, an innovative content and community platform offering resources and support for every stage of divorce. Shari is also the founder and CEO of Smart Digital, LLC, a brand marketing and communications consultancy supporting clients across PR, social media, influencer marketing, and creative campaigns that build online presences and drive engagement. Before starting her consultancy, Shari was VP, Global Digital Partnerships at American Express. She drove the company's global digital strategies, starting with the very first tweet from @americanexpress. Shari lives in the NYC area and recently started her next chapter as a single mom of two.  Resources & Links: Focused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube! My Next Chapter - Use code DSG to receive $30 off your first month My Next Chapter on Instagram @mynextchapterofficial =================== DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM. =================== Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-342-from-uncertainty-to-clarity-with-tamara-frankfort-odinec-and-shari-joseph-of-my-next-chapter/  

Arianne MacBean writes, "Your anger is the spark of your inner fire." As outlined in her upcoming book, Tough Shit: The Angry Woman's Guide to Embodying Change, that spark is something every woman deserves to honor. This week she joins me for a conversation that's all about reclaiming that fire and learning how to channel it into transformation. Arianne is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Los Angeles with a certificate in somatic psychotherapies and practices. We talk about the power of anger as a tool for self-knowledge, how the patriarchy taught us to suppress it, and why embracing it is one of the most radical acts of self-compassion a woman can take.  Arianne also shares how her background as a dancer and choreographer shaped her somatic therapy work and how tuning into the body allows us to uncover what's really beneath our anger: fear, sadness, hurt, and ultimately, truth. This conversation is such a beautiful reminder that anger isn't something to fix, it's something to feel, follow, and transform. ✨ If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode, you can find it here. What you'll hear about in this episode: Why anger is powerful information, not something to suppress (3:32) How somatic therapy connects movement, body awareness, and emotional healing (5:36) Ways to use anger as armor and as a guide toward deeper healing (13:20) The surprising history behind the phrase "tough shit" and Arianne's reclamation of it (19:30) That there are men actually doing the inner work on themselves, facing hard truths, and learning to show up differently in relationships (34:35) Learn more about Arianne MacBean: Arianne MacBean is a Somatic Psychotherapist, writer, and educator. She taught dance at the middle, high school, and college levels for over twenty years and was the Artistic Director of The Big Show Co., an LA-based dance-theater group. She holds a BA in Dance from UCLA, a Double MFA in Dance & Writing from California Institute of the Arts, and an MA in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. She works with individuals and couples to heal from trauma, learn healthy communication skills, and trust the body's wealth of wisdom. Resources & Links: Focused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube! Pre-Order Arianne's book, Tough Shit: The Angry Women's Guide to Embodying ChangeArianne's websiteArianne on Instagram Arianne's Substack =================== DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM. =================== Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-341-the-angry-womans-guide-to-embodying-change-with-arianne-macbean/

Judy Blume and feminism? Yes, please. Add in divorce… and we got ourselves a cool (albeit, a bit different) podcast episode this week! I'm thrilled to welcome Rachelle Bergstein to the show, a lifestyle writer, bestselling author, and editor whose work explores the intersections of style, pop culture, and family. Her latest book, The Genius of Judy, takes us on an intimate and unflinching journey through Judy Blume's life and legacy, examining how her stories have shaped generations of women and girls while challenging cultural norms around gender, sexuality, and growing up. Throughout this episode, we explore Judy's willingness to tell the truth when others wouldn't, along with her ability to normalize the experiences and emotions of childhood. We also discuss what her work continues to teach us about liberation, identity, and the messy, beautiful realities of life. ✨ If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode, you can find it here. What you'll hear about in this episode: Judy's groundbreaking decision to write honestly about divorce, adolescence, and growing up (1:58) How It's Not the End of the World helped normalize divorce for children in the 1970s (16:10) The feminist brilliance of Judy Blume's book Forever (8:30) How the feminist movement influenced Judy's work (18:21) Learn more about Rachelle Bergstein: Rachelle Bergstein is a lifestyle writer, bestselling author, and editor, focused on style, pop culture, and families. Her work has appeared in the New York Post, The New York Times, NPR, and more. She is the author of three books: Women from the Ankle Down, Brilliance and Fire, and The Genius of Judy. She lives with her husband and son in Brooklyn. Resources & Links: Focused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube! Rachelle on InstagramRachelle's SubstackRachelle's book, The Genius of Judy Blume Judy Blume books as mentioned in this episode: It's Not the End of the WorldForever Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.Just as Long as We're Together Superfudge (part of the Fudge series) =================== DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM. =================== Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-340-feminism-divorce-and-the-legacy-of-judy-blume-with-rachelle-bergstein/