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

Not Every Marriage Is Meant to Be Saved: Dr. Jenn Mann on Knowing When to Let Go on Divorce & Beyond #405

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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.

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Follow Divorce & Beyond

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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

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

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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.

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