Divorce rates among older Americans are rising rapidly, setting off a trend that researchers call “gray divorce.” The reasons for this increase are varied: people are living longer, the stigma of divorce has decreased, and women are more financially independent.

No matter the reason, the end of a decades-long marriage is a major life upheaval. Host Anita Rao gets personal accounts from two divorced seniors about what it was like for them to rebuild their identities, finances and freedom after divorce.

Laura Stassithe host of the podcast “Dating While Gray,” talks about finding her sense of self beyond the labels of “wife” and “mother.” She shares insights from her research into divorce in old age and from her conversations with other older people about love and dating in later life.

Stephanie Hana literary scholar, award-winning author, and educator, talks about how her divorce finally led her to sort out her money problems—and the role that writing a divorce story played in the outcome of her divorce.

Laura and Stephanie report on both the difficulties and the new opportunities that come with a divorce process, and they discuss why women are the most likely to file for divorce in heterosexual partnerships.

Special thanks go to Nanette Murphy And Linda Lingo for sharing your thoughts on this episode!