Better Than Bitter™ Divorce Podcast

About Better Than Bitter™ Divorce Podcast

Is your divorce filling you with fear? Fear of the unknown, of financial stability, of loneliness, of how this will impact your children? Divorce can feel overwhelming and isolating, leaving you stuck in resentment. But what if you could take off the fighting gloves and commit to an amicable path forward? Welcome to Better Than Bitter™, the podcast that champions amicable divorce. Hosted by Divorce Success Coach Tania Leichliter—creator of the 5 Step Gameplan Course—this podcast empowers you to embrace an "I CAN" attitude for a brighter future. Through powerful interviews with adult children of amicable divorces, bonus parents finding connection in blended families, and divorced individuals who share their success in choosing an amicable path, you’ll leave each episode feeling, “I've Got This!” Alongside these inspiring stories, bonus episodes cover key topics like mindset management, understanding the divorce process, grief, fear, and practical tools for moving forward. Better Than Bitter™ offers the insights and strategies you need to process your emotional divorce and prepare for alternative dispute resolution—to save on legal fees, protect your children from emotional fallout, and build a fulfilling life beyond bitterness. Tune in each week! It’s time to take control of your divorce and reclaim your future by divorcing amicably.

Publisher

Tania Leichliter

Category

education · health & fitness · kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Nov 2024

Latest episode

24 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

65 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   24 Sept 2026

   Episode 4: Season 2: "The 20 Year Marriage Contract With An Option To Renew"

   What If Marriage Came Up for Renewal? What if marriage wasn't a lifetime contract, but a 20-year contract with the option to renew? In this solo episode, Tania Leichliter challenges the one measure we use to judge every marriage — how long it lasted — and offers a different question entirely: would you choose each other again? A conversation about change, renewal, and why a marriage can end and still have been a success. In this episode: Why length is a poor measure of a successful marriage — 50 miserable years gets called a win, 20 good years that end gets called a failure The extraordinary promise we make young: that the people we are at 30 will be the people we are forever Everything that changes between 30 and 50 — children, careers, money, loss, caregiving, bodies, priorities, friendships, identity The thought experiment: a scheduled renewal conversation with no lawyers, no papers, and nothing terrible having happened "Would you choose me again?" — and the follow-up question that matters just as much: what does our next marriage need to look like Why renewal means consciously choosing the next 20 years, not repeating the first 20 — including learning how to be a couple again after years of being mom and dad What it means when one person wants to renew and the other doesn't Why judging an entire marriage by its ending erases everything that came before Marriage can end without the family ending — the family doesn't break, it gets re-envisioned Where amicable isn't possible: safety, abuse, addiction and serious financial misconduct change the situation entirely Why becoming enemies after divorce is a choice, not an outcome — even where there's been infidelity How the option to renew could make marriages stronger: listening differently, addressing resentment earlier, staying curious about who your spouse is becoming The real problem isn't that people change — it's that we don't update the relationship when they do The renewal conversation: six questions to ask every five years Why going to therapy doesn't mean your marriage is falling apart Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:31 - The provocative idea: a 20-year marriage contract with the option to renew 01:55 - Why is the length of a marriage our only measure of success? 02:24 - Twenty good years that end — do we really call that a failure? 02:40 - The extraordinary promise we make when we're young 03:33 - Age 30 to 50: everything that can change before renewal comes up 04:18 - The thought experiment — would you choose me again? 05:05 - If the answer is yes, ask the second question 05:15 - What the next 20 years could be about: travel, intimacy, independence 05:41 - Renewal isn't repeating the first 20 years 06:09 - What if one person wants to renew and the other doesn't? 06:37 - Judging an entire marriage by its ending 07:04 - Marriage can end without the family ending 07:34 - Birthdays, graduations, weddings — the hundreds of moments ahead 08:00 - When amicable isn't possible: safety, abuse, addiction, financial misconduct 08:26 - Becoming enemies is a choice, even after infidelity 08:51 - How the option to renew could make marriages better 09:20 - Would you listen differently? Take them less for granted? 09:41 - Addressing resentment earlier instead of assuming they'll always be there 10:24 - The problem isn't change — it's not updating the relationship 10:48 - The renewal conversation: six questions every five years 11:15 - Therapy isn't proof your marriage is falling apart 12:14 - The question to sit with tonight — would you renew? 12:32 - And would your spouse? What a pause actually means 13:01 - A marriage can end and still have been a successful marriage 13:30 - Join the conversation in the comments 14:11 - Outro The Six Renewal Questions: Don't wait 20 years. Sit down every five and ask: Who are you now? Who am I now? What is working? What is not working? What do you need from me? What do I need from you? Resources & Links: Join the free Better Than Bitter™ Community (https://community.betterthanbitter.coach/) Better Than Bitter™ Support Groups (https://community.betterthanbitter.coach/support-groups) – live, facilitated sessions with people who actually get it Apply to get FREE COACHING by being a guest on our podcast and be coached LIVE — schedule your free consult here (https://betterthanbitter.coach/application) The Child-Centered Divorce Method™ and coaching programs (https://betterthanbitter.coach/) Connect with Better Than Bitter™: YouTube: @betterthanbitterdivorce (https://www.youtube.com/@betterthanbitterdivorce) Facebook Page: @betterthanbitter.coach (https://www.facebook.com/betterthanbitter.coach/) Instagram: @betterthanbitter.tm (https://www.instagram.com/betterthanbitter.tm/) Threads: @betterthanbitter.tm (https://www.threads.com/@betterthanbitter.tm) LinkedIn: @tanialeichliter (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanialeichliter/) Remember: your journey through divorce is unique. Whether you're married, divorced, dating, or somewhere in between, the goal isn't to make marriage easier to leave — it's to build the kind of relationship people keep choosing.

2. 

   29 Jul 2026

   Episode 3: Season 2: "Am I Going to Be Okay?" with Donna Kendrick. Taking Control of Your Finances After Loss or Divorce

   Guest:Donna Kendrick Donna Jean Kendrick discovered her husband Greg had passed away suddenly in 2013 and found herself navigating widowhood with three young children. After settling into their new normal she went back to school to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner and made it her mission to support families in transition. She co-hosts the Widow, Wisdom and Wealth Podcast and is the author of the Life Stages Financial Guides series. Donna, along with her blended family of six kids, raise funds for causes such as Safe Harbor, a grief counseling program for children. Website: Donna's Website (https://donnajeankendrick.com/) Connect with Donna Kendrick Here: @donnajeankendrick on Instagram (https://instagram.com/donnajeankendrick) Donna on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@donnajeankendrick) Donna's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/DonnaJeanKendrick/) Reinventing Resilience: Donna Jean Kendrick's Journey Through Widowhood, Divorce, and Financial Empowerment Discover how Donna Jean Kendrick transformed her life following tragedy into a mission to empower women navigating divorce and widowhood. This episode covers practical financial strategies, emotional resilience, and finding purpose through adversity. In this episode: Donna shares her story of sudden widowhood at age 40, raising three young children, and rebuilding life financially and emotionally The importance of controlling what you can—organizing finances, creating roadmaps, and leaning into professionals How affirmations like "I can and I will" foster resilience during difficult transitions Practical steps for managing finances during divorce or widowhood, including pulling credit reports and interviewing financial advisors The concept of compartmentalizing emotions to function at high capacity while honoring white space for self-care The value of scenario planning with financial advisors to explore future options and reduce fear Donna’s book resources: A Guide to Widowhood, A Guide to Blended Families, and The Divorce Money Map The significance of community, support, and leaning in to kindness during personal upheavals How purpose and passion turn challenges into opportunities for impact Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome and episode overview 01:00 - Donna’s story of widowhood and detours 02:05 - The emotional and financial impact of sudden loss 03:15 - The mantra "I can and I will" for resilience 07:15 - Practical financial steps for those going through divorce and widowhood 10:08 - Building control through organization and professional support 15:37 - Reframing detours into opportunities with intentional planning 18:41 - Donna’s journey from emotional hardship to financial planning career 22:19 - The importance of purpose and passion in building a new life 26:08 - Living in the present minute and controlling what you can 30:20 - Supporting others with kindness and service 34:39 - Scenario planning and managing fear around financial futures 39:50 - Donna’s resourceful books for navigating grief and transition 43:21 - Connecting with Donna and her practice in 13 states 44:25 - Growing the Better Than Bitter community and moving forward with empowerment Resources & Links: A Guide to Widowhood by Donna Jean Kendrick (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0XXXXXXX) A Guide to Blended Families by Donna Jean Kendrick (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0XXXXXX) The Divorce Money Map (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0XXXXXX) Donna Jean Kendrick - Website (https://seftonfinanancial.com/) Certified Financial Planner - CFP (https://www.cfp.net/) Certified Divorce Financial Analyst - CDFA (https://www.cdfa.org/) Dan Sullivan, "Who Not How" (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XXXXXX) Better Than Bitter Community (https://betterthanbitter.com/) Connect with Donna: Website (https://donnajeankendrick.com/) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DonnaJeanKendrick/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/donnajeankendrick/) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@donnajeankendrick) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-kendrick/) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@donnajeankendrick)

3. 

   20 Mar 2026

   Season 2: Episode 2 - Can I Or Should I Date Before the Ink Is Dry?

   Are you considering dating before your divorce is finalized? This episode dives into essential legal, emotional, and parenting considerations to help you navigate this tricky territory responsibly and with clarity. Key Topics:The legal ramifications of dating during divorce, including asset dissipation, alimony, and custody implications The importance of understanding your personal motivations ("the raw truth of your why") for wanting to start dating early Practical advice on how to date discreetly, avoid legal pitfalls, and protect your children’s emotional well-being The significance of knowing your state laws regarding adultery and how they may impact property and support How to approach new relationships with full transparency, without trauma bonding or rushing into intimacy The child-centered approach: safeguarding your children’s stability, avoiding their perception of favoritism, and respecting their emotional process Timestamps: 00:00 - Why dating before divorce is final can be risky 00:21 - Introduction to season two and episode overview 01:07 - Why consider dating during divorce? Common reasons and emotional drivers 02:07 - How dating can complicate legal and financial matters 03:02 - The risks of spending marital assets on a new relationship 03:50 - Effects of cohabitation on alimony and custody 04:20 - Impact of introducing new partners on child custody and stability 05:16 - Legal considerations around adultery and fault states 06:12 - The importance of understanding your true motivations for dating 07:07 - Personal reasons for early dating and potential emotional benefits 08:07 - How to date smartly: financial boundaries and social discretion 09:00 - The importance of legal awareness and consulting professionals 10:05 - Strategies for transparent communication and avoiding trauma bonds 11:12 - Recognizing the infatuation phase and its distinction from real love 12:28 - Buffering pain with new relationships while focusing on healing 13:04 - Protecting your children: the child-centered approach 14:12 - How children perceive new partners and the importance of empathy 15:06 - The emotional impact of new partners on children’s perception 16:07 - Practical rules: timing for introducing partners and social media boundaries 17:17 - Continual check-ins with children and maintaining their stability 18:14 - Recap: key takeaways on legal, emotional, and parental considerations 18:43 - Final encouragement: navigating your divorce journey with clarity and care Resources & Links: Better Than Bitter Podcast (https://betterthanbitter.coach/) – Join live coaching sessions Child-Centered Method (https://betterthanbitter.coach/) – Protecting children’s emotional well-being Apply to get FREE COACHING by being a guest on our podcast to be coached LIVE, schedule your free consult here: www.betterthanbitter.coach/application (www.betterthanbitter.coach/application) Join our Better Than Bitter community (https://betterthanbitter.coach/supportmembership) for $1 a Month! Remember: Your journey through divorce is unique. Educate yourself, set clear boundaries, and always prioritize your children's well-being to move forward with confidence and peace.

Who has been a guest on Better Than Bitter™ Divorce Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Robyn Vogel
• Amy Plante
• Matteo Bavaro
• Tom Shepard
• Carrie Mead

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

10,888

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 75 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

89

Social presence

91

YouTube

72

Engagement

32

Contact Better Than Bitter™ Divorce Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Better Than Bitter™ Divorce Podcast