The Gray Divorce Podcast: Episode 67 Gray Divorce meets Silver Divorce with Lisa McCluskey

In this episode, I chat with Lisa McCluskey, host of The Silver Divorce Podcast, who joins me to talk about her personal journey through divorce after retirement and how it inspired her to launch a platform to support others navigating mid-to-late life divorce. With a background as a healthcare executive and expertise in marketing and communications, Lisa brings both insight and empathy to this powerful conversation.

What Is Silver Divorce? 

Lisa explains that silver divorce and gray divorce are essentially the same, referring to divorce over age 50, but she chose the term silver for a reason. It’s not only about age; it’s about the “silver lining” that can come after divorce. Her podcast, which launched in March 2024, offers tools, stories, and education to help others find that silver lining too.

Lisa’s Divorce Story 

We dive into Lisa’s personal experience of retiring after a high-powered career, only to be blindsided by divorce after 34 years of marriage. She shares how the transition from full-time work to full-time togetherness created unexpected challenges—and how she worked through the emotional and legal complexities that followed.

Becoming Your Own Advocate 

One of Lisa’s biggest lessons was learning to be her own best advocate. She immersed herself in legal education, watched CLEs (continuing legal education) for attorneys, and developed tools—including a financial spreadsheet that ended up being used in mediation by both sides. Lisa stresses that attorneys are not therapists or financial planners, you need a team.

The Settlement Mindset 

Lisa talks about the importance of approaching divorce with a settlement mindset. With most divorces settling before trial, she shares why it’s critical to understand when to fight and when to find common ground, especially to protect finances and emotional well-being.

The Impact on Adult Children 

We explore a rarely discussed topic: how deeply adult children are affected by divorce. Lisa describes how she brought her daughters to therapy with her to dispel blame and clear up misunderstandings. Divorce doesn’t just change the couple’s relationship—it can reshape the entire family dynamic.

Why Education Is Power 

Lisa’s passion lies in helping others educate themselves so they can make empowered decisions. From understanding tax implications to managing post-divorce finances, Lisa shares why treating divorce like a business transaction is a game changer - especially if you’re already retired and don’t have time to financially rebound.

Resources

🎧 The Silver Divorce Podcast: On all major podcasting apps!