S1:E21 – How to Survive Divorce Without Losing Everything | Divorce Journalist Illysa Panitz

Divorce tips from a journalist who covered it for 25 years — and then lived it herself. In this episode, learn how to survive divorce without losing everything, starting with the #1 financial mistake women make: hiring an attorney before you're financially prepared. Divorce journalist Illysa Panitz — creator of The Divorce Hour (nationally syndicated radio, streaming on Spotify, Amazon, Audible, and 14 platforms) and Why Through Divorce (streaming in 100+ countries on Roku and Your Home TV) — joins host Becky Sampson to break down the divorce process explained through the lens of two decades of reporting and her own personal journey. This is your divorce financial planning playbook — and it starts with a counter-intuitive truth: the attorney comes LAST, not first. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL DISCOVER: ✅ Why calling a divorce attorney first is your biggest (and most expensive) mistake ✅ What a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) is — and why you need one before you file ✅ How to build your "divorce team": attorneys, CDFAs, therapists, and mediators working FOR you ✅ Divorce financial planning 101: assets, debts, income, and expenses — know yours BEFORE you lawyer up ✅ Why anger toward your ex is literally costing you money — and how to stop the financial bleed ✅ The truth about how common high-conflict divorce really is (hint: it's only 18–20% of cases) ✅ The Wizard of Oz framework for navigating your divorce journey — and who plays each role ✅ How to "interview" professionals before hiring them — treat it like dating, not desperation ✅ How to reframe divorce from failure to a powerful "do-over" and the start of YOU 2.0 MEMORABLE MOMENT: "The most common thing I hear is, 'I'm filing for divorce, and I need your attorney.' And I'm like, no, no, no, no, no. That is your biggest mistake." — Illysa Panitz ABOUT ILLYSA PANITZ: Illysa Panitz is a nationally recognized divorce journalist with a 25-year media career. She is the creator and host of The Divorce Hour — a nationally syndicated radio show now streaming on Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, and 14 platforms — and Why Through Divorce, a streaming TV series available on Your Home TV and Roku in over 100 countries. Her mission: to fill the gap in mainstream media by giving women real education, honest resources, and strategic guidance through the divorce process. RESOURCES & FREE TOOLS: 📘 100 Divorce Terms You Need to Know — https://onlysubpoenas.com/free 🔗 Connect with Illysa Panitz — https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilyssa-panitz-74b1275/ 🔗 Only Subpoenas™ — https://onlysubpoenas.com/ ABOUT THE DIVORCING STRONG PODCAST: Hosted by Becky Sampson, CEO of Only Subpoenas™, Divorcing Strong brings real stories and real strategies for surviving and thriving through divorce. Every episode features top divorce attorneys, family law experts, certified divorce financial analysts, and healing coaches — because you deserve a full team in your corner, not just one voice. Subscribe so you never miss your next strategy session. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing shared here constitutes legal, financial, or mental health advice. Please consult a qualified divorce attorney, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, or licensed mental health professional for guidance specific to your situation. If you are in a crisis or unsafe situation, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline: [phone] (SAFE) or text START to 88788. KEYWORDS: healing after divorce, divorce financial planning, divorce tips, how to survive divorce, high conflict divorce, CDFA, certified divorce financial analyst, divorce attorney advice, divorce mediation, divorce advice for women, divorce process explained, divorce recovery for women, rebuilding after divorce #DivorcingStrong #DivorceAdvice #FamilyLaw Support Divorcing Strong by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/divorcing-strong