Dare On with Jodi

How to Support Someone Without Trying to Fix Them with Susan Guthrie - Ep#156

Jodi Silverman Season 5 Episode 156

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0:00 | 32:17

Why do so many people struggle to sit with someone else’s pain?

Why do we rush to fix, minimize, distract, or offer advice instead of simply staying present?

In this deeply honest and insightful episode of Dare On, Jodi sits down with attorney, mediator, author, and relationship expert Susan Guthrie for a powerful conversation about emotional support, curiosity, gray divorce, reinvention, and navigating life’s hardest transitions in midlife.

While Susan is widely known for her expertise around divorce and mediation, this conversation goes far beyond divorce itself. Together, Jodi and Susan unpack why discomfort makes people pull away, what true support actually looks like, and how major life shifts — from empty nesting to health challenges to divorce — often become invitations to reexamine who we are and what we truly want moving forward.

Susan also shares insight into the growing rise of gray divorce among couples over 50 and marriages lasting 20+ years, including why more women are choosing authenticity, fulfillment, and personal alignment in this next chapter of life.

If you’ve ever struggled to support someone going through a difficult season…
 or if you’re the one navigating a major life transition yourself…
 this episode will leave you feeling seen, grounded, and hopeful.


In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Why people struggle to sit with discomfort and pain
  • The most unhelpful things people say during difficult life seasons
  • What true emotional support actually looks like
  • Why curiosity creates deeper connection
  • The rise of gray divorce in midlife
  • How identity shifts impact women after 50
  • Reinvention after divorce, empty nesting, or major life changes
  • The importance of support systems during transitions
  • Why “fixing” isn’t always helpful
  • Moving from victimhood toward empowerment


Jodi shares 3 Powerful Takeaways From This Episode at the end.

Memorable Quotes

  • “People don’t always need you to fix their pain. They need you to stay.”
  • “Curiosity creates connection.”
  • “Midlife transitions are not proof that life is falling apart. Sometimes they’re invitations to rebuild life more honestly.”
  • “Everyone wants to feel heard.”


Resources & Links

  • Take the Happy In Midlife Quiz
  • Listen to the Oprah podcast episode featuring Susan Guthrie discussing gray divorce
  • Connect with Susan Guthrie
  • Join the Moms Who Dare Facebook Group
  • Follow Jodi on IG HERE


About Susan Guthrie

Susan Guthrie is an attorney, mediator, author, podcast host, and entrepreneurial strategist who helps professionals build successful and aligned careers and lives. After decades as a family law litigator, Susan reinvented her own career in midlife and now shares practical insights on reinvention, relationships, entrepreneurship, and designing a life that reflects who you are now.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another woman navigating this season of life. And if you’re loving what you’re hearing on Dare On, leaving a review helps us reach more women who need these conversations too.

Send me a quick note/message- what stood out in this episode!

You know when everyone in your life seems to have a place to belong except you?

Your kids have their lives. Your spouse has their routines. Your friends are busy.

And somehow you've become the woman holding everything together while quietly feeling disconnected from yourself.

That's why we created the Dare On Retreat.  CLICK HERE  USE CODE: JODIBIRTHDAY60 FOR 20% OFF REGISTRATION

DISCLAIMER: The commentary and opinions available on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical, physical, or psychological advice. You should contact a trained medical professional before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine and with respect to any particular issue or problem.