Dating While Gray™ – Details, episodes & analysis

In Anita's lifetime, the divorce rate for Americans over 55 has doubled. People are living longer, divorce stigma has decreased and women are more financially independent. But leaving a decades-long marriage … is a big life upheaval. Anita gets personal accounts from two gray divorcees about what it was like to rebuild their identities, finances and freedom post-divorce. They discuss money management, surfing and why women initiate divorce most often in heterosexual partnerships.

Meet the guests:

- Laura Stassi is a writer, editor and the host of the podcast "Dating While Gray."

- Dr. Stephanie Han is a literature scholar, award-winning author and educator.

Special thanks to Nanette Murphy and Linda Lingo for sharing their thoughts for this episode!

Read the transcript 

Pilot episode! Laura attends her 40th high school reunion, where her former classmates open up about their own love lives and dating strategies. Then, she revisits a man she went on a date with to get schooled on online dating and the “three-date” rule. Finally, Laura gleans inspiration from a couple who met at the apartment building where they both liv

Are you starting to fret that despite all of your efforts, you’ll never find The One? Here’s a little inspiration to relax and just let it be: three stories of not seeking love, but magically finding it. 

Since her divorce, Laura's happily lived alone with Jade, her Australian Shepherd mix. But she wonders what it might have been like to go through the pandemic sharing space with a housemate.

Laura is admittedly freaked out by dating apps. But she's also curious how other gray daters are connecting during the COVID pandemic. Does being high risk for the virus have to put a limit on love?

Laura Stassi is back for a second season of conversations about romance and relationships after age 50! This time around, the podcast takes on how dating is affected by personal finances, adult kids and of course, finding companionship during the COVID crisis.

Laura talks with writer Sophy Burnham, who offers romance insights based on her decades of personal experience. Then Laura gets relationship advice from Leora Hoffman, an attorney-turned- matchmaker who built her business while finding a partner for herself. Listeners phone in with their own advice about love before Laura speaks with marriage and family therapist Katherine Woodward Thomas. Her books "Calling In The One" and "Conscious Uncoupling" help people make romantic connections, or lovingly end them.

Laura talks with Rev. Joani Peacock, who made a personal discovery around the time her marriage ended. She's confident in herself — but that doesn't mean it's easier to date. Then Laura sits down with Giselle, who found acceptance only after letting go of a long-held secret. Finally, while we're all social distancing, Laura checks in with Ann, who's found a creative way to be her true self and keep the spark alive in a long-distance romance.

Laura talks with Maxine, who lived most of her life as a self-described "alpha male" until the day things just clicked. Then Laura sits down with The Naked Truth author Leslie Morgan Steiner. Leslie describes how she reclaimed her sexuality after her gray divorce, and teaches Laura how to open her eyes to the possibilities of making romantic connections. Laura also learns about making connections despite physical distancing from listeners like Robert, who gave virtual speed dating a go.

Laura talks with legendary women's college basketball coach Elaine Elliott, whose commitment to her partner endured long after the romance was over. Then, Norm and Jeanne share the story of how they built a solid partnership without mentioning the "C" word. Finally, Laura sits down with public radio icon Diane Rehm, who put her own modern spin on a traditional choice.