
This American Ex-Wife: The Podcast
This American Ex-Wife. The podcast where we discuss the state of American heterosexual marriage. And by state I mean trash fire. Host Lyz Lenz sits down with a cast of women to talk about their divorces, their journeys and unpacks an institution many take part in but few talk about: divorce.
Hear from Dan Savage, Eve Rodsky, Scaachi Koul and more on the topic of divorce and patriarchy in America.
Produced by Zachary Oren Smith. Show art by Suzanne Glémot. lyz.substack.com
Latest episodes

Dec 28, 2023 • 55min
"Weird cicadas" with Maggie Smith
Poet and best-selling author Maggie Smith shares how her divorce made her spend more time with someone she didn’t expect: herself. She explains how she learned to leave room for that self even as she shares part of it in her work. If you like what you hear, preorder This American Ex-Wife. It’s the best way to support this work.I am currently running a giveaway! If you preorder the book, I’ll mail you a “Burn it down” sticker and a signed bookplate!Show notes:* Buy Maggie’s book You Could Make This Place Beautiful.* You can also read Maggie’s newsletter For Dear Life with Maggie Smith * The quote I think about the most from Maggie’s book is this one: “The best things to happen to me individually were the worst things to happen to my marriage. And then, this: But the best things remain.”* This American Ex-Wife is hosted by Lyz Lenz and produced by Zachary Oren Smith . Illustration by Alessandro Gottardo. Show art by Suzanne Glémot. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lyz.substack.com/subscribe

Dec 21, 2023 • 58min
“Catharsis” with Candice Luter
“Catharsis” with Candice LuterMany suspect that their partner is cheating on them. Few of us show up outside the motel room to catch them in the act. Candice Luter gets honest about insecurity, breaking and recovering after her ex showed who he really was. If you like what you hear, preorder This American Ex-Wife and subscribe to this newsletter.You can listen to the podcast by clicking the link above. Or you can find this podcast on all your favorite podcast apps. If you need help finding it, here is a link!This American Ex-Wife is hosted by Lyz Lenz and produced by Zachary Oren Smith. The illustration for the show was drawn by Alessandro Gottardo. Art was made by Suzanne Glémot.Show notes:* You can find Candice’s amazing designs on her Etsy store. And on her website. You can also find Candice on Instagram.* In the podcast, Candice talks about her asemic journaling. She is also offering her asemic journaling as a digital download for free! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lyz.substack.com/subscribe

Dec 14, 2023 • 57min
“The one where he buries the gold”
Lyz’s own divorce lawyer Allison Werner Smith stops by to walk through the long road of a divorce. She explains how “the breakdown of the marriage relationship” can become a firmer foundation for a life.If you like what you hear, preorder This American Ex-Wife. It’s the best way to support this work: https://linktr.ee/lyzlenzShow notes:* In the show, I incorrectly cite this statistic about men and marriage and labor. In the podcast, I say men add eight hours of labor a week to their wives’ lives. It’s seven. My apologies to men.* I also cite the statistic: 70 percent of breakups and divorces are initiated by women.* Transcripts for the show are automatically generated by AI and linked in the drop-down box above. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lyz.substack.com/subscribe