Bethenny Frankel Says Returning to ‘RHONY’ ‘Feels Fresh and New’

"Extra's" AJ Calloway sat down with Bethenny Frankel, who is promoting her new book, "Skinnygirl Cocktails," and Frankel also opened up about returning to "The Real Housewives of New York City.”

Bethenny explained, "When I left the show and then the talk show was done, I was kind of really burnt out. I didn't know if I really wanted to be on television anymore, at least for a while… and I really would like it to be my decision if I stop the train of being in the public eye and being on television. And I think if I didn't do something else soon, that I really thought was good for me, then it wouldn't have been my choice any more."

She added, "It just feels fresh and new, which is kind of representative of where I am in my personal life, which feels fresh and new."

Frankel also weighed in on "RHONJ" star Teresa Giudice being sentenced to 15 months in prison. "Terrible. The one thing I really think about is being away from her daughters for any period of time. I feel for her, because it's time away from her daughters, but they will become stronger as a family. Maybe by it all stopping now and having a real-life lesson, it'll make them stronger, and they'll avoid other heartache later."

How is Frankel doing now after her divorce and custody battle with ex Jason Hoppy? Frankel revealed, "I'm still in transition for sure, but coming out on the other side… I'm in a good place."

As for juggling being a mom to daughter Bryn, 4, and possibly revisiting the dating world, Bethenny explained, "It's good, because it doesn't have a tremendous amount of pressure. I have a daughter. I don't need to get married, and I'm financially secure. So to date is just to date and that could be fun. That is fun."

Frankel also dished on what she is looking for in a man. "I like wit, real intelligence, passion, drive… Somebody that I can grow with and learn from."

Bethenny also revealed two of her biggest mistakes. "Not going with my gut in my personal life versus my professional life" and "not being able to be really honest with myself about seeing the big picture and the road ahead."