On the Season 1 finale episode, I’m going through medically recognized signs of emotional abuse, through the story of my relationship with the infamous Kyle. When I was dating Kyle, I had no idea that these behaviors were emotional abuse or that they were medically recognize warning signs of physical abuse. Almost every woman I know has been on the receiving end of at least one of these behaviors but they get lost in the highs and lows of toxic relationships. Today we are unpacking them & learning how to recognize them.

Follow me @naturallydrchelsea

I am on a mission to help protect women from toxic relationships by supporting them in recognizing the signs. I’d love for you to help spread this mission by subscribing to the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with a friend. Also consider picking up a copy of Losing You, Finding Me for a deep dive into healing from trauma and toxic relationships

On this bonus episode of season 1, I sit down with my mom to dissect why so many of the women I interviewed this season had religious reasons for staying stuck in toxic relationships. We dive into the common religious teachings that convince women God wants them to stay in harmful relationships and what those teachings actually mean!

With decades of experience as a Bible teacher & prison chaplain, my mom was truly the best person I could think of to talk about the Bible to people who may not believe in it or be familiar with it. Because whether you believe the Bible or not, the cultural constructs about gender that have been inspired by its teachings (for better or for worse), affect us all!

My mom isn’t active on Instagram but I know she’d love you to check out her work with the non-profit Healthbridge Global.

I am on a mission to help protect women from toxic relationships by supporting them in recognizing the signs. I’d love for you to help spread this mission by subscribing to the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with a friend. Also consider picking up a copy of Losing You, Finding Me for a deep dive into healing from trauma and toxic relationships.

This week, I’m joined by criminal psychologist Nelson Cepeda, who shares his incredible story of falling prey to toxic & physically abusive relationships, not once, but 3 times. He shares what the mind of an abuser is like, from his criminal psych perspective, how childhood trauma creates addiction circuits, & the role of gender in abusive relationships.

Nelson is the other half of the Power of Pain duo and life coach.

I am on a mission to help protect women from toxic relationships by supporting them in recognizing the signs. I’d love for you to help spread this mission by subscribing to the podcast,

leaving a review, and sharing it with a friend. Also consider picking up a copy of Losing You, Finding Me for a deep dive into healing from trauma and toxic relationships

Today I’m joined by entrepreneur podcast host Jana Wollesen. She shares of her journey navigating toxic relationship cycles and how untrue beliefs about her worth led to her date people she didn’t pick, pick people who violated her, and allow destructive behaviors to perpetuate in her relationships. We cover vulnerable topics like getting raped by a partner, physical abuse, and the spiritual dynamics behind toxic relationships. Finally, Jana shares about her process healing to pick a partner from a place of fullness instead of fear.

Follow Jana:

On Instagram: Jana.wollesen

Listen to her podcast Esther Rising

I am on a mission to help protect women from toxic relationships by supporting them in recognizing the signs. I’d love for you to help spread this mission by subscribing to the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with a friend. Also consider picking up a copy of Losing You, Finding Me for a deep dive into healing from trauma and toxic relationships.

Today, I’m joined by author & podcast host Tiffany Cepeda to discuss how childhood trauma impacts romantic attraction. Tiffany shares vulnerably about her first marriage- the signs she missed, the porn that was a problem, & the divorce she never saw coming. She also talks about learning to set healthy boundaries that led her to her current husband.

To stay up to date with Tiffany:

Follow her at classicntailored

Her podcast: The Power of Pain

Read her Book

And check out her course offerings

Also check out the book that helped her grow: Spy the Lie

I am on a mission to help protect women from toxic relationships by supporting them in recognizing the signs. I’d love for you to help spread this mission by subscribing to the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with a friend. Also consider picking up a copy of Losing You, Finding Me for a deep dive into healing from trauma and toxic relationships

On today’s episode, I’m joined by Aubrey Redinger, mental health clinician & assistant director of the renown Townsend Institute, who tells us everything we need to know about toxic relationships. We discuss why the label “toxic” isn’t always helpful, how life experiences like growing up in small town culture & divorce in Aubrey’s family of origin impacted what she was attracted to, and how we can grow beyond the fireworks of toxic relationships to appreciating the security (and sometimes boredom) of healthy relationships.

You can follow Aubrey at @aubble and her work for moms at @lovetothemoms & lovetothemoms.com

You can check out the books Aubrey mentioned here (Boundaries) and here (Safe People)

For more info on religion & women in relationships, you can check out the podcast I mentioned here

I am on a mission to help protect women from toxic relationships by supporting them in recognizing the signs. I’d love for you to help spread this mission by subscribing to the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with a friend. Also consider picking up a copy of Losing You, Finding Me for a deep dive into healing from trauma and toxic relationships.

This week, I’m joined by Kristin Cunningham, the Acne NP, to talk about ADULTERY. Kristin shares her vulnerable experience of discovering her husband was cheating on her, shortly after finding out she was pregnant with their third child. We break down signs that he might be cheating and tackle juicy topics like surviving the shame of divorce in a religious community, purity culture, and porn in marriage. We also talk about the role of religion in keeping women stuck in abuse and reconciling faith with betrayal and forgiveness. But, there is a happy ending that will give you hope.

Follow Kristin at @the_acne_np

Check out her acne course at: https://www.bemetahealth.com/links

You can watch the panel on sexual ethics I referenced here: https://youtu.be/ZTrOJFQzRbU?si=d2TTY8eRzl0yufu

I am on a mission to help protect women from toxic relationships by supporting them in recognizing the signs. I’d love for you to help spread this mission by subscribing to the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with a friend. Also consider picking up a copy of Losing You, Finding Me for a deep dive into healing from trauma and toxic relationships.