Heal Your Heartbreak

In today’s expert episode, I’m interviewing Anna Runkle, better known as the “Crappy Childhood Fairy” on YouTube, whose new book, Connectability, just launched. We talk all about what it really means to be dysregulated, how childhood trauma—not just the “big T” trauma—can play out in our adult relationships, and why so many of us find ourselves self-sabotaging or struggling to connect. Anna dives into why neglect, not being seen or cared for as a child, can have lasting neurological effects, and she shares practical steps to start re-regulating your nervous system and breaking out of old relational patterns. We also dig into why we might be drawn to emotionally unavailable people, the hidden ways we isolate ourselves, and why building multiple kinds of connection—not just romantic—is so important for healing after heartbreak. Anna offers relatable stories, super tangible advice, and hope for anyone navigating relationship wounds or looking to build a more connected, supported life.To find out which Break Up Bestie Course is right for you, click the link to take the quiz and get matched with the best solution for you: https://breakupbestie.typeform.com/to/x0WglwDOTo get my course bundle Heal Your Break Up, go to https://www.breakupbestie.com/heal-your-break-up-course and use the code PODCAST for $25 off!To learn about all of my courses: https://www.breakupbestie.com/coursesTo join Healing Hearts Club for FREE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021288124899873Get a copy of The Breakup Workbook here!Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/HEARTBREAKAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In today’s episode, I’m welcoming back one of my favorite guests, Rory Uphold, to talk all about her brand new book The Final Girl’s Guide to the Horrors of Dating, out tomorrow (October 1st)! Rory and I dive into what inspired her to write the book—combining her own wild relationship stories with her love for horror movies. We break down what it really means to be a “final girl” in both scary movies and in dating, how mixed messages and shame around sex impact women’s relationships, and why so many of us stay in situationships and fear being single. Rory bravely shares her personal experiences with shame, sexuality, and catching an STI, discussing what it took for her to finally reclaim her agency. We also talk through the difference between accountability and shame, what it looks like to rewrite our dating stories, and why pain can actually be the best motivator during heartbreak. This is such a validating, insightful, and hilarious conversation—I can’t wait for you all to listen, and don’t forget to grab a copy of Rory’s book at this link using our special code BREAKUP15To find out which Break Up Bestie Course is right for you, click the link to take the quiz and get matched with the best solution for you: https://breakupbestie.typeform.com/to/x0WglwDOTo get my course bundle Heal Your Break Up, go to https://www.breakupbestie.com/heal-your-break-up-course and use the code PODCAST for $25 off!To learn about all of my courses: https://www.breakupbestie.com/coursesTo join Healing Hearts Club for FREE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021288124899873Get a copy of The Breakup Workbook here!Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/HEARTBREAKAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In today’s solo episode, I’m diving into one of my all-time favorite tools for breakup healing—letter writing. I share why this practice has been so powerful for me, how I integrate it into my coaching sessions, and exactly why it helps with those obsessive post-breakup thoughts and the void left by no contact. I go over different types of letters you can write—to your ex, to yourself (including your younger self), to the universe, and more—and why putting pen to paper is so much more impactful than just thinking your thoughts or even journaling. I get honest about whether or not you should ever actually send these letters (the answer may surprise you!) and offer tips for making this practice your own. If you’re looking for a tangible way to process your emotions and lighten the load after heartbreak, this episode is for you.To find out which Break Up Bestie Course is right for you, click the link to take the quiz and get matched with the best solution for you: https://breakupbestie.typeform.com/to/x0WglwDOTo get my course bundle Heal Your Break Up, go to https://www.breakupbestie.com/heal-your-break-up-course and use the code PODCAST for $25 off!To learn about all of my courses: https://www.breakupbestie.com/coursesTo join Healing Hearts Club for FREE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021288124899873Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/HEARTBREAKAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In today’s episode, I’m talking to Laura Behnke, whose story is such a powerful example of resilience, hope, and what it means to build a meaningful life regardless of the “rules” we think we need to follow. Laura shares openly about not having her first real relationship until age 35, what it felt like to reach milestones later than she expected, and how she learned to imagine a future that didn’t hinge on partnership. We dive into her experiences navigating major grief—including the losses of her father-in-law and her own father, a long, emotional journey with IVF and infertility, and eventually facing a cancer diagnosis when her daughter was just seven months old. We discuss the emotions that come up when life doesn’t go as planned, finding strength during difficult seasons, and why sharing our most vulnerable moments can be such a lifeline to others. Laura’s honesty about dating, grief, motherhood, and health is such a needed reminder that we’re not alone in life’s hardest chapters, and that it’s okay to question—and break—the “rules” we’re handed.To find out which Break Up Bestie Course is right for you, click the link to take the quiz and get matched with the best solution for you: https://breakupbestie.typeform.com/to/x0WglwDOTo get my course bundle Heal Your Break Up, go to https://www.breakupbestie.com/heal-your-break-up-course and use the code PODCAST for $25 off!To learn about all of my courses: https://www.breakupbestie.com/coursesTo join Healing Hearts Club for FREE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021288124899873Get a copy of The Breakup Workbook here!Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/HEARTBREAKAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In today's solo episode, I'm diving into what I call the final 10% of breakup recovery—that last stretch where you feel mostly healed, but still find yourself thinking about your ex, feeling frustrated, or just not quite “over it” yet. I talk through why this stage can feel so uncomfortable, how it's completely normal to still have lingering curiosity or sadness, and why rushing through it doesn't actually help. I share my top tips for approaching this stage with curiosity rather than judgment, including continuing to journal, reflecting on your progress, and even considering dipping your toe back into dating—when the time is right for you. I also discuss how these lingering feelings can reveal deeper lessons and opportunities for growth. Whether you're nearing the end of your breakup journey or just want to know what to expect, this episode is all about normalizing the messy, imperfect end stages of healing and encouraging you to trust your own process.To find out which Break Up Bestie Course is right for you, click the link to take the quiz and get matched with the best solution for you: https://breakupbestie.typeform.com/to/x0WglwDOTo get my course bundle Heal Your Break Up, go to https://www.breakupbestie.com/heal-your-break-up-course and use the code PODCAST for $25 off!To learn about all of my courses: https://www.breakupbestie.com/coursesTo join Healing Hearts Club for FREE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021288124899873Get a copy of The Breakup Workbook here!Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/HEARTBREAKAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In today’s episode, I’m joined by internationally bestselling poet and author Courtney Peppernell to talk about her deeply personal new book, Out of the Ashes. Courtney opens up about her seven-year relationship that ended in emotional abuse and infidelity, and what it was like to recognize the toxic dynamics only in hindsight. We explore how she navigated feelings of shame, guilt, and even imposter syndrome as someone whose career centers around writing about love and connection. Courtney shares how therapy, creative expression, and rebuilding trust in herself helped her heal—and why learning to embrace difficult emotions, especially anger, is essential to recovery. We also discuss the difference between healthy and emotionally abusive relationships, what it means to “rise from the ashes,” and how to reconnect with your intuition after heartbreak. This is a powerful conversation about reclaiming your voice, rebuilding self-worth, and knowing that your best days still lie ahead.To find out which Break Up Bestie Course is right for you, click the link to take the quiz and get matched with the best solution for you: https://breakupbestie.typeform.com/to/x0WglwDOTo get my course bundle Heal Your Break Up, go to https://www.breakupbestie.com/heal-your-break-up-course and use the code PODCAST for $25 off!To learn about all of my courses: https://www.breakupbestie.com/coursesTo join Healing Hearts Club for FREE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021288124899873Get a copy of The Breakup Workbook here!Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/HEARTBREAKAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In today's episode, I'm joined by international best-selling author Amber Rae of the book Loveable, who shares her incredible story of breaking free from a nine-year sexless marriage after realizing she was living out a "good girl" narrative that kept her needs and desires suppressed. Amber and I dive into the difficult process of coming to terms with a relationship that looks good on paper but isn't fulfilling in reality, how meeting a soulmate became the catalyst for honesty and change, and the often-unspoken shame around discussing intimacy issues within relationships. We talk about rationalizing our way into staying, the courage it takes to leave, and the even deeper work of healing childhood wounds and learning to show up authentically in a new relationship. Amber also shares what it was like navigating others’ judgments, processing her family history, and building a partnership based on true connection and willingness. Whether you’re questioning your relationship or seeking permission to honor your own needs, this conversation is all about finding freedom and self-love on the other side of heartbreak.To find out which Break Up Bestie Course is right for you, click the link to take the quiz and get matched with the best solution for you: https://breakupbestie.typeform.com/to/x0WglwDOTo get my course bundle Heal Your Break Up, go to https://www.breakupbestie.com/heal-your-break-up-course and use the code PODCAST for $25 off!To learn about all of my courses: https://www.breakupbestie.com/coursesTo join Healing Hearts Club for FREE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021288124899873Get a copy of The Breakup Workbook here!Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/HEARTBREAKAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In today’s listener episode, I’m interviewing Chris, a man in his late 30s living in Arizona who is nearly two years out from a relationship that was marked by a classic anxious-avoidant dynamic. Chris opens up about navigating repeated breakup and reconciliation cycles with his ex, coming to terms with patterns of emotional unavailability, and the challenging process of finally walking away for good. We talk about what taking a full year to be single and focus on self-growth looked like for him, the deep patterns he noticed (both in his ex and himself), and how therapy and community support helped him rebuild his confidence after feeling completely lost. Chris also shares how dating again after a long break led him to a new, much healthier relationship, and what it’s been like to rewire old patterns and experience genuine emotional safety with a partner. This conversation is a refreshing look at heartbreak, healing, and growth from the male perspective, and I know so many listeners will relate to Chris’s story.To find out which Break Up Bestie Course is right for you, click the link to take the quiz and get matched with the best solution for you: https://breakupbestie.typeform.com/to/x0WglwDOTo get my course bundle Heal Your Break Up, go to https://www.breakupbestie.com/heal-your-break-up-course and use the code PODCAST for $25 off!To learn about all of my courses: https://www.breakupbestie.com/coursesTo join Healing Hearts Club for FREE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021288124899873Get a copy of The Breakup Workbook here!Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/HEARTBREAKAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In today’s solo episode, I’m diving deep into one of my favorite—and most powerful—tools for breakup recovery: contrary action. I talk about how, in the midst of heartbreak, your thoughts and feelings can often steer you in the wrong direction, and why doing the opposite of what you feel like doing can be a true game changer. I share actionable ways to put contrary action into practice, how routines can support your healing, and why building self-trust and self-esteem really starts with showing up for yourself—especially when it feels hardest. I also discuss the tricky balance between listening to your feelings and pushing yourself just enough, providing tips for what to do when motivation is at its lowest. If you’re feeling stuck or unsure how to move forward, this episode is for you!To find out which Break Up Bestie Course is right for you, click the link to take the quiz and get matched with the best solution for you: https://breakupbestie.typeform.com/to/x0WglwDOTo get my course bundle Heal Your Break Up, go to https://www.breakupbestie.com/heal-your-break-up-course and use the code PODCAST for $25 off!To learn about all of my courses: https://www.breakupbestie.com/coursesTo join Healing Hearts Club for FREE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021288124899873Get a copy of The Breakup Workbook here!Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/HEARTBREAKAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In today’s expert episode, I’m joined by Dr. Robert Biswas Diener, pioneer in positive psychology and co-author of the book “Radical Listening.” We dive into the power of radical listening—what it actually looks like, why it’s so hard to practice during breakups, and how improving your listening skills can radically change how you process heartbreak and receive support. Dr. Robert and I talk about why loneliness is so prevalent right now, how to coach your friends and family to be better listeners, and why so many people feel misunderstood during a split. We also dig into why it’s important to understand your motives when you’re listening—or when you’re sharing—and how to ask for the kind of support you need, whether that’s to be heard, hugged, or helped. Plus, we cover what to do when you have to listen to things you really don’t want to hear (like “I don’t want to be in this relationship anymore”) and how so much clarity actually comes from hindsight listening. This conversation is packed with practical advice for anyone navigating heartbreak, wanting to be a better support system, or looking to have healthier conversations—breakup or not.To find out which Break Up Bestie Course is right for you, click the link to take the quiz and get matched with the best solution for you: https://breakupbestie.typeform.com/to/x0WglwDOTo get my course bundle Heal Your Break Up, go to https://www.breakupbestie.com/heal-your-break-up-course and use the code PODCAST for $25 off!To learn about all of my courses: https://www.breakupbestie.com/coursesTo join Healing Hearts Club for FREE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021288124899873Get a copy of The Breakup Workbook here!Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/HEARTBREAKAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy