Relationship Truth: Unfiltered

Resources: Empowered to Change: www.leslievernick.com/empowered Darby Strickland https://www.darbystrickland.com/  In this heart-wrenching and inspirational episode, Mary shares her powerful story of overcoming decades of abuse. From her tumultuous marriages to finding the strength to rebuild her life, listeners will be moved and motivated to find resilience in their own struggles. Mary's Background Insights into Mary’s early life and personal history. Brief mention of her age and pride in overcoming challenges. First Marriage The emotional and psychological abuse Mary experienced. Efforts to maintain a normal home and protect her children. Her husband’s eventual abandonment. Second Marriage Initial optimism and eventual realization of failure. The additional challenges and learning experiences. Discovering Leslie's Materials How Mary found and began engaging with Leslie’s resources. The impact of biblical evidence and therapy on her decisions. Applying Knowledge and Therapy Practical steps Mary took to apply Leslie’s teachings. Collaboration with her PTSD therapist to understand and confront abuse. Personal Achievements and Growth Overcoming past abuses and achieving significant personal milestones. Her educational pursuits and the establishment of a discipleship group. Aspirations to start an autism center. Balancing Commitments Struggles and strategies for maintaining a balanced life. Learning to prioritize and manage commitments without overextending. The Role of Counseling The necessity and importance of having a supportive counselor. Perseverance in finding the right match for counseling. Practical advice for those experiencing abuse and seeking help. Final Thoughts Encouragement for listeners to seek help and realize their value. Empowering message to those feeling defeated by ongoing abuse.

RESOURCES: Register Here for Leslie's Free Workshop on December 5th! Honey Lake Clinic Leslie's Quick Start Guide In this episode of Relationship Truth Unfiltered, Leslie Vernick chats with Dr. Karl Benzio about integrating faith and psychiatric science for healing and better decision-making. Dr. Benzio, from Honey Lake Clinic, shares his journey and practical tools like the SPEARS model to help improve mental health and relationships. Don't miss this insightful conversation! Personal Story Karl's journey of struggle and redemption Early Influences Childhood challenges and the impact of faith Faith and Psychiatry Integrating science and faith for healing Practical Advice for Decision-Making Empowering godly decisions in tough relationships SPEARS Decision Making Overview of the SPEARS decision-making model Role of Relationships and Maintenance Importance of daily psychological and spiritual upkeep

RESOURCES Register for Leslie's Free Workshop December 5th! www.leslievernick.com/story  Leslie's Quick Start Guide www.leslievernick.com/start   In this episode, Julie Sedenko sits down with Alyson Zurek, who opens up about her tumultuous life marked by three marriages, a traumatic brain injury, and childhood trauma. From early instability and maternal abandonment to overcoming abusive relationships and exploring emotional recovery, Alyson shares her story of resilience and healing. She discusses how finding faith and joining supportive communities like Conquer helped her reclaim her life and peace of mind. The conversation serves as a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and offers hope for those in similar struggles.

Resources Leslie's Quick Start Guide: www.leslievernick.com/start  Chris Moles' Website & Resources: https://www.chrismoles.org/  Theology of Suffering and Authority Discussion on imbalance of theology related to suffering and authority Magnification of male headship and sacrifice over safety and protection of the oppressed Lack of focus on misuse and cautions of authority Abuse of Authority and Accountability Constituted and delegated authority in the church Power comes with responsibility and accountability The church's duty to hold authority figures accountable for misuse Jesus' Teachings on Leadership Jesus' warnings against the misuse of authority Connection to domestic abuse involving various forms of power and control The church's slow response to addressing these abuses Restoration and Consequences of Sin Biblical references to power under versus power over The role of accountability and honesty in theological commitments Expectation of servant leadership and its importance Hope for Marriages Affected by Domestic Abuse Finding hope and change through the gospel The focus on individual safety and sanity over marital restoration Importance of setting boundaries and personal growth for both partners Domestic Abuse: Definitions and Dynamics Misuse of power and patterns of coercive behavior The importance of recognizing power dynamics in abuse Differentiating between isolated acts and ongoing patterns of control Can Women Be Abusive? Acknowledgment of women's potential for abusive behavior Differences in power dynamics and impact between men and women Examples of women abusing power in certain contexts Nonviolent Resistance and Personal Agency Encouraging nonviolent forms of resistance The significance of maintaining dignity and agency Practical advice on resisting control without escalating violence

RESOURCES: Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-GET-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) Leslie's Quick Start Guide: www.leslievernick.com/start The Hidden Depths of Addiction Discovery of her husband's addiction Struggles with expectations of respect and family values, especially within the church setting Facing Anger and Abuse Anger and threats escalate Irrational anger Psychological and physical toll of the marriage The Impact on Children Tansil's fear and realization of the impact on her children Protective actions taken to shield her children from the abuse Recognizing Red Flags Reflection on early warning signs before and soon after marriage Importance of identifying and not ignoring red flags in relationships The Turning Point: Seeking Safety Seeing the truth Initial steps towards seeking help and legal separation Legal Separation and Its Aftermath Hiring an attorney and filing for legal separation Emotional and practical challenges of separating from an abusive spouse Experiences with victim services and legal protection Support Systems and Conquer Community Participation in Conquer and the support gained from the community Key lessons and validations received from fellow survivors Importance of staying anchored in reality and implementing safety plans The Role of Faith and Church Challenges with pastoral support and their often inadequate response to abuse Importance of faith and prayer in Tansil's journey Positive and negative experiences with church leadership Final Thoughts and Advice Encouragement to listeners to trust their gut instincts and prioritize safety Advice on not dismissing red flags and recognizing one's own worth Final reflections and call to action for women in similar situations to seek help and support

RESOURCES Quick Start Guide: www.leslievernick.com/start  Pattern Questions to Ask: When was the first time ... When was the last time...  What is a typical time? What's the worst time? Summary: In this episode, Julie Sedenko and relationship expert Leslie Vernick discuss how to recognize and address destructive relationships. Leslie highlights five key signs of a destructive relationship and offers advice on navigating these challenging situations. Identifying Red Flags in Marriage Explanation of common red flags that may indicate a relationship is becoming destructive. Recognizing Patterns of Destructive Behavior Importance of identifying repeat patterns in behavior that are harmful. Differentiation between occasional mistakes and ongoing destructive patterns. Sign One: Feeling Controlled Indicators of control and manipulation in a relationship. Psychological and emotional impact of being controlled. Sign Two: Feeling Afraid Understanding fear in non-physically abusive relationships. Common fears and their effects on the dynamics of a relationship. Sign Three: Feeling Confused The role of gaslighting in causing confusion. Strategies for regaining clarity and validating one’s own reality. Sign Four: Feeling Objectified Recognizing when one is being treated as an object rather than a partner. The emotional toll of objectification. Sign Five: Deception Impact of chronic deception on trust and safety in a relationship. Recognizing the signs of deceit and its consequences. Navigating Deceptive and Manipulative Behavior Dealing with duplicity and manipulation in relationships. Strategies for protecting oneself and maintaining sanity. Taking Control of Your Happiness Personal anecdotes and empowerment stories. Importance of self-celebration and taking charge of one’s own well-being. Recognizing Destructive Patterns and Seeking Safety Identifying patterns and understanding their frequency and intensity. Assessing personal boundaries and safety measures.

In this episode of Relationship Truth Unfiltered, Dr. Stephanie Holmes, an autism researcher, life coach, and ordained minister, joins us to discuss the unique dynamics of neurodiverse marriages. Dr. Holmes brings her vast expertise and personal experience in navigating the challenges that couples face when one partner is on the autism spectrum. The conversation emphasizes understanding neurodiversity, the impact of late diagnoses on marriages, recognizing red flags, and practical advice for women feeling unheard or unloved in such relationships. Listeners will gain valuable insights into self-care, boundary-setting, and finding supportive communities within a Christian context. Key Takeaways Understanding Neurodiversity Explanation of neurodiverse and neurotypical terms. Importance of recognizing different neurological wiring and its impact on relationships. Impact of Late Diagnosis Effects of late autism spectrum diagnoses on marital relationships. Historical context of autism diagnosis and its implications. Recognizing Red Flags Identifying signs that a partner might be on the autism spectrum. Need for reassessment for individuals diagnosed with ADHD before 2013. Challenges in Neurodiverse Marriages Common struggles such as lack of emotional connection and communication issues. Necessity for both partners to learn and adapt to each other's needs. Trauma and Neurodiverse Relationships Understanding Trauma A (absence of good things) and Trauma B (presence of bad things) in neurodiverse marriages. Impact of trauma on the neurotypical spouse and importance of addressing these issues. Counseling and Coaching Benefits of coaching over traditional counseling for neurodiverse couples. Importance of individual therapy and trauma work before starting couples work. Personal and Spiritual Growth Encouraging women to set boundaries and seek self-care. Finding identity and community support outside of the marriage. Final Advice Practical tips for women feeling unheard or unloved in their relationships. Recognizing and addressing the impact of a spouse's behavior on their well-being.

RESOURCES Leslie's Quick Start Guide: www.leslievernick.com/start  In this episode Julie Sedenko talks to Raquel about her personal journey and insights into toxic marriages, emotional abuse, and healing. You will learn, from Raquel's experiences, about the importance of establishing boundaries, tips for healing after emotional abuse, and key lessons from her marriage. This empowering podcast provides valuable resources and encouragement for those navigating their own relationship challenges. Raquel's Marriage Rachel discusses the truth behind her marriage experiences Emotional Abuse Unmasked Revealing the signs and effects of emotional abuse Raquel on Toxic Marriages Insights on what makes a marriage toxic Marriage Boundaries Raquel’s story on setting and maintaining boundaries Healing After Emotional Abuse Steps and stories of healing post-abuse Raquel's Marriage Lessons Key lessons learned from her own marriage Escaping Toxic Relationships Strategies and advice for leaving toxic situations Raquel's Guide to Boundaries Comprehensive guide to establishing and enforcing boundaries Toxic Marriage Insights Additional insights on toxic relationships Raquel's Truth on Marriage Final thoughts and personal truths about marriage

Honesty and Vulnerability in Friendships: Initiating tough conversations about unmet needs is essential to gauge respect and mutual support. Small “no” statements reveal whether a friend respects boundaries or tends toward manipulation or guilt-tripping. Guarding Your Heart: Proverbs 4:23 emphasizes guarding your heart to prevent dependency on others for validation. By making God the source of well-being, friendships become supportive without becoming the foundation of one’s self-worth. Understanding Friendships vs. Ministry Relationships: Distinguishing between friendships, which are mutual and reciprocal, and ministry relationships, where giving is without expectation. True friendships require both give-and-take, unlike ministry relationships, which may be one-sided. Establishing Healthy Boundaries: Recognizing personal limits, such as the story of the “laundry lesson,” where a lack of boundaries led to silent resentment. Knowing when to express needs and limitations to avoid burnout and passive-aggressive responses. When Friendships Need to End: Natural fading of friendships versus ending them with intentional conversations if there’s been a breach of trust. Practicing clarity: If a friendship no longer aligns with your life stage or values, addressing this honestly can prevent miscommunication.

In this episode of Relationship Truth Unfiltered, Leslie Vernick interviews Michelle Hord, a former producer of Good Morning America. Michelle shares her heartbreaking yet inspiring story of losing her daughter Gabrielle at the hands of her soon-to-be ex-husband and her journey of resilience and faith thereafter.   The Tragic Event Description of the tragic event involving Michelle's daughter, Gabrielle. Emotional and psychological impact on Michelle and her family. Life Before the Tragedy Insights into Michelle's marriage and reasons for the divorce. Discussion about emotional abuse and its impact. Gabrielle's Personality Michelle's memories of Gabrielle. Gabrielle's character and memorable traits. The Night of the Tragedy Details of the night Gabrielle's life was taken. Michelle’s immediate reactions and actions following the event. Immediate Aftermath Steps Michelle took following the tragedy. The support system that helped her through the initial shock. Regaining Power and Faith Michelle’s journey to regain her power and sense of self. Her process of rebuilding faith and resilience. Book Discussion: The Other Side of Yet Introduction of Michelle’s book. Explanation of the book’s title and central themes. Defiant Faith Discussion on the concept of defiant faith. How Michelle has embraced defiance against evil and adversity. Support Systems Importance of having a strong support system during crises. Examples of how Michelle’s friends supported her through difficult times. Gabrielle’s Wings Foundation Overview of the Gabrielle’s Wings Foundation. The mission and activities of the foundation to honor Gabrielle’s legacy. Conclusion and Prayer Closing thoughts from Leslie and Michelle. Prayer for listeners facing their own battles with evil and hardship. Additional Details: Links and Resources: Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Gabrielle’s Wings Foundation Website Purchase Michelle Hord’s Book  Michelle Hord's Website Leslie Vernick’s Free Quick Start Guide Social Media Contacts: Follow Leslie Vernick on Instagram and Facebook Follow Gabrielle’s Wings on Instagram and Facebook `