Your Secret Is Safe With Me

Have you ever had someone walk out of your life without warning, only to reappear months later as if nothing happened?   It's complicated enough when it happens in regular relationships. But when it involves an affair partner, the complexity multiplies tenfold.   This kind of heartbreak hits differently when the relationship itself existed in secrecy, making the grief even more isolating.   Join me this week as I tackle the heart-wrenching reality of what happens when an affair partner breaks your heart - and the even more complicated question of what to do if they come back. You'll learn how to stop waiting for someone else to change and start taking control of your own emotional well-being and future relationships.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.mariemurphyphd.com/216

Have you ever thought about "checking out your options" before making a big relationship decision?   It seems logical, right? Why make a life-changing choice without knowing what else is out there?   When you're married but questioning whether you want to stay that way, the unknown can feel paralyzing.    Join me this week as I dive into why people choose to secretly date while married and what actually happens when they do.    Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.mariemurphyphd.com/215

Have you ever been paralyzed by the fear of making the "wrong" decision about your relationship(s)?   Maybe you're considering leaving your marriage, ending an affair, or making another significant change in your relationship status. And maybe the fear of regret is keeping you stuck.   Making major relationship decisions can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff, knowing that once you jump, there's no going back.    In this episode, I break down exactly what to do when you find yourself living with relationship decisions you don't like, and share practical steps for addressing your dissatisfaction without spiraling into panic.    Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.mariemurphyphd.com/214

Is it really okay to end something that's working well?   After much consideration, I've decided to pause production of Your Secret is Safe With Me indefinitely while I pursue new creative endeavors.   This decision wasn't made because anything is wrong—quite the opposite.   My experience with this transition mirrors what many of my clients face in their relationships and life choices. There's often a belief that we shouldn't end something that's "good enough" or that we must finish everything we've started. But what if the most faithful act to ourselves is allowing evolution, even when it means leaving something valuable behind?   This final episode explores the legitimacy of change and the permission we all deserve to give ourselves when moving in new directions.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.mariemurphyphd.com/213

Have you ever felt stuck between two good choices?   Through my personal story of leaving a life I loved to join the Peace Corps, I illustrate how choosing between two good things - while challenging - can lead to profound growth and fulfillment.   If you're struggling with a decision that feels impossible because both options have value, this episode is for you.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.mariemurphyphd.com/212

Feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world? Wondering how to focus on your own personal struggles—like dealing with infidelity—when global crises seem so much bigger?    In this episode, I explore how to stay engaged with the world's problems without being consumed by them. You'll learn why tending to your own challenges is not selfish but essential, and how taking responsibility for what you can control helps you build resilience and show up for yourself and others.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.mariemurphyphd.com/211

Does your partner's sexual past make you uncomfortable? What if you found out they had exchanged sex for money before you met - would that feel like cheating?   These are the kinds of thorny questions I tackle head-on in this week’s episode. I’ll help you examine your beliefs about sex work, infidelity, and how much of our pasts we need to share with new partners.   Whether you've been on either side of this situation or are just curious to expand your perspective, you'll gain valuable insights for approaching these sensitive conversations with more clarity and intentionality.    Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.mariemurphyphd.com/210

Have you ever felt like you have competing desires when it comes to relationships? Like part of you craves freedom and adventure while another part yearns for deep intimacy and stability?   Astrologer Karen Hawkwood joins me this week to discuss how astrology can provide a framework for understanding these complex and often paradoxical needs. We also discuss how legitimizing all parts of ourselves, even the ones that seem to be in conflict, is key to finding more peace in our love lives.   If you've struggled to make sense of your infidelity situation, this episode will offer a new perspective on honoring the fullness of who you are.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.mariemurphyphd.com/209

Is paying for sex cheating?    In this week’s episode, I dive into the complex intersection of sex work and infidelity. I explore how to be a conscious consumer of sexual services, the social stigma around sex work, and the diversity of experiences within the industry. I also address listener questions about the risks and benefits of seeing sex workers versus having an affair.    Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.mariemurphyphd.com/208

Have you ever wondered if your astrological chart holds clues to your relationship patterns and tendencies?    In this episode, I sit down with teacher and practitioner of archetypal astrology, Karen Hawkwood, to explore how astrology can provide valuable insights into the parts of ourselves that shape our experiences with infidelity.   Whether you're well-versed in astrology or simply curious about how it might relate to your own infidelity situation, this episode offers a thought-provoking perspective on the ways in which we can work with our inherent tendencies and needs to create more fulfilling relationships.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.mariemurphyphd.com/207