Claim OwnershipSurviving Toxic Relationships Podcast
Subscribed: 16Played: 102
Subscribe
© 2026 Surviving Toxic Relationships Podcast
Description
Deana and Lizzie are two women whose lives unexpectedly crossed through a shared past with the same emotionally abusive partner. From that pain came Surviving Toxic Relationships—a faith-based podcast about truth, healing, and empowerment after emotional and relational abuse.
Grounded in faith and guided by God’s grace, they share honest conversations about manipulation, betrayal, gaslighting, trauma bonding, and recovery. Their mission isn’t to label anyone—it’s to reveal the patterns of toxic relationships and show how healing and freedom are possible through faith.
Each episode invites listeners into a space of hope, restoration, and renewal—where women can rediscover their worth, rebuild their confidence, and walk boldly in freedom.
Their message is simple but powerful: Your past may shape you, but it doesn’t define you. Healing is possible.
New to the podcast? Start with our trailer to learn more about who we are and the heart behind Surviving Toxic Relationships.
86 Episodes
Reverse
This episode is for anyone who has ever asked: “Why am I still paying the price for someone else’s abuse?” In this powerful episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, hosts Deana and Lizzie sit down with Joni Woods, a certified life coach, culture strategist, and founder of Journey Coaching, to discuss what happens after you leave a toxic or narcissistic relationship—especially when the family system turns against you. Joni shares her deeply personal story of surviving narcissistic abuse...
In this powerful episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, with Deana and Lizzie sit down with Brooke DeBoer, author of Living the Free Life and a life coach whose journey from bullying and emotional abuse to healing and freedom is both deeply personal and incredibly inspiring. Brooke shares how years of peer bullying, emotional trauma, unhealthy relationships, and limiting beliefs shaped her self-worth—and how faith, counseling, self-care, and mindset work helped her break free. From childho...
In this gripping episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships with Deana and Lizzie sit down with Ken Childs, a veteran Los Angeles private investigator whose 25-year career includes celebrity cases, criminal investigations, and exposing double lives. Ken opens up about the rise of online deception, emotional cheating, and how narcissists use manipulation and control to hide their true selves. He shares insider tips on: How private investigators uncover hidden relationships and fraud.Why online “...
In this deeply personal episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, Lizzie shares her full story—one that spans faith, marriage, motherhood, religious abuse, emotional control, and survival. From marrying young with the belief that God had ordained the relationship, to enduring years of infidelity, manipulation, and spiritual coercion, Lizzie opens up about what it means to love God deeply while living in a marriage that slowly eroded her safety, identity, and voice. She shares the realities of...
Episode 81: If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book—or wondered if it’s too late—this inspiring episode is for you. In this powerful conversation on Surviving Toxic Relationships, hosts Deana and Lizzie talk with Terry Whalin—author, editor, literary agent, and acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing—about how midlife can become the perfect time to tell your story, share your testimony, and transform your pain into purpose through writing. Terry has written more than 60 books an...
Welcome to Surviving Toxic Relationships, a faith-based podcast created for women who are healing, rebuilding, and reclaiming their voice after emotional and relational abuse. Hosted by Lizzie and Deana—two women whose lives unexpectedly intersected through a shared past—this podcast offers honest conversations about manipulation, gaslighting, betrayal, trauma bonding, and the long road to recovery. Our goal is not to diagnose or label, but to bring clarity, truth, and hope to women navigatin...
In this deeply personal episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, Lizzie opens up about how the holidays can feel different—lonelier, quieter, or unexpectedly emotional—especially after walking through heartbreak, divorce, or the loss of family traditions. Midlife brings new realities: children growing up, parents passing on, relationships ending, and identities shifting. What once made the season magical—the gatherings, the laughter, the sense of belonging—can now stir up grief, longing, or ...
The holidays can intensify toxic family dynamics, emotional labor, grief, and high-conflict co-parenting. For many women, this season brings pressure to perform, suppress pain, and hold everything together. In this episode, Lizzie and Deana talk honestly about why the holidays feel so heavy for women navigating emotionally unsafe relationships and life transitions. We discuss guilt, boundaries, caregiving overload, and why real self-care is not selfish—it’s protective. This episode offers per...
What if the greatest pain in your life was also the beginning of your purpose? In this powerful episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, hosts Deana and Lizzie welcome Dr. Wole (Oluwole) Babatunde—a physician, psychiatrist, author, and faith leader whose extraordinary story proves that resilience and divine purpose can rise from even the darkest valleys. In this deeply moving episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships with Deana and Lizzie, we meet Dr. Wole (Oluwole) Babatunde—a man whose life...
What happens when the pain and exhaustion isn’t “in your head” — but everyone tells you it is? In this powerful and validating episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, Lizzie and Deana talk with Tami Stackelhouse, founder of the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute and host of The Fibromyalgia Podcast. Tami shares her deeply personal journey from being dismissed and misdiagnosed to finally understanding her chronic pain, and how trauma, stress, and fibromyalgia can feel like an in...
Have you ever worked for a fear-based leader, a toxic bully boss, or someone in authority who used intimidation and harassment instead of emotional maturity? In today’s eye-opening conversation, Kate Lowry, CEO Coach and Author of "Unbreakable: How to Survive Under Fear Based Leaders" breaks down why so many leaders behave more like emotionally reactive children than competent adults — and how their lack of emotional intelligence can create abusive, chaotic workplaces. Kate explains the...
After a 25-year marriage ended suddenly, emotional-wellbeing expert and artist Elizabeth Jane turned heartbreak into a mission: to help others climb out of the quicksand of grief, reclaim self-worth, and rebuild a full life. In this episode Elizabeth shares practical, bite-sized tools that helped her move from shock → survival → reinvention — plus mindset shifts every woman leaving a long relationship needs to hear. In this episode we cover: • Quick presence tools to stop the “should’v...
In this powerful episode, Lizzie and Deana speak with Tracy DeTomasi, CEO of Callisto, a groundbreaking nonprofit using secure technology to connect survivors of serial predators—without forcing them to go public. Tracy shares how the Callisto Vault platform empowers survivors to safely report, match with others harmed by the same perpetrator, and make informed choices about next steps. The conversation dives deep into the psychology of grooming, the myths around “risk reduction,” and how shi...
In this raw & honest episode, Lizzie opens up about her courageous journey of leaving a toxic relationship and rebuilding her life from the ground up. She shares how healing isn't a single dramatic moment, it's a process that unfolds in stages, with every step leading toward self-discovery and empowerment. From surviving emotional turmoil to stepping into a season of reinvention, Lizzie reflects on the power of community support, the importance of self care, and how she's transformi...
In this deeply moving and insightful episode, relationship and self-love coach Jonathan Aslay shares his powerful journey of healing after the tragic loss of his son. Through vulnerability and wisdom, Jonathan explores how grief can become a catalyst for growth, why self-worth is non-negotiable in midlife, and how to build meaningful, lasting relationships rooted in authenticity—not just chemistry. Whether you're navigating midlife dating, recovering from emotional loss, or seeking deeper sel...
In this inspiring episode, Deborah Weed opens up about her powerful transformation—from a high-achieving corporate career to becoming the founder of the Self-Worth Initiative and the Quills Up Movement. 💫 After a life-altering health crisis, Deborah began to reframe her understanding of value, moving from external validation to embracing her intrinsic worth. She shares how a simple 1943 copper penny sparked a personal revolution, leading her to create tools, stories, and a musical called Pais...
In this powerful episode, Lizzie and Deana dive deep into the roots of codependency, how it’s shaped by childhood trauma, and why it often leads to low self-esteem and toxic relationship patterns. Through raw, relatable stories and hard-earned insights, they unpack how codependency shows up in everyday life — from constantly putting others first to struggling with setting boundaries. You’ll learn why self-care isn’t selfish, how to stop minimizing harmful behavior, and the importance of build...
Am I the Toxic One? | Surviving Toxic Relationships with Lizzie & Deana Are you the toxic one... and don’t even know it? In this eye-opening episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, Lizzie and Deana turn the mirror inward to explore a question many avoid: Could we be contributing to the toxicity in our relationships? Together, they unpack the subtle but critical differences between toxic behaviors and trauma responses, and how unresolved trauma might be driving harmful patterns. Th...
In this powerful and compassionate episode, Lizzie and Deana dive deep into the emotional complexities of leaving toxic relationships. They explore the internal battles many face—fear, guilt, and trauma bonds—and how these emotions can make leaving feel even more difficult than staying. Through real talk and heartfelt insights, they shed light on: Why the fear of the unknown often feels safer than taking the leap,How guilt and shame can sabotage healing,And most importantly, the critical role...
In this deeply moving episode, Avonley Lightstone, Author of "Strength of Scars", opens up about her powerful journey from unimaginable loss to unshakable faith. After losing her mother at 3 years old in a tragic fire and enduring years of emotional and physical abuse in her adoptive home, Avonley shares how finding God became a turning point in her path to healing. Through candid conversation, she explores the importance of not internalizing trauma, the personal nature of forgiveness, and ho...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States