Men Rising From Divorce - A Rising Phoenix Podcast

Michael
  • 4.9 (36)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Biweekly

A podcast for men going through an unwanted divorce or breakup.

  1. Episode 224 - When the Logical Brain Goes Offline - Solo

    May 20

    Episode 224 - When the Logical Brain Goes Offline - Solo

    Send us Fan Mail In this raw, unscripted solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the state of the podcast and sharing the latest listener stats, community updates, and what the future holds for the show. But more importantly, we are diving deep into the single most critical survival skill a man needs when his marriage ends: the ability to soothe himself out of fight-or-flight mode. When a crisis hits, your panic response takes over, and your logical thinking brain goes completely offline. I’ve watched too many good men willingly "bend over" and give up the entire farm legally just because they didn't know how to calm their own nervous system down before making permanent decisions. Today, we are talking about the hard science of self-soothing—using simple, non-negotiable tools like targeted breathwork and releasing physical tension to get your brain back online so you can stop making reactive, destructive choices. If you are currently sitting in the wreckage, feeling completely overwhelmed and lost, this one is your priority baseline. Your life is not over; your marriage is. It's time to learn how to manage the emotional firestorm so you can step back into leadership, get a plan, and realize you are going to be okay. In this episode, we cover: The Phoenix State of Union: A transparent look at our latest download stats, why I'm looking for summer guest hosts, and thoughts on the future layout of the show.Giving Up the Farm: How operating out of panic causes men to make massive financial, relationship, and legal mistakes.The Biology of Calm: Why changing your physiology through strategic breathwork is your absolute best defense against the 2:00 AM panic loop.The Lone Wolf Trap: Recognizing when the weight is on your shoulders, why isolation can make the ghosts louder, and when to reach out for tactical support. Support the show https://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

    27 min
  2. Episode 223 - Why Your Ex Haunts Your Sleep (And Why It Doesn't Matter) - Therapist Nick Balaisis

    May 12

    Episode 223 - Why Your Ex Haunts Your Sleep (And Why It Doesn't Matter) - Therapist Nick Balaisis

    Send us Fan Mail You wake up in a cold sweat. You just had a hyper-realistic dream that you and your ex-wife were back together, or worse, having a massive fight. Now, your entire morning is ruined by confusion, anger, or guilt. Does this mean you still want her back? Does it mean you are failing at your recovery? According to psychotherapist Nick Balaisis, the answer is a resounding no. Today, we dive into the fascinating world of Jungian dream analysis. We debunk the myth that dreams are just random neurological "trash," and explore how your subconscious uses dreams to send you vital messages about your own healing. Nick breaks down why the "Ex" in your dream is rarely actually about her—instead, she often symbolizes a part of yourself that you are neglecting, such as your own capacity for self-care. If you want to stop letting your nightmares ruin your mornings and start using them as a roadmap for your recovery, this episode will completely change how you view your time asleep. In this episode, we cover: The "Trash" Theory: Why we shouldn't dismiss our dreams as just random neurological noise.The "Ex" Dream: Why dreaming of your former partner usually means you are looking for a specific trait within yourself (and why you shouldn't take it literally)."Man-Keeping": How men outsource their emotional self-care to their wives, and how to start cultivating an "inner mother" to take care of yourself.Decoding Nightmares: Are you running because you're being chased, or being chased because you're running? Finding the "seeds of rebirth" hidden inside scary dreams.The Unconscious Nudge: How your brain uses the dream world to force you to look at the pain you are avoiding during the day.Guest Bio: Nick Balaisis is a psychotherapist in private practice in Ontario, Canada, and an instructor at the University of Waterloo. With training in Jungian psychology from Zurich, Switzerland, he helps individuals use dream analysis to access their unconscious, process complex life transitions, and live more authentically. Resources: Read Nick's Work: Find his regular articles on Psychology Today. Support the show https://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

    47 min
  3. Episode 222 -The Exhaustion of Being OK - Solo

    May 5

    Episode 222 -The Exhaustion of Being OK - Solo

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode I cover where I am at, in life, lately, and how its ok to be...ok. Support the show https://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

    31 min
  4. Episode 221 - Are You Treating Anxiety or Emotion? - Dr. Chet Sunde

    Apr 28

    Episode 221 - Are You Treating Anxiety or Emotion? - Dr. Chet Sunde

    Send us Fan Mail You are treating your divorce like a project at work. You are trying to analyze it, strategize your way out of it, and "logic" away the pain. But no matter how many books you read or podcasts you listen to, you still feel stuck. Why? Because you are trying to treat a broken heart like a math problem. Today, we are doing the heavy psychological lifting with Dr. Chet Sunde. We break down the critical difference between treating anxiety and processing true emotion. Most men are conditioned to be problem-solvers, which means when grief hits, we immediately retreat into our heads to figure it out. Dr. Sunde explains why this "logic trap" actually prolongs your suffering and keeps you disconnected from the very feelings you need to process to move forward. If you are exhausted from overthinking your divorce and want to finally understand how to get out of your head and into your recovery, this is the episode you need. In this episode, we cover: Anxiety vs. Emotion: The physiological difference between spinning in your thoughts and actually processing grief.The Logic Trap: Why your elite problem-solving skills are actually working against your emotional recovery.Getting Out of Your Head: Practical ways to safely connect with what you are feeling in your body without getting overwhelmed.The Internal Family Systems (IFS) Lens: How different "parts" of us try to protect us from the pain of the divorce by using over-analysis and anxiety.Fixing vs. Feeling: How to drop the urge to "fix" the situation so you can actually heal from it.Guest Bio: Dr. Chet Sunde is a psychologist and provider who specializes in helping individuals navigate profound life transitions, emotional processing, and deep psychological recovery. Support the show https://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

    1h 16m
  5. Episode 220 - The Mic is Yours: Guest Host Invitations - Solo

    Apr 21

    Episode 220 - The Mic is Yours: Guest Host Invitations - Solo

    Send us Fan Mail In this very short episode I invite you, to come guest host the show. Support the show https://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

    5 min
  6. Episode 219 - The Lessons I Have Learned - Solo

    Apr 7

    Episode 219 - The Lessons I Have Learned - Solo

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode I cover the lessons that I have learned in the 6 plus years since my ex-wife left me. Support the show https://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

    26 min
  7. Episode 218 - Curing Loneliness After Divorce - Dr. Ron Riggio

    Mar 31

    Episode 218 - Curing Loneliness After Divorce - Dr. Ron Riggio

    Send us Fan Mail "I haven't had to make a new friend in 15 years. Where do I even start?" If your social circle vanished when your marriage ended, you are not alone. Many married men compartmentalize their friendships or rely on their wives to act as the "social director". When the divorce happens, that social calendar goes completely blank—and the silence can be deafening. Today, we are changing how we look at loneliness. We aren't just talking about how much it hurts; we are treating it as a highly fixable skill deficit. My guest is Dr. Ronald Riggio, a social personality psychologist and expert in interpersonal relationships and nonverbal communication. We break down the stark difference between solitude (being alone) and loneliness (the psychological pain of feeling disconnected). Dr. Riggio explains the terrifying physical toll of chronic loneliness—likening it to smoking 15 cigarettes a day—and gives us the exact blueprint for rebuilding our social lives from scratch. If you are tired of spending your weekends alone but feel too "rusty" to put yourself out there, this episode is your roadmap to building a new, resilient social circle. In this episode, we cover: The Loneliness Epidemic: Why the psychological pain of isolation is as dangerous to your health as smoking.Solitude vs. Loneliness: How introverts use solitude to recharge, and how to stop letting alone-time turn into painful isolation.Male vs. Female Friendships: Why men tend to have fewer, more compartmentalized friendships, and why we need to build deeper emotional connections with our buddies.Curing "Social Atrophy": What to do when your dating and socializing skills have completely atrophied during your marriage.Practical Reps: Why joining Toastmasters, taking an improv class, or practicing the "art of small talk" are the fastest ways to build your social courage.Stop Sending "Stay Away" Signals: How to adjust your nonverbal cues—like eye contact and posture—so you don't accidentally push people away.Guest Bio:Dr. Ronald Riggio is a social personality psychologist, researcher, and recognized expert in leadership and interpersonal skills. He is the author of the Social Skills Inventory, a tool designed to map out interpersonal strengths and limitations. Resources: Social Skills Inventory: mindgarden.com (Search: Social Skills Inventory)  Support the show https://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

    46 min
  8. Episode 217 - My Experiences With IFS Part II - Solo

    Mar 24

    Episode 217 - My Experiences With IFS Part II - Solo

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode I continue talking about my IFS journey and map out my parts.  In addition I provide you with a diagnostic to help you do the same, particularly if you are stuck and cant get over your ex. Support the show https://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com

    29 min
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A podcast for men going through an unwanted divorce or breakup.

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