Surviving Toxic Relationships Podcast with The Matadoras

Elizabeth Jane and Deana Lynn
  • 5.0 (18)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Surviving Toxic Relationships is a faith based podcast for women who are ready to break free from toxic, emotionally abusive, or narcissistic relationships and step into healing, clarity, and truth.  Deana and Lizzie are two women whose lives unexpectedly crossed when they were married to the SAME manipulative, cheating, financially abusive partner.  Their combined passion is to provide women with the tools to avoid, escape, or heal from toxic, harmful, or confusing relationships.   If you’ve been searching for faith based wisdom that goes deeper than surface-level advice, this show is for you. We talk honestly about trauma, emotional wounds, spiritual confusion, and the process of rebuilding your identity through faith.   Our esteemed guests consist of Therapists, Authors, Doctors, and Survivors. Together, we explore topics that include self-discovery and healing, narcissistic abuse, boundaries, discernment, and learning to hear God’s voice clearly in relationships.  Whether you’re trying to avoid early red flags, are in the middle of a toxic relationship, or recovering from one, this emotional and spiritual healing podcast offers real conversations, practical insight, and biblical encouragement to help you move forward into hope, restoration, self worth, and renewal.  Remember beautiful friends: You are not alone, You are not crazy, and You are deeply, deeply loved.   Deana & Lizzie

  1. 3d ago

    Episode #116: Why Women Stay Silent in Unhealthy Relationships with Marcelle LeBlanc

    What happens when you know something is wrong in your relationship, but you keep convincing yourself that everything is fine? In this episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, Deana sits down with Marcelle LeBlanc, known as the Conversation Architect, to talk about why so many women struggle to identify what they truly want, speak up about what they need, and have the difficult conversations they have been avoiding. Marcelle shares her own story of discovering on her ninth wedding anniversary that her husband had taken his girlfriend to the British Virgin Islands. When he was caught, he never came home. Marcelle was left to dismantle the life they had built together, including dealing with the financial hardship and debt he left behind. That devastating experience eventually forced Marcelle to examine a much deeper question: Why had she spent so many years living according to other people's expectations instead of asking herself what she wanted? Through her work with thousands of women, Marcelle began noticing a pattern. Many women recognize that something is wrong in their relationships long before they are willing to admit it. Instead of treating their concerns as important information, they explain them away, minimize their needs, hope things will improve, or remain silent because speaking up feels too frightening. In this conversation, Deana and Marcelle discuss: Why women can be incredibly confident professionally but struggle to communicate their needs in relationships How people-pleasing and inherited expectations can keep women disconnected from what they actually want Why resentment grows when small disappointments are never addressed How to prepare for difficult conversations without losing your message in emotion Why phrases like "you always" and "you never" can derail communication What your partner's response to an honest conversation can reveal Why speaking up in a toxic relationship can feel especially dangerous How starting with small conversations can help you develop the confidence to address bigger issues And why it is never too late to begin working on yourself Sometimes the goal of an honest conversation isn't to save a relationship. Sometimes the conversation gives you the information you need to understand the relationship you're actually in. If you've been telling yourself that you're asking for too much, that you should just be grateful, or that what you're experiencing is "normal," this conversation may help you begin asking a different question: What do I actually want? You are not alone. You are not crazy. You are deeply loved. Connect with Marcelle LeBlanc: One Key Conversation https://onekeyconversation.com/ Support the show 🎙️ Stay Connected with Us! 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12 🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @survivingtoxicrel 🌐 Visit our website: Looking to be a guest or host a guest for your podcast? https://www.joinpodmatch.com/deanalizzie Contact us anytime at our email:  care@survivingtoxicrelationships.org  📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships with The Matadoras: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556560386678 Disclaimer:  The views expressed by our guests are their own, and this show is for educational purposes only. It is not therapy, medical, or professional advice, and listening does not create a therapeutic relationship. If you need personalized support, please reach out to a licensed professional. If you’re in crisis or immediate danger, please call 911 for help.

  2. Aug 12

    Episode #115: Leaving a Toxic Marriage: How to Prepare for Divorce and Protect Yourself with Diana Romanov

    Leaving a toxic relationship is hard enough. Add divorce, finances, children, custody, and the legal system, and it can quickly become overwhelming. In this episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships with The Matadoras, we sit down with San Francisco divorce attorney and Certified Family Law Specialist Diana Romanov, creator of Divorce Like a Boss, to talk about what you need to know before filing for divorce, especially when you’re dealing with a toxic or high-conflict partner. Drawing from 15 years of experience in family law, as well as her own experience leaving a toxic relationship, Diana shares practical steps you can take to prepare and protect yourself before emotions and conflict take over. We talk about why it’s so important to know what YOU want before walking into an attorney’s office, how to gather financial records and important documents, why consulting with more than one divorce attorney can matter, and the warning signs that may indicate a spouse is hiding money or assets. Diana also shares her perspective on custody and high-conflict divorce, the emotional toll these battles can take on parents, and why getting the right emotional support early in the process is so important. Plus, we discuss a mistake many people don’t think about until it’s too late: what you post on social media during a separation or custody case can potentially be used against you. We also turn the conversation toward prevention. What should couples talk about BEFORE marriage? Diana explains why conversations about debt, money, financial expectations, honesty, and even prenuptial agreements shouldn’t be considered unromantic. They may reveal important things about the person you’re planning to build a life with. If you are contemplating divorce, preparing to leave a toxic marriage, navigating a high-conflict separation, or simply want to understand how to protect yourself before a relationship reaches that point, this conversation is filled with practical information and encouragement. Because sometimes loving with your eyes wide open means asking the difficult questions before you ever need the answers. In this episode: • What to do before filing for divorce • How to financially prepare for leaving a toxic marriage • Divorcing a narcissistic or high-conflict spouse • Financial abuse and potentially hidden assets • Choosing the right divorce attorney • Custody and co-parenting concerns • Social media mistakes during divorce • Prenups, debt, and financial transparency before marriage • Finding the emotional support you need while leaving • Rebuilding your life after a toxic relationship You are not alone. You are not crazy. You are deeply loved. This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Laws and individual circumstances vary. Consult a qualified attorney regarding your specific situation. Ways to connect with Diana Romanov:  https://www.youtube.com/@Diana-Romanov Diana Romanov's Website https://www.youtube.com/@Diana-Romanov Support the show 🎙️ Stay Connected with Us! 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12 🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @survivingtoxicrel 🌐 Visit our website: Looking to be a guest or host a guest for your podcast? https://www.joinpodmatch.com/deanalizzie Contact us anytime at our email:  care@survivingtoxicrelationships.org  📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships with The Matadoras: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556560386678 Disclaimer:  The views expressed by our guests are their own, and this show is for educational purposes only. It is not therapy, medical, or professional advice, and listening does not create a therapeutic relationship. If you need personalized support, please reach out to a licensed professional. If you’re in crisis or immediate danger, please call 911 for help.

  3. Jul 29

    Episode #114: The Hidden Grief of Loving Someone with Addiction Faith, Loss & Hope with S.E. Tschritter

    What happens when the person you trust most is secretly battling addiction? In this deeply moving episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, Deana and Lizzie sit down with bestselling author S.E. Tschritter to discuss her heartbreaking yet hope-filled journey after her husband—a pastor—relapsed into alcoholism, was diagnosed with stage-four cancer following a drunk driving accident, and ultimately asked her to write his story. Together they explore: Living with a spouse struggling with addictionWhy loving someone with addiction is so complicatedThe grief of broken trustFaith during unimaginable lossShame inside Christian marriagesWhy leaving isn't always as simple as people thinkHow God can redeem even the darkest storiesFinding healing after addiction and lossIf you've ever loved someone battling addiction—or wondered how to balance grace with healthy boundaries—this conversation will encourage and challenge you. Learn more about S.E. Tschritter and her books below. Her next book, a romantic suspense entitled The Lakeshore's Secret, releases October 6, 2026. The Lakeshore's Secret:  https://www.amazon.com/Lakeshores-Secret-S-Tschritter-ebook/dp/B0GXLK7VKC/ref=sr_1_1? The Prodigal's Son: Crackhead to Jesus Freak https://www.amazon.com/Prodigals-Son-Crackhead-Addiction-Recovery/dp/B0G6TFPRTR Read more at https://loveunedited.com or Linktr.ee/LoveSamEvans. If this episode encouraged you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs hope today. You are not alone.  You are not crazy.  You are deeply loved. Support the show 🎙️ Stay Connected with Us! 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12 🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @survivingtoxicrel 🌐 Visit our website: Looking to be a guest or host a guest for your podcast? https://www.joinpodmatch.com/deanalizzie Contact us anytime at our email:  care@survivingtoxicrelationships.org  📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships with The Matadoras: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556560386678 Disclaimer:  The views expressed by our guests are their own, and this show is for educational purposes only. It is not therapy, medical, or professional advice, and listening does not create a therapeutic relationship. If you need personalized support, please reach out to a licensed professional. If you’re in crisis or immediate danger, please call 911 for help.

  4. Jul 22

    Episode #113: Who Were You Before Him? Rediscovering Your Identity After a Toxic Relationship

    Who were you before the relationship changed you? In this honest conversation, Lizzie, Deana, and special guest Jennifer discuss what happens when years of people-pleasing, survival, and emotional abuse slowly erase your sense of identity. Together they share personal stories of rediscovering forgotten dreams, preferences, confidence, and joy while offering hope for anyone wondering who they are after a toxic relationship. Whether you're still healing or beginning to reinvent your life, this episode reminds you that losing yourself does not have to be the end of your story. Support the show 🎙️ Stay Connected with Us! 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12 🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @survivingtoxicrel 🌐 Visit our website: Looking to be a guest or host a guest for your podcast? https://www.joinpodmatch.com/deanalizzie Contact us anytime at our email:  care@survivingtoxicrelationships.org  📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships with The Matadoras: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556560386678 Disclaimer:  The views expressed by our guests are their own, and this show is for educational purposes only. It is not therapy, medical, or professional advice, and listening does not create a therapeutic relationship. If you need personalized support, please reach out to a licensed professional. If you’re in crisis or immediate danger, please call 911 for help.

  5. Jul 15

    Episode #112:Can Breathwork Heal Trauma? How to Reset Your Nervous System After Toxic Relationships | Jon Paul Crimi

    If you've left a toxic relationship but still feel anxious, emotionally exhausted, or like your nervous system is always on high alert, you're not imagining it. In this powerful conversation, Lizzie and Deana sit down with breathwork pioneer Jon Paul Crimi to explore how trauma can become stored in the body—and why healing isn't always about talking through your past. Jon Paul shares his remarkable personal journey through addiction, recovery, and emotional healing after discovering conscious connected breathwork through his friend, Matthew Perry. Together they discuss: • Why trauma can stay trapped in your nervous system  • The surprising connection between anxiety and stored emotional pain  • How breathwork differs from box breathing and meditation  • Why you may still feel "stuck" long after leaving a toxic relationship  • The science behind nervous system regulation  • How emotional healing can help you rebuild confidence and self-worth  • Why healing is about more than simply "letting it go" Whether you're recovering from narcissistic abuse, emotional manipulation, chronic anxiety, or simply longing for deeper healing, this conversation offers hope and practical insight. Connect with Jon Paul Crimi:  https://breathewithjp.com If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with someone who needs hope today. You are not alone.  You are not crazy.  You are deeply loved. Support the show 🎙️ Stay Connected with Us! 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12 🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @survivingtoxicrel 🌐 Visit our website: Looking to be a guest or host a guest for your podcast? https://www.joinpodmatch.com/deanalizzie Contact us anytime at our email:  care@survivingtoxicrelationships.org  📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships with The Matadoras: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556560386678 Disclaimer:  The views expressed by our guests are their own, and this show is for educational purposes only. It is not therapy, medical, or professional advice, and listening does not create a therapeutic relationship. If you need personalized support, please reach out to a licensed professional. If you’re in crisis or immediate danger, please call 911 for help.

  6. Jul 8

    Episode #111: Addiction, Narcissism & Codependency: Why You Feel Crazy | Featuring Dr. Sarah Michaud

    Is your partner struggling with addiction, narcissistic behaviors, or both? How can you tell the difference, and more importantly, how do you begin healing? In this powerful conversation, we welcome Dr. Sarah Michaud, a clinical psychologist with more than 30 years of experience specializing in addiction and codependency. Drawing from both her professional expertise and personal recovery journey, Dr. Michaud shares practical insights into the similarities between addiction and narcissism, why both can leave partners questioning their reality, and how codependency quietly develops over time.  Together we discuss: • The overlap between addiction and narcissism • Why partners often feel "crazy" • Supporting versus enabling • Codependency and losing yourself • Boundaries that protect your well-being • Why you cannot change another person • Trusting your instincts when something feels wrong • Beginning your own healing journey Whether you're living with an addict, recovering from a toxic relationship, or trying to understand confusing behaviors in someone you love, this conversation offers practical wisdom and hope. Remember: You are not alone. You are not crazy. You are deeply loved. You can find Dr. Sarah Michaud: Dr. Sarah Michaud's Website http://www.youtube.com/@leavingcrazytown Support the show 🎙️ Stay Connected with Us! 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12 🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @survivingtoxicrel 🌐 Visit our website: Looking to be a guest or host a guest for your podcast? https://www.joinpodmatch.com/deanalizzie Contact us anytime at our email:  care@survivingtoxicrelationships.org  📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships with The Matadoras: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556560386678 Disclaimer:  The views expressed by our guests are their own, and this show is for educational purposes only. It is not therapy, medical, or professional advice, and listening does not create a therapeutic relationship. If you need personalized support, please reach out to a licensed professional. If you’re in crisis or immediate danger, please call 911 for help.

  7. Jul 2

    Episode #110: Behind the Mic: Big Changes, Publishers & Trusting God with What's Next

    In this Behind the Mic episode, Lizzie and Deana share a personal update about everything that's been happening behind the scenes. From winning the Selah Award and attending the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference to meeting with publishers, redesigning their books, expanding into coaching and speaking, and preparing for significant life transitions, this episode offers an honest look at what it means to follow God's leading even when the future isn't fully clear. Lizzie also shares her decision to leave a long career in education and the faith required to step into a new season, while Deana reflects on the importance of trusting God's timing and embracing life's transitions. If you're navigating uncertainty, considering a major life change, or wondering what comes after healing, this conversation is for you. Thank you for walking this journey with us. Support the show 🎙️ Stay Connected with Us! 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12 🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @survivingtoxicrel 🌐 Visit our website: Looking to be a guest or host a guest for your podcast? https://www.joinpodmatch.com/deanalizzie Contact us anytime at our email:  care@survivingtoxicrelationships.org  📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships with The Matadoras: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556560386678 Disclaimer:  The views expressed by our guests are their own, and this show is for educational purposes only. It is not therapy, medical, or professional advice, and listening does not create a therapeutic relationship. If you need personalized support, please reach out to a licensed professional. If you’re in crisis or immediate danger, please call 911 for help.

  8. Jun 17

    Episode #109: From Exploitation to Restoration: A Story of Hope After Sexual Trauma

    What happens when childhood sexual trauma silently shapes every relationship, every decision, and every belief about your worth? In this powerful episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, Tiffany Brearton shares her deeply personal story of childhood sexual abuse, shame, exploitation, toxic relationships, and the long road to healing. Tiffany opens up about how trauma affected her self-worth, why so many survivors struggle with relationships, and the freedom she found through faith, counseling, community, and God's healing grace. In this episode: • Childhood sexual abuse and trauma • Shame, secrecy, and emotional healing • How trauma impacts adult relationships • Human trafficking and exploitation awareness • Why survivors often feel "too far gone" • The power of safe community • Faith-based healing and restoration • Practical first steps toward recovery • Finding freedom from the lies of the past If you have experienced abuse, betrayal, trauma, or deep shame, this conversation offers hope that healing is possible and your story is not over. You are not alone. You are not crazy. You are deeply loved. To connect with Tiffany Brearton, learn more about her ministry, or explore her books and resources, you can find her here: Website:  https://www.tiffanybrearton.com/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/tiffanybrearton/ Book on Amazon:  From Stilettos to Grace. https://a.co/d/0hQDzVLL Support the show 🎙️ Stay Connected with Us! 📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12 🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @survivingtoxicrel 🌐 Visit our website: Looking to be a guest or host a guest for your podcast? https://www.joinpodmatch.com/deanalizzie Contact us anytime at our email:  care@survivingtoxicrelationships.org  📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships with The Matadoras: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556560386678 Disclaimer:  The views expressed by our guests are their own, and this show is for educational purposes only. It is not therapy, medical, or professional advice, and listening does not create a therapeutic relationship. If you need personalized support, please reach out to a licensed professional. If you’re in crisis or immediate danger, please call 911 for help.

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About

Surviving Toxic Relationships is a faith based podcast for women who are ready to break free from toxic, emotionally abusive, or narcissistic relationships and step into healing, clarity, and truth.  Deana and Lizzie are two women whose lives unexpectedly crossed when they were married to the SAME manipulative, cheating, financially abusive partner.  Their combined passion is to provide women with the tools to avoid, escape, or heal from toxic, harmful, or confusing relationships.   If you’ve been searching for faith based wisdom that goes deeper than surface-level advice, this show is for you. We talk honestly about trauma, emotional wounds, spiritual confusion, and the process of rebuilding your identity through faith.   Our esteemed guests consist of Therapists, Authors, Doctors, and Survivors. Together, we explore topics that include self-discovery and healing, narcissistic abuse, boundaries, discernment, and learning to hear God’s voice clearly in relationships.  Whether you’re trying to avoid early red flags, are in the middle of a toxic relationship, or recovering from one, this emotional and spiritual healing podcast offers real conversations, practical insight, and biblical encouragement to help you move forward into hope, restoration, self worth, and renewal.  Remember beautiful friends: You are not alone, You are not crazy, and You are deeply, deeply loved.   Deana & Lizzie

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