Heal Your Heartbreak

#312 Breaking Free From Narcissism with Dr. Alina Kastner

In today’s expert episode, I’m joined by Dr. Alina Kastner, a Vienna-based psychotherapist and author of Break Up with Narcissism: How to Break Free and Stay Free. We dive into what really happens after a breakup with a narcissist—beyond just identifying the red flags. Dr. Alina shares her perspective on the often-missing conversation about the true healing journey: rebuilding self-esteem, facing the isolation that comes from a toxic relationship, letting go of shame, and how to reconnect with old friends after being cut off. We talk about the complex aftermath, from understanding the emotional void to dealing with trauma triggers long after the relationship ends. Dr. Alina also shares practical advice and introduces her Toxic Breakup Journal, a daily tool for navigating those challenging first weeks of recovery. If you’re struggling with the “what now?” after leaving a narcissist, this episode is full of hope, validation, and actionable tips for reclaiming your life.To find out which Break Up Bestie Course is right for you, click the link to take the quiz and get matched with the best solution for you: https://tally.so/r/Y5Z6LNTo get my course bundle Heal Your Break Up, go to https://www.breakupbestie.com/heal-your-break-up-course and use the code PODCAST for $25 off!To join Healing Hearts Club for FREE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021288124899873Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at http://www.skims.com #skimspartnerSign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/heartbreak.Choose a healthier relationship with nicotine, by checking out Quit with Jones. Visit quitwithjones.com/HEARTBREAK to take the free quiz and use code HEARTBREAK to get 15% off your personalized quitting journey.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#311 Discovering DIY Spirituality with Faith Freed

In today’s expert episode, I’m interviewing Faith Freed, a licensed psychotherapist, spiritual guide, and author of the new book DIY Spirituality: Chart Your Own Sacred Path. We dive into the intersection of spirituality and relationships—especially after heartbreak—and discuss how connecting with your own sense of spirituality can be a key part of healing. We get into what spirituality really means (it’s probably more accessible and personal than you think!), why it’s so important to develop a strong relationship with yourself and something greater than you, and how doing so can actually prevent unhealthy relationship patterns like putting your partner on a pedestal. Faith breaks down her “divine disco ball” framework for spiritual self-care, shares practical, approachable ways to connect with your spirit, and reassures us that there’s no one right way to get spiritual. Whether you’re religious, spiritual-but-not-religious, or just curious about how spirituality can support your healing, this is a great place to start.To find out which Break Up Bestie Course is right for you, click the link to take the quiz and get matched with the best solution for you: https://tally.so/r/Y5Z6LNTo get my course bundle Heal Your Break Up, go to https://www.breakupbestie.com/heal-your-break-up-course and use the code PODCAST for $25 off!To join Healing Hearts Club for FREE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021288124899873Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at http://www.skims.com #skimspartnerSign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/heartbreak.Choose a healthier relationship with nicotine, by checking out Quit with Jones. Visit quitwithjones.com/HEARTBREAK to take the free quiz and use code HEARTBREAK to get 15% off your personalized quitting journey.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#310 The Secrets to Cultivating a Village That Shows Up When Life Gets Tough

To find out which Break Up Bestie Course is right for you, click the link to take the quiz and get matched with the best solution for you: https://tally.so/r/Y5Z6LNTo get my course bundle Heal Your Break Up, go to https://www.breakupbestie.com/heal-your-break-up-course and use the code PODCAST for $25 off!To join Healing Hearts Club for FREE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021288124899873Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/heartbreak.Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that followsVisit quitwithjones.com/HEARTBREAK to take the free quiz and use code HEARTBREAK to get 15% off your personalized quitting journey.Let me get you started with 20% off your first order. Visit TONETODAY.com… Promo Code HEARTBREAK.Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/heartbreak for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#309 When Stress at Work Impacts Love at Home with Guy Winch

In today's expert episode, I'm joined by one of my all-time favorite guests (and yours!), Guy Winch, psychologist, TED speaker, and author of the brand new book Mind Over Grind. We dive deep into the topic of how workplace stress and burnout can erode our relationships, sometimes leading to breakups and heartache. We talk about the unconscious ways that work stress spills over into our home lives, why productivity can become a numbing tool after heartbreak, and how rumination keeps us stuck during tough transitions. Guy Winch shares research-backed insights on why burnout can make us feel numb—even toward the people we love most—and gives practical tips for both partners: whether you're the one obsessing about work, or on the receiving end feeling like you've come second to your partner's job. We also discuss key conversations to have early on when dating again, especially if you've got a history of choosing partners who are married to their work. If you've ever wondered how to set healthy work boundaries, or want to understand the hidden ways stress can impact your love life, this episode is packed with validation, practical advice, and hope.To find out which Break Up Bestie Course is right for you, click the link to take the quiz and get matched with the best solution for you: https://tally.so/r/Y5Z6LNTo get my course bundle Heal Your Break Up, go to https://www.breakupbestie.com/heal-your-break-up-course and use the code PODCAST for $25 off!To join Healing Hearts Club for FREE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021288124899873Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/heartbreak.Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that followsVisit quitwithjones.com/HEARTBREAK to take the free quiz and use code HEARTBREAK to get 15% off your personalized quitting journey.Let me get you started with 20% off your first order. Visit TONETODAY.com… Promo Code HEARTBREAK.Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/heartbreak for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#308 Understanding Limerence and Longing with Amanda McCracken

In today's expert episode, I'm joined by journalist and author Amanda McCracken to dive deep into the topics of longing and limerence—those intense, ruminating crushes or obsessions that can stick with us for years, even decades. Amanda shares her very personal journey with limerence, what it was like to struggle with it long before the term became widely known, and how it intersected with her romantic life and late-in-life virginity. We talk about the addictive pull of longing, why emotionally unavailable people can feel so magnetic, and how societal influences like rom-coms and social media can amp up these feelings. Amanda also shares practical advice and her road to recovery, including how she eventually shifted out of these patterns to find real intimacy with her now-husband. If you're going through a breakup, struggling to let go, or finding yourself stuck in obsessive thoughts about an ex, this conversation will hit home and give you hope that healing—and even real love—are possible.To find out which Break Up Bestie Course is right for you, click the link to take the quiz and get matched with the best solution for you: https://tally.so/r/Y5Z6LNTo get my course bundle Heal Your Break Up, go to https://www.breakupbestie.com/heal-your-break-up-course and use the code PODCAST for $25 off!To join Healing Hearts Club for FREE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021288124899873Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/heartbreak.Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that followsVisit quitwithjones.com/HEARTBREAK to take the free quiz and use code HEARTBREAK to get 15% off your personalized quitting journey.Let me get you started with 20% off your first order. Visit TONETODAY.com… Promo Code HEARTBREAK.Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/heartbreak for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.