Beyond What Hurts Us

We're all learning, healing, and growing, and that includes your hosts! Join Kristen and Leslie this week as they check in with each other on what they're working on, how they're healing, and where they're growing currently.

Embark on a heartfelt exploration of healing's winding road, where grief becomes an intricate part of the journey. In this episode, we share personal stories and expert perspectives on how closure isn't the end but the beginning of healing. Join us as we navigate the twists and turns, finding solace in the unpredictable, and discovering that true healing often starts when we embrace the complexiti...

Welcome back to Beyond What Hurts Us. This week, Kristen and Leslie unpack the ins and outs of setting boundaries for healthier relationships. This week, we dive into real-life scenarios and practical tips to help you establish boundaries that work for you. From dealing with difficult family dynamics to asserting yourself at work, we cover it all. Join us as we demystify the art of boundary-settin...

Join Kristen and Leslie as they explore attachment styles and how they impact our relationships. From childhood experiences to adult connections, we uncover how our attachment styles shape the way we love and connect with our partners. Discover practical tips and insights on nurturing secure attachments with your loved one. Learn how to communicate effectively, cultivate empathy, and create a safe...

Join Kristen and Leslie as they dive into the tumultuous waters of divorce. In this episode, they share candid stories and heartfelt conversations about the emotional rollercoaster of separation. From the initial shock to the journey of rebuilding, Kristen and Leslie explore the raw realities of divorce with empathy and insight. They reflect on shattered illusions, unexpected challenges, and the d...

In this episode featuring special guest, Brandy Cunningham, Kristen and Leslie dive into the question: What is somatics if it's not trauma-releasing exercises? Together, they explore the profound freedom that arises from being tuned in to your body through the practice of somatics. Join the conversation as they discuss the empowering shift away from seeking external answers and towards the liberat...

In this week's chat, Kristen and Leslie dive into the messy world of jealousy and mistrust in relationships, sharing their personal stories and shedding light on the tangled web of emotions. From tracing the primal origins of jealousy to unraveling its ties to trust issues and past wounds, they discuss the common struggles many of us confront. Emphasizing the significance of candid dialogue, self-...

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses sensitive topics related to sexual assault. Please take care while listening. Join us for a deeply personal episode where Kristen and Leslie share their journeys of healing after sexual assault. This conversation is a safe space to explore the raw emotions, resilience, and healing that can come after this kind of traumatic experience. We discuss the power of...

We're fired for this one, y'all. Today, Kristen and Leslie are tackling the topics of twin flames and cult dynamics. Join us as we navigate the path to recognizing genuine connections, avoiding manipulative traps, and deftly handling tricky relationships. This episode breaks down cult tactics, equipping you with practical tools to spot red flags and empowering you to trust your instincts.

In this episode, we're diving into how to break free from the "Should" trap and embrace the game-changing magic of 'Could.' We get it – life comes with a whole lot of expectations, and we've all felt the pressure of what we "should" be doing. But what if we told you there's a more liberating way? Join us as we chat about the messy, real-life journey of shedding the 'Shoulds' and finding empowermen...

What does it mean to be a friend? This week, Kristen and Leslie are delving into a topic that hits close to home for many of us: the emotional rollercoaster of friendship loss. Join our candid conversation as we explore the tangled threads of emotions that come with saying goodbye to a friend. We'll share relatable stories, offer understanding, and provide practical tips for healing from the uniqu...

This week, Kristen and Leslie are diving into a topic that hits close to home for everyone: conflict. Do you tend to avoid conflict? Or hold down the throttle on disagreements? Let's discuss how there might be a third option: leaning into conflict with curiosity. Join us as we explore how resolving conflict isn't just a process but a powerful tool for healing and strengthening trust. Through relat...

In this week's episode, Kristen and Leslie accidently step into the topic of grief. We talk about major grief, complicated grief and identifying grief in areas that we don't often consider as grief. We chat about ways we have found helpful to help us through the grieving process and the importance of allowing ourselves to grieve. If you've ever felt the weight of loss, you'll find a sense of conne...

In this week's episode, Kristen and Leslie delve deep into the realm of our inner teenager and explore the profound significance of acknowledging, addressing, and healing this often overlooked part of ourselves. Join us as we uncover the hidden treasures and challenges that lie within our adolescent selves, and discover why this journey is essential for personal growth and emotional well-being. Ad...

In this episode of "Beyond What Hurts Us," Kristen and Leslie discuss toxic behavior in the workplace, joined by a special guest, Ashley. Together, they shine a light on the pervasive issue of toxic leaders and coworkers and their profound influence on corporate culture. They delve into vital questions that have been on the minds of countless employees: Will there be a paradigm shift in corporate...

Does being a good partner mean always responding with what we think the other person wants to hear? In this episode of Beyond What Hurts Us, Kristen and Leslie take a deep dive into Fawning, a common but lesser known trauma response (there's more than just fight or flight - who knew?!). We all encounter moments when societal pressures or past experiences make it challenging to be our authentic sel...

In this episode, Kristen and Leslie explore a powerful tool for healing trauma and cultivating the life you desire: manifestation. We'll discuss how positive thinking and intention-setting can be transformative, especially for women who often find it challenging to prioritize their own needs due to societal conditioning and family obligations. Leslie helps us break down how these techniques work a...

In this week's episode, Kristen and Leslie don't shy away from the messy realities of relationships. We bring you real stories from both those who've felt the sting of betrayal and those who've made painful choices. Through these raw, relatable conversations, you'll gain insight into the tangled web of emotions and the aftermath infidelity often brings. Join us as we explore the rocky road through...

Today's part two episode about healing from sexual experiences, Kristen and Leslie tackle a universal struggle that many of us have faced: retroactive jealousy. We're going to delve into the nitty-gritty of healing from your partner's sexual past, dealing with jealousy, navigating suffering, and ultimately, learning to love yourself. Join us for an episode that's all about shedding light on the sh...

Do you have a relationship stuck on repeat? Are you caught in a toxic loop with someone you know isn't good for you but you can't seem to let go of? In today's episode, Kristen and Leslie navigate the emotional landscapes of individuals who find themselves ensnared in unhealthy connections, mistaking love for dependency. Through personal stories and expert insights, we explore the reasons we somet...

Victom? Or Victor? Why do some folks rise about and choose resilience? Why is it easier for some people to let everyone else do the work for them and embody learned helplessness? Discover the deep-reaching effects of losing parents and siblings in this episode. Kristen and Blake discuss some of their toughest life moments - losing parents, losing siblings. We explore how grief shapes relationships...

Trigger warning: this episode contains sensitive content that may be distressing to some listeners. Topics discussed include childhood mental illness, personality disorders, child abuse, suicidal children, sexual assault, and miscarriage. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with any of these issues, please seek appropriate support from mental health professiona...

Going through a breakup can be emotionally taxing, leaving us feeling vulnerable and uncertain about the future. In this episode, Kristen and Blake bring a mix of light hearted yet practical safety tips for keeping yourself safe. We hope to bring valuable insights and actionable advice to help you navigate the aftermath of a breakup with safety and well-being in mind.

Caution: please take care when listening to today's episode. We discuss difficult topics, including loving someone with addiction and the heart wrenching pain of losing a child. In this emotionally compelling episode of "Beyond the Red Flags," we delve into the transformative journey of loving someone with addiction. Kristen is joined by her childhood best friend, Alexis Artusi, who shares her per...

Caution: This episode may contain some colorful language and unapologetic truth bombs. Join Kristen and special guest, Leslie Inlow, LCSW, LCAC for this powerful episode of Beyond the Red Flags. We confront the insidious hold of toxic relationships, addiction, and high control environments on our mental wellbeing. Let's discuss how we unravel the complexities of these challenging circumstances and...