Restored: Helping Children of Divorce

If you’re from a broken family, you’ve likely dealt with a lot of fear. For so many of us, that holds us back in life and relationships. At the core of that fear is usually the fact that we don’t feel safe.  In this episode, a psychologist joins us to discuss why so many people struggle to feel safe and how that affects their life and relationships. We also touch on: What exactly is healing? Dr. S...

For so many of us, our parents’ divorce causes us to question everything — especially if it came out of the blue. We ask ourselves: What won’t fall apart? We may even go through life feeling like there’s a disaster around every corner and as a result, so often we play it safe in life.  We discuss that and more in this episode as my guest shares: How she blamed herself for the breakdown of her pare...

Art is healing. If you’re not an artistic person, that might seem odd. But it’s true. In this episode, we discuss why and how art can be healing and more: What type of art has been healing for our guests How art can help people from broken families A piece of religious art specifically for Catholic/Christian adult children of divorce Dr. Daniel: Buy the artwork or sign up for the retreat Mike: Vie...

If you’re ashamed of your past because of mistakes or abuse, it’s natural to feel stuck. But you don’t have to stay stuck. Healing and freedom are possible for you. Author and speaker Crystalina Evert vulnerably shares how her broken family and sexual abuse caused her to cope with drugs, drinking, and sleeping around. We also discuss: Tactics that have helped her heal A new book to help any woman,...

A myth about children of divorce is that the impact of our parents’ divorce is temporary. That’s simply not true, which research proves. Sadly, the effects last long after the divorce itself.  Our guest today shares how his parents divorce has impacted him, even 20 years later in his own marriage. We discuss: How he felt lost when it came to dating and relationships, how breakups felt like a repea...

Marriage isn’t easy. There are good times and challenging times. According to research, people like us from broken families typically struggle more in relationships and marriage. As a result, we’re more likely to need help. In this episode, a couple that offers marriage coaching offers advice and shares the one thing missing most in marriages today. We also discuss: The most common struggles faced...

In this episode, we answer questions from listeners like you. Each question reveals a real life challenge faced by someone from a broken family. We offer answers and practical guidance. The questions include: How do you deal with your parents divorce when it isn’t a clearly justifiable split? As divorced parents, how do we make up for all the mistakes we’ve made and help our kids heal? How do I op...

Often, people from broken families become very attuned to the needs of others, especially our parents and siblings. We become skilled at being what people want us to be. In the end, we often lose ourselves and our ability to articulate what we need and want. In this episode, we discuss that problem as well as: How normal was strange and strange was normal for our guest growing up Why he became mot...

Whether you’re single, dating, or engaged, your wedding day will be a beautiful experience. However, planning it is very consuming. As a result, it’s easy to prepare more for the wedding day than for a lifetime of marriage.  Marriage preparation is meant to refocus you and prepare you not only for your wedding day, but for your marriage. In this episode, we discuss marriage prep and: The main caus...

If you or someone you know has struggled with an eating disorder, you know how painful that experience can be. It’s often an overlooked struggle that really deserves more attention and resources. But thankfully, some resources do exist to heal an eating disorder.  Today, a psychologist who specializes in treating eating disorders joins us. We discuss: The types, symptoms, and root causes of eating...

Growing up too fast is a common experience for children of divorce. You’re often called upon to take on responsibilities that should never be yours. As a result, you may become a serious, mature person — even if you’re still a kid. That’s what happened to our guest today, which he explains in this episode. In addition, we discuss: A surprising thing that helped him heal and begin to break the cycl...

After his parents’ divorced, Joey feared repeating the same mistakes in his own marriage. He wanted to know, “How do I not repeat my parents’ mistakes?” He wanted authentic love but had no idea how to build it. It set him on a quest for answers and a roadmap for love.  In this episode, you’ll hear a talk which offers a roadmap based on research, time tested couples, and the wisdom of Christianity....

After his parents’ divorced, Joey feared repeating the same mistakes in his own marriage. He wanted to know, “How do I not repeat my parents’ mistakes?” He wanted authentic love but had no idea how to build it. It set him on a quest for answers and a roadmap for love.  In this episode, you’ll hear a talk that offers a roadmap for love based on research, time-tested couples, and the wisdom of Chris...

If you’re from a broken family, did your parents’ separation or divorce drag out for years? That was the story of our guest today.  In this episode, you’ll hear what happened in his family and how it affected him. We also discuss: How he learned from an early age that his needs weren’t going to be met, so he had to figure out things for himself How our parents seem to have grown during the separat...

If you’re from a broken family, becoming independent and breaking the cycle can be extremely attractive. It certainly was for my guests, a married couple where both spouses from a broken family. They share what happened in their families, how it’s affected them, their marriage, and even their kids. We also discuss: Why one of their mentors encouraged them to begin counseling as a dating couple The...

When you’re 7 years old and your parents divorce out of the blue, it causes confusion and lots of questions. Unfortunately, the struggles for my guest didn’t stop there.  In this episode, we discuss: How her parents divorce has impacted her, even years later What to do when your divorced parents become ill and near the end of their lives, especially if you have a tense relationship with them An or...

If you’re from a broken family, you’ve likely experienced extra barriers in your relationship with God. In fact, you might not even believe in God because of what happened in your family. Wherever you’re at, we’re glad you’re here. In this episode, you’ll hear how spiritual direction is a tool you can use to overcome those barriers, heal from the trauma you’ve endured, and become spiritually stron...

One night, Maggie’s mother left her family without any explanation. Naturally, Maggie felt extremely abandoned. Following that night and her parents’ divorce, she hated her mom. All the pain led her to cope by using drugs, drinking, and sex. Thankfully, her story transformed. In this episode, you’ll hear: How all that trauma led her to attempt killing herself How she opened up to her mom and dad a...

When your parents’ marriage and family break apart, it’s traumatic for you as their son or daughter.  That trauma is not only painful, but also has devastating effects on you that last for a long time. As a result, you need to heal. But how?  Our guest today, a trauma therapist, shares the antidote or opposite of trauma. We discuss: The 4 principles you need to live out to prevent and heal from tr...

In this episode, you'll hear 7 short clips from the podcast in 2021. This episode, and the podcast as a whole, will help you heal and grow from the trauma of your parents’ divorce, separation, or broken marriage, so you can feel whole again and thrive. If you’re new to the podcast, this is the perfect way to sample our content and learn how it will help you. If you’re a veteran listener, this...

When Alexandra was in 7th grade, her parents divorced. Almost immediately, she went to counseling, which led her to believe that the effects of her parents’ divorce were in her past. She thought she was healed. But in college, poor decisions and failed relationships showed her that perhaps it wasn’t resolved like she thought. She woke up on her birthday feeling sad and stuck, asking the question:...

Since she was 2 or 3, Sydney’s parents have been divorced. It’s all she’s ever known. As a result, she spent most of her childhood living out of a suitcase between Mom and Dad’s house. While Sydney has navigated her parents’ divorce fairly well, there have certainly been challenges. In this interview, we discuss those challenges and more: How Sydney has kept a good relationship with her parents an...

Are you from a broken family? If so, you know how challenging the holidays can be. Not only is it difficult to balance time between mom and dad, but we also have to deal with any family drama. Instead of enjoying the holidays, many of us just can’t wait till they’re over. But there is good news: it doesn’t always have to be that way. In this episode, you’ll hear 9 tactics that you can use to navig...

Forgiving someone that wounded you is difficult. Not only is forgiveness difficult, it is often over simplified and misunderstood.  That’s why we interviewed an expert on forgiveness, who happens to be a child of divorce. In this practical episode, we address: What exactly is forgiveness? How to forgive through the four stages of forgiveness Why forgiveness is good for you and unforgiveness is bad...

Alcoholism is a major cause of dysfunction in so many families. That was certainly true for our guest’s family.  In this episode, she shares how alcoholism played a pivotal role in the breakdown of her parents’ marriage and family. We also discuss: Why she kept a packed bag that was always ready to go under her bed at college What she’d say to her parents if they were listening to this episode How...