The Badass Counseling Show

Mac has just been through a painful breakup, has thoughts of his difficult divorce from years earlier, and fears that his internal compass is broken beyond repair. Through Sven's counseling, Mac recalls a frightening childhood with "...not a lot of time for the whole love thing," not to mention the belt -- at age 5. Can Mac learn to trust his genuine inner voice and get his dead fat...

Living with a narcissist, or what Sven calls an extreme taker? Lots of questions on that topic in this Lightning Round, along with other issues including: parental power, supporting an adult child, properly healing, and...Why doesn't Mom love me? Also in this episode, Rob's brand new grandson visits the studio, giving Sven a chance to fully display his real thoughts about newborns. Pleas...

In this impactful counseling episode, Sven finds common threads in the stories of Jamie and Logan, whose childhood experiences have led to lifelong difficulties with relationships. At age 4, Logan was taken away from his negligent parents, only to find himself with a grandfather who stripped and beat him. Jamie was taught relentless self-criticism as modeled by her mother, and she feels "fund...

Sven is in top form as he again tackles his followers' questions from several online sites at once. Tons of great relationship advice in this episode, plus questions including: How do I deal with an avoidant? How do I know I'm being authentic? How can you fill in for a missing parent? And much more, including Sven's outlook on the mental health field. Please listen in to Lightning R...

In one of our most compelling counseling episodes, Ellie shares her horrifying story of childhood sexual and emotional abuse at the hands of her parents, for the very first time. With Sven's guidance (and his impactful application of The Sonoma Method), Ellie is finally able to find some of the relief and security that has been missing for her entire life. Maybe she wasn't "the whor...

Lightning Round! Sven takes to social media to answer many unpredictable questions from his online followers. Tons of insight and advice here: Was your parent great to other people, but not you? Do you have anxiety about journaling? Are you the victim of "emotional incest" because your parents dumped their problems on you? Were you the "golden child?" And much more. Please join...

Do you have to give and give in order to be loved? Can you express your wants and needs to your partner, especially the small stuff, or are you silent? Sven's counseling guest Jeff faces these questions and much more, following a divorce and two failed relationships. He wonders, "Is it me?" Insightful relationship advice from Sven is right here, so please listen in! Explicit content...

In this recorded Lightning Round session, Sven takes on his online followers (with a little help from Rob and KC) with questions including: How do I handle the physical stress from a relationship with a narcissist? How do I know if it's the right time to divorce? How can I tell my son that he's adopted? How do I have a relationship with an avoidant partner? And more! Please join all of u...

Is your worth measured only by how well you serve others? What if it's your mom? What if you believe as a child that unless you take care of your mother, you're not important? And what if you feel like you can't find peace or relief without getting recognition and love from your mother...which she'll never give you? Can you ever accept love from anyone if your mother never love...

In our 69th recorded Lightning Round, listeners again write in their questions in real time, and Sven takes them on, wherever they may take him. This time: Why do I keep lighting myself on fire to keep others warm? My boss has power over me and I can't fight it. My 11-year-old has been bullied for years, what can I do? What if the man I'm dating says I'm too nice and he can't t...

Sven counsels Ruby and Kirsten, two women with very difficult situations and long-seated fears. Ruby has found out that her husband has been cheating...for 18 years. And the fallout from that marriage is getting in the way of a new, potentially great relationship. Kirsten is trapped by an abusive ex-husband--- still under the same roof--- who won't leave. Sven helps the women find the roots o...

A Lightning Round to cap off the year! Sven takes on the issue of dealing with the pain and suffering of others, both as a therapist and in general for all. Other topics include when to tell your kids about your new partner, helping a suicidal son, welcoming deep dark thoughts as a path to healing, and much more. Tons of great advice here, so come on in to Lightning Round LXVII, with Sven recorded...

Meet Amirah and Cory, two women struggling to escape the toxic effects of their families. Amirah says she was taught to hate herself from the moment she was born. She feels her family defines her only by her mistakes, and when she misbehaved, she got the belt...unlike her brother. Cory believed the world would be better off without her, having been abandoned and abused by every member of her famil...

It's Lightning Round 67! Sven never knows what questions will come, but he's always quick with the answers. Recorded during a live online session on multiple platforms, Sven tackles tons of tough issues including: How do I let go of toxic people like my ex-narc? How can I make the right career choice? Why do people discard you after they sabotage you? And much more. Please join us for mo...

Bert has lost the love of his life. He had a cheatin' heart, but is that actually cheating? What is your own definition of cheating? Sven delves into these questions in his counseling session with Bert, whose girlfriend discovered his intimate, but not physical contact with another woman. He now realizes he invalidated his partner's feelings and so, destroyed the relationship. With Sven&...

Sven again turns his attention to his followers' questions on social media, recorded live right as they come in. Should you stay together for the kids? What questions should you ask before agreeing to marriage? What if my partner is cheating with escorts? And much more. Come on in and join us for the free-for-all that is Lightning Round LXVI! Explicit content.  Send us Fan Mail

Jeffrey fears losing his wife. His former porn addiction and anger issues have caused a strain on their marriage. Sven probes for the source of Jeffrey's troubles and uncovers the effects of his father's bullying and abuse. Jeffrey is trying to not feel the hate but Sven counsels that although his rage is justified, only by facing the hate and letting it out will allow him to escape his...

More unpredictable Q&A with Sven! He never knows what questions and comments will come up from his online followers. In this episode: How do I control my anger toward my narc Ex in front of the kids? Should I use hypnosis to unlock blocked childhood memories? When does the pain from an extreme taker go away? And... I want to be with a man who beats me because I don't feel lovable. Join us...

Sven counsels two women with intense mother issues. Bobbie has lived a life of fear and terror, with a bipolar, schizophrenic mother who always says she ruined her life. Her mother doesn't recognize her own illness, and Bobbie desperately needs to learn to validate the need to take care of herself more than she takes care of others. Vida's oppressive mother has crippled her well-being al...

Here come the unpredictable questions again, with Sven at the ready to field all of them. His Badass Counseling online followers bring topics including: healing from a fiancé's cheating, eating disorders, finding your own voice, manipulation to marry a narc, and much more. Sven also tackles one of the toughest topics: how to cope and heal from the death of a child. Join us for Lightning Round...

As a child, Kia never had any emotional support. And now, her boyfriend of 7 years has broken up with her, saying she had emotionally exhausted him. Struggling to understand her pain, it's Sven to the rescue. What does it say about your upbringing when you can't easily recall a time when things were going well? Kia's best memories of her childhood were when her parents weren't...

Nothing gets Sven going more than a Lightning Round, and this episode is no exception. Advice for everyone here, on topics including: How to know when it's time to leave, how to focus better, couples retreats, cutting mom out of your life, and so much more. Sven never knows what questions will come up, and he never fails to effectively apply the Badass Counseling approach. In this show, Sven...

Greg is in a world of gut-wrenching pain. His wife has pushed him away for years, and he feels he must purchase time to spend with his beloved daughter, who holds most of the power in the family and is about to leave home to attend an expensive college. He hides away in the basement of his home in order to have any interaction with his daughter. A very compassionate Sven helps Greg find the roots...

Q&A with Sven and his online followers, recorded live and unrehearsed. Topics include advice for studying counseling, shadow work, men who prioritize pleasing their mother, what to do when love and affection terrify you, is it possible to heal a narcissist, and much more. Join us for Lightning Round LXII! Explicit content. Send us Fan Mail

Pam is reeling from her mother's sudden biting criticisms. She realizes that she has buried her feelings about never getting approval, saying it has now set off a land mine. Looking back a string of bad choices and problems with intimacy, she begins to see the reasons for her issues. Sven helps her define her land mine, and take steps to defuse it. Explicit content.  Send us Fan Mail