Where You Left Them - The dadhugsforyoursoul Podcast

Back to the familiar format of a letter from a listener - and this one is another all to common theme. This week, we hear from Helen. Helen's story has a bit of everything: financial isolation, the slow unravelling of a long marriage, infidelity, divorce, and a turn none of us saw coming. It's a story about giving yourself entirely to a life and a person, and discovering how little of it was ever...

Today we go back to basics with Harry and ask him some of the most common questions we hear a lot: - How do you know so much about mid-life women and how did you get to the point of speaking on topics that are relevant to them - What is Anxious Attachment, how do we become anxiously attached and is it changeable? - Why go No Contact - does it really work? - Somatic work: how can this help in heart...

    **Content warning: This episode includes discussion of economic abuse and a brief, non-graphic reference to domestic violence. Please listen with care and feel free to skip this episode if these topics may be difficult for you.**   Our very difficult discussion this week is anecdotal, via a friend of Harry, and deals with the complicated and painful subject of economic abuse. &n...

No letter this week - following the amazing DHFYS reset weekend we're a little tired! So we are giving you a delicate, gentle Q&A session, with some great viewer questions and opening with a gift from one of our amazing followers! Listen to the audio version on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Deezer, and anywhere you get your podcasts. Watch the episode on our YouTube channel. Head to the socials (se...

Our letter this week comes from James, and it's fair to say that he is deep in the confusion and pain of a difficult relationship. Like so many of us, he just needs answers! We discuss his complicated situation, and Harry provides some suggestions for next steps. We also have a quick-fire question section and as always there is so much there which is relatable - you're never alone in this remember...

When you are as visible as fresh-from-the-BBC Harry is, people who you used to know are going to find you.... This week, Emma is delighted at Harry's momentary discomfort when an old flame gets in touch! As in all things break-up based, there's a lot to untangle and lots of questions to be answered. After we read and discuss Victoria's letter, it's quick fire questions and there's some really good...

Today we have a really interesting letter - Rob is at a point in his relationship that we don't usually get to see: he's at a decision point. His marriage is stable and he loves his wife but he feels that the spark has gone and he is experiencing some of that electricity with a work colleague. At this moment it's all in his head but he is aware that he's about to step into a world of pain if he ma...

We're back! Back to the familiar format of a letter from a listener - and this one is such a common theme: why do we give sympathy and care to those who hurt us the most! Anisha wrote in with details of a break up we all can understand: her husband left her for a woman he met at work. She dealt with the fallout from this and helped her three children come to terms with their new life, steering the...

Today we are chatting to the brilliant Lucy Meggeson. Through her podcast, membership, book, and content, Lucy challenges outdated narratives about singlehood, showing women that they don’t need a partner to live fully, passionately, and joyfully.  You can see why Harry was so keen to get her on our podcast! You can find Lucy at https://www.lucymeggeson.com/ and also on Instagram @thrivesolow...

Lisa's Story — A No Contact Update That Will Give You Hope Eight months ago, Lisa wrote to Harry at one of the lowest points of her life — 53 years old, 30 years with her partner and suddenly it was all gone. She wasn't sleeping, she couldn't stop checking his social media, and she had no idea who she was anymore. This week we revisit Lisa's story; as one of the earliest users of the No Contact Pa...

Where you left them - More Q&A & Meeting Brittney Emley We LOVED the Q&A last week and it seems you did too! This week we're going to finish that list and we also have a special guest: the wonderful, in Harry's words, "Zen Queen", Brittney Emley. Brittney provides all our incredible somatic work across the platforms and packs and will be joining us on the Reset Retreat in May. You can...

Where you left them - the Queasy Q&A This week, as Emma is unwell, we've taken the pressure off her with a 'listener Q&A' session instead of a story - from Moving on, to finding your self-worth - we cover a lot in this episode and still save some questions for next time.  As we always say, if you’re having relationship problems, going through a relationship breakup or experiencing hea...

When relationships end, there's often a lot more than feelings at stake. For many partners, women especially, there's a risk of being left in a financially precarious positition. This story, sent in by listener Sally, takes us through that journey from pure trust and love to betrayal - and then into the details of what the fallout can mean not just emotionally, but financially. She talks of her wo...

This one comes with a trigger warning - Narcissistic Abuse In this rather brutal episode, we unpack a story about a narcissist, a dog, and the subtle ways manipulation can infiltrate everyday life. Using humor, honesty, and insight, we explore how to spot controlling behavior, protect your boundaries, and reclaim your sense of agency — all while keeping your sanity intact. If you’ve ever questione...

This is an episode that many of you will relate to. A story on the intersection of menopause and manosphere, and more generally the impact of menopause on relationships. It’s raw and real, and the issues raised had Emma emotional - these issues are very familiar for so many people - we’re going to cover menopause and it’s effect on relationships on the channel and in work Harry is doing this Sprin...

In this rather saucy episode (you have been warned), we read Ariel’s story - it brings so many twists and turns you might even call it kinky,  It’s a story of hidden lives, secrets and lies. Betrayal on an almost industrial scale, and an entire infrastructure of deception and subterfuge. We talk about the awful pain of discovering two lives lived not in parallel, but awfully, painfully differ...

In this episode, we are excited to be discussing an actual voice note! So modern!  Our contributor is Mark, who shares his struggles with a tumultuous relationship marked by love bombing, sudden breakups, and the lingering pain of unresolved feelings. We discuss the inevitable emotional dysregulation that these kinds of chaotic relationships cause and how to work your way through to...

We’re back! Season 2 (that’s what the kids call it) starts with a submission from Annie – a sadly too familiar story of a toxic relationship and a woman shrinking herself so much that she is no longer recognisable, even to herself. Harry and Emma delve into the complexities of relationships, focusing on a listener's story of emotional turmoil and healing. They discuss the impact of past...

It's a bumper episode today - we've got lots to catch up on! We're incorporating some lovely comments about episode 10 (Barbecues, Birthdays, BETRAYALS! - go have a little look if you've not seen it!) We are also revisiting the question of the week AND doing a physiological sigh-along. We've got some updates for you from 3 of our favourite (so far) contributers - can you guess which ones? We talk...

In this, the last story of our first season, we meet Rosy; 43 years old, married with a family, living a nice, normal life. Except she isn’t, she’s living a lie and keeping a huge, devastating secret from her husband.  Unforgiveable confessions flow and we are left feeling horrified for him. The huge twist that follows leaves everyone in shock, betrayal comes in many forms and this time...

In our Tuesday episode we revisit Chloe - what did you think? A heartbreaking reminder of their own story for some, an exhausting display of immaturity for others. We discuss the triumphs - and gifts - of a break-up. Yes, they're really there! We discuss dating escape plans: no, not cosy weekends but how you do a runner if it's not working out! There is a definite divide between the practicalities...

Our story this week comes from Chloe and - as so often - it’s one that will feel familiar to many of us: Chloe and her partner, Josh, are a couple who were moving comfortably towards marriage and starting a family, living in their first home together, working hard to make their dreams a reality. Everything seemed right. But when Josh gets a promotion, things change, Chloe takes a back seat as his...

In this video, we discuss your thoughts on Eliza's situation. We had some great comments with your perspective on her concerns. We discuss the negative comments Harry receives and how he feels about them and we assure the viewer that his feet are firmly on the ground! Finally, and at the very last minute, we catch up on this week's homework - something Emma would very much like to forget! Thanks s...

In this week's episode we hear from Eliza - and we really wanted to tell this story because we think it'll resonate with so many of us.  A successful, secure person, Eliza is still troubled by the thought that life is somehow passing her by.   At 35, she's tired of seeing all her friends happily settled down - and social media just rubs salt in the wound daily, with endless pic...

It's Tuesday, and that means a follow-up episode! This time, we're catching up with your thoughts on Jonathan's story. You've been amazing and sent in lots of comments and suggestions and so we have lots to discuss. We look at long-distance relationships - can they work? We chat about the new pack for men aimed at emotional growth and catch up with Emma's homework (which she has onwardly allocated...