In this powerful episode, Cynthia Marks and Dr. Loren Weiner name what most of us feel but rarely say out loud: the world doesn’t have a “politics problem” so much as a love problem. Loren defines love as the experience of being supported, nurtured, respected, and emotionally held—and explains that wherever love is absent, pathology takes over. They connect this to the earliest imprint: a baby unconsciously takes on the mother’s distress to survive and can walk away believing “I’m bad,” which later limits our ability to receive love (and therefore give it). The heart of the episode is a sequence of patient dreams showing how healing progresses—and how the internal saboteur fights back when someone gets closer to their true self. You’ll hear vivid symbols: bright colors that feel “creepy,” the feminine being “arrested,” a speech that can’t be found, a self put “on ice” behind closed doors, and finally a transcendent dream of being welcomed into love and growing taller. The takeaway is both confronting and hopeful: the outer world reflects inner turmoil, and the most radical change starts inside—by reclaiming feeling, learning what love actually is, and allowing yourself to receive it.

In this quick bonus episode of And Now Love, Cynthia Marks and Dr. Loren Weiner tackle the most common therapy myths that keep people stuck, ashamed, or misinformed. Loren starts by dismantling the idea that “therapy is only for crazy people,” reframing therapy as a place to get in touch with your deepest feelings and build resiliency for a complicated world. Next, she addresses the myth that “my therapist will just tell me what to do,” explaining that real therapy helps you grow into someone who can make clear choices for yourself. They also unpack the unrealistic expectation that you can resolve everything in one or two sessions—because trust, safety, and meaningful transformation take time. Finally, Loren explains why “all therapy is the same” is simply false: modalities differ, and the right fit includes both method and the therapist’s personality. The takeaway is empowering and practical: therapy isn’t a last resort—it’s a growth tool, and you’re allowed to choose what serves you best.

In this urgent and hope-filled episode of And Now Love, Cynthia Marks speaks with Erika Hartman, CEO of Safe Place for Youth (SPY), about the realities of youth homelessness in Los Angeles and what actually helps young people stabilize. Erika explains that around 3,000 young people experience homelessness on any given night in LA—many of them unsheltered and exposed to exploitation and danger. She shares a core truth: youth homelessness often begins with the absence of loving, supportive adults, including youth aging out of child welfare and LGBTQ+ youth rejected at home. Together they explore why “bootstraps” thinking fails—without safety, showers, sleep, and a place to store belongings, it’s nearly impossible to get a job or keep appointments. Erika walks through SPY’s wraparound model, from street outreach and drop-in services to emergency shelter and transitional housing, plus trauma-informed healing arts that build trust before therapy ever begins. The conversation also tackles policy: how systems can criminalize exploited minors, why youth funding set-asides matter, and why prevention is the only way to stop adult homelessness from growing. Ultimately, Erika’s message is clear—young people are resilient, and when we show up consistently with care, they can recalibrate, rebuild, and thrive.

Dr. Lauren Dolinsky returns to And Now Love for a conversation all about hope—especially the kind that shows up when we’re doing the harder inner work and feel tempted to give up. Together with Cynthia, she explores how the unconscious speaks in symbolic language, offering “messages of hope” alongside the darker material we’re often trying to heal. They unpack a striking dream of a small, angelic-looking woman in a white gown who simply promises, “I will do it,” as an image of support that bypasses the intellect and lands in the body as reassurance. The discussion turns toward what happens when we challenge a “false North Star”—old beliefs that once protected us, but later keep us stuck—and why fear can intensify right before real change. You’ll hear how dreams can mirror liberation: from the image of a “real feeling self” no longer smashed into a suitcase, to learning what it means to give yourself permission to be you. Lauren also shares poignant patient-dream snapshots—like a foundation being painted pink and a bowl of heart-shaped cereal floating in milk—as simple symbols that remind us we can take in love and rebuild from the inside out. The episode closes with a grounded invitation: look for the “gold” in your dreams, and let hope be part of the process—not a prize you earn at the end.

What If Homelessness Isn’t a Choice—But a Trauma We Refuse to See?

Host: Cynthia Marks, creator/host of And Now Love.

Core ideas: biomarkers, epigenetics, pregnancy and trauma research

Episode length: 50:08

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Does our emotional history begin at birth, or is it written in the womb? Join Cynthia Marks as she sits down with world-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Tracy Bale to explore the profound "Mother’s Imprint." While psychoanalysis has long discussed the psychological blueprint formed by the mother, Dr. Bale provides the groundbreaking biological evidence: how the emotional and physical state of expectant parents can create epigenetic "tags" that shape their offspring—influencing everything from stress responses to predispositions for mental health disorders.

In this essential episode of And Now Love, Cynthia Marks speaks with Kelly O’Connor, Executive Director of Maternal Mental Health Now, about the reality—and treatability—of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Kelly shares her own early postpartum experience, from feeling disconnected and overwhelmed to the crushing pressure of breastfeeding expectations that left her feeling like she was “failing.” Together they unpack why this isn’t rare: perinatal depression and anxiety affect a significant portion of new parents, yet shame and silence keep many from getting help. Kelly explains common risk factors, and also why even “perfect on paper” support systems don’t guarantee protection. They discuss why the medical system often screens but can’t refer, and how cultural stigma and fear of child welfare involvement can prevent Black and Brown families from speaking up. Kelly outlines how Maternal Mental Health Now is changing the system through provider trainings, free online courses, and peer support programs like Sana Sana, including specialized groups for queer parents and Black NICU moms. The episode ends with a hopeful reframe: the goal isn’t perfection—it’s being a good enough parent, supported by community, education, and love.

In this episode, Cynthia Marks is joined again by Dr. Loren Weiner to explore idealization—the unconscious tendency to see people, institutions, and even leaders as far more perfect than they are. Loren explains that idealization is normal early in life because a baby must experience caregivers as “good enough” to feel safe, but it becomes a problem when we can’t tolerate truth, nuance, or ambivalence. Through Dr. Bernard Bail’s imprint theory, they describe how an infant takes in a mother’s unprocessed material and then wrongly concludes, “I caused it,” which fuels guilt and keeps parents on a pedestal. The conversation shows how idealization spreads beyond family into teachers, celebrities, partners, bosses, and political leaders—and how its flip side, devaluation, creates black-and-white thinking. Cynthia shares how she idealized her parents for decades and how dreamwork helped her open the door to reality without her world collapsing. Loren illustrates the pattern through vivid dream examples—rockstar parents in a limo, a missing phone, and being “too stoned” to feel—revealing how we stay disconnected from ourselves to keep the illusion intact. The takeaway is empowering: when you learn to read your dreams, you gain the flexibility to see the full picture and make healthier choices in love and life.

In this episode of And Now Love, Cynthia Marks welcomes Rebecca Binny, Vice President of Casa de Los Angelitos, a nonprofit maternity home supporting pregnant women in crisis since 1986. Rebecca explains how Casa began as a community-funded, five-bedroom home and why the need is immediate—many pregnant women facing homelessness, substance use, domestic violence, or trafficking have nowhere safe to go. They talk about what truly helps traumatized mothers in a short window of time: not “fixing” them, but creating a safe, dignified environment where community, mentorship, and consistent care can begin to soften the guardedness. Rebecca shares how Casa supports moms through pregnancy and the first months postpartum, including therapy requirements, sobriety expectations, and practical help like transportation, car seats, and newborn support. A powerful section explores reunification with children impacted by foster care and the deep pain of separation—along with the hope that long-term mentoring can bring families back together. The conversation widens into a bigger cultural message: women deserve respect, education, childcare support, and the confidence to advocate for themselves. They close by connecting empowerment to inner life—how slowing down, listening inward, and even beginning to notice dreams can help people reclaim their authentic selves.