Coping with Ghosting

If you’re looking to elevate your conversations, find common ground with others, and bring more authenticity into your career, relationships, and everyday life, this episode is for you! In this show, host Gretta sits down with world-renowned behavioral scientist Julia Dhar, Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group, and co-author of How Change Really Works, to unpack everything from navigating difficult conversations to the uncertainty of ghosting. Julia and Gretta dive into many topics, including:

• The Threat Response: Why difficult conversations can be so triggering.
• The False Alignment Trap: Why saying "I'm aligned" when you're not is unhelpful.
• Overcoming Awkwardness: Why awkward moments feel far bigger to you than they do to the other person.
• Small Steps for People-Pleasing Recovery: How using your voice is a powerful tool.
• Ghosting: Why it hurts and tips for setting up relationships to help prevent it. 
• And so much more!

This conversation offers practical, science-backed tools to help you communicate more authentically, confidently, and productively.

Connect with Julia Dhar:

howchangereallyworks.com | LinkedIn | Instagram 

Trained as a behavioral economist, Julia is currently the  Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group, and the co-founder of their Behavioral Science Lab. Her TED talks on productive disagreement have sparked global conversations; she is a regular Forbes columnist, and she co-authored How Change Really Works. 

Connect with Gretta:

Free Guide: What to Say To A Ghost
Free and Facebook Support Group |  Instagram | copingwithghosting.com

Host Gretta Perlmutter, a Certified Post Betrayal Transformation® Coach, delivers evidence-based strategies to turn personal betrayal into a powerful catalyst for growth and healing.

Music: "Ghosted" by Gustavo Zaiah

Disclaimer: This information is designed to mentor and guide you to cope with Ghosting by cultivating a positive mindset and implementing self-care practices. It is for educational purposes only; it solely provides self-help tools for your use. Coping With Ghosting is not providing health care or psychological therapy services and is not diagnosing or treating any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or other registered professionals.

Support the show

Note to All Listeners: Ghosting is defined as: The practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication (Oxford Languages). When you leave an abusive situation without saying "goodbye," it's not ghosting, it's "self-protection." When you quietly exit a relationship after a communicated boundary has been violated, it's not ghosting, it's "self-respect."

What if the way we communicate and build relationships is being heavily shaped by the digital environment we live in every day?

In this episode, Gretta sits down with Dr. Annie Margaret, educator and co-founder of the Post-Internet Project, to explore how the broader media ecosystem can influence empathy, heighten anxiety, make the end of a relationship harder to process, and, most importantly, how you can reclaim your peace.

We explore:

• Digital Culture & Ghosting: When our attention systems are constantly overstimulated by infinite choice and fast content, holding space for slow, messy, real-life relationships becomes much harder. 
• Protecting a Raw Nervous System: Why consuming stressful news and endless feeds is unhelpful.
• AI & Emotional Processing: What AI can actually help with after betrayal.
• Reclaiming Your Sacred Attention: Why traditional digital detoxes often fail, and what to do instead.

Whether you're recovering from a sudden disconnect or feeling emotionally fatigued by today's digital pace, this conversation offers tools to help you protect your heart and cultivate meaningful connections.

Connect with Dr. Annie Margaret:

YouTube | Annie's Website

Annie Margaret, Ph.D., is an educator, speaker, and co-founder of the Post Internet Project. Merging her background in Cell and Molecular Biology with ancient contemplative practices, her work explores the intersection of mental health, tech design, and mindfulness. Annie is dedicated to restoring human agency and well-being in an era of digital distraction and the commodification of human attention.

Connect with Gretta:

Free Guide: What to Say To A Ghost
Free and Facebook Support Group |  Instagram | copingwithghosting.com

Host Gretta Perlmutter, a Certified Post Betrayal Transformation® Coach, delivers evidence-based strategies to turn personal betrayal into a powerful catalyst for growth and healing.

Music: "Ghosted" by Gustavo Zaiah

Disclaimer: This information is designed to mentor and guide you to cope with Ghosting by cultivating a positive mindset and implementing self-care practices. It is for educational purposes only; it solely provides self-help tools for your use. Coping With Ghosting is not providing health care or psychological therapy services and is not diagnosing or treating any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or other registered professionals.

Support the show

Note to All Listeners: Ghosting is defined as: The practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication (Oxford Languages). When you leave an abusive situation without saying "goodbye," it's not ghosting, it's "self-protection." When you quietly exit a relationship after a communicated boundary has been violated, it's not ghosting, it's "self-respect."

If you’re carrying the heavy weight of losing a loved one to suicide, this episode was created to offer healing tools to help you begin finding your footing. In this episode, host Gretta interviews clinical psychologist Dr. Celeste Birkhofer, who shares deep insights on navigating the unique complexity of suicide loss, processing overwhelming guilt, and building the inner resources required to survive after heartbreaking loss.

In this episode, we explore:

• Giving Grief a "Relational Home": The necessity of safe spaces and support systems.
• The Mind-Body Connection: How suppressed pain often manifests as anxiety, depression, or physical symptoms.
• Breaking the Guilt Loop: How to navigate self-blame and move away from self-punishment.
• Somatic & Emotional Grounding: Practical ways to regulate your nervous system and handle emotional flooding.
• Building Your Internal Operating System: The five core inner resources that help you survive traumatic loss and find lasting mental peace.

CRISIS SUPPORT: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org (US & Canada).

Dr. Celeste Birkhofer is a licensed clinical psychologist and adjunct clinical faculty member at Stanford Medical School, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She maintains a private psychotherapy practice, teaches and supervises Stanford psychiatry residents, and is on the clinical advisory board for the Jed Foundation.

Connect with Dr. Celeste Birkhofer:

Website | Order your copy of her book: Beyond Quick Fixes: Essential Ingredients for Better Mental Health & A Fulfilling Life

Connect with Gretta:

Free Guide: What to Say To A Ghost
Free and Private Facebook Support Group |  Instagram | copingwithghosting.com

Host Gretta Perlmutter, a Certified Post Betrayal Transformation® Coach, delivers evidence-based strategies to turn personal betrayal into a powerful catalyst for growth and healing.

Music: "Ghosted" by Gustavo Zaiah

Disclaimer: This information is designed to mentor and guide you to cope with Ghosting by cultivating a positive mindset and implementing self-care practices. It is for educational purposes only; it solely provides self-help tools for your use. Coping With Ghosting is not providing health care or psychological therapy services and is not diagnosing or treating any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or other registered professionals.

Support the show

Note to All Listeners: Ghosting is defined as: The practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication (Oxford Languages). When you leave an abusive situation without saying "goodbye," it's not ghosting, it's "self-protection." When you quietly exit a relationship after a communicated boundary has been violated, it's not ghosting, it's "self-respect."

Are you being ghosted, or are they just busy? Whether your friend, a date, or family member is MIA, this show provides solutions.  In Episode 100, Gretta breaks down the early signs of ghosting, how to handle the anxiety of the "grey zone," and how to discover if you're being ghosted.

This show covers:
• How to ground down and separate facts from fear
• The problem with “If they wanted to, they would”
• Step-by-step outreach guidelines: How to text someone without chasing
• Follow-up limits for dating, committed relationships, and friendships
• What to ask if an "almost ghost" comes back
• The first steps to take if you've been ghosted. 

If you're wondering, "Am I being ghosted?" this show will help you find answers.

Connect with Gretta:

Free Guide: What to Say To A Ghost
Free and Private Facebook Support Group |  Instagram | copingwithghosting.com

Host Gretta Perlmutter, a Certified Post Betrayal Transformation® Coach, delivers evidence-based strategies to turn personal betrayal into a powerful catalyst for growth.

Music: "Ghosted" by Gustavo Zaiah

Disclaimer:  This information is designed to mentor and guide you to cope with Ghosting by cultivating a positive mindset and implementing self-care practices. It is for educational purposes only and provides self-help tools for your use. Coping With Ghosting is not providing health care or psychological therapy services and is not diagnosing or treating any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or registered professionals.

Support the show

Note to All Listeners: Ghosting is defined as: The practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication (Oxford Languages). When you leave an abusive situation without saying "goodbye," it's not ghosting, it's "self-protection." When you quietly exit a relationship after a communicated boundary has been violated, it's not ghosting, it's "self-respect."

Are you seeking a fresh start for your friendship circle? 🌟

In this episode of Coping With Ghosting, Host Gretta speaks with Florence Ann Romano, author of Build Your Village: A Guide to Finding Joy and Community in Every Stage of Life, about intentionally building a community and fostering healthy connections.

🎧 In this episode, we discuss:

• Evaluating Your Relationships: Tips for mindfully reflecting on your friendships to see if they are fulfilling and aligned with your values. 
• Friendship Red Flags: The "micro-signals" of when a relationship may need to end.
• Ending Friendships with Integrity: When to intentionally walk away from an outgrown relationship with compassion.
• Healing Friendship Burnout: How to navigate a relationship when your friend is having an emotional crisis or health issue. 
• How to begin to trust after the trauma of betrayal: The very first step you need to take.
• Rebuilding Your Village: Low-risk, sustainable ways to slowly re-enter a community.

If you are navigating the loneliness epidemic or healing from a friendship breakup, press play to start building your village with intention. 

Connect with Florence Ann Romano:

Florence Ann's Website | 📖READ: Build Your Village: A Guide to Finding Joy and Community in Every Stage of Life | Instagram

Connect with Gretta:

Free Guide: What to Say To A Ghost
Free and Private Facebook Support Group |  Instagram | copingwithghosting.com

Host Gretta Perlmutter, a Certified Post Betrayal Transformation® Coach, delivers evidence-based strategies to turn personal betrayal into a powerful catalyst for growth and healing.

Music: "Ghosted" by Gustavo Zaiah

Disclaimer:  This information is designed to mentor and guide you to cope with Ghosting by cultivating a positive mindset and implementing self-care practices. It is for educational purposes only and provides self-help tools for your use. Coping With Ghosting is not providing health care or psychological therapy services and is not diagnosing or treating any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or registered professionals.

Ghosted? You deserve peace of mind. Explore coaching with Gretta today.

Support the show

Note to All Listeners: Ghosting is defined as: The practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication (Oxford Languages). When you leave an abusive situation without saying "goodbye," it's not ghosting, it's "self-protection." When you quietly exit a relationship after a communicated boundary has been violated, it's not ghosting, it's "self-respect."

Discover how to use somatic exercises and  hypnotherapy to regulate your nervous system and reclaim safety in your body after experiencing betrayal trauma.

Ghosting and betrayal don't just affect your thoughts; they trigger a physical stress response. This week, Host Gretta connects with Dr. Danielle Griffin to examine how emotional trauma impacts the body, causing elevated cortisol, jaw tension, tight shoulders, and headaches.

After burnout and grief prompted a career pivot into somatic therapy, Dr. Danielle now helps people address the physical strain that traditional talk therapy often leaves behind. This conversation clarifies what hypnotherapy actually looks like, defines somatic work through simple mechanics, and concludes with a brief, 90-second practice to help ground your nervous system when you feel overwhelmed.

Connect with Dr. Danielle Griffin: 

Dr. Griffin's Website | Healing Books and Products from Dr. Danielle

Connect with Gretta:

Free Guide: What to Say To A Ghost
Free and Private Facebook Support Group |  Instagram | copingwithghosting.com

Host Gretta Perlmutter, a Certified Post Betrayal Transformation® Coach, delivers evidence-based strategies to turn personal betrayal into a powerful catalyst for growth and healing.

Music: "Ghosted" by Gustavo Zaiah

Disclaimer:  This information is designed to mentor and guide you to cope with Ghosting by cultivating a positive mindset and implementing self-care practices. It is for educational purposes only and provides self-help tools for your use. Coping With Ghosting is not providing health care or psychological therapy services and is not diagnosing or treating any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or registered professionals.

Support the show

Note to All Listeners: Ghosting is defined as: The practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication (Oxford Languages). When you leave an abusive situation without saying "goodbye," it's not ghosting, it's "self-protection." When you quietly exit a relationship after a communicated boundary has been violated, it's not ghosting, it's "self-respect."

When someone you trust breaks that bond, the world can feel like it’s turned upside down. In this episode, breakup coach Janice Formicella and Host Gretta discuss the messy reality of betrayal and how to move forward. We dive into why people cheat, how to handle the "I’m not enough" narrative, and why taking a break from dating might be the best thing you ever do for your confidence.

What we cover in this episode:

• Why cheaters do it, from poor communication to fear of conflict.
• Attachment styles and cheating.
• How to stop the "not enough" spiral after a breakup.
• Practical ways to start trusting your gut again.
• They're not all cheaters; tips for those who want a relationship but are hesitant to date again.
• How to balance grief, anger, and healthy distractions.

If you're healing after being cheated on, this conversation is for you. You'll gain practical steps to feel like yourself again.

Connect with Janice Formichella: 

YouTube | Janice's Website | Insight Timer Guided Meditations by Janice

Janice Formichella is a breakup coach and the host of the podcasts Sex and the Solo Girl and Breakups, Broken Hearts, and Moving On. She is passionate about helping people from all backgrounds to beat their breakup, overcome loneliness, and make the end of a relationship the start of a powerful new beginning.

Connect with Gretta:

Free Guide: What to Say To A Ghost
Free and Private Facebook Support Group |  Instagram | copingwithghosting.com

Host Gretta Perlmutter, a Certified Post Betrayal Transformation® Coach, delivers evidence-based strategies to turn personal betrayal into a powerful catalyst for growth and healing.

Music: "Ghosted" by Gustavo Zaiah

Disclaimer:  This information is designed to mentor and guide you to cope with Ghosting by cultivating a positive mindset and implementing self-care practices. It is for educational purposes only and provides self-help tools for your use. Coping With Ghosting is not providing health care or psychological therapy services and is not diagnosing or treating any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or registered professionals.

Support the show

Note to All Listeners: Ghosting is defined as: The practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication (Oxford Languages). When you leave an abusive situation without saying "goodbye," it's not ghosting, it's "self-protection." When you quietly exit a relationship after a communicated boundary has been violated, it's not ghosting, it's "self-respect."

Do you ever feel like you’re waiting for the "other shoe to drop," even when things are going well? If you grew up in a high-conflict environment, your nervous system may have been wired to view chaos as "home."

In this episode, host Gretta welcomes trauma therapist and author Dr. Tracy Hutchinson to explore the deep-seated impact of being raised in unpredictable, high-stress family systems. The habits we formed to survive these environments often follow us into adulthood, showing up as anxiety, self-blame, and a pattern of choosing unstable relationships. In this episode, we cover the following:

• How to know if you have high-conflict family members.
• Why over-apologizing, "people-pleasing," and fawn responses can show up as a result of trauma.
• Understanding how unhealthy family patterns affect adult professional and romantic lives.
• Cognitive dissonance: what it is and how to detect it.
• How ghosting and estrangement are different, when estrangement may be necessary, and when to repair a relationship.
• How to heal & make meaning.

Dr. Tracy Hutchinson is a psychotherapist, professor, and author specializing in recovery from sociopathic abuse, narcissistic abuse, and family trauma. Her latest book, Adult Children of High-Conflict Parents: Find Freedom from Your Past, Heal the Pain of Toxic Relational Trauma, and Cultivate Lasting Self-Love, is a roadmap for anyone looking to heal. 

Connect with Dr. Tracy Hutchinson:

Website | Facebook | Get the Book

Connect with Gretta:

Free Guide: What to Say To A Ghost
Free and Private Facebook Support Group |  Instagram | copingwithghosting.com

Host Gretta Perlmutter, a Certified Post Betrayal Transformation® Coach, delivers evidence-based strategies to turn personal betrayal into a powerful catalyst for growth and healing.

Music: "Ghosted" by Gustavo Zaiah

Disclaimer: This information is designed to mentor and guide you to cope with Ghosting by cultivating a positive mindset and implementing self-care practices. It is for educational purposes only; it solely provides self-help tools for your use. Coping With Ghosting is not providing health care or psychological therapy services and is not diagnosing or treating any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or other registered professionals.

Support the show

Note to All Listeners: Ghosting is defined as: The practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication (Oxford Languages). When you leave an abusive situation without saying "goodbye," it's not ghosting, it's "self-protection." When you quietly exit a relationship after a communicated boundary has been violated, it's not ghosting, it's "self-respect."

Does it ever feel like you’re dating the same person with a different name? If you notice that you’re often gravitating toward emotionally unavailable people, this episode is for you.

Joining Gretta to discuss attachment is Trevor Hanson, coach and founder of The Art of Healing. Trevor teaches relationship and attachment skills through the Secure Self Club. In this show, Trevor deconstructs common relationship dynamics and shares how to finally break the cycle of insecure attachment. 

This episode covers:

• How to move from an insecure attachment style to a more secure one.
• How anxious patterns can amplify avoidance.
• Why men who have an anxious attachment style may tend to get ghosted more.
• Insights on why men may be more prone to avoidant attachment.
• How porn and other addictions are often attempts to soothe unmet attachment needs.

If you’re ready to make powerful shifts in your life, this episode is for you. 

Connect with Trevor: 

Instagram | Trevor’s Website | YouTube | TikTok 

Connect with Gretta:

Free Guide: What to Say To A Ghost
Free and Private Facebook Support Group |  Instagram | copingwithghosting.com

Music: "Ghosted" by Gustavo Zaiah

Disclaimer:  This information is designed to mentor and guide you to cope with Ghosting by cultivating a positive mindset and implementing self-care practices. It is for educational purposes only; it solely provides self-help tools for your use. Coping With Ghosting is not providing health care or psychological therapy services and is not diagnosing or treating any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or other registered professionals.

Support the show

Note to All Listeners: Ghosting is defined as: The practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication (Oxford Languages). When you leave an abusive situation without saying "goodbye," it's not ghosting, it's "self-protection." When you quietly exit a relationship after a communicated boundary has been violated, it's not ghosting, it's "self-respect."

If your nervous system has been on high alert lately, you aren’t alone. Maybe you’re dealing with a painful betrayal or the silence of being ghosted, and facing a job issue, a personal loss, or health stress.

In this episode, Dr. Ken Huey from The Voice of Hope Podcast shares how to navigate compounded stress and find your way back from overwhelm when everything feels like "too much."

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Breath as an Anchor: Using your breath as the primary entry point to the present moment.
• Success vs. Distraction: Why achieving one "meaningful win" is more effective for stress relief than common distractions.
• Tools for a Reality Check: Using journaling and a "circle of trust" to reset your perspective after extremely stressful situations.
• Curating Your Influence: The importance of intentionally choosing the five people or sources that shape your mindset.
• From Betrayal to Boundaries: Shedding a victim mindset, taking your power back, and creating high standards and non-negotiable boundaries.

Whether you are reeling from a recent relationship ending or feeling the heavy weight of multiple issues, this conversation will give you free, easy-to-implement tools to help. It will give you hope.

Dr. Ken Huey is CEO at The Hope Group and Havenwood Academy in Utah, and Host of The Voice of Hope Podcast. Dr. Huey has over 25 years of experience in the mental health and behavioral healthcare fields and holds a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology.

Connect With Dr. Ken Huey: 

Listen to The Voice of Hope Podcast and check out his LinkedIn

Connect with Gretta:

Free Guide: What to Say To A Ghost
Free and Private Facebook Support Group |  Instagram | copingwithghosting.com

Music: "Ghosted" by Gustavo Zaiah

Disclaimer:  This information is designed to mentor and guide you to cope with Ghosting by cultivating a positive mindset and implementing self-care practices. It is for educational purposes only; it solely provides self-help tools for your use. Coping With Ghosting is not providing health care or psychological therapy services and is not diagnosing or treating any physical or mental ailment of the mind or body. The content is not a substitute for therapy or any advice given by a licensed psychologist or other licensed or other registered professionals. 

Support the show

Note to All Listeners: Ghosting is defined as: The practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication (Oxford Languages). When you leave an abusive situation without saying "goodbye," it's not ghosting, it's "self-protection." When you quietly exit a relationship after a communicated boundary has been violated, it's not ghosting, it's "self-respect."