This episode is a back-to-basics conversation—one you can come back to, save, and share with the people in your life. We’re talking about how to support a friend who is in an unhealthy or abusive relationship, and the reality of how hard that can feel.

We break down how to recognize the signs, what to say (and what not to say), and how to support someone without losing yourself in the process. Whether you’re in this situation now or want to be prepared in the future, this is an episode to keep and pass along—because knowing how to show up for someone you love can make all the difference.

Resources:

https://linktr.ee/dearmk.podcast 

https://linktr.ee/myakermelewicz

Why is it so easy to be kind to everyone else, but so hard to be kind to ourselves?

In this solo episode, Mya is getting real about self-criticism, the pressure to always be “doing more,” and the quiet moments where we don’t feel like enough. Through reflection, reframing, and a guided self-compassion meditation, this is your space to slow down, soften, and start treating yourself with the same love you give to others. You deserve that, too.

In this episode, Mya and Dakota explore why so many women are socialized to doubt their own reality — from internalized self-doubt to the impact of gaslighting culture, microaggressions, and societal expectations. They break down what social conditioning is and how messages from family, media, and lived experiences shape the way women see themselves, their worth, and their place in relationships and the world.

Through real-life examples, they unpack the double standards women face every day, like being labeled “too much” or “not enough,” expected to do it all while still being questioned at every step. Mya and Dakota also explore how these patterns impact mental health, confidence, and decision-making. 

This episode is about awareness and empowerment! They discuss ways to challenge these narratives, reconnect with your intuition, and begin redefining womanhood on your own terms — not based on what you were taught, but based on what actually feels aligned for you.

Resources: https://linktr.ee/dearmk.podcast 

In this episode of Dear MK, MK takes a deep, trauma-informed look at the viral and highly controversial situation involving Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen. As footage from a past domestic violence incident circulates widely online, MK unpacks not only what viewers are seeing, but what they may be missing.

MK explores the psychological dynamics that can exist within abusive relationships. She breaks down key concepts, including trauma responses, emotional dysregulation, and the cycle of abuse, offering listeners a deeper understanding of how individuals can become stuck in harmful relational patterns.

MK also challenges the overwhelming public response, addressing victim-blaming, the “ideal victim” bias, and the societal expectations placed on survivors—particularly women. She emphasizes that while harmful behavior should never be excused, it must be understood within the broader context of trauma cycles and lived experience.

This episode is not about defending actions; it’s about creating space for nuance, education, and empathy in a conversation that is often reduced to headlines and judgment <3

RESOURCES

MK’s Resoures: https://linktr.ee/myakermelewicz 

Pod Socials: https://linktr.ee/dearmk.podcast 

In this solo episode, Mya explores how to find, cultivate, and enjoy glimmers. Coined by Deb Dana and explained in her book "The Polyvagal Theory," glimmers refer to small moments when our biology is in a place of connection or regulation, which cues our nervous system to feel safe or calm. Mya explains the difference between triggers and glimmers, then walks you through a moment of mindfulness so that you can become aware of and appreciate glimmers in your own life. She hopes to help you lower emotional distress and increase calmness and authenticity! <3

If you liked this, send it to a friend and follow Dear MK on socials!

Learn more about glimmers here.

Mya and Dakota continue their Survivor’s Guide to Reclaiming Your Sex Life by shifting to a candid conversation about the Orgasm Gap and why it’s still very real for straight women today. While there are many factors behind it, they explain that the biggest reasons still come down to a lack of sex education, media and culture influencing modern sexual expectations, discomfort around talking about sex, and the fact that many women have simply become used to the imbalance and treat it as the expectation.

They also point out a few key barriers that keep the pleasure gap in place: the dangers of faking orgasms (which reinforces behaviors that aren’t actually pleasurable), the lack of open conversations about sex with friends and partners, and the expectation that women should figure everything out themselves. Mya and Dakota emphasize that while exploring your own body can build confidence and help communicate what feels good, men also need to educate themselves and take responsibility for understanding female pleasure!

The Female Orgasm Guide

Our resources and socials :)

In this solo episode, Dakota breaks down last week's episode about sex after trauma even further, explaining that not all sexual trauma comes from assault. She discusses the construction of sex as an idea and how that impacts us, especially when we are young. She shares her own stories of sexual discomfort and how she has (recently) been able to identify the trauma they created. She ends with sharing a full circle moment in which she used the tools from last week’s episode in a major breakthrough! 

*This episode contains discussions of sexual abuse and may be triggering – please listen gently and take care of yourself!*

If you enjoyed this, give us a 5 star review, follow us on socials, and share this with a friend <3 We love you! :)

In this episode, Mya and Dakota explore what it looks like to reclaim your sex life after abuse. Inspired by a training from licensed psychotherapist Vanessa Marin, they unpack the impacts of trauma on intimacy, including dissociation, triggers, hyper vigilance, body image struggles, difficulty saying no, low desire, and sexual concordance. They talk about how trauma can disconnect you from your body,  and how healing is possible through safety, consent, communication, and rebuilding trust with yourself <3

*This episode contains discussions of abuse and may be triggering — please listen gently and take care of yourself!*

https://linktr.ee/dearmk.podcast 

Valentine’s Day can be romantic, disappointing, chaotic, or completely ordinary … and of course, Mya and Dakota are talking about all of it! In this episode, they share their best and worst Valentine’s memories, most delusional situationship moments, and the times they accepted less than they deserved. Mya and Dakota are also reading your write-ins and unpacking the expectations vs. reality of this holiday. Whether you’re in love, healing, single, or somewhere in between, this day can be whatever you want it to be.

If you liked this, send it to a friend to giggle along together and follow us on socials! <3

In this episode, Mya and Dakota unpack DARVO — the manipulation tactic of deny, attack, and reverse victim and offender — and how it shows up in relationships, systems, and the media. They talk about why naming these patterns matters, how DARVO impacts survivors’ mental health, and why it can be so disorienting to experience. In honor of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, this conversation is about education, prevention, and trusting yourself when something doesn’t feel right!

*Trigger & Conspiracy Warning:* Mya and Dakota use a highly documented and profiled case, which contains conspiracy theories, as it is still an unsolved case, to show an example of places to look for the use of DARVO. They explore the scary possibilities of what large figures hide from the public and hope to find justice in the narratives for all survivors.

Read Further on This Topic:

• ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EaJM9_9x_E&list=PLBpiUxZcKxXQ8Z9uAY6WXItquhnSIIGIK&index=4 
• ​https://www.jjfreyd.com/
• ​https://www.verywellmind.com/protecting-yourself-from-darvo-abusive-behavior-7562730 
• ​https://www.justice.gov/epstein 

Resources: 

https://linktr.ee/dearmk.podcast