The healing power of sisterhood shines brightly in this emotional episode as Natalie and Marissa read aloud the letters they've written to each other about navigating heartbreak. Their words capture not just the pain they witnessed each other endure, but the extraordinary strength and transformation that followed.

"You didn't just survive that heartbreak, you transformed through it," Natalie writes to her sister, acknowledging how Marissa rebuilt her life "piece by piece" after her dreams were shattered. Meanwhile, Marissa celebrates Natalie becoming "unbreakable" through her divorce journey, protecting her children while rediscovering her own voice and setting powerful boundaries.

What makes these letters particularly moving is the sisters' ability to recognize growth that might be invisible to the person experiencing it. They discuss the difference between merely surviving trauma versus truly thriving afterward – from Natalie's year of reading nearly 100 books as an escape mechanism to Marissa's journey from numbness to renewed joy in travel and experiences. 

The conversation evolves into a thoughtful exploration of healing timelines, with both sisters emphasizing that recovery isn't linear or immediate. "Give yourself grace," they advise listeners in similar situations, noting their own growth took years of intentional work. As they prepare to wrap up Season One with just two more episodes, this letter-writing exercise stands as perhaps their most vulnerable and therapeutic sharing yet.

Looking for a powerful healing practice? Consider writing a letter to yourself or someone who's witnessed your journey – you might be surprised at just how much weight it lifts from your shoulders.

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Two sisters unveil their hearts through letters written to their past selves in this emotionally raw episode that captures the essence of healing after heartbreak. Natalie and Maressa's vulnerability reaches new heights as they share deeply personal reflections that brought them both to tears during recording.

Natalie's letter speaks to rising from the ashes like a Phoenix, acknowledging that sometimes things fall apart so better things can come together. Her powerful reminder that "you are enough right now, as you are, always" resonates as universal wisdom for anyone navigating life's unexpected turns. Meanwhile, Maressa confronts her broken engagement head-on, tracing her journey from sitting in shattered dreams to becoming the happiest version of herself three years later.

The sisters dive into how different their healing journeys have been—Maressa's clean break with no contact versus Natalie's ongoing connection through co-parenting—while emphasizing the importance of protecting your peace through whatever method works for you. Their candid discussion about mental health practices provides practical insights for listeners seeking their own healing paths.

As they announce the approaching conclusion of Season 1, with summer break plans and the excitement of nearly reaching 2,500 downloads, the sisters reflect on what this podcast journey has meant to them. Their authentic discussion proves that revisiting past pain from a place of growth isn't about reopening wounds, but rather celebrating how far you've come.

Whether you're in the depths of heartbreak or years into your healing journey, this episode offers both comfort and inspiration. Listen now, and consider what you might write to your past self if given the chance to speak across time.

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Have you ever matched with someone on a dating app only to discover they're hiding a major secret? In this candid episode, Natalie shares her shocking experience with a firefighter who tried to plan dates around his wife's work schedule while pretending to be a single dad. Through some impressive detective work from friends, the sisters uncovered his double life – that he was married with kids and had just returned from Disney World with his family!
 
The conversation dives deep into the darker side of dating apps, where catfishing, married men, and disappointment often lurk behind carefully crafted profiles. Yet despite these pitfalls, the sisters acknowledge the success stories too, including friends who found lasting love online. It's this tension between hope and caution that many singles navigate in the digital dating landscape.

Beyond dating disasters, Marissa opens up about returning to therapy, highlighting that mental health work isn't something you simply "graduate" from after a crisis. "For me, therapy is ongoing," she explains, normalizing the idea that continuous personal growth requires consistent effort and sometimes professional guidance.

The episode takes a poignant turn as the sisters discuss their upcoming trip to Spain, where they plan to hold a memorial service for their late father. This journey will blend celebration with mourning, allowing their Spanish friends who are "basically family" to properly say goodbye to a man who spent much of his life abroad.

Whether you're swiping through dating apps, working on your mental health, or processing grief, this episode reminds us that healing isn't linear and that sometimes the best medicine is sharing stories with someone who truly understands. Join us next week when we'll be reading our letters to ourselves – a vulnerable glimpse into our personal journeys of growth and self-discovery.

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What happens when your dating app match turns out to be someone else's husband? This week, Natalie shares her jaw-dropping experience matching with a local firefighter who seemed great on paper—suggesting morning coffee dates and regular phone communication—until her friend's detective skills revealed he was married with kids and had just returned from Disney World with his family!

We dive into the dark underbelly of dating apps, where married men create elaborate personas as single dads to pursue affairs. The story sparks a deeper conversation about whether to tell someone their spouse is cheating, and why some partners stay despite betrayal. "Break that stigma," Marissa challenges. "Why doesn't she want to leave him? He's a pig!" 

Despite these horror stories, we acknowledge dating apps do work for many—including our friend Nichol who's getting married to someone she met online. The key is maintaining boundaries and trusting your instincts about red flags.

The conversation shifts to mental health as Maressa shares her decision to return to therapy, emphasizing that therapy isn't just for crisis moments but ongoing self-improvement. "For me, therapy is ongoing," she explains. "I've been working so hard on bettering myself." Natalie reflects on her three-year relationship with her therapist, discussing how the frequency of sessions has evolved over time.

As summer approaches, we're planning adventures including a return to Spain—not just for fun, but to hold a memorial for our father, allowing friends who were like family to properly mourn him. Join us next week for a special episode featuring letters we've written to ourselves and each other!

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Codependency sneaks up on you. One day you're falling in love, and before you know it, you've lost your sense of self, walking on eggshells and apologizing for things that aren't your fault.
 
 We've both been there. As sisters who've weathered different kinds of relationship heartbreak, we're pulling back the curtain on codependent relationships – what they look like, how they form, and most importantly, how to break free.
 
 Maressa opens up about her realization: "I lost who I was. I lost myself as an individual. I feel like I lost a spark in me, where I was just like a zombie going through the motions." Meanwhile, Natalie reflects on how her self-care vanished during her marriage: "Self-care is selfish – that just shows the toxicity, that lack of control."
 
 The warning signs are everywhere once you know what to look for. Enabling your partner's problematic behavior. Making excuses for them. Avoiding difficult conversations. Apologizing excessively. Losing your boundaries. Sound familiar?
 
 Breaking codependent patterns isn't easy, but it starts with rediscovering yourself. We share practical strategies that helped us: prioritizing self-care without guilt, learning to value yourself without seeking approval, practicing self-compassion, and developing a backbone instead of people-pleasing.
 
 Our paths out of codependency were different – Natalie chose to leave her relationship, while Maressa's ex called off their wedding. Yet both journeys led to the same destination: rediscovering ourselves and building healthier boundaries.
 
 Join us for this vulnerable conversation about healing, growth, and the journey back to yourself. Whether you're in a relationship that doesn't feel quite right or healing from one that's ended, this episode offers both validation and a roadmap forward.
 
 Have you experienced codependency? We'd love to hear your story. Reach out to us on Instagram or through our podcast links.

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Heartbreak isn't just a solo journey—it ripples through families, changing dynamics and challenging bonds. When all three Lengway siblings found themselves single within the same year, what emerged wasn't just collective grief but an extraordinary opportunity for reconnection.

For our milestone 10th episode, we welcome our first-ever guest: our brother Chad. Positioned perfectly between us sisters in age, Chad offers the rare perspective of someone who witnessed both a sister's divorce and another's broken engagement from the sidelines. "It was lots of different emotions," he shares, describing the complex experience of losing not just in-laws but people he'd grown to consider brothers.

The conversation takes us through the painful realization that our father jokingly called out—"What's wrong with my kids?"—when all three of us were nursing broken hearts simultaneously in 2022. Chad opens up about his own relationship ending during this period, revealing how our shared heartbreak actually strengthened our sibling bond. Where we had once prioritized romantic relationships, we now found ourselves traveling together, rebuilding connections, and supporting each other's healing journeys.

We dive deep into toxic relationships, with Chad offering a powerful Finding Nemo metaphor about swimming in a dirty fishbowl where "no matter how many times you try to clean out the water, there is going to be a flake of toxicity that's going to end up continuing to grow." Each of us shares different healing strategies—from saunas to running to soccer with friends—highlighting that recovery looks different for everyone.

The episode culminates with reflections on our travels to Spain, representing how our renewed closeness blossomed after our breakups. As Chad notes, "The wound is where the light enters you," reminding us all that sometimes our deepest pain creates openings for extraordinary growth and connection.

Have a story about family support during heartbreak? Send us your experiences—we'd love to feature listener stories in future episodes!

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Dating after heartbreak requires a keen eye for warning signs that could prevent future pain. In this candid conversation, two sisters unpack the sometimes complex, often hilarious world of relationship flags - from the bright green signals of a promising match to the crimson warnings that should have us running for the hills.

Drawing from their personal dating disasters, they share stories that will have you nodding in recognition or gasping in disbelief. There's the infamous "shrimp tail incident," where a date casually grabbed and ate the discarded shrimp tails off Maressa's plate, claiming it was a "delicacy." Then there's the supposedly "divorced" man who suggested hotel room "staycations" instead of home visits - only for her to discover later his wife was pregnant!

The sisters explore how we often ignore early warning signs when we're attracted to someone, distinguishing between quirky behaviors we can accept and serious red flags that should never be overlooked. They emphasize that controlling behaviors, dishonesty, and how someone treats others reveal fundamental character traits that won't improve with time.

Green flags get equal attention, with the sisters highlighting the importance of emotional intelligence, respect for boundaries, and shared values. They acknowledge that while perfect partners don't exist, certain standards should never be compromised. As they put it: "You cannot change anybody and you will not change anybody."

Listen in for an honest, sometimes hilarious conversation about navigating the dating landscape with your eyes wide open. Whether you're actively dating or taking a break from romance, you'll walk away with sharper instincts for spotting both warning signs and promising green flags in potential partners.

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A wedding venue deposit became the foundation for an extraordinary transformation when Maressa's fiancé called off their wedding just four months before the big day. Rather than wallowing in heartache and financial loss, she made a bold decision that would become a cornerstone of her healing journey.
  
  With the help of a compassionate wedding coordinator, Maressa redirected her non-refundable deposits toward a lavish 30th birthday celebration. The Great Gatsby-themed extravaganza came complete with a champagne tower, saxophonist, and nearly 80 supportive friends and family members who witnessed her phoenix-like rise from the ashes of heartbreak.
  
  This wasn't just any party – it was a symbolic farewell to her twenties, a decade largely defined by a relationship that ultimately wasn't meant to be. The celebration represented Maressa reclaiming her narrative, choosing joy amid disappointment, and discovering profound self-love along the way.
  
  Through this experience, Maressa learned valuable lessons about healing on her own timeline. She embraced the wisdom that proper recovery from heartbreak often takes years rather than months. Most importantly, she discovered the freedom that comes from no longer molding herself to meet someone else's expectations.
  
  "I am so happy with who I am as an individual," Maressa shares with conviction. "I don't need a damn man right now because I'm so content in my life and confident in myself." Her story reminds us that sometimes our greatest setbacks create unexpected opportunities for growth, celebration, and self-discovery.
  
  Have you experienced a moment where disappointment transformed into something beautiful? We'd love to hear your story of resilience in the comments below.

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What happens when two sisters decide to bare their souls about heartbreak, healing, and the messy journey that follows? In this episode, we celebrate new goals and receiving our first fan mail while diving deep into the transformative power of life after relationship endings.

We explore a fascinating observation from a divorce lawyer about why women often thrive post-divorce. When you're no longer responsible for someone else's happiness, managing their emotions, or reminding them to take out the trash, you suddenly discover space to focus on yourself. This revelation has been particularly true for Natalie, who shares her journey of rediscovery after her relationship ended.

The conversation takes a vulnerable turn as we discuss the complex emotional landscape of grief and numbness. Six months after losing our father, we're navigating that delicate space between processing pain and protecting ourselves. Sometimes healing means sitting with apathy for a while before diving deeper into difficult emotions.

Against this backdrop of healing, we share the inspiring story of a friend who went from divorce to finding her perfect partner—proof that beautiful love stories can emerge from heartbreak. This sparks our discussion about dating apps versus organic connections, and the rare, immediate chemistry that feels like something from a romance novel.

By the episode's end, we're setting intentions for the week ahead: creating morning routines, continuing "sauna thoughts," training for races, and—most importantly—manifesting the relationships we truly deserve. Because if we can accidentally manifest a Jason "Bateman" commercial, surely we can manifest love that feels like magic.

Will you join us in manifesting better connections, deeper healing, and more authentic relationships? Listen, share, and let's grow together on this journey from heartbreak to wholeness.

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Getting knocked down repeatedly by life's challenges can make even the strongest person hesitant to open up again. This deeply personal episode explores the courage it takes to protect your peace when everything seems to keep changing.

Natalie vulnerably shares her hesitation about dating after divorce, revealing how therapy has helped her process the past while focusing on co-parenting three children. "I'm strong enough in all my relationships that if I have a feeling or instinct, I am emotionally and mentally stable enough to have that. But in beginning dating relationships, you're getting to know someone and trying to break through those barriers—and I don't think I want to do that right now."

The conversation flows naturally through boundaries—not just in romantic relationships, but with friends and family too. Both sisters agree on the importance of "friend breakups" when connections no longer serve you, likening these boundaries to the filter in Finding Nemo that slowly contaminated everything when it stopped working properly.

For listeners navigating co-parenting after divorce, Natalie offers wisdom gained through experience: "My biggest piece of advice would be to have patience and try to be the bigger person. When tensions are high, things get ugly. You've removed the love piece, so it's really hard to be objective." Her suggestion to stop taking things personally becomes a powerful tool—"It wasn't towards me, it was towards the situation."

Whether you're healing from heartbreak, setting new boundaries, or simply trying to stay afloat when grief keeps hitting in waves, this episode reminds us that protecting your peace isn't selfish—it's essential. As Natalie beautifully concludes, "If you stay objective, stay the course and keep your peace, it will get better."

Ready to hear more about rebuilding after loss? Subscribe now and join our community of listeners finding strength through shared experiences.

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