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Episode 2713:

Susan Chanderbhan explores two crucial aspects of emotional well-being: recognizing the often-hidden signs of emotional abuse in relationships and offering meaningful support to loved ones struggling with mental health challenges. Her insights remind us that abuse doesn’t always leave visible scars and that true support comes from listening, educating ourselves, and encouraging professional help when needed.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.chandpsych.com/blog/is-your-relationship-emotionally-abusive-6-sure-signs & https://www.chandpsych.com/blog/mental-healthcare-supporting-your-loved-one

Quotes to ponder:

"Physical wounds heal, but emotional scars can last for years."

"Extreme jealousy or possessiveness is another form of emotional abuse."

"Educating yourself, listening, and encouraging your loved one to get help are key elements to helping them through their struggles."

Episode references:

National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org

National Institute of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov

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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 2712:

Michael Smith warns how unchecked college costs and easy credit can derail young adults before they start, then lays out practical ways parents can prepare kids early to make smarter, lower-cost education choices. You’ll hear strategies for building money skills, comparing true ROI of schools and majors, and pursuing scholarships and alternative paths that keep opportunity high and debt low.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.financialfinesse.com/2012/06/08/i-dont-want-my-kids-to-be-crushed-by-student-loans-do-you/

Quotes to ponder:

"It’s becoming increasingly common for me to see people who are paying more each month in student loan payments than they are for rent."

"Is there a benefit for paying $60,000 per year that you can’t get by paying $5,000 - $10,000?"

"One of the best gifts you can give your children is to help them avoid a lifetime of debt after graduation."

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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 2711:

Cari Dugan reflects on the deep meaning of marriage vows as she recounts her journey with Michael through financial struggles, sickness, and seasons of growth. Her story illustrates how love becomes more tangible in hardship and how true commitment is forged by choosing to serve and support each other in both the beautiful and the difficult moments of life.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://ericalayne.co/marriage-diaries-weight-vows/

Quotes to ponder:

"We had nothing but we had each other. I still look back at that time in our life as a time when life was beautiful."

"I always knew Michael loved me but it was during that time that his love was made concrete. I could visibly see it. I could feel it in a way that I couldn’t before."

"I think it was then that I learned that it is possible to still love even when we are on the brink of ourselves."

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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 2710:

A calm and intentional evening routine can transform mornings from chaotic to smooth. Cara Harvey shares practical strategies for prepping ahead, like setting out clothes, packing bags, and planning time blocks, while also reminding moms to carve out time for personal growth, self-care, and reflection. Her approach balances household organization with mental well-being, helping moms end the day with peace and purpose.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://apurposedrivenmom.com/evening-routine-stay-at-home-moms/

Quotes to ponder:

"Prepping for tomorrow really allows you to start your day with ease because you have things done and know what to expect."

"I like to close out my day with time for me and, as a stay at home mom, it’s very important you do the same."

"By ending your day for you, you’ll go to bed with less anxiety, more peace and feeling jazzed about the next day."

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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 2709:

Cara Harvey emphasizes the importance of an intentional evening routine for stay-at-home moms, noting that it sets the stage for calmer mornings and less stress. By breaking the evening into three parts, closing out today, preparing for tomorrow, and making space for yourself, she shows how small, consistent actions can reduce decision fatigue and build a sense of progress and flexibility.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://apurposedrivenmom.com/evening-routine-stay-at-home-moms/

Quotes to ponder:

"A good evening routine will set up your day for success."

"This is not the time to complete your entire to do list, berate yourself for ‘not doing enough’, or feel like a failure, this is the time when you get done what you know will decrease your stress and set you up for success tomorrow."

"Remember, there is power in a checklist."

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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 2708:

Shelby Forsythia explores the often-overlooked emotional toll of breakups, contrasting them with the grief of death. While death halts a shared future, breakups add the unique pain of witnessing an ex continue building a life without you. She calls for greater societal recognition of breakup grief, encouraging empathy, acknowledgment, and the space to honor what was lost.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://medium.com/@shelbyforsythia/the-crucial-difference-between-a-death-and-a-breakup-12c84747d538

Quotes to ponder:

"Death is different than a breakup. They both hurt in totally different ways. Them still being alive just gives us new things to grieve."

"With death, you mourn the future. But in a breakup, you mourn the future and then have to watch your ex live a new future without you."

"We need to honor our breakups, not just in the moments they happen, but as they continue to impact our lives."

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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 2707:

Keith Wilson explains that real healing comes from making amends, not just offering apologies. Words alone cannot repair harm. Actions that directly or indirectly restore trust, safety, and respect are essential, even if full reconciliation is impossible. His insights offer a practical framework for addressing past wrongs with integrity and foresight.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://keithwilsoncounseling.com/2017/03/10/making-amends-is-better-than-making-apologies/

Quotes to ponder:

"Making amends repairs the damage; making apologies is only a promise to repair the damage."

"You’ll want to be careful that, in your eagerness to be rid of your guilt or achieve reconciliation, you don’t cause more harm by attempting to make unwanted direct amends."

"Keep your flowers, then, along with your apologies; rather, give the flowers to someone else who could use them."

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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 2706:

Rebecca Crespo offers compassionate, actionable steps to release emotional ties when holding on becomes too painful. Through self-reflection, boundary setting, and embracing acceptance, she guides readers toward healing and creating space for healthier connections. It’s a gentle yet empowering reminder that letting go is not about forgetting but about choosing peace over pain.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.minimalismmadesimple.com/home/let-go-of-someone

Quotes to ponder:

"Letting go of someone you love is one of the hardest things you will ever have to do."

"When we hold on to someone who is no longer meant to be in our lives, we are only prolonging our own pain."

"Letting go is not about forgetting, it’s about choosing to move forward."

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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 2705:

Couples who thrive over time tend to “turn toward” one another, facing vulnerability, taking responsibility for mistakes, and embracing empathy, rather than turning away in resentment or detachment. Through the moving story of Jack and Dana, Dr. Margaret Rutherford shows how mutual accountability and heartfelt apologies can rebuild trust, even after years of missed opportunities for connection. Her insights offer a clear path toward transforming regret into renewed commitment.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://drmargaretrutherford.com/knowing-what-you-know-today-would-you-still-marry-your-partner/

Quotes to ponder:

"I know I dominated the family. I didn’t know how to be any other way."

"I allowed Jack to dominate our relationship. There were reasons."

"It’s never too late to turn toward them to ask for their understanding or forgiveness, to build a more intimate bond."

Episode references:

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Principles-Making-Marriage-Work/dp/0553447718

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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 2704:

Crystal Karges explores the emotional and identity shifts that come with new motherhood, challenging the harmful idea that postpartum wellness is defined by weight loss. She offers compassionate, practical strategies, like intuitive eating, gentle movement, and releasing unrealistic expectations, to help mothers honor their bodies, protect mental health, and embrace this transformative season without succumbing to diet culture.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.crystalkarges.com/blog/why-weight-loss-doesnt-mean-wellness-in-postpartum

Quotes to ponder:

"Choosing to care for your body by not forcing an arbitrary standard of weight loss does not mean you are letting yourself go."

"You just need to give yourself care, compassion, and time to bloom where you have been planted in this new season of life."

"Hanging on to clothes that don’t fit your changing, postpartum body will only worsen your body image and make you feel bad about yourself."

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