🎙 Episode 30

Losing a Child Changed Everything: A Psych Professor on Grief, Faith & Finding Meaning | Dave Roberts

What happens when a father loses his 18-year-old daughter to cancer… and nothing in his psychology training can prepare him for the grief?

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Dave Roberts—psychology professor, grief workshop leader, and co-author of When the Psychology Professor Met the Minister—shares how losing his daughter Janine shattered his worldview… and ultimately reshaped his faith, identity, and purpose.

#LosingAChild #GriefJourney #FaithAndHealing #MentalHealthMatters #CommonGroundPodcast #GriefSupport #LifeIsNotFair #Resilience #FindingMeaning #HealingAfterLoss #SpiritualGrowth #MarriageAfterLoss

This episode explores:

• What it really feels like to lose a child

• How grief impacts marriage differently for men and women

• The guilt fathers carry when they can’t “fix” it

• The intersection of psychology and spirituality

• Signs, faith, and spiritual awakening after loss

• Why “life isn’t fair” might be the most freeing truth

• How to find meaning when the worst happens

This is not surface-level grief talk. This is raw. Honest. Thoughtful. And respectful of differing beliefs.

Whether you’ve experienced child loss, are walking through grief, or simply want to understand the human capacity to survive tragedy — this conversation will move you.

💬 Have you ever experienced something you couldn’t explain?
Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s build Common Ground.

📌 Subscribe for weekly conversations that challenge perspectives and highlight shared humanity.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Grief is not a problem to solve—it’s a process to walk through.

• There is no “right” way to grieve—men and women process loss differently.

• Guilt often masks love and helplessness.

• Life is not fair—but how we respond shapes our future.

• You can honor someone you’ve lost without being consumed by the pain.

• Faith and doubt can coexist in grief.

• Forgiveness—of yourself, others, and even “life”—can unlock peace.

• Compassion is often born from suffering.

🔗 Guest: Dave Roberts

⁠Facebook: ⁠Dave Roberts

Instagram: ⁠Dave Roberts

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Dave Roberts

Email: [email protected]: DavidRobertsMSW.com

psychologyprofessorandminister.com.

Book: When the psychology professor met the minister is on Amazon  and also on my website

🎙️ Connect with The Common Ground Podcast:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Common Ground Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Phillygolive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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🎙️ EPISODE 29 Title: I Didn’t Know My Worth: Surviving Narcissistic Abuse & Reclaiming Your Life | Conitra Cowans

What happens when silence, trauma, and survival slowly erase your sense of self—and how do you find your way back?

In this powerful episode of The Common Ground Podcast, we sit down with Conitra Cowans—author, entrepreneur, domestic abuse advocate, and founder of Boujeez Steps Boutique—to unpack her journey through childhood sexual abuse, narcissistic and domestic violence, and the long road back to self-worth, faith, and identity.

#TheCommonGroundPodcast #ConitraCowans #KnowingYourWorth #NarcissisticAbuseRecovery #DomesticViolenceAwareness #TraumaHealing #EmotionalAbuse #SurvivorStories #ChooseYou #FaithAndHealing #WomenEmpowerment #BoundariesMatter #HealingJourney #ReclaimYourLife #BreakTheSilenceConitra opens up about:
• Being abused by a close family member at age 15
• How unhealed trauma led her into a narcissistic marriage
• Why silence is often mistaken for strength
• The hidden ways self-worth is stripped through emotional control
• How counseling, journaling, faith, and boundaries helped her heal
• Why “choosing yourself” is not failure—but freedom
• Turning pain into purpose as an author, business owner, and speaker

This conversation is raw, honest, and deeply validating for anyone who has ever felt trapped in survival mode, questioned their worth, or struggled to leave a toxic relationship—especially when faith, children, or fear complicated the decision.

If you or someone you love is navigating narcissistic abuse, domestic violence, trauma recovery, faith-based healing, or rebuilding after loss, this episode offers clarity, courage, and hope.

🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
💬 Join the conversation in the comments: What does “knowing your worth” mean to you today?

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Silence can protect you temporarily—but it often costs your identity
• Trauma doesn’t just happen to us—it shapes who we believe we are
• Knowing your worth starts with remembering who you were before survival mode
• Emotional and narcissistic abuse often hides behind “normal” relationships
• Self-worth is not selfish—it’s essential
• Healing is not earned by suffering; it’s reclaimed through truth
• Faith can be a foundation for worth, not a reason to stay trapped
• Leaving is not failing—losing yourself is
• Boundaries are acts of love, not rejection
• Your past does not disqualify you from purpose, leadership, or joy

🔗 Guest: Conitra Cowans

Website: Boujeez Steps Boutique

Facebook: Boujeez Steps Boutique

Instagram: Boujeez Steps

Book: I didn't know this is my worth

is on Amazon  and also on my website

🎙️ Connect with The Common Ground Podcast:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Common Ground Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Phillygolive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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What does it actually take to stay married for nearly three decades—and still genuinely like each other?

In this powerful and refreshingly honest episode of The Common Ground Podcast, we sit down with Byron & Margaret McKie, relationship coaches, podcast hosts, and best friends who have been married for 28 years. Their love story didn’t start with perfection—it started with friendship, honesty, hard conversations, and intentional growth.

#TheCommonGroundPodcast #MarriageAdvice #RelationshipPodcast #HealthyMarriage #LoveLanguages #MarriageCommunication #RelationshipGoals #MarriageMatters #CouplesPodcast #LongTermLove #EmotionalIntelligence #MarriageTips #ModernRelationships #BestFriendsInMarriage #CommitmentOverConvenience

Together, we unpack what most couples never talk about:
• Why friendship is the foundation of lasting marriage
• How love languages change over time—and how to adapt without resentment
• The difference between intention vs. impact in communication
• Why many people feel like they’re “walking on eggshells” in relationships
• When it is and is not healthy to “work through it”
• Why marriage isn’t hard—but life is, and how strong couples face it together
• The daily habits that quietly build (or break) connection

This episode is funny, raw, insightful, and deeply grounding—perfect for married couples, long-term partners, those considering marriage, or anyone who wants healthier, more honest relationships.

If you’ve ever wondered:
👉 “Can couples really stay best friends?”
👉 “Why do relationships fall apart so easily today?”
👉 “How do you keep love alive when people change?”

This conversation is for you.

🎧 Listen now and discover what 28 years of marriage can teach us about love, commitment, and choosing each other—every day.

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Marriage thrives on friendship before romance
• Love languages change—healthy couples adjust instead of keeping score
• Good communication is about listening, not defending
• You don’t need mind-reading—you need clear, honest conversations
• Small daily habits matter more than grand gestures
• Conflict doesn’t ruin relationships—avoiding it does
• You have to genuinely like your partner, not just love them
• Some red flags don’t disappear after “I do”—they get louder
• Strong marriages are built by choosing “we” over “me”
• Marriage isn’t about perfection—it’s about commitment, grace, and growth

🧠 IDEAL AUDIENCE

• Married & long-term couples
• Couples navigating communication challenges
• Relationship & marriage coaching audiences
• Listeners interested in love languages, emotional intelligence & commitment
• People questioning modern dating & marriage culture

🔗 Guest: Byron & Margaret Mckie

Email: [email protected]

website: beyondidopodcast.com

Facebook:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beyond I do

Instagram:⁠ Beyond I do

YouTube: @beyondidopodcast

Unlocking Forever  10 keys to successfulmarriage beyond I do - Available on Amazon
🎙️ Connect with The Common Ground Podcast:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Common Ground Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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When Co-Parenting Isn’t 50/50: What Really Happens Behind Closed Doors | Clover Johnston

When people say “co-parenting,” most assume it means 50/50. But what happens when it isn’t—when one parent is carrying the emotional load, the logistics, the finances… and the silence?

In this episode of The Common Ground Podcast, we sit down with Clover Johnston—co-parenting coach, mom of three, educator, and “citizen of the world”—to expose what co-parenting really looks like behind closed doors and why co-parenting is NOT the same as shared parenting.

Clover breaks down the difference with real-world examples (doctor visits, sick kids, school runs) and explains why modern parenting can’t survive on “checking in” energy. We talk about gender expectations, courts, parental alienation, and why the most important rule is simple—but brutal:

“You have to love your child more than you hate your ex.”

If you’re newly separated, drowning in the day-to-day, dealing with a low-effort co-parent, or trying to build a healthier system for your kids—this conversation will give you language, clarity, and practical steps.

#CoParenting #SharedParenting #ParentingAfterDivorce #ChildCustody #SingleParents #DivorceSupport #CoParentingCoach #CommonGroundPodcast #DivorceRecovery #ParentingAfterDivorce #FamilyCourt✅ In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between co-parenting vs shared parenting

• Why “50/50” often fails in real life—and what to aim for instead

• The 4 must-dos of child-centered co-parenting

• How to reduce conflict and stop using kids as messengers

• What to do when the other parent refuses to cooperate

• How to build a parenting plan before court becomes the only option

💬 Comment below: What’s the hardest part of co-parenting for you right now?

🔑 Key Takeaways

1. Co-parenting ≠ shared parenting. “Checking in” isn’t the same as sharing responsibility.

2. The goal isn’t “50/50 effort”—it’s 100% investment from both parents when possible.

3. Gender roles still shape co-parenting expectations, often leaving one parent overloaded.

4. Kids learn from what they observe, not what adults claim—tone, grimaces, and texts matter.

5. Badmouthing a co-parent damages the child’s identity because they’re 50% of each parent.

6. The “4 must-dos” framework: prioritize parenting time, stay geographically close when possible, no parental alienation, and get support/coaching for conflict + communication.

7. Courts should be the last resort, but access to your child is non-negotiable.

8. The baseline rule: Love your child more than you hate your ex.

🔗 Guest: Clover Johnston

Facebook:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Clover Johnston

Instagram: Coparentingcoachclover

YouTube: Cloverjohnston3046

🎙️ Connect with The Common Ground Podcast:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Common Ground Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Phillygolive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔔 New here? Follow The Common Ground Podcast for more real conversations where stories connect, perspectives collide, and purpose is found in the middle.

What happens when childhood trauma teaches you to confuse chaos with love—and you spend decades trapped in a relationship that slowly erases you?

In this powerful episode of The Common Ground Podcast, we sit down with Regina Hiremath, author, life coach, and survivor of a 23-year narcissistic marriage, to unpack what she calls “Onesome”—the journey back home to yourself after emotional abuse.

Regina shares her deeply personal story of losing her grandmother (the first place she ever felt loved), growing up unseen and unloved, and unknowingly repeating trauma patterns that led her into long-term narcissistic abuse. Together, we explore narcissistic blindness, trauma bonds, faith, boundaries, and the moment her body finally said enough—a breaking point that became the beginning of her healing.

#TheCommonGroundPodcast #ReginaHiremath #Onesome #NarcissisticAbuseRecovery #NarcissisticBlindness #TraumaHealing #EmotionalAbuse #TraumaBond #InnerChildHealing #Boundaries #FaithAndHealing #SelfReclamation #MentalHealthAwareness #SurvivorStories #HealingJourney #CommonGroundProjectUSA

This episode is for anyone who:

• Keeps asking, “Am I the problem?”

• Feels trapped in a relationship that looks fine on the outside but destroys them privately

• Struggles with faith, guilt, or fear when setting boundaries

• Is ready to stop surviving and start living in peace

You’ll hear about:
• Narcissistic blindness and why survivors gaslight themselves
• How childhood wounds normalize chaos in adult relationships
• The “dishwasher moment” that changed everything
• Trauma bonds vs. real love
• Why boundaries feel cruel—but are actually lifesaving
• Faith, forgiveness, and why you can’t serve God and a narcissist at the same time
• What “Onesome” really means—and how to get there

This conversation is raw, compassionate, and deeply validating for survivors—while still offering accountability, clarity, and hope.

🔑 Key Takeaways

1. Narcissistic blindness isn’t weakness — it’s a survival adaptation formed in childhood

2. Familiar chaos can feel safer than unfamiliar peace

3. Trauma bonds often masquerade as loyalty, love, or faithfulness

4. The body always knows before the mind does

5. Boundaries don’t harm healthy people—only those benefiting from your lack of them

6. You can love someone from a distance without sacrificing yourself

7. Healing isn’t becoming someone new—it’s stripping away what you were never meant to carry

8. “Onesome” is not loneliness—it’s being fully at home within yourself

9. Faith should never trap you in abuse

10. Peace is not dramatic—it’s quiet, steady, and life-giving

👇 Comment below: What part of your story are you ready to unpack so you can finally come home to yourself?

🔗 Guest: Regina Hiremath

Website:⁠ ⁠Alimonialife.com

🎙️ Connect with The Common Ground Podcast:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Common Ground Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Phillygolive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔔 New here? Follow The Common Ground Podcast for more real conversations where stories connect, perspectives collide, and purpose is found in the middle.

What happens when you lose your career and your marriage—and the life you built no longer exists?

In Episode 25 of The Common Ground Podcast, we sit down with Jonathan Emery (host of Life’s Checkmark) for a powerful, honest conversation about the moment divorce stops being paperwork… and becomes an identity collapse.

Jonathan shares how losing a job after 20 years and facing divorce in the same season forced him to confront the hard questions men rarely say out loud:
Who am I without my title? Without my marriage? Without the routine that defined me?

This episode is for anyone who feels lost, broken, ashamed, or stuck—and needs proof that rebuilding is possible.

#TheCommonGroundPodcast #CommonGroundProjectUSA #JonathanEmery #DivorceRecovery #MensMentalHealth #StartingOver #HealingJourney #IdentityShift #EmotionalHealing #MensWork #BreakupRecovery #MarriageStruggles #LifeAfterDivorce #SelfImprovement #MentalHealthAwareness #FaithAndHealing #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #HealingIsPossible #HopeAndHealingIn this episode, we talk about:

• The quiet signs a marriage is shifting (and why men often miss them)

• When “commitment” becomes self-betrayal

• The identity crisis men face after divorce (and why it’s rarely discussed)

• Morning routines, men’s groups, and the habits that saved him mentally

• Why “hope” is the difference between healing and depression

• Confidence after divorce: micro-wins that rebuild a man from the ground up

• How men can learn emotional communication without losing strength

• Why community and mentorship are essential—especially for men

Key Takeaways

1. Divorce isn’t just a relationship ending—it’s often an identity collapse.

2. Men are conditioned to endure silently, which can turn pain into isolation.

3. Commitment requires two people—otherwise it becomes self-abandonment.

4. Healing isn’t instant or linear; it’s rebuilt through daily choices.

5. Morning routines create stability when life feels unstable.

6. Micro-wins rebuild confidence faster than chasing massive breakthroughs.

7. Community reduces risk—men need brotherhood, mentorship, and safe spaces to talk.

8. Hope is a survival tool: without a “promised land” vision, depression grows.

9. Communication is a skill, not a personality trait—and it can be learned.

10. Starting over doesn’t mean you failed—it can mean you’re being refined.

If you’re navigating divorce, separation, a major life reset, or rebuilding after a personal collapse—this conversation will hit home.

Comment below: What’s one “micro-win” that helped you rebuild your confidence after a hard season?

🔗 Guest: Jonathan Emery

Website:⁠ Lifes Checkmark.com

On LinkedIn: Jonathan Emery

Facebook: Jonathan Emery

Instagram: Jonathan.emery.167

🎙️ Connect with The Common Ground Podcast:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Common Ground Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Phillygolive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔔 New here? Follow The Common Ground Podcast for more real conversations where stories connect, perspectives collide, and purpose is found in the middle.

What happens when success stops feeling aligned—and faith starts leading the way?

In Episode 24 of The Common Ground Podcast, we sit down with Priyanka Khandalkar, an engineer-turned-CEO, Tony Robbins & Dan Graziosi trainer, and founder of Synergy, to unpack what it really takes to scale a business without burning out your soul.

Priyanka shares her powerful journey from corporate engineering roles at brands like John Deere and Volkswagen to helping 1,200+ businesses scale with intention, structure, and spiritual alignment. This is not hustle culture—it’s purpose-driven leadership.

#TheCommonGroundPodcast #PriyankaKhandalkar #WomenInBusiness #EngineerToCEO #FaithAndBusiness #FeminineLeadership #PurposeDriven #AlignmentOverHustle #WomenEntrepreneurs #LeadershipWithFaith #DivineFeminine #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessWithPurpose #ChristianEntrepreneur #ScalingWithIntegrity #FaithLedLeadership #SingleMomCEO #WomenWhoLead #CommonGroundProjectUSAWe explore:

• Why success without alignment creates anxiety and burnout

• The moment Priyanka knew it was time to leave her 9-to-5

• How faith + structure unlock sustainable growth

• Masculine vs. feminine energy in leadership, marriage, and business

• Why strong women need strong support systems to thrive

• Single motherhood, entrepreneurship, and leading with grace

• Delegation, systems, and creating space for creativity and peace

• Why ambition doesn’t mean selfish—and faith doesn’t mean passive

This episode is a must-listen for women in business, faith-driven entrepreneurs, leaders navigating burnout, and anyone questioning whether success and peace can coexist.

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Success ≠ Alignment — burnout is often a signal, not a failure

• Faith-led entrepreneurship requires structure AND surrender

• Feminine leadership thrives with safety, support, and vision

• Delegation isn’t weakness—it’s spiritual stewardship

• Strong women don’t intimidate the right partners—they activate them

• Healing personal misalignment transforms business outcomes

• Peace is built through systems, boundaries, and intention

• You don’t need permission to follow conviction—only clarity

🎧 Now streaming on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts

👇 Comment below: Where in your life do you need more alignment—not just achievement?

🔗 Guest: Priyanka Khandalkar

Website: synrgee.net

Free gift: getyoursop.com

On LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram: Priyanka Khandalkar

🎙️ Connect with The Common Ground Podcast:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Common Ground Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Phillygolive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔔 New here? Follow The Common Ground Podcast for more real conversations where stories connect, perspectives collide, and purpose is found in the middle.

What if trauma isn’t just something you “think” about… but something your body carries?

In Episode 23 of The Common Ground Podcast, we sit down with Jamie Hughes — social psychologist, author, and holistic mental health educator — to break down why so many people feel stuck after years of talk therapy, and what changes when you treat trauma like a nervous system issue, not just a mindset problem.

Jamie shares his personal story of losing his mother at age 8, being thrust into an abusive home, living with untreated depression for years, and how that journey led him to a holistic framework that integrates mind + body + diet + movement + environment.

#TraumaHealing #HolisticHealth #MentalHealth #TheBodyKeepsTheScore #NervousSystemHealing #SomaticHealing #TalkTherapy #AnxietyRelief #DepressionRecovery #GutBrainConnection #Mindfulness #Breathwork #BoxBreathing #HealingJourney #CommonGroundPodcast #ChildhoodTrauma #PTSDRecovery #Resilience #WellnessTools #MentalHealthAwareness #HolisticMentalHealth #TraumaInformedThis conversation covers:

• Why talk therapy alone often plateaus

• “The Body Keeps the Score” and how trauma lives in the nervous system

• The gut-brain connection (dopamine/serotonin and why diet matters)

• Mindfulness without the misconceptions

• The real role of medication: tool, not identity

• Why labels can help you understand… but shouldn’t define you

• Box breathing and body-based tools for fight-or-flight

• Becoming a “student of yourself” and learning to advocate for your health

If you’ve ever wondered why you’re still anxious, depressed, or reactive even after “doing the work,” this episode will give you language, clarity, and practical direction.

Key Takeaways

1. Talk therapy can help, but it may not be sufficient if the nervous system stays stuck in survival mode.

2. Trauma is stored in the body, not only the brain—healing must include body-based practices.

3. Holistic care isn’t anti-medication; it’s pro-whole-person and depends on severity and symptoms.

4. The gut-brain connection matters: mental health is tied to sleep, food, movement, and inflammation.

5. Labels can clarify a path forward, but they shouldn’t become your identity or a lifelong sentence.

6. Breathwork (box breathing) is a fast, accessible tool to lower fight-or-flight in real time.

7. Become a student of yourself: ask questions, track patterns, and advocate for your own health.

Watch now — and comment your biggest takeaway.

🔗 Guest: Jamie Hughes
Website: managingmentalhealth.net

🎙️ Connect with The Common Ground Podcast:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Common Ground Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Phillygolive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔔 New here? Follow The Common Ground Podcast for more real conversations where stories connect, perspectives collide, and purpose is found in the middle.

What if the relationship didn’t “break” you… but revealed what needed to heal?

In Episode 22 of The Common Ground Podcast, we sit down with Stephanie McPhail, MS—CEO of Being Loved Shouldn’t Hurt, certified coach, crisis counselor, Reiki practitioner, author, and co-founder of the Divorce Support Network—for a powerful conversation about leaving abuse, healing deeply, and building a life you’re excited to wake up to (whether you’re single or partnered).

Stephanie shares her raw story of surviving an emotionally and physically abusive marriage—and the turning point that changed everything: realizing she was the common denominator in repeated toxic relationships. Not as self-blame, but as empowerment—because if you can see the pattern, you can break it.

#TheCommonGroundPodcast #ToxicRelationships #EmotionalAbuse #DomesticViolenceAwareness #HealingJourney #TraumaBonding #LoveBombing #NarcissisticAbuse #RelationshipHealing #DivorceRecovery #Boundaries #SelfWorth #WomenHealing #PersonalGrowth #MentalHealthMatters #HealthyRelationships #BreakTheCycle #CodependencyRecovery #HealingAfterAbuse #CommonGroundProjectUSATogether, we unpack:

• Why people stay in abusive relationships longer than outsiders understand

• Love-bombing, trauma bonding, and the “addiction” cycle that keeps you stuck

• Subtle red flags (control, isolation, jealousy) that escalate over time

• How to mourn the “death” of a relationship so you don’t repeat it

• Why healing isn’t “going back”—it’s becoming who you really are

• The prevention conversation we’re not having: why we don’t teach healthy relationships early enough

• How to rebuild confidence, boundaries, and passion after toxic love

If you’ve ever asked “Why did I stay?” or “Why do I keep choosing the same kind of person?”—this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways

1. Toxic isn’t “mistakes”—it’s when damage becomes the norm.

2. Love-bombing creates a false “beginning” you keep chasing later.

3. Trauma bonding can mimic addiction—withdrawal is real and powerful.

4. You can’t heal what you won’t name. Recognizing your patterns is not blame; it’s power.

5. Red flags escalate over time (control, rage, jealousy, isolation, monitoring, threats).

6. Mourn the relationship. Grief is part of closure—even when it was harmful.

7. Time alone isn’t healing. Avoidance can last years; growth requires intentional work.

8. Build “Team You.” Healing accelerates with outside support (coach/therapist/community).

9. Boundaries aren’t walls—they’re a gate. Protection without isolation.

10. Healing is not rebuilding who you were—it’s designing who you’re becoming.

Watch / Listen now, and drop your biggest takeaway in the comments.

🔗 Connect with Stephanie:
Website: beinglovedshouldnthurt.com
Email: [email protected]
Text: 631-317-4027

🎙️ Connect with The Common Ground Podcast:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Common Ground Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Phillygolive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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From sleeping in a car and praying not to freeze… to rebuilding a life with purpose, faith, and a mission to help others—Ric “Mystro” shares a redemption story you won’t forget.

In this powerful Episode 21 of The Common Ground Podcast, John “PhillyGoLive” Fletcher and Sydney Curtin sit down with Ric aka Mystro—artist, author, filmmaker, and founder of Innovative Media Atlanta—to unpack the real turning points that took him from repeat offender, alcohol-fueled anger, and homelessness to a cleared record, rebuilt credit, entrepreneurship, and a purpose-driven life in Christ.

This conversation goes deep on setbacks, surrender, and what it actually takes to stop living lukewarm—especially when the past keeps trying to define you. If you’ve ever felt like your mistakes disqualified you, this episode is proof that redemption is real—and transformation is possible.

#TheCommonGroundPodcast #Redemption #FaithAndPurpose #SecondChances #OvercomingAddiction #Transformation #ChristianPodcast #Hope #CommonGroundProjectUSA #LifeStory

In this episode, we talk about:

• What homelessness taught Ric about gratitude, discipline, and “stuff”

• How alcohol fueled cycles of anger—and what finally broke the loop

• Why accountability is the first step to change (no excuses, no blame)

• Faith, identity in Christ, and the moment his testimony shifted everything

• Redemption as “doing more right” after years of doing wrong

• Masculinity, vulnerability, and why real strength tells the truth

• A message for anyone one choice away from throwing it all away

If this episode hit you, comment your biggest takeaway and share it with someone who needs hope today.

Key Takeaways

1. Rock bottom can become a foundation—not a final destination.

2. Accountability is the turning point: “I was the common denominator.”

3. Alcohol didn’t create the anger—it amplified what was unresolved.

4. Redemption is lived, not claimed: doing right long enough to rebuild trust.

5. Your past can explain you, but it doesn’t have to define you.

6. Vulnerability is strength: you can’t heal what you won’t reveal.

7. Faith isn’t a crutch—it’s a compass for direction when life is unstable.

8. Purpose grows when you stop forcing relationships and follow what’s aligned.

9. Consistency (church/community) keeps you from drifting back.

10. There is a way back from anything—even when you’ve been to the darkest place.

🔗 Connect with Ric "Mystro"

• Instagram: ricmystroholcombjr
• Facebook: Ric Mystro Holcolmb Jr
• Website: thecreativemystro.com

🎙️ Connect with The Common Ground Podcast:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Common Ground Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Phillygolive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔔 New here? Follow The Common Ground Podcast for more real conversations where stories connect, perspectives collide, and purpose is found in the middle.