Want a Good Relationship? 3 Things to Do Before & After You’re In One | The Hidden Pages Podcast

Love is beautiful, messy, and sometimes downright confusing. Whether you're single and preparing for love or in a relationship and wanting to strengthen it, this episode of The Hidden Pages Podcast is for you.

I share three things you need to do before getting into a relationship and three things to maintain a strong, lasting partnership once you're in one. After 13 years together, 7 years of marriage, and raising a child, I’ve learned that love isn’t just about finding the right person—it’s about choosing them every day and doing the inner work to build something real.

Join me as I share personal stories, relationship lessons, and insights on what truly makes a relationship thrive.

✨ Visit The Hidden Pages Podcast website for detailed show notes, more episodes, and ways to connect.

🔖 Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction: Why relationships take work
01:00 - My love story: 13 years, long distance, and major life changes
06:40 - 3 things to do before getting into a relationship
07:00 - Know who you are and what you want
08:45 - Heal your wounds (your partner isn’t responsible for them)
09:50 - Be okay with being alone first
10:30 - 3 things to do to maintain a relationship
11:00 - Choose your partner every day
12:40 - Communicate like you’re on the same team
14:30 - Keep laughing and having fun together
16:50 - Final thoughts: Love is about growth, not perfection

💬 Let’s Connect:

Follow me for updates, relationship tips, and real talk about love!
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📚 Keywords for Your Journey:

healthy relationships, relationship advice, preparing for love, self-love before dating, relationship growth, how to build a strong relationship, marriage advice, dating in your 30s, emotional maturity in relationships, choosing the right partner

In this relatable and candid episode of The Hidden Pages Podcast, I dive deep into what it means to go through a quarter-life crisis—because, trust me, I’m living it right now. If you’ve ever found yourself questioning your career, your passions, or even who you truly are in your 30s, you're not alone.

We explore:

The truth is, your 30s are not too late to redefine your path, and this episode will help you take that first step toward a life that feels authentic and fulfilling.

✨ Visit The Hidden Pages Podcast website for detailed show notes, more episodes, and ways to connect.

🔖 Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Welcome to The Hidden Pages Podcast
01:14 - What is a quarter-life crisis, and why am I feeling this way?
03:50 - Why we made decisions that don’t fit our true selves
07:10 - The pressure to have it all figured out in your 20s
10:30 - How to start clearing the path for the real you
14:15 - Exploring your passions without fear of failure
17:40 - Why it’s never too late to start over
20:00 - Practical steps to finding yourself again
22:30 - Your challenge: Three things to explore this month

📚 Episode Resources & Links:

Books That Inspired This Episode:

Practical Tools for Your Journey:

💬 Let’s Connect:

Follow me for updates, challenges, and healing tips!
📸 Instagram: @hiddenpagespodcast
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📚 Keywords for Your Journey:

quarter-life crisis, finding yourself in your 30s, self-discovery journey, starting over in your 30s, navigating life changes, overcoming feeling stuck, embracing personal growth, how to find your passion again, career pivot in your 30s, reinventing yourself at any age

🎧 Listen now and take the first step toward rediscovering yourself!

In this deeply personal episode of The Hidden Pages Podcast, I open up about why I feel compelled to speak out about the ongoing Palestine conflict. As someone with close personal ties—my husband is half-Palestinian, and my daughter carries Palestinian heritage—this issue is more than just a headline; it's personal.

This episode isn’t about politics or changing anyone’s mind—it’s about humanizing individuals, breaking down harmful generalizations, and standing for shared humanity. I reflect on my experiences with cultural generalization as an immigrant and how it has shaped my perspective on the importance of identity, empathy, and speaking out for those who can’t.

Whether you're deeply invested in this issue or just looking to understand it from a human perspective, my hope is to encourage compassion and remind us all that everyone deserves freedom and safety.

✨ Visit The Hidden Pages Podcast website for detailed show notes, more episodes, and ways to connect.

🔖 Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Welcome and trigger warning
01:06 - My personal connection to the Palestine conflict
03:00 - The dangers of generalizing cultures and conflicts
06:12 - The impact of cultural identity and why it matters
09:25 - The human cost of the conflict: why I had to take a break
12:40 - Why I chose to speak out now
15:00 - Challenging biases and standing for humanity
17:30 - Final thoughts and the importance of compassion

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Educational Resources:

Books to Explore:

Ways to Help:

💬 Let’s Connect:

Follow me for updates, challenges, and healing tips!
📸 Instagram: @hiddenpagespodcast
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📚 Keywords for Your Journey:

Palestine conflict explained, human cost of war, standing with Palestine, personal stories about Palestine, Gaza conflict, breaking down cultural stereotypes, understanding humanity in war, why I stand with Palestine, immigrant experiences and identity, empathy in a divided world

🎧 Tune in now and let’s have an honest conversation about humanity beyond the headlines.

In this deeply personal episode of The Hidden Pages Podcast, I open up about starting over in my 30s and rediscovering my long-lost passion—art. After years of therapy and shedding layers of expectations, I finally reached a place where I could explore who I am beyond the roles I’ve been expected to fill.

Through my journey, I’ve realized that it's never too late to pursue what truly lights you up. Inspired by The Artist's Wayby Julia Cameron, I’m embracing creativity, overcoming self-doubt, and taking steps toward a life that aligns with my true self.

If you're in your 30s (or beyond) and feel like you've missed your chance to follow your passion, this episode is for you. Whether you're longing for a fresh start or just need encouragement to reconnect with what you love, know that it’s never too late to begin again.

✨ Visit The Hidden Pages Podcast website for detailed show notes, more episodes, and ways to connect.

🔖 Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Welcome to The Hidden Pages Podcast
01:14 - My year of healing and the journey to self-discovery
03:50 - How I realized I didn’t know myself anymore
07:10 - The emotional process of finding my true self
10:30 - Why I never allowed myself to pursue art
14:15 - The Artist’s Way and reconnecting with creativity
17:40 - The fear of failing and embracing my dream
20:00 - My goals for 2025 and pursuing art without pressure
22:30 - Encouragement for anyone feeling stuck in their dreams

📚 Episode Resources & Links:

People I love that inspired me:

LETTER IT OUT By Jenn Lee Instagram

LETTER IT OUT By Jenn Lee BOOK

Jenn Lee Creates Instagram

Jenn Lee Creates Website

Charly Clements Instagram

Charly Clements Portrait Party

💬 Let’s Connect:

Follow me for updates, challenges, and healing tips!
📸 Instagram: @hiddenpagespodcast
🎥 TikTok: @thehiddenpagespodcast

📚 Keywords for Your Journey:

rediscovering passion in your 30s, starting over in your 30s, finding purpose through art, self-discovery podcast, following your dreams later in life, personal growth journey, healing through creativity, the artist's way challenge, overcoming self-doubt, embracing creativity at any age

🎧 Tune in now and let’s embrace our creative journey together!

In this empowering episode of The Hidden Pages Podcast, I sit down with Mary Ruiz, a provisionally licensed counselor with an incredible story of transformation. Mary shares how she went from helping manage a multimillion-dollar company to completely pivoting her life and career in her 30s, all while prioritizing her mental health and well-being.

Together, we peel back the layers of societal expectations to get real about what it takes to uncover your dream life. This episode is for anyone who feels stuck or unable to pivot toward a more authentic and fulfilling existence. We discuss the importance of self-compassion, letting go of what no longer serves you, and the courage it takes to embrace who you truly are.

If you’re ready to stop feeling trapped by societal pressures and start living authentically, this episode will leave you inspired and encouraged to take that first step.

✨ Visit The Hidden Pages Podcast website for detailed show notes, more episodes, and ways to connect.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction to the Hidden Pages Podcast
02:15 - The weight of societal expectations and peeling back the layers
06:30 - Mary Ruiz’s story: Leaving corporate success to prioritize well-being
12:45 - Dr. Kristin Neff’s approach to self-compassion and discovering your true self
18:00 - How societal roles shape our identity and create feelings of being stuck
24:30 - The fear of pivoting in life and how to overcome it
31:15 - Redefining success: Living authentically and letting go of external pressures
38:00 - The power of self-compassion in creating your dream life
45:20 - Building self-awareness and identifying what truly makes you happy
51:40 - Practical steps to begin living authentically
56:00 - Final reflections and encouragement to take the first step toward change

Episode Resources & Links:

Follow me for updates, challenges, and healing tips!
📸 Instagram: @hiddenpagespodcast
🎥 TikTok: @thehiddenpagespodcast

discovering purpose, societal expectations, redefining success, personal growth, self-compassion, Dr. Kristin Neff, mental health, career pivot, embracing change, Hidden Pages Podcast, Mary Ruiz interview, Vanessa Saleh

In this raw and vulnerable episode of The Hidden Pages Podcast, I share my experience navigating what I call the “purgatory phase” of personal growth. This messy, in-between stage—where you’ve outgrown who you once were but haven’t yet become who you’re meant to be—can feel isolating and uncertain, but it’s also where transformation takes root.

I dive into why personal growth often feels lonely, the cost of losing old relationships, and the joy of discovering new, aligned connections. I also reflect on my own journey, from questioning everything to finding my "gold friends," while anchoring myself in the "why" behind my healing journey.

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure during your growth journey, this episode reminds you that you’re not alone. The messy middle is part of the process—and it’s preparing you for the person you’re becoming.

🔖 Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction to the "purgatory phase" of personal growth
01:00 - Understanding the loneliness of this in-between stage
02:15 - Why growth feels isolating and staying connected to your "why"
04:06 - The cost of growth: losing relationships and mourning change
05:28 - Personal story: Finding "gold friends" who support your journey
09:00 - How to stay motivated in a journey that feels endless

Take a moment this week to reflect and write down your "whys"—the unshakable reasons behind your growth journey. What keeps you going when the path feels uncertain? Let this clarity guide you through the messy middle.

📌 One-Week Challenge: Take a moment this week to reflect and write down your "whys"—the unshakable reasons behind your growth journey. What keeps you going when the path feels uncertain? Let this clarity guide you through the messy middle.

💬 Let’s Connect:

Follow me for updates, challenges, and healing tips!
📸 Instagram: @hiddenpagespodcast
🎥 TikTok: @thehiddenpagespodcast

personal growth, self-discovery, loneliness in growth, purgatory phase, emotional healing, finding your why, self-care, breaking generational cycles, gold friends, navigating change

📚 Keywords for Your Journey: personal growth, self-discovery, loneliness in growth, purgatory phase, emotional healing, finding your why, self-care, breaking generational cycles, gold friends, navigating change

In this episode of The Hidden Pages Podcast, I, Vanessa Saleh, tackle the profound and deeply personal topic of breaking generational trauma. Inspired by a powerful quote from Terry Real, I reflect on what it means to be a generational trauma breaker—the person who decides to stop the cycle of pain and dysfunction.

I share my own journey of recognizing and addressing these inherited patterns, exploring how trauma can affect not only our lives but even our DNA. Together, we’ll navigate the incredible weight of carrying this responsibility, the courage it takes to face these challenges, and the grace needed to allow healing to unfold. This is a heartfelt exploration of why healing is vital—not just for us but for the generations that follow.

In this episode of *The Hidden Pages Podcast*, host Vanessa Saleh welcomes Amber Henry, a mom, content creator, and entrepreneur. Together, they dive deep into the powerful topics of prioritizing oneself and recognizing when it’s time to walk away from a relationship. Through Amber’s personal stories and invaluable insights, listeners are guided on how to rebuild confidence, recognize red flags, and embrace self-compassion after a relationship ends.

In this episode of The Hidden Pages Podcast, I dive into some real, anonymous confessions from listeners who are struggling with relationships, motherhood, and self-discovery. They’ve shared their personal dilemmas, asking for advice on situations that challenge their sense of self and happiness. I respond to each confession with compassion and honesty, offering insights on relationship red flags, finding clarity, and making those hard choices.

Listen in as I discuss whether an attraction outside a relationship signals the end, why stepping out of our comfort zones can truly transform connections, and how motherhood can feel isolating yet rewarding. You’ll hear some practical tips on setting boundaries, finding community, and putting self-care first, especially for anyone managing complex relationship dynamics or feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of motherhood.

✨ Visit The Hidden Pages Podcast website for detailed show notes, more episodes, and ways to connect.

📌 Timestamps to Navigate This Episode

0:00 - Introduction to the Hidden Pages Podcast
1:18 - Addie's Relationship Dilemma
6:54 - Sophia's Struggles with Motherhood
13:06 - Emily's Situationships and Self-Sabotage
16:17 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

✨ Listen to what resonates with you!

📚 Episode Resources & Links

Books I Recommend:

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For more insights, visit our website: The Hidden Pages Podcast

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay connected and join me as we turn the raw and relatable pages of healing and self-discovery!

In this heartfelt episode of The Hidden Pages Podcast - Confessions of My Silent Journal, Vanessa Saleh explores the complex journey of growing up as a parentified child—the “little adult” responsible for others’ happiness. Through raw, relatable stories, Vanessa shares her experiences navigating early responsibilities, the impact of being a caretaker on adult life, and her journey of reclaiming her own identity.

From spotting relationship red flags to learning to say “no,” Vanessa dives into the ways that childhood patterns affect our adult lives. Listeners will gain insight into practical self-care steps and rediscovering joy while unlearning these patterns to prioritize themselves. This episode is dedicated to all those who grew up too soon, offering validation and gentle encouragement to make space for self-care and healing.

✨ Visit The Hidden Pages Podcast website for detailed show notes, more episodes, and ways to connect.

0:01:00 - The “Little Adult” Syndrome
0:02:00 - The Impact of Parentification on Adult Life
0:03:00 - Learning to Say No and Setting Boundaries
0:05:00 - Reclaiming Identity and Self-Expression
0:08:00 - Rediscovering Joy Through Art
0:09:00 - Making Time for Self-Care
0:11:00 - One-Week Challenge: “The One-Minute Self-Care”

✨ Listen to what resonates with you!

🔗 Connect with Us

Follow us on social media for updates, challenges, and healing tips.

For more insights, visit our website: The Hidden Pages Podcast

📌 Timestamps to Navigate This Episode📚 Episode Resources & Links:

Books Recommended:

Vanessa's Go-To Skincare Routine: