Surviving Toxic Relationships Podcast
Deana and Lizzie are two women whose lives unexpectedly crossed through a shared past with the same emotionally abusive partner. From that pain came Surviving Toxic Relationships—a faith-based podcast about truth, healing, and empowerment after emotional and relational abuse.
Grounded in faith and guided by God’s grace, they share honest conversations about manipulation, betrayal, gaslighting, trauma bonding, and recovery. Their mission isn’t to label anyone—it’s to reveal the patterns of toxic relationships and show how healing and freedom are possible through faith.
Each episode invites listeners into a space of hope, restoration, and renewal—where women can rediscover their worth, rebuild their confidence, and walk boldly in freedom.
Their message is simple but powerful: Your past may shape you, but it doesn’t define you. Healing is possible.
New to the podcast? Start with our trailer to learn more about who we are and the heart behind Surviving Toxic Relationships.
Episodes
84 episodes
Episode 83: When the Truth Comes Out: Private Investigator Ken Childs on Narcissists, Double Lives, and Protecting Yourself!
In this gripping episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships with Deana and Lizzie sit down with Ken Childs, a veteran Los Angeles private investigator whose 25-year career includes celebrity cases, criminal investigations, and exposing double liv...
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34:50
Episode 82: When Faith, Marriage, and Abuse Collide: My Journey Out of Religious and Emotional Control
In this deeply personal episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, Lizzie shares her full story—one that spans faith, marriage, motherhood, religious abuse, emotional control, and survival.From marrying young with the belief that G...
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18:23
Episode 81: Write Your Next Chapter: Turning Pain into Purpose Through Publishing with Terry Whalin
Episode 81: If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book—or wondered if it’s too late—this inspiring episode is for you.In this powerful conversation on Surviving Toxic Relationships, hosts Deana and Lizzie talk with T...
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Season 1
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Episode 81
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33:40
Podcast Trailer: Surviving Toxic Relationships with The Matadoras (aka Deana & Lizzie)
Welcome to Surviving Toxic Relationships, a faith-based podcast created for women who are healing, rebuilding, and reclaiming their voice after emotional and relational abuse.Hosted by Lizzie and Deana—two women whose lives unex...
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1:30
Episode 80: When the Holidays Don’t Feel the Same: Healing, Grief & Finding Peace After Toxic Relationships
In this deeply personal episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, Lizzie opens up about how the holidays can feel different—lonelier, quieter, or unexpectedly emotional—especially after walking through heartbreak, divorce, or the loss ...
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Season 1
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Episode 80
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12:54
Episode 79: Holiday Self-Care for Women Who Are Emotionally Exhausted
The holidays can intensify toxic family dynamics, emotional labor, grief, and high-conflict co-parenting. For many women, this season brings pressure to perform, suppress pain, and hold everything together.In this episode, Lizzie and Dea...
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Episode 79
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9:29
Episode #78: Adapt & Advance! Faith That Survives the Fire! Dr. Wole Babatunde on Turning Pain into Purpose
What if the greatest pain in your life was also the beginning of your purpose?In this powerful episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, hosts Deana and Lizzie welcome Dr. Wole (Oluwole) Babatunde—a physician, psyc...
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Season 1
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Episode 78
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27:30
Episode #77: I Put My Fibromyalgia Into Remission!
What happens when the pain and exhaustion isn’t “in your head” — but everyone tells you it is?In this powerful and validating episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, Lizzie and Deana talk with Tami Stackelhouse, founder of the Interna...
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Season 1
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Episode 77
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35:38
Episode #76: Fear-Based Leaders: How to Spot Them and Stop Them from Breaking You
Have you ever worked for a fear-based leader, a toxic bully boss, or someone in authority who used intimidation and harassment instead of emotional maturity? In today’s eye-opening conversation, Kate Lowry, CEO Coach and Author of...
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Season 1
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Episode 76
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32:56
Episode #75: Feeling Broken After Loss? Listen to This!
After a 25-year marriage ended suddenly, emotional-wellbeing expert and artist Elizabeth Jane turned heartbreak into a mission: to help others climb out of the quicksand of grief, reclaim self-worth, and rebuild a full life. In this episode Eli...
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Season 1
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Episode 75
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34:32
Episode #74: Exposing Serial Predators, How Technology is Helping Survivors Connect & Heal
In this powerful episode, Lizzie and Deana speak with Tracy DeTomasi, CEO of Callisto, a groundbreaking nonprofit using secure technology to connect survivors of serial predators—without forcing them to go public.Tracy shares how the Callis...
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Season 1
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Episode 74
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27:56
Episode #73: The "Now What" of Leaving a Toxic Relationship
In this raw & honest episode, Lizzie opens up about her courageous journey of leaving a toxic relationship and rebuilding her life from the ground up. She shares how healing isn't a single dramatic moment, it's a process that unfolds in sta...
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17:02
Episode #72: From Toxic Patterns to Self Love; Jonathan Aslay on Healing After Loss
In this deeply moving and insightful episode, relationship and self-love coach Jonathan Aslay shares his powerful journey of healing after the tragic loss of his son. Through vulnerability and wisdom, Jonathan explores how grief can b...
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Season 1
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Episode 72
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44:45
Episode #71: Sick, Stuck, and Still Worthy: Deborah Weed’s Powerful Midlife Comeback
In this inspiring episode, Deborah Weed opens up about her powerful transformation—from a high-achieving corporate career to becoming the founder of the Self-Worth Initiative and the Quills Up Movement. 💫After a life-al...
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Season 1
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32:51
Episode #70: How to Stop Being Codependent; Self Esteem, Boundaries, and Inner Healing
In this powerful episode, Lizzie and Deana dive deep into the roots of codependency, how it’s shaped by childhood trauma, and why it often leads to low self-esteem and toxic relationship patterns. Through raw, relatable sto...
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27:47
Episode #69: Am I The Toxic One in the Relationship??
Am I the Toxic One? | Surviving Toxic Relationships with Lizzie & DeanaAre you the toxic one... and don’t even know it?In this eye-opening episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, Lizzie and Deana tu...
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Season 1
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Episode 69
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20:49
Episode #68: Leaving A Narcissist; Why It's So Hard, And How to Stay Free
In this powerful and compassionate episode, Lizzie and Deana dive deep into the emotional complexities of leaving toxic relationships. They explore the internal battles many face—fear, guilt, and trauma bonds—and how these emotion...
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Season 1
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Episode 68
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23:27
Episode #67: Strength of Scars: Surviving Childhood Trauma, Adoption, Abuse & Finding God
In this deeply moving episode, Avonley Lightstone, Author of "Strength of Scars", opens up about her powerful journey from unimaginable loss to unshakable faith. After losing her mother at 3 years old in a tragic fire and enduring years of emot...
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Season 1
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Episode 67
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46:51
Episode #66: From Peanuts to Purpose; Hilary Powers on Recovery, Faith & Forgiveness
In this powerful episode, Hillary Powers, the voice of Sally in the Peanuts cartoons, shares her remarkable journey from childhood trauma and addiction to over 40 years of sobriety, healing, and faith. With raw honesty and deep insight, Hillary...
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Season 1
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Episode 66
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38:53
Episode #65: How a DV Survivor Helps Kids Regulate Big Feelings: Jacintha Field on Healing, Play, & Co-Parenting
🧠 In this heartfelt episode, Lizzie and Deana sit down with Jacintha Field—family and child counselor, art therapist, and founder of Happy Souls Kids. Jacintha shares her inspiring personal journey from surviving domestic violence...
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Season 1
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Episode 65
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40:08
Episode #64: From Widow to Warrior: Julie Barth on Surviving Grief, Narcissistic Abuse & Rebuilding Life
In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Lizzie and Deana sit down with Julie Barth—trauma survivor, author, special needs mom, and passionate financial advocate for women—to share her extraordinary journey of surviv...
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Season 1
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Episode 64
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35:47
Episode #63: Untangling Complex Shame: A Journey to Healing with Dr. Zoe Shaw
In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Dr. Zoe dives into the often misunderstood world of complex shame—how it silently shapes our relationships, distorts our identity, and hinders our ability to experience healthy love....
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Season 1
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Episode 63
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38:54
Episode #62: He Controlled Everything: My 29-Year Marriage to a Covert Narcissist
What happens when the person you vowed to spend your life with turns out to be living a double life — not in secret affairs, but in hidden abuse?In this eye-opening episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, we’re joined...
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Season 1
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Episode 62
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29:38
Episode #61: Samia Come Forth: From Rock Bottom to Purpose-Driven Powerhouse
What happens when pain meets purpose?Join us for an unforgettable conversation with Samia Young, a powerhouse of resilience, faith, and redemption. Once a foster youth who endured unspeakable abuse, a toxic marriage, and time ...
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Season 1
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Episode 61
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54:17
Episode #60: Why Wives Feel Invisible At Home; With Dr. Becky Whetstone
In this candid and powerful episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships with The Matadoras, Lizzie and Deana are joined by therapist and author Dr. Becky Whetstone to unpack the real dynamics behind relationship breakdowns, nagging, resentment, an...
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43:38