Helping Couples Heal Podcast

Epizode

• 105. Women Healing Together 25.06.2026 1h 5min

  On this special episode of the Helping Couples Heal Podcast, Marnie and Maddie are joined by Ally, Amy, and Shauna, who attended our first Empowered at Sea retreat. Together, they share honest reflections about what it was like to step away from daily responsibilities, prioritize their own healing, and spend a week surrounded by women who understand the pain of betrayal trauma.The conversation explores the unique experience of healing in community, the power of being seen and understood, and the relief of no longer carrying the weight of betrayal alone. They discuss the connections they formed, the courage it took to show up vulnerably, and how the retreat created space for both grief and joy to coexist.From trauma release exercises and group discussions to laughter, dancing, and unexpected moments of delight, this episode highlights an important truth: healing is not only about processing pain. It is also about reconnecting with yourself, reclaiming your voice, and remembering that joy is still possible.Whether you're feeling isolated in your healing, wondering if you'll ever feel like yourself again, or curious about the healing power of community, this conversation offers hope, validation, and a reminder that you do not have to walk this journey alone.The second annual Empowered at Sea retreat will take place August 1-7, 2026. To learn more about the retreat and register, click here.Want to connect with us? Click here to schedule your free 15-minute call.
• 104. Neuro-Difference, Betrayal Trauma, and Healing 05.06.2026 52min

  In this episode, Marnie speaks with Candice Christiansen about navigating betrayal trauma through the lens of neuro-difference, an incredibly important topic we have not focused on before on the Helping Couples Heal Podcast. Together, they explore why traditional recovery models may not always meet the needs of individuals and couples navigating autism, ADHD, trauma, and betrayal.Candice shares both her personal story and more than two decades of clinical experience supporting neuro-different adults and couples. Together, she and Marnie explore how betrayal trauma can impact neuro-different nervous systems, why a neuro-affirming approach can be an important part of recovery, and how couples can begin understanding each other’s communication styles, sensory experiences, and expressions of empathy with clarity and compassion.Their conversation also touches on the added complexity of betrayal trauma when autism or ADHD may be present, common misunderstandings around empathy and emotional processing, and how healing often requires individualized support rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Throughout the episode, Candice offers compassion, clarity, and hope for individuals and couples navigating betrayal trauma alongside neuro-difference, and reinforces that healing looks different for every person. Meaningful support and connection are possible.Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeLearn more about Candice and her work here: CandiceChristiansen.comVisit the Namaste Center for Healing here: Namasté Center for HealingInterested in Candice’s book Love, Sex & Autism? Learn more and purchase here: Love, Sex & AutismCandice mentions Embrace Autism as a helpful resource for autism education and self-screening tools: Embrace Autism WebsiteInterested in Candice’s Autism Self-Screening Tool? Reach out to her at candice@namasteadvice.comWant to connect with us? Click here to schedule your free 15-minute call.
• 103. Consequences with Ned Fulmer 28.04.2026 46min

  In this episode of the Helping Couples Heal podcast, Marnie sits down with Ned Fulmer, YouTuber, producer, content creator, and online personality, for a deeply honest conversation about the consequences of betrayal, what he has come to understand about its impact on his wife Ariel, and the long road of accountability and healing that follows.While much of Ned’s story became publicly known through the discovery of his affair, this conversation moves beyond the headlines and into the emotional reality of what came after. Ned reflects on the collapse of his private and public life, and the profound ways his choices impacted his marriage, his wife, his identity, and his sense of self.He speaks about what he has learned through treatment and recovery, including how denial, compartmentalization, and distorted thinking contributed to his behavior. Over time, through therapy and structured support, he began to recognize the depth of harm caused to his partner and the reality of partner trauma in a more embodied and personal way.Ned also shares what the consequences of his actions looked like in real time, including the loss of relationships, career disruption, public scrutiny, and the internal reckoning that followed. Within that collapse, he describes the beginning of a different kind of work, one centered on accountability, emotional honesty, and rebuilding a life grounded in integrity rather than image.Throughout the conversation, Marnie and Ned explore the impact of betrayal on the nervous system and identity of the betrayed partner, and what it takes for a betraying partner to begin truly seeing and understanding that level of pain without minimizing, denying, or bypassing it.If you or your partner are navigating the aftermath of betrayal and want support, we invite you to connect with our team to explore what healing might look like for you and how we can best support you in your healing journey. You can click here to book your free 15-minute call.
• 102. Women Betray Too 27.03.2026 1h 9min

  In this episode, Marnie talks with Patty, a female betrayer, and Judith Nisenson, a betrayal trauma coach, to confront the often-ignored reality that women betray too. They dive deep into the unique patterns of female betrayal, the emotional drivers behind it, and the specific challenges women face when seeking recovery in a field traditionally focused on male betrayers.The conversation explores:Patty’s personal story: A brave and vulnerable account of a lifelong pattern of betrayal, from early childhood emotional detachment and teenage sexual trauma to two marriages and a secret sexual basement.The nuances of female infidelity: Judith discusses why women's reasons for cheating often differ from men's, highlighting themes of emotional neglect, a lack of self-identity, and the chameleon effect of morphing to fit others' expectations.The double standard of shame: A discussion on the societal and "Scarlet Letter" stigmas that create an extra layer of isolation and self-loathing for female betrayers.A roadmap to recovery: Vital resources for healing are shared, including 12-step programs (SAA, SLAA) and specialized coaching groups.Whether you are a woman or a man, a betrayer seeking to understand your own patterns or a betrayed partner navigating the trauma of betrayal, this episode offers a compassionate and honest space for healing and hope.Resources:Helping Couples Heal Services: Click here to learn more about our ongoing coaching group for female betrayers.Connect with Judith Nisenson: Visit womenswrk.com to learn more about Judith’s work with female betrayers.Join a Coaching Group: Explore Judith’s eight-week curriculum-based coaching groups for women by clicking here.Tune in to "Women Cheat Too": Check out Judith's podcast for bite-sized episodes on navigating female betrayal here.Resources for Men: To learn more about the male betrayed partners group led by Adam (Judith’s husband), click here.Want to connect with us? Click here to book your free 15-minute call
• 101. Beyond Talk Therapy: Life-Changing, Somatic Self-Care Practices With Gemini Adams 17.03.2026 35min

  In this episode, Marnie welcomes back her friend and longtime collaborator, Gemini Adams, a renowned somatic practitioner. Together, they explore a missing piece of the healing journey that many couples overlook: the body. While traditional talk therapy is vital, Marnie and Gemini discuss why cognitive understanding often isn’t enough to move couples out of the painful, repetitive cycles of betrayal trauma.Gemini shares her personal journey from living with the effects of complex PTSD and chronic conflict avoidance to finding what she calls "conflict confidence." They dive deep into the science of the nervous system, explaining why the betrayed partner is often "flooded" with sensation while the betrayer may be completely numb or dissociated.This conversation is a foundational look at the tools needed to move out of survival mode and back into what Gemini calls the "Green Zone," the place where relational connection and empathy actually become possible again.In this episode, you’ll learn:The Power of Interception: Why many survivors lose the ability to feel their own physical needs and how to begin reconnecting with their body’s cues.The Relational Nervous System: Why you literally cannot listen, retain information, or connect with your partner when you are in a state of fight, flight, or freeze.Numbness vs. Flooding: How to understand the different trauma responses between the person who caused the harm and the person who was betrayed.Building "Adult Self": How somatic skills help you stay grounded as an adult rather than being "ping-ponged" by inner-child survival responses.Triggered to Together: An introduction to Marnie and Gemini’s new program designed to help couples manage triggers and crisis moments in real-time.Click here to learn more about the upcoming 12-week Triggered to Together programs for couples and individuals. Want to connect with us? Click here to schedule your free 15-minute call.
• 100. One Hundred Episodes of Hope 04.03.2026 30min

  In this landmark 100th episode of Helping Couples Heal, we take a moment to pause and reflect on the journey that brought us here. Healing from betrayal is often a lonely, exhausting path, but for 100 conversations, we have walked it together. What started as a mission to bring clarity to the chaos of betrayal trauma has grown into a global community of resilient survivors and recovering couples. To celebrate our 100th episode, we’re going back to the "Why."Join us as we revisit the original mission that sparked this podcast: to provide a lifeline for those drowning in the aftermath of betrayal and broken trust. We discuss what this milestone means for our community, the lessons learned along the way, and why our commitment to your healing remains stronger than ever. We also explore the core values that have guided Helping Couples Heal since day one and why the work of healing and restoration is more important today than ever before.Whether you’ve been with us since Episode 1 or are just joining the journey, this episode is a dedication to your courage and a promise for the future of this show.Want to connect with us? Click here to schedule your free 15-minute Zoom call.
• 99. The Other Side of Betrayal: The Ten Core Wounds of The One Who Betrayed 10.02.2026 21min

  In December, I released a podcast called The Ten Core Wounds of Betrayal, which explored the deep and lasting wounds experienced by betrayed partners. In this follow-up episode, we turn toward the other side of the rupture - the often unseen and rarely discussed wounds carried by those who do the betraying.This conversation is not about justifying or minimizing betrayal. Instead, it’s about understanding the internal landscape that often exists beneath betraying behavior. Drawing from clinical insight and relational patterns, this episode explores ten core wounds commonly experienced by people who betray - wounds that can show up in both men and women, while also acknowledging that some tend to appear more frequently in men due to socialization, attachment patterns, and emotional conditioning.By naming these wounds - such as shame, emotional disconnection, unmet attachment needs, and identity fractures - we begin to see betrayal not as random or purely selfish, but as something that often emerges from unresolved internal pain. Understanding these wounds can be a powerful step toward accountability, empathy, and meaningful repair.Whether you are a betrayed partner seeking clarity, someone who has betrayed and wants to understand yourself more deeply, or a couple navigating the long road of healing, this episode offers language, insight, and perspective to help move the conversation away from blame and toward connection, healing, and ultimately, transformation.Click here to receive your free worksheet.Want to connect with us? Click here to schedule your free 15-minute Zoom call.
• 98. The Long Road Back: One Couple's Journey Through Betrayal 22.01.2026 55min

  In this episode, Marnie sits down with Scott and Laura, a couple who courageously share their journey of healing after betrayal. What followed Scott’s infidelity was not a quick fix or a straight path forward, but years marked by pain, rupture, and a slow, non-linear process of rebuilding trust and connection.Together, Scott and Laura reflect on the early days after discovery - when fear, confusion, and disconnection felt overwhelming - and the hard truths they had to face along the way. Laura speaks openly about her struggle with boundaries and the painful realization that she had been tolerating more than she should have. Scott shares vulnerably about his own abandonment wounds, how they fueled a sense of righteousness, and the moment he recognized he was expecting Laura to carry pain that was his to heal.They discuss the concrete steps that helped shift their relationship, including Scott joining a men’s group, learning to take responsibility for his emotional world, and the transformative impact of Imago dialogue. They also explore the power of couples recovery check-ins and the clarity that emerged through Laura’s second impact letter.This conversation offers a hopeful and grounded look at what it takes to move from living in fear and survival to standing side-by-side in honesty, accountability, and connection. For anyone navigating the aftermath of betrayal trauma, this episode is a reminder that while healing is hard, it is possible.Connect with us: Book a free 15-minute consultation call here.
• 97. Navigating Betrayal Anger with Dr. Crystal Hollenbeck 13.01.2026 53min

  In this episode of the Helping Couples Heal podcast, Marnie sits down with Dr. Crystal Hollenbeck, a therapist, trauma survivor, and author of Betrayal Trauma Anger: You’re Not Crazy, You’re Angry, and You Should Be. They explore a topic that is often misunderstood and shamed: the intense and very normal anger experienced by betrayed partners after betrayal.For too long, the clinical field has labeled this anger as “vengeful” or “unforgiving.” Crystal helps us flip that narrative, showing why anger is a natural, healthy response to the profound injustice of betrayal and an important part of the healing journey.In this episode, you will hear about:Why anger is a natural response and how betrayal creates deep emotional and nervous system reactionsThe S.C.I.P. Protocol, Crystal’s 4-step tool, Sit down, Calm down, Identify, and Process, for navigating triggersAnger on the brain and why it is impossible to reason through a trigger when the amygdala is hijackedReframing for the partner who betrayed and how accountability, consistency, and presence can reduce ongoing angerMoving toward repair and how seeing anger as a signal of wounding rather than a flaw supports connection and empathyBy reframing anger as a signal of wounding rather than a character flaw, couples can move from defensiveness to empathy, and from shame to true repair.Click here to download Dr. Crystal Hollenbeck’s S.C.I.P. Protocol.Click here to purchase Dr. Crystal Hollenbeck’s book, Betrayal Trauma Anger: You’re Not Crazy, You’re Angry, and You Should Be.Want to connect with us? Click here to book your free 15-minute call.
• 96. Beyond Words: How Friends and Family Can Truly Support Betrayed Partners 24.12.2025 1h 11min

  In this deeply moving episode of the Helping Couples Heal podcast, Marnie is joined by four courageous women (Sabra, Ally, Liz, and Rachel) who vulnerably share their personal experiences navigating the aftermath of betrayal. Together, they explore a critical but often overlooked aspect of the healing journey: the complex role of friends and family.The group discusses the universal need for external support and the painful reality that loved ones often don't know what to say or how to show up effectively. From the impulse to retreat and isolate to the trauma of being judged by those closest to them, these women highlight the delicate balance between needing a "safe place to land" and requiring firm boundaries to protect their own healing process.Key topics in this conversation include:The Grey Area of Discovery: Why betrayed partners often withdraw from social circles while trying to make sense of their shattered reality.The Burden of the Fixer: How the well-intentioned advice of friends, like telling a partner to just leave, can often add to the trauma rather than alleviate it.Connection with Boundaries: Defining what safe support looks like, from the power of a meal train to the simple, profound act of sitting in silence.The Role of Support Groups: How finding a community of others who get it becomes a lifeline when family and friends fall short.Whether you are currently navigating betrayal trauma or you are a loved one seeking to support someone you care about, this episode provides essential insights into moving from judgment to empathy and from isolation to authentic connection.Download the Do's and Don'ts Guide for Family & Friends here! Want to connect with us? Click here to schedule your free 15-minute call.
• 95. The Ten Core Wounds of Betrayal 10.12.2025 29min

  When betrayal enters a relationship, it doesn’t just break trust - it fractures a person’s sense of self, safety, and connection. In this episode, we explore the ten core wounds that betrayed partners often experience, each one carrying its own story and its own emotional truth:Worthiness Wound – “I’m not enough.”Safety Wound – “I’m not safe.”Reality Wound – “I can’t trust myself.”Control Wound – “I have to manage everything.”Belonging Wound – “I’m alone in this.”Burden Wound – “I have to carry everything.”Abandonment Wound – “You’ll leave me.”Inadequacy Wound – “I’m not as good as what I was betrayed with.”Powerlessness Wound – “I didn’t have a choice.”Trust Wound – “Trust is dangerous.”Each wound reveals a different layer of the emotional devastation betrayal creates - and each one shapes how betrayed partners think, feel, and try to protect themselves in the aftermath.In this episode, Marnie breaks down what these wounds look like in real life, how they impact day-to-day interactions, and why healing them requires understanding, patience, and consistent repair. We also talk directly to betrayers, offering a compassionate but honest framework for recognizing the impact of their actions and supporting their partner’s healing journey.This episode is an invitation to move beyond surface reactions and into the deeper emotional landscape of betrayal - where clarity, empathy, and repair become possible. This episode is an invitation to move beyond surface reactions and into the deeper emotional landscape of betrayal - where clarity, empathy, and repair become possible.Click here to download your free worksheet. This worksheet walks both partners through all ten wounds, helping identify which ones are active, how they’re showing up, and what healing might require. Want to connect with us? Click here to schedule your free 15-minute call.Visit our website to learn more about Empowered at Sea and Empowered on Land.
• 94. Finding The Way Through with Jeanne Vattuone and Tim Stein 04.11.2025 46min

  In this episode, Marnie sits down with two of her colleagues from Northern California, Jeanne Vattuone and Tim Stein to talk about Finding The Way Through, their new workbook designed to integrate sobriety, recovery, and betrayed partner sensitivity into the healing process.Purchase the workbook Finding the Way Through: A Workbook for Sex and Pornography Addiction here!Click here to join The Healing Room.Want to connect? Click here to book your free 15-minute call.
• 93. Unscripted Truths: A Candid Conversation with Dr. Omar Minwalla 20.10.2025 1h 4min

  In what was originally intended to be a structured discussion on “The Ten Steps to Constructing the Secret Sexual Basement,” this episode took an unexpected and deeply personal turn. Instead, I’m joined by Dr. Omar Minwalla for a raw, unfiltered conversation that traces the arc of our individual and shared professional journeys.What unfolds is a rare, intimate glimpse into the foundation of a long-standing friendship - one built on mutual respect, hard truths, and a shared commitment to integrity, even when it’s uncomfortable or controversial. We talk openly about what it means to stay committed to telling the truth, to each other and to the work, despite pushback or disagreement.This was never meant to be a public conversation - but by the end, we both felt that what emerged was too meaningful not to share. I believe listeners will find resonance, insight, and maybe even a sense of companionship and loyalty in the honesty of this exchange.Dr. Minwalla will be back soon and hopefully next time we’ll get to the secret basement. Until then, this is something different… and maybe more important.Want to connect with us? Schedule your free 15-minute call here.
• 92. Honoring Your Grief Without Letting It Define You 06.10.2025 17min

  In this episode of the Helping Couples Heal podcast, Marnie explores the delicate balance of grief and hope in couples working to heal after betrayal. She shares why grief must be honored - not rushed, bypassed, or minimized - and how acknowledging the depth of loss is an essential step toward authentic healing. At the same time, Marnie reminds us that grief does not have to define your whole story. By integrating grief into the narrative of your relationship, you create space for resilience, growth, and new possibilities. This episode offers a compassionate invitation to couples: you can carry grief and hope side by side, honoring what was lost while also making room for what can still be built.Schedule your free 15-minute callWant more information on our Workshops? Click Here. Get your free reflection guide to go along with this episode here! 
• 91. Still Becoming: Chandler Rogers on Recovery, Marriage, and Growth (Part 2) 08.09.2025 47min

  In this continuation of our conversation with Chandler Rogers, we dive deeper into his journey of recovery from pornography addiction and the ongoing challenges of healing within his marriage. Chandler shares honestly about what it means to keep showing up in the work of recovery—not just for himself, but for his relationship—and how hope can grow even in the midst of setbacks. We also explore Chandler’s powerful decision to create Relay, an app designed to fill in the gaps he saw in traditional recovery support. Relay was born out of his own experience and the recognition that people struggling with addiction need consistent accountability, connection, and encouragement outside of therapy or group sessions.Chandler's story is an important reminder that Recovery is ongoing. Healing from porn and sex addiction isn’t a one-time choice—it’s a daily practice of showing up for yourself and your relationship. This episode offers inspiration, practical insight, and a reminder that healing—both personally and in a marriage—is possible when we’re willing to reach for support and keep leaning into growth.Want to Learn more about Relay? Click hereConnect with us by booking a free 15-minute call!
• 90. From Regression to Repair: Continuing the Conversation with Jon Lee 26.08.2025 54min

  In this follow-up conversation with therapist and author Jon Lee, we continue our deep dive into emotional regression and its profound impact on couples recovering from betrayal. Building on the foundation we laid in Part 1, Jon and I explore how regression shows up in relationships—when intense pain, fear, or shame pulls partners back into younger emotional states that can feel overwhelming and destabilizing.We discuss the ways regression complicates communication, trust-building, and repair, and how it can create cycles of disconnection even when both partners desperately want to heal. Jon offers clinical insight and compassionate strategies for recognizing regression in real time, staying grounded, and learning how to respond to one another with empathy instead of reactivity.Whether you’re a betrayed partner, a person working to rebuild integrity, or a couple navigating the aftermath together, this episode provides tools and perspective to help you move toward connection rather than getting stuck in regressed patterns.Want to connect with us? Click here to book a free 15-minute call.
• 89. Relapse, Repair, and Growth with Chandler Rogers (part 1) 29.07.2025 34min

  In this episode of the Helping Couples Heal podcast, Marnie sits down with Chandler Rogers, a recovering porn addict and the founder of Relay, a group-based recovery app designed to support those on their healing journey. Chandler shares his personal story of seeking help for his addiction long before it was discovered—a rare and powerful experience that sheds light on the strength it takes to face the truth head-on.He opens up about the vulnerability it required to be honest with his now-wife early in their relationship, the ups and downs of recovery, and the reality that honesty doesn’t erase the ongoing struggles. Chandler reflects on moments of setback, the weight of shame, and the vital role that connection, accountability, and personal ownership have played not only in his healing but also in inspiring him to create a community where others can find hope and support. Also, be sure to catch Marnie's conversation with Scott and Susan Rankin just before the podcast starts about the HCH Online Couples Community, a supportive space designed for deep connection and healing, opening its doors to a small group of couples this September.Click here to schedule your free 15-minute call
• 88. Sober Doesn't Mean Safe 03.07.2025 14min

  In this episode, Marnie unpacks a critical truth in the betrayal recovery process: sexual sobriety is not the same as relational healing. In other words, just because the acting out has stopped doesn’t mean the relationship is safe or healing. In fact, ongoing emotional / integrity abuse can re-traumatize a betrayed partner. Marnie explores why emotional sobriety is just as essential as sexual sobriety, and what it really takes to rebuild trust and connection after betrayal. A betrayed partner needs emotional safety, not just behavioral changes. Trust isn’t rebuilt by abstinence — it’s rebuilt by transparency, accountability, and empathy.Simply stopping problematic sexual behaviors (porn, affairs, acting out) does not address the underlying relational damage caused by betrayal. True healing involves rebuilding the foundation of the relationship.If you've ever said or heard "But I'm sober...”, this conversation is for you.
• 87. Growing Yourself Back Up: Understanding Emotional Regression with author John Lee 10.06.2025 50min

  In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, Marnie sits down with renowned author and therapist John Lee, whose classic book Growing Yourself Back Up has helped thousands understand the profound impact of emotional regression on adult relationships. Together, we explore what emotional regression is and how it silently shapes our reactions, the difference between responding as an empowered adult vs. a wounded child, and how identifying your own triggers and patterns of regression can create healthier relationships.We introduce practical tools for recognizing when you’ve been “emotionally hijacked” and how to avoid relational ruptures in those moments. Perhaps most important, we discuss the importance of developing the necessary awareness and compassion that can break cycles of blame, withdrawal, fighting, and relational despair. If you’ve ever wondered why certain moments with your partner (or any loved ones) trigger outsize reactions or why the wounds of betrayal take over in the heat of conflict - this conversation is for you.Learning how to spot and shift emotional regression is one of the most empowering skills we can develop—for ourselves and our relationships.Buy John's book Growing Yourself Back Up Here!Purchase The Anger Solution Master Class Here!
• 86. Empowered at Sea with Marnie and Maddie 22.05.2025 44min

  In this episode of the Helping Couples Heal podcast, Marnie talks with betrayal trauma coach and actress Maddie Corman to explore the profound power of community in the healing journey. Maddie opens up about the importance of not going through pain alone, and how finding connection with others can be a lifeline during life’s most difficult moments. We also discuss the Empowered at Sea retreat, a transformative experience designed to support, uplift, empower, and inspire. Join us for a heartfelt conversation about resilience, support, and the courage to heal together.Learn more about Empowered at Sea: https://helpingcouplesheal.com/empowered-at-sea/