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Dumped & Divorced

Dumped & Divorced

Written by: Natalie & Maressa
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Love is the greatest thing ever...until it isn't. When two sisters experienced relationship trauma through a broken engagement and a divorce after almost a decade of marriage, hosts Natalie and Maressa learned to lean into each other to make it through a life changing time. Dumped & Divorced is a space where they will talk about life after heartbreak and the redemption through it all. A space where you can come to hear stories about the hard stuff. In hopes that you feel less alone in any hardships you might be facing. Tune in weekly as we tackle topics of healing, rebuilding, self-love, and finding strength in the aftermath of life’s most difficult moments. Follow the show on Instagram @dumpedanddivorcedthepodcast

© 2025 Dumped & Divorced
Social Sciences
Episodes
  • When Closure Never Comes: Choosing Peace After Heartbreak
    Oct 16 2025

    Some endings don’t come with explanations. We open up about the ache of unfinished goodbyes, the magnetic pull of “one last talk,” and the quiet tyranny of waiting for answers that never arrive. One of us shares the raw details of a called‑off wedding and the silence that followed; the other names the deeper hunger for validation and control that so many of us feel after heartbreak. Together, we challenge the tidy myth of closure and point to a harder, kinder truth: peace is something we create, not something we’re handed.

    Across this conversation, we unpack why chasing closure often stalls recovery, how loneliness can evolve into nourishing solitude, and why a final conversation rarely fixes a broken heart. We trade rom‑com fantasies for real tools: journaling that untangles loops, meditation that steadies breath, sweat that clears the mind, and therapy that gives language to pain. We talk boundaries that end the back‑and‑forth, the courage to stop bargaining with “what ifs,” and the moment you realize your worth is not up for debate. There’s laughter, a few pop‑culture nods, and a reminder that acceptance isn’t agreement—it’s the ground where life starts again.

    You’ll hear how resilience is built in the gray areas, how control returns in small daily acts, and how choosing new chapters—from career moves to a long‑dreamed relocation—comes from readiness, not reaction. If you’re stuck waiting on an apology, an explanation, or closure that won’t come, this episode offers a path back to yourself. Listen, share with someone who needs it, and if it helps, leave a review, follow the show, and join us on Instagram. Your support helps this community grow—and your story isn’t over; you’re the one holding the pen.

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    37 mins
  • Lonely vs. Alone: How Two Sisters Rebuilt Their Lives
    Sep 28 2025

    The journey from heartbreak to healing isn't linear, but it's a path many of us walk at some point in our lives. As sisters who've both experienced profound loss—from broken engagements and divorce to the passing of loved ones—we've discovered that understanding the difference between loneliness and solitude is crucial to recovery.

    Loneliness is an involuntary state, characterized by pain and disconnection. It's that aching void when someone who was woven into your daily routines suddenly vanishes. The morning conversations, weekend plans, and shared dreams—all gone. This involuntary emptiness feels suffocating, especially when it's thrust upon you without warning. For Maressa, whose engagement ended after nearly eight years together, this loneliness was particularly acute. For Natalie, whose separation happened while raising young children, the loneliness was complicated by the constant state of fight-or-flight that kept her functioning for her kids.

    But there's a profound transformation that happens when you learn to shift from loneliness to solitude. Unlike loneliness, solitude is voluntary—it's making peace with your own company and finding strength in independence. We share how "hot girl walks," reading, running, and therapy became lifelines during this transition. The difference is striking: loneliness drains while solitude nourishes.

    What we've learned through our parallel journeys is that emotions fluctuate—you might feel strong one day and triggered the next. Years later, finding old engagement cards or save-the-dates can still bring waves of feeling. That's normal and part of the process. The healing isn't about avoiding these emotions but learning to sit with them, acknowledge them, and continue moving forward.

    Remember: learning to be at peace with being alone is the first step to never feeling truly lonely again. If you're navigating heartbreak right now, know that while the path isn't easy, the strength you'll discover within yourself will be worth every difficult step

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    30 mins
  • Your Value Doesn't Decrease When Relationships End
    Sep 14 2025

    The shattered pieces of our hearts often hide something unexpected – the foundation for rebuilding ourselves stronger than before. In this raw, vulnerable conversation, sisters Natalie and Maressa unpack the challenging journey of reclaiming identity after significant heartbreak.

    Having weathered a divorce and a broken engagement that came just four months before the wedding day, the sisters share how these relationships consumed nearly half their lives. They explore the stark differences in their healing processes – Natalie retreating into survival mode as a newly single parent, while Maressa filled her calendar with travel, friends, and running to rebuild her sense of self.

    "When you lose a relationship, you're not just grieving the person," Marissa reflects. "You're grieving the version of who you were in that relationship." This powerful insight frames their discussion about finding new hobbies, navigating mutual friendships, and the delicate process of rebuilding confidence when your self-worth feels bruised beyond repair.

    The conversation takes an intriguing turn when they discuss red flags in potential partners and friends – particularly those who don't maintain meaningful relationships with others. Their honest examination of these warning signs stems from hard-earned wisdom that they're now courageous enough to share.

    This episode offers a compassionate roadmap for anyone trying to find themselves after heartbreak. As Maressa beautifully concludes, "You are not hard to love. You are just loving someone who wasn't meant to stay." Join us for this healing conversation, and remember – your journey to rebuilding starts with a single, brave step toward rediscovering yourself.

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    42 mins
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