Trauma. Addiction. Toxic relationships. Shame. Mindset renewal.
In this powerful episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, we sit down with Rose Ann Forte, international bestselling author and creator of the Choose Freedom program—a faith-forward, neuroscience-backed approach to overcoming life-interfering behaviors.

Rose Ann shares her personal journey through a toxic marriage, substance use as coping, CPTSD, and deep spiritual confusion—and how renewing her mind through Scripture paired with neuroscience transformed her life. As a former C-suite executive and church leader, Roseanne brings wisdom, compassion, and clarity to conversations many women of faith struggle to have out loud.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why faith alone without mind renewal can keep people stuck
• How trauma, addiction, and toxic relationships share similar brain patterns
• What cognitive dissonance looks like in relationships and substance use
• How gratitude and awareness literally rewire the brain
• Why labels and shame prevent healing for many women
• How boundaries restore agency and self-respect
• What “renewing the mind” looks like in real life, not theory

This conversation is for women who love God but feel trapped in patterns they can’t break—and are ready to experience freedom without shame.

🔗 Learn more about Roseanne Forte & the Choose Freedom program:
https://www.choosefreedom.today

🎙️ Stay Connected with Us!
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12
🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @survivingtoxicrel
🌐 Visit our website: survivingtoxicrelationships.org

📘 Our book is available here: https://amzn.to/45VZISD

Not sure what you’re noticing yet?
↓ Discernment Checklist ↓ https://the-matadoras.kit.com/survivingtoxicrelationships

Contact us anytime at our email: care@survivingtoxicrelationships.org

📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships

Narcissistic abuse. Gaslighting. Coercive control. Legal abuse.
In this episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, we sit down with Skye Bellarmine, author of the Breaking Solace trilogy, to talk about surviving 20 years of narcissistic abuse, the moment she realized she wasn’t “crazy,” and the practical steps that helped her leave, heal, and rebuild.

Skye shares how narcissists weaponize reputation (“she’s too sensitive,” “she’s brain damaged”), how they use financial control, and why survivors often feel hypervigilant even after the relationship ends. We also unpack gray rock, the role of faith during separation and divorce, and Skye’s powerful tool: writing your “20 reasons why” so you don’t get pulled back into doubt and love-bombing.

You’ll hear:

• What a narcissistic rage looks like (and why it feels unreal)
• How gaslighting erodes self-trust—and how to protect yourself
• Why narcissists drag out divorces and use courts to punish (“legal abuse”)
• Why building a tribe matters (attorney, support, trusted friends)
• How trauma bonds and love-bombing keep people stuck
• Why telling your story (writing/podcasting/journaling) helps survivors come back to themselves

Guest: Skye Bellarmine — author of Breaking Solace & Escaping Solace

Skye's Website: https://www.skyebellarmine.com

🎙️ Stay Connected with Us!
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12
🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @survivingtoxicrel
🌐 Visit our website: survivingtoxicrelationships.org

📘 Our book is available here: https://amzn.to/45VZISD

Not sure what you’re noticing yet?
↓ Discernment Checklist ↓ https://the-matadoras.kit.com/survivingtoxicrelationships

Contact us anytime at our email: care@survivingtoxicrelationships.org

📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships

Conflict doesn’t mean failure, it means information.

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Jen Fry explores why self-advocacy, boundaries, and conflict resolution are essential skills, especially for women navigating toxic relationships, people-pleasing patterns, and emotional burnout.

Women are often taught to avoid conflict at all costs, but avoidance comes with a price: anxiety, resentment, loss of self-trust, and damaged mental health. Dr. Fry introduces the concept of micro advocacy—small, intentional acts of self-advocacy that build confidence, self-worth, and emotional resilience over time.

Together, we unpack:

-Why conflict is a learned skill, not a personality flaw
-How setting boundaries protects mental health
-Why your first no is often the easiest one
-How conflict reveals the depth (or limits) of relationships
-Practical steps for navigating toxic relationships safely

Why teaching children conflict resolution is essential for healthier communities

This episode is for anyone ready to stop shrinking, start speaking, and learn how to navigate conflict in a way that leads to personal growth, clarity, and empowerment.

This video explores conflict as a teachable skill rather than something to be feared, challenging societal conditioning that encourages women to prioritize peace and silence at the expense of their well-being. Dr. Jen Fry discusses why engaging in conflict is crucial for mental health, contributing to personal growth and self improvement. She introduces micro-advocacy as a way to build confidence and highlights that effective conflict resolution is key to healthy relationships.

Find Dr. Jen Fry at: https://jenfrytalks.com

🎙️ Stay Connected with Us!
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12
🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @survivingtoxicrel
🌐 Visit our website: survivingtoxicrelationships.org

📘 Our book is available here: https://amzn.to/45VZISD

Not sure what you’re noticing yet?
↓ Discernment Checklist ↓ https://the-matadoras.kit.com/survivingtoxicrelationships

Contact us anytime at our email: care@survivingtoxicrelationships.org

📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships