In this episode of Uncoupled and Unfiltered, we sit down with Vikki Stark, psychotherapist and author of Runaway Husbands, to explore why some men emotionally or physically disappear during marriage or divorce.

We unpack what defines a runaway husband, the role of emotional avoidance, fear of conflict, and identity loss, and how sudden withdrawal and lack of closure impact spouses, families, and children. This conversation offers insight for anyone navigating divorce, separation, or emotional abandonment—and a deeper understanding of men’s emotional coping in modern relationships.

Key Topics Covered:

• What the “Runaway Husbands” phenomenon really means
• Why do some men emotionally or physically disappear during marriage or divorce
• Emotional avoidance, conflict fear, and identity loss in men
• The psychological impact of abandonment on spouses and families
• Whether runaway husbands are becoming more common today
• Why closure is often missing—and how to heal without it
• What women wish they had understood sooner about emotional withdrawal
• How to move forward after a sudden separation or divorce

Who This Episode Is For:

• Women experiencing sudden separation or divorce
• Anyone dealing with emotional abandonment or lack of closure
• Listeners interested in relationship psychology and divorce recovery
• Those seeking clarity around men’s emotional behavior in relationships

“Life will go on, and you will have a new chapter, and it might be a very nice chapter.” - Vikki Stark

About Our Guest: Vikki Stark

Vikki Stark is a psychotherapist and author specializing in relationships, marriage breakdown, and emotional abandonment. Her work focuses on helping individuals understand the dynamics of sudden marital disengagement and healing after divorce.

Connect with Vikki Stark:

Website: https://www.vikkistark.com/

Connect with Ksenia Muench:

Website: https://www.thriveagaindivorcecoaching.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveagaindivorcecoaching/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvmuench/

Email: ksenia@thriveagaindivorcecoaching.com

🎧 Listen, Subscribe & Share

Follow Uncoupled and Unfiltered on Spotify, Prime, and Apple Podcasts for weekly conversations about divorce, relationships, dating, and self-discovery. If this episode resonated, please rate, review, and share to help others find the show.

In today’s episode, we explore the often-confusing intersection between civil divorce and Catholic annulment, unpacking what each process truly means—and what it does not. We discuss the legal, emotional, and spiritual weight carried by both, especially when faith, identity, and high-conflict relationships are involved. This conversation centers on clarity, boundaries, and honoring lived experience in the midst of profound change.

Key Topics Covered:

• Divorce and annulment serve different purposes

⁃ Divorce provides legal closure around property, finances, and custody.

⁃ A Catholic annulment is a spiritual process declaring a sacramental marriage invalid from the start.

⁃ One does not replace or override the other.

• Both processes carry deep emotional weight

⁃ Divorce can trigger grief, anger, guilt, relief, or ongoing pain, especially with children involved.

⁃ Annulment may feel like erasure, rejection, or betrayal, particularly for non-initiators.

⁃ All emotional responses are valid and deserve compassion.

• Annulment cannot be enforced through civil law

⁃ Courts have no jurisdiction over Church annulments.

⁃ A spouse cannot legally require an annulment as part of a divorce settlement.

⁃ Using annulment as leverage is manipulation, not a legal or moral obligation.

• High-conflict dynamics can weaponize faith

⁃ Annulment may be used to protect reputation or shift blame.

⁃ It can rewrite shared history and compound emotional harm.

⁃ Ongoing contact, especially through co-parenting, can slow healing.

• Your lived experience remains valid

⁃ Church decisions are made by human institutions and are not infallible.

⁃ An annulment outcome does not define your worth or negate your memories.

⁃ Healing comes from truth, clarity, and self-protection—not control.

“Annulment does not erase memories, children, or emotional bonds. It's a spiritual declaration, not a reset button.” - Ksenia Muench

Grab this handy tool to see the differences side by side

Legal Divorce Vs Catholic Annulment

Connect with Ksenia Muench:

Website: https://www.thriveagaindivorcecoaching.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveagaindivorcecoaching/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvmuench/

Email: ksenia@thriveagaindivorcecoaching.com

🎧 Listen, Subscribe & Share

Follow Uncoupled and Unfiltered on Spotify, Prime, and Apple Podcasts for weekly conversations about divorce, relationships, dating, and self-discovery. If this episode resonated, please rate, review, and share to help others find the show.

Today’s episode of Uncoupled and Unfiltered dives into entrepreneurship with the founder and the managing partner of Esse Law, Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal. We talk about the right corp structure for your goals, financing, do’s and don’ts for investors, exit strategy, and much more.

Did you know that out of $330 billion invested (yes, BILLIONS), only 2% was invested into female-founded businesses?

Tune in to find out more.

Key Topics Covered:

• Legal Structure for your business.

⁃ We discuss legal business structures that go over the differences between when you are doing it on your own and when you are looking for investors.

⁃ We cover the mistakes new founders make and some practical advice on what founders should do before raising money.

• Looking for Capital

⁃ In this part of the conversation, we go over what investors are looking for before writing a check.

⁃ Shaheen covers what a good pitch looks like and why it is important to present in a concise manner: Investors invest in YOU.

⁃ “Fun” fact: men founders get funded more easily compared to their female counterparts - why do you think that is?

• Exit strategy

⁃ We discuss when it may be the right time to exit, and the answer may surprise you.

⁃ Shaheen goes over the proper planning strategy prior to your planned departure.

• Final Thoughts

⁃ We are having some fun with a rapid Q&A session with our guest.

⁃ We cover key takeaways for the brave souls who want to make a difference in this world and how to do it right.

⁃ Connect with our guest.

“You have to be brave and optimistic, but not overly confident… If you can feel like you're on purpose and either that you are being inspired or that you're inspiring other people - If you can make it something larger than just yourself, it will get you through some of those darker, tougher times.” - Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal

Connect with Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal:

Website: https://esselaw.com/

Connect with Ksenia Muench:

Website: https://www.thriveagaindivorcecoaching.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveagaindivorcecoaching/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvmuench/

Email: ksenia@thriveagaindivorcecoaching.com

🎧 Listen, Subscribe & Share

Follow Uncoupled and Unfiltered on Spotify, Prime, and Apple Podcasts for weekly conversations about divorce, relationships, dating, and self-discovery. If this episode resonated, please rate, review, and share to help others find the show.