Episodit
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Leaving a toxic relationship does not always bring the freedom you expect.
Even after it ends, your brain and nervous system may still be stuck in survival mode-replaying the conflict, bracing for the next attack and struggling to trust yourself again.
In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy talks with Jackie Miller, author of Winning: Rewiring Your Brain and Reclaiming Your Life After Toxic Love. Jackie explains what emotional control and psychological abuse can do to the brain and body, why healing often takes longer than outsiders understand and how survivors can begin moving from chaos toward calm.
In this episode:
Why leaving does not automatically make you feel freeHow toxic relationships affect the brain and nervous systemWhy survivors may miss someone they do not want backHow manipulation erodes confidence and self-trustWhat it means to make calm your new normalPractical ways to disengage from toxic dynamicsIf youâre navigating divorce or thinking about it, connect with Amy Polacko for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info
Learn more about Jackie Miller and her book, Winning: Rewiring Your Brain and Reclaiming Your Life After Toxic Love, at www.jackie-miller.com/book
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College planning is stressful for any familyâbut when parents are divorced, separated, remarried, widowed or parenting on their own, the process can get even more complicated.
In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy talks with Vicki Vollweiler, founder of College Financial Prep and author of College Planning for Divorced & Widowed Parents, about what families need to know before the tuition bills arrive. Amy shares how her own divorce decrees left out important details about college, and why parents need to think ahead before FAFSA forms, college visits, deadlines, deposits and disagreements begin.
Vicki explains the biggest mistakes divorced parents make, why vague language like âweâll split college costsâ can create problems, and how families can reduce stress with better planning, clearer communication, and a realistic strategy.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why college planning is different after divorceWhat parents should address before senior yearHow FAFSA and financial aid can become more complicatedWhy court may not be a quick fix if one parent refuses to payHow to protect your child from being caught in the middleIf youâre navigating divorce or thinking about it, connect with Amy Polacko for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info
Learn more about Vickiâs work:
Website: https://www.CollegeFinancialPrep.com
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/CollegeFinancialPrep
Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/CollegeFinancialPrep
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@collegefinancialprep
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-vollweiler/
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What happens when a woman takes the blank canvas of life after divorce and starts creating something entirely new?
In this Divorce Success Story episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy sits down with Dee Dee Colabella, a Ridgefield, Connecticut entrepreneur, art gallery owner and owner of 068 Magazine, whose life after divorce became a story of creativity, courage and reinvention.
Dee Dee has built a vibrant world around art, beauty, storytelling and community. Through her gallery and magazine, she does more than showcase artists and local voices â she creates spaces where people feel seen, connected and inspired. Her story is a reminder that divorce may close one chapter, but it can also open the door to a life that is more colorful, expressive and aligned with who you were always meant to become.
In this episode, Amy and Dee Dee talk about the courage it takes to begin again, the power of creativity after divorce, how women can rediscover themselves outside of marriage and motherhood, and why reinvention often starts with one brave step â not a perfect plan.
If youâre navigating divorce or thinking about it, connect with Amy Polacko for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info
Learn more about Dee Deeâs work here: https://dcolabellafineart.com
Follow her on Instagram: @colabellamedia
Her RPAC Gallery: @rpacgallery
Her RPAC Art Center and Academy: @rpacartcenterandacademy
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In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy sits down with author Meg Groff for a raw and eye-opening conversation about the realities of family court. Megâs book pulls back the curtain on a system many women enter believing truth, evidence, and good parenting will be enough â only to discover that family court can become its own crisis.
Together, Amy and Meg talk about what happens when the legal process becomes emotionally, financially, and psychologically exhausting, especially for protective mothers and survivors of abuse. They explore the power dynamics at play, the myths women are told about court, and why âthe best interests of the childâ can look very different in theory than it does in practice.
We discuss:
⢠The biggest myths about family court
⢠Why evidence alone may not be enough
⢠How money and power can shape custody battles
⢠Why protective mothers are often labeled âdifficultâ or âemotionalâ
⢠The emotional toll of prolonged litigation
⢠How the system can fail to recognize coercive control and abuse
⢠What women need to understand before walking into court
If youâre navigating divorce or thinking about it, connect with Amy Polacko for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info
Learn more about Megâs work: www.meggroff.com | Instagram: @meggrofffamilylaw | Facebook: Not If I Can Help It | LinkedIn: Meg Groff
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Digital abuse is not just âonline drama.â It can be a form of control, intimidation, blackmail and domestic abuse.
In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy sits down with attorney Lindsay Lieberman, who represents survivors of sexual misconduct, cyber-sex crimes, harassment, sextortion, image-based sexual abuse, blackmail and Title IX violations.
Lindsay explains how cyber-abuse often shows up inside relationships and divorce: threats to release private images, stalking through technology, harassment by text or email, fake accounts, intimidation, and attempts to shame or silence survivors. She also breaks down the red flags women should watch for, what rights survivors may have, and why sending a private photo to someone does not mean giving up control over where it ends up.
Amy and Lindsay also discuss what high-profile cases like Epstein reveal about power, fear, silence and why survivors often hesitate to come forward.
This conversation is about privacy, protection, consent and power â and what women need to know when abuse follows them into their phones, inboxes, workplaces, schools and courtrooms.
If youâre navigating divorce or thinking about it, connect with Amy Polacko for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info
Learn more about Lindsayâs work: www.lindsaylieberman.com
https://www.instagram.com/lindsayliebermanesq/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-lieberman-cyber-abuse-victims-attorney/
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Todayâs episode of Girl, Wake Up! drops on publication day for Meg Stoneâs new book, Donât Fight Back: And 10 Other Myths About Crime, Personal Safety, and Gender-Based Violence.
Meg, Executive Director of IMPACT Boston, joins Amy for an eye-opening conversation about the sexist safety myths women have been taught for generationsâand what real empowerment actually looks like. We talk about fear, gender-based violence, and why the burden of prevention has been placed on women for far too long.
In this episode, we cover:
Why so much safety advice for women is rooted in fearThe myths society teaches about crime and personal safetyHow sexism shapes the way women are told to prevent violenceWhy the burden is so often placed on women instead of perpetratorsWhat real empowerment and prevention can actually look likeâĄď¸ If youâre navigating divorce or thinking about it, connect with Amy for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info
âĄď¸ Learn more about empowerment and self-defence on Megâs website: https://megstone.org/
âĄď¸ More about Impact Boston: https://impactboston.org/
âĄď¸Megâs books: https://www.beacon.org/cw_contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=17937&Name=Meg+Stone
Episode Timestamp:
00:01 â 00:045 Podcast Intro
00:46 â 02:12 Topic & About Meg Stone
2:13 â 6:44 The 'Don't Fight Back' Myth: Why Forceful Resistance Actually Works
9:23 â 13:12 Policing Women's Behavior vs. Addressing Male Responsibility
13:12 â 18:53 The Invisible Cost of Fear: How Women's Lives Are Restricted
22:06 â 30:11 What is Feminist Self-Defense? Empowerment Through Political Analysis
35:38 â 41:35 Truth or Trap: Is 'Trust Your Intuition' Actually Good Advice?
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Divorce can be the best thing that ever happened to you.
In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy talks with Linda Stephens, a clinical nutritionist, IFBB Pro athlete, and nationally recognized womenâs health expert, about how her 2017 divorce became the beginning of a powerful reinvention. What started as a painful life transition became an opportunity to get honest about what she wanted, step into her next chapter and help other women do the same.
Amy and Linda discuss what it means for women in midlife to stop accepting outdated messages about aging, hormones and menopauseâand start advocating for themselves. This is a conversation about strength, clarity, health and why your 50s and beyond can be one of the most powerful seasons of your life.
In this episode, we cover:
Lindaâs divorce story and how it became a turning pointReinventing yourself in midlifeHow she got into fitness, nutrition, and womenâs healthWhy women need to self-advocate in todayâs medical systemThe problem with outdated standards of care around menopauseHow to see menopause as an opportunity, not just a struggleWhatâs possible for women in their 50s and beyondIf this episode speaks to you, share it with a woman who needs the reminder that it is not too late to become stronger, healthier, and more fully yourself.
If youâre navigating divorce or thinking about it, connect with Amy for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info
Find out more about Linda Stephens Health & Wellness here: www.lindamstephens.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindastephensfit/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindamstephens
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindastephensfit/
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For many women, the family home feels like the heart of the familyâthe place tied to stability, memories and the future they imagined.
But in divorce, decisions about the house can quickly become complicated, emotional, and financially risky.
In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Divorce Coach Amy Polacko is joined by mortgage advisor and Certified Divorce Lending Professional John Marroni to talk about what divorcing women need to know before deciding whether to keep the home, sell it, or start over somewhere new. Because what looks good in a divorce agreement still has to work in real life.
This episode covers:
⢠Why keeping the house is not always as simple as being awarded it in divorce
⢠The difference between emotional attachment and financial reality
⢠How buyouts work and what women need to understand before agreeing to one
⢠Whether you can take over an existing mortgage⢠How HELOCs and other debts can complicate the picture
⢠When selling the family home may actually be the smartest move
⢠The importance of getting answers early, before a settlement is signed
If youâre navigating divorce and trying to make smart, strategic decisions, connect with Amy for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info
John's info:
Website: https://www.divorcelendingassociation.com/offices/john-marroni.cfm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmarroni/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnmarronidkmc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marronijohn/
#girlwakeup #podcast #takeyourpowerback #divorcesupport #financialeducation
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Too many women enter divorce believing family court will be the place where fairness finally shows up. Instead, many find a system that is expensive, exhausting, slow and often blind to power imbalances playing out behind closed doors.
In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy sits down with Chicago divorce attorney and mediator Kimberly Cook for a candid conversation about why family court so often does not feel fair-and what women need to understand before they enter it.
Kimberly shares what shifted for her after the pandemic, when she began moving away from litigation and toward mediation.
In this episode, we cover:
Why so many women walk away from family court feeling shocked and disillusionedWhat Kimberly saw in litigation that led to her own professional wakeup callHow the pandemic changed the way she viewed divorce and dispute resolutionWhat mediation can do well â and where it can fall shortWhen mediation is not safe, balanced or appropriateHow women can better prepare themselves before stepping into divorce or family courtLearn more about Kimberly A. Cook:
Schiller DuCanto Fleck: https://sdflaw.com/team/detail/kimberly-a-cook
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyjohnsoncook
Instagram: @growngirldivorce
Podcast: available on iTunes, Spotify, IHeartRadio, Audible
How to connect with Amy Polacko:
Book a free Divorce or Life Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.
Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe
Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube or on your favorite podcast platform: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts
ââââââ
0:00 - 00:45 Podcast Intro: Girl Wake Up
00:45 - 02:43 Episode Overview: Family Court Realities | Introducing Kimberly Cook
2:44 - 6:36 The Disconnect Between TV and Reality | Expectations vs. Experience | The 5% Trial Myth
6:37 - 14:08 Litigation vs. Mediation
14:09 - 17:30 Navigating Power Imbalances | Financial Abuse and Mediation Concerns | Creating Balance with Attorney Assistance
17:31 - 21:41 Strategic Preparation for Divorce | Educating Yourself on Legal Basics | Uncovering Hidden Financial Knowledge | The Reality Show Timeline Strategy | Modern Trends in Divorce Settlements |
21:42 - 27:54 The High Cost of Legal Conflict High Conflict Case Options | The Reality of Legal Billing The Role of a Divorce Coach
27:55 - 37:37 Listener Advice: Truth, Traps, and Tactics | Truth or Trap: Flexibility in Court Letter: Feeling Scrutinized by the System | Reframing the Narrative for Judges | Battles vs. The Long Game Strategy
37:37 Conclusion and Resources
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Betrayal doesnât just break your heart, it can break your sense of reality. In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, weâre unpacking betrayal traumaâwhy itâs so uniquely devastating and what it actually does to your mind and body when trust is shattered.
Amy is joined by Dr. Jill Manning, a leading expert in betrayal trauma, to talk about the real impact of infidelity, secrecy and hidden behaviorsâand why so many women feel destabilized after discovering the truth.
We also explore how pornography is shaping both young people and adult relationships in ways many arenât talking about.
We cover:
⢠What makes betrayal trauma different from typical heartbreak
⢠The psychological impact of infidelity and deception
⢠Why women often feel confused, anxious or âcrazyâ after betrayal
⢠How pornography is influencing expectations, intimacy and trust
⢠Where healing begins after your reality has been shaken
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Learn more about Dr. Jill Manningâs work:Website: https://drjillmanning.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjillmanning/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjillmanning/
Two-Day Intensives: https://drjillmanning.com/intensives/
Digital Downloads: https://drjillmanning.com/digital-downloads/ Directory of Betrayal Trauma experts: www.APSATS.org
How to connect with Amy Polacko:Book a free Divorce or Life Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here. Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe
Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts
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Episode Timestamp:
00:01 - 00:45 Girl Wake Up! Intro
00:46 - 02:44 Introduction to Betrayal Trauma & guest Dr. Jill Manning
02:45 - 06:04 The "Wake Up" that changed the course of Dr. Manning's career path
07:53 - 10:12 Betrayal Trauma Explained (This isn't just "heart break"â it's neurological)
11:21 - 11:58 Secondary Trauma & the psychological & physiological effects
13:16 - 13:54 Gaslighting is commonly involved in Betrayal Trauma
13:55 - 14:31 Why your support & surroundings matter during trauma
14:57 - 17:40 How does your brain + body respond when your partner cheats?
18:08 - 21:37 Your nervous system is on fire â fight or flight -vs- freeze response & getting help
21:45 - 26:50 Betrayal Trauma & Gaslighting
26:54 - 28:25 The three phases of navigating betrayal
28:26 - 30:55 Betrayal Trauma & making good decisions in the divorce process
32:33 - 35:16 Why specialize care matters in life & divorce
37:28 - 41:06 Truth or Trap: Is pornography harmless as long as it doesn't involve cheating?
41:38 - 43:30 Sexual Ethics & Values as a metric
50:00 - 50:36 Final thoughts
50:37 - 50:58 GIRL, WAKE UP! outro
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Feminism is at a turning point.
For years, women were told we were making steady progressâthat equality was inevitable. But in todayâs world, many of those assumptions are being challenged. Rights are being rolled back. Misogyny feels louder. And women are left asking: Was that progress realâor were we sold a version of empowerment that didnât fully protect us?
In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, I sit down with feminist scholar and writer Dr. Marcie Bianco to unpack what feminism looks like right nowâin a moment of backlash, confusion and cultural shift.
This is not a surface-level conversation. We go deeperâquestioning where feminism has succeeded, where it may have fallen short, and what women need to understand moving forward.
In This Episode, We Cover:Why feminism may need a reboot in todayâs climateThe difference between real power vs. the illusion of empowermentThe growing backlash against feminism and what it meansWhat modern feminism gets rightâand where it needs to evolveHow feminism shows up in dating, relationships and everyday lifeWhat women should be paying attention to right nowPractical ways women can take back agency and protect themselvesLearn more about Dr. Marcie Bianco here:
marciebianco.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcie-bianco/
https://www.instagram.com/marciebianco/?hl=en
Book a free Divorce or Life Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.
Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe
Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts
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In my work, I help a lot of women who are escaping coercive controlâand that often includes financial abuse. Often for years, theyâve been kept in the dark, shut out of accounts or made to feel like they donât need to understand the money. And then, when divorce begins, things donât just feel confusing⌠they start disappearing.
Even if you have felt like you knew where the family assets were, they can also start mysteriously moving around!
In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, I sit down with forensic accountant Sara Nanchanatt to expose what really happens behind the scenes when spouses try to hide assets. From secret accounts to âmissingâ income, we break down the financial games that can cost women everything if theyâre not paying attention.
Because hereâs the truth: if you donât follow the money, you may never see it.
In This Episode, We Cover:What a forensic accountant actually does in divorce casesThe most common ways spouses hide moneyRed flags that something isnât adding upWhy âI donât have the moneyâ is often not the full storyHow lifestyle can reveal more than financial documentsThe truth about cash businesses, cryptocurrency and hidden incomeWhen to bring in a forensic expertâand why timing mattersThe biggest mistakes women make when it comes to finances in divorceHow to protect yourself before and during the processYou can learn more about Sara on her S.N. Forensics websiteâtell her that Amy sent you:
https://www.snforensics.com/
Book a free Divorce or Life Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.
Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe
Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts
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Violence against women is often described as unpredictable. But according to one of the worldâs leading criminologists, that couldnât be further from the truth.
In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy speaks with Laura Richards, a global expert on coercive control, stalking and risk assessment. Richards has spent decades studying the patterns behind menâs violence and the warning signs that are too often dismissed by police, courts and other institutions.
In this episode:What coercive control really isâand why itâs often misunderstoodWhy violence against women is predictable, not randomThe warning signs professionals frequently miss or minimizeWhy separation and divorce can increase danger for womenHow charm and social status can obscure dangerous behaviorWhy institutions often label women âlow riskâ before tragedyWhere to find Laura Richards:
YouTube @crimeanalyst
Instagram @crimeanalyst @laurarichards999
Twitter @thecrimeanalyst @laurarichards99
TikTok @crimeanalystpod
Websites www.crime-analyst.com
https://www.thelaurarichards.com,
https://www.dashriskchecklist.com/
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For generations, rings symbolized a promise to someone else.
Now, more women are wearing them for a different reasonâand the term âdivorce ringâ isnât always strong enough.
Thatâs where the F-You Ring comes in. Itâs a growing term among women who choose to mark the end of a relationship not with silence or shameâbut with a symbol of independence.
In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy speaks with Alex Weinstein, an influencer who went viral after creating her own F-You ring after a breakup, and Mollie Suarez, a jeweler who designed one for herself after divorce and now helps other women create theirs.
Both women were featured in Amyâs recent Guardian article on the rise of F-You Rings, and together they explore why more women are reclaiming jewelryâand their storiesâon their own terms.
In this episode:⢠How Alex Weinsteinâs breakup inspired her to create her own F-You ring
⢠Why Mollie Suarez began designing these rings for women after experiencing divorce herself
⢠The emotional power of reclaiming an engagement diamond or creating something new
⢠Why the idea of women buying meaningful jewelry for themselves is gaining momentum
⢠What the F-You ring really representsâanger, closure, freedom or reinvention
⢠How women are rewriting the narrative around divorce and breakups
⢠The deeper cultural shift behind this trend
Follow Alex Weinstein on Instagram: @alexandrajaye
Learn more about Mollie Suarezâ Westshore Diamond: https://www.westshorediamond.com
Follow Westshore Diamond on Instagram: @westshorediamond
Book a free Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.
Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe
Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts
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What happens when a woman fights backâand survives?
In this powerful episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy sits down with Michelle Horton, author of Dear Sister, to unpack the story of Michelleâs sister, Nikki Addimando, who was incarcerated after defending herself against her abusive partner.
This conversation is bigger than one case. Itâs about a system that routinely misunderstands coercive control, ignores patterns of abuse and punishes women for refusing to die quietly.
We explore:
Why self-defense is so difficult to prove in long-term abuse casesHow coercive control gets erased in courtroomsThe myth of the âperfect victimâWhat prison does to survivors of traumaWhy women who fight back are often portrayed as perpetratorsWhat needs to change legally and culturallyWhen a man claims self-defense, itâs often seen as strength. When a woman does, it can become a life sentence.
No woman should have to choose between being abused and being incarcerated. This episode is a wake-up call about how our justice system handles domestic abuseâand why survival should never be criminalized.
Get Michelle Hortonâs book here.
Learn more about Michelle on her website: MichelleHortonWriter.com
And their campaign: WeStandWithNikki.com
Follow her on Instagram @michellehortonwriter and @westandwithnikki
Book a free Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.
Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe
Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts
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Midlife isnât a breakdown. Itâs a wake-up call.
In this honest and eye-opening episode of Girl, Wake Up!, I sit down with Dina Alvarez and Dina Aronson, co-authors of Midlife Private Parts, to talk about what really happens to women in their 40s and 50s-physically, emotionally, sexually and psychologically-and why so many of us feel blindsided.
Because no one prepared us.
No one told us perimenopause could feel like anxiety, rage, brain fog and clarity all at once. No one told us we might start questioning our marriages, our careers or the roles weâve played for decades. And no one told us midlife might be the moment we realize weâve been over-giving and under-valuing ourselves for years.
For some women, that wake-up call leads to renegotiating a marriage. For others, it leads to divorce. For many, it leads to reclaiming their voice, their desire and their power.
Midlife isnât the end.
Itâs the end of pretending.
And on Girl, Wake Up! â we answer the call.
Learn more about Midlife Private Parts and get your copy here: www.midlifeprivateparts.com
Follow Midlife Private Parts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midlifeprivateparts/
Follow Dina Alvarez on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewritestyles/
Dina Alvarezâ Substack âA Few Good Thingsâ: https://dinaalvarez.substack.com/
Follow Dina Aronson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patina_life/
Dina Aronsonâs Substack âPatinaâ: https://patina.substack.com/
Book a free Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.
Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe
Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts
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Narcissistic abuse doesnât begin with cruelty. It begins with connection.
In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy Polacko sits down with licensed psychotherapist Vanessa Reiser, LCSW, to unpack how narcissists condition, confuse and trap even the smartest, strongest womenâ and what it actually takes to break free.
Vanessa is the author of Narcissistic Abuse: A Therapistâs Guide to Identifying, Escaping, and Healing from Toxic and Manipulative People. A two-time Ironman, she has run across multiple states in a wedding dress to raise awareness about narcissistic abuse and survivor empowerment. Together, we explore how love-bombing turns into control, why gaslighting erodes self-trust, and how trauma bonds keep women stuck long after the red flags appear.
But this episode isnât just about the trap. Itâs about the comeback.
Vanessa shares how she rebuilt her identity, reclaimed her power and transformed her pain into purpose.
If youâve ever wondered:
Was it really that bad?
Why did I stay so long?
Why do I still miss him?
This conversation will help you understand the psychologyâ and reclaim your clarity.
Episode Time Stamps
00:00 - 00:46 Girl, Wake Up Intro
00:47 - 2:39 Welcome to our Girl, Wake Up guest: Vanessa Reiser. Amy deep-dives into her life, work, and activism.
2:40 - 3:10 Men as victims of Narcissistic Abuse. Popular culture headlines such as P.Diddy, and Kevin Spacey.
3:11 - 4:13 It's a Power Dynamic: Why people in positions of power need to step forward.
4:14 - 8:43 Vanessa's book, her work and mission as a clinician, and her experience with pathologized personalities, gaslighting, behavioral disorders, and more.
8:54 - 12:19 Narcissists have a different kind of brain. (Explained)
12:20 - 15:33 Clinician explains how to get out of an abusive situation with a narcissist. Discusses: Trauma bonding, Love bombing; unpacks the abuse cycle.
15:34 - 18:08 Vanessa discusses the psychology behind CULTS. There are different cult systems.
18:09 - 22:12 Dealing with emotionally immature parents (EIPs), narcissistic parents, childhood trauma, identity, and broken family systems.
22:07 - 25:17 When people say the term "narcissist" is overused, the stereotypical narcissist, covert versus overt narcissist
27:18 - 27:53 Truth or Trap segment of the podcast: Narcissists only prey on weak women.
27:54 - 30:30 Letter from a Listener. Amy and Vanessa share their insights
30:31 - 31:44 Thank you, Vanessa. And where the audience can find her online.
31:45 - 31:57 Outro
Find out more about Vanessa Reiser and follow her:
https://tellatherapist.net/
Instagram: @vanessareiserlcsw
Get her book: Narcissistic Abuse
Book a free Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here. Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe
Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts
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The ways in which film & television portray women on TV are NOT accidental.
In this new podcast episode of Girl, Wake Up! award-winning Los Angeles producer Aliza Rosen takes us behind the scenes of media, storytelling and power to expose how narratives about women are shaped, softened, edited and sometimes erased altogether.
From Hollywood to headlines, who gets believed, who gets framed and who gets attention.
This episode is a wake-up call for any woman who has ever felt misrepresented, minimized or told her story was âtoo much,â âtoo complicatedâ or ânot marketable.â
In this episode, we cover:
Who actually controls the stories told about womenâand why it mattersHow power hides behind âcontent,â âobjectivityâ and âthe editâWhy womenâs stories are being told more nowThe cost of misrepresentationWhy was âDirty Johnâ a turning point?Trends weâre seeing in documentaries, podcasts and films_
Find out more about Alizaâs company and follow her:
https://www.ayr-media.com/
Instagram: @ayr_media
Book a free Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.
Follow Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomwarriortribe/
Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts
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Prenups arenât about planning for divorceâtheyâre about planning for yourself.
In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, host Amy Polacko sits down with family law attorney and Prenup Queen Deveney Wells-Gibson for a no-BS conversation about money, marriage, and womenâs power. Together, they break down why financial clarity is one of the most radical forms of self-respect-and why more women are choosing prenups and postnups not out of fear, but out of wisdom.
If youâve ever been told that talking about money is âunromantic,â that prenups mean you donât trust your partner, or that asking for protection makes you difficult â this episode is your wake-up call.
Because peace of mind isnât accidental. Itâs negotiated.
In this episode, we cover:Why prenups are a form of empowerment â not mistrustThe biggest money mistakes women make before marriageHow prenups protect women who step away from careers to raise familiesWhat a postnuptial agreement is-and when itâs actually smarter than a prenupThe red flags that show up when partners resist financial transparencyHow to talk about prenups and postnups without apologizingWhy financial independence is foundational to emotional freedomWomen are waking up. Weâre no longer outsourcing our safetyâemotionally or financially.
And as Deveney makes clear, knowing your numbers, naming your needs, and putting protections in place isnât pessimistic- itâs powerful.
Book a free Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.
Follow Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomwarriortribe/
Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts
Learn more about Deveny Wells-Gibson here:
Website: www.lovemeetswealth.com
Follow Deveny on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprenupqueen/
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Starting over isnât a failureâitâs a declaration.
In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy Polacko is joined by Olivia Howell, founder of Fresh Starts Registry, to talk about why rebuilding your life after divorce is one of the bravest things a woman can do.
Olivia created Fresh Starts Registry after her own split, when she realized how little support exists for women starting over quietly, without weddings, baby showers or applause. What she built instead is a powerful community that says: your fresh start matters.
Together, we unpack the emotional, practical and deeply personal realities of starting over-and why choosing yourself is never something to apologize for.
In this episode, we cover:Why starting over is often mislabeled as âfailureâ (and why thatâs wrong)The emotional toll of rebuilding your life in silenceHow divorce, breakups, and major life resets can become portals to powerWhy women need support systems after relationships end-not just before they beginHow Fresh Starts Registry is changing the way we show up for women in transitionWhat it really means to reclaim your life, your space and your futureSo many women are navigating massive life changes without language, permission or support. This episode is a reminder that starting over isnât weakness-itâs wisdom.
Amy Polacko is a Fresh Starts Expert - Book a free Coaching Consultation with her here.
Follow Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomwarriortribe/
Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts
Learn more about Fresh Starts Registry and follow Olivia here:
Fresh Starts Website: https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/
Fresh Starts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartsregistry/
Oliviaâs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviahowell/
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