S1E13 Good Girlfriends x Escaping Toxic Relationships with Stephanie McPhail

⚠️ Content warning: This episode contains descriptions of abuse and intimate partner violenceThis week, we’re talking about the protective effect of our gal pals on our health, our wellness, and our ability to survive and escape toxic relationships with crisis counselor, coach, author, and podcaster Stephanie McPhail.We ask and answer: Why do we stay in the cycle of unhealthy romantic relationships, and how can our friendships help us break away?In this episode:* The role of social support in our longevity and happiness* What to do if you’re losing a loved one to a toxic relationship* How our *girlfriends* can be an escape route from these bad relationships* How to take steps to make solid friendshipsThe TabooIt’s extremely uncomfortable to tell a friend that their partner is potentially bad for them. We’re taught to mind our own business when it comes to other peoples’ relationships, even when we see clear red flags.The GuestStephanie McPhail authored the book Being Love Shouldn’t Hurt and hosts the podcast Toxic Love. ✍🏻 Stephanie’s blog🆓 6 Steps to Recognize + Overcome Toxic RelationshipsTime Stamps03:45 – Guest Introduction: Stephanie McPhail05:35 – Why women ghost their friends in toxic relationships09:11 – The Harvard research on relationships and longevity12:46 – Isolation in toxic relationships13:41 – Aside: Gaslighting 17:31 – Aside: Trauma Bonding 19:26 – Red flags of a toxic relationship22:16 – How to support a friend in a toxic relationship26:26 – Toxic vs. abusive relationships (and the gray area)40:40 – How to reconnect after ghosting friends51:55 – What’s in your bag?Action ItemsIf you feel you are in a toxic relationship:Listen to the whisper in your head (your gut knows)Start reconnecting with one friend today, even if it’s just sending one simple text (“Sorry I’ve been distant; I’d love to reconnect”)Seek external support (like a therapist or women’s group)If your friend is in a toxic relationship:Keep the door open ("You are always welcome, but your partner is not”)Check in regularly (even when they pull away)Offer a safe exit plan ("If you ever need a place to stay, my door is open.") This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit micahlarsen.substack.com