PODCAST · society
Relationship Truth: Unfiltered
by Leslie Vernick
Every relationship has its problems. But, too often, those problems become destructive and even dangerous. This happens in Christian marriages, too. And the church, unfortunately, hasn’t done a great job of dealing with it.Relationship Truth: Unfiltered is a place for people of faith to find real answers when it comes to destructive relationships.
Episodes
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What Your Church Never Told You About Divorce — A Family Law Attorney Sets the Record Straight
Have you ever wondered whether staying in your marriage is what God truly requires of you — or whether that belief is actually a lie keeping you trapped? In this powerful episode, Leslie sits down with Charlene Quint, family law attorney, domestic abuse survivor, TEDx speaker, and founder of…
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My Silence Was My Sin: How Legalism Kept Me Loyal to an Abusive Marriage for 36 Years with Jennifer Brantley
Show Notes Have you ever wondered whether your faith was actually keeping you trapped in something God never intended for you? For Jennifer Brantley, that question took 36 years and a shattering moment of clarity to finally answer. In this powerful episode, Leslie sits down with Jennifer — a...
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You Don't Have to Heal Alone: Why Community Is Essential in a Destructive Relationship
You Don't Have to Heal Alone: Why Community Is Essential in a Destructive Relationship Have you ever sat in a church pew, heard a message about forgiveness or submission, and walked away feeling more trapped than before — wondering if something was deeply wrong with you for still feeling unsafe?...
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Not Aware Enough or Doesn't Care Enough? Dr. George Simon on Character Disturbance and What You Can Control
Not Aware Enough or Doesn't Care Enough? Dr. George Simon on Character Disturbance and What You Can Control Have you ever walked away from a conversation with your husband feeling like you are the one who is losing your mind — even though you know something is deeply wrong? That disorientation is...
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Why Rejection Hits So Hard and How to Stop Letting It Define You with Ginger Stache
Why Rejection Hits So Hard and How to Stop Letting It Define You Have you ever been blindsided by a betrayal so complete that it did not just shatter your marriage — it shattered the story you believed about yourself? One moment you thought you knew who you were, who he was, and who God was to…
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Addicted to Hopium: How Trauma Bonds Keep You Waiting for Change That Isn't Coming
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "Maybe this time he really means it" — and then hated yourself for thinking it again? You are not weak. You are not foolish. You are caught in something far more powerful than willpower alone. In this deeply honest and compassionate episode, Leslie Vernick...
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From Crazy-Making to Clarity: One Woman's Journey Out of a Destructive Marriage
From Crazy-Making to Clarity: One Woman's Journey Out of a Destructive Marriage What do you do when you cry out to God at two in the morning — not because you are praying, but because you are too afraid to go to sleep? That is exactly where Shelley found herself: a musician, a mother, a woman of...
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How to thrive as the default parent: When you're doing it all in a neurodiverse family - with Stephanie Holmes
How to Thrive as the Default Parent When you're doing it all in a neurodiverse family with Stephanie Holmes What do you do when you are the only one who sees what your child needs, the only one managing the appointments, the IEPs, the protocols, the meltdowns, the mental load — and the other…
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The Dignity Line: How to Recognize When Your Relationship Has Crossed It With Dawn Madsen
The Dignity Line How to Recognize When Your Relationship Has Crossed It with Dawn Madsen Show Notes Have you ever found yourself unable to explain to a counselor, a friend, or even yourself exactly why your relationship feels so wrong — only to be met with "every marriage has problems" or "have…
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Tired of Being Dismissed? How to Stop Over-Functioning and Start Protecting Your Heart
Tired of Being Dismissed? How to Stop Over-Functioning and Start Protecting Your Heart Have you ever found yourself explaining your needs — again — to someone who just doesn't seem to care? Or quietly wondering, *Is something wrong with me for wanting to be seen?* If that question has lived in…
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When Conflict Feels Unsafe: How to Stay Open-Hearted Without Abandoning Yourself
When Conflict Feels Unsafe: How to Stay Open-Hearted Without Abandoning Yourself Have you ever known the “right” way to communicate, but in the heat of conflict, those tools seem to disappear? In this episode of Relationship Truth: Unfiltered, Leslie sits down with psychologist, speaker, and…
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Parenting with Someone Who Is Emotionally or Spiritually Unsafe
Parenting with Someone Who Is Emotionally or Spiritually Unsafe How do you parent well when the other parent is manipulative, emotionally unsafe, spiritually abusive, addictive, or simply unwilling to grow? It’s one of the most painful and exhausting realities many women face after separation,...
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Finding Life, Hope, and Healing After Divorce with Jessica Kastner
Finding Life, Hope, and Healing After Divorce with Jessica Kastner Have you ever wondered if your story is over because your marriage ended? Divorce can feel like a death—of dreams, identity, family, and future. But in this tender and hope-filled conversation, Leslie sits down with author and...
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When Faith Has Been Used to Keep You Stuck Kelly’s Story of Abuse, Awakening, and Courage
Have you ever wondered whether what you’re living through is really abuse—or if maybe you’ve just been told for so long to “pray harder,” “submit more,” and “be a better wife” that you no longer trust your own reality? In this deeply honest episode, Leslie sits down with Kelly Yazzie, Leslie...
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Boundaries, Overfunctioning, and Finding Your Voice in Difficult Relationships
Boundaries, Overfunctioning, and Finding Your Voice in Difficult Relationships Have you ever tried to set a boundary… only to feel shut down, ignored, or even guilted into backing down? In this honest and practical episode, Leslie is joined by trusted coach Diana Bala to walk through real-life...
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Healing After Betrayal – Moving from Broken to Brave with Tammy Gustafson
Healing After Betrayal – Moving from Broken to Brave with Tammy Gustafson Have you ever done everything you were told a “good Christian wife” should do—pray harder, forgive quickly, submit more—only to find yourself deeply betrayed and wondering where God is in the middle of it all? In this...
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Finding Hope in the Deepest Pain
Finding Hope in the Deepest Pain What happens when the unthinkable becomes your reality—and yet you still choose faith? In today’s deeply moving episode, Leslie sits down with Hope Hooton, a courageous mother, advocate, and follower of Jesus whose life changed forever in May 2024 when her two...
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Who Has God Called You to Be? Rediscovering Your Identity Beyond Your Role
Have you ever looked in the mirror and quietly wondered, “Who am I really?” Not what you do. Not the roles you play. Not what others expect of you. But who you truly are. In this deeply honest and hope-filled conversation, I’m joined again by our team coach, Susan King, as we explore what…
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When Faith Meets Reality: Accepting the Truth About an Abusive Marriage
Have you ever thought you finally met the right one—only to discover, painfully, that everything he said was a lie? In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Leslie Vernick sits down with media expert and speaker Beverly Hallberg to unpack her harrowing journey through a deceptive and...
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When Should I Talk to a Lawyer (Even If I'm Not Planning to Divorce?)
When Should I Talk to a Lawyer (Even If I'm Not Planning to Divorce?) Have you ever wondered if reaching out to a lawyer makes you disloyal—or unfaithful—to your marriage or to God? Many Christian women in painful or destructive relationships fear that even considering legal advice is a betrayal....
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Resilience After Abuse What It Really Means and How to Rebuild
Resilience After Abuse: What It Really Means and How to Rebuild Key Takeaways Have you ever felt so broken by your past that the idea of “resilience” feels impossible or even offensive? You're not alone. In this honest and hope-filled conversation, Leslie sits down with licensed therapist and...
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When Healing Isn’t Instant: Reframing Mental Health, Faith, and Finding Your Next Step
When Healing Isn’t Instant: Reframing Mental Health, Faith, and Finding Your Next Step Have you ever wondered if your struggles with anxiety, depression, or trauma mean you're not “spiritual enough”? Maybe you've tried praying harder, reading your Bible more, or pushing yourself to “have more...
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From Confused to Courageous: Stories of Healing Through Empowered to Change Part 2
What does it really take to go from paralyzing fear and emotional confusion to courageous clarity and freedom? In Part 2 of our conversation, Coach LeAnne Parsons continues her heart-stirring dialogue with three women who bravely walked the journey of healing inside Empowered to Change. This…
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From Confused to Courageous: Stories of Healing Through Empowered to Change Part 1
Have you ever looked at your life and thought, "I can’t keep living like this… but I don’t know how to change?" You’re not alone, friend. In this powerful episode, you’ll hear from three courageous women—Rhonda, Jill, and Christine—who were once stuck in confusion, fear, and shame. Now, they…
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Can I Ever Love Again? A Story of Hope After Unimaginable Loss with Michelle Hord
Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to love again after your heart has been shattered? Maybe you've walked through a painful divorce, betrayal, or even the loss of someone dear—and the thought of opening your heart again feels terrifying, or even wrong. In today’s powerful episode, Leslie…
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Boundaries During the Holidays
Over-Functioning During the Holidays: Why Boundaries Matter More Than Ever Do you dread the holidays—not because you don’t love your people—but because you're already feeling stretched thin, emotionally exhausted, and maybe even a little resentful? You’re not alone. This week, Leslie Vernick and...
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How to Discern a Safe and Godly Man
How to Discern a Safe and Godly Man What does a safe and godly man truly look like? And how can you tell the difference between surface-level change and deep, lasting heart transformation? In this powerful episode, Leslie sits down with Michael and Kristen Cary, founders of Living Truth and...
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A Biblical Response To Domestic Violence
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and while we wish this wasn’t something we needed to talk about, it’s a heartbreaking reality—even among those who profess faith in Christ. In this powerful and eye-opening episode, Leslie speaks directly to women who are suffering in silence, helping...
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When Pretending Breaks You: Finding Peace After Overfunctioning in a Destructive Marriage
Have you ever felt like you’re barely surviving behind the scenes while projecting a picture-perfect life to the outside world? You’re not alone. In this powerful episode of Relationship Truth: Unfiltered, Coach Diana sits down with Jeannie—a homeschooling mom, writer, and woman of deep faith—who...
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Coaches Takeover Series – People-Pleasing & Insecurity
Welcome to Relationship Truth: Unfiltered, where we bring truth with love to the tough topics of emotionally destructive relationships. In today’s special Coaches Takeover episode, Leslie Vernick team coaches Diana Bala and Susan King dive into people-pleasing, insecurity, and the transformative...
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God Didn’t Ask Me to Be Nice: Reclaiming Truth, Boundaries, and Peace
📌 Episode Summary: In today’s episode of Relationship Truth Unfiltered, host LeAnne Parsons, Professional Certified Coach and trauma-informed practitioner on Leslie Vernick’s coaching team, sits down with Vickie a woman whose life was built on saying yes to everyone—until she learned how to say...
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“I Chose to Be Well”: One Woman’s Journey Through Betrayal, Boundaries, and Becoming Whole Again
Have you ever felt like you were losing yourself just to keep the peace? That you were constantly saying “yes” when your heart was crying out “no”? If you’ve ever struggled with people pleasing—especially in the wake of betrayal or in the midst of a painful marriage—this episode is for you. In…
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Unmasking Insecurity: The Hidden Struggle of People Pleasing
Are you constantly saying “yes” when your heart is screaming “no”? If you’ve ever felt like your worth hinges on making everyone around you happy, this episode will speak directly to your heart. Coaches Susan and Diana pull back the curtain on one of the most sneaky and exhausting insecurities…
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When Pleasing Others Costs Too Much: TC's Story of Capacity, Courage and Clarity
🌟 Episode Overview: Welcome back to Relationship Truth Unfiltered. In today’s episode, we go beyond the surface and straight into the heart of what it looks like to move from insecurity to identity, from people pleasing to peace. LeAnne sits down with a courageous woman who has walked through...
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Insecurity vs. Identity: Breaking Agreement with the Lie
In this heart-opening episode, Coach LeAnne Parsons takes us deep into the hidden ways insecurity can shape — and sabotage — our identity in Christ. With wisdom, compassion, and biblical clarity, she gently exposes how fear, shame, and striving disguise themselves as humility or responsibility,...
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People Pleasing — Why You Do It and How to Stop
“People pleasing isn’t love. It’s fear dressed up as kindness.” Have you ever gone along to get along? Said yes when you really wanted to say no? Diminished your desires, your boundaries, or even your calling—just to avoid conflict or gain approval? If so, you're not alone. In this heartfelt and...
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How Insecurity Shows Up in Your Life (and What to Do About It)
“You’re not alone, you’re not crazy—and with God’s help, you can build confidence and walk in truth.” Have you ever felt like you weren’t good enough? Like you didn’t belong or couldn't trust your own decisions? Maybe you’ve wrestled with anxiety before speaking up, or feared being rejected in...
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When Trauma Shows Up in Parenting: One Woman’s Question, Many Women’s Reality
In this tender episode of Unfiltered Truth, Coach LeAnne shares one brave woman’s deeply vulnerable question about parenting in the wake of trauma—and the grace-filled truth we all need to hear. If you’ve ever reacted in anger and wondered, “What’s wrong with me?”—you’re not alone. Through a...
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Our Stories, Our Why
In this deeply personal and powerful kickoff to the Coaches Takeover Series on Relationship Truth: Unfiltered, join Certified Coaches LeAnne Parsons and Diana Bala as they pull back the curtain on their personal stories of people-pleasing, performance, and purpose—and how God has faithfully...
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A Fresh Voice, A Familiar Mission: Welcoming Our Coaches Takeover
In this special episode, LeAnne Parsons (PCC, TBRI Practitioner, and coach on Leslie Vernick’s team) shares an exciting update. With Leslie’s full blessing and invitation, the coaching team is stepping in to bring a new Coaches Takeover Series to the podcast! You’ll hear encouragement, real...
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From Lost to Found: Reclaiming Your Voice, Identity & Faith in Destructive Relationships
Have you ever felt like you've lost yourself trying to make a relationship work? You go through the motions, trying to be the "good wife," the "submissive woman," the "faithful helper"—but deep inside, something feels off. You’re exhausted, resentful, and unsure how you even got here. In this...
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Nick Stumbo on Breaking the Silence: The Hidden Impact of Porn on Christian Marriages
What do you do when trust is shattered, but no one around you seems to take your pain seriously? In today’s deeply honest and hope-filled episode, Leslie sits down with Nick Stumbo, former pastor and Executive Director of Pure Desire Ministries, who opens up about his personal battle with...
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I Didn’t Know I Was in an Abusive Marriage with Naghmeh Panahi
What if the marriage you fought to save was the very thing destroying you? In today’s raw and courageous episode, Leslie sits down with Naghmeh Panahi, a woman many first heard about when she passionately advocated for the release of her husband, Pastor Saeed Abedini, imprisoned in Iran for his...
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Healing After Sexual Abuse: A Powerful Conversation with Tabitha Westbrook
Have you ever wondered if healing is truly possible after the deepest kind of betrayal? Maybe you’ve been carrying the weight of shame, confusion, or silence for years. Or maybe someone you love is walking that road and you don’t know how to help. In this honest and hope-filled episode, Leslie is...
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When Loving Him Hurts: Navigating Neurodivergence, Abuse, and Ministry Expectations
Is It Neurodivergence… or Abuse? One Woman’s Journey to Truth and Freedom What do you do when the man you married is beloved by everyone, but you’re falling apart behind closed doors? When he’s neurodivergent—and you want to be compassionate—but you’re the one carrying the entire weight of the...
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Money, Marriage & Moving Forward: A Financial Guide for Women Facing Divorce with Rhonda Noordyk
Divorce is never the goal, but sometimes it’s the only solution to an abusive, destructive marriage. Yet, for many Christian women, the fear of financial ruin keeps them stuck in unhealthy relationships. Today, we’re tackling that fear head-on with financial expert Rhonda Noordyk, founder of the...
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The Nicest Liar You'll Ever Meet
What happens when the person you trust most turns out to be a stranger behind closed doors? Many of us go into marriage believing we’ve found a godly partner, only to discover deception, manipulation, and an unraveling reality we never saw coming. In this powerful episode of Relationship Truth...
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Power, Abuse, and the Church: Exposing the Truth with Dr. Diane Langberg
When the Church Harms Instead of Heals: A Conversation with Dr. Diane Langberg Does the church always protect the vulnerable? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Too often, church leaders and institutions protect their own reputation, power, and influence instead of the wounded and abused. This...
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Acceptance: Facing Hard Truths Without Giving Up Hope
Have you ever found yourself stuck in a cycle of hoping things will change, only to be disappointed over and over again? Maybe you’re in a destructive marriage, and deep down, you know the truth... but accepting it feels impossible. In this episode, Leslie Vernick and Julie Sedenko dive into what...
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Pastor's Wife: Called or Confined?
RESOURCES: Join Walking in Core Strength Today! Beth Allison Barr's website "Becoming the Pastor's Wife" by Beth Allison Barr What does it mean to be a pastor’s wife? Is it a God-ordained role, or has it been shaped by culture? And how do women in ministry or marriage find freedom when their...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Every relationship has its problems. But, too often, those problems become destructive and even dangerous. This happens in Christian marriages, too. And the church, unfortunately, hasn’t done a great job of dealing with it.Relationship Truth: Unfiltered is a place for people of faith to find real answers when it comes to destructive relationships.
HOSTED BY
Leslie Vernick
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Relationship Truth: Unfiltered have?
Relationship Truth: Unfiltered currently has 190 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Relationship Truth: Unfiltered about?
Every relationship has its problems. But, too often, those problems become destructive and even dangerous. This happens in Christian marriages, too. And the church, unfortunately, hasn’t done a great job of dealing with it.Relationship Truth: Unfiltered is a place for people of faith to find real...
How often does Relationship Truth: Unfiltered release new episodes?
Relationship Truth: Unfiltered publishes regularly with 190 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Relationship Truth: Unfiltered?
You can listen to Relationship Truth: Unfiltered on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Relationship Truth: Unfiltered?
Relationship Truth: Unfiltered is created and hosted by Leslie Vernick.
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