Disengaged

Returning guest and friend of the show Aaron Nelsen joins Leah for a candid and heartfelt conversation in our season two finale. Together, they dive into the complexities of bringing emotional baggage into new relationships, unpack evolving gender roles, and explore what it really means to have self-agency in love and life.

Leah sits down with author Dr. Holly Berkley Fletcher to pull back the curtain on the hidden world of missionary life. As an MK (missionary kid) herself, Leah brings a deeply personal lens to this conversation, exploring the joys, struggles and untold stories that rarely make it into the newsletter.

We pause regular programming to bring you a tiny -- but mighty -- blurb.

Author Gloria Masters didn't have the childhood she deserved, but she's turned her adulthood into a mission: advocating for children's safety and rights. From teaching kids not to talk to the creepy guy at church to empowering parents not to force hugs, Gloria gives us practical steps to keep the children in our lives safe and help them learn to advocate for themselves.Read Gloria's book: https://amzn.to/49VtUjb

Globe trotting, country counting and living continents away from "home", Leah talks with Bella Malek about growing up overseas. For more on the origins of TCK, check out this book: https://amzn.to/46cm7Lp

When imposter syndrome becomes your personality. In an unfiltered ad-lib session, Leah shares what has worked for her and what she's glad she didn't know before quitting her job.

Ali Mau kept her abuse private for four decades before speaking publicly and in her memoir, No Words For This, she returns to that story with fresh clarity.In this episode, the Australian-born, New Zealand investigative journalist—best known for her reporting on the #MeToo movement—speaks about surviving abuse, reporting on it in New Zealand and her latest chapter: co-founding Tika, an app connecting survivors and helping hold perpetrators to account. Tika means justice.Content warning: This episode discusses sexual harassment and abuse. Listener discretion is advised.Read Ali's book!

International journalist Richelle Carey quit her job to become a mom, adopting her son Avery at 49. After years of waiting for happiness to find her, she decided to create it herself—and now believes that joy, and even family, can be a choice.Essence article ft. Richelle Carey

Camilla Brückner  is the Director of the United Nations office in Brussels and the representative of the UN system in the European Union. But even as a senior leader, she still has to navigate a man's world. Camilla is your guide, with 30+ years of professional experience, showing you how to stay in the game and own your space. Survey referenced: https://eige.europa.eu/newsroom/news/sexual-harassment-work-more-common-we-think?language_content_entity=en

From Season 25 of The Bachelor to ending her own engagement, Saneh Ste. Claire embodies grace, wit and bravery. In this episode, we discuss everything from public affirmation in relationships to keeping things amicable after you call it quits.

Join Leah for a conversation with Jaclyn Raulerson, Miss Florida 2010. Jaclyn gets vulnerable and shares how she naviagated a crumbling marriage during the pandemic before finding the courage to check herself into treatment. She has been through it! But bounces back stronger every time. Thumbnail image credit: Bruce Ackerman

Disengaged is back with Season 2!After calling off her engagement, host Leah Harding realized just how disconnected she had become from herself. In this podcast, she and her guests explore what self- advocacy, leadership and trusting your gut can look like. Because we don't have to live life disengaged. New episodes drop every other Wednesday. Leah Harding is an Emmy-nominated international journalist based in Washington, D.C.New episodes drop every other Wednesday. Leah Harding is an Emmy-nominated international journalist based in Washington, D.C.

In the season finale, Leah records from the iconic base of the Eiffel Tower. The last time she was in France, she got engaged — but now, with time and perspective, she reflects on that pivotal moment and the weight of the decision to stay or go. A heartfelt look at how life can change, and how every path leaves a mark.Don’t forget to subscribe for updates on Season 2!

LIVE from Brussels — Leah's on the road and slightly spiraling (in a good way!). This week on Disengaged, we're getting real about doing big things alone, especially after relational trauma. What can thriving look like? Let's unpack the fear, the freedom and why being solo might just be the ultimate flex.Show Notes:'Brides': How to End an Engagement, According to a Relationship ExpertCall Her Daddy Engagement Episode

We dive into the shifting views on marriage with wedding industry expert Shane McMurray. From skyrocketing costs to changing values, Gen Z is rethinking the traditional walk down the aisle. Is the obstacle love, money or something deeper?Show Notes:Wedding ReportShane's WebsiteGod is Grey Podcast

Does being tall make you toxic? This week on Disengaged, we’re talking Tall Man Syndrome with Dr. Susan Heitler, the clinical psychologist who literally coined the term. We get into why narcissism often hides behind height, charm and success, and how it can even look a lot like autism—especially when it shows up as what she calls a “listening disorder.”From dating app traps to emotional entitlement, we're breaking down how height, ego and culture all get tangled up in today’s dating scene. You don’t want to miss this one.Dr. Heitler's Books: The Power of TwoThe Power of Two WorkbookPrescriptions Without Pills

Leah Harding shoots us straight. We have an addiction: We just love saying sorry. Self-advocating can look a lot like owning your words, your opinions and your space instead of always apologizing for it. Share this with a friend who could use this reminder. xo

How do you know your gut is speaking or decide what it's trying to say? Host Leah Harding sits down with friends Anne Kosanke and James Cunningham to talk Internal Family Systems, standing up to your parents and advocating for the little things. Show Notes:Anne's Gut ArticleInternal Family Systems (IFS)You Are Not Alone

Stress doesn’t just affect your mind—it takes a toll on your body. Licensed marriage and family therapist Jenny Rodriguez explains the many signs your body may be using to get your attention. Watch on YouTube!Show Notes:What's EMDRTry EMDRAttachment StylesExpert Relationship Help

Let's get the man's perspective. Our next guest has walked in all the shoes—from single to dating, from engaged to disengaged, even reengaged (!)—then married, divorced and back to single. Now, he's found his happy place and is ready to spill all the tea on his wild ride through love and life. Let's meet Aaron Nelsen.

Depression naps, realizing love isn't enough and... are all men dogs? Leah and her BFF take another deep-dive into finding the bravery to say, "I don't" before "I do".

What red flags do we miss? A flashback to the first day Leah met her now ex-fiancé: She was 24. Were there clues she missed in that first interaction, or was she "red flag color blind" in the hopes of finding forever?

Meet your virtual BFF. Your friends are essential support during the engagement-ending process. We can't manage the buildup and fallout of leaving a fiancé without some dear ones. Let's meet one of Leah's.

Ending an engagement is rough. But you’re not alone. In this episode, we dive into the challenging work of speaking your truth, setting and maintaining boundaries and navigating the emotional weight of ending an engagement or any significant relationship. We explore how many of us have been conditioned to put others' happiness ahead of our own.Leah's Blog

They say, "When you know, you know"—but that goes both ways. After calling off her own engagement, host Leah Harding discovered the overwhelming lack of support online for those who make this courageous choice. Now, she’s building the community she wished she had. Tune in for honest conversations, unfiltered stories and the support you need to redefine happiness on your own terms.