Best Restoring Estranged Relationships Podcasts (2025)

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Breaking the Cycle of Divorce in Your Marriage | Kaseena Birnbaum | 158 51:31

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17h ago51:31

51:31

What if divorce didn’t just break your childhood—it rewired how you see love and marriage? Most people think divorce only affects the couple who splits. But the truth is, when you grow up watching marriage after marriage fall apart, you start to believe that brokenness is normal. That was Kaseena Birnbaum’s story. With six divorces between her pare…

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46: Surrender and Cooperation in Estrangement 9:05

1d ago9:05

9:05

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? Surrender and cooperation are two words that helped me discover the peace I was seeking as I experienced estrangement in a relationship. Admittedly, these are not two words we readily think about. Surrender conjures up the thought of giving up control. Cooperation may not be as fearful depending on…

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45: Healing your Emotions 13:45

14d ago13:45

13:45

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? Healing your emotions is critical when you are estranged. And its hard work that will take time and commitment. Take a moment to think about the emotions you’ve experienced in the last few days when you think about the person with whom you are estranged. Do you feel disappointed? Sadness? Anger? Re…

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#157: The Lie Every Child of Divorce Secretly Believes | Jim Havens 1:12:34

15d ago1:12:34

1:12:34

What if your parents’ divorce didn’t just split your family—but left you quietly carrying the blame? Most people think the hardest part of divorce is the day it happens. But often it’s the confusion, the pressure to act like everything’s fine, and the haunting thought: “Was it my fault?” In this episode, Jim Havens shares his journey of growing up …

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44: Why You're Struggling with Forgiveness 11:27

28d ago11:27

11:27

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? If you’re struggling with forgiveness, you aren’t alone. The truth is most everyone does. Oh, you may give lip service like I did and say you forgive, but the emotions linger. The pain comes and goes. You replay the hurt over and over so much the record is warped and scratched. Yet you really want …

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#156: “This Is Not the Marriage I Signed Up For” | Heather Khym 54:31

29d ago54:31

54:31

Heather thought her family life was normal. But over time, she uncovered two buried traumas that quietly shaped her childhood—and required deep healing. Years later, as a newlywed, another wound came to light: her husband’s secret porn addiction. It shattered her—but it also became the turning point for restoration. Heather now calls it both the wo…

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43: Learning to be Vulnerable in Estrangement 12:25

1M ago12:25

12:25

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? Learning to be vulnerable is daunting in the best of circumstances. But when you have estranged relationships, it can be downright paralyzing. Vulnerability is akin to giving someone access to your innermost thoughts and emotions. And for good reasons, it isn’t wise to give everyone that privilege.…

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42: Blended Families and Estrangement 11:14

1M ago11:14

11:14

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? Blended families and estrangement often go hand in hand. But are they more prone to estranged relationships? Research says not necessarily. However, they do face more unique challenges and that can morph into estrangement. Are you part of a blended family that is facing difficulties and even amid e…

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#155: Am I Doomed to Repeat My Parents’ Divorce? | Dr. Brad Wilcox 47:32

1M ago47:32

47:32

Am I doomed to repeat the mistakes I saw in my parents’ marriage? That question made me afraid of love—especially when I started dating. At times, it even made me not want to get married at all. And now, even as a married man, that fear still shows up. If you come from a divorced or deeply dysfunctional family, you probably feel it too. The questio…

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#154: Should I Reconnect with My Estranged Parent? | Kreed Revere 1:16:18

2M ago1:16:18

1:16:18

For so many of us from divorced or dysfunctional families, the tension with our parents doesn’t just fade. It can grow into silence, distance, or even a total cutoff where we can become estranged from each other. But what exactly is estrangement, why does it happen, and how can you rebuild an estranged relationship? In this episode, we discuss that…

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41: Limiting Core Beliefs and Estrangement 10:55

2M ago10:55

10:55

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? Limiting core beliefs affects your mindset and your overall health. And these core beliefs in estrangement can keep you stuck and unable to get into a healthy place. Think in terms of whether I can’t, I will never, or I should. When you are in an estranged relationship it’s easy to let your mind go…

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#153: He Grew Up Without a Dad. Here’s What He Learned | Tommy 1:08:41

2M ago1:08:41

1:08:41

In many places, we’re facing an epidemic of fatherlessnes. Fatherlessness not only leaves an invisible mark but it also shapes how you view yourself, how you handle your emotions, and how you love in relationships. So are fatherless children doomed? Not at all. In fact, Tommy shows how to compensate for what you didn’t receive from dad and how heal…

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40: Who You Are Becoming is More Important than What You Do 11:08

2M ago11:08

11:08

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? Who you are becoming is vital in discovering peace in estranged relationships. And estrangement can lock you in a mental prison so that at times you don’t even know who you are anymore. Triggers create a response that you later regret and you are mired in guilt. At times it feels as though you take…

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39: Top 3 Causes of Estrangement 11:28

3M ago11:28

11:28

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? The top 3 causes of estrangement based on research studies help you understand not only why it happens but the impact on relationships. Estrangement is something that many just don’t talk about. You may perceive it as a stigma as many do. The concept of family evokes illusions of happy times, gathe…

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#152: The 3 Ways to Find Meaning in Suffering | Jack Beers 49:08

3M ago49:08

49:08

So many of us from divorced or dysfunctional families never learned how to deal with pain and suffering in a healthy way. As a result, we usually either numb the pain or get stuck in bitterness. But what if you could not only learn how to navigate pain in a healthy way, but actually draw meaning from your pain and emerge stronger? That’s what we di…

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38: Family Conflict is on the Rise 10:57

3M ago10:57

10:57

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? Family conflict is on the rise as I am hearing from women in many circles. In recent years, politics, religion, and a host of other topics are dividing families more than ever. I personally experienced that a few months ago when a conflict arose and it turned into a personal attack on perceived rel…

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#151: Even Necessary Divorces Hurt | Brandy 1:07:34

3M ago1:07:34

1:07:34

When Brandy was only a few months old, her parents divorced due to her father’s alcoholism. From the outside, her story might seem like a “best case” scenario—she was raised by a courageous single mom and later a kind stepfather. But underneath it all, she carried wounds no one could see. She believed perfection was the path to love. She feared bec…

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37: Finding Calmness in the Storms of Life 8:28

3M ago8:28

8:28

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? Finding calmness in the storms of life can be quite difficult. I grew up in Texas right in the middle of a tornado alley. Sirens blare warning people a storm is coming and advising them to seek shelter. Sometimes storms of life come with warning bells. The winds of anger and bitterness blow against…

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36: Estrangement and Feelings 7:20

4M ago7:20

7:20

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? Estrangement and feelings often create an emotional train wreck. How are you feeling today? When people ask that question, you know that they don’t really want to hear that you are upset, sad, disappointed. They are just being nice. The real question is do you know what you are feeling? Can you ide…

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#150: Attachment Theory: What It Is and Why It Matters | Kirsty Nolan 41:47

4M ago41:47

41:47

What is attachment theory? How does your attachment style impact your relationships? As an expert in attachment theory, Kirsty Nolan joins us to discuss all of that, plus: The four attachment styles What happens when you have a secure attachment early in childhood, but later experience a rupture because of trauma, like your parents’ divorce Tips on…

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#149: He Was His Parents’ Therapist Until It Broke Him | Cole 54:45

4M ago54:45

54:45

What happens when you become your parents’ emotional confidant—their therapist—during a divorce? At first, it might feel like you’re helping. But eventually, it backfires and might even break you. That’s what happened to Cole. In this episode, we explore: How he went through his parents’ separation twice—and how each one affected him differently Ho…

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35: 3 Steps to Get Through Mother's Day with Estranged Kids 9:33

5M ago9:33

9:33

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? Trying to get through Mother’s Day with estranged kids is akin to living a terrible nightmare. Years ago, I remember dreading the holiday. While everyone was receiving flowers, chocolates, cards, and loving attention, I bawled my eyes out. My kids were estranged following my divorce and other circu…

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#148: Why You're Anxious, Tired, & Sick—and What to Do About It | Jackie Mulligan 40:13

5M ago40:13

40:13

So many of us feel depleted and exhausted, yet we might not know why. This is especially true for those of us from divorced or broken families. Research shows that children of divorce typically have worse physical health and more emotional problems. But thankfully, that doesn’t have to be your story. Going from depleted to healthy on every level is…

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#147: From Athlete to Paralyzed: “It’s the Best Thing That’s Happened to Me” | AJ De La Rosa 59:52

5M ago59:52

59:52

AJ had a normal life as a college student-athlete. But one night, a violent car accident left AJ paralyzed from the waist down. What started as 15 minutes of hell has transformed into what he calls “The best thing that’s happened to me.” In this episode, you’ll hear: The detailed story of the accident and the unexplainable emotions he experienced i…

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34: Family Estrangement - Words Do Hurt 8:38

5M ago8:38

8:38

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? Family estrangement may be one of the toughest tests you will face in life. People say that death of a loved one is more difficult, and I do not discount that one. But estrangement is the death of a relationship whether it’s a child, parent, or beloved family member. You may feel as though you are …

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33: Forgiveness Feeds Your Soul 8:44

5M ago8:44

8:44

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? Forgiveness feeds your soul just as food feeds the body. That statement and what I’m about to share with you will change the trajectory of your life. Living with estrangement sucks the life right out of you. Triggers pound on the door of your heart out of nowhere. Emotions follow and you find yours…

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#146: 1/3 Less Marriages Today Are Making Us Lonely | JP De Gance 45:15

5M ago45:15

45:15

At the root of our culture’s many problems is the breakdown of marriages and families. My guest shares sobering statistics, such as that “there are 31% less marriages annually now than in the year 2000” and there are “65% less marriages now than in the year 1970.” He says this is hugely contributing to the loneliness crisis today. Thankfully, there…

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32: All Things are Possible with God 7:51

6M ago7:51

7:51

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? All things are possible with God scripture says. But do you believe it? Estrangement causes you to doubt that promise because you see no hope. Every effort you make seems fruitless. Day after day wears on with no resolution. Hope is something everyone desires, and it often seems elusive. Consequent…

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31: Rediscover God Through Estrangement 13:44

6M ago13:44

13:44

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? The greatest gift I ever received was to rediscover God through estrangement. That may sound crazy. Estranged relationships cause you to feel isolated, devalued, and unworthy and so it seems unlikely that God would reach out and pursue you. But that’s exactly what I experienced, and it was life cha…

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30: Misunderstandings and Judgements 18:04

6M ago18:04

18:04

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? Estrangement often follows a plethora of misunderstandings and judgments, and I’ll bet you’ve been on one end of the spectrum in a relationship. As I began to think about this episode, I pondered a conversation I had with a woman recently. She wasn’t sure how her family situation had deteriorated t…

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#145: Mother Wounds, “Parts Work” Therapy, & Healing from a Broken Family | Dr. Gerry Crete 1:09:51

6M ago1:09:51

1:09:51

Growing up, Dr. Gerry experienced deep turmoil at home. His father was abusive, and his parents’ marriage was full of conflict. When they eventually divorced, he felt like he lost both parents. Feeling alone, he became highly independent. Thankfully, he found healing, and today he helps others heal as a therapist. In this episode, we discuss: How I…

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29: Understanding the Why Behind False Accusations 13:04

7M ago13:04

13:04

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? False accusations often arise in estranged relationships and may be the origin of the estrangement. Unless you are equipped with a mind shift to navigate these hurtful times, it is unlikely that the relationship will improve. A strong back bone and thick skin along with a sincere desire to manage t…

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#144: The Secret to Not Repeating Your Family’s Dysfunction | Dr. Andrew Abela 48:09

7M ago48:09

48:09

So many of us from divorced or broken families fear repeating our parents' mistakes. If you want to avoid that, one of the keys is building virtue. But what is virtue? How do you build it? And what virtues might you acquire? My guest today wrote Superhabits, an amazing new book on virtue. He answers those questions, plus: How to override the uncons…

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28: Living a God Honoring Life During Estrangement 9:33

7M ago9:33

9:33

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? Estrangement, false accusation, guilt, and shame are not conducive to living a God honoring life. When you are constantly living with accusation from family, friends, kids or whomever it creates disappointment, bitterness and even anger. You bring it before God and pray that he will help you deal w…

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27: How to Trust God as Father 11:43

7M ago11:43

11:43

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? Learning to trust God as father is not easy when you’ve been abandoned, rejected, or treated harshly by your earthly one. As one whose biological father abandoned her and an adopted father treated her harshly, I struggled to trust God as my heavenly father. Do you struggle with that concept too? I …

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#143: When Your Divorced Parent Dies: Grieving, Healing, & Closure | Ben 1:11:16

7M ago1:11:16

1:11:16

After a relapse into alcoholism, Ben’s mom left him, his family, and the country for years when he was just 5 years old. When she returned, he struggled in his relationship with her but placed proper boundaries and found some resolution. But his mom’s death in Ben’s late 20s brought new pain. In this episode, you’ll hear his wild story, plus: The r…

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Topics on Estrangement, Guilt and Shame 1:52

7M ago1:52

1:52

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? Today I'm talking to my awesome audience with a short message. I've published 26 episodes now and the response has been staggering. Although I do know what countries my listeners come from, I don't know much more. So, today I am asking a favor. Would you take a minute to contact me and tell me what…

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#142: How to Break the Cycle of Your Broken Family 48:35

7M ago48:35

48:35

Has your parents’ divorce or broken family brought pain into your life? Do you fear repeating the cycle of dysfunction or divorce? You’re not alone—millions face these often unspoken struggles: hidden wounds, emotional problems, broken relationships, and destructive habits. Thankfully, you’re not destined to repeat your family’s dysfunction. In thi…

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26: How Can You Find Peace When Your Heart is Broken into Pieces 10:13

7M ago10:13

10:13

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? Nothing hurts more than a broken heart. Emotional pain is often more damaging than any physical pain. And sadly, it is most painful when it’s created by a family member. Because that is intended to inflict brokenness. A friend can betray you and while it creates disappointment and anger, the emotio…

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25: Closure in Estranged Relationships 10:33

8M ago10:33

10:33

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? What comes to mind when you think of the word closure? One definition is the act or process of closing something such as a relationship with an estranged person in your life. Does that sound negative to you? What emotions does it evoke? Another definition states that closure brings a sense of peace…

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24: Move Past Estrangement to Pursue Peace 9:35

8M ago9:35

9:35

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? How do you move past estrangement so that you can pursue peace? That question came to me recently as I pondered what topics I could share with my audience of women dealing with estrangement. It came through a devotional I read that joy and peace are the doorways for us to live by the power of the H…

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23: What Does a Healthy Relationship Look Like Amid Estrangement? 14:33

8M ago14:33

14:33

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? If you’ve had an estranged relationship with someone, chances are you would love it to become a healthy one. Most who have estrangement also have relationships that are fun and enjoyable. You find yourself attracted to those people. You can’t get enough of the joy and love emanating from relationsh…

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#141: Good Can Come from Broken Situations | Dylan 58:21

8M ago58:21

58:21

At age 5, Dylan’s parents divorced. Visitation brought challenges, but he learned to appreciate the time it gave him with his dad, who really helped him grow. From that, he learned that good can come from broken situations. In today’s episodes, we also discuss topics like: How we need father figures, ideally our dads, in order to become men, find o…

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22: How to Stop Replaying Hurtful Words in Estrangement 9:22

8M ago9:22

9:22

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? Are you ready to stop replaying hurtful words that have been spoken to you? It’s a sad but fact that families can say the most hurtful things to one another. And if you’re on the receiving end, it’s hard to get those out of your mind. Have you ever streamed a favorite show or movie, and the dreaded…

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21: How to Have the Hard Conversations in Estrangement 13:36

8M ago13:36

13:36

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? You’re hurt by words spoken to you by a close friend or family member. It’s a recurring thing. Pain permeates your soul. You may regret words you spoke or hurtful and vulnerable emotions you shared. Where does the relationship go from there? Do you walk away for good this time? Do you keep trying a…

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#140: Hardest Part of the Divorce: Seeing My Siblings Struggle | Anthony 1:28:58

8M ago1:28:58

1:28:58

The hardest part of your parents’ divorce or family breakdown is seeing the people you love suffer. That was true for my guest today who happens to be my older brother, Anthony: Watching our siblings struggle was the hardest part for him. In this episode, you’ll hear us compare stories about our parents’ divorce from our perspectives as siblings, p…

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#139: Dating or Marrying Someone from an Intact vs Broken Family | Paul & Maggie Kim 57:08

9M ago57:08

57:08

So many of us from broken families end up dating or marrying someone from an intact family. But that presents challenges, which we discuss in this episode with an amazing married couple where one spouse comes from a broken family and the other is from an intact family. We also discuss questions like: What did you fear about marriage? Maggie opens u…

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20: New Beginnings and Estrangement 10:33

9M ago10:33

10:33

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? Happy New Year! We all love new beginnings, right? Out with the old and in with the new is a familiar motto for ringing in a new year. And not much as changed. You’re still estranged from someone you care about. A child, grandchild, sibling, or someone else. You’re hoping that this may be the year …

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#138: The Best of 2024: Restored Podcast Highlights 30:52

9M ago30:52

30:52

If you come from a divorced or broken family, this show is for you. We help you heal your brokenness, navigate the challenges, and build healthy relationships, so you can break that cycle and build a better life. In this episode, you'll hear highlight clips from the podcast in 2024. If you’re new to the podcast, this is the perfect way to sample ou…

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19:Rise Above Estrangement and Adversity 12:59

9M ago12:59

12:59

Send me a text…what topics would you like to hear? It’s a new year. Are you ready to rise above estrangement and adversity and chart a new path for yourself? I’m not talking about establishing new years resolutions. I am talking about revolutionary changes. Change can set your heart free from anxiety and worry about anything and everything. There h…