Relationship Truth: Unfiltered

How I Accelerated My Healing From a Destructive Marriage

In this episode you'll meet Suzanne, a woman who didn't even recognize many of her habits as being the result of her destructive marriage. The product of an abusive home, she found it easy to believe her husband's behavior was her fault. 
Four children and several decades later an event happened that opened Suzanne's eyes and set her on a course of real healing. You'll hear specific things she did and tips she has for you in finding healing from a destructive relationship.

Advocating for Abuse Victims

Today’s guest is Joy Forrest, founder and Executive Director of Called to Peace Ministries and author of, “Called to Peace: A Survivor's Guide to Finding Peace and Healing After Domestic Abuse.” 
 
To become an advocate, request a church partnership liaison or find personal support, go to www.calledtopeace.org

Ready to Take a Chance Again?

How do you know when you're ready to date again?

What My Mom’s Destructive Marriage Did to Me

Hannah is the daughter of Maureen from Episode 3, "Free After 41 Years." Hear Hannah describe what life was like growing up with her destructive father and how it impacted her as an adult. 

Dealing with Sexual Betrayal

Have you been impacted by sexual betrayal? Take the FREE QUIZ HERE: www.braveone.com/freequiz
Dr. Sherri Keffer knows - personally - the devastation of sexual betrayal. 
In this episode Sherri tells her story and shares how denial and depression kept her from dealing with the truth of what was happening in her marriage. 
Learn the TWO PILLARS every sexually betrayed partner needs. 
Hear what you should do - and what you shouldn't do - when dealing with the sin of sexual betrayal.
Find out what you CAN DO - even when you don't know whether sexual betrayal has happened. 
And, answer the questions, once and for all ... is it YOUR fault this happened? Is there anything you could have done to have prevented it?
Leslie and Sherri will also talk about how to talk to the kids when there's been sexual betrayal in the marriage. 
 
 

Three More Lies Christian Women Believe

In this episode we discover three more lies that Christian women often believe...lies that keep them stuck, afraid, and silent. 
1. It's your fault your husband acts the way he does.
2. God hates all divorce.
3. If I try harder, he'll change.
 
To register for Leslie's live, free webinar, go to www.leslievernick.com/joinwebinar

My Husband Doesn’t Care

In this episode Leslie deals with the topic of indifference. When does it cross the line and become an abusive apathy?

Married to a Sexually Abusive Pastor

Alicia was pregnant with her sixth child when a virus left her paralyzed. Her sexually addicted pastor-husband used her disability as an opportunity to repeatedly rape her and then used the Bible to shame her into forgiveness and submission.

When a Good Christian Girl’s Marriage Goes Bad Part 2

In part 2 of Leslie’s interview with author Gretchen Baskerville  you’ll hear more about what God has to say about marriage and divorce. They will tackle questions like, ”Is divorce always harmful to kids?” ”Is staying for the kids always the right thing to do?” And, ”Is divorce only permitted when they’re sexual infidelity?” And finally, ”How do you respond if you’re being judged or attacked for leaving a destructive marriage?”
 
Question 1 [1:10] Is Marriage a Permanent Covenant No Matter What?
 
Question 2 [3:50 ] What about the verse, “God hates divorce?”
 
Question 3 [11:03] Is divorce universally destructive to kids?
 
Question 4 [13:40] Is unfaithfulness the only biblically acceptable reason to divorce? And, does unfaithfulness mean only sexual intercourse with someone other than your spouse?
 
Gretchen’s definition of abuse: [19:09]
 
An abuser’s “light side” aka love bombing: [20:39]
 
Question 5: [22:35] How do you deal with pressure from other Christians who don’t agree with your decisions or interpretations?
 
Question 6: [29:10] Who is the authority in your life?
 
 
Resources:
Gretchen Baskerville’s website: https://lifesavingdivorce.com/
Life Saving Divorce book by Gretchen Baskerville
Relationship Test: Are You in an Emotionally Destructive Relationship? 
List of Bible passages on divorce and abuse: www.lifesavingdivorce.com/abuse-in-bible 
 
Leslie Vernick’s Website: www.leslievernick.com 

When a Good Christian Girl’s Marriage Goes Bad Part 1

Gretchen Baskerville was the ultimate good Christian girl. She followed all the "rules" so she would get all of God's blessings. And then her marriage imploded. She wound up as a divorced mother full of hard questions for God and for the church. Hear part one of her two-part story and learn what she was never taught about what God says about women, marriage, and divorce.