In this episode, I share some information about factors that play the biggest role in leading a couple to divorce. 

I discuss Dr John Gottman's research into The Four Horseman of The Apocalypse. This refers to the four negative communication patterns that, according to his research, often lead to the end of a relationship if the behaviour isn't changed. 

These are:

1. Criticism 
2. Defensiveness
3. Contempt 
4. Stonewalling

Dr John Gottman is the co-founder of The Gottman Institute with his wife, Dr Julie Schwartz Gottman. He is world-renowned for his work on marital stability and divorce prediction. He has conducted 40 years of research with thousands of couples. Dr Gottman was one of the Top 10 Most Influential Therapists of the past quarter-century by the Psychotherapy Networker. He authored and co-authored over 200 published academic articles and more than 40 books. 

Links mentioned in the episode: 

You can connect with Dr John Gottman through his Website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. 

Click HERE to watch a short video about The Four Horseman of The Apocalypse.

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

This week on the show, I have an anonymous single mum sharing her story. She recounts her harrowing story of domestic abuse and how she got through it, in the hopes of giving other silent victims the courage to seek help. 

**Please note this episode and topic may act as a trigger for some people, and this episode is not suitable to listen to within earshot of children.**

In this episode, my guest talks about: 

• How she met her ex and the early signs she noticed the red flags.
• Dealing with "partner rape," a form of sexual abuse, and the shame and disassociation that comes with it.
• Losing her baby through miscarriage.
• Dealing with her ex's mother who was an enabler of his behaviour.
• Coping with physical abuse.
• The importance of knowing resources women can get help from.
• How her ex gaslighted her to try to erode her self-esteem.
• Dealing with her ex's narcissistic rage towards her.
• Overcoming her fear and leaving the abusive relationship.
• Getting the help of a family lawyer for dispute resolution and going on trial against her ex.
• Her advice for other women going through a similar situation. 
• The importance of having goals and rewarding yourself for the little accomplishments you achieve.
• Lessons she learned.

It is my guest's hope that listening to her story will inspire victims to find their purpose and to set goals. 

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Pregnancy Help Australia link
• Victim Services NSW 

Frances uses a blend of transformational techniques and innovative processes to help her clients get the breakthroughs and results they seek. Her work has been featured in numerous publications and professional journals, and she is regularly interviewed by BBC Radio. 

Frances has a wealth of life experience which has given her a deep understanding of human nature and an ability to relate to her clients and put them at ease. Her clients come from all walks of life and include high-profile individuals in the public eye who particularly value the absolute discretion and completely confidential environment she is able to offer.

Over recent years she has developed a bespoke, highly specialised approach to her work that seamlessly integrates key elements of counselling and coaching into unique, highly effective packages of support.

She has also created Sunshine Barn, a beautiful sanctuary for her clients in rural Derbyshire, to optimise their experience and enable her to provide them with a truly holistic and creative service. 

In this episode, Frances talks about: 

• Her passion for developing online courses that parents and children can take together to support them in dealing with anxiety.
• Causes of anxiety in children and how they can pick up energies of people around them.
• The difference between feeling anxious and having an anxiety disorder.
• How various forms of anxiety can disrupt a child's life, such as separation anxiety and phobia.
• How we, as parents, can unknowingly pass on phobias and anxiety to our children.
• EFT as a tool to help children recover from trauma.
• The importance of teaching children about the possible signs of anxiety disorders.
• How emotional anxiety or trauma can manifest on the physical body.
• How parents can help identify symptoms of a disorder and apply strategies and techniques to treat the anxiety.
• And so much more! 

Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.

This week on the show, I have Dani Soares joining me. Dani is a TV personality best known for starring on the reality show, Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 2 which premiered on March 3, 2021. She now lives in Sydney, Australia with her 8-month-old daughter Lilly.

In this episode Dani shares: 

• A little about her yachting career days.
• Juggling life between work and study plus having a beautiful 8-month-old baby at the same time.
• Her experience on Below Deck, and her relationships with the other cast members of the show.
• The struggle of wanting to keep her personal life private while being a TV personality.
• How she found out she was pregnant and how it was never a question of choosing to have the baby or not. It was only a question of how she will raise her baby.
• The reaction she felt when her baby's father requested a DNA test.
• How she handles criticisms while being in the public eye.
• Her superhuman ability to raise a baby as a single mum, study nursing at Uni, work as a beauty therapist, and deal with motherhood as a public personality.
• The biggest lesson she has learned since becoming a single mum. 
• Her favourite thing about becoming a single mum.

Dani is paving the way showing everyone that the single mum journey is not easy, but it's certainly doable, and going for your goals can still happen!