{"podcast":{"title":"Breaking Cycles with Maria","slug":"breaking-up-with-toxicity-6618238","podcast_index_feed_id":6618238,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/breaking-up-with-toxicity/","website_url":"https://breaking-up-with-toxicity.captivate.fm","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/3512fb13-808d-4756-9a00-8262d9c3f321/0F96017D-754B-41B8-A7DA-8CFAACE1CD0A-1-1-4.png","author":"Maria Shkreli","episode_count":30,"summary":"Breaking Cycles with Maria is an honest and relatable podcast about relationships, emotional patterns, self-awareness, anxiety, attachment, dysfunctional dynamics, and the things we normalize without even realizing it. Hosted by Maria Shkreli, LMHC, author of Breaking Cycles and Breaking Up with Toxicity, the podcast explores the messy, complicated, and very human side of life — from unhealthy relationship patterns and family dynamics to workplace stress, life transitions, emotional reactions, and the cycles that quietly shape us. Some episodes are educational. Some are conversational. Some may challenge the way you see yourself, your relationships, or the people around you. Because the truth is… we all have patterns. Some help us grow. Some quietly keep us stuck. Through real conversations, psychological insight, personal reflection, and a little bit of spice, Maria helps listeners better understand the patterns they repeat, the emotional experiences they normalize, and how to navigate life with greater awareness, clarity, and emotional health. No perfection. No pretending. Just real conversations about life, relationships, and breaking unhealthy cycles.","last_synced_at":"2026-06-06T02:20:47.981511+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/breaking-up-with-toxicity-6618238"},"episode":{"title":"EP 14: Stop Chasing the Insanity: You Can’t Fix Every Problem","slug":"ep-14-stop-chasing-the-insanity-you-can-t-fix-every-problem","published_at":"2025-10-23T04:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/breaking-up-with-toxicity-6618238/ep-14-stop-chasing-the-insanity-you-can-t-fix-every-problem","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/breaking-up-with-toxicity-6618238","url":"https://breaking-up-with-toxicity.captivate.fm","audio_url":"https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/a9f0463d-ce62-4cb2-a787-81eb2ebb38ea.mp3","summary":"In this raw and unapologetically honest episode, Maria Shkreli, LMHC, breaks down why you keep trying to fix everyone’s problems — and why it’s driving you insane. From rescuing friends and managing your partner’s emotions to cleaning up everyone’s chaos at work and home — this “fixer” pattern isn’t compassion, it’s control in disguise. Maria calls out how unrealistic expectations, distorted thinking, and anxious attachment keep you stuck in cycles of burnout, resentment, and emotional chaos. You’ll learn: Why your need to “fix things” is really about calming your own anxiety How black-and-white thinking, personalization, and catastrophizing keep you spiraling The difference between helping out of love vs. helping out of fear And the truth about why peace feels so uncomfortable when you’re used to dysfunction It’s not about becoming cold — it’s about reclaiming your sanity. So, before you rush to fix someone else’s mess, pause and ask:  “Is this really mine to solve?” Because healing isn’t about control — it’s about letting go. Listen now to learn how to stop chasing problems and start choosing peace.","meta_description":"In this raw and unapologetically honest episode, Maria Shkreli, LMHC, breaks down why you keep trying to fix everyone’s problems — and why it’s driving yo…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":686,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/breaking-up-with-toxicity-6618238/episodes/ep-14-stop-chasing-the-insanity-you-can-t-fix-every-problem/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/breaking-up-with-toxicity-6618238/ep-14-stop-chasing-the-insanity-you-can-t-fix-every-problem.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}