{"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 21: Estrangement: Healing, Harm — or Something In Between?","slug":"ep-21-estrangement-healing-harm-or-something-in-between","published_at":"2026-01-08T13:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/breaking-up-with-toxicity-6618238/ep-21-estrangement-healing-harm-or-something-in-between","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/30c5b1a0-0dd6-4f7e-81f8-e75024c7dd64.mp3","summary":"Estrangement isn’t just “cutting people off.” It can be protection… and it can also be avoidance disguised as healing. In this episode, Maria Shkreli, LMHC breaks down the truth behind estrangement — what it actually is, the different types, and why it’s far more complex than social media makes it seem. We explore how trauma, family dynamics, and unresolved attachment wounds can lead to distance — but also how trend-driven messages, including the popular “Let Them” narrative popularized by Mel Robbins, can quietly push people toward isolation without reflection, context, or accountability. In this episode, we talk about: • the five main types of estrangement , with real-life examples • when distance is necessary and protective vs. when it becomes harmful and avoidant • how trauma and emotional regulation influence estrangement decisions • how “cut them off” culture can damage vulnerable people • why the “Let Them” theory can backfire when misunderstood or misapplied • the questions to ask before making permanent relational decisions This episode challenges viral narratives and invites deeper reflection — so your choices come from clarity, not impulsive pain . Estrangement isn’t a trend. It deserves wisdom, thoughtfulness, and compassion . If this episode resonates, share it with someone who needs it — and don’t forget to follow the show.","meta_description":"Estrangement isn’t just “cutting people off.” It can be protection… and it can also be avoidance disguised as healing. In this episode, Maria Shkreli, LMH…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":818,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/breaking-up-with-toxicity-6618238/episodes/ep-21-estrangement-healing-harm-or-something-in-between/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-21-estrangement-healing-harm-or-something-in-between.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}