What happens when your spouse looks like a “good guy” at church—but at home, you’re ignored, invalidated, and left carrying the whole family? In this powerful Marriage Rehab episode, Dr. David Hawkins sits down with Angela Coblentz (nurse and lay counselor) to share a 25‑year story of covert narcissism, emotional neglect, and the slow accumulation that finally becomes “neon.”

Angela describes early deception and spiritual cover‑ups, a marriage marked by absentee parenting and chronic ignoring, and the moment she realized her children were being sacrificed on the altar of a marriage that refused accountability. You’ll hear what emotional neglect can look like (hovering, shutdown, weaponized incompetence, image management), why over‑functioning wives burn out, and how church pressure to “forgive and move on” can unintentionally enable harm.

If you feel unseen, trapped by vows, or unsupported by faith communities, this conversation offers clarity, validation, and a safety‑first path forward—especially when kids are affected.

What happens when a marriage becomes emotionally entangled—one partner over-functions, the other under-functions, and both lose their sense of self? In this episode of Marriage Rehab, Dr. David Hawkins sits down with relationship specialists Chuck & Ashley Elliott to unpack emotional enmeshment, identity loss, and the “cardboard cutout” spouse dynamic (emotionally present in name only).

You’ll learn practical, actionable tools to rebuild connection—like how to save emotional energy for home, expand emotional language (especially for men), and interrupt conflict cycles with the Elliott’s “3 A’s to Change” (Awareness → Assess → Act). Plus, Chuck shares the powerful “buffalo vs. the storm” metaphor for leaning into hard conversations with humility and regulation—so couples can move from resentment and detachment toward healthy emotional intimacy (connection without losing individuality).

In this episode of Mad.In.Love, Dr. David Hawkins invites Kristen Jenson, the founder of Defend Young Minds and the acclaimed author behind a movement to protect children in the digital age. Kristen's commitment to safeguarding young minds from the dangers of internet pornography is both inspiring and essential in today's tech-savvy world.

Kristen opens up about the compelling reasons that drove her to address such a challenging topic through her literature, aimed at empowering children with knowledge and resilience. She underscores the importance of parents initiating conversations about internet safety early on, providing practical advice on how to approach this delicate subject without inciting unnecessary curiosity.

As digital devices become increasingly ubiquitous in children's lives, Kristen emphasizes the critical role of filters and vigilance in preventing exposure to harmful content. She also confronts the stark reality of pornography addiction among youths, drawing parallels to chemical dependencies and highlighting the broader spectrum of negative impacts, from psychological harm to the potential for increased aggression.

Delving deeper, Kristen explores the disturbing connections between pornography and grave issues like child sexual abuse and trafficking, offering insights into the dark underbelly of easily accessible online content. For parents facing the aftermath of exposure, she advises on constructive steps to mitigate the damage and fortify their children's mental and emotional defenses.

Kristen introduces the Brain Defense: Digital Safety curriculum, a comprehensive educational toolkit designed to arm children with the skills to navigate the online world safely. Beyond her books and curriculum, Kristen reveals additional resources available on DefendYoungMinds.com, aimed at supporting parents and educators in their quest to create a safer digital environment for children.

This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone invested in the well-being of the next generation, offering valuable strategies, resources, and hope in the face of daunting digital challenges.

Founded by Dr. David Hawkins, the Marriage Recovery Center is the leading authority on the treatment of narcissistic and emotional abuse. To schedule your in-person or video session, call our team at (206) 219-0145 or email info@marriagerecoverycenter.com

***Please note that Mad.In.Love welcomes guests with diverse viewpoints. Their beliefs do not necessarily reflect our mission at the Marriage Recovery Center and the Emotional Abuse Institute, but we value open dialogue and exploration.***