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.***

Dr. David Hawkins, Jonathan Glover, and their producer, Katie Buckley are back to discuss various stories shared on the internet from a therapist's point of view.

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.***

In this episode, we were honored to have Dr. Bob Burbee, a seasoned licensed psychologist with over 37 years of experience. Specializing in working with individuals, couples, families, and groups, Dr. Burbee brings a wealth of knowledge and insight into the dynamics of relationships.

As a key therapist at the Focus on the Family Marriage Institute (FMI), he leads both Group and Private Marriage Intensives, in addition to training other therapists in Focus Marital Therapy. His involvement in Intensive programs dates back to 2000, making him a pioneer in this area. Dr. Burbee has also been an educator, teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology.

Marriage and family issues are Dr. Burbee’s forte, and he frequently shares his expertise through seminars, retreats, and workshops. Alongside his professional endeavors, he and his wife, Mary Jo, are deeply invested in their church's children and family ministries, and they also facilitate adult education sessions. They are proud parents of four grown children and currently reside in Springfield, Missouri.

Join us in this enlightening episode as Dr. Burbee shares his invaluable perspectives on marriage, family, and the power of intensive therapy.

https://hoperestored.focusonthefamily.com/

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.***

In this episode, Dr. David Hawkins sits down with counselor and author Laurel Slade-Waggoner to unpack gaslighting in everyday relationships—not only in marriage, but also in families, churches, friendships, and workplaces. Laurel shares her story, defines the “crazy cycle” (love bombing → manipulation → blow-ups → apologies → repeat), and explains why many survivors become trauma-bonded to the cycle.

You’ll learn how to spot future faking, the crucial difference between mere regret and authentic repentance, and why consistency and accountability—not box-checking—signal real change. Laurel and Dr. Hawkins outline faith-safe boundary strategies (internal and external), how to exit escalating conflicts without fueling them, and practical first steps for those who feel stuck, foggy, or frozen.

They also address spiritual abuse and unhelpful “stay and pray” advice, offering language to seek support wisely and rebuild a healthy inner circle. If you’re navigating narcissistic traits in a spouse, co-parent, or family member—and wondering what’s changeable and what isn’t—this conversation brings clarity, compassion, and a structured path forward.

Resources mentioned:
• Laurel’s books: Don’t Let Their Crazy Make You Crazy; Don’t Let Their Crazy Make Your Kids Crazy
• Marriage Recovery Center programs for narcissistic & emotional abuse

Need help now? Visit Marriage Recovery Center to explore assessments, intensives, and the Comprehensive Healing Pathway.

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.***

In this episode of Dr. Hawkins' Reacts, Dr. David Hawkins and Jonathan Glover dive into a fascinating discussion as Katie Buckley presents fictional character personality traits for their analysis. Together, they explore whether these characters exhibit narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) traits or simply display toxic or emotionally abusive behaviors. Through their expert insights, Dr. Hawkins and Jonathan break down the complexities of narcissistic tendencies versus full-blown NPD, providing listeners with valuable tools for identifying and understanding these patterns in real life. Packed with humor, expertise, and practical takeaways, this episode offers a unique and enlightening perspective on the challenges of recognizing unhealthy traits in relationships. Tune in for an informative and entertaining conversation!

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.***

Welcome to Mad.In.Love! We have a very special episode this week where we’ll be talking about the effects of emotional abuse and trauma on our physical body. To help facilitate this conversation today, Dr. David Hawkins is joined by his esteemed colleagues, whom you’ve seen before on Mad.In.Love, Sharmen Kimbrough and Dr. Lenne’ Hunt. To add to this topic, we also have a VERY special guest, Dr. Hawkins' son, Dr. Tyson Hawkins! Tyson and Dr. Hawkins co-wrote their book, In Sickness and In Health, about this very topic.

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.***