lovelustfridays | The Impact of Cultural Obligations on Abusive Marriages

Host Jake Deptula and former associate family court judge and family law attorney Michele Locke sit down with Lena, an abusive marriage survivor from episode nine of lovelustfear, “He’s Your Problem Now.” They discuss Lena's toxic marriage and the influence of cultural obligations in her Armenian community, the nuances of recognizing abuse, and how she found her voice and empowerment through her second husband's supportive and matrilineal Native American culture. The conversation also highlights the themes of coercive control, gaslighting, financial manipulation, and the emotional toll these experiences have on physical health, including the long-term effects of trauma. Also, they discuss the importance of support systems and reflect on the necessity of self-care in the healing process. topics | cultural obligations, empowerment, trauma recovery, self-care, mental health, women's rights, love, relationships, trauma, abuse, relationships, cultural expectations, toxic traits, vulnerability, healing, hashimoto's disease, independence, personal growth, podcasting, toxic relationships Lena - Episode Link "He’s Your Problem Now" https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lovelustfear-lena-hes-your-problem-now/id1735876283?i=1000657913302 https://open.spotify.com/episode/3VuTd9CszCR6CyVMNmddRW?si=zHN5QTHhRXGe-VK61UY9jg links Michele Locke https://www.michelelocke.com/ https://www.instagram.com/attorneymichelelocke/ The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. (Author) (Book Recommended By Michele) https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748 More About Hashimoto's Disease https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hashimotos-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20351855 Music Playing During Lena’s Freedom Ride, aka “The Grapevine” Siouxsie and the Banshees (Spotify Playlist) https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO0KJgF1?si=k68HOnZbQVSZRBxD9OSVuQ National Domestic Violence Hotline (24/7/365) Call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) Text: START to 88788  https://www.thehotline.org/ https://www.facebook.com/NationalDomesticViolenceHotline https://www.instagram.com/NDVHofficial/ guest + story | submission information  If you have a dating or relationship story to share, want to participate in a discussion here on lovelustfridays, or have a topic you’d like us to cover, contact us below. E-mail | lovelustfearpod@gmail.com Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/lovelustfearpod/ submission link | https://lovelustfear.aidaform.com/lovelustfear subscription links Chartable https://link.chtbl.com/lovelustfea