901. Toxic relationships: How they hurt you + how to find healing

In this episode, author, activist, and speaker Dr. Najwa Zebian joins us for a deeply honest conversation about relationships, healing, self-worth, and boundaries—especially what happens when a relationship slowly disconnects you from yourself. We explore why leaving a toxic relationship can feel so impossible, how manipulation can erode your ability to trust your own decisions, and why the first step toward healing may be much smaller than you think. From rebuilding your identity to learning what healthy attachment actually looks like, this episode is about becoming your own source of clarity again. We get into communication, self-awareness, autonomy, reciprocity, and the difference between being deeply connected to someone + losing yourself inside them. We also talk about: Why “just leave” can be the worst advice for someone in a toxic relationship How toxic dynamics can take away your ability to trust your own decisions Rebuilding your sense of self through small, everyday choices Why staying in a painful relationship does not make the pain your fault How to forgive yourself for staying longer than you wanted to The difference between taking responsibility for your healing + blaming yourself What healthy relationships actually require: transparency, communication, alignment, and reciprocity How to be securely attached to someone while still remaining fully yourself Why you do not need an apology, closure, or validation from the person who hurt you Najwa’s new book, The One Who Broke You Can’t Heal You Resources: Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/722356/the-one-who-broke-you-cant-heal-you-by-najwa-zebian/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/najwazebian/ Website: https://najwazebian.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NajwaZebian TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@najwazebian Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/najwazebian1 Sponsors: Hero Bread | Hero Bread is offering 10% off your order. Go to https://hero.co and use code A30POD at checkout. Naturium | Give your skin the affordable, luxurious glow up it deserves. Go to https://Naturium.com/ALMOST30 for 10% off your first purchase today. The Absorption Company | Start taking supplements your body can actually absorb. Go to https://absorbmore.com and enter ALMOST30 at checkout for up to 35% off your first order. Ritual | Don't settle for less than evidence-based support. Save 25% on your first month at https://Ritual.com/ALMOST30. Upwork | Visit https://Upwork.com right now and post your job for free. Square | Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/almost30! #squarepod Smileset | Go to https://smileset.com/almost30 to get 35% off. BetterHelp | This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/almost30. To advertise on this podcast please email: partnerships@almost30.com. Learn More: Get your copy of Almost 30, A definitive guide to a life you love for the next decade and beyond. https://almost30.com/book Listen to Morning Microdose! A quick trip into higher consciousness - https://almost30.com/morning-microdose Watch on YouTube - https://youtube.com/Almost30Podcast Join our community - https://www.facebook.com/Almost30podcast/groups Follow: https://instagram.com/almost30podcast https://tiktok.com/@almost30podcast Podcast disclaimer can be found by visiting: almost30.com/disclaimer.