RESOURCES Quick Start Guide: www.leslievernick.com/start Pattern Questions to Ask: When was the first time ... When was the last time... What is a typical time? What's the worst time? Summary: In this episode, Julie Sedenko and relationship expert Leslie Vernick discuss how to recognize and address destructive relationships. Leslie highlights five key signs of a destructive relationship and offers advice on navigating these challenging situations. Identifying Red Flags in Marriage Explanation of common red flags that may indicate a relationship is becoming destructive. Recognizing Patterns of Destructive Behavior Importance of identifying repeat patterns in behavior that are harmful. Differentiation between occasional mistakes and ongoing destructive patterns. Sign One: Feeling Controlled Indicators of control and manipulation in a relationship. Psychological and emotional impact of being controlled. Sign Two: Feeling Afraid Understanding fear in non-physically abusive relationships. Common fears and their effects on the dynamics of a relationship. Sign Three: Feeling Confused The role of gaslighting in causing confusion. Strategies for regaining clarity and validating one’s own reality. Sign Four: Feeling Objectified Recognizing when one is being treated as an object rather than a partner. The emotional toll of objectification. Sign Five: Deception Impact of chronic deception on trust and safety in a relationship. Recognizing the signs of deceit and its consequences. Navigating Deceptive and Manipulative Behavior Dealing with duplicity and manipulation in relationships. Strategies for protecting oneself and maintaining sanity. Taking Control of Your Happiness Personal anecdotes and empowerment stories. Importance of self-celebration and taking charge of one’s own well-being. Recognizing Destructive Patterns and Seeking Safety Identifying patterns and understanding their frequency and intensity. Assessing personal boundaries and safety measures.