What happens when the fairy tale was never a fairy tale to begin with?

In this powerful episode, Renee Swanson is joined by Andrea, the candid and courageous voice behind the hit podcast How Not to Suck at Divorce. Andrea doesn’t just share her story—she lays it all out. The red flags she ignored. The justifications she clung to. The slow unraveling of her identity. The physical collapse that finally forced her to confront the truth.

Together, Renee and Andrea dive deep into:

• The invisible trauma of covert emotional abuse

• How your childhood shapes the dysfunction you tolerate

• The cost of trying to “make it work” while losing yourself

• Why the hardest part isn’t leaving—it’s everything that comes after

• The importance of creating a plan... and what happens when it all falls apart

Andrea’s brutal honesty, dark humor, and heartfelt wisdom remind us that healing starts with bravery—and that no matter how broken you feel, there is a way through.

💬 “Your life will never get better unless you get brave.” — Andrea

This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck, scared, or unsure about whether change is even possible. You’re not alone. And your future can look nothing like your past.

👉 Listen now—and get ready to feel seen.
👉 Then hop over to How Not to Suck at Divorce for even more practical tools and fierce support.