Wake Up or Break Up!
What do you do when “happily ever after” blows up in your face?
For me, I decided to break the cycle of silence and share my awkward story of infidelity, separation and making marriage work after betrayal. Join me each week as I explore the pain and pleasure of second chances. It’s time to WAKE UP or BREAK UP!
Note from the host: The stories shared on this podcast are real, and the outcomes will vary from person to person. I’m not here you give you the magic formula to fix broken relationships (I don’t know if one exists). I’m here to encourage you to seek support (socially, emotionally, psychologically), to deeply explore your thoughts and emotions, and to find meaningful ways to process and move forward from your experience. Healing and forgiveness take time, and they are not always complete. Be patient with yourself and your process. Good luck beautiful listener! ❤️
Episodes
26 episodes
Better together: Part 3 of 3
In the final installment of this 3 part series, I sit down with Marcel and Alicia to get the low down on how they repaired their marriage and learned more about themselves in the process. Forgiveness after infidelity may not work for ever...
Marcel shares his side of the story: Part 2 of 3
In part 2 of our unexpected 3 part series, Marcel shares his perspective on how love and loyalty drifted to infidelity and regret. Marcel candidly describes the contributing factors that led him to cheat, as well as the drastic yet necess...
Alicia shares her side of the story: Part 1 of 3
I strongly believe, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger," and the same can be said for my beautiful guest Alicia. She is a mom of 3 teenagers, overcame infidelity after 18 years of marriage, and is a breast cancer survivor.
Tamisha Breaks Up...and Spiritually Wakes Up
In this episode I talk with Tamisha, a podcaster, singer/songwriter, spiritual coach, entrepreneur, and Vibe Queen! Tamisha shares her story of separation, self-discovery, spiritual awakening. I was incredibly honored to have Tamish...
Katharine Wakes Up...and Speaks Out
In this episode I talk with Katharine, a blogger, social media influencer, and married mom of two. Katharine shares how she discovered her husband's infidelity shortly after the birth of their first child, and two days after their 1...
Tracy Wakes Up...and Finds Herself
In this episode I talk with Tracy, a married mom of four. Tracy shares her story of emotional betrayal after 15 years with her husband. Tracy sheds light on the multiple layers of betrayal and forgiveness. Cheating is not black and white,...
Elizabeth Breaks Up...and Keeps Moving
In this episode I talk with Elizabeth, a single mom from Little Rock, Arkansas. Elizabeth explains how her experiences with infidelity drove her to work on herself, put her needs and wants first, and strengthen her ability to talk candidl...
Chloe Wakes Up...and Seeks Support
In this episode I speak with Chloe, a wife and mother who uncovers her husband's acts of infidelity one month into their marriage. Chloe shares how professional counseling and the support of their family, gave her and her husband the strength t...
Sedalia Wakes Up...and Grows Stronger
In this episode I talk with my dear friend Sedalia. She is a mother of 6, a fitness lover, and a survivor of a brain aneurysm! After Joe and I broke up, Sedalia was the first person to share her story of infidelity and forgiveness with me...
Lauren Explores Her Options...and Wakes Up
In this episode I talk with Lauren, a podcaster, mindset coach, and entrepreneur on the rise! Lauren shares her unique story of finding love, asking for an open relationship, falling in love with someone else, and then marrying the man of her d...
Break-up, Divorce and More with Simon Ravona
In this episode I talk with Simon Ravona, a trained mediator, lawyer, negotiator, and divorce coach. Simon helps clients (including myself) manage the realities of relationships, break ups, and divorce by creating a life of purpose and meaning....
Mary Breaks Up...and Reinvents Herself
In this episode, I talk with Mary, a former bikini competitor, grandmother of 2, and one of my dearest friends. Mary explains how the loss of her unborn son resulted in infidelity and divorce from her husband of 5 years (15 years to...
Japji Breaks Up...and Levels Up
In this episode, I talk with the brilliant Japji, an interdisciplinary qualitative researcher, a playful yogi, a poet, a dancefloor mama, a mom of two, and a Ph.D! Japji shares her powerful story of allowance, betrayal, and finding the st...
It's Our Anniversary...10 Years of Marriage w/Joe
I didn't think we'd make it to this day. I didn't think we'd have anything to celebrate. I didn't think we'd still be married. Our story is far from perfect. Joe and I are a tragic example of what happens when two people become disconnected and...
Ashley Breaks Up...and Finds Love Again
In this episode, I talk with Ashley, a mother of 6 and mompreneur on the rise. Ashley explains how her experience with young love and betrayal helped her redefine her idea of "happily ever after." Ashley also shares how trusting God...
Destiny Wakes Up...Breaks Up...and Wakes Up Again
In this episode, I talk with my dear friend Destiny about her on again off again love story with the father of her daughter. She shares how his initial acts of cheating and dishonesty led to her engaging in her own acts of infidelity. She...
Season 2 Intro: I'm Baaaack...And I Brought Friends!
Prior to getting cheated on, I thought I only had ONE OPTION if someone ever cheated on me, and that was divorce. After reading the stories of strangers and friends who had been cheated on, I quickly realized there were multiple pos...
Episode 9: Tough Questions with Joe (Part 2)
It's not easy talking about the past...especially when it involves hurting someone you love. Here's part 2 of my question and answer session with Joe.Follow our Journey...Instagram: @wakeupelsie, @giant_asianYouTube: htt...
Episode 8: Tough Questions with Joe (PART 1)
It's not easy talking about the past...especially when it involves hurting someone you love. On today's episode, Joe opens up about how we met, what pushed him to cheat, and why he wants to stay together. Follow our Journey...<...
Episode 7: Final Words for Everyone Involved...
As we transition into the next phase of the podcast, there are few last things I'd like to say. I don't know if this will episode will make much sense, but I wanted to get some stuff off my chest before moving forward. So here I go...in all my ...
Episode 6: Intimacy After Infidelity
Let's talk about SEX baby...Let's talk about YOU and ME...Let's talk about all the GOOD things and the BAD things that may be...Let's talk about SEX!
Episode 5: How cheating made me stronger
I was definitely channeling some..."I am Woman hear me ROAR" vibes when I recorded this weeks podcast. Eight months ago I was faced with a devastating reality that was meant to destroy me and my marriage...and I SURVIVED! I took th...
Episode 4: Forgive...YES! Forget...Not So Much.
Every situation is different. Every couple has a different drama, dynamics, and connection. I can't tell you that forgiving and forgetting is necessary or even possible for you and your partner. All I can do is share my story and my insights.
Episode 3: Who is to blame?
It's easy to point fingers, and throw the blame on someone else. Blaming Joe for what happened did not make me feel better, it did not erase what happened, and it did not help us move forward. So I decided to take a different approach. I decide...
Episode 2: Confronting the Other Woman
I wanted to hate her...I really did, but we all played a part in the demise of my marriage. Accepting my role and acknowledging what I could have done differently was a HUGE step in my healing process. I was no longer the victim in my story. I ...