Have you ever held onto a fantasy about someone...clinging to the hope that if you just loved them enough, they’d finally change?

In this episode of Diary Detours, I’m reading a free verse poem I wrote about feeling manipulated by someone I deeply cared for. I use the image of arrows to describe how their behavior repeatedly wounded me, and how I kept coming back for more, hoping the next time would be different. This is about breaking that cycle, accepting reality, and taking them off the pedestal I once put them on.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

• A free verse poem about manipulation, false kindness, and emotional control
• Using the metaphor of “arrows” to describe repeated hurt and betrayal
• Why we sometimes fantasize about a person’s potential instead of seeing who they really are
• Letting go of the need for approval or affection from someone who won’t give it
• The role of journaling in recognizing—and finally breaking—unhealthy patterns

RESOURCES

• Grab a journal from my shop: https://www.thestreetsofourlives.xyz/shop
• Want a free journal download? Leave a review + get the Apology Avenue Journal: https://www.thestreetsofourlives.xyz/free-journal-download

SUPPORT THE SHOW

• Please leave a rating + review wherever you listen to podcasts
• Make a donation: https://buymeacoffee.com/tsool

CONNECT WITH LINA

• Lina's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lina-la-rue/
• Lina's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestreetsofourlives/

Have you ever wondered how to tell if a coach is truly trustworthy or just using manipulative tactics? What should you look for before investing your time, money, and trust in a coaching program?

In this episode of the Guidance Grove series, we speak to Danielle Ryan, a YouTuber who exposes common manipulative marketing tactics used by some coaches and shares how to protect yourself while finding ethical, effective support.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover common red flags and manipulative tactics coaches use to lure and trap vulnerable clients.
• Hear personal stories of financial, emotional, and social harm caused by unethical coaching relationships.
• Find out why defining your goals clearly before hiring a coach is crucial to avoid scams.
• Learn how to research and vet coaches effectively to protect your investment and well-being.
• Explore the impact of toxic coaching relationships on mental health and personal boundaries.
• Listen to practical advice on how consumers can help shift the coaching industry toward more honesty and accountability.

GUEST INFO

Danielle's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@itsdanielleryan

RESOURCES

• Grab a journal from my shop: https://www.thestreetsofourlives.xyz/shop
• Want a free journal download? Leave a review + get the Apology Avenue Journal: https://www.thestreetsofourlives.xyz/free-journal-download

SUPPORT THE SHOW

• Please leave a rating wherever you listen to podcasts
• Make a donation: https://buymeacoffee.com/tsool

APPLY TO BE A GUEST

Submit a guest interest form here: https://forms.gle/98HBRmQHBYyrDrJ28

CONNECT WITH LINA

• Lina's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lina-la-rue/
• Lina's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestreetsofourlives/

Have you ever felt like you were living in emotional extremes—never truly at peace, just bouncing between survival modes?

In this episode of Diary Detours, I’m sharing a journal entry about growing up between two households after my parents divorced. I reflect on how I adapted differently in each home, and how those extremes shaped the way I currently show up in my adult relationships.

This episode is for anyone who felt invisible as a child, or who’s only now finding the words to describe what they went through.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

• What it was like to constantly shift between two emotional identities as a child
• How extremes in childhood shaped my emotional patterns and sense of self
• The longing for attention, approval, and balance as a kid
• What my therapist said that finally helped me understand why I struggle to be authentic
• A reminder that writing can be a powerful tool for healing

RESOURCES

• Grab a journal from my shop: https://www.thestreetsofourlives.xyz/shop
• Want a free journal download? Leave a review + get the Apology Avenue Journal: https://www.thestreetsofourlives.xyz/free-journal-download

SUPPORT THE SHOW

• Please leave a rating + review wherever you listen to podcasts
• Make a donation: https://buymeacoffee.com/tsool

CONNECT WITH LINA

• Lina's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lina-la-rue/
• Lina's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestreetsofourlives/