Love is Not

On this month's pod we're joined by Ebele from one of our favorite orgs – One Love Foundation! Sydney and Ebele go through each one of One Love Foundation's 10 Signs of a Healthy Relationship and discuss how a good relationship looks and feels in real life. We couldn't imagine a better episode for Domestic Violence Awareness Month! Learn more about the important work that the One Love Foundation is doing at www.joinonelove.org.

In this month's episode, Sydney interviews survivor and playwright Amanda Moskowitz about her play I Am Her. They discuss Amanda's journey to reckoning with her past trauma, and how giving space for her 5-year-old self helped her heal. Plus, Sydney and Amanda discuss how hard it can be to be nice to yourself in those triggering moments. Learn more about Amanda's play I Am Her at www.iamherplay.com

If you're a bird, I... don't necessarily have to be a bird! In this episode, Sydney is joined by Julia Saladino of WomensLaw to unpack Allie and Noah's relationship in the "classic romance" The Notebook. Spoiler alert: this passionate affair isn't as great as your 13-year-old self may remember.

This month, Sydney is joined by Maggie and Emma from Resilience, educators who teach young people about relationship abuse and support survivors of sexual violence. They share their 8th graders' notes on what love is, and what love is not.

On this month's episode, we're unpacking Marvel's Wandavision! Sydney, producer Adam Joel, and friend / Marvel-expert Izzy, jump into the undiscussed undercurrent of abuse throughout the series, and what the creators could have done to hold characters accountable for their actions. And if you haven't watched the series yet– spoiler alert!

On this month's pod we're joined by Nessa, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Self-Reclaimed. Sydney and Nessa discuss Self-Reclaimed's mission, creating safe spaces for healing, and the potential pitfalls of cancel culture. Plus, a meditation to bring your body back to center after discussing triggering subjects. Learn more about Self-Reclaimed's work at www.selfreclaimed.org

In this month's episode we're joined by Carly from the podcast Queer Sober Social to discuss abuse in queer relationships, navigating sobriety, and loving yourself. Plus, the return of our segment You Get Two Minutes, with Carly taking on a review of Happiest Season. We know it's not the holiday season, but what is time anyways? Find out more info about the Queer Sober Social podcast at queersobersocial.com and @chicagoqueersobersocial

In this special episode, Sydney and producer, Adam Joel, bring on their current partners, Connor and Corinne, to discuss what it's like starting a new relationship after an abusive one. Plus, the "Love-Life Time Machine" lets them go back in time and talk to their younger selves about finding better love and the reason to hope.

Sydney and Love is Not's Community Engagement Coordinator, Missy, get together to discuss Evan Rachel Wood's recent announcement that her abuser is Brian Warner, better known as Marilyn Manson. Sydney and Missy talk about the ways the #MeToo movement intersects with relationship abuse, especially in the Hollywood spotlight.

Sydney talks with Kris Rangel, a survivor of 38 years, about how it's never too late to leave an abusive relationship. Plus, in our new segment "You Get Two Minutes," Sydney discusses Netflix's Bridgerton and it's handling of sexual assault.

Sydney talks with journalist Wendy Widom about her experiences with familial abuse and how trauma therapy has helped bring her joy. Plus, gifts you can give the toxic people in your life.

Sydney and a fellow survivor discuss the question "Why did you stay?" and the implications that come with it. Join them in laughing about the size of their metaphorical baggage as they explore the best questions to ask a friend who's struggling.

In our debut episode, Sydney interviews musical duo Overcoats about the healing power of their music for survivors of relationship abuse. PLUS: a tarot card reading for America’s future!

Welcome to Love is Not, a (surprisingly funny) podcast about relationship abuse. Host Sydney Bauer brings together friends, survivors, and experts to heal from relationship abuse in its many shapes and sizes and explore how to prevent it in the future. Together, we learn what love is, by discussing what love is not.