Podcasts about just pretending

Not Aware Enough or Doesn't Care Enough? Dr. George Simon on Character Disturbance and What You Can Control Have you ever walked away from a conversation with your husband feeling like you are the one who is losing your mind — even though you know something is deeply wrong? That disorientation is not a personal failing. According to today's guest, it is often the most reliable signal that something far more serious than a communication problem or personality clash is at work. In this powerful conversation, Leslie sits down with Dr. George Simon — internationally recognized authority on manipulation and character disturbance, and the man whose groundbreaking work first gave the world a name for gaslighting — to bring you the clarity so many women have been searching for. You will walk away understanding why character matters more than diagnosis, why confusion is a warning sign rather than a flaw, and what it actually looks like to love yourself and others well when you are living with someone whose character is deeply misaligned with love.   Key Takeaways Character Disturbance Is Not the Same as a Mental Health Diagnosis — and the Difference Changes Everything A person dealing with a genuine mental health condition, such as bipolar disorder, will typically respond to consequences with remorse, seek accountability, and cooperate with help. A character-disturbed person, by contrast, does not want to change — they like how they operate. Dr. Simon explains that the tactics most therapists and pastors were trained to use were designed for a completely different kind of struggle, and applying them to character disturbance is not only ineffective but can cause real harm. Understanding this distinction frees you from the exhausting and impossible task of trying to fix what only the other person has the power and responsibility to address.   Confusion in the Relationship Is a Warning Sign, Not Your Weakness Dr. Simon introduced the concept now widely known as gaslighting long before it entered everyday language, and he explains here exactly how it works on the mind. When a manipulative person acts with apparent conviction — minimizing what they have done, blaming you for provoking it, and reframing reality with intensity and certainty — they create genuine doubt in someone who is already unsure of their own worth. The key insight is this: you are not confused because something is wrong with you. You are confused because a skilled manipulator is working very hard to make you feel that way. Judging behavior on its own merits, independent of any excuse offered, is the first and most grounding step toward reclaiming your clarity.   They See — But in Their Hearts, They Still Disagree One of the most liberating truths in this entire conversation is Dr. Simon's clear-eyed statement: it is not that character-disturbed people do not see what they are doing. They see it. The problem is not awareness — it is that they do not yet care enough to change. You cannot think your way, plead your way, or love your way into producing that change in another person. Real change, if it comes at all, happens in the present moment through consistent, concrete behavior — not apologies, not tears, and not promises. Leslie reflects on how this understanding protects women from being misled by performances of remorse that have no roots in genuine character transformation.   Loving Yourself Is Not Selfishness — It Is the Starting Point of All Real Love Both Leslie and Dr. Simon return to this truth throughout the conversation: you cannot love another person well if you do not first know your own worth and act to protect it. Dr. Simon connects this directly to the command of Jesus — love as I have loved you — and challenges the misreading of Christian submission that leaves women spiritually equipped to endure harm but not to refuse it. Enabling someone else's destructive behavior is not love; it is fear dressed in the language of faithfulness. Withdrawing from demeaning treatment, setting a firm limit on what you will participate in, and stewarding your own dignity are not uncharitable acts. They are the foundation of any love that is rooted in truth rather than self-erasure. The Church Has Work to Do — and So Do You Dr. Simon and Leslie speak honestly about why churches have been so slow to recognize and respond well to character disturbance and abuse. An over-emphasis on preserving the institution of marriage, patriarchal structures that diminish the voice and agency of women, and a focus on correct theology over Christlike character have all contributed to environments where harm goes unaddressed and victims are pressured to stay silent. The answer, as Dr. Simon puts it plainly, is more Jesus — not more rules, not more labels, but a serious and sustained attention to the character and manner of the One we say we follow. For the woman listening, this is both an invitation and a permission: the God who washed dirty feet and welcomed women into his circle of students sees you, and he does not ask you to disappear into someone else's dysfunction. Personal Invitation If this conversation is stirring something in you — if you are trying to discern whether what you are seeing in your husband is real change or a familiar pattern you have been through before — Leslie wants to meet you where you are. She is hosting a free workshop designed specifically for Christian women in difficult marriages called Is He Changing or Just Pretending? In this powerful time of teaching, community, and honest question-and-answer, you will learn how to distinguish genuine transformation from empty promises, and you will hear what God actually has to say about your choices and your worth. You do not have to keep sorting through this alone. Save your spot here: https://leslievernick.com/masterclass   Closing Encouragement If you have spent years feeling confused, dismissed, or quietly ashamed of what is happening behind closed doors, please hear this: your confusion was never evidence of weakness. It was evidence that something was genuinely wrong. God has not called you to disappear. He has called you to be loved, to love well, and to walk in the dignity he placed in you before you ever entered this relationship. The path forward may be hard, but you do not walk it alone. With the right understanding, the right support, and the God who sees every hidden thing, clarity is possible — and so is a life that is safe, whole, and free. Resources Please share more about the resources or programs you will be sharing about during the episode.: My books In Sheep's Clothing, Character Disturbance, How Did We End Up Here?, and especially, Essentials for the Journey, The Judas Syndrome.   Find George: https://www.drgeorgesimon.com/ www.youtube.com/@georgeksimon Books: In Sheep's Clothing Character Disturbance How Did We End Up Here? Essentials for the Journey The Judas Syndrome.  

Have you ever felt like you're barely surviving behind the scenes while projecting a picture-perfect life to the outside world? You're not alone. In this powerful episode of Relationship Truth: Unfiltered, Coach Diana sits down with Jeannie—a homeschooling mom, writer, and woman of deep faith—who opens up about her journey from silent suffering as a pastor's wife to finding clarity, healing, and her God-given voice. Through years of overfunctioning, pretending, and holding on to a crumbling marriage, Jeannie learned the life-changing difference between suffering silently and living in truth. Her story is raw, redemptive, and full of hope for anyone wondering if they'll ever feel peace again.   Key Takeaways Overfunctioning Isn't Strength—Truth Is For years, Jeannie believed that being a good wife meant suffering silently, forgiving endlessly, and making everything look okay on the outside. But through Leslie Vernick's CONQUER and Walking in Core Strength programs, she discovered that true strength is not about carrying someone else's sin—it's about stepping into reality and living aligned with God's truth. Survival Mode Isn't Sustainable Jeannie's life was marked by constant moves, ministry demands, and emotional neglect. She did what many women do—minimize, suppress, endure. But eventually, even her strong spirit broke. The turning point came not from hardship itself, but from being unseen, unheard, and spiritually isolated. That's when she realized: living in non-reality wasn't faith—it was fear. God's Peace Follows Obedience to Truth Learning the difference between forgiving and trusting, honoring God over pleasing people, and choosing obedience over image changed everything for Jeannie. Isaiah 54 became her anchor—God as her Redeemer and Husband. As she let go of false beliefs and idols like marriage and image, peace finally moved into her home and heart. Purpose Can Be Reborn in the Ashes After her husband left, God breathed life into Jeannie's long-dormant writing dreams. Within hours, a publisher emailed to accept her article. Soon after, her children's book was published. Her obedience opened the door for God to redeem her pain and restore her voice—not just for her healing, but for others. You Don't Need to Know the Whole Path—Just Do Today If you're stuck, afraid, or overwhelmed, Jeannie offers this grace-filled reminder: You don't need to figure out the next ten steps. Just do today. One faithful, truthful step at a time. With God's help and the support of wise others, you can do hard things—and you don't have to do them alone. Jeannie's journey shows how easy it is to get lost in confusion, questioning your own reality and wondering if things will ever change. She learned that facing the truth, even when painful, was the very doorway to peace and freedom. And if you find yourself wondering whether the man in your life is truly changing or just putting on another mask, there is a safe place to explore that question.

Today, we have two messages as we continue our Sermon on the Mount series. Jimmy Cleary and Andy Rosse each unpack one of the most sobering passages in Scripture — Matthew 7:21-23 — revealing the uncomfortable truth that religious activity alone doesn't secure eternity.We're challenged to examine our hearts honestly: Are we relying on empty religious activities, or do we have a daily habit of repentance and a genuine relationship with Christ? If you've ever felt uncertain about your standing with God or questioned whether your life reflects your beliefs, this message offers clarity and hope.Thank you for listening to this message from Northwest Hills Community Church in Corvallis, Oregon, on May 25, 2025, at 8:30am & 10:15am. You can find us online at nwhills.com.Key Moments00:00 Welcome01:03 Jimmy's Message: Justified or Just Pretending?06:05 Understanding Matthew 7:21-2312:54 The Concept of Justification and Sanctification22:25 The Importance of Repentance32:58 Andy's Message: Knowing Jesus vs. Knowing About Jesus35:38 The Passage and Its Misinterpretations39:12 Reading and Reflecting on Matthew 7:21-2355:15 The Importance of a Personal Relationship with Jesus01:00:07 Practical Steps to Know Jesus More

Hey!! Its me, Vidushi Bisht This is the seventh chapter of Meet Me In Horrorwood "Filthy Rich or Just Pretending?" by Elisabetta to Maria Dami read by me, Vidushi Bisht Hope you enjoy and don't forget to follow and share

IT'S FINALLY HERE! I am not tech savvy. I am not good at math. While we are naming things I am not good at...I am not good at chatting online with companies that don't train their employees in their products. So sorry Phil for my quick anger during our chat. It's not you, it's me. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING, LIKING, SHARING, CARING, LISTENING, or JUST PRETENDING. Enjoy the Don't TEMP Me Podcast!!!!!!!

Street Wannabes interviewed Jonathan Daily of "The Black Black" about the upcoming album "Gravity & Time" release on September 21st and release show 9/22 at E.W.E.L. w/ DAD, ESSi, Yazan. We also discussed the afterlife, jorts at the Rockaways, booking at E.W.E.L. and much more! We played two tracks off the new album, "We Know You’re Just Pretending" and "Midnight Expectation". Recorded 9/7.(Photo Credit: Jeanette D. Moses)www.puregrainaudio.com/audio/the-black-blacks-new-single-has-set-a-serious-midnight-expectation-exclusive-premiere www.facebook.com/events/1950401258331881 9/22 Release Showwww.theblackblack.bandcamp.com www.instagram.com/theblackblackmusic www.streetwannabes.com

Street Wannabes Radio (KPISS) interviewed Jonathan Daily of "The Black Black" about the upcoming album "Gravity & Time" release on September 21st and release show 9/22 at E.W.E.L. w/ DAD, ESSi, Yazan. We also discussed the afterlife, jorts at the Rockaways, booking at E.W.E.L. and much more! We played two tracks off the new album, "We Know You’re Just Pretending" and "Midnight Expectation". Recorded 9/7.(Photo Credit: Jeanette D. Moses)www.puregrainaudio.com/audio/the-black-blacks-new-single-has-set-a-serious-midnight-expectation-exclusive-premiere www.facebook.com/events/1950401258331881 9/22 Release Showwww.theblackblack.bandcamp.com www.instagram.com/theblackblackmusic www.KPISS.fm www.streetwannabes.com

Street Wannabes Radio (KPISS) interviewed Jonathan Daily of "The Black Black" about the upcoming album "Gravity & Time" release on September 21st and release show 9/22 at E.W.E.L. w/ DAD, ESSi, Yazan. We also discussed the afterlife, jorts at the Rockaways, booking at E.W.E.L. and much more! We played two tracks off the new album, "We Know You’re Just Pretending" and "Midnight Expectation". Recorded 9/7.(Photo Credit: Jeanette D. Moses)www.puregrainaudio.com/audio/the-black-blacks-new-single-has-set-a-serious-midnight-expectation-exclusive-premiere www.facebook.com/events/1950401258331881 9/22 Release Showwww.theblackblack.bandcamp.com www.instagram.com/theblackblackmusic www.KPISS.fm www.streetwannabes.com

Lil visits Kimbolton Castle and catches up with an old friend that used to study there. We have more listeners stories, including an update on the Baker Hotel. More Spooky goings on at KOFY HQ and an EVP from our interview with Starforger!   True Crime Fan Club: truecrimefanclub.com   We're all Just Pretending: allpretendingpod.com     Knock Once for Yes Social Media Links: Website: https://knockonceforyes.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/knockonceforyes.podcast/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/396629070737772/?source_id=1158674227505161 Twitter: https://twitter.com/KnockOnceForYes @KnockOnceForYes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knockonceforyes   You can submit your stories by visiting our website: https://knockonceforyes.com/send-us-your-stories   and if you would like to make a donation to help improve the show, please either use the paypal donation button on our website or visit our Patreon page where you can also gain access to additional content and even physical goodies! https://www.patreon.com/KOFY   Lil & Fitz www.knockonceforyes.com

We continue with the earliest session I recorded at Ephraim’s: March 30, 1988.  The musicians are Jimmy Mazzy (banjo/vocals), Paul Meymaris (clarinet), John Kafalas (trombone), Don Frothingham (piano), Al Ehrenfried (bass), and Stu Grover (drums). The selections are “You’re Just Pretending,” a blues that I don’t know the name of [note: Thanks to John Clark, … Continue reading Podcast #111: March 30, 1988 Part II →

This program continues the 8/3/88 session, with Jimmy Mazzy (banjo/vocals), Fred Lind (cornet), Paul Meymaris (clarinet), John Kafalas (tuba), Don Frothingham (piano), and Stu Grover (drums).  The selections are “You’re Just Pretending,” “We Three,” and “Ole Miss.” Send questions or comments to podcast@kafalas.com.