228 episodes
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In this episode I briefly talk about my now ended relationship and provide a little more detail about the episodes to come.
Please note I mistakenly call this one, episode 226....maybe one day I will go it and fix it....opps
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In this raw, unscripted solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the state of the podcast and sharing the latest listener stats, community updates, and what the future holds for the show. But more importantly, we are diving deep into the single most critical survival skill a man needs when his marriage ends: the ability to soothe himself out of fight-or-flight mode.
When a crisis hits, your panic response takes over, and your logical thinking brain goes completely offline. I’ve watched too many good men willingly "bend over" and give up the entire farm legally just because they didn't know how to calm their own nervous system down before making permanent decisions.
Today, we are talking about the hard science of self-soothing—using simple, non-negotiable tools like targeted breathwork and releasing physical tension to get your brain back online so you can stop making reactive, destructive choices.
If you are currently sitting in the wreckage, feeling completely overwhelmed and lost, this one is your priority baseline. Your life is not over; your marriage is. It's time to learn how to manage the emotional firestorm so you can step back into leadership, get a plan, and realize you are going to be okay.
In this episode, we cover:
The Phoenix State of Union: A transparent look at our latest download stats, why I'm looking for summer guest hosts, and thoughts on the future layout of the show.
Giving Up the Farm: How operating out of panic causes men to make massive financial, relationship, and legal mistakes.
The Biology of Calm: Why changing your physiology through strategic breathwork is your absolute best defense against the 2:00 AM panic loop.
The Lone Wolf Trap: Recognizing when the weight is on your shoulders, why isolation can make the ghosts louder, and when to reach out for tactical support.
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https://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com Episode 223 - Why Your Ex Haunts Your Sleep (And Why It Doesn't Matter) - Therapist Nick Balaisis
12/05/2026 | 46 mins.Send us Fan Mail
You wake up in a cold sweat. You just had a hyper-realistic dream that you and your ex-wife were back together, or worse, having a massive fight. Now, your entire morning is ruined by confusion, anger, or guilt. Does this mean you still want her back? Does it mean you are failing at your recovery?
According to psychotherapist Nick Balaisis, the answer is a resounding no.
Today, we dive into the fascinating world of Jungian dream analysis. We debunk the myth that dreams are just random neurological "trash," and explore how your subconscious uses dreams to send you vital messages about your own healing. Nick breaks down why the "Ex" in your dream is rarely actually about her—instead, she often symbolizes a part of yourself that you are neglecting, such as your own capacity for self-care.
If you want to stop letting your nightmares ruin your mornings and start using them as a roadmap for your recovery, this episode will completely change how you view your time asleep.
In this episode, we cover:
The "Trash" Theory: Why we shouldn't dismiss our dreams as just random neurological noise.
The "Ex" Dream: Why dreaming of your former partner usually means you are looking for a specific trait within yourself (and why you shouldn't take it literally).
"Man-Keeping": How men outsource their emotional self-care to their wives, and how to start cultivating an "inner mother" to take care of yourself.
Decoding Nightmares: Are you running because you're being chased, or being chased because you're running? Finding the "seeds of rebirth" hidden inside scary dreams.
The Unconscious Nudge: How your brain uses the dream world to force you to look at the pain you are avoiding during the day.
Guest Bio: Nick Balaisis is a psychotherapist in private practice in Ontario, Canada, and an instructor at the University of Waterloo. With training in Jungian psychology from Zurich, Switzerland, he helps individuals use dream analysis to access their unconscious, process complex life transitions, and live more authentically.
Resources:
Read Nick's Work: Find his regular articles on Psychology Today.
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https://www.risingphoenixpodcast.com
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About Men Rising From Divorce - A Rising Phoenix Podcast
A podcast for men going through an unwanted divorce or breakup.
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