The Scarlet Edit: Infidelity, Divorce, Starting Over.

Why do smart, successful people end up in affairs — and then can't leave? What's actually driving the pattern? And how do you know if you're settling or self-sabotaging?

In this episode, I sit down with Katarina Polonska — behavioral scientist, executive relationship strategist, and someone whose own family was torn apart by infidelity. Katarina watched her father's affair destroy her parents' marriage, then found herself repeating the exact same pattern in her own engagement. That wake-up call led her to build a methodology that's now helped hundreds of high performers break the cycle.

We get into the...

Kristin Cabot — the woman from the Coldplay Kiss Cam — finally told her side of the story on Oprah's podcast. She was already separated. He told her he was too. But only one of them got death threats, drive-bys, and 500 calls a day.

90% of the hate came from other women. Every single in-person confrontation — a woman.

I talk about what Kristin revealed, the double standard between how she and Andy Byron were treated, why we judge affairs so harshly, and why women tearing down other women is the part of this story that should bother all of us...

There's a stat that gets cited everywhere in the infidelity space — that 56% of men and 34% of women who cheat rate their marriages as happy.

It shows up in therapy blogs, Reddit threads, podcasts, and articles, and it's used to push the narrative that cheating is random and unpredictable.

I'm calling BS. Not on the data itself, but on what people are doing with it.

In this episode, I break down why self-reporting is flawed, why "happy" has become a dangerously low bar, and why I firmly believe that nobody wakes up and decides to...

I actively choose happiness and joy every single day — and the more I share that, the more it seems to confuse people.

In this episode, I'm getting into the mindset behind everything I do on The Scarlet Edit. Why positivity is my baseline, how my upbringing shaped me in ways that defy the stereotypes people project onto women like me, and the specific moments in my life — from my divorce at 38 to ending a five-year affair to a situationship that wrecked me — that brought me to the decision to stop letting anyone else dictate my emotions.

I al...

Ashley Madison just rebranded — and 57% of their new users are single. I break down what that means and why dating app fatigue is pushing people toward discretion.

Then I go somewhere I haven’t gone before: the waiting.

What it actually feels like to wait for a married man to leave his wife. The holidays alone, the phone that doesn’t ring, the stories you tell yourself to make it feel normal, and the moment I finally said I’m done.

If you’ve ever Googled “waiting for a married man to leave” and found noth...

A year ago I was struggling with how to share my story with the world — I was the other woman in a five-year relationship with a married man, while I felt no shame, it was the secret I carried for years. And now, a year into The Scarlet Edit, I realized I've unintentionally put myself in a new kind of box.

This episode is me getting honest about that. I talk about what happened after I shared my biggest secret, why I've been struggling with what to post and how to show up, and how a conversation wi...

Henry VIII had six wives. One wife for 24 years, then five more in the next 11. He was pursuing the next woman while still married to the current one every single time — and he was running an entire country while doing it. So much for "I'm too busy."

In this episode of Affairs Through the Ages, I'm walking through every wife, every affair, and the pattern that never changed. From the annulment that broke England away from the Catholic Church to the teenager who was beheaded at 18, this story is wild. But what really got me is the wo...

Is Love is Blind actually proving that love IS blind — or is it proving the exact opposite?

After nine completed seasons, the data tells a pretty damning story: 55 engagements, only 14 marriages, and a 43% divorce rate.

In this episode, I break down the surprising parallels between what happens in the pods and how emotional affairs actually work — the deep connections with multiple people, comparing partners, fantasy access, keeping the door cracked open, and what happens when reality finally sets in.

I also unpack why physical attraction matters more than the show wants to admit, call...

On January 9, 2019, the richest man in the world announced his divorce. One day later, a tabloid story detonated across the internet — exposing a months-long affair between Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, complete with leaked texts, private jet travel, and a global media frenzy.

In this episode of Affairs Through the Ages, I break down one of the most infamous modern affairs — not to condone it, and not to judge it — but to examine how it unfolded, why it didn’t collapse immediately, and how it became one of the rare affairs that actually turned into marriage.

This e...

What do you do when you realize—on your wedding day—that you shouldn’t be getting married?

In this episode of The Scarlet Edit, I sit down with Emily Kuch, a content creator and Pilates instructor, to talk about one of the bravest decisions a person can make: calling off a wedding at the last possible moment.

After nearly ten years together and months of wedding planning, Emily found herself standing in full hair and makeup, overlooking the ocean in Hawaii, facing a truth she couldn’t ignore. Instead of walking down the aisle, she chos...

By the time Ava Gardner was 30, she'd been married three times. In 1950s America, that meant you were supposed to disappear in shame. But Ava didn't disappear—she became a legend.

In this episode of Affairs Through the Ages, I'm diving into Ava Gardner's story. From dirt-poor farm girl in North Carolina to Hollywood icon, from three marriages before 30 to never marrying again—Ava wrote her own rules when the world wanted to write her off.

This isn't just Frank Sinatra's affair story. This is about what Ava was searching for, why even "the love of h...

I never randomly called my boyfriend during our entire relationship. Not because he told me not to—it just became normal. I also never saw him on weekends, never brought him around friends, and kept everything secret. These toxic relationship habits felt completely reasonable when I was in the affair.

After it ended, I fell right into a secretive situationship because those patterns had become so familiar. In this episode, I'm sharing how affairs normalize unhealthy relationship behaviors, why power dynamics and age gaps make it worse, and how I finally recognized I deserved more.

If...

I'm launching my new signature series, Affairs Through the Ages, and I couldn't think of a better way to kick it off than with arguably the biggest affair of the 20th century: Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky.

This isn't just a retelling of the scandal. I dive deep into Monica's background and uncover something I never knew - she was already involved with a married man before she ever got to Washington. That first affair with her high school drama teacher shaped everything that came after.

I explore how Monica went from a 22-year-old intern...

What if the things you want in the bedroom aren't as extreme as you think? Certified sex and relationship coach Amanda Dames breaks down the kink spectrum—from hair pulling to rope bondage—and explains why honest communication about sexual desires is so important for relationships.

Amanda, a former professional dominatrix with over a decade of experience, discusses the crucial difference between kinks, fetishes, and fantasies. She shares why some people who can't discuss their desires with their spouse may look elsewhere, and more importantly, how to have these vulnerable conversations before that happens.

What You...

Should you date a separated man? Is dating during divorce a red flag? How long should someone be single after a long marriage before dating again?

In this episode, I share results from a viral question I posted on Threads that received 141 responses from women in their 40s about whether they'd date men who are separated or going through divorce. The overwhelming answer reveals important truths about healing timelines, self-discovery, and what it really takes to be relationship-ready after ending a long-term marriage.

What You'll Learn:

In this solo episode, I challenge one of the most commonly repeated relationship mantras: "once a cheater, always a cheater."

Drawing from research and my personal experience, I explore why this phrase is not only inaccurate but potentially harmful. I break down the critical difference between serial cheaters and situational affairs, share surprising statistics about infidelity recurrence, and discuss how society weaponizes the "cheater" label—especially against women.

In this episode:

Welcome to the first solo episode of 2026 and Season Two of The Scarlet Edit.

In this episode, I’m sharing two important things:

I break down what the data has made crystal clear. You want honest conversations about affairs, divorce, shame, starting over, and emotional healing. Those episodes resonate because they make people feel seen, less alone, and understood. And in 2026, we’re leaning into them even more.

I also intr...

It’s officially a new year, and instead of predictions or resolutions, I wanted to do something different.

In this episode, I’m sharing a curated Best of 2025 from The Scarlet Edit. Real conversations. Real insights. The moments that stayed with me long after the mic was turned off.

You’ll hear from past guests on topics like:

Merry Christmas, and Happy Hanukkah!

This episode of The Scarlet Edit is here for you whenever you need it — today, next week, or months from now.

In this short and sweet solo episode, I’m sharing one of my favorite end-of-year traditions: creating an annual playlist to capture where I am in my life. Music has a way of holding memory in a way nothing else can. You might forget moments or seasons, but a song can bring you right back — exactly where you were, exactly how you felt.

I talk about how music...

In this deeply expansive conversation, I sit down with psychic medium June Edward, whose life was forever changed after a literal death during a medical procedure. June shares what she experienced on the other side, how she chose to come back, and how that moment unlocked her ability to understand energy, vibration, and the soul at a profound level.

We explore how energy impacts every relationship in our lives — romantic, familial, and personal — including affairs, divorce, and emotional attachment. June breaks down the difference between fear-based decision-making and soul-based knowing, why love is the highest vibration, and how...

The holidays can feel magical… and a little heartbreaking when you’re building a life on your own. In this episode, I’m talking honestly about single season in December — the joy, the gratitude, the longing, and the moments that hit a little harder this time of year.

I share what it’s been like to spend Christmas mornings alone for years, why dating in midlife feels like a sport nobody trained us for, and how those tiny everyday moments (Costco runs, opening a good bottle of wine, watching a new show) can make you miss a person who...

Prenuptial agreements get a bad rap — but they shouldn’t.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with California family law attorney and “Prenup Queen” Deveney Wells-Gibson to break down what prenups actually are, why they matter, and why women should be having these conversations long before saying “I do.”

Deveney has seen the same story play out over and over in divorce court — women blindsided by finances they didn’t know existed, outdated state laws that don’t reflect modern relationships, and the emotional and financial fallout that could have been avoided with one conversation.

Why I’m Letting Go of Every Negative Thought This Month

In this bonus episode, I talk about what triggered today’s mindset shift, why fear keeps showing up when we’re leveling up, and how editing out negativity can completely reset your energy before 2026.

I talk about what fear is teaching me right now, why I’m doubling down on my goals for 2026, and how our words shape our energy more than we realize.

I share the Q4 challenge I’ve been doing, the real reason I tag Dear Media every day, and why I...

This week’s solo episode lands on Thanksgiving, and honestly, I’m feeling exceptionally grateful.

The Scarlet Edit has now reached listeners in 52 countries, which blows my mind. Australia, Canada… you’re showing up big, and I appreciate it more than you know.

In this episode, I break down a recent Vogue opinion piece asking a pretty wild question: “Is having a boyfriend embarrassing now?”

As a 47-year-old single woman who has been married, divorced, partnered, and in a very bad situationship… I have thoughts. A lot of them.

Together we explore:

What does it look like when a woman finally sees the narcissistic abuse she's been living in — and decides she's done?

In this episode of The Scarlet Edit, I sit down with Melise, whose viral TikTok about watching a family by the pool stopped people in their tracks. But it's the story behind that moment that matters even more — eight years in a relationship with a covert narcissist, the slow erosion of her identity, and the moment she chose to reclaim her life.

This conversation goes deep into what narcissistic abuse actually looks like from the...

Welcome to a very unplanned solo episode where I tried to record something polished and instead… well… this happened.

Today I’m coming to you from my brand-new studio!! Dog hair, moving chaos, missing flowers, fake plants I keep thinking are dying (??), and all. I upgraded everything: new desk, new lighting, a mic flag that makes me feel like a news anchor, and wallpaper in my exact brand hex code. Yes, I’m that person now.

This episode is one long stream of consciousness — part studio tour, part interior design commentary, part “am I actually looking into...

Why do people have affairs — even good people in relationships that look fine from the outside? And what happens to everyone involved when infidelity blows a life apart?

In this episode of The Scarlet Edit, I sit down with relationship and self-love coach Christina Ketchen for an honest, nuanced conversation about infidelity — what drives it, what it reveals about us, and how it changes everyone it touches.

We unpack how core wounds — our earliest needs to be seen, heard, loved, and safe — lead us to repeat familiar emotional patterns in relationships. Christina has coached hundreds of peopl...

When Julie Barth’s husband died of pancreatic cancer, she was left with four children and a heart still trying to make sense of loss.

In her grief, she met a man who promised comfort, protection, and a fresh start. Instead, he isolated her, manipulated her, and tore down every piece of confidence she had left.

In this raw conversation, Julie shares what it’s like to fall into the hands of a narcissist while still grieving — the quiet erosion of self-trust, the slow isolation from family, the shame, the gaslighting, and the moment she finall...

What if your relationship ran like a successful business?

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Robin Buckley, executive coach, psychologist, and author of Marriage Incorporated: The Boardroom Blueprint to a Lasting Love. We talk about how applying strategic, business-minded frameworks to your marriage or relationship can actually deepen connection, improve communication, and prevent the kind of emotional burnout that leads to divorce.

Dr. Robin shares her Ideal Companion Avatar (ICA) concept for intentional dating, her 5-minute daily and weekly check-ins that keep couples connected, and her ABCZ List for rebuilding intimacy. We...

I just moved to Arizona, I’m building my home studio, and it feels like the start of something big. After fifteen months of traveling the world, I was ready to unpack my life, ground myself, and bring new energy to The Scarlet Edit.

In this solo episode, I talk about what it means to create space — physically and emotionally — for the next chapter. I share memories from past relationships, what I’ve learned about self-worth, and how an old conversation reminded me that sometimes growth comes from the moments we least expect.

If you’ve ever lo...

This week, I was joined by Lisa Johnson, co-founder of Been There, Got Out — a domestic violence advocate and high-conflict divorce strategist who survived 20 years of narcissistic abuse.

Lisa’s story goes far beyond heartbreak. She exposes how coercive control operates behind closed doors, how manipulation hides in plain sight, and what it takes to rebuild your life after escaping a narcissist.

From self-representation in court to changing Connecticut law, Lisa’s courage has helped thousands of survivors take back their power.

If you’ve ever doubted your strength or wondered how to start ov...

100 episodes. Countless stories. One powerful evolution.

In this special milestone episode, I look back at the journey that started with Round Two and led to The Scarlet Edit — from launching my very first show, to finding my voice, to building a platform where no story is off-limits. I share the lessons I’ve learned about storytelling, self-trust, and showing up authentically, even when it’s uncomfortable.

If you’ve ever dreamed of starting a podcast, pivoting your story, or simply hearing the truth about what it takes to create something that matters, this one’s for you.<...

Why does shame after infidelity feel so different from other kinds of shame? Why can't you just "be vulnerable" and make it go away? And why does it keep you stuck in relationships, patterns, and silence long after you know you deserve better?

In this episode of The Scarlet Edit, I sit down with Dr. Zoe Shaw — psychotherapist, author, and host of Stronger in the Difficult Places — to talk about what she calls complex shame. This isn't garden-variety guilt. Complex shame is the kind that buries itself so deep it becomes part of your identity, and it show...

Marriage doesn’t always look the way we were told it should. In this episode of The Scarlet Edit, I talk with Mike Messeroff, a personal freedom coach who’s been married for 16 years — and polyamorous with his wife for the last seven.

Mike opens up about what it takes to navigate polyamory inside a marriage, from facing jealousy to setting boundaries to discovering that freedom requires discipline. We talk about how self-awareness, communication, and honesty are the foundation of any relationship — monogamous or not.

We also explore the spiritual side of love: non-attachment, expansion, and choo...

I couldn’t resist dropping a bonus episode today because our community created something amazing. I asked listeners on Instagram for their favorite breakup songs, and the result is The Scarlet Edit Listener’s Breakup Playlist, now live on Spotify and Apple Music.

In this episode, I share my love of lyrics, why music feels like poetry set to sound, and how certain songs transport us back to pivotal moments in our relationships. I talk about building playlists during my own breakup, the songs that carried me through heartbreak, and how music connects us to one another’s stor...

In this episode of The Scarlet Edit, I sit down with Leah Mazur, founder of Mindfully Ready and The Next Chapter, to talk about the realities of divorce, love, and self-discovery. Leah has been divorced three times—and instead of shame, she has built a powerful community helping women release guilt, rebuild confidence, and create a future that feels authentic.

We cover:

This bonus episode of The Scarlet Edit is all about courage—the kind you don’t recognize while you’re living it, but only when you look back. I dive into what courage has meant in my life: walking away from relationships that no longer served me, traveling solo across the globe, starting this podcast, and bringing taboo conversations into the light.

I talk about how courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the decision to move forward despite it. From divorce to reinvention to the everyday act of choosing yourself, I share how leaning into courage...

Why do people cheat? And what happens when an entire company is built around making it easier?

In this episode of The Scarlet Edit, I sit down with Paul Keable, Chief Strategy Officer of Ashley Madison — the website known worldwide for its tagline "Life is short. Have an affair." Paul has spent over a decade at Ashley Madison and brings research and real member stories that flip everything you think you know about infidelity on its head.

We talk about:

I was 24 years old on 9/11. Like so many Americans, I’ll never forget where I was, what I saw, or how it felt to come together with neighbors and strangers in a moment of shared grief. That unity shaped me — and I’ve carried it with me ever since.

This year, remembrance collided with tragedy as news broke of Charlie Kirk’s murder. I didn’t know him personally, but I followed his work for years, and I broke down in tears at the senselessness of his death.

In this episode, I reflect on both: the unity...

Friendships evolve, change, and sometimes end — and it can hit harder than we expect. In this bonus episode of The Scarlet Edit, I share my reflections on losing friends, navigating seasonal relationships, and how to honor the value you bring while letting go with grace.

I explore why friendships come and go, the difference between reason, season, and lifetime friends, and what it means to truly understand the ebb and flow of your social connections.

Drawing from my own experiences and insights from friendship expert Danielle Bayard Jackson, I uncover why we often mislabel friendships, ho...