Mama Shrink

Too many women stay stuck in toxic relationships because they’re trying to “figure it out.”

Is it narcissism? Addiction? Passive-aggression? Something diagnosable?

In this powerful episode, Dr. Cynthia Edwards-Hawver challenges the belief that we need a perfect label before we’re allowed to leave. What if the pain is enough? What if the confusion, exhaustion, and emotional fallout are the evidence?

You’ll learn:

Cognitive dissonance is one of the most powerful forces keeping women stuck in toxic relationships. It’s the reason you doubt yourself, excuse red flags, and feel like you're going crazy—while holding onto hope.

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Cynthia Edwards-Hawver explains how cognitive dissonance plays out in toxic marriages, narcissistic relationships, and parallel parenting—and why it leads directly to burnout.

You’ll learn...

This week on The Mama Shrink Podcast, we’re talking about one of the hardest, most painful truths: You can’t make someone change if they don’t want to.

You can love them. Beg them. Do everything “right.” But if they’re not willing to change, nothing will change.

🎧 Season 3, Episode 3 – Hope, Grief, and Letting Go: What to Do When They Won’t Change is out now.

In this episode, I walk you through:

✔️ Why your empathy and effort won’...

Have you ever gotten an apology that left you feeling… worse?

In this powerful episode of The Mama Shrink Podcast, Dr. Cynthia Edwards-Hawver breaks down the subtle art of the toxic apology. If you’ve ever felt confused, blamed, or dismissed after someone said “sorry,” this one’s for you.

You’ll learn how to spot the difference between a real apology and manipulative gaslighting. Whether you’re co-parenting with a narcissist, recov...

In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Cynthia Edwards-Hawver returns to The Mama Shrink Podcast after surviving a year that nearly broke her. From the end of a 31-year marriage to the financial and emotional shock of becoming a single mom at 52, she shares what true healing looks like behind closed doors.

If you’re navigating burnout, divorce, narcissistic abuse, or just trying to hold it all together while raising kids—you are no...

Hello Mamas! In today’s podcast I want to share my personal story and journey of how Mama Shrink became a mama. This is my holiday miracle and the one I am always most grateful so it felt good to share it. I get asked a lot about adoption, especially when people see us with our 2 boys who are both bi-racial.

I am sensitive in sharing this story from my perspective as my kids will someday have their own adoption story. There are par...

Ever wondered how to navigate parenting a strong-willed child? Curious about effective strategies that can transform challenging behaviors? 

In this insightful episode, the host delves into the challenges and triumphs of parenting a strong-willed child. Drawing from personal experiences, the discussion unfolds a narrative that encapsulates the intricacies of managing a child with a strong personality. From setting boundaries to t...

Hello Mommas! The holidays are coming in so fast and before we all get busy with life, parties, kids and everything else, I just wanted to talk to you about dealing with the holidays when you’re feeling depressed, down, overwhelmed and anxious. 

If you are feeling these things, I want to assure you that you are not alone. 90% of people are feeling the exact same way.  Holiday depression and stress is a real thing and it happens eve...

Mamas, it is so important to have a good therapist for yourself and for your children if either of you need one. You shouldn’t settle for a therapist just because it’s convenient, they accept your insurance, or because you’ve worked with someone forever and don’t want to start over. 

In this episode, I’m going to be talking to you about what you need to look for and what you should want regarding good and bad therapy.

I’m going to ...

I would like to dive into the concept of mindset shifting in the next 2 episodes of the Mama Shrink Podcast because I feel that this is such a big thing. It’s one thing to think about something in a certain way and it’s a whole different level when you really believe what you’re talking about. This comes down to the whole concept of the biology of belief.

So today, I’m going to talk about self-sabotage. What is it, how do we do it,...

Ever wondered why common courtesy seems to be fading away in today's world? What if teaching manners could make a significant impact on our lives and society? In this podcast episode, Dr. Cynthia Hawver, a licensed psychologist and host of the Mama Shrink podcast, passionately addresses the decline of manners in society, emphasizing the need for parents to actively teach their children these essential skills. Dr. Haver shares perso...

In this insightful podcast episode, Dr. Cynthia, a seasoned psychologist, delves into the complex realm of guilt, particularly experienced by mothers. Opening up with a raw exploration of societal expectations and the relentless pursuit of perfection, she addresses the common narrative of moms feeling guilty for perceived imperfections and societal pressures. Dr. Cynthia shares personal anecdotes and professional insights, revealin...

Ever wondered how to navigate family drama during the holiday season? Curious about setting boundaries and making the most of this special time of year? In this podcast episode, Dr. Cynthia discusses the intricacies of managing family dynamics during the holiday season. Drawing from personal experiences and professional wisdom, she provides practical advice on setting boundaries, dealing with difficult relatives, and ensuring a mor...

Ever wondered how a breast cancer diagnosis affects not just the patient but the entire family? What can you do to navigate the complex healthcare system and maintain a sense of normalcy in your life? This podcast episode explores the journey of a breast cancer survivor and offers valuable insights into dealing with a diagnosis.

Our guest Christa, a breast cancer survivor, shares her remarkable journey from diagnosis to thriving....

Have you ever wondered how to strike a balance between discipline and understanding with your child, especially if they're strong-willed or involved in multiple activities? In this podcast episode, Dr. Cynthia Hawver has a conversation with her nine-year-old son, Lucas Hawver. They touch upon various aspects of parenting and child development. Lucas shares his perspective on sports, school, and even recounts some mischievous childh...

In this episode, I sat down with my son, Thomas, to discuss what it's like to be an 11-year-old in a world that's constantly changing. We covered various topics, from school and family dynamics to sibling relationships and personal experiences.

We started by discussing Thomas's experience in fifth grade, a year he described as one of the most challenging in his life. The difficulty wasn't just with schoolwork but also the changin...

In this podcast episode, I reflect on my experiences with female friendships and mastermind groups and how they've shaped my life. I begin by recounting a particularly challenging period in my life, losing my mother and stepfather within six months and the cathartic experience of eulogizing them in a joint funeral. It was a moment of realizing the importance of deep connections with women.

Next, I discuss the benefits of joining ...

In this episode, I delve into the crucial topic of reparenting ourselves, a process that involves healing and nurturing our inner child to overcome the generational patterns and trauma that may have been handed down through our family. I begin by emphasizing the significance of recognizing and breaking free from these patterns to provide our children with the emotional support and self-care that I might have lacked in our own upbri...

Have you ever felt drained and exhausted after spending time with a certain person? In this episode, I discuss the concept of energy vampires. These toxic people can be friends, partners, or family. You’ll leave this episode knowing how to set boundaries with people who drain your vitality and enthusiasm for life.

This episode begins with defining the characteristics of toxic people. A toxic person has the tendency to take on a vic...