Shows
Love In The HardThe Silent Identity Crisis in Blended Families: Finding Your Way Back to YourselfSend us a textCindi shares her deeply personal journey of losing her identity after quickly remarrying, moving to a new town, and becoming a stepmom. Patrick joins the conversation as they explore the silent grief of starting over and how Cindi finally found her way back to herself.• Cindi describes the rapid life changes: selling her home, moving to Patrick's house, changing her daughter's school, and losing her independence• The struggle of becoming known primarily as "Patrick's wife" in a small town while feeling like she was "renting space" in his world• How Ci...2025-06-0431 minLove In The HardThe Divine Refining: How God Reshapes Our Dreams Without Destroying ThemSend us a textWe explore the complex journey of reconciling our long-held dreams with our evolving core values, using my personal Florida dream as a lens to understand divine refinement of our goals.• When two beautiful dreams pull in different directions • When goals don't align with your core values, your soul will resist - that's not failure, it's feedback• Our brains often protect us from the unknown through procrastination and delay• Discerning between red flags and just unfamiliar terrain requires alignment, grit, and consistency• Finding ways to reshape dreams instead of abandoni...2025-05-1415 minLove In The HardNavigating Life's Middle Chapters: Transformation in the TransitionSend us a textPatrick and Cindi Pistelli share their journey through life's "middle chapter" as they face multiple transitions at once, including children leaving home, new jobs, and changing family dynamics.• Navigating the bittersweet nature of watching children grow up and leave home• Finding purpose when your primary role as a parent begins to change• Understanding that times of transition are actually opportunities for transformation• The importance of leaning on faith during seasons of uncertainty• Comparing life transitions to a butterfly's transformation in a cocoon• Embracing new dreams and possibilitie...2025-05-0726 minLove In The HardThe Unspoken Freedom: When Forgiveness Becomes Your ChoiceSend us a textHave you ever found yourself waiting for an apology that never came? That elusive "I'm sorry" that would somehow make everything right again? Today we dive deep into the challenging territory of forgiving without apology—that messy, complicated space where healing becomes entirely your choice.We thoughtfully dismantle the myth that forgiveness means what happened was okay or that you must immediately trust someone again. Instead, they frame forgiveness as a deliberate release—a choice to stop carrying the weight of resentment for your own freedom.What makes this conv...2025-04-1624 minLove In The HardYou Are Not Your Darkness: Finding Hope in the Midst of DepressionSend us a textDepression feels like a fog over your heart and mind—a weight that makes even the simplest tasks like getting out of bed feel impossible. In this deeply personal episode, Patrick and Cindi Pistelli explore what depression really is beyond clinical definitions, offering a compassionate perspective for those suffering and those supporting loved ones through the darkness.We unpack the various origins of depression—from brain chemistry and trauma to chronic stress and spiritual exhaustion. Depression isn't just about having a bad day; it's a complex interplay of mental, emotional, and phys...2025-04-0925 minLove In The HardWhen Faith Meets Unimaginable Loss: Chandler's LegacySend us a textClint and Amber Nelson share their powerful story of faith, resilience, and finding purpose after losing their son Chandler to cancer at age 20. Their journey demonstrates how they've turned unimaginable grief into advocacy through the Elevate Foundation while preserving their marriage and supporting their surviving son Tyler.• Chandler was diagnosed with Stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma at 18 years old, just before his high school graduation• COVID-19 delayed treatment, allowing the tumor to grow significantly before intervention• The Nelsons experienced several "miracles" throughout Chandler's cancer journey, including moments of healing and special opport...2025-04-021h 48Love In The HardYour Body Remembers What Your Mind Tries to ForgetSend us a textTrauma doesn't simply fade away—it embeds itself in our bodies, manifesting as physical ailments, relationship patterns, and emotional responses long after the triggering events. In this deeply personal conversation, Patrick and Cindy Pistelli explore how our bodies literally hold onto past pain and how this stored trauma affects every aspect of our lives.The discussion begins with a crucial distinction: trauma isn't defined by events themselves but by how our bodies process and respond to them. Cindy vulnerarily shares her experience of living in perpetual fight-or-flight mode—a state so cons...2025-03-2832 minLove In The HardWhen Pain Gets Stuck: Understanding True Trauma vs. Everyday HardshipSend us a textTrauma is often misunderstood and misused in everyday language, encompassing far more than just big, obvious events and including how our bodies and minds respond when pain gets stuck. We break down the difference between genuine trauma and everyday hardships, exploring how unresolved trauma manifests in our relationships, self-perception, and faith.• Emotional neglect creates adults who struggle to trust their own emotions• Conditional love in childhood leads to perfectionism and constant approval-seeking• Comparison trauma teaches us to suppress authenticity and feel we must prove we belong• Betrayal in relation...2025-03-1957 minLove In The HardWrestling with God: Finding Hope in AngerSend us a textAnger at God might be one of the most taboo emotions in faith communities, yet it's a universal human experience during seasons of suffering. Patrick Pistelli flies solo in this vulnerable episode, diving deep into what happens when we find ourselves furious with the divine.The catalyst for this conversation was a powerful encounter Patrick had during a home inspection with a man whose life story was marked by devastating losses—his mother at 18, followed by two sisters, all while praying for healing that never seemed to come. This man's raw an...2025-03-1234 minLove In The HardNavigating Grief: The Path to Rediscovering JoySend us a textOur latest conversation dives into the complex relationship between joy and grief, providing deep insights into how they can coexist even during the hardest moments. Patrick and Cindy share their personal experiences, highlighting the emotional struggles surrounding loss and the journey to rediscover joy.• Navigating the feelings of guilt associated with finding joy after a loss • Understanding that joy is a deeper state than simple happiness • Embracing practical steps to rediscover joy amid sorrow If you're struggling to find joy after your own losses, we are here for you...2025-03-0519 minLove In The HardLaugh, Love, and Lessons: Our Podcasting Journey So FarSend us a textStep into the latest episode of "Love in the Hard," where Patrick and CindI Pistelli share the raw reality of their podcasting journey—the struggles, the triumphs, and the moments of laughter that keep them going. As they hit episode seven, our hosts reflect on the statistic that 90% of podcasters quit by this milestone. Yet, their passion for sharing stories of resilience, faith, and family fuels their commitment. Prepare to explore the hidden side of creating a podcast—bickering, chaos, and moments of uncertainty—while finding deeper meaning in overcoming challenges together.In...2025-02-2629 minLove In The HardSilent Sorrows: Transforming Unspoken Grief into Connection and ResilienceSend us a textOur latest episode dives into the intricacies of grief—exploring how it manifests beyond the loss of loved ones and what it means to carry this weight in our daily lives. We focus on the importance of community, allowing ourselves the time to grieve, and finding purpose in our pain.• Exploring different forms of grief beyond death • Addressing the loneliness that often accompanies grief • The specific pain of miscarriage and its lack of societal acknowledgment • The importance of giving yourself permission to grieve • The role community plays in the healing p...2025-02-1935 minLove In The HardUnraveling Fears: Transforming Procrastination and Perfectionism into Empowerment and SuccessSend us a textWhat if the very fears meant to protect us are actually the ones holding us back? In this episode of Love in the Hard we, Patrick and Cindi Pistelli, unravel the intricate web of self-sabotage that entangles both our personal and professional lives. We open up about Cindi's fear of success, which traces back to childhood, and Patrick's battle with the fear of failure, driven by past experiences and the pursuit of perfection. Through our candid discussions, we aim to shed light on how these fears manifest as procrastination and perfectionism, two common...2025-02-1218 minLove In The HardBreaking Barriers: Transforming Self-Sabotage into Trust and LoveSend us a textWhat happens when the very behaviors meant to protect us end up sabotaging our relationships? This episode unravels the intricate dance of self-sabotage, where fear and vulnerability create emotional barriers that keep love at bay. By sharing personal stories and insights, we explore the all-too-common patterns of avoidance and the fear of vulnerability, examining how these contribute to the breakdown of relationships. Listen as we reflect on our own past, illustrating how the failure to confront these patterns can lead to heartache.Discover how a pivotal moment at a marriage conference...2025-02-0535 minLove In The HardLove in the Hard: Transforming Struggles into Hope and RenewalSend us a textWhat if love could transform the toughest struggles into moments of profound growth and beauty? We're Patrick and Cindi Pistelli, and in our debut episode of the Love in the Hard podcast, we open up about our journey through life's rocky terrains, from navigating past traumas to the challenges of blended family life. As partners in both life and faith, we've faced hurdles that tested our unity and beliefs, yet found strength and hope in the power of love. Hear Patrick's reflections on his time as a pastor and the lessons learned during...2025-02-0219 minLove In The HardBreaking Free: Transforming Guilt and Shame into Growth and PotentialSend us a textHave you ever felt trapped by the suffocating weight of guilt and shame, unsure of how to break free? Join us, Patrick and Cindi Pistelli, as we candidly explore these powerful emotions and their profound effects on personal and entrepreneurial journeys. We'll share intimate stories of confronting inadequacy in roles that define us, from parenthood to partnership, and even the trials of unmet educational ambitions. By distinguishing guilt from shame, we aim to transform guilt into a catalyst for growth while shedding the harmful identity that shame creates. Discover how acknowledging these feelings...2025-01-2925 minLove In The HardScars of Strength: Embracing Faith and Healing Through Life's TrialsSend us a textWhat if the scars from our past could be transformed into symbols of strength and resilience? Join us as we share our deeply personal stories of overcoming harrowing challenges, including rape, car accidents, and loss. Through the lens of faith and forgiveness, we explore how these experiences have not only shaped our perceptions but also equipped us to support others walking similar paths. Central to this journey is the comforting message of hope from Jeremiah 29:11, which assures us of a prosperous future crafted by divine hands. We take a closer look at the u...2025-01-2230 minLove In The HardTrailerSend us a textWelcome to "Love In The Hard," where we dive deep into the real struggles of life, love, and faith. We are Patrick and Cindi! Join us as we share our story, offer hope, and provide real-life strategies for overcoming the challenges of life. We are here to remind you that you are not alone. There's hope, even when life feels tough! So, grab a seat, and let's get real!https://harborofhopellc.org/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/4668392359132522024-12-2002 min