Your Brain After A Breakup: The Neuroscience of Why You Can't Just Get Over It
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Release Date: 05/15/2025
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Let’s be real—long distance isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s for the ones who are willing to cry on dog walks with sunglasses on. The ones who whisper we’ll figure it out even when every plan falls through. The ones who know love is worth the effort—but still wonder, how the heck do people actually make this work? So in this episode I dive into this topic that's close to my heart - the rollercoaster of long distance relationships. After navigating my own 2 year international long distance relationship with my now-husband Nate (including military life and visa challenges!), I'm...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Ever been through a breakup that didn’t just hurt emotionally—but physically? Like your chest was caving in or your stomach was in knots? You're not crazy. In fact, there's actual science behind that soul crushing pain. In this episode, we dive deep into what's actually happening in your brain and body when your heart gets broken—and why breakup grief might actually be harder to heal from than grief after death. If you've ever felt like you were "crazy" for not being able to "just get over it," this episode is for you. We'll explore the fascinating neuroscience behind heartbreak and give...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
What if the thing holding you back isn’t fear—but the story you're telling yourself about it? This week on Okay, Now What?, I’m joined by the powerhouse that is Sally Zimney—award-winning speaker, bestselling author, and host of one of the top speaker podcasts in the world—for a real, raw, and laugh-out-loud honest conversation about what bravery really looks like. Spoiler: it’s not the absence of fear. It’s showing up with it. We unpack: Why “confidence” is overrated and what to build instead The power of gumption (and no, not the Aussie cleaning product kind—though...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Let’s be honest: Most of us aren’t just busy - we’re burnt out, overbooked, and quietly wondering if this is just how life’s meant to be. If your schedule feels like a never-ending to-do list and your soul’s running on empty, this episode is for you. This week on Okay, Now What?, I’m joined by the incredible Peggy Sullivan — a leadership coach, TEDx speaker (her talk’s hit over 1 million views!), and author of Beyond Busyness. And let me tell you… this conversation is like a permission slip to finally stop glorifying the hustle and start living with intention....
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
What if the most heartbreaking chapter of your life also held the key to your greatest purpose? In this powerful and tender conversation, I sit down with Kara Byron - founder of Moments by Kara - to talk about the raw reality of being a full-time caregiver to her father in her early twenties, how she turned grief into a lifelong mission of creating meaningful moments, and the difference between moving on and moving forward after loss. We get real about the emotional toll of caretaking, the sacredness of grief, and how to hold joy and sorrow in the same hand. Whether you’ve lost someone,...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
From a young age, we're taught not to interrupt conversations. But I've realised there is definitely a conversation we need to interrupt EVERY SINGLE DAY. It's the one happening in our between our own ears. Because let's be honest - do you ever find yourself spiraling in self-doubt, thinking things like “I’m not good enough,” “I always mess things up,” or “I’m just not the type of person who can…”? Yeah, welcome to being human right?! So in this episode, I dive into a powerful mental interrupt tool—one simple question that can help you stop those runaway thought spirals...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Ever feel like you’re doing all the right things—yet still feel off? Tired? Resentful? Like you're living life for everyone but you? Yeah… me too. In this powerful episode, I pull back the curtain on one sneaky little word that’s silently controlling so many of our choices—and not in a good way. That word? Should. It seems harmless. Responsible even. "I should call her back." "I should go to that dinner." "I should be happier by now." But when you really pay attention, you’ll notice how heavy that word feels in your body. How tight your chest gets. How small your world...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Ever find yourself spiraling in “why me?” energy—or slapping on a fake smile, insisting “I’m fine” when you’re anything but? Yeah. Been there. Both sides of that coin will wear you out. That’s why this episode? It’s a lifeline. Fresh off an emotional and empowering experience speaking at my first ever women’s leadership conference, I’m unpacking a topic that hits deep: the difference between self-pity, self-denial, and self-compassion—and why knowing how to navigate between them is one of the most important skills you’ll ever learn. In this episode, I share: ✨ The...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
In this powerful episode, we're joined by Kevin Lowe, an inspirational speaker and podcast host who shares his remarkable journey of losing his sight at 17 and discovering an entirely new way to "see" the world. Through launching his own travel agency, creating a podcast during the pandemic, learning how to 'see' through sound and now inspiring others through speaking, Kevin exemplifies resilience in its purest form. His personal equation—"faith plus family equals a life worth living"—reminds us all to identify what gives our lives meaning, especially during our darkest moments. Kevin's...
info_outlineOkay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Whether we care to admit it or not, a lot of us waste A LOT of mental energy overthinking what other people think of us and include their opinions on our decision making criteria in life. And as I've learned the hard way, that's a one way ticket to a life that doesn't even really feel like yours. So why do so many of us fear being judged? And more importantly, how do we stop taking things so personally, even when we hear critical opinions about us?! That's exactly what we explore together in this episode and share with you the life changing example that my coach shared with me that FINALLY...
info_outlineEver been through a breakup that didn’t just hurt emotionally—but physically?
Like your chest was caving in or your stomach was in knots? You're not crazy. In fact, there's actual science behind that soul crushing pain.
In this episode, we dive deep into what's actually happening in your brain and body when your heart gets broken—and why breakup grief might actually be harder to heal from than grief after death.
If you've ever felt like you were "crazy" for not being able to "just get over it," this episode is for you. We'll explore the fascinating neuroscience behind heartbreak and give you the validation (and hope) you need to keep moving forward.
What You'll Learn:
- Why your brain treats heartbreak like a literal drug withdrawal
- The science behind why breakups activate the same pain centers as physical injuries
- How the stress hormone cortisol wreaks havoc on your sleep, appetite, and immune system
- Why your brain gets stuck in rumination mode after a breakup
- The unique challenge of grieving someone who's still alive (and why it's harder than you think)
- How social media makes everything worse—and what to do about it
- The incredible power of neuroplasticity and how your brain can actually heal itself
- Practical strategies for working WITH your brain, not against it
If you're listening to this in the thick of heartbreak right now, please know: what you're feeling is valid, it's normal, and it WILL get better. Your brain is doing exactly what millions of years of evolution programmed it to do. Be patient with yourself. You're not broken—you're human. ❤️
And - you don't have to figure it all out alone.
If you're ready for real support (not fluff), I’m here to help you make sense of the pain, rebuild your confidence, and gently take your power back—one choice, one breath, one brave step at a time. Book a free 30-minute coaching consult with me here: https://www.kategladdin.com/coaching