In this conversation, Meredith Masony and Tiffany Jenkins discuss a personal revelation about a mental illness diagnosis and the impact it has had on their lives. They emphasize the importance of unconditional love and support from a partner and the need for personal growth and healing. The conversation touches on topics such as emotional dysregulation, fear of abandonment, and the process of accepting and working through a diagnosis. The hosts express their commitment to doing the necessary work to improve their mental health and ask for understanding and respect from their audience. In this part of the conversation, Tiffany and Meredith discuss the challenges of opening up and being vulnerable in relationships. They talk about the fear of rejection and the need for constant reassurance. Meredith shares her experience of feeling raw and hopeful as she works through her mental illness and rebuilds her relationship with Dave. They also discuss the idea of having a symbolic divorce and new marriage as a fresh start. They touch on the concept of trauma bonding and how it has affected their friendship. Overall, they express a sense of hope and willingness to do the work to improve their relationships. In this final part of the conversation, Dave joins the discussion and shares his perspective on Meredith's diagnosis. They talk about the importance of being kind and gentle to oneself, the cycle of shame and guilt, and the need to speak out about mental illness. They also discuss their plans to symbolically divorce and remarry, and the support they have received from their therapist and community. The conversation ends with a lighthearted discussion about emotional support and the importance of finding humor in difficult situations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices