In this incredibly real and compassionate conversation, I’m joined by breakup coach Cole Zesiger, whose down-to-earth wisdom and lived experience make him one of the most relatable voices in the breakup and healing space. Cole just wrote his first book, Ex’s and No’s: The Breakup Advice You Don't Want to Hear, and wow… this episode delivers exactly the kind of clarity, comfort, and practical guidance you’d expect from him.

Together, we dig into a struggle so many people face this time of year: the temptation to get back with your ex during the holidays — and the loneliness that often fuels it. Cole shares grounded, realistic tools for managing loneliness in healthy ways, especially when the world feels festive and you’re just trying to hold yourself together.

He offers thoughtful, applicable advice on:

• Navigating loneliness during the holidays while going through a breakup
• Building a stronger relationship with yourself
• Handling those “should I text them?” moments
• Caring for your emotional and physical wellbeing
• Understanding why New Year’s and Valentine’s Day are statistically the biggest breakup holidays — and how to prepare for them
• Moving through the shame of feeling like you’ve “failed” after a breakup
• What to do when you do slip up and sleep with your ex — and how to recover with self-compassion rather than self-blame

Cole also opens up about his own journey, including taking the MCAT 18 times, being rejected from medical schools 50 times, navigating divorce and breakups, and how every detour ultimately led him to his purpose — and to writing his book. His honesty is refreshing, validating, and such a beautiful reminder that being human is messy… and that you are never alone in it.

Cole brings warmth, humor, and grounded truth to a topic that so many people feel isolated in — making this episode an incredible companion for anyone navigating heartbreak, loneliness, or holiday emotions.

If you connected with Cole’s compassionate, relatable wisdom in this episode, you’re going to love his book. Pre-order Ex’s and No’s: The Breakup Advice You Don’t Want to Hear on Amazon or Barnes & Noble — link in the show notes!

Cole's website: https://coachcolezesiger.com/

Cole's IG account: https://www.instagram.com/coachcolezesiger/?hl=en

Preorder Ex's & No's: https://www.amazon.com/Exs-Nos-Breakup-Advice-Dont/dp/1394324138/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3AN57A038AXBX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fhcmiaqLUEJ0rkhFKmN5kA.7c4sEiBq3aVDUzSdYh1ncPsOMJiIR6bnkWmq8irpXYM&dib_tag=se&keywords=ex%27s+and+no%27s+zesiger&qid=1765138779&sprefix=ex%27s+and+no%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-1

And if loneliness is something you’re navigating right now, don’t forget to pre-order my book:

Lonely AF: A Therapist’s No-BS Guide to Feeling Less Alone, also available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.: https://www.amazon.com/Lonely-AF-Therapists-No-BS-Feeling/dp/1394345569/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2V1RGD4KDR7R4&dib=

What if your struggle with food isn’t about food at all?

In this raw and revealing episode of The Dr. Sylvia K Show, licensed psychotherapist and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Mary Dobson, LMFT, joins us to explore Family Systems Theory and hidden roots of disordered eating—childhood emotional neglect (CEN) and emotional loneliness. We unpack family systems theory, the roles we play in our families, and why so many high-functioning people feel numb, disconnected, or constantly “not enough,” despite looking like they have it all together.

Mary shares how perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the pressure to perform often begin in emotionally neglectful environments—and how these patterns become embedded not just in the mind, but in the body. She introduces her Recover Your Self™ framework and daily practices that help you come back to who you really are—beneath the masks, the roles, and the “shoulds.”

We also discuss:

• How emotional neglect shapes identity, not just behavior
• The link between emotional abandonment and disordered eating
• Why community service—not just talk therapy—is essential for recovery
• The radical power of joy, pausing, and breaking free from performative living

If you’ve ever felt emotionally invisible or like your struggles are “too much,” or whatever you do, it never feels enough, you're not alone. This conversation will meet you right where you are—with truth, compassion, and a path home to yourself.

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For more information on Mary Hobson,LMFT, visit her website: https://www.marydobson.com/

Follow her on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/realpsychotherapist/

In this episode of The Dr. Sylvia K Show, we explore the ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi, a powerful metaphor for healing and growth. Kintsugi, meaning “to join with gold,” teaches us to embrace our cracks and imperfections, turning them into sources of strength and beauty.

Dr. Sylvia dives into how this philosophy can help us better understand family dynamics, navigate feelings of loneliness within relationships, and heal the parts of ourselves that feel broken or difficult to accept.

In this episode, you will learn:
1. How to apply the principles of Kintsugi to heal emotional wounds and broken family dynamics.
2. How to view loneliness as an invitation to reconnect with yourself and foster self-acceptance.
3. Practical steps to embrace your imperfections and turn them into a source of personal growth.

Join Dr. Sylvia as she inspires you to transform life’s cracks into golden opportunities for resilience and connection. Tune in to discover how you can mend your emotional wounds with gold and transform your struggles into something truly beautiful.