As a divorced mom of one young girl, I could relate to this story to some extent. But honestly, Michelle’s self-pity and non-stop despair (with periods of surprise elation caused by men) were kind of pathetic. Or maybe just different from my experience, so made me feel strong and resilient. I really don’t understand why her entire affect depended on her relationships with men, like she didn’t even try to lean into her hobbies or her work, and it didn’t seem like she gave anything to her friends while expecting condolence over and over. Again, we all experience loss differently, but this perspective did not connect with me.

As a 47 year old woman who separated from my husband 3 years ago, and who just broke up with a man I loved deeply, and the mother of a 5 year old daughter, there was a lot in this story that I could relate to. Michelle describes her journey with such candor, vulnerability and humor that I couldn’t stop listening. She has a great voice, and the soundscape is beautiful. The stories made me laugh, cry and feel many emotions in-between. I’m also feeling a lot of loneliness right now, and her story has helped me sink into my heart, rather than feeling like I need to run from it. Thank you Michelle for so bravely putting your story out into the world. It touched me deeply. ❤️

This podcast drew me in. I was nostalgic for Canada and the “soundness” of Canadians, but after several episodes I think I overdosed. At first the transparency seemed vulnerable, the repetition in thinking and behavior seemed honest. This is what happened when there’s devastation. But then, there was no insight, no frame, no perspective, no zooming out to the bigger picture of… something else. It became claustrophobic and sad and a bit stuck in compulsive looping. Zooming in and making us feel as the protagonist felt at that moment is a gift, and she is gifted and talented and sweet, but then there’s also a responsibility of the narrator to zoom back out, and offer some connection to the bigger picture, of old trauma, of family origin stuff, of immigrant belonging… something! Some sense of expansion and connection with the universe that doesn’t come just from skin on skin contact. It was a pleasant diversion at first, a reminder of a kind of smart wholesomeness that I miss from not being in Canada. But then… it felt quite shallow and yes, privileged, and avoidant of deeper issues. I wish she’d really gone deep into why she felt she needed to get married so young, why she felt so dependent on a man’s attention, and most difficult, how the role of motherhood affected her self-esteem. She touches on it, but not deeply. I think she would have felt less “alone” and desperate if she felt able to really talk about these issues.

This podcast is the only reason I sleep at night, her stories..her voice, I put myself in her shoes! It feels so realistic the way the story is told, this was the first podcast I EVER listened to and is now the only one I play over and over to find peace enough to sleep,

In the running for my favorite podcast ever. Love the host's storytelling style.

This podcast taught me how to grieve from intense heartache. I came across it during a painful breakup and it was the medicine I needed for getting through. Michelle is so open and painfully honest about the dark and difficult times we all experience, but are too ashamed to talk about. She made me feel that I wasn’t alone. This podcast was such a gift. Thank you for creating it Michelle. I am forever grateful. P.S. the music is incredible too!!

Lengthy pauses and musical breaks in between the story. Awkward. Didn’t keep listening

I listen to a lot of podcasts, this is the only one that has ever made he cry. Such a relatable and human experience told in an incredibly beautiful way.

I just listened to the series for the third time and still can’t get enough. I love Michelle’s passion and raw emotion in telling her story. I hope she has found true happiness.

Awful, amateurish!

Listening for the second time and just bought the book.

Stretching with music. Filling up space. Just tell your story if you have one to tell

It took me a few episodes to get into it but I really like it now! Different than anything else I've listened to. Very unique and well done :)

I am amazed at her honesty. Putting it all out there for everyone to hear. She is a very talented writer and her voice is like honey drizzled on a warm biscuit- I could listen to her all day. That being said, I want to shake her into seeing the big picture! The cake! The cake! I love her and want to smack her at the same time. The signs are there as plain as can be but she ignores them for a role in the hay that puts her in a love fog of faux dreams. I love her for living so deeply but I want to tell her to step back-stop!! You are doing what you want the men to NOT do to you. I admire the hopeless romantic and envy how she can still have hope- I love her for that. The husband- is a jerk!! He is really screwed up and taking you down with him. The cake- please stop serving him the cake!!! Stop giving him EVERYTHING! The cake, the sprinkles, the frosting and the roses made out of the friggin’ frosting. Signs were there from the beginning-no excuses for him!!! The other men are being honest-up front. So I just don’t get why she can’t learn from jumping into bed so fast and then walking away with dreams of what-could-have-been. What did I learn? That people are afraid of long term relationships and they don’t have to commit because- the cake! I knew this though, as does any single mom who tried online dating. Maybe this is the better way? Sex with fond feelings and courtesy. Do what works for you, just don’t lie to the other person. If they play and stay, it is their fault.

Suscribed be automatically it sounded so interesting. Then I noticed first season not available, so I didn’t want to start on the second season. Then after checking for months, I noticed the first season was up! Yay! Well, then no. All episodes malfunction. Every single time.

SOO HAPPY the first season is back up! In the last couple of years I’ve re listened to this countless times. It’s so beautifully written and put together and I can relate to it on so many levels that it always makes me feel full! I remember her saying something about a book coming out too but I haven’t been able to find it

I’m so glad I stumbled on this podcast! It’s very binge worthy and makes my workday pass faster. Even if a few tears are shed in the process, as it’s all quite relatable to my own experiences. It’s probably the most authentic and heartfelt podcast I’ve binged over my many months of Covid telecommuting. Thanks to Michelle for sharing this story with such truth and authenticity ❤️

This podcast is the first one I’ve felt the need to review because it felt like a voyeuristic glimpse into a deeply raw and poignant universal story about love, loss, and pain. But the first season has been taken down and I can’t find it anywhere else?!

This is one of the best podcasts I have listened too. I have listen to this podcast more than once and can relate.

Thank you Michelle 💜 glimmers of your story in mine. i’ll miss you, i hope you stay in touch. in the meantime it warms my heart to think an invisible thread connects us and all the other women struggling with loneliness while learning to be alone ...

I miss you

I can relate to this story I pretty much went through the same thing and she’s right after over 5 years of my divorce I finally accepted that being alone is ok ... it was a roller coaster of 5 years for me

I am a huge fan of story telling podcasts and I was surprised how much I loved this one.

What is that awful sound of metal etching metal multiple times per episode? It seriously hurts my ears. And the music and endless beating sounds...ugh. Not to mention the self-absorbed, alcoholic, sex-addicted author. How will your daughter feel when she hears all of this? I had to stop listening and I don’t even know you.

It’s like catching up with a friend over drinks. Very intimate and poignant.

This woman has invented a new category of relationship. "Divorce Lite". In this plan, you move out of the house you shared with your husband to a house across the street, where you share custody, in this case, custody of your little entitled daughter named "Birdie". If everyone could have this arrangement, everyone wouldget divorced. She is also probably an alcoholic. No one but a heavy drinker would document a "hangover" as part of their day, and she is either drinking, thinking about drinking, planning for drinking, or shopping for drinking. Or hungover from drinking. Then lately there are ads for "Drinkzy", a service that delivers your cocktails to you. So when Michele whines about a hangover, the voice from "Drinkzy" comes in loud and clear. LOL!!! This woman's denial knows no bounds as she tries to cobble together a relationship from the intermittent appearances of The Man in the White Shirt, as she documents their sexual encounters as well as his devastating disappearances. When I listen to this woman, with her pretty little girlie voice, I think of a ten-year old sitting in front of a doll house, playing with the characters. "See this guy? He is the husband, who comes and goes so I don't get bored with him. And this little girl over here is my baby doll "Birdie". She's much to cute to have a real name, so I'm just calling her "Birdie". And him, over there in the white shirt? He's kind of rando also, but I love him so much that I pretend we are having a wonderful love affair."

I’m listening chapter 27 I hate you, White shirt guy! Grow the f up or stop seeing a woman more than once if you know you can keep a relationship!!! I’m really hating you so much, you also broke my own heart! sshole!!

The story is good but does not hold my attention to much music and singing and slooooooow going!

Vulnerability is a superpower. BRAVE. Share it all to uplift others. No one is alone when we all feel the same feels together. Just thank you.

This chick was super annoying, clingy, and overbearing. I see why she was alone. Geez. She needs serious therapy.

2 amazing women (that’s us) who have loved, been loved but now DESERVE AND DREAM OF (it) whatever It is. Xoxo, me doing me

These stories are familiar. I feel like I’m listening to my friends talk about their life during a girls night together. Plus her voice is so calming. I’d love to hear more from her. Maybe even meditation or something to fall asleep to.

I truly enjoy this podcast. I love the mix of stories. It often has messages that are kind of therapeutic.

I love so many podcasts, this one included, but along with great storytelling is her voice! She pulls you in and it’s like you’re gliding through the story with her. I wish it was longer but I’ve listened all the way through twice already and will do it again when I run out of new ones!

I love this series, and get another story awesome ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

While I so,metimes felt challenged by this story, I thought she did a great and thoughtful job putting it togeter. Would definitely reccomend a listen to this one. Production was also great!

I listened to this last year and binged all of it and was so struck by the beautiful tale of love and loss and how life is ugly sometimes. Now I just got married and a month into marriage and 9 years of a relationship my husband comes home and tells me he wants a divorce. I broke inside. I am relistening to this now even though me and the husband are trying to work things out, it hits new parts of me, it hits me in ways that make me feel whole again.

I’ve binged on this podcast almost 3 times through now. Real, honest and inspiring!!! Thank you so much ❤️

I loved this podcast. It was done so well, This is gonna be my second time listening to it lol....

Thanks for sharing your journey of love, loss, courage & grace Michele. Listening to your story is timely for me as I begin my journey of heartache and newly found solitude. It’s been a comfort to know I’m not alone. Beautiful story from a beautiful woman.

This is one of the best love stories ever. It is raw and personal and delivered with such eloquence. It is of my very favorites and I look forward to sharing throughout my friends and family. Thank you, Michelle, for thr excellent delivery of your memoir. 🌟❤️🌟

This podcast was so emotionally riveting as it went through all of the seasons of the authors life. It is very raw and honest about all of the high and low moments after a bitter divorce.

Honest, raw, relatable, captivating. Couldn’t stop listening to this.

I absolutely loved it!!!! I’m 13 in and I can’t stop listening!!! Good work!! I see the writer is taking some hits for seeming “narcissist” or a slut or a drunk.... but as the husband of someone who has been cheated on, she nails all of these emotions! I felt exactly as she did at multiple point going through the process of ending (against my will) the marriage. ..... love this podcast!

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I can relate!!

Thank you so much for sharing your story. Your helping me heal and realize everything is going to be okay and that I’m NOT alone...Thank you a thousand times Thank you!

You are amazing. Thank you for sharing your story . I no longer feel alone .

This was absolutely amazing! I cried almost as much as you cried. Hits home for so many. Binged so hard, the real housewives was skipped that night. Hope to hear more. Best wishes!

It hurts to hear this because of how relatable. Honesty isn’t always pretty and I appreciate hearing it so much. Loved it.

Thank You So Much Michelle Parise for sharing your story. There were ups and downs but mostly truth. And the most beautiful thing we can give to the world is our truth, in all its raw vulnerability. I appreciate this story so much. Thank you!!