A powerful 5-question litmus test to know when a relationship can evolve with you—and when it’s time to lovingly release it.

Welcome to The Mystic & The Skeptic, the podcast where spiritual awakening meets real-world relationship dynamics.

🌟 In this episode:

What if the bravest thing you can do… is walk away?

We explore the emotional, energetic, and spiritual crossroads many face during awakening—when you’re no longer sure your relationship can grow with you. You’ll learn a powerful 5-question litmus test to help you discern:

Is it time to stay, or is it time to go?

🌀 We cover:

1. Why “love” isn’t always enough to sustain a spiritual partnership
2. How to tell when compromise becomes self-abandonment
3. The fear of letting go vs. the courage to evolve
4. What it means to choose truth over comfort
5. Navigating this path without blame, shame, or judgment

This one is deep, honest, and a lifeline for anyone questioning their relationship during spiritual growth.

💬 Join the conversation:

Have you ever had to choose between love and your evolution?

🎧 Want to go deeper with integration tools and journaling prompts?

👉 Join our private aftershow here or at heatherleighstrom.com/media

🔗 Explore everything Heatherleigh offers:

https://www.heatherleighstrom.com

🎙️ Love spiritual deep dives?

Check out our sister podcast:

Awakening Your Spiritual Mastery

📅recorded December 2025

The Mystic & The Skeptic Podcast 1 2

What do you do when your personal growth feels like it’s putting a big ol’ strain on your relationship? If you've ever felt like you’re outgrowing your partner—or vice versa—you’re definitely not alone, and we’re diving right into that meaty topic today. I'm Heatherleigh, the Mystic, and this is my partner-in-crime, Paul the Skeptic. We've been navigating this wild world of spiritual awakenings together for nearly 30 years, and let me tell you, it's been a rollercoaster! We’re here to share our insights and experiences about the friction that can arise when one partner experiences an awakening while the other feels like they’re stuck in a rut. We’ll chat about recognizing those tricky threat responses and how to maintain connection and respect as you each walk your own unique paths. So grab your headphones and let’s get this conversation rolling—it's going to be a ride!

In a world where personal growth often feels like a rollercoaster ride, Heatherleigh and Paul tackle the bumpy terrain of spiritual awakening in relationships. They open up about their own journey, where Heatherleigh’s unexpected awakening led to a whirlwind of changes that Paul struggled to keep up with. Imagine your partner suddenly wanting to meditate three times a day while you’re just trying to figure out what’s for dinner—that’s the kind of dynamic they’re exploring today!

Throughout the episode, they share their experiences of feeling disconnected during times of growth. Paul reflects on how he initially felt left behind, while Heatherleigh describes her excitement at the new doors opening in her life. They talk about the importance of communication, and how navigating this tricky territory requires a solid dose of empathy and curiosity. It’s easy to let ego take the wheel, leading to feelings of inadequacy and the fear of losing your partner. The key takeaway here is recognizing these patterns and choosing to support each other instead of allowing distance to grow.

Drawing from personal anecdotes, the couple illustrates their contrasting approaches to problems—Paul, the fixer, and Heatherleigh, the intuitive. Their discussions reveal that differing perspectives can actually strengthen a relationship, provided both partners are willing to engage and learn from each other. This episode is rich with humor and warmth, making it a delightful listen for anyone who’s ever felt the strain of personal growth in a partnership. Tune in to discover how to turn potential threats into opportunities for deeper connection and understanding, and don’t miss their next episode, where they’ll delve into the heavy questions of whether to stay together or part ways when the going gets tough!

Takeaways:

• When personal growth feels like a threat to your relationship, it's important to communicate openly about your feelings and experiences.
• Navigating different spiritual journeys together can create friction; recognizing and honoring each other's paths is key to a harmonious relationship.
• Your awakening journey might feel lonely, but understanding that both partners grow at different speeds can foster compassion and patience between you.
• The ego can create a false sense of division during times of growth, so it's crucial to stay aware of your thoughts and feelings to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

Links referenced in this episode:

Links referenced in this episode:

• heatherleighstrom.com/media
• hero.fm

Mentioned in this episode:

K9 Spirit Guides: The Healing Power of Man's Best Friend

Read Heatherleigh Strom's award winning book...

(Trailer) Watch full episode #2 here: The Mystic & The Skeptic. Find out how you can successfully navigate your own diverse relationship with your partner!

Have you ever felt like you're in a relationship where you and your partner are speaking completely different languages? Well, we dove deep into that very conundrum today! One of our guests shared how they found themselves on totally different wavelengths, with one person navigating the spiritual realm while the other was firmly planted in good ol' earth language—talk about a communication hiccup! It was like trying to connect with someone on a different frequency, and they both realized they needed to find a way to bridge that gap. We explored the ups and downs of their journey, where they learned that sometimes walking separate paths can actually bring a couple closer together. So grab your headphones and join us as we unravel the beauty of embracing our differences and how they can ultimately strengthen our connections!

Takeaways:

• In relationships, it's crucial to recognize when partners are on different pages and navigate that.
• Communication is key; feeling like you're speaking different languages can create misunderstandings.
• Embracing growth and change in a partner can lead to richer dynamics and perspectives.
• Sometimes, we need to accept that our partners might not catch up to us on our journey.
• Valuing differences in a relationship can strengthen the bond instead of causing a rift between partners.
• Understanding that continual change in a partner's journey requires patience and adaptability from both sides.