Navigating the Emotional Journey of Separation and Divorce: Part 1

In the first part of a four-part series on navigating separation and divorce, host Dr. George Verus, an executive and resilience coach, delves into the emotional and psychological aspects of recognizing when a relationship is truly over. This episode focuses on understanding the distinction between a rough patch and a relational dead end, identifying key internal signals indicating it's time to let go, and addressing common reasons and mental traps that keep people in unhappy marriages. Dr. Verus also introduces the concept of ambiguous loss and offers actionable steps to own your truth and build internal resilience, setting the stage for making healthy decisions moving forward.

00:00 Introduction to the Series

01:10 Recognizing the Turning Point

01:53 Rough Patch vs. Relational Dead End

04:16 Inner Signals It's Time to Let Go

09:43 Why We Stay Too Long

14:12 Mental Traps and Ambiguous Loss

23:12 Owning Your Truth

26:11 Next Steps Before Taking Action

31:58 Closing Reflections and Hope

About the Host – The Unstressed Exec

Meet Dr. George Vergolias — a corporate psychologist turned executive coach with 20+ years at the intersection of leadership, mental resilience, and high performance. George has advised Fortune 500 companies, guided C-suite leaders through crisis, and coached high-achievers to reclaim clarity, calm, and purpose without losing their edge.

On The Unstressed Exec, George brings powerful insights from the boardroom to the mic — helping leaders navigate stress, burnout, conflict, and transformation with practical tools and no-BS wisdom.

If you're ready to lead with strength and sanity, tune in. And when you're ready to go deeper, reach out for one-on-one executive or leadership coaching. This isn’t therapy — it’s your next level. Let’s build the life and leadership you actually want.

🎯 Listen. Grow. Lead — at The Unstressed Exec

📩 Stay Connected:

Website: www.theunstressedexec.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.unstressed.exec

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.unstressed.exec

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the.unstressed.exec

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Unstressed_Exec

If you like The Unstressed Exec podcast please leave me a review and rate!

For more info on my coaching services, keynote speaking and guest speaker/podcast opportunities, please visit my website at: www.theunstressedexec.com

In this episode of The Unstressed Exec, Dr. George Vergolias delves into the complexities of being the 'strong one' in one's family, career, or social circle. Taped on July 4th, this episode aligns with the theme of independence, focusing on how to cope with the immense pressure of being the stable factor in others' lives. Dr. Vergolias discusses the hidden emotional toll of unrelenting reliability, the trap of appearing invulnerable, and how this impacts one's mental health and identity. He shares personal anecdotes, including his own experience following his father's death, and provides practical advice on how to reframe strength, share responsibilities, and avoid emotional burnout. The episode concludes with actionable tips for practicing vulnerability and building resilience through shared strength. Dr. Vergolias also previews his next four-part series on navigating separation and divorce.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Theme

01:41 The Hidden Emotional Toll of Strength

02:23 Defining the Archetype of the Strong One

03:50 The Trap of Emotional Invisibility

06:31 The Hidden Costs of Always Being Strong

14:38 Reframing Strength and Building Resilience

15:04 Practical Steps to Share Strength

18:02 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

About the Host – The Unstressed Exec

Meet Dr. George Vergolias — a former corporate psychologist turned executive coach with 20+ years at the intersection of leadership, mental resilience, and high performance. George has advised Fortune 500 companies, guided C-suite leaders through crisis, and coached high-achievers to reclaim clarity, calm, and purpose without losing their edge.

On The Unstressed Exec, George brings powerful insights from the boardroom to the mic — helping leaders navigate stress, burnout, conflict, and transformation with practical tools and no-BS wisdom.

If you're ready to lead with strength and sanity, tune in. And when you're ready to go deeper, reach out for one-on-one executive or leadership coaching. This isn’t therapy — it’s your next level. Let’s build the life and leadership you actually want.

🎯 Listen. Grow. Lead — at The Unstressed Exec

📩 Stay Connected:

Website: www.theunstressedexec.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.unstressed.exec

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.unstressed.exec

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the.unstressed.exec

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Unstressed_Exec

If you like The Unstressed Exec podcast please leave me a review and rate!

For more info on my coaching services, keynote speaking and guest speaker/podcast opportunities, please visit my website at: www.theunstressedexec.com

In this episode of The Unstressed Exec, Dr. George Vergolias, an executive and resilience coach, delves into the concept of 'psychological armor' – the cognitive, emotional, and psychological defenses that high achievers use to excel but which also keep them closed off from deep connections. He outlines the costs of maintaining this armor and offers five practical steps to soften it, ranging from practicing micro-vulnerability to anchoring emotions in the body. Dr. Vergolias emphasizes that while this armor might have helped high performers succeed, it also isolates them emotionally. He encourages listeners to courageously remove one piece of armor in their interactions and experience the positive impact of genuine emotional availability.

00:00 Introduction to Episode Nine

02:13 Understanding Psychological Armor

04:54 The Illusion of Safety

08:41 Emotional Availability Explained

12:51 High Achievers' Traps

21:26 Five Practices to Soften Armor

31:41 Final Thoughts and Challenge

36:11 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Episode 8: The Silent Crisis - The Cost of Neglecting Men's Mental Health

In the final episode of the Unstressed Exec podcast's Men's Mental Health Awareness Month series, Dr. George Vergolias delves into the severe societal, economic, and personal costs of ignoring men's mental health. He explores critical issues such as the heightened risk of suicide, mass violence, and emotional isolation among men. Dr. Vergolias also discusses the barriers men face in seeking help, including cultural expectations, workplace penalties for vulnerability, and systemic access gaps.

Offering actionable strategies for support at home, work, and societal levels, this episode emphasizes the need for systemic change to foster healthy masculinity and emotional well-being in men. Listen in to understand why men's mental health matters and how we can collectively address this hidden crisis.

00:00 Introduction to Men's Mental Health Awareness

01:45 The Chilling Data on Men's Mental Health

04:57 Understanding the Link Between Emotional Regulation and Violence

16:21 Characteristics and Profiles of Mass Shooters

21:05 Barriers to Men Seeking Help

25:20 The Social and Economic Costs of Silence

29:42 Supporting Men's Mental Health: Practical Steps

37:17 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode of the Unstressed Exec podcast, Dr. George Vergolias examines the unique mental health struggles of men of color and those from marginalized groups.

He discusses the impacts of minority stress, cultural and generational trauma, and barriers to seeking help. Highlighting the importance of cultural competence, community-based healing, and safe spaces for emotional expression, Dr. Vergolias calls for greater allyship and support systems. The episode emphasizes the need for understanding, listening, and creating environments where men of color can safely express their struggles and receive the help they need.

00:00 Ep. 7 - Beyond the Color Barrier: Supporting the Mental Health of Men of Color and Disenfranchised Communities

01:21 Unique Mental Health Struggles of Men of Color

03:53 Minority Stress and Daily Discrimination

05:07 Cultural and Generational Trauma

06:13 Barriers to Seeking Help

09:48 Building Support for Men of Color

19:12 Disenfranchisement of Modern Men

22:12 Conclusion and Call to Action

In episode six of the Unstressed Exec podcast, Dr. George Vergolias delves into the barriers men face in accessing mental health support as part of Men's Mental Health Awareness Month. This episode examines data highlighting the prevalence of silent suffering among men, personal and family dynamics that discourage emotional expression, workplace cultures that punish vulnerability, societal norms that emphasize stoicism, and systemic and economic barriers to care. The episode concludes with actionable advice for men, leaders, and allies to foster more open and supportive environments for men's mental health.

00:00 Introduction to Men's Mental Health Awareness

01:30 The Data Behind Men's Mental Health

03:08 Personal and Family Barriers

05:23 Workplace Barriers

08:39 Societal and Cultural Norms

12:32 Systemic and Economic Barriers

22:01 Call to Action and Conclusion

In the fifth episode of the Unstressed Exec Podcast, host Dr. George Vergolias, an executive and resilience coach and forensic psychologist, kicks off a special four-part series in honor of Men's Mental Health Awareness Month. Dr. Vergolias shares a powerful quote from psychotherapist Esther Perel highlighting the complexities of masculinity within a patriarchal system and discusses the silent struggles many men face in today's society. He presents alarming statistics on male mental health, explores the stigmas that prevent men from seeking help, and provides actionable advice for both men and women to support men's mental wellbeing. Dr. Vergolias calls for systemic changes in workplaces and communities to normalize vulnerability among men, emphasizing that the journey to healing starts with one small action.

00:00 Introduction to Men's Mental Health Awareness

02:50 The Silent Struggle of Men

05:08 Stigma and Vulnerability

07:39 Practical Steps for Men

10:00 Supporting Men: A Guide for Women

17:05 Systemic Solutions and Collective Action

20:21 Closing Reflections and Call to Action

In this episode of 'The Unstressed Exec,' Dr. George Vergolias, an executive and resilience coach, discusses the complex topic of rebuilding trust after betrayal. He outlines the deep emotional and psychological impact of broken trust and provides a five-step roadmap to repair it, including acknowledging the damage, owning your part, creating psychological safety, setting repair agreements, and following through with consistency. Dr. Vergolias also addresses how individuals who have been betrayed can work on healing themselves and restoring their own sense of trust. The episode concludes with a preview of upcoming discussions focused on men's mental health.