Former judge and veteran divorce attorney Michele Locke pulls back the curtain on the world of family law. From messy divorces to high-stakes custody battles and domestic violence cases, Michele brings her courtroom experience to the mic—sharing personal stories, legal insights, and real-world advice. Whether you’re facing family court or just curious about how it all works, this episode delivers a powerful, no-nonsense introduction to the emotional and legal terrain of family law. lovelustlaw p...
Jun 25, 2025•55 min
In this episode of lovelustfridays , hosts Jake Deptula and Michele Locke, alongside producer Haley Gray, are joined by Heather Ashley of Big Mad True Crime and Kyle Ashley from Critical Incidents to discuss the tragic story of Emma Compton. They explore the harsh realities of domestic violence, delving into the emotional and legal hurdles survivors face as well as the systemic obstacles that often block justice. The discussion highlights investigative issues in Emma’s case and emphasizes the ne...
May 21, 2025•2 hr 12 min
As Lisa rises to fame in the modeling world, her ambition takes her around the globe. What starts as a dream life quickly unravels when she becomes the target of a dangerous sexual predator. Exploited by those in power, she refuses to stay silent, putting herself at risk to uncover the truth and protect others from the same fate. chapters (00:00) listen with caution (00:16) next on lovelustfear (01:44) about lisa (02:40) lisa’s story (36:16) questions & answers (44:39) closing thoughts (46:1...
May 08, 2025•47 min•Ep. 20
Brittani Ard, host of You Probably Think This Story's About You , joins Jake and Michele on lovelustfridays for a raw and thoughtful conversation about trauma, relationships, and the emotional weight of storytelling. She opens up about her transition from a career in architecture to podcasting, and the lessons she's learned along the way. The discussion dives into the complexities of dating in midlife—particularly for strong, independent women—touching on breakups, emotional boundaries, and the ...
May 05, 2025•49 min
Jenna Brister is a comedian, actor, and screenwriter behind the feel-good Hallmark movies adored by millions. She bravely opened up about her harrowing experience of being trapped in an abusive marriage with a volatile chef in episode 6 of lovelustfear , titled “No One Gets Out This Early,” Now, she joins Jake Deptula to reflect on the red flags she faced, the healing power of comedy, and how her real-life romance with her new partner—who she’s traveled the world with—mirrors the kind of love sh...
Apr 11, 2025•1 hr 4 min
After enduring sexual harassment in her early teens, Lynn turns to older men for comfort as she enters adulthood. She becomes pregnant by an abusive partner, faces the heart-wrenching decision of abortion, and suffers further assault. Despite her longing to heal, she becomes caught in toxic cycles, growing increasingly isolated and trapped. Driven by the need to end the cycle of abuse, she fights to break free. chapters (00:00) listen with caution (00:24) next on lovelustfear (02:23) about lynn ...
Mar 22, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 19
In this episode of lovelustfridays , hosts Jake Deptula and Michele Locke explore the intersection of spirituality, relationships, and personal transformation with guest Amber Rasmussen, host of Next Realm and Ex-Wives Undercover . Jake opens up about his intense connection with a karmic soulmate, while Michele shares her deep-seated fear of visiting a psychic. The conversation unpacks the role of psychics, spiritual mediums, and the often-misused concept of twin flames, exploring cosmic and kar...
Mar 14, 2025•54 min
Jake, Michele, and Haley team up with Lauryn ( lovelustfear ) for an epic battle between Galentine’s Day and Valentine’s Day, sharing awkward dating experiences that have shaped their views on the holiday. They dive into the communication struggles between men and women, the decisions behind regifting, and how their understanding of love languages has changed over the years. Their conversation also touches on classic Valentine’s Day topics—proposals, gifts like chocolates and stuffed animals, an...
Feb 15, 2025•1 hr 14 min
In this episode, Jake and Michele are joined by Gina and Amber from the Weird True Crime podcast to discuss the tragic story of Judy Malinowski, a mother of two who was set on fire by her abuser, Michael Slager, and bravely fought for 696 days to survive—ultimately making legal history by testifying against him. The discussion delves into the devastating impact of domestic violence, the legal significance of Judy’s case, her brave testimony, and the historic role she played in speaking out again...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 26 min
In this episode of lovelustfridays, host Jake Deptula and producer Haley Gray discuss the importance of National Stalking Awareness Month. They discuss the legacy of Peggy Klinke, whose tragic murder led to the establishment of National Stalking Awareness Month, and discuss the significant work done by advocates like her sister, Debbie Riddle, and organizations such as SPARC. They delve into the often-overlooked crime of stalking, its relationship with domestic violence, and the misconceptions s...
Jan 25, 2025•44 min
In this episode of lovelustfridays, hosts Jake Deptula and Michelle Locke sit down with retired FBI agent and profiler Julia Cowley, who reflects on her 22-year career investigating serial killings, sex offenses, and other violent crimes. Julia discusses the realities of working as an FBI profiler, sharing her insights into high-profile cases, including those involving intimate partner violence. They cover the heartbreaking case of Vashti Forrest, a mother of two killed in 2011 after filing for ...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 9 min
In this episode of lovelustfridays, hosts Jake Deptula and Michele Locke are joined by Debra, who shared her harrowing story in lovelustfear Episode 12, “I’ve Always Seemed To Attract The Crazy Type.” Debra talks about her journey to get sober after a tough first marriage and dealing with toxic relationships. They dive into the challenges of staying sober, how addiction can impact relationships, and how important it is to have self-worth and resilience in recovery. Michele and Jake also share th...
Jan 10, 2025•39 min
In this lovelustfridays 2024 Year-End Wrap-Up, Hosts Jake, Michele and Producer Haley engage in a candid conversation about relationships, personal growth, and the valuable lessons they've learned throughout 2024. Jake opens up about his three dating rules—and why they still keep getting broken. Michelle reveals her essential dating hygiene must-haves, while Haley reflects on her people-pleasing tendencies and where they stem from. In addition, they delve into the application of AI—specifically ...
Jan 01, 2025•40 min
Host Jake Deptula and family law attorney Michelle Locke are joined by Lauryn from Episode 17 of lovelustfear, titled “You Have to Learn to Trust Me.” Lauryn reflects on her first toxic relationship, sharing the emotional toll of repeated breakups and reconciliations that led her to question her self-worth. She describes how these painful cycles pushed her to emotional extremes and behaviors she didn’t recognize in herself. Lauryn also opens up about her struggles with body image, self-confidenc...
Dec 27, 2024•54 min
Lauryn’s romance with her movie theater coworker spirals into a toxic cycle of heartbreak, doubt, and obsession, leaving her emotionally crushed but driven to prove her instincts right. chapters (00:00) listen with caution (00:16) next on lovelustfear (02:08) about lauryn (03:14) lauryn’s story (31:26) questions & answers (38:49) closing thoughts (39:53) charity & organizations (40:23) submit your story (40:34) disclaimer quotes "...in middle school when girls and boys were starting to p...
Dec 19, 2024•41 min•Ep. 17
Host Jake Deptula and family law attorney Michele Locke are joined by Lori Morrison, a retired private investigator, speaker, author, podcaster, and church safety coach. Lori shares her insights into spiritual abuse, the role of women within religious communities, and offers advice for those seeking guidance in handling church-related disputes. The episode also covers Lori’s journey into private investigation and her continued dedication to helping victims through her podcast, The Unlovely Truth...
Dec 07, 2024•44 min
Host Jake Deptula is joined by family law attorney Michele Locke and Gabi Conti, an author, producer, and TV host known for her candid discussions on dating and relationships. This episode explores the challenges of workplace romances, the impact of dating apps, and how to recognize and address emotional and physical abuse. Gabi, who previously shared her own toxic dating story in LoveLustFear Episode 4, "We Can’t Break Up," offers valuable insights on spotting red flags and empowering others th...
Nov 23, 2024•39 min
Host Jake Deptula is joined by family law attorney Michele Locke and Allyn Amerongen, a survivor, advocate, and podcaster, featured in lovelustfear episode sixteen, "It’s A Lot Worse Than We Thought." Allyn opens up about her traumatic experience in a long-distance relationship, the double-edged nature of vulnerability, and the challenges survivors face when navigating relationships after trauma. She also shares her personal journey while creating her podcast, “When Heaven Meets Hell”, and its g...
Nov 15, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Allyn meets a captivating man who swiftly declares his love, asks her to be his girlfriend, and proposes. But as their long-distance relationship deepens, she uncovers his lingering connection with an ex, leading her down a dark path of deception. chapters (00:00) listen with caution (00:16) next on lovelustfear (01:40) about allyn (02:38) allyn’s story (56:35) questions & answers (01:01:54) closing thoughts (01:02:40) charity & organizations (01:03:10) submit your story (01:03:21) discl...
Nov 08, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 16
Host Jake Deptula is joined by family law attorney Michele Locke, along with Shaun and John from "Sins and Survivors: Las Vegas True Crime," to explore the heartbreaking case of Ashley and Dennis Prince, who were tragically killed by Ashley's ex-father-in-law, Joe Houston, during a deposition. The discussion reflects on Ashley and Dennis's lives, the legal proceedings, and the emotional and legal complexities that culminated in their deaths. They examine the intense divorce proceedings and custo...
Nov 01, 2024•43 min
Host Jake Deptula speaks with Desiree, who shares her dating misadventures, including cringe-worthy encounters with older men who misrepresent themselves. Their conversation highlights issues like catfishing and the bait-and-switch phenomenon. Desiree reveals the aspects of old-school dating and the early days of AOL Online romances. She emphasizes critical criteria for partners, such as having a job, apartment, and car, and discusses the dangers she has faced, including awkward and potentially ...
Oct 23, 2024•31 min
Host Jake Deptula speaks with Danielle, a caregiver and spiritual healing advocate, who shares her traumatic experiences with domestic violence in high school. Danielle details the verbal, physical, and sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her then-boyfriend, along with the stalking that ensued. Danielle highlights the critical support from her family, especially her mother, which helped her escape the abusive relationship and reveals the challenges of rebuilding her life in a new school, f...
Oct 10, 2024•33 min
Host Jake Deptula and former family court judge and family law attorney Michele Locke sit down with Terra Newell, a victim advocate, public figure, and survivor of multiple toxic relationships. They explore the complexities of toxic relationships and the expectations placed on survivors who become public figures. They also confront misconceptions stemming from media portrayals that often oversimplify these experiences, particularly beyond the sensational headlines of “Dirty John.” Additionally, ...
Oct 06, 2024•26 min
Host Jake Deptula and former associate family court judge and family law attorney Michele Locke sit down with Lorraine, a narcissistic abuse survivor from episode fifteen of lovelustfear, "You Have To Be Very Careful With Him.” They delve into Lorraine's experience of escaping an abusive relationship with a partner diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder and her legal challenges co-parenting with him. They also examine the significant struggles she faced within the police and court syst...
Sep 26, 2024•31 min
Host Jake Deptula and former associate family court judge and family law attorney Michele Locke sit down with Lena, an abusive marriage survivor from episode nine of lovelustfear, “He’s Your Problem Now.” They discuss Lena's toxic marriage and the influence of cultural obligations in her Armenian community, the nuances of recognizing abuse, and how she found her voice and empowerment through her second husband's supportive and matrilineal Native American culture. The conversation also highlights...
Sep 22, 2024•39 min
Host Jake Deptula and former associate family court judge and family law attorney Michele Locke sit down with Mira, a survivor and parent, from episode five of lovelustfear, “A F**king Broken Mess.” They discuss the challenges of co-parenting with a narcissistic ex-partner, the complications substance abuse brings to custody battles, and how custody laws can prioritize parental rights over child welfare. The discussion also touches on why therapists might be reluctant to testify in custody cases...
Sep 16, 2024•40 min
Host Jake Deptula and former associate family court judge and family law attorney Michele Locke sit down with Kaitlyn, a domestic abuse survivor, from episode ten of lovelustfear, “We Didn’t Have Boundaries.” They discuss how trauma can disrupt memory, making it difficult for survivors to recall details and affecting their ability to seek justice effectively. They also explore how growing up in toxic environments can impair one's ability to trust gut feelings and make sound choices. The conversa...
Sep 07, 2024•30 min
Host Jake Deptula and Family Law Attorney Michele Locke sit down with Justine, a former military wife and domestic abuse survivor, from episode three of lovelustfear, "You're Never Allowed to Leave Me." They discuss the challenges military spouses face in abusive relationships, the complexities of navigating the court system, and the biases that can impact legal outcomes. They also explore the journey of finding love and healing after trauma, the power dynamics within abusive relationships, and ...
Aug 30, 2024•31 min
After her divorce, Lorraine sought advice from a shaman, who encouraged her to let others take the lead. She started taking dance classes and began dating her partner, who eventually revealed himself to be a manipulative and controlling narcissist, drawing her into a cycle of escalating abuse. **This episode contains graphic depictions of sexual assault, racism, and mental, emotional, and physical abuse. Listener discretion is advised.** chapters (00:00) listen with caution (00:16) next on lovel...
Aug 09, 2024•52 min•Ep. 15
At seventeen, Terra is captivated by a charismatic classmate who exploits her need for attention, leading them into a troubling cycle of drug abuse and criminal behavior. Terra's physical addiction to him only serves to deepen the toxicity within their relationship. **This episode contains graphic depictions of sexual assault, murder, suicide, mental, emotional, and physical abuse, and drug use. Listener discretion is advised.** chapters (00:00) listen with caution (00:16) next on lovelustfear (...
Jul 24, 2024•39 min•Ep. 14
