The Unstressed Exec
The Unstressed Exec
Podcast Description
Welcome to The Unstressed Exec podcast, designed for those navigating life transitions (separation, divorce, dating, co-parenting, career transition) and for individual professionals and entrepreneurs looking to thrive in high-pressure environments. This podcast is perfect for anyone who wants to move on and move up, build resilience, manage relationships more effectively, and learn practical strategies for handling conflicts at work and home. Episodes offer listeners actionable insights, expert interviews, and relatable stories to help them navigate challenges, reduce stress, and elevate their game in life. Whether you’re a burned-out professional, entrepreneur, overwhelmed parent or someone striving for emotional balance, ”The Unstressed Exec” is your go-to resource for creating a more resilient, harmonious, and productive life.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on themes such as resilience building, relationship management, career transitions, and stress reduction. Episodes cover topics like the importance of a resilient mindset and strategies for handling conflicts in various life scenarios, with examples like navigating divorce and dating while co-parenting.

Welcome to The Unstressed Exec podcast, designed for those navigating life transitions (separation, divorce, dating, co-parenting, career transition) and for individual professionals and entrepreneurs looking to thrive in high-pressure environments. This podcast is perfect for anyone who wants to move on and move up, build resilience, manage relationships more effectively, and learn practical strategies for handling conflicts at work and home. Episodes offer listeners actionable insights, expert interviews, and relatable stories to help them navigate challenges, reduce stress, and elevate their game in life. Whether you’re a burned-out professional, entrepreneur, overwhelmed parent or someone striving for emotional balance, ”The Unstressed Exec” is your go-to resource for creating a more resilient, harmonious, and productive life.
The DARVO Pattern: When the Person Who Hurt You Makes Themselves the Victim
Dr. George Vergolias introduces The Unstressed Exec and explains DARVO, a manipulation pattern coined by psychologist Jennifer Freyd that stands for Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender, describing how it shifts accountability so the harmed person becomes the problem.
He breaks down each stage with examples, explains why DARVO works by exploiting empathy, moral identity threat, and social uncertainty, and cites research showing it increases self-doubt, self-blame, and guilt in the confronter.
Dr. Vergolias outlines where DARVO appears in intimate relationships, workplaces, family systems, and high-conflict divorces, and presents a composite corporate case study illustrating the sequence and organizational enabling.
He offers real-time recognition signs and a six-part response framework:
- internal awareness
- avoid defending against attacks
- acknowledge distress without guilt
- use a broken-record approach
- document interactions
- disengage via formal channels when needed
Sections:
00:00 Welcome to the Show
01:28 DARVO Explained
03:14 The Three Stages
08:51 Why DARVO Works
13:09 Where It Shows Up
20:09 Corporate Case Study
24:35 Spotting It Live
28:57 How to Respond
37:05 Closing Reflections
Get the Conflict Whisperer Workbook!
If you’re finding value in these episodes and want to go deeper, check out my workbook: “The Conflict Whisperer: From Conflict to Clarity : A No-Nonsense Guide to Managing Conflict in Every Relationship.”
It’s packed with real-world strategies, over 75 reflection exercises, and neuroscience-backed tools to help you navigate conflict without losing your cool — at work, at home, or in moments of personal crisis.
Whether you’re going through a breakup, managing tension with a partner, or leading under pressure, this workbook gives you a practical roadmap to turn conflict into clarity.
You can grab your copy now on Amazon — here is the link below 👉
About the Host – The Unstressed Exec
Meet Dr. George Vergolias — a clinical and forensic 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
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For more info on my coaching services, keynote speaking and guest speaker/podcast opportunities, please visit my website at:
www.theunstressedexec.com

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