Love Behind Bars: Stories of Longing and Loss

In this powerful and timely episode of Embodied Love Rising, Dr. Marchell Coleman opens the door to one of the most complex and stigmatized relationship journeys: women who love and marry incarcerated men. Through a trauma-informed, attachment-based, and embodied lens, Dr. Marchell explores the emotional, psychological, and spiritual dynamics at play in these deeply intimate yet often misunderstood relationships.

We unpack urgent questions about safety, emotional need, fantasy, and devotion—especially in light of the tragic deaths of two women, Tania Vanessa Corpuz Thomas and Stephanie Dowells, during conjugal visits at Mule Creek State Prison. Their stories remind us that some of the deepest lessons about love don’t stay behind closed doors—they become headlines that break hearts and open eyes.

In this episode, you’ll explore:

• Why love behind bars often feels intensely emotional—and dangerously seductive.
• How attachment patterns and childhood wounds shape our adult relationship choices.
• The role of conjugal visits in modern corrections—and the emotional complexity they introduce.
• Why embodied awareness is essential in all relationships, but especially in ones where physical safety may be at risk.
• Honest reflection questions to help you explore your own relational needs, longing, and healing path.

This episode is not about judgment—it’s about compassion, clarity, and the sacred invitation to come home to your truth.

✨ Whether you’ve loved someone behind bars, know someone who has, or simply want to deepen your understanding of love, loss, and longing—this episode offers space, insight, and reflection.