About this episode

This episode explores the complexities of toxic love through a conversation with poet Damaris Chanza about her debut collection.

What does toxic love really look like—and why is it so hard to walk away? In this episode of Keeping It Real on Purpose , Edna White sits down with Damaris Chanza, author of Breath of a Fallen Angel , a powerful debut poetry collection exploring love, pain, heartbreak, and the emotional reality of toxic relationships. Inspired by the timeless tragedy of Romeo and Juliet and the lived experiences of women everywhere, this fictional poetic journey dives deep into the blurred lines between love and hate, attachment and destruction. This is more than a conversation about poetry—this is about recognizing patterns, reclaiming your voice, and choosing yourself. You heard the story. Now let’s talk about what to DO with it.

People in this episode

Host: Edna J. White

Guest: Damaris Chanza

Topics covered

• toxic relationships
• emotional abuse
• poetry
• self-discovery
• love and hate

Keywords

• toxic love
• emotional abuse
• poetry
• self-improvement
• relationships

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Breath of a Fallen Angel, Romeo and Juliet

More episodes of Keeping it Real on Purpose

• Stop Managing Trauma: Breaking the Narcissistic Abuse Cycle · June 17, 2026 · 41 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Keeping it Real on Purpose podcast page.