In this episode of the Divorced Christian Woman Podcast, we get real about a psychological process called individuation and why so many divorced Christian women are doing it for the very first time in midlife. We’ll walk through three critical mindset shifts, seven signs of a woman who's becoming her own person, and three small but powerful practices you can start this week.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Why do so many divorced Christian women feel like they skipped an entire stage of growing up - and what does it take to go back and do it now?
• What is the fawn trauma response, and why does it explain why you keep saying yes when everything inside you is screaming no?
• There's a difference between self-awareness and self-blame - and getting it wrong keeps you stuck. Diana shares the two words she wrote down that finally changed everything.
• What does it actually look like when a woman is becoming individuated? Natalie walks through 7 signs - and you might already be further along than you think.
• Why do creativity, self-love, and knowing your values have everything to do with becoming a fully formed adult - and what are the three tiny practices that can start rewiring your nervous system this week?

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher is our live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $59/month. 
• Be sure to check out Diana’s podcast, Renew Your Mind! 

Do you have a question for the Divorced Christian Woman Podcast? Send me an email! natalie@flyingfreenow.com 

This season finale brings you something different: real stories from real divorced Christian women who rebuilt their financial lives from the ground up. Grace shares how she went from budget deficit to financial peace while taking it one small step at a time. Jenny reveals how she built a six-figure business starting with just an iPad in her bedroom after 36 years as a stay-at-home mom. Kimberly talks about moving into a $3,000 trailer and eventually buying her dream house. Diana explains how she transformed her relationship with money itself.

These aren't fairy tales. These are messy, honest accounts of women who started with nothing, made mistakes, pivoted, learned, and kept going. No one ate cat food. No one ended up destitute. But they all had to get curious, ask questions, and take one brave step at a time.

Key Takeaways:

• Find out why one woman's investment advisor stopped wanting to work with her after divorce and what she learned from being forced to figure it out herself
• Discover the simple free tool that helped two of these women turn managing money into a game instead of a source of anxiety
• Learn what happened when a homeschool mom of 10 with no career walked into Target and started asking every customer about their job
• Hear why living in a leaking trailer for $300 a month became one woman's favorite memory and what it taught her about real security
• Find out how changing three simple beliefs about money transformed one coach's entire financial reality

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.
• Flying Higher is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $590 for an entire year of learning how to be remarkable in every way! 
• Be sure to check out Diana’s podcast, Renew Your Mind! 

In this episode, Natalie and Diana explore why the traditional retirement model might actually be keeping you stuck in fear and financial anxiety. You'll discover how retirement is just a cultural construct from 1889 that may not serve your post-divorce life at all—and what to do instead.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Why divorced women might actually have a strategic advantage when it comes to financial freedom (this will surprise you!)
• What you're really seeking isn't retirement—it's something far more attainable starting TODAY
• The shocking math behind traditional retirement that explains why you feel so much pressure
• How working longer could actually reduce your stress and create MORE freedom (not less!)
• The powerful question that replaces "Will I have enough money?" and changes everything
• Why your most valuable asset has nothing to do with your 401(k)
• The "portfolio life" concept that gives you options instead of leaving you dependent on one income source

Resources mentioned:

• Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode 897 with Derek Coburn
• Book: "Let's Retire Retirement" by Derek Coburn
• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.
• Flying Higher is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $590 for an entire year of learning how to be remarkable in every way! 
• Be sure to check out Diana’s podcast, Renew Your Mind! 

Full show notes HERE

You'll learn the truth about age limits, what lenders actually look at when you're divorced, how to rebuild your credit after divorce, and why your gut instinct about your budget matters more than what you "qualify" for. Diane breaks down the numbers without the intimidation and gives you the roadmap for making the housing decision that's right for your unique situation.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Why an 89-year-old man just got a 30-year mortgage (and what that means for you)
• The hidden reason renting might be your smartest financial move right now
• What loan officers don't tell you about the "12-24 month rule" for divorced women
• The one mistake with child support payments that could tank your mortgage application
• Why the amount you "qualify" for could be a trap (and how realtors benefit from it)

Would you like to talk to Diane about your situation? You can contact her by email: dwallenta@fbst.com or phone: 612-875-7414

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.
• Flying Higher is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $59/month. 
• Be sure to check out Diana’s podcast, Renew Your Mind! 

You'll hear about the shift that happens when you stop waiting for heaven and start creating it now. There's a perspective change that transforms your ex from villain to... something surprising. And you'll discover why one woman says she makes poverty look good and absolutely means it as a compliment.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• The difference between being financially wealthy and living a rich life
• Why your rich life might have nothing to do with your bank account
• What changes when you ask yourself one simple question every single day
• The identity shift that makes healthy habits actually stick
• How to know if something is worth the cost (hint: it's not about the price tag)

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

In this episode, I sat down with Leah Hadley (who has so many professional credits after her name, that I’ll just let you scroll down to see all of them. Trust me. She’s qualified.) to tackle the post-divorce brain bender that is estate planning and insurance. 

If you’ve ever wanted to scream into the void because you don’t know what kind of health insurance to get or who should get your vintage Corelle dishes when you die, this episode is for you.

Because as Leah and I discussed, doing nothing is still doing something. But is it really what you WANT to do?

Key Takeaways: 

• Insurance isn’t evil. It’s protection.
• Health insurance gets complicated after divorce.
• Life insurance = love letter from the grave.
• Auto, renter’s, and umbrella insurance matter.
• Estate planning isn’t about death. It’s about love.
• Update beneficiaries, stat.
• Power of attorney & healthcare directives = urgent.
• Considering marriage again? Get a prenup.

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.
• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $59/month. 
• Get free classes through Leah’s Instagram account. 

Today's guest is Leah Hadley, AFC®, CDFA®, MAFF®

Founder/Senior Financial Planner

As the Founder of Intentional Divorce Solutions (formerly known as Great Lakes Divorce Financial Solutions) and Intentional Wealth Partners. Leah Hadley is committed to guiding clients to financial independence through thoughtful and strategic planning.

An influential voice in the financial community, Leah is a sought-after speaker and expert in overcoming financial setbacks and navigating the financial complexities of divorce. She's a frequent guest on podcasts and has contributed her insights to numerous books and online platforms. Leah is also the author of "When It's Just Not Working: A Practical Divorce Guide for Stay-At-Home Moms." At the heart of her practice, Leah finds genuine satisfaction in empowering her clients to achieve their most heartfelt financial goals. 

In her leisure time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and spending quality time with her husband, three children, and three dogs.  

Professional Credentials:

• Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC)
• Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA)
• Master Analyst in Financial Forensics (MAFF)
• Collaboratively trained Financial Neutral
• Mediator trained through an Ohio Supreme Court-approved program with 100+ hours of continuing education in alternative dispute resolution

In this episode, Diana and I share our not-so-glamorous but totally doable journeys of starting businesses from the ground up.

We’ll help you get clear on whether building a business is even for you, how to start small, test your ideas and how to make peace with imperfection. You’ll walk away with tangible steps and permission to start messy.

Key Takeaways:

• You don’t need permission to start a business. 
• Fear and perfectionism are lying liars. 
• Approval-based thinking will kill your dream.
• Start small. Test first.
• Your business doesn’t have to be full-time or world-changing on Day One.
• If you’re not confident, you’re normal. 

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.
• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $59/month. 
• Be sure to check out Diana’s podcast, Renew Your Mind, and then reach out to her at diana@dianaswillinger.com to get business coaching.  

There's a two-word phrase that changes everything when it comes to managing your money. You'll discover unconventional ways women have eliminated major expenses while still living full lives. And you'll hear why one of the biggest lies you've been told might be the very thing keeping you stuck.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Why the emotion attached to your debt matters more than the number
• The two-word reframe that removes anxiety from financial planning
• What actually happens when you call your lenders 
• The creative income strategies you've probably never considered
• Why your timeline doesn't have to match anyone else's expectations

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Diana’s podcast, Renew Your Mind
• Jillian’s podcast, Hungry for Love
• Flying Higher is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $59/month. 
• Money with Katie Budgeting Tool
• Monarch Budgeting App (Get 50% off your first year HERE)

Whether you’re DIY-ing your taxes or outsourcing to someone, this one’s for you.

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.
• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $59/month. 
• Get in touch with today’s guest, Dee Carter: mdcarter1205@gmail.com
• Check out the Renew Your Mind Podcast with Diana Swillinger

Today’s Guest: Dee Carter

Dee is an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC). She has 15 years of experience as a tax professional where she educates, guides, and supports her clients through their tax preparation, planning and responding to the IRS, if necessary. She empowers women through education in personal finance and helps them build financial confidence through creating and achieving financial goals. 

That one sentence changed everything about how I look at my INVESTMENT accounts. And if watching your investments go up and down makes you want to hide under the covers, you need to hear this analogy.

Today we’re talking about investing after divorce by breaking down the three buckets every divorced woman needs to understand, what to do with settlement money sitting in your bank account, and when you actually need a financial advisor versus when you can handle it yourself.

If you've ever thought "someone needs to rescue me financially," this episode is for you.

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.
• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $59/month. 
• The Renew Your Mind Podcast with Diana Swillinger
• Dave Ramsey Baby Steps
• Money with Katie Show
• Investing for Dummies

Today's Guest: Samantha Compton, President & Senior Financial Advisor

It wasn’t until a major life event that Samantha realized a desire to understand and set up her own financial future. That transitional experience helps her remember that financial topics can be intimidating and confusing, especially for those unfamiliar with industry lingo.

Once Samantha became educated and equipped in her own finances, she wanted to serve others by giving insight for their financial futures. She especially enjoys helping women going through divorce and/or the loss of a spouse as well as facilitating financial conversations between couples and helping the non-CFO of the family understand what is in place for their future.

Samantha has helped singles and couples develop their long-term financial plans since 2012, when she began her financial career. In 2016, she transitioned to Wise Wealth as a senior financial advisor, and in 2023, she opened Insight Wealth, an EverSource Wealth Advisors team.

I invited my friend and fellow coach Diana Swillinger to help us unpack the tangled web of beliefs we’ve inherited about money, and how to burn those unhelpful scripts to the ground so we can build a mindset that actually serves us.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• Your money beliefs didn’t drop from heaven on a golden scroll. They were absorbed from your family, church, culture, and that one pastor who said poverty = holiness 
• You’re allowed to love money. Not in a “Scrooge McDuck swimming in gold coins” kind of way, but in a “money helps me take care of my life and generously support others” kind of way.
• Money is not evil. Abuse of power is. And guess what? You having resources = you having options = less abuse. Coincidence? I think not.
• Self-trust is everything. If you’ve been financially controlled, rebuilding trust in yourself is the first step. God wants you to believe in yourself, because guess who made you? 
• You are not the exception to God’s love. Generosity starts with you. Stop excluding yourself from the care you give to everyone else.
• You can be Christian AND want financial security. Shocker, I know. 

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.
• Flying Higher is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $59/month or $590 for an entire year of mind-blowing personal growth. 
• Be sure to check out Diana’s podcast, Renew Your Mind! 
• Grab a copy of You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero

In this season finale, I sit down with my friend Diana Swillinger (host of The Renew Your Mind Podcast) to talk about something every divorced woman eventually faces: the weird, wonderful, terrifying world of making new friends when you're a whole new person.

We talk about the great scattering (as Mel Robbins calls it), how to let go of draining friendships without guilt, and why being rejected might not actually kill you. If you're feeling lonely, wondering where your people went, or ready to rebuild your community from scratch with people who actually see you, this episode is the warm hug and gentle shove you need.

And don't worry, introverts, we’ve got you too. You can still want deep connection without having to attend a single church potluck ever again. Promise.

Key Takeaways:

• Friendships change after divorce, and that’s normal.
• You’re allowed to let go of draining people. Seriously, permission granted.
• Great friendships need three things: proximity, timing, and energy.
• Let them be who they are, and let yourself be you.
• You don’t need a huge friend group, just real ones.
• Rejection happens, and you’ll survive it. Promise.
• Be open, take small risks, and make the first move sometimes.

Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development. 
• Check out Diana’s website and explore some resources, listen to her podcast, The Renew Your Mind Podcast, and finally, connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.

In this episode, I’m joined by three divorced Christian women, Barb, Diana, and Lisa, to unpack what it really looks like to reconnect with yourself after decades of religious programming and marital trauma.

We Talk About:

• Rebuilding your identity after your inner toddler’s been gagged and duct-taped by shame for too long
• Why self-love isn't selfish 
• How IFS (Internal Family Systems) can help you make peace with all the parts of you, even the hot messes and drama queens
• The sneaky inner critic that won’t shut up and how to lovingly calm her down
• Tiny, powerful ways to rebuild trust with yourself (without selling your soul to a Himalayan yoga retreat)

Whether you’re eight days or eight years post-divorce, this episode is your permission slip to stop apologizing for existing and start building a fierce, compassionate relationship with the one person who will always be there: YOU.

Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development.
• Check out Diana’s website and explore some resources, listen to her podcast, The Renew Your Mind Podcast, and finally, connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.
• Connect with Dr. Barb on her website, Integrative Coaching for Life. 
• Read the book Lisa recommended, Hidden Within. 

Your kids are grown, they have opinions (lots of them), and some of those opinions are... not in your favor. If you're wondering how to rebuild, repair, or even just exist in relationship with your adult children post-divorce without losing your mind (or your will to live), this episode is your safe space.

I sit down with my friend and fellow coach, Diana Swillinger, for a conversation about the complex and often heart-wrenching work of parenting adult kids after divorce.

What We Talk About:

• How your adult kids might try to parent YOU 
• Why their black-and-white thinking isn’t your fault, (but also maybe kind of is?)
• How we passed on rigid theology and why it complicates everything now
• When your child blames YOU for the divorce (hello, Christian programming!)
• The fine line between a heartfelt apology and a full-blown grovel-fest
• Using cognitive behavioral tools to detach from their drama and stay in your lane
• How to hold space for conflicting realities without losing your own mind
• Hope for reconciliation, even when it feels lightyears away
• What it means to bring the peace (no, not a pumpkin pie. Peace.)

Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development.
• Check out Diana’s website and explore some resources, listen to her podcast, The Renew Your Mind Podcast, and finally, connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.

It’s because YOU are the safe one. 

In this episode, we unpack all of it: the chaos, the trauma, the meltdowns, and the sacred role you play in raising kids who actually make it out of this mess OK.

I sat down with Diana, Loretta, and Charlotte, three divorced Christian mamas who’ve done the hard work of parenting through PTSD, manipulation, religious confusion, and all the weird stuff your kids’ dad tries to pull post-divorce. 

We Talk About:

• Why your kids hold it together at Dad’s house and come unglued at yours (hint: it’s not about “respect”)
• What Polyvagal Theory has to do with your kid whacking you in the head with a Richard Scarry book
• Why “big behavior” ≠ “bad kid”
• How Christian parenting culture gets trauma so wrong
• What to say (and what NOT to say) when your kid reports their dad’s latest antics
  Why curiosity > control when it comes to parenting
• Practical boundaries that protect your kids AND your sanity
• Reframing fear and people-pleasing
• The long game of parenting: trust, patience, and letting your kids learn to think for themselves

Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development.
• Check out Diana’s website and explore some resources, listen to her podcast, The Renew Your Mind Podcast, and finally, connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.
• Contact Loretta at info@mycoachloretta.com 

What We Talked About:

• How divorce changes everything about how you experience church
• What happens when you realize your church was more in love with patriarchy than Jesus
• Spiritual deconstruction (a.k.a. following Jesus out of the building)
• Learning to hear God’s voice (Head’s up: it’s not your ex, your pastor, or the elder’s wife)
• Releasing or renewing relationships after betrayal
• Forgiveness: what it is, what it isn’t
• How to support your kids spiritually without traumatizing them 
• Rebuilding community outside of the institution (Zoom counts, y’all)

Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development. 
• Listen to the audiobook for All the Scary Little Gods by yours truly for FREE! 
• Books mentioned: Freeing Jesus by Diana Butler Bass, The Book of Forgiving by Desmond Tutu, and Faith After Doubt by Brian McLaren.
• Connect with Marie on her blog, Live Like it Matters, and website, Spiritual Direction with Marie. 
• Connect with Stacey and find all her resources on her Linktree. 
• Check out Diana’s podcast, The Renew Your Mind Podcast.

In this episode, I team up with my friend and fellow coach, Diana Swillinger, to talk about how to take your power back when your life becomes the talk of the neighborhood.

If you're tired of feeling like your healing is public property and you’re ready to walk tall again, even while Sister So-and-So is side-eyeing you from the church pew, this one’s for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 

• Why small communities (and churches) make divorce extra spicy 
• How gossip can hijack your story, and how to stop handing it over
• Practical ways to reclaim your voice, dignity, and narrative
• How to respond to those “concerned” (ahem…nosy) comments
• What shame does to your soul and how to evict it for good
• Why protecting your story is wisdom, not paranoia
• Confidence tips to strut your stuff, even when your insides are spaghetti
• How to truly stop giving a flying fig about other people’s opinions

Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development.
• Check out Diana’s website and explore some resources, listen to her podcast, The Renew Your Mind Podcast, and finally, connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.
• Listen to Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk and do some power poses. 

In this episode, I’m joined by Stacey, Diana, Marie, and Grace, all divorced Christian women who are navigating life post-divorce in the workplace. We’re diving deep into how to show up for yourself professionally without selling your soul or compromising your values.

What We Talked About:

• How divorce made us braver and more assertive at work 
• Real-life stories of standing up to toxic bosses and winning (even if your hands are shaking the whole time)
• Tips for dealing with mansplaining, micromanagers, and Monday meetings 
• Knowing when to speak up and when to let it go Elsa-style
• Creating unshakeable boundaries around your time, energy, and sanity
• How trauma triggers show up in the office, and how we’ve learned to manage them
• Why being a “dependable worker” doesn’t mean being everyone’s doormat
• Using body language and presence to command respect 
• The sacred art of saying “no” without apologizing or over-explaining
• Gossip: How to shut it down without becoming the HR police

Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women who are ready to evolve into the next version of themselves. A version that is more confident, more regulated, and more at peace about all of life. 
• Connect with Marie on her blog, Live Like it Matters, and website, Spiritual Direction with Marie. 
• Connect with Stacey and find all her resources on her Linktree. 
• Check out Diana’s podcast, The Renew Your Mind Podcast.
• Add Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges by Amy Cuddy, Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, and Rich Girl Nation by Katie Gatti Tassin to your library.
• Check out Toastmasters.

If you’ve ever felt the cold shoulder from your Christian family after your divorce, or you’re still untangling the sticky spiderwebs of shame and silence from your upbringing, pull up a chair. This episode is for you.

I sat down with friend and fellow coach, Diana Swillinger, and together we unpacked how family of origin dynamics continue to haunt, shape, and sometimes straight-up sabotage your healing after divorce.

Here’s what we discuss:

• What if the heavy load you’ve been dragging around was never yours to begin with?
• Could their cutting looks and guilt-trips actually say more about them than about you?
• What if boundaries weren’t about controlling others at all but something far more personal?
• At what point do parents stop calling the spiritual shots in your life?
• Is it possible that saying “no more contact” could actually be a sacred act?
• Why does the loss of “what should’ve been” sting almost more than the loss itself?
• Can forgiveness bring peace without flinging the door wide open again?

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is a life-changing mentorship program for divorced Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development.
• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace. 
• Check out Diana’s website and explore some resources, listen to her podcast, The Renew Your Mind Podcast, and finally, connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.
• Dive into the books recommended in today’s episode, Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief and Forgiveness After Trauma. You can also listen to the interview I did with the author of Forgiveness After Trauma on the Flying Free Podcast, Episode 281. 

In this episode, I sat down with my friends and fellow coaches Diana Swillinger, Stacey Wynn, and Marie Griffith to get real about what it looks like to rebuild your relationship with God after the spiritual ground beneath your feet crumbles.

We’re talking about spiritual deconstruction, not as a slippery slope into heresy ( it’s actually a slip ‘n slide into FREEDOM), but as a necessary and sacred process of untangling truth from toxic theology. We share our personal stories of excommunication, church hurt, faith unraveling, and finding Jesus outside the four walls of evangelical dogma.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re "getting it wrong" with God or wondered if there’s still a place for you in the Kingdom after divorce, doubt, and deconstruction, this episode is your permission slip to breathe.

Key Takeaways:

• Deconstruction ≠ Losing Faith. It’s not rebellion, it’s reconstruction. It’s spiritual adulthood. It’s what happens when you stop obeying blindly and start seeking bravely.
• Jesus Is Still Here. Even when your theology implodes and your church unfriends you. Especially then.
• Faith Isn’t Fragile. If asking honest questions makes your faith crumble, maybe it was more fear than faith to begin with.
• Slippery Slopes Are FUN. Turns out that “slippery slope” we were warned about? It leads to love, liberation, and disco dance parties with the Holy Spirit.

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development.
• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace. 
• Connect with Marie on her blog, Live Like it Matters, and website, Spiritual Direction with Marie. 
• Connect with Stacey and find all her resources on her Linktree. 
• Check out Diana’s podcast, The Renew Your Mind Podcast.

We tackle the sticky, icky, post-divorce drama: how to set boundaries, why you don't owe him or his people anything, and how to stay in your lane.

If you've ever wondered:

• Am I being mean for not giving a crap about his new wife?
• Is it bad to limit contact with his family?
• Should I let my kids like the girlfriend? (Um. You can’t stop them. Sorry.)
• Am I a monster for offering him the fine china after he got legally dubbed an abuser?

...then welcome. Pull up a chair. 

Laundry List of Scenarios We Cover: 

• When your ex still wants to be your BFF 
• When his mom keeps bringing up the marriage 
• When his new girlfriend is too nice and your kids love her 
• When his lawyer won’t quit 
• When triangulation sucks you in, and you need to say, “I’m out”

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development.
• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace. 
• Check out Diana’s website and explore some resources, listen to her podcast, The Renew Your Mind Podcast, and finally, connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.

But what if dating didn’t have to feel like impending doom? What if you could approach it with courage, confidence, and an actual strategy?

In this episode, I invited three of my friends and fellow coaches, Stacey Wynn, Diana Swillinger, and Marie Griffith to join me for a frank discussion about dating after divorce as a Christian woman.

Some Key Takeaways:

• Dating again? Terrifying. And also, you can do it!
• High standards are IT. You’re not picky. You’re just done with nonsense.
• Burn the haystack. Swipe left like it’s your sacred duty (thank you, Jennie Young).
• Polite is not required. Block. Burn. Bounce. Bless and release.
• Your gut is smarter than your mom, pastor, and therapist combined. Trust it.
• Emotions are dashboard lights, not detours. 

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development.
• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace. 
• Connect with Marie on her blog, Live Like it Matters, and website, Spiritual Direction with Marie. 
• Connect with Stacey and find all her resources on her Linktree. 
• Check out Diana’s podcast, The Renew Your Mind Podcast.
• And here are some resources we mentioned within the episode: the Burned Haystack Method by Jennie Young, the Dare to Lead List of Values from Brené Brown, the Personal Values Test, and the Personal Values Card Sort by Dr. Jennie Shields.

Welcome to Season 2 of the Divorced Christian Woman Podcast! I’m kicking things off with my friend and fellow coach, Diana Swillinger. We’re diving headfirst into the sometimes-healing, sometimes-horrifying world of mentors, coaches, and therapists.

Not all helpers are created equal, my friend. And no, your cousin’s youth group leader who “feels called” to counsel probably isn’t qualified to help you unravel years of spiritual abuse.

This episode is your guide to sorting through the noise, finding the right kind of help for the season you're in, and learning how to trust your own gut again, especially after years of being told it was “deceitfully wicked.” (eye-roll)

What We Covered: 

• Mentors, coaches, therapists, and how to know the difference
• Red flags in helping relationships
• Green flags in helping relationships
• What to do if you believe you are “too broken” or “not broken enough”
• The process of healing
• How community plays a role in our healing

Read the full show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development.
• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace. 
• Check out Diana’s website and explore some resources, listen to her podcast, The Renew Your Mind Podcast, and finally, connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.

In our finale I gather a roundtable of warrior women (Diana, Loretta, Lisa, and Marie) to talk about what comes after the ashes. (And it's NOT all sobbing into Häagen-Dazs while reading Leviticus. Haha)

What we talk about: 

• Finding yourself again (and realizing she’s kind of amazing)
• The joy of owning a dog (and a massage chair)
• Discovering that you’re capable of fixing doors, traveling alone, and hanging out with bears (on purpose)
• Reclaiming your space without needing anyone’s approval
• Forming deep, soul-filling friendships that you didn’t know were missing
• Letting go of the fear-based god to embrace the real one who’s been there all along
• Creating peaceful parenting vibes after the chaos of control

And by the way, wondering what’s coming in Season 2? We’re diving into relationships: with yourself, your kids (even the adult ones), your ex, your God, your church, and maybe that suspiciously hot barista who always remembers your name. Starts October 4, so mark your calendars.

Read the full show notes, get the journal questions, and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my personal mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development. Want to work with me? This is how!
• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace. 
• Connect with Marie on her blog, Live Like it Matters, and website, Spiritual Direction with Marie.
• Listen to Diana’s podcast, the Renew Your Mind Podcast. 
• Connect with Lisa at her Linktree.
• Contact Loretta at Info@mycoachloretta.com 
• Check out a Flying Free Podcast episode, “How Christian Women Resist Oppression in Their Marriages.”

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and fellow coach, Diana Swillinger. Today we’re talking about the emotional whirlwind that follows a divorce, especially for Christian women who were taught to be nice, stay quiet, and for the love of God, never get angry.

Well. We got angry. (And we’re still alive!)

If you’ve ever wondered:

• “Am I losing it, or is this rage normal?”
• “Why am I grieving when I wanted this divorce?”
• “Do I actually miss him...what the hell is wrong with me?”
• “What does forgiveness really mean if reconciliation isn’t safe?”

… then this episode is for you, my buffalo-hearted sister. (Yes, we talk about buffalo. And you’re gonna want one as your life mascot by the end.)

Read the full show notes, get the journal questions, and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my personal mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development. Want to work with me? This is how!
• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace. 
• Check out Diana’s podcast, The Renew Your Mind Podcast.
• Recommended books: Altogether You by Jenna Remiersma, No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz, Forgiveness After Trauma by Susannah Griffith, Finding Meaning: the Sixth Stage of Grief by David Kessler, The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner, and All the Scary Little Gods by yours truly. 

Heads up: this is not a how-to guide for your post-divorce sex life. We’re not handing out purity rings or condoms. This is an open, judgment-free, thoughtful conversation about the messy intersection of desire, faith, and freedom.

Key Takeaways:

• Sex as a “duty” is a massive church-induced scam. Most of us were taught to “submit” and serve our husbands—without any conversation about pleasure, consent, or autonomy. That’s not holy. That’s control.
• Purity culture wrecked us. Whether you read Passion and Purity with a highlighter or came in late via Focus on the Family propaganda, the fear-based messages about sex left many of us feeling ashamed, confused, or broken.
• Desire isn’t sinful. In fact, as Marie shares, our desires are often holy breadcrumbs leading us toward the life God actually wants for us: connection, safety, joy, embodiment.
• Safety is non-negotiable. If you’re not enthusiastically consenting, it’s a no. Period.
• Dating after divorce is a weird buffet. Think: civil engineers, gay best friends, and “I’d rather be watching Netflix alone” moments. Still, it’s helping us learn how to trust ourselves again.
• You’re not spiritually defective if you don’t want sex—or if you do. Normalize your own experience, whatever it is.
• You don’t need a man to be whole. Turns out you’re already a whole dang loaf of bread, not someone’s missing rib. 

Read the full show notes, get the journal questions, and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development.
• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace. 
• Listen to Diana’s podcast, the Renew Your Mind Podcast. 
• Connect with Marie on her blog, Live Like it Matters, and website, Spiritual Direction with Marie.
• Read Sheila Wray Gregoire’s The Great Sex Rescue.
• Check out one of my Flying Free Podcast episodes, “What to Do if You’re Married to a Fool.”

We’re not sugarcoating it, friend. We're talking spiritual betrayal, religious trauma, excommunication (oh yes, I went there), and what happens when your church treats your divorce like an unpardonable sin. 

If you've ever doubted your beliefs, lost your community, or felt spiritually homeless, this episode can be a much needed dose of validation and sanity.

And by the way, God’s still there. Even when you’re not sure who God even is anymore.

Key Takeaways:

• Spiritual freefall is real – especially after religious betrayal, loss of community, or family rejection post-divorce.
• Doubt isn’t the enemy. It’s the beginning of real faith. (And no, you’re not going to hell for asking hard questions.)
• You can let go of the Jenga tower of theology you built—and still find Jesus standing there, patiently waiting.
• Creativity heals. Music, writing, quilting—whatever helps you access that divine spark inside you is sacred ground.
• You’re not alone, even if you feel like you’ve been spiritually ghosted by everyone you trusted.
• Religious certainty ≠ spiritual maturity. Sometimes the most faithful thing you can do is say, “I don’t know.”

Read the full show notes, get the journal questions, and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my group of badass divorced Christian women who are learning and growing along with me through classes, coaching, book studies, and Bible studies. 
• Flying Free (https://joinflyingfree.com) is for Christian women in emotionally abusive marriages who are looking for support and healing. Apply to join today!
• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This 5-Day Workshop will teach you a cool mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace. 
• Check out Diana’s podcast, The Renew Your Mind Podcast.
• Books mentioned in this episode: The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse by David Johnson and Jeff Van Vonderen, Love Wins by Rob Bell, and Faith After Doubt by Brian McLaren.

Key Takeaways:

• Grief is sneaky—you might be totally fine… until you’re not.
• Freedom is real—and sometimes it shows up in a firework-lit sky.
• People still say the worst things—yes, even the ones at church.
• Your triggers are valid—you don’t owe anyone an apology for how your body remembers pain.
• You’re not the only one crying in the car—and you don’t have to pretend you’re fine.

Read the full show notes, get the journal questions, and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development.
• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace. 
• Listen to Diana’s podcast, the Renew Your Mind Podcast. 
• Connect with Marie on her blog, Live Like it Matters, and website, Spiritual Direction with Marie.

We’re talking loud smoothies, solo vacations, buying swimsuits without crying, and daring to want things. I know. Scandalous.

Key Takeaways:

• Taking up space is sacred. Whether it’s dancing, resting, or saying “no,” your presence matters.
• Your voice is yours. Use it. Even if it shakes. Even if it’s only to ask, “What do I want?”
• There’s power in reclaiming your body. From piercings to pole dancing (yep), nothing’s off-limits when it comes to feeling alive again.
• You are allowed to have fun. Yes, you. Especially you.

Read the full show notes, get the journal questions, and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian divorced women who want to work more closely with me and an AMAZING group of women every week. And it won’t cost you your mortgage payment. Just a couple bucks a day. 
• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace. (It will give you a taste of the classes you’ll get every month in Flying Higher.)
• Listen to Diana’s podcast, the Renew Your Mind Podcast. 
• Connect with Marie on her blog, Live Like it Matters, and website, Spiritual Direction with Marie.
• Some recommended books: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van der Kolk, MD, How to Do the Work by Dr. Nicole LePera, and Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend.
• The app Marie mentioned, meetup.com.

Spoiler: The kids do survive. Many even thrive. But getting there is a wild ride filled with therapy bills, awkward holidays, and the occasional trip to "Maury Povich Show" levels of drama.

Top Takeaways: 

• You’re Not Ruining Your Kids: Not the way staying in a toxic marriage would've. Divorce doesn’t break kids. Dysfunction does. And we’re breaking that cycle.
• Permission to Be Messy: Kids aren't okay overnight. Neither are you. But giving yourself permission to suck at it sometimes? That’s healing.
• You’re Not Their Therapist: But you are their safe place. Listening, validating, and not losing your cool when they parrot their dad's bonkers takes? That’s next-level momming.
• Boundaries Aren’t Just for Exes: Your kids need to learn them, too. And they will, when you model how to protect peace without apology.

Read the full show notes, get the journal questions, and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for divorced Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development. And it’s a bargain at only $59/month or $590 for an entire year of concentrated education and support. “I’m a LIFER” is what members often say. Join us and find out why!
• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace. (This is just a sample of the classes I teach in Flying Higher every month!)
• Go listen to Diana’s podcast, The Renew Your Mind Podcast.
• Contact Loretta at Info@mycoachloretta.com 
• Listen to Jillian’s podcast, The Hungry for Love Podcast.
• Connect with Lisa at her Linktree.
• Check out Wendy’s art on her Instagram.

If you've ever wondered, Who do I tell? How much should I say? Why did some friends disappear while others showed up unexpectedly? you are not alone. We talk through all of that.

Each of these women brings her own beautiful perspective and personal experiences, from crafting “scripts” to explain their divorce with dignity and clarity, to grieving the loss of church community, to learning how to trust again, and how to trust their own bodies and intuition.

We also explore:

• How to identify emotionally safe friends
• Why "mutual friends" may or may not stick around
• What happens when church culture shifts after your divorce
• Red flags that say: “Maybe this isn’t my person”
• Why learning to be a good friend to yourself might be the most important thing you do

And we don’t stop there. These women also share how they’re supporting their families as single moms—running businesses, teaching, coaching, and creating meaningful impact in the world. 

If you’re feeling isolated or unsure how to rebuild your social world, I hope this conversation reminds you of your power, your worth, and your ability to find connection again. You are not alone, and your story isn’t over.

Read the full show notes, get the journal questions, and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development.
• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace. 
• Go listen to Diana’s podcast, The Renew Your Mind Podcast.
• Contact Loretta at Info@mycoachloretta.com 
• Listen to Jillian’s podcast, The Hungry for Love Podcast.
• Connect with Lisa at her Linktree.
• Check out Wendy’s art on her Instagram.

We got honest about what it feels like to hit the panic button when bills roll in, how to build a budget from scratch (or not), and what it means to pay your way into peace. (Hey, freedom is expensive, but worth it.) Whether you're feeling financially paralyzed or just want some solidarity, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn: 

• Peace sometimes costs money. I’ve seen women choose to take on debt just to buy back their sanity—and it was the best decision they ever made.
• Budgeting doesn’t have to be fancy. Notebook? App? Excel sheet? There’s no wrong answer, just pick what works best for your own brain.
• Delaying isn’t failing. Maybe you put off buying a new car until your transmission did a dramatic death scene. You do what you’ve gotta do.
• None of us were born knowing this. Trust me, if you don’t know how to open a savings account or compare car insurance quotes, you’re not alone.
• Define your own rich life. For me, that’s freedom, not facials. (Although I wouldn’t turn one down either.)
• Try all the things. I’ve seen women tutor, paint signs, get corporate promotions, and sell on Etsy. Throw spaghetti. See what sticks.
• Accepting help isn’t weakness—it’s strategy. Subsidized housing, food banks, coaching, advisors—if it helps you stay afloat, it’s a win.

Read the full show notes, get the journal questions, and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development.
• Check out Wendy’s art on Instagram.
• One of my favorite finance books, I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi.
• I use the Monarch App for budgeting, and Mint Mobile for our phone plan. 
• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace. 

Diana and I discuss identity loss in marriage, the process of deprogramming, and how to reclaim your God-given essence one small boundary and one journal prompt at a time. With warmth and truth bombs, this conversation is basically free therapy.

Key Takeaways:

• Identity Loss Is Real: Many Christian women completely lose their sense of self trying to uphold “biblical” marriage roles that were never their actual calling.
• Trauma Rewires Your Brain: Survival mode builds false identities. Safe spaces let you rebuild your real one.
• Boundaries ≠ Being Mean: Saying “no” is how you say “yes” to yourself. And Jesus had them too. #JustSaying
• If You Always Say “I Don’t Know”: You might be disconnected from your identity. Start by asking, “What do I need right now?”
• You Deserve Good Things: Not because you’re perfect, but because you’re a beloved child of God. Period. No asterisks.
• Mothering Yourself Is a Game-Changer: Want to be a better mom, friend, or human? Start with being a better mom to you.

Read the full show notes, get the journal questions, and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace. 
• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for any Christian woman interested in 10Xing their self-development progress.
• Check out Diana’s podcast, The Renew Your Mind Podcast.
• Go get a copy of Boundaries by Cloud & Townsend.

In this episode, I sat down with Grace, Wendy, and Maile to talk about the surprisingly surreal and also beautiful journey of learning to live solo after divorce. From blackout curtains and bougie hotel sheets to full-on nervous system rewiring, we covered it all. If you've ever cried into a bowl of cereal on a Friday night and called it dinner, congratulations - you’re not broken. You're just a woman figuring it out.

We’re not here to sugarcoat the first 365 days. They're hard. But they’re also where the magic starts to crack through. And sometimes that magic smells like eucalyptus and sounds like absolute silence. The peaceful kind.

Key Takeaways: 

• Silence can be healing — it’s not loneliness, it’s peace in disguise.
• Blackout curtains and bougie sheets are therapy.
• You’re allowed to sleep in the middle of the bed.
• Cereal for dinner is valid. So is doing nothing.
• Your life wasn’t ruined. It’s just now beginning.
• God isn’t mad. He’s with you, not against you.
• Freedom feels weird at first. That’s normal.
• Self-trust grows when no one’s watching.
• Redecorating is emotional rehab. Light a candle.

Read the full show notes, get the journal questions, and/or ask Natalie a question here

Related Resources:

• Check out Wendy’s art on Instagram.
• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace. 
• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development.

We explore the grief, grit, and growth that come in the wake of separation, and how honesty, community, and inner truth become lifelines. Whether you're two weeks out or ten years removed, this episode reminds you that you're not alone, and you're going to be okay.

Key Takeaways:

• There’s no “right” way to feel after divorce. Some women celebrate. Others spiral into grief or depression. All experiences are valid.
• Beliefs will get blown apart—and that's good. False beliefs about marriage, God, and self-worth often shatter in the aftermath, creating space for truth.
• Loneliness isn't your enemy. Learning how to be bored, alone, and content is a superpower.
• You can relearn what you never were taught. From personal finance to setting boundaries, life after divorce is a classroom.
• You get to choose your truth. Validation no longer needs to come from churches, communities, or partners.
• You're more resilient than you realize. Fragility and grit can coexist—and both are sacred.
• Divorce is not the end. It’s the beginning of becoming fully yourself.

Read the full show notes, get the related journal questions, and/or ask Natalie a question here 

• Check out Diana’s podcast, The Renew Your Mind Podcast.
• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace. 
• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence, emotional management, relational health and empowered self-development.