What happens when you grow up in a system that never taught you freedom then spend your life reclaiming it?

In this episode, Dr. James shares her journey from a post communist childhood in Europe to becoming a U.S. citizen, scholar, mother, and advocate for women healing from narcissistic abuse. After living in six countries and navigating generational trauma, rigid parenting, and coercive relationships, she reflects on identity, forgiveness, and the power of repair.

We talk about:

• Growing up without emotional safety and how that shaped resilience
• Generational trauma without blame or shame
• Leaving academia to turn pain into purpose
• Parenting with intention after trauma
• Faith as relationship, not religion
• Why you are not your job, your past, or one single identity

This is a conversation about freedom, narcissist abuse, self-authorship, and choosing a different legacy for yourself and the next generation.

To connect with Dr. James, visit her following sites:

• Website: https://echonomorecoaching.org/home
• FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579623976158
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/echonomorecoachingllc
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/echo-no-more-coaching

If this conversation stirred something in you, join the Inner Circle a private space for listeners and guests to stay connected and continue the reflection beyond the show

www.willijahdawson.com/innercircle

In this episode of Raised by Women, Doug reflects on the frustration of doing the books, listening to the podcasts, and doing the “work”only to find the same patterns repeating.

A pivotal moment led him to examine belief-based filters formed in childhood, and how they shape what feels possible, how we show up in relationships, and what we quietly expect will end. As Doug begins to untangle stories like “I don’t matter” and “people leave,” a new path starts to open personally and professionally.

We also talk about his parents relationship and the legacy of his mother a Gold Star mom and lifelong community leader whose courage and service stand worthy of respect regardless of political viewpoints, including introducing Barack Obama at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, and whose influence is woven into Doug’s life and work.

Watch his mom’s speech here → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CThvYYuvHvA

If you’d like to connect with Doug you can find him via the following:

• FB: forgingtruthllc
• IG: forging_truth
• LinkedIn: forging-truth-llc
• Website: https://forgingtruth.com/

If this conversation stirred something in you, join the Inner Circle a private space for listeners and guests to stay connected and continue the reflection beyond the show

www.willijahdawson.com/innercircle

If your life didn’t follow a straight line and you’re in a season of making sense of it, you’re in the right place. Raised by Women reflects a name change that brings clearer language to the same heart exploring emotional inheritance and the experiences that quietly shape how we lead, decide, and carry responsibility.

Join the Inner Circle:

If something stirred or feels like it’s shifting, you’re invited to join us www.willijahdawson.com/innercircle

Connect hang out with me:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willijahdawson/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@willijahdawson