Scrolling dating apps after your divorce? Feeling the pull to fill the void with someone new? I get it, but here's what you need to know: dating too soon keeps you from becoming who you're meant to be.

We dive into the real dangers of jumping into dating before you're ready: attracting the same type of person, missing red flags you're now trained to ignore, and robbing yourself of the transformation waiting for you. We reframe this year not as punishment or loneliness, but as your Year of Empowerment, a season to reclaim your identity, set boundaries you've never had, and build the foundation for truly healthy love.

You'll hear practical advice on navigating singleness, investing in yourself, and why the best relationship you can have right now is with God and with yourself. If Part 1 convinced you to wait, Part 2 shows you exactly how to make that year count. This isn’t about deprivation—it's about alignment, clarity, and choosing connection that lets you stay you.

📓 Companion Journal (free)

https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1867562/169272817871750921/share

If something stirred in you today, you don't have to hold it alone.

This journal gives you a private place to process at your own pace.

☕️ New episodes drop on Wednesdays. Follow so you never miss one.

🙏 A special welcome if you just started following — I’m grateful you’re here. 🤍

👉 Start the healing journey here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cSXSdist0GYS4EL-yT9ockORATI-MY5

🤍 Listen page: https://validatedpodcast.com/listen

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ownvoiceheal?sub_confirmation=1

🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/validated-own-voice-heal/id1850964341

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MPNnTAWX2VsoMR9Lek2r2?si=2ed341ee4c0f4306

🔗 RSS: https://feeds.captivate.fm/validated-own-voice-heal/

📓 Free Companion Journals: https://validatedpodcast.com/validated-vault

In This Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:34 The Pull Toward Dating Too Soon

02:32 Your Year of Empowerment

03:30 Reclaiming Your Authentic Self

05:00 Navigating Life Changes

13:02 Healing Through Self-Care + Growth

13:38 Deepening Your Relationship with God

14:40 Closing Encouragement

⚖️ Disclaimer

Just a reminder:

I’m not a licensed therapist, medical professional, or attorney. The stories, insights, and reflections I share through the Validated podcast, website, and downloadable resources are based on my personal experiences, perspectives, and opinions. Identifying details have been changed or omitted to protect privacy.

This content is offered for support and education, not accusation, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional care. No therapeutic relationship is implied or created by your use of this content.

If you’re in crisis or need personalized help, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional and/or seek wise counsel within...

Fresh out of a marriage and already thinking about dating again? I get it...you want to feel valued, desired, and whole again. But here's the truth you need: rushing into a new relationship will rob you of the healing you desperately need. You'll lose yourself before you ever find yourself, and you're worth more than that!🤍

In this episode, I share why waiting at least a year after divorce isn't about punishment -- it's about reclaiming yourself. I open up about my own journey: the temptation to jump into something new, what happened when I chose myself instead, and how that year of waiting became the most empowering season of my life.

You'll hear about rediscovering who you are outside of being someone's wife or significant other, learning to trust yourself again, and why skipping this step keeps you stuck in old patterns. If you're tired of being told what you want to hear and ready for what you actually need, this episode is for you. 🤍 Part 1 of 2.

☕️ New episodes drop on Wednesdays. Follow so you never miss one.

🙏 A special welcome if you just started following — I’m grateful you’re here. 🤍

👉 Start the healing journey here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cSXSdist0GYS4EL-yT9ockORATI-MY5

📓 Companion Journal:

https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1867562/169272817871750921/share

If something stirred in you today, you don't have to hold it alone.

This journal gives you a private place to process at your own pace.

🤍 Listen page: https://validatedpodcast.com/listen

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ownvoiceheal?sub_confirmation=1

🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/validated-own-voice-heal/id1850964341

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MPNnTAWX2VsoMR9Lek2r2?si=2ed341ee4c0f4306

🔗 RSS: https://feeds.captivate.fm/validated-own-voice-heal/

📓 Free Companion Journals: https://validatedpodcast.com/validated-vault

00:00 Introduction and Bold Statement

01:42 The Importance of Waiting After Divorce

03:07 Personal Struggles and Emotional Pull

06:49 What Healing Actually Looks Like

08:41 Reclaiming Identity and Confidence

13:15 Strengthening Mind, Body, and Spirit

19:17 Closing Encouragement

📓 Companion Journal (free)

https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1867562/169272817871750921/share

⚖️ Disclaimer

Just a reminder:

I’m not a licensed therapist, medical professional, or attorney. The stories, insights, and reflections I share through the Validated podcast, website, and downloadable resources are based on my personal experiences, perspectives, and opinions. Identifying details have been changed or omitted to protect privacy.

This content is offered for support and education, not accusation, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional care. No therapeutic relationship is implied or created by your use of this content.

If you’re in crisis

If you’re living in hidden abuse, it can be hard to know what you actually need — especially when nothing looks obviously “dangerous.”

Maybe there are no bruises.

Maybe things only feel scary during conflict.

Maybe you’ve been told you’re overreacting.

But Brave One… your safety is still worth preparing for.

This isn’t panic. This isn’t drama. This is wisdom.

In this episode, I gently walk you through:

• What a basic safety plan looks like

• Why it can matter even before things escalate

• What to quietly gather over time

• How to think clearly when fear or confusion cloud judgment

• The difference between preparing and panicking

Your courage doesn’t mean walking in danger —

it means caring for yourself as you take your next brave step. 🤍

#Validated #ownvoiceheal #hiddenabuse #covertabuse #narcissisticabuse #psychologicalabuse #emotionalabuse

--

ONE WOMAN™ Note

If you know a woman who might be living in hidden abuse, you can help her stay safe.

Invite her over for coffee so she can watch from a safe device.

Be her voice in the comments.

Subscribe for her until she can subscribe for herself.

ONE WOMAN helping ONE WOMAN… changes everything. 🤍

--

☕️ New episodes drop on Wednesdays. Subscribe so you never miss one.

🙏 A special welcome if you just subscribed — I’m grateful you’re here. 🤍

👉 Start the healing journey here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cSXSdist0GYS4EL-yT9ockORATI-MY5

📓 Companion Journal (Free)

If something stirred in you today, you don't have to hold it alone.

This journal gives you a private place to process at your own pace.

{Link Here}

Listen & Subscribe

🤍 Listen page: https://validatedpodcast.com/listen

📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ownvoiceheal?sub_confirmation=1

🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/validated-own-voice-heal/id1850964341

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MPNnTAWX2VsoMR9Lek2r2?si=2ed341ee4c0f4306

🔗 RSS: https://feeds.captivate.fm/validated-own-voice-heal/

📓 Free Companion Journals: https://validatedpodcast.com/validated-vault

In This Episode

00:00 Introduction to Safety Planning

00:54 Understanding the Need for a Safety Plan

01:44 Recognizing Escalation and Preparing for Safety

03:40 Steps to Create a Safety Plan

06:31 Preparing Essentials for a Quick Exit

07:57 Ensuring Children's Safety

08:26 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

08:56 Disclaimer and Professional Advice

--

Disclaimer

I’m not a licensed therapist, medical professional, or attorney. The stories, insights, and reflections I share through the Validated podcast, website, and downloadable resources are based on my personal experiences, perspectives, and opinions. Identifying details have been changed or omitted to protect privacy.

This content is offered for support and education, not accusation, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional care. No therapeutic relationship is implied or created by your use of this content.

If you’re in crisis or need personalized help, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional and/or seek wise counsel within your faith community. You are worthy of such support.

Music Credit & License

Intro/Outro music: “Lofi Background Music-337568” by [Artist] — licensed via Pixabay.

Licensed under the Pixabay Content License (free for commercial use; no attribution required). Content ID registered; used with license.

If you feel like you’re going in circles emotionally — stuck in patterns you can’t explain or escape — you may be living on what I call the Endless Carousel.

In this episode, I’m sharing 4 key steps that help you get your sanity back when you’re dealing with any form of hidden abuse… especially during a season that should feel peaceful but doesn’t.

These four keys won’t fix everything overnight — but they will give you clarity, strength, and direction for your next brave steps forward.

If you know a woman who might be living in hidden abuse, you can help her stay safe.

Invite her over for coffee so she can listen from a safe device.

Be her voice in the comments.

Subscribe for her until she can subscribe for herself.

ONE WOMAN helping ONE WOMAN… changes everything. 🤍

#hiddenabuse #psychologicalabuse #emotionalabuse #amioverreacting #youarenotcrazy #abuseawareness #Validated #ownvoiceheal #OneWoman

☕️ New episodes drop on Wednesdays. Follow so you never miss one.

🙏 A special welcome if you're new — I’m grateful you’re here. 🤍

👉 Start the healing journey here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cSXSdist0GYS4EL-yT9ockORATI-MY5

🤍 Listen page: https://validatedpodcast.com/listen

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ownvoiceheal?sub_confirmation=1

🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/validated-own-voice-heal/id1850964341

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MPNnTAWX2VsoMR9Lek2r2?si=2ed341ee4c0f4306

🔗 RSS: https://feeds.captivate.fm/validated-own-voice-heal/

📓 Free Companion Journals: https://validatedpodcast.com/validated-vault

00:00 Introduction: Finding Light in Hidden Abuse

00:10 Understanding the Endless Carousel of Abuse

00:36 The Challenge of Breaking Free

01:23 Personal Journey

02:34 Key Steps to Exit the Endless Carousel

02:39 Recognize and Acknowledge the Behaviors

03:10 Developing a Safety Plan

05:24 Building a Support Network

06:23 Seeking Professional and Legal Help

09:09 The Importance of the Four Keys

10:10 Resources and Final Thoughts

I’m not a licensed therapist, medical professional, or attorney. The stories, insights, and reflections I share through the Validated podcast, website, and downloadable resources are based on my personal experiences, perspectives, and opinions. Identifying details have been changed or omitted to protect privacy.

This content is offered for support and education, not accusation, and is not intended to...

Hidden Abuse Cycle Explained:

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a loop where things get tense, then explode, then get smoothed over like nothing happened, you’re not imagining it. There is a pattern. And once you can see it, you can start to step out of it.

There is also a brief section in this episode where I share a personal theory I’ve developed from lived experience and common patterns. This is not a clinical diagnosis or a statement about any one individual—just an interpretive insight that helps explain why the cycle can feel so predictable and exhausting.

In this episode, I walk you through the Endless Carousel™—a repeating cycle commonly found in emotional, psychological, and spiritual abuse. This cycle keeps you emotionally off balance and struggling to trust your own reality.

We explore the four repeating stages of the cycle:

– The Build-Up™

– The Blow-Up™

– The Spin Cycle™

– The Peace Put-On™

This conversation isn’t about blame—it’s about clarity. Understanding the cyclical pattern helps you trust your perception, name what’s happening, and take your next brave step toward stepping off the Endless Carousel.

You are not alone. And there is a way forward.

Listen & Subscribe:

https://validatedpodcast.com/listen

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ownvoiceheal

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/validated-own-voice-heal/id1850964341

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MPNnTAWX2VsoMR9Lek2r2

Free Companion Journals: https://validatedpodcast.com/validated-vault

Disclaimer

I’m not a licensed therapist, medical professional, or attorney. The stories and insights I share are based on my personal experiences, perspectives, and opinions. Identifying details have been changed or omitted to protect privacy. This content is for education and support, not diagnosis or treatment. No therapeutic relationship is created by listening. If you’re in crisis or need personalized help, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional or trusted support. You are worthy of such care.

Trademark Notice

The Endless Carousel™ cycle and stage names—The Build-Up™, The Blow-Up™, The Spin Cycle™, and The Peace Put-On™—are trademarks of Validated Media LLC (common-law). All rights reserved.

“Why didn’t I see it sooner?”

If you’ve ever asked yourself that question, you’re not alone—and you’re not to blame. Covert abuse is designed to stay hidden.

It’s why smart, capable women can live in it for years without recognizing it.

It’s why friends and family don’t see it.

It’s why naming what’s happening feels impossible when you’re in the middle of it.

In this episode, we break down exactly why emotional, psychological, spiritual, and economic abuse get missed—even by the person experiencing it:

• Why it doesn’t match what you think “abuse” looks like

• Why the people around you might not see it—or might not want to

• How your own mind works against you to minimize and justify

• Why Christian women face unique challenges in recognizing covert harm

• The specific reasons each type of abuse stays under the radar

Then we walk through how to begin naming what you’re living in—gently, without pressure:

• Reflective questions to ask yourself

• Early steps toward clarity and grounding

• Tools to help you trust your own sense of truth again

If you’ve been telling yourself “I’m probably overreacting” or “it’s not that bad,” this episode will help you trust what you may already know.

☕️ New episodes drop on Wednesdays. Follow so you never miss one.

🙏 A special welcome if you just started following — I’m grateful you’re here. 🤍

👉 Start the healing journey here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cSXSdist0GYS4EL-yT9ockORATI-MY5

📓 Companion Journal

If something stirred in you today, you don't have to hold it alone.

This journal gives you a private place to process at your own pace.

https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1867562/169273179082065902/share

Listen & Subscribe

🤍 Listen page: https://validatedpodcast.com/listen

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ownvoiceheal?sub_confirmation=1

🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/validated-own-voice-heal/id1850964341

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MPNnTAWX2VsoMR9Lek2r2?si=2ed341ee4c0f4306

🔗 RSS: https://feeds.captivate.fm/validated-own-voice-heal/

📓 Free Companion Journals: https://validatedpodcast.com/validated-vault

In This Episode

00:00 Introduction and Purpose

00:38 Disclaimer and Resources

01:51 Understanding Emotional Abuse

06:01 Recognizing Psychological Abuse

07:20 Identifying Spiritual Abuse

08:36 Practical Steps for Naming Abuse

16:41 Conclusion and Resources

#Validated #OwnVoiceHeal #hiddenabuse #emotionalabuse #amioverreacting...

We often hear: “But he’s never hit me…”

If you’ve ever said that to minimize your feelings, explain away the confusion, or question what you’re living in, this episode is for you.

Hidden abuse leaves no bruises, but its impact can be just as real—and often harder to name. Your story is worthy of being validated, not minimized or dismissed. In this episode, we explore four forms of non-physical abuse that can quietly erode your sense of self:

• Emotional abuse — when your feelings are dismissed, shamed, or used against you

• Psychological abuse — when your memory, reality, or perception is questioned

• Spiritual abuse — when faith language is misused to pressure, guilt, or silence

• Economic abuse — when finances and access are controlled or limited

You’ll learn common tactics that may feel familiar, and how to start trusting your own perception again—without pressure, labels, or urgency.

You are not “too sensitive.”

You are not imagining it.

Your experience matters. 🤍

☕️ New episodes drop on Wednesdays. Follow so you never miss one.

🙏 A special welcome if you just started following — I’m grateful you’re here. 🤍

👉 Start the healing journey here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cSXSdist0GYS4EL-yT9ockORATI-MY5

📓 Companion Journal (Episode 7):

If something stirred in you today, you don't have to hold it alone.

This journal gives you a private place to process at your own pace.

https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1867562/169273078818276447/share

🤍 Listen page: https://validatedpodcast.com/listen

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ownvoiceheal?sub_confirmation=1

🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/validated-own-voice-heal/id1850964341

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MPNnTAWX2VsoMR9Lek2r2?si=2ed341ee4c0f4306

🔗 RSS: https://feeds.captivate.fm/validated-own-voice-heal/

📓 Free Companion Journals: https://validatedpodcast.com/validated-vault

00:00 Introduction and Purpose

00:16 What Makes Hidden Abuse Hard to See

02:47 What’s Really Behind All Forms of Abuse

05:19 Emotional Abuse

08:18 Psychological Abuse

15:17 Spiritual Abuse

24:59 Economic Abuse

27:25 Closing Reflections + Gentle Next Steps

#Validated #OwnVoiceHeal #hiddenabuse #emotionalabuse #amioverreacting #toxicrelationshiphelp...

When everything in your marriage is collapsing on the inside — even if it looks fine on the outside — you start asking questions you never imagined you’d have to face.

In Part 2 of my story, I share a pivotal moment of clarity I believe God gave me… a moment that confirmed what my heart already knew but was terrified to admit. I talk about the final moments that made staying feel impossible, the fear of what leaving would mean, and the unexpected peace that came when I finally chose God’s validation over everyone else’s opinions.

I open up about the isolation I felt, the silence around hidden abuse, and my hope that society and the church will grow in supporting women walking through situations like mine — gently, wisely, and without dismissing their pain.

If you’ve been wrestling with the question, “Is this bad enough to leave?” this part of my story may help you see things with more clarity, validate what you’ve been feeling, and remind you that God meets you even in the hardest truths.

This isn’t just a story about my marriage falling apart.

It’s the story of how faith carried me… and how I learned to trust that I could hear God for myself again. 🤍

☕️ New episodes drop on Wednesdays.

✨ Follow the podcast so you never miss one.

🤍 New here? Welcome—this space was built with you in mind.

👉 Start the healing journey here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cSXSdist0GYS4EL-yT9ockORATI-MY5

📓 Companion Journal (Episodes 3–4)

If something stirred in you today, you don’t have to hold it alone.

This journal gives you a private place to process at your own pace.

https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1867562/169272185329813006/share

00:00 Introduction to My Journey

01:08 Facing the Reality of Divorce

02:20 Recognizing Toxic and Destructive Behaviors

04:20 Taking Steps Toward Separation

05:13 The Hardest Decision

06:14 Life After Divorce

07:08 Understanding Emotional and Psychological Abuse

07:52 Encouragement and Support

13:51 God’s Guidance and Free Will

15:40 Moving Forward with Faith

22:35 Final Thoughts and Prayers

🤍 Listen page: https://validatedpodcast.com/listen

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ownvoiceheal?sub_confirmation=1

🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/validated-own-voice-heal/id1850964341

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MPNnTAWX2VsoMR9Lek2r2?si=2ed341ee4c0f4306

🔗 RSS: https://feeds.captivate.fm/validated-own-voice-heal/

📓 Companion Journals: