Life After I Left
Cat Dunn
Welcome to Life After I Left. A podcast about the moments that change us, hosted by Cat Dunn, speaker, mentor, and founder. This is a community where women share the stories they once thought they had to keep hidden. Expect vulnerable conversations, practical insights, dark humour, deep reflections, expert advice, and the kind of honesty that makes you sit in your car after an episode finishes. New stories every Thursday. Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
Episodes
75: Marian Aranda Bravo on Life After… Chasing Success: Listening to your body, starting again at 29 & redesigning life abroad
What if the life that looks like success from the outside is the very thing making you sick?Marian Aranda Bravo is a business mentor and consultant who helps women entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses that support the lives they actually want to live.Originally from Spain, Marian built a career in luxury hospitality in the UK and, by 28, had ticked every box on her version of success. Then her body started shutting down, doctors couldn't find a cause, and she realised the life she'd built no longer felt like hers.In this episode, we chat about:Why the version of success we inherit in our 20s often isn't ours to keepBuilding a luxury hospitality career abroad, and the 12-hour shifts, six days a week, it took to keep itThe unexplained illness and five days alone in a UK hospital that became Marian's biggest wake-up callGoing back to university at almost 29 to study Japanese translationHow COVID derailed her plans to move to Japan and led her into the online business worldHow Marian reads her body (throat vs stomach) when making big decisionsWhy the real risk isn't failure; it's staying where you are because you've convinced yourself it's too lateMarian's story is a reminder that success isn't a fixed checklist; it's something you're allowed to redefine as many times as you need to. Whether your body is whispering or shouting, it might be time to stop and ask yourself the question you've been avoiding.What does success look like for you today?Connect with Marian:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marian.businesscoach/Website: https://www.itsvirtualfreedom.comBeyond the Offer (the expat entrepreneur edit) - Marian's newsletter with behind-the-scenes business wins and lessons, tips to refine and expand your offers, Spotlight Q&As, and the odd voice note or surprise treat: https://www.itsvirtualfreedom.com/beyond-the-offer/Connect with Cat:Join my mailing list: https://catlouisedunn.myflodesk.com/mailing-listLife After I Left Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/Cat's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunnWebsite: https://catlouisedunn.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-i-left/id1815891092YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catlouisedunnSupport the show:New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you're subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we'd love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don't be silent. Be unstoppable.
74: Teri Busse on Life After… Tragedy: Sobriety, narcissistic abuse & her son Rylee's legacy
Content warning: This episode discusses domestic violence and narcissistic abuse, alcohol addiction, murder, grief and depression. Please take care when listening, or skip this episode if it feels triggering.What happens when you finally get sober, leave the relationship, and believe the hardest part is behind you, and then the police call looking for your son?Teri Busse is a retired paramedic and fire officer, award-winning author, speaker, psychology student and the host of the 13 Days of Silence podcast.After her husband was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2016, Teri numbed her grief with work and alcohol, then found herself trapped in a relationship with a narcissist. Just six months into her sobriety, her 21-year-old son Rylee was murdered, and what she has built since is nothing short of extraordinary.In this episode, we chat about:How losing her husband left Teri raising young children alone, and why alcohol became the way she numbed the painThe love bombing that had her selling her home and moving in with a narcissist within weeksHiding the abuse behind a "Facebook happy" smile, including the injury that ended her paramedic careerGetting sober, then learning her son Rylee had been murdered, and refusing to let alcohol take one more thing from herFinding real love after narcissistic abuse, and how self-sabotage made that harder than anyone admitsWriting her award-winning books, becoming Classic Miss Colorado 2026, and founding the Rylee James Memorial Welding ScholarshipWhy everyone deserves a digital footprint, and the podcast and free tools Teri has created so no griever feels aloneTeri is proof that pain may become part of your story, but it does not have to define your future. She holds nothing back, from the drinking to the choices she isn't proud of, because she knows someone out there is sitting in the same shame and thinking they're the only one.If you've ever felt like a failure for not coping "well enough", this conversation is a reminder that you're not alone, and that it is never too late to start again.Connect with Teri:Website: https://teribusse.comConnect with Cat:Join my mailing list: https://catlouisedunn.myflodesk.com/mailing-listLife After I Left Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/Cat's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunnWebsite: https://catlouisedunn.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-i-left/id1815891092YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catlouisedunnIf you need urgent support:1800RESPECT - National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling servicePhone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)Text: 0458 737 732Website: https://www.1800respect.org.auSafe Steps - Family violence response centre (Victoria)Phone: 1800 015 188 (24/7)Website: https://safesteps.org.auLifeline - Crisis support and suicide preventionPhone: 13 11 14 (24/7)Text: 0477 13 11 14Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond Blue - Mental health support for anxiety and depressionPhone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au
73: Sara Reyes on Life After… Redundancy: Pregnancy, backing yourself & redefining your version of success
What would you do if you were made redundant at 28 weeks pregnant, in the middle of a pandemic?Sara Reyes is a VA business coach and the founder of Nook Collective, a co-working space on the Sunshine Coast designed for working parents.In 2020, after 14 years thriving as an EA and PA, Sara was made redundant while pregnant with her first child - and that same afternoon, she emailed her employer to say she wouldn't be coming back and started her own VA business.Within four weeks she was fully booked, and within 12 months she had doubled her corporate income.In this episode, we chat about:Losing a job, and an identity, at 28 weeks pregnant during COVIDThe messy middle: undercharging, saying yes to every client and battling imposter syndromeThe skills stay-at-home mums already have, and why you don't need another course to get startedLetting go of misaligned clients, and why Sara eventually let go of all of them to focus on coachingHow motherhood completely redefined Sara's version of successNook Collective, community, and why parents shouldn't have to choose between career and familyThis episode is a reminder that the hardest season of your life can become the beginning of the life you've been wanting to build.Sara didn't have it all figured out - no contracts, no insurance, just a decision to back herself. If you've been sitting on an idea and waiting to feel ready, this is your sign to just start.Connect with Sara:Website: https://www.assistbysara.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/assistbysara/Nook Collective Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nook.collective/The Freedom Kickstart Roadmap: https://sara-reyes.mykajabi.com/the-freedom-kickstart-roadmapLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-reyes-ilton-4a8206122/Connect with Cat:Join my mailing list: https://catlouisedunn.myflodesk.com/mailing-listLife After I Left Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/Cat's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunnWebsite: https://catlouisedunn.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-i-left/id1815891092YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catlouisedunnSupport the show:New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you're subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we'd love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don't be silent. Be unstoppable.
72: Life After… Announcing our Anthology Authors: 10 women, 10 stories & a 2027 book tour
What happens when ten women decide their stories are too important to stay silent?In this episode, I'm sharing something I've been dreaming about for a long time. We've officially chosen the authors for the very first Life After I Left anthology, and I'm finally announcing who they are.I also share why this book is only the beginning, and how we're taking these stories on the road around Australia in 2027.In this episode, I chat about:Why I'm turning Life After I Left stories into our first anthologySpeaking from the scar, not the wound, and why some women aren't ready to share yetPlans for a Life After I Left book tour across Australia in 2027How you can get involved as a speaker, sponsor, venue or host cityWhy I'm writing a chapter too, and the parts of my story I haven't shared beforeThe big reveal: meet our 10 anthology authorsThis book was never about me. It's about creating a space where women can say the things they've been told they can't, and trusting that the right person will hear them.Shame dies when we share, and I know storytelling saves lives because it saved mine.The book launches in March 2027, and I want you in the room with us.Meet the Life After I Left Anthology Authors:Tara Lee Scott: https://www.instagram.com/taralee_co/Jemma Haythorne: https://instagram.com/thejemmaroseSarah Rosse: https://instagram.com/sarah_rosse_authorMelissa Gough: https://instagram.com/thebraingamechangerMelissa Omar: https://instagram.com/bodymindflowstudioTrish Burton: https://instagram.com/trishburtoncreativeMichelle Leach: https://instagram.com/michelleleach_Jayde Riana Biffin: https://instagram.com/j.r.biffinJenna Little: https://instagram.com/jennallittleMe: https://instagram.com/catlouisedunnPlease give these women a follow and support them on their writing journey.Want to speak, sponsor, offer a venue or tell us where to tour?Email me: hello@catlouisedunn.comConnect with Cat:Join my mailing list: https://catlouisedunn.myflodesk.com/mailing-listInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunnWebsite: https://catlouisedunn.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-i-left/id1815891092YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catlouisedunnSupport the show:New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you're subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we'd love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don't be silent. Be unstoppable.
71: Shaye Gundry on Life After… Sibling Loss: Nine years of silent grief, holding everyone together, and rebuilding yourself
What happens when you lose your brother suddenly and, instead of falling apart, you become the one holding everyone else together?Shaye Gundry is a hairdresser, beauty therapist and mother of three who owns Blossom Hair and Beauty in the Sutherland Shire, Sydney.Ten years ago, at 29, right as she was planning her son's first birthday and her own 30th, Shaye lost her younger brother suddenly; he was only 25. She spent the next nine years holding her family together while quietly falling apart, before finding her way back to herself.In this episode, we chat about:The moment Shaye found out her younger brother had died suddenly at 25Becoming the "organiser" for her whole family while burying her own griefWhy there is almost no support or community for siblings grieving a siblingThe nine years she spent leaning on alcohol to cope with what she did not want to feelThe "flick of a switch" turning point that came 13 months agoRemembering her brother: the uncle who showed up for her kids without being askedRaising two daughters as hairdressing and beauty apprentices inside her own salonShaye's story is a reminder that grief does not follow a straight line, and it does not come with a manual, especially when it's a sibling you have lost. She spent nine years being strong for everyone else before she let herself fall apart, and it took a flick-of-the-switch moment to find her way back.If you have lost a sibling and felt like there was nowhere to take that grief, this episode is proof you are not as alone as it feels.Connect with Shaye:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaye.gundryInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blossomhairandbeautyco/Website: https://www.blossomhairandbeauty.com.au/Connect with Cat:Join my mailing list: https://catlouisedunn.myflodesk.com/mailing-listInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunnLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunnWebsite: https://catlouisedunn.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-i-left/id1815891092YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catlouisedunnSupport the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast — I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you're subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we'd love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don't be silent. Be unstoppable.
70: Nikki Foord on Life After… Three Burnouts: Endometriosis, medical dismissal, and redesigning your business
What happens when the identity you built your whole career around no longer has anywhere to live?Nikki Foord is a mentor, speaker, and podcast host who spent two decades pushing herself to 110%; first in elite sport and clinical work, then in business; before three separate burnouts forced her to rebuild from the ground up.Along the way she battled years of dismissed and misdiagnosed endometriosis, was told she'd never have children, and eventually walked away from the very business she'd built her identity around, before retraining as a psychotherapist to help others avoid the same collapse.In this episode, we chat about:Nikki's early career working with professional athletes at Geelong Football Club and why she said yes to everything in her 20sHer first burnout at 23, being flown home from Bali, and the doctor who told her "if you don't change your lifestyle, you'll never work again"Living with undiagnosed, dismissed endometriosis for over a decade; including a doctor who told her it was "all in her head"Being told years later that "women like her" who wanted a career and a family were the problem, and that she was already past her fertility windowHaving a hysterectomy, the infertility diagnosis, and going through it in the middle of COVIDHer third and biggest burnout; losing her business and income overnight and hitting a genuinely dark placeNaming the "identity lag effect"; why we keep operating from outdated versions of ourselvesWhat it actually looks like to build a business and a life that protects your health instead of costing you itNikki's story is a reminder that burnout isn't a lack of resilience; it's often the body's last resort when everything else has been ignored.This episode is for anyone who has ever been told "it's all in your head," anyone quietly running on empty and calling it ambition, and anyone waiting for permission to build their life differently.You don't have to burn everything to the ground before you're allowed to change it.Connect with Nikki:Website: https://www.nikkifoord.com.au/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikki__foord/Podcast: https://www.nikkifoord.com.au/podcastConnect with Cat:Join my mailing list: https://catlouisedunn.myflodesk.com/mailing-listInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunnLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunnWebsite: https://catlouisedunn.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-i-left/id1815891092YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catlouisedunnSupport the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast — I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you're subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we'd love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don't be silent. Be unstoppable.
69: Leslie Carvitto on Life After… Moving from America: Tuning into yourself, building community, and finding your own definition of success
What happens when the community you need doesn't exist yet? Do you wait for it, or do you build it yourself?Leslie Carvitto is an American-born photographer, podcast host, and self-described "Jill of all trades" who moved from the US to Melbourne on her husband's work sponsorship in 2018.With no plan, no network, she had no idea it would lead to permanent residency, a business built entirely on community, and a life on Australia's surf coast.From virtual assistant work to modelling to building a women-in-business community to 1,500 members from scratch, Leslie's story is proof that the wins that matter most rarely come from a five-year plan.In this episode, we chat about:The visa and sponsorship process that took Leslie and her husband from New Zealand daydream to Melbourne realityWhy leaving her creative community in the US was the thing that finally let Leslie find her real photography nicheComparison, imposter syndrome, and muting the noise so your own voice can come throughStarting the Surf Coast Women in Business community from a single Facebook post and growing it to 1,500 membersBuilding a photography business through real-life connection rather than online hustleBecoming a mother, watching her husband become a stay-at-home dad, and how that reshaped her relationship with time and ambitionWhy Leslie stopped planning five and ten years ahead, and made peace with not knowingHer biggest lesson: tuning out advice, noise, and other people's strategies to hear her own intuitionThis episode is a reminder that you don't need permission, a five-year plan, or a ready-made network to build the life you want.Sometimes you just need to be the one who posts first, shows up, and keeps saying yes to what lights you up.Leslie's story shows what's possible when you stop comparing your beginning to someone else's middle.Connect with Leslie:Website: lesliecarvitto.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leslie-carvittoInstagram: @lesliecarvitto.photographyOff Script, On Brand Podcast: https://replaio.com/podcasts/off-script-on-brand-IvBmaUConnect with Cat:Join my mailing list: https://catlouisedunn.myflodesk.com/mailing-listInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunnLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunnWebsite: https://catlouisedunn.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-i-left/id1815891092YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catlouisedunnSupport the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast — I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you're subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we'd love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don't be silent. Be unstoppable.
68: Life After… Being Haunted: House clearing, letting go, and saying goodbye to the man who watched me sleep
I've told you about being psychic. Now let me tell you about being haunted.For years I've sensed things I can't fully explain: a spirit who attached herself to me during my last abusive relationship, gentle presences in a home that finally felt safe, and a man who has watched me sleep for as long as I can remember. I never felt scared of him. I just accepted he was there.But recently, things in my apartment started shifting, and I had to face a question I wasn't ready for: what if the presence I'd mistaken for a protector was actually the thing holding me back?I chat about:The ghost I believe I lived with during my last abusive relationship, and how her silence mirrored the silence I was living inThe man who has watched me sleep for years, and why I never felt afraid of himHow things in my apartment turned unsettlingBooking a house clearing with a medium, and discovering the haunting wasn't just mine, it was the whole floor of the buildingBeing asked "are you ready to let go of him?" and realising the question wasn't really about a ghostThe phone call with my dad that same night, where he told me he loved me for the very first time Whether you believe in ghosts or not, this episode isn't really about ghosts. It's about the things we hold onto long after they've stopped serving us, and what happens when we finally ask ourselves if we're ready to let go.Mentioned in this episode:19: Life After… Becoming Psychic: Intuition, ghost stories, and spiritual energy: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5vi5iqrzoPA7OvWB0EFX12Spiritual As F**k Podcast: https://www.spiritualaf.co/podcastApply to be an author in the Life After I Left Anthology: https://forms.gle/XKMtPoukCfVKnbqF9Connect with Cat:Join my mailing list: https://catlouisedunn.myflodesk.com/mailing-listInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunn/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunn/Website: https://catlouisedunn.com/Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-i-left/id1815891092YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catlouisedunnSupport the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast — I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you're subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we'd love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don't be silent. Be unstoppable.
67: Christine Corcoran on Life After… Tall Poppy Syndrome: Networking with intention, breaking the comparison cycle, and celebrating other women
What if the reason you're playing small has nothing to do with readiness, and everything to do with a mindset you didn't even know you'd inherited?This week I'm joined by Christine Corcoran, mindset coach, bestselling author of Turn Imposter Syndrome into Your Superpower, and founder of the Unstoppable Women event.Christine shares the year she left Australia to chase bigger rooms in America, only to realise the real block wasn't opportunity - it was the deeply ingrained Aussie tall poppy mindset keeping her, and so many women, from celebrating their own success out loud.In this episode, we chat about:Why she spent a year flying across America to attend high-investment masterminds and eventsThe tall poppy "attack" she felt in her own body when her book hit bestseller statusWhy Australians network from a lack mindset, while Americans network from abundanceHow celebrating other women's wins is an abundance practice, not a threat to your ownPractical ways to break the jealousy-comparison cycle, including "emotional home" and practising new emotions on purposeThe simple weekly practice of sending genuine "love notes" to other women in businessHow to network with intention - thinking 18 months ahead instead of chasing an instant clientWhy "who am I?" is the question keeping so many women off stages, out of applications, and smallChristine's Unstoppable Women event on the Gold Coast and what to expect (including Cat as a speaker!)Tall poppy syndrome doesn't just stop you from celebrating other women; it stops you from believing you're allowed to take up space in the first place.Christine's story is a reminder that the block was never really "out there" in bigger rooms or bigger countries. It was the story that you don't belong yet.If you've ever caught yourself shrinking your own win so someone else feels more comfortable, this episode is your permission slip to stop.Connect with Christine:Website: http://christinecorcoran.com.au/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinecorcoran_coach/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristineCorcoranCoachLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-corcoran-1860187a/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-next-level-life-with-christine-corcoran/id1276992872Unstoppable Women event (10 September, QT Hotel Gold Coast): https://www.unstoppablewomen.au/Connect with Cat:Join my mailing list: https://catlouisedunn.myflodesk.com/mailing-listInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunnLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunnWebsite: https://catlouisedunn.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-i-left/id1815891092YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catlouisedunnSupport the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast — I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you're subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we'd love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don't be silent. Be unstoppable.
66: Life After… Silenced to Stage: My Chapter from Empower Her Legacy, Coercive Control & Why Stories Save Lives
Content warning: This episode contains my personal account of domestic violence, coercive control, narcissistic abuse, suicidal ideation, self-harm, and eating disorders. Please take care when listening, or skip this episode if it feels triggering.What if the story you were most afraid to tell out loud was the one that could save someone else's life?In today's solo episode, I'm doing something I've never done before on this podcast - reading my own published chapter from the bestselling anthology EmpowerHer Legacy from She Rises Publishing aloud, in full, for you.This is my domestic violence story. Not a summary of it. Not the highlights reel. The whole thing.My childhood, the 20 years of abusive relationships, the love bombing, the coercive control, the eating disorder, the moment I stood in a kitchen and stared at the knife block, the day I left, the emergency housing, the forty-page police statement, and the slow, non-linear, lifelong journey of healing that followed.I'm sharing this because I wanted to go first. Because if I'm going to ask women to be vulnerable enough to put their stories in our anthology, the least I can do is show you what that looks like.In this episode, I share:Growing up in a home where women were taught to be silent, invisible, and obedient, and how that became the blueprint for every relationship I had20 years of abusive relationships - different faces, different cities, the same story in a new costumeThe danger of love bombing and how abuse recruits your existing wounds rather than creating new onesThe moment in the kitchen that changed everything, and why the real turning point and the actual leaving are almost never the same eventWhat happened after I left - emergency housing, a 40-page police statement, 9 moves in 10 months, losing my business, and missing himWhat I would say to the version of myself still living inside fearWhy storytelling saved my life, and why I believe it can save others tooThis episode is for every woman who has ever been told her story is too much, too messy, or too shameful to share. It is not.Your story is not something to survive privately. It is something to use. And when you tell the truth about what happened to you - what it took to get out, what it took to rebuild - another woman somewhere hears her own life more clearly.Stories save lives. Storytelling saved mine.If you need urgent support, reach out to one of these incredible services:1800RESPECT – National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling servicePhone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)Text: 0458 737 732Website: https://www.1800respect.org.auSafe Steps – Family violence response centre (Victoria)Phone: 1800 015 188 (24/7)Website: https://safesteps.org.auLifeline – Crisis support and suicide preventionPhone: 13 11 14 (24/7)Text: 0477 13 11 14Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond Blue – Mental health support for anxiety and depressionPhone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.auApply to be an author in our Life After I Left Anthologyhttps://forms.gle/XKMtPoukCfVKnbqF9Connect with Cat:Join my mailing list to be the first to know about my NEW fear program: https://catlouisedunn.myflodesk.com/mailing-listInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunnLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunnWebsite: https://catlouisedunn.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-i-left/id1815891092YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catlouisedunnBuy the bestselling EmpowerHer Legacy book and ebookAustralia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QUnited Kingdom: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QUSA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4JBKJ9Q❤️ Remember: Don't be silent. Be unstoppable.
65: Chris Wasko on Life After… Narcissistic Parents: Cutting Contact, Generational Trauma & Healing the Energy Body
Content warning: This episode discusses childhood physical abuse, narcissistic abuse, family estrangement, and trauma. Please take care when listening, or skip this episode if it feels triggering.What happens when the people who were supposed to protect you were the ones causing the most harm? And what does it take to finally say enough?Today I'm joined by Chris Wasko. Chris is a spiritual counsellor, energy healer, and author who helps old souls and survivors of narcissistic abuse heal from trauma.After growing up in a household with both an overt and covert narcissist, and spending years carrying the weight of that before finally cutting contact, Chris turned her own healing journey into a body of work that is helping people all over the world reclaim themselves.In this episode, we chat about:Growing up with narcissistic parents on opposite ends of the spectrum - one overtly abusive, one covertly manipulative, and why the covert narcissist can be harder to recogniseThe moment Chris finally said enough, when her father threatened her husband, and why leaving felt like fear before it ever felt like freedomHow trauma muted Chris's intuitive and psychic abilities, and how the healing process brought them back online, including the ability to see and communicate with spiritReading the chakra system as a way of uncovering the stories the body is holding, and why awareness and acknowledgement alone can create energetic releaseWhy narcissism is a generational pattern, not just an individual personality trait, and how to reverse-engineer trauma through family historyThe difference between overt and covert narcissism, and Chris's honest answer on whether narcissists can truly changeTen years of estrangement, a vindictive mother, and what it really looks like to choose yourself when the narcissist comes after you with daggersPractical first steps for anyone currently in a narcissistic relationship - grounding techniques, chakra work, tapping, and sound healingThis episode is for anyone who has ever questioned whether the abuse they experienced was "bad enough" to justify walking away, or who has stayed far longer than they should have because leaving felt more terrifying than staying.Chris speaks from lived experience and deep expertise, and this conversation is a reminder that choosing yourself is not betrayal; it's survival.Apply to be an author in our Life After I Left Anthology: https://forms.gle/Ai6srhDqkuXL4Sbe8Connect with Chris:Website: www.chriswasko.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chriswaskomediumSpicy Old Souls® Program: https://www.chriswasko.com/spicy-old-soulsIf you need support:1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 (24/7) | https://www.1800respect.org.auLifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7) | https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 (24/7) | https://www.beyondblue.org.auConnect with Cat:Join my mailing list to be the first to know about my NEW fear program: https://catlouisedunn.myflodesk.com/mailing-listInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunnLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunnWebsite: https://catlouisedunn.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-i-left/id1815891092YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catlouisedunnSupport the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast — I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you're subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we'd love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don't be silent. Be unstoppable.
64: Life After… Is Becoming a Book: Turning Pain into Purpose, Untold Stories & Why Your Voice Belongs on the Page
What if the story you haven't told yet is the one that changes someone else's life?In today's solo episode, I'm announcing something that feels like the natural next chapter for everything Life After I Left has been building toward. And I want you to be part of it!The Life After I Left anthology is officially open for submissions from 1 August 2026.In this episode, I chat about:How Life After I Left started as a live event in Melbourne in November 2024 and has grown into six events, a podcast, and now a bookWhat the anthology is - a collection of real, raw, honest stories from women who have turned their pain into purposeWhy your writing talent doesn't matter, your story does (and why AI-written submissions won't be considered)How the submission process worksWhy you won't be doing this alone - authors will be connected with each other and supported as a community throughout the processOur publisher Jenna Little and The Daring Press, and why this book is in the best possible handsThe Australia-wide book launch roadshow coming in 2027, and the speaking opportunities that come with itWhy this call-out is for women across AustraliaNo topic is off limits. No writing experience required. Just your truth, in your words.Submissions are open 1st – 31st August 2026 for women based in Australia.We can't wait to read your stories!Apply to be an author in our Life After I Left Anthology: https://forms.gle/1wHgV4c7i7GRgqRv6Listen to my episode with Jenna Little from The Daring Press: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3JehP54i0U1GMG82mPjl1mConnect with Cat:Join my mailing list: https://catlouisedunn.myflodesk.com/mailing-listInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunnLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunnWebsite: https://catlouisedunn.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-i-left/id1815891092YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catlouisedunnConnect with The Daring Press:Website: https://thedaringpress.com/Website: https://jennalee.biz/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennallittle/
63: Veronika Whyte on Life After… Identity: Rebuilding from Zero, Choosing Your Challenges & Claiming What You Want
What if the fire that burned everything down was actually the moment that set you free?Today I'm joined by Veronika Whyte. Veronika is a registered child and family psychotherapist, play therapist, author, television host, and founder of Star Kids Therapy in Melbourne.After immigrating to Australia and rebuilding her career and qualifications from scratch, losing a decade of university studies in the process, she's become a leading voice in emotional resilience, identity, and helping women step into what's next.She's also the creator of Victoria Pearl, a community for women who have survived, rebuilt, and are now ready for something bigger.In this episode, we chat about:The apartment fire that burned everything Veronika owned, including her documents, her passport, and a designer bag she'd saved up forWhy identity development is never set in stone, and why that's actually good newsThe "just" problem: how women use apologetic language to shrink themselves without even realising itWhy you can have it all, just not all at the same time, and how to stop feeling guilty about thatThe moment paralysis hits hardest: not at rock bottom, but when life is "fine" and you're too scared to risk what you've builtMoving to Australia and rebuilding her career from zero, including re-doing ten years of university qualificationsHow Veronika's personal experiences with pregnancy loss and IVF shaped the work she does with womenThe pearl metaphor, and why our traumas aren't things to get rid of, but to grow aroundHow to choose your challenges before life chooses them for youOne practical thing you can do today if you're stuck, paralysed by choice, or not sure who you are any moreThis episode is a reminder that identity isn't something you settle into once and stay there. It shifts, it evolves, and, when you're ready, you get to choose it deliberately.Veronika's story is proof that you can rebuild from absolute zero, more than once, and come out with something more aligned than anything you had before.Connect with Veronika:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriapearl777/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psychologytvshow/Website: https://ctvplus.org.au/series/the-psychology-of-us/Website: https://starkidstherapy.com.auAttend her Evolve Workshop on 23 August 2026: https://events.humanitix.com/evolve-2ejrv7yjConnect with Cat:Join my mailing list to be the first to know about my NEW fear program: https://catlouisedunn.myflodesk.com/mailing-listInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunnLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunnWebsite: https://catlouisedunn.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-i-left/id1815891092YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catlouisedunnSupport the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast — I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you're subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we'd love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don't be silent. Be unstoppable.
62: Life After… Learning to Be Alone: Solo Travel, Loneliness, and What Fear Is Costing You
What is your fear actually costing you?I'm flying solo this week, fresh off a spontaneous trip to Adelaide, including dinners alone, a winery tour with strangers, a festival packed with couples and groups while I stood there by myself.What started as a break from business overwhelm turned into something bigger: a real look at why so many of us can't be alone with our own thoughts, and what that fear is actually protecting us from.In this episode, I chat about:Why I booked a solo trip to Adelaide when I was feeling flat, overwhelmed, and paralysed by decisions in my businessThe moment I almost talked myself out of going, and why I went anywayDoing things solo: dinner alone, a gaol tour, a winery day, a busy festival - all by myselfWhy being alone isn't the same as being lonely, and why so many of us avoid our own companyThe negative self-talk loop that shows up before we do the brave thingStruggling to connect with people in Adelaide, and choosing not to make it mean anything about meSitting with the loneliness I felt instead of numbing it or forcing connectionRecognising how two decades in relationships where I was still alone shaped my relationship with solitudeSmall, doable steps to build your own solo-comfortAn invitation to share your own story on the podcastFear isn't the enemy here; it's the compass. If there's somewhere you've been avoiding because you'd have to face it alone, this episode is your nudge to take one small step toward it, not away from it.Wanna share your story?I'd love to invite you to be a guest on the podcast. If you have a story you'd like to share, apply here: https://forms.gle/yWGz7SAfzNdpna5dAConnect with Cat:Join my mailing list to be the first to know about my NEW fear program: https://catlouisedunn.myflodesk.com/mailing-listInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunnLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunnWebsite: https://catlouisedunn.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-i-left/id1815891092YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catlouisedunnSupport the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast — I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you're subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we'd love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don't be silent. Be unstoppable.
61: Ella Hall on Life After... Addiction: Burnout, Human Design & Coming Back to Yourself
Content warning: This episode discusses addiction, disordered eating, and past trauma including childhood abuse. Please take care when listening, or skip this episode if it feels triggering.What if addiction was never the problem, but the solution?Ella Hall is an embodied leadership mentor, transformational speaker, and the creator of the Platinum Method, a framework built from her own journey through addiction, burnout, and reinvention.In May 2026, Ella shared her story on the Life After I Left stage for the first time in a way she'd never spoken it before, and this episode picks up exactly where that talk left off.In this episode, we chat about:The moment Ella realised addiction was never the problem - it was always the solutionHer earliest addiction at age three, and the 28-year battle with bulimia that followedWhy the "all icing, no cake" burnout hit after her most successful year in businessThe difference between performative power and true embodiment in the coaching industryHow to actually vet a coach or mentor, and the red flags most people missLiving out of alignment with her human design, and what happened when she stoppedThe 12-hour turnaround that changed her business after she stopped running from herselfWhy feeling the hard thing, rather than avoiding it, is the only way throughElla's story is proof that the parts of yourself you've spent a lifetime trying to fix or hide are often where your greatest gifts are hiding too.This conversation is raw, unfiltered, and a powerful reminder that you always have the choice to choose again.Connect with Ella:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellahallcoach/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellahallcoach/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-hall-coach/Website: https://www.ellahall.com.au/Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/ellahallcoach5 Minute Magnetic Reset Ritual: https://www.ellahall.com.au/reset-ritualConnect with Cat:Join my mailing list to be the first to know about my NEW fear program: https://catlouisedunn.myflodesk.com/mailing-listInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunnLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunnWebsite: https://catlouisedunn.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-i-left/id1815891092YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catlouisedunnSupport the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast — I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you're subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we'd love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don't be silent. Be unstoppable.
60: Life After... Becoming a Badass: Audacity, Boundaries, & Showing Up Scared Anyway
What if everything you thought a badass looked like has been wrong this whole time, and you've actually been one all along?I'm taking you back to age eleven, a VHS tape of Grease, and a lifelong chase to figure out what "badass" actually means.After recently speaking at the Badass Women Networking at LOEV in Moorabbin, I sat down to dismantle this word for good because too many women in business think badass is something huge and unreachable, when really, it's already in you.In this episode, I chat about:Where the word "badass" came from in my life — from Grease to high school chavs to musical theatre envyWhy I used to believe badass belonged to everyone except meThe six words I created to redefine what badass means for women in business: Boundaries, Audacity, Done (over perfect), Authentic, Surviving, and Showing (up scared)Why simply surviving a hard day in business is just as badass as a million-dollar launchThe story of my first webinar with zero attendeesAn invitation to define what badass means to you, and the courage to claim it out loudThis episode is a reminder that badass was never about being the coolest person in the room; it's about boundaries, audacity, authenticity, and showing up scared anyway.If you've ever felt like you don't measure up to the women you admire in business, this one's for you. You are already the badass you've been looking for.Connect with Cat:Join my mailing list to be the first to know about my NEW fear program: https://catlouisedunn.myflodesk.com/mailing-listInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunnLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunnWebsite: https://catlouisedunn.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-i-left/id1815891092YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catlouisedunnWatch a snippet of my live Badass talk at Loev Moorabbinhttps://www.instagram.com/p/DaB4NqcirU0/EmpowerHer Legacy Paperback (NEW)You can grab a copy for your country at the links below.Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0H6ZJXFYDUnited Kingdom: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H6ZJXFYDUSA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H6ZJXFYDGermany: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0H6ZJXFYDFrance: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0H6ZJXFYDSpain: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0H6ZJXFYDItaly: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0H6ZJXFYDNetherlands: https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B0H6ZJXFYDPoland: https://www.amazon.pl/dp/B0H6ZJXFYDSweden: https://www.amazon.se/dp/B0H6ZJXFYDBelgium: https://www.amazon.com.be/dp/B0H6ZJXFYDIreland: https://www.amazon.ie/dp/B0H6ZJXFYDJapan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0H6ZJXFYDCanada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0H6ZJXFYDEmpowerHer Legacy ebookYou can grab a copy for your country at the links below.Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QUnited Kingdom: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QUSA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QGermany: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QFrance: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QSpain: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QItaly: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QNetherlands: https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QJapan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QBrazil: https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QCanada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QMexico: https://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QIndia: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QSupport the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast — I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you're subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we'd love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don't be silent. Be unstoppable.
59: Jess Mitchell on Life After... Slowing Down: Leaving corporate, backing yourself, and career changes in your 40s
What if the lesson you most needed to learn wasn't about achieving more, but about finally allowing others to do life with you?This week on Life After I Left, I'm joined by Jess Mitchell, sales and leadership specialist, speaker, facilitator, and founder of Women Rise.Jess spent decades working in corporate sales and leadership, always achieving, always over-responsible, always moving fast, until a sudden career change at 44 gave her the gift she never expected: the chance to slow down and finally ask, what is my message?Jess's story begins at six years old, the youngest child of a farming family, when her mum made the courageous decision to move her children out of the family home to create a safer life. From that moment, Jess learned early how to carry more than her share. It took four decades, and stepping out of a role she thought she'd have forever, to realise that the answer to over-responsibility isn't more effort. It's togetherness.In this episode, we chat about:Growing up in a separated home and learning over-responsibility from a very young ageWhy Jess's sudden departure from corporate felt like a loss, and the unexpected gift that came from slowing downThe moment Jess realised her message wasn't about what people wanted to hear, but what she was congruent enough to sayWhy confidence comes after action, not before, and what that looks like in practiceThe difference between isolating yourself in business and choosing to build something togetherHer Māori proverb that underpins everything: we are all in the canoe and we row togetherWhy she's writing a book (and who talked her into it)The value of staying bold and curious, even when the path ahead isn't clearThis episode is for every woman who has been quietly carrying too much, waiting until she feels "ready enough," or talking herself out of the help she actually needs.Jess brings warmth, zero fluff, and the kind of straight-talking insight that makes you feel seen, and sends you straight back into your work with a lot more conviction.Connect with Jess:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess.k.mitchell/Website: https://www.jesskmitchell.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-mitchell-807900123/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.mitchell.71066FREE Women Rise Masterclass: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/MK0MfamUQuWJ7G0OICAaog#/registrationConnect with Cat:Join my mailing list to be the first to know about my NEW fear program: https://catlouisedunn.myflodesk.com/mailing-listInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunnLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunnWebsite: https://catlouisedunn.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-i-left/id1815891092YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catlouisedunnEmpowerHer Legacy ebook (Australia): https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QEmpowerHer Legacy ebook (United Kingdom): https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QEmpowerHer Legacy ebook (USA): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QSupport the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast — I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you're subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we'd love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don't be silent. Be unstoppable.
58: Life After… My First Fail as a Published Author: Getting it wrong, showing up anyway, and learning to love the failures
What if the thing standing between you and the life you actually want isn't failure, but your fear of it?In this solo episode, I'm getting real about something that happened to me yesterday morning. A small mistake, a live stream, and the wrong backdrop, and what it taught me about the one fear that quietly runs the lives of so many women in business and in life.In this episode, I chat about:The 4:30am wake-up call that went sideways - and why I'm glad I showed up anywayWhy shaming yourself for mistakes is doing far more damage than the mistake itselfThe difference between fear of failure and what's actually underneath it — fear of successWhy success can feel more terrifying than failure, and what that says about the responsibility we're afraid to ownHow I've had to apply this same lesson to 20 years of patterns in relationshipsWhat learning to walk has to do with your next scary business moveWhy community and support aren't optional when you're going after big, scary goalsHow I turned yesterday's mistake into content, a lesson, and a reminder that showing up imperfectly still changes livesA sneak peek at the new program I'm building around fear, and how to get early accessThis episode is for the woman who has been staying in bed — metaphorically or literally — because the risk of getting it wrong feels bigger than the cost of doing nothing.It's not.Failure is not the opposite of success. It's the road that gets you there.And if you're scared right now, that's not a sign to stop. It's a sign that what you're going after actually matters.Connect with Cat:Join my mailing list to be the first to know about my NEW fear program: https://catlouisedunn.myflodesk.com/mailing-listInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunnLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunnWebsite: https://catlouisedunn.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-i-left/id1815891092YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catlouisedunnEmpowerHer Legacy ebookYou can grab a copy for your country at the links below.Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QUnited Kingdom: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QUSA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QGermany: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QFrance: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QSpain: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QItaly: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QNetherlands: https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QJapan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QBrazil: https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QCanada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QMexico: https://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QIndia: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0H4JBKJ9QSupport the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast — I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you're subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we'd love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don't be silent. Be unstoppable.
57: Kristi McVee on Life After… Policing: Child abuse investigations, PTSD & protecting children online
What would you do if your child told you, "You're not the mum I remember"?Content warning: This conversation is confronting, emotional and, at times, difficult to hear. We discuss child sexual abuse, online exploitation, grooming, and the challenges families face when navigating these issues.Today I'm joined by Kristi McVee. Kristi is a former Detective Senior Constable, specialist child interviewer, and straight-talking child abuse prevention educator who doesn't sugar-coat the truth.During her decade in the West Australian Police Force, Kristi investigated child sexual abuse, interviewed vulnerable children, managed child sex offenders, and witnessed the devastating cost of silence, shame, and systems that fail.But after years of witnessing the impact of abuse, navigating broken systems, and carrying the emotional weight of the work, Kristi reached a point where something had to change.When her daughter told her, "You're not the mum I remember," Kristi made the difficult decision to leave policing and begin the long journey of recovering from PTSD.Since leaving the police in 2020, Kristi has become a sought-after keynote speaker, bestselling author of Operation KidSafe, and a leading voice in protective parenting education. Today, she helps parents, caregivers, and communities better understand the realities of child abuse and how to keep children safe, both online and offline.In this episode, we chat about:Kristi's journey from young mum to detective and specialist child interviewerThe emotional toll of investigating child sexual abuse and living with PTSDWhy broken systems and a lack of support can impact frontline workersThe warning signs of child grooming and predatory behaviourThe growing risks children face online through social media, AI, sextortion, and image-based abuseHow parents can better protect children in a rapidly changing digital worldWhy delaying access to social media can benefit children's developmentThe importance of having honest, age-appropriate conversations about safety with childrenWhile the topics in this episode can be confronting, Kristi shares practical knowledge, hard-earned insights, and the conversations every parent, caregiver, and trusted adult needs to be having. Because protecting children starts with understanding the risks, recognising the warning signs, and being willing to have the conversations that many of us never had growing up. Connect with Kristi:Instagram: @kristimcveeFacebook: @kristimcveeTikTok: @tiktokcop81YouTube: @kristimcvee81Website:https://www.kristimcvee.comPodcast:https://www.kristimcvee.com/podcastResources & Courses:https://www.kristimcvee.com Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
56: Life After… NOT Giving a TEDx Talk: Failure, fear & redefining success on my own terms
What if the thing you didn’t get was actually redirecting you toward something even more aligned?In today’s solo episode, I’m reflecting on something I genuinely didn’t expect to feel grateful for: not being selected for a recent TEDx opportunity.For years, standing on a TEDx stage felt like the pinnacle. The dream. The thing that would finally prove I’d “made it” as a speaker.But after attending a TEDx event shortly after receiving the rejection, I realised something surprising: The talk I had pitched wasn’t actually the message I wanted to share with the world.This episode is an honest reflection on validation, ambition, fear, failure, identity, and the pressure to chase goals simply because we think we should.I also share why I believe failure is one of the most important parts of growth, and how this experience helped me reconnect with what truly matters: the Life After I Left community, storytelling, vulnerability, and creating spaces where women feel seen, heard, and empowered.In this episode, I chat about:Reflecting on our recent sold-out Life After I Left live event in MelbourneWhy I felt relief (not devastation) after not being chosen for TEDxThe pressure of external validation and tying success to big milestonesHow rejection can reveal what you actually wantThe difference between chasing a dream and chasing alignmentWhy failure and “nos” are often part of finding your real pathBuilding Life After I Left into a movement, including live events, a future anthology, and a national tourThe fear-driven business I’m currently creating and why fear can become fuel for transformationLetting go of the idea that success is one specific stage, title, or achievementThis episode is a reminder that sometimes the closed doors are protecting you from stepping into something that isn’t fully aligned yet. And that your worth, voice, and impact do not depend on someone else choosing you.Sometimes the real work is choosing yourself first.Connect with Cat:Join my mailing list to be the first to know about the future of Life After I Left - and to get involved! https://catlouisedunn.myflodesk.com/mailing-listInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/Big thanks to Simone Vanden-Driesen, our Headliner Sponsor for our live Life After I Left event on 28 May: https://www.leishmans.com.au/
55: Sally Jayne Eastland on Life After… Psychological Abuse: Leaving a narcissist, spiritual awakening & starting over in Spain
How do you rebuild your life when you’ve been conditioned to believe you can’t survive on your own?Today I’m joined by Sally Jayne Eastland. Sally moved to Spain with her husband of almost 20 years in 2020, believing they were starting a new chapter together. But while living in the mountains of Almería, she began experiencing what she describes as divine signs and synchronicities that forced her to realise there was something seriously wrong within her marriage.After confiding in a trusted friend who specialised in domestic abuse, Sally was told she had been experiencing long-term psychological and narcissistic abuse. In her mid-50s, in a foreign country where she barely spoke the language, Sally made the life-changing decision to leave with no job, no home, and no clear plan for what came next.In this episode, we chat about:Recognising the signs of narcissistic abuse and coercive controlThe role intuition, spirituality, and synchronicities played in Sally’s decision to leaveStarting over after abuse with no income, home, or support systemThe fear of leaving abusive relationships and being conditioned to believe you can’t survive on your ownLife as an expat in Spain and finding community in unexpected placesSpiritual healing, Reiki, sound therapy, and returning to your authentic selfWhy healing often involves reconnecting with the inner childLearning to trust yourself, your instincts, and your own path againThis episode is a reminder that it is never too late to leave, rebuild, and create a life that feels safe, aligned, and true to who you are. Sally’s story speaks to the courage it takes to start over and the possibility that exists on the other side of survival.Connect with Sally:Sally’s book - Silent Abuse: A Spiritual Journey to Freedom. It is available in most countries on Amazon. https://mybook.to/rDBsLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-eastland-65034b28/Email: sallyeastland@icloud.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sallyj0101/Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
54: Danikah Rose on Life After… Listening To Your Soul: Self-trust, alignment and a soul-led business
Note: There are brief mentions of domestic violence and suicide. Please take care when listening or skip this episode if this feels triggering.What happens when you stop abandoning yourself and start trusting what you already know?Today I’m joined by Danikah Rose. Danikah is a lifelong psychic and light language channel with over 17 years of experience in business management, sales, and marketing, bringing together strategy and intuition in a grounded, practical way.She works with women worldwide, supporting them to grow and scale their businesses through what she describes as energetic alignment and business intuition. She is also a mother of five.But Danikah’s story is about far more than business.In this conversation, she shares her journey through motherhood, toxic relationships, identity loss, and radical self-honesty, and the turning point that led her to rebuild her life and business.In this episode, we chat about:Moving from survival mode into self-trust and clarityDanikah’s thoughts on “misalignment” and why she believes you're always on your divine pathHow her psychic abilities have shown up throughout her life, including a moment in her early 20s where she uncovered internal theft in a business she worked forWhy intuition is often suppressedHow Danikah reads the energetic blueprint of a business to guide messaging, pricing, offers, and strategic direction by blending intuition with practical strategyFear, motivation, and what drives real changeWhy "quiet" is often the gateway to clarityIf you’re in a season of questioning, rebuilding, or learning to trust yourself again, this episode is a reminder that clarity doesn’t usually come from more noise, but from learning to listen inward.Connect with Danikah:Links: https://www.danikahrosecreative.com/link-in-bio Website: www.danikahrosecreative.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danikahrosecreative/Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/strategyandsoulbusinessgroupYouTube: Strategy and Soul PODCAST - Introduction - YouTube Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strategyandsoul Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/strategy-and-soul-with-danikah-rose-creative/id1669405584 Life After I Left: Podcast Party tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-podcast-party-tickets-1982055720014Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
53: Life After… One Year of the Podcast: Reflecting on storytelling, healing, community, and what’s next
One year ago, I launched the Life After I Left podcast.A space for women to share the stories they had spent years hiding.A space to break the silence.And now?53 episodes, 39 guests, listeners in 45 countries, 6 live events, and a community that continues to grow in ways I never imagined.It’s just me here today, reflecting on the first year of the podcast, the journey that led me here, and the powerful impact storytelling can have when women feel safe enough to share their truth.I talk about why I created Life After I Left after surviving domestic violence relationships, how storytelling helped save my own life, and why I believe sharing our experiences can create connection, healing, and change.I also share some podcast and event milestones, reflect on the stories that have deeply impacted others, and give a glimpse of what’s coming next, including an international event, a national tour, a book anthology, and building a brand new business to help women move through fear and change their lives.In this episode, I chat about:Celebrating one year of the Life After I Left podcastThe impact of sharing vulnerable, real-life stories, and how safe spaces can change livesPodcast and event milestones from the past yearThe top episodes and themes listeners connected with mostUsing fear as a catalyst for growth and transformationThe future of Life After I Left, including an overseas event, a book anthology, a national tour, and more!Thank you for being here, for listening, and for holding space for these stories.Thank you for sharing episodes, attending events, sending messages, and helping this community grow.And remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable. Episodes mentioned:40: Adrienne Donnelly on Life After... Rebuilding my Identity47: Marina Garbuio on Life After... Coercive Control15: Sophie Spencer on Life After... Being Safe in My Own body23: Irene Jones on Life After... Loss29: Annelise McCarthy on Life After... Finding her Voice Connect with Cat:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catlouisedunn/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterileftpodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlouisedunn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catlouisedunn/Life After I Left: Podcast Party early bird tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-podcast-party-tickets-1982055720014Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
52: Brenda Keane on Life After… Backing Yourself: Body confidence, starting a business at 57 & challenging beauty standards
What if starting over at 57 was the beginning of something bigger than you imagined?In today’s episode, Brenda Keane joins us. Brenda is an author, an SBS TV star (well, she was in one episode of a series), an entrepreneur, and, at 64, her life journey is nothing short of extraordinary.After facing many personal challenges, Brenda chose to start over at 57, stepping into a completely unfamiliar industry to build her own activewear brand from scratch. With a “never give up” mindset and a lot of resilience, she’s created not just a business, but a powerful movement helping women feel confident, seen, and supported in their bodies.Her passion for empowerment has led to a vibrant community of curvy women who now look and feel incredible in their activewear.In this conversation, Brenda shares the story behind the brand, alongside the personal experiences that shaped her. From navigating weight stigma and building a business later in life, to opening up about her past and how it’s led her to give back to others.We also explore the reality of body image in today’s world, the pressure women face at every size, and what it truly means to feel comfortable, confident, and at home in your body.In this episode, we chat about:Brenda’s journey from a health wake-up call to building an inclusive activewear brandStarting a business later in life (and why it’s never too late)The lack of representation in the fitness and fashion industriesBody image struggles (from both ends of the spectrum)The reality of building a product-based business from scratchBrenda’s experience with domestic violence and how she gives back to charitiesWhy your body is the least interesting thing about youThis episode is a powerful reminder that you don’t need to shrink yourself to belong - in business, fitness, or life.There's also a VERY exciting announcement at the end of this episode with plans for the next phase of Life After I Left...Connect with Brenda:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bekeane_activewear/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeKeaneHealthyAndFit/Website: https://bekeanehealthyandfit.com.au/Life After I Left: Podcast Party tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-podcast-party-tickets-1982055720014Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
51: Catherine Ashton on Life After… Facing the Inevitable: Death planning, grief & why preparation matters
What if talking about death could actually help you live more fully?In today’s episode, Catherine Ashton joins us. Catherine is the founder of Critical Info, a certified social enterprise helping Australians improve death literacy and plan for the end of life with confidence.After surviving a major car accident in 2019 and losing a close friend in 2023, Catherine launched the Critical Info Platform, a secure, grief-informed planning tool now used by aged care providers and communities nationwide.She is also the creator of the national guide, My Loved One Died. What Do I Do Now? and host of the Don’t Be Caught Dead Podcast. A passionate advocate and award-winning social entrepreneur, Catherine is on a mission to ensure no one is left unprepared for death.Catherine shares her story of trauma, chronic pain, career reinvention, and how some of life’s hardest moments led her to meaningful work that is now helping others prepare for the inevitable with more clarity, confidence, and care.We dive into why death planning doesn’t have to be scary, how avoiding these conversations creates more stress later, and the simple ways we can start putting practical plans in place now, for ourselves and the people we love.In this episode, we chat about:Catherine’s life-changing car accident and the path that followedHow grief and unexpected loss inspired the creation of Critical InfoWhy death planning is really about support, clarity, and reducing stressWhat to do when someone dies and why many people feel unpreparedThe importance of wills, paperwork, and practical backup plansHow to start conversations about death with family and loved onesWhy business owners also need continuity plans in placeLiving more intentionally when you remember life is not foreverIf talking about death feels uncomfortable, this episode is a gentle reminder that planning ahead isn’t about fear, and we can approach it with curiosity. It’s about care, connection, and making life easier for the people who matter most.Connect with Catherine:Website: https://criticalinfo.com.au/ Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/catherine_critical_infoTry Critical Info Free for 10 Days: https://criticalinfo.com.au/critical-info-platform/Podcast: https://criticalinfo.com.au/podcast/Life After I Left: Podcast Party tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-podcast-party-tickets-1982055720014Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
50: Debbie Zita on Life After… Going Within: Trauma healing, spiritual awakening & building an aligned business
What if the answers you’ve been searching for have been within you all along?In today’s episode, Debbie Zita joins us. Debbie is a TEDx speaker, the Business Body Guide, international bestselling author, and creator of the Six Selves Model of Self-Inquiry. With over 25 years of experience in human behaviour, personal development, and business, she supports purpose-driven women to build aligned, profitable businesses rooted in identity leadership and embodied success.Debbie shares her story of trauma, grief, and transformation. From experiencing abuse, loss, and life-altering challenges to discovering the power of inner work, spiritual healing, and creating a business grounded in self-trust, purpose, and personal leadership.We dive into what it really means to go within (beyond the buzzwords), and how developing self-awareness, emotional regulation, and spiritual connection can completely change the way you live, lead, and grow a sustainable business. In this episode, we chat about: Debbie’s journey through trauma, grief, and personal transformationWhat going within actually means (and how to start in a practical way)The connection between inner work, intuition, and self-trustHow to know if a coach, therapist, or mentor is right for youThe role of identity, self-worth, and pricing in businessBuilding an aligned, purpose-driven business from the inside outMeditation, mindfulness, and simple ways to reconnect with yourselfIf you’ve been looking for clarity, direction, or a deeper connection to yourself, this episode is your reminder to slow down, tune in, and trust what’s already there.Connect with Debbie:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deb_zita/Website: https://debbiezita.com/Programs and offers: https://program.debbiezita.com/the-ultimate-activation-release-and-reclaimhttps://program.debbiezita.com/business-build-mastermindhttps://program.debbiezita.com/the-reclamationhttps://program.debbiezita.com/the-six-selve-immersiveLife After I Left: Podcast Party tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-podcast-party-tickets-1982055720014Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
49: Evelyn Lopez Delon on Life After… Rebuilding a business: Personal branding, AI systems, and scaling without sacrifice
Can you really rebuild a business after hitting zero revenue?This week, I’m joined by Evelyn Lopez Delon, co-founder of Sales Command and creator of Speak Studio AI, who helps coaches, consultants, and founders grow their business without losing themselves in the process.You might recognise Evelyn’s name because, yes, she’s been here before. But this conversation is a whole new chapter.Since her last appearance, Evelyn has transitioned from running a coaching business to rebuilding from zero revenue alongside her husband, stepping into AI, becoming an international speaker, and launching a new podcast.In this episode, she shares the raw, behind-the-scenes reality of what it actually takes to rebuild, pivot, and scale a business without sacrificing your life, your family, or yourself.We also dive into the power of personal brand, how visibility opens doors you didn’t even know existed, and why now is one of the most powerful times to create something of your own.In this episode, we chat about:What really happened when Evelyn’s business went from consistent income to zero revenue in three monthsThe lessons behind rebuilding a business from scratch and creating sustainable lead generation systemsHow AI is changing the way we build and scale businesses (and how to actually use it without overwhelm)The role of personal brand in creating opportunities, from speaking gigs to global connectionsEvelyn’s journey to becoming an international speaker and how visibility led to that momentBuilding a business with your partner and navigating the real challenges of working and parenting togetherWhy scaling without sacrifice is possible (and what it actually looks like in real life)How Evelyn turned her framework into an AI-powered content system for personal brandsWhy now is the best time to start a business using AI and build something on your termsThis episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating a pivot, rebuilding after a setback, or learning to grow a business without burning out.Connect with Evelyn:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evelynlopezdelon/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evlopez/Website: https://salescommand.ai/Evelyn Linktree: https://linktr.ee/EvelynLopezDelonLife After I Left: Podcast Party early bird tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-podcast-party-tickets-1982055720014Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
48: Dani Zetzer on Life After… Becoming a Divorce Lawyer: Family Law, Coercive Control & Empowering Women Through Separation
There’s a side to divorce and family law that no one prepares you for.In today’s episode, Dani Zetzer joins us. Dani is a Melbourne-based principal family lawyer, founder of Respect Legal, and host of Diary of a Divorce Lawyer. With over a decade in family law, she’s known for cutting through fear, jargon, and misinformation to bring clarity to conversations most people avoid.Dani supports individuals navigating separation, power dynamics, and rebuilding life after relationship breakdown, with a strong focus on empowering women through the process.We dive deep into the realities of family law in Australia, the emotional and psychological impact of coercive control, and what women actually need to know before leaving a relationship. In this episode, we chat about:How Dani became a divorce lawyer after her own childhood experience of family breakdownThe truth about the family law system and why it can feel disempoweringWhat coercive control and narcissistic abuse really look like in relationshipsWhy getting legal advice before leaving a relationship is crucialHow to safely plan your exit from an abusive or unhealthy relationshipThe emotional and financial realities of separation and divorceNavigating court systems, custody, and legal processes in AustraliaThe impact of divorce and conflict on children This conversation shines a light on the intersection of domestic violence, coercive control, and family law, while also offering practical insight into how individuals can approach separation with more clarity, support, and confidence.Connect with Dani:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellezetzer/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielle.zetzerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-zetzer/Website: https://danizetzer.com.au/Diary of a Divorce Lawyer Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NUoVIZh15FSWEcqIY8ItQRespect Legal: https://respectlegal.com.au/Life After I Left: Podcast Party early bird tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-podcast-party-tickets-1982055720014Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
47: Marina Garbuio on Life After… Coercive Control: Rebuilding your life from the ground Up, finding balance & escaping emotional abuse
Host note: I incorrectly state that coercive control is only criminalised in Queensland, Australia. As of the time of recording (March 2026), it is also criminalised in New South Wales and South Australia.Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of domestic violence, coercive control, and suicidal ideation. Please take care of yourself and skip this one if it feels triggering.What if the most dangerous form of abuse wasn’t physical, and you didn’t even realise it was happening?In today’s episode, Marina Garbuio joins us. Marina is the founder of Motivating Marketing, a marketing strategist, and university lecturer who helps service-based businesses turn expertise into clear, practical marketing that actually works.For 16 years, Marina lived in a relationship where her self-worth was slowly eroded through constant criticism, manipulation, intimidation, and psychological abuse. She believed it was simply the 'ups and downs of marriage' until one night changed everything.That moment shattered the illusion she had been living under and finally gave language to what she had been experiencing for years.Marina shares how she left that long-term abusive relationship whilst pregnant, navigated the legal system, and slowly reclaimed her independence, identity, and voice.In this episode, we chat about:What coercive control actually looks like (and why it’s so hard to recognise)The moment Marina realised she was experiencing domestic violenceLeaving an abusive relationship while pregnant and starting overHow manipulation, gaslighting, and control showed up in her marriageNavigating custody battles, court systems, and post-separation controlThe impact of coercive control on children and family dynamicsThe role of boundaries, balance, and emotional regulation in healing This conversation sheds light on coercive control, a form of abuse that is still widely misunderstood, and explores how it can show up not just in romantic relationships, but within families, friendships, and workplaces.Marina’s story reminds us that investing in your own healing can completely shift your mindset, moving from survival mode into a place of balance, purpose, and empowerment.Connect with Marina:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marina_garbuioWebsite: https://www.motivatingmarketing.com.au/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinagarbuio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motivatingmarketingIf you are a DV violence survivor or facing a similar situation, I'm here for you. You can connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcastIf you need urgent support, reach out to one of these incredible services:1800RESPECT – National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling servicePhone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)Text: 0458 737 732Website: https://www.1800respect.org.auSafe Steps – Family violence response centre (Victoria)Phone: 1800 015 188 (24/7)Website: https://safesteps.org.auLifeline – Crisis support and suicide preventionPhone: 13 11 14 (24/7)Text: 0477 13 11 14Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond Blue – Mental health support for anxiety and depressionPhone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.auLife After I Left: Podcast Party early bird tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-podcast-party-tickets-1982055720014Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
46: Linda Kaye on Life After… Four Divorces: Healing from Toxic Relationships, Breaking Patterns & Finding Safe Love
How many times would you repeat the same relationship pattern before you finally choose yourself?This week, I’m joined by Linda Kaye, a relationship coach who turned the pain of four divorces into a powerful pathway for healing, boundaries, and self-worth.Linda now helps men and women break old patterns, rebuild confidence, and create relationships and lives that feel healthy, honest, and aligned.In this conversation, Linda shares her journey of repeatedly finding herself in toxic, abusive, and unfulfilling relationships, and the moment everything finally shifted.From being abandoned at 17 and living in survival mode for decades to experiencing a life-changing breakthrough in a breathwork session, Linda shares what it takes to break the cycle and choose yourself.In this episode, we chat about:How Linda went through four marriages and divorces, and the patterns she didn’t see at the timeWhat love bombing really looks like and why it’s so easy to fall forThe cycle of toxic relationships and why we keep repeating itThe breathwork session that changed everythingLearning to set boundaries and stop people-pleasingRebuilding self-worth and discovering who you are on your ownThe power of spending time alone and taking yourself on solo datesHow Linda created a healthy, safe relationship after doing the work Linda’s story is proof that no matter how many times you’ve repeated the same patterns, and no matter how long you’ve felt stuck, you can break the cycle, choose yourself, and create a life and love that actually feels safe.Connect with Linda:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindakaye.official/Website: https://lindakaye.com.au/Life After I Left: Podcast Party early bird tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-podcast-party-tickets-1982055720014Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
45: Life After… Burning Down My Business: Choosing purpose, trusting your intuition, and stepping into the unknown
Sometimes life asks you to make a decision that feels both terrifying and completely right at the same time.Trigger warning: This episode mentions domestic violence. Please take care of yourself, and skip this one if it feels triggering.In this solo episode, I’m sharing what happened after I spoke at an International Women’s Day event in Melbourne and the realisation that followed.Standing on that stage, sharing my story of domestic violence and survival, something shifted in me. For the first time in a long time, I felt completely aligned with the work I was doing and the impact I wanted to have.And it made me realise something hard.I’ve spent the last five years helping build other people’s dreams through my work as an online business manager. Work I’m proud of. Work I’m good at.But something inside me is asking for more.So I made a decision that honestly scares me.I’m stepping away from the business I built so I can figure out what comes next.In this episode, I talk about trusting intuition, following the pull toward purpose, and allowing yourself to change direction even when you don’t have the answers yet.Because sometimes the bravest thing you can do is start again.In this episode, I chat about:Speaking at an International Women’s Day event and sharing my domestic violence storyWhy domestic violence impacts all of us, even if we’ve never experienced it directlyWhy creating spaces for women to share their voices matters so deeply to me and this mission at Life After I LeftThe moment I realised I wanted more from my life and workThe Instagram announcement about my business that blew upTrusting intuition when the next step isn’t clear and following something unknownChoosing purpose and impact over playing it safeThank you for being here, for listening, and for being part of this community. There is so much more to come, and I’m grateful you’re here for the journey.Links:Life After I Left: Podcast Party early bird tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-podcast-party-tickets-1982055720014Watch my International Women's Day Talk: https://youtu.be/k_wod7L-YAEWatch my business announcement on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVz4dL0kYYC/Leishman Finance Services: https://www.leishmans.com.au/Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
44: Jenna Little on Life After… Writing Saved My Life: From losing herself and numbing the pain to reconnecting through journaling
Could the thing that helps you find yourself again be as simple as putting pen to paper?Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of self-harm, bulimia, suicide, and substance abuse. Please take care of yourself, and skip this one if it feels triggering.In today’s episode, we're joined by Jenna Little, a romance author, publishing mentor, and visionary behind The Daring Empire, a creative ecosystem devoted to story expression and legacy. She is also the founder of The Daring Press, a cinematic publishing house helping authors bring powerful stories to life through strategy, energetics, and high-touch support.Jenna shares her journey of growing up feeling lost, struggling with self-harm, bulimia, and substance use as a teenager, and the intense pressure to fit in.After years of numbing pain through alcohol and unhealthy coping mechanisms, a simple journal gifted by her mum became the turning point that changed everything.Writing became Jenna’s lifeline. What began as a private space to process her emotions evolved into storytelling, creativity, and eventually a career as an author with 18 published books.In this episode, we chat about:Growing up feeling lost and the pressure to fit in during the teenage yearsUsing alcohol and people-pleasing as armour, and masking feelings of not belongingExperiences with self-harm, bulimia, and substance useHow journaling became a lifeline, helping Jenna process her emotions and reconnect with herselfDiscovering a love for storytelling and writing her first bookTurning creativity into a career and writing 18 booksLetting go of alcohol and learning to show up confidently as herselfThe importance of becoming your own best friendJenna’s journey shows that even in our darkest moments, there's always a way forward, and sometimes it begins with something as simple as telling your story. Her story reminds us that even behind the masks people wear, it’s possible to come home to yourself. Writing and creative expression offer permission to exist fully and affirm that no one is broken, alone, or too far gone.Connect with Jenna:Instagram: www.instagram.com/jennallittleWebsite: www.thedaringbookshop.comPublishing house: https://www.instagram.com/thedaringpress/The Authoress Mastermind: www.thedaringpress.comSupport the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
43: Natalie Rozen on Life After… Isolation: Agoraphobia, living with anxiety, and refusing to let fear lead
What if learning to live alongside anxiety, instead of fighting it, is what truly sets you free?In today’s episode, I’m joined by Natalie Rozen, an entrepreneur, psychotherapist, and coach helping people create meaningful change in their lives. With over a decade of experience supporting clients through trauma and emotional challenges, she combines practical therapy tools with embodiment and nervous system work to foster lasting transformation.She’s also the founder of Soul-Food Graze, creating beautiful grazing experiences that bring people together, and shares her insights online to inspire growth, courage, and authenticity.Natalie shares her powerful story of growing up with chronic anxiety and agoraphobia, feeling trapped inside her own home, and the pivotal moment at 16 when she decided her life had to change. Through mentorship, therapy, embodiment work, and a complete reframe of her relationship with fear, she learned how to live alongside anxiety.Her journey from isolation to self-liberation shows that when you make a decision to change, the right people, tools, and opportunities appear.In this episode, we chat about:Growing up with childhood anxiety and developing agoraphobiaLearning to live alongside anxiety instead of trying to ‘cure’ itMaking space for difficult emotions, rather than self-sabotaging or ignoring themThe impact of mentors on your life trajectoryThe nervous breakdown at 16 that sparked the transformationUsing acting, performance, and creativity to build confidenceBuilding community through food, events, and women supporting womenThis conversation is a beautiful reminder that healing isn’t about removing the difficult parts of yourself, it’s about embracing and integrating them. Anxiety doesn’t have to be your enemy, it can guide you, teach you, and even spark transformation. Connect with Natalie:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nattyrozen_/Coaching Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalierozencoaching/Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
42: Life After… Turning 40: Navigating milestone birthdays, societal pressure, reflecting on the past, and choosing who you become next
TW: This episode includes discussion of domestic violence. Please take care of yourself, and skip this one if it feels triggering.Turning 40 can bring up a lot. Reflection, fear, grief, pride, and everything in between.And sometimes, it asks us to really look at the life we’ve lived so far.It’s just me here today, reflecting on the last four decades of my life: the relationships I stayed in, the patterns I repeated, and the moments that quietly changed everything.I share how turning 30 once felt terrifying but became one of the best years of my life, how moving to Australia changed my path in ways I never expected, and how years of unhealthy relationships shaped but did not define who I am today.This episode is about self-compassion, breaking patterns, learning to sit with yourself, and understanding that healing isn’t linear and it doesn’t have an age limit.If you’re approaching a milestone birthday, leaving a relationship, questioning old beliefs, or standing at the edge of a life change, this is for you.In this episode, I chat about:Turning 40 and reflecting on who you’ve been and who you’re becomingHow milestone ages can trigger fear, grief, societal pressure, and deep self-reflectionBreaking cycles of unhealthy relationships and generational traumaLearning self-compassion after years of survival modeChoosing to build a life that feels safe, aligned, and true to youThe power of storytelling, community, and sharing your voiceThank you for being here, for listening, and for holding space; for me and for each other.And here’s to the next 40!Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
Ep 41: Jacqui Maloney on Life After… Pregnancy Loss: Perinatal grief, advocacy, and transforming pain into support for others
TW: This episode includes discussion of pregnancy loss, grief, and mental health. Please take care of yourself, and skip this one if it feels triggering.How do you take unimaginable loss and transform it into purpose, advocacy, and lasting change?This week, I’m joined by Jacqui Maloney, a speaking and communications coach who loves nothing more than helping people tell their story in a way that is heard and remembered.She works with founders, entrepreneurs, and businesses to uncover their unique story and guide them in sharing it effectively.Jacqui was actually our very first podcast guest and, today, she’s back to share a different story.After experiencing multiple pregnancy losses, she faced profound grief, relationship challenges, and societal misunderstanding.Jacqui chose to transform her pain into meaningful action, not only for herself, but for women across Western Australia. Through her work, she’s building support systems, resources, and safe spaces for parents navigating one of life’s most difficult experiences.In this episode, we explore:Jacqui’s personal journey through pregnancy loss and griefHow her loss affected her relationships, mental health, and professional lifeThe moment she realised so many other women had similar experiences when she spoke out on social mediaThe Rose Garden in Western Australia and her role as Chair of the CommitteeThe creation and vision of the Macaru FoundationHow she is building spaces, training programs, and resources to support grieving parentsPractical advice for anyone experiencing loss or supporting someone through itIf you’ve ever faced loss, felt isolated, or wondered how to turn trauma into action, this episode is a powerful reminder that healing, hope, and meaningful change are possible, even after the darkest experiences.Connect with Jacqui:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacquimaloneycoaching/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-maloney/Makuru Foundation: https://www.instagram.com/makurufoundation/Website: www.jacquimaloney.comKEMH Memorial Rose GardenSupport and resources for pregnancy loss and miscarriage:Pink Elephants: https://www.pinkelephants.org.au/Miscarriage Australia: https://miscarriageaustralia.com.au/Red Nose Australia: https://www.bearsofhope.org.au/Bears of Hope: https://www.bearsofhope.org.au/Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
40: Adrienne Donnelly on Life After… Rebuilding My Identity: Finding confidence, connection, and the power of community
Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of domestic violence. Please take care of yourself, and skip this one if it feels triggering.What does rebuilding look like when leaving was only the first step?In today’s episode, I’m joined by Adrienne Donnelly, founder of Organised by Adrienne, co-founder of the Newcastle Virtual Assistants Network, owner of Seed Virtual Assistants, and President of Gen Collective.For the first time publicly, Adrienne shares her story of leaving a domestic violence relationship in her early twenties, and how that moment became the catalyst for a life dedicated to community, connection, and supporting women.Adrienne speaks candidly about the isolation that often comes with abusive relationships, the quiet clarity of the day she left for good, and the long process of rebuilding confidence, identity, and safety. Today, Adrienne is known for creating spaces where women feel supported, connected, and less isolated, particularly in small businesses and virtual work.In this episode, we chat about:What it’s like to leave a violent relationship more than once before leaving for goodThe role isolation plays in abusive relationships, and why community is often the missing pieceRebuilding friendships, confidence, and identity after leavingHow trauma can change your body, voice, posture, and sense of selfThe importance of family and support networks when leavingFinding and creating the right communities, especially for women in businessNavigating social anxiety, networking overwhelm, and protecting your energyWhy real-life connection matters so deeply in a digital worldAdrienne’s story is a reminder that leaving is only the beginning. Healing takes time, support, and space to rebuild confidence, identity, and safety.If you’ve left an abusive relationship, felt alone in the aftermath, or are searching for connection and community as part of your healing, this episode is for you.Connect with Adrienne:Website: www.organisedbyadrienne.com.auInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/organisedbyadrienneFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/organisedbyadrienneLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriennedonnelly If you are a DV violence survivor or facing a similar situation, I'm here for you. You can connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcastIf you need urgent support, reach out to one of these incredible services:1800RESPECT – National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling servicePhone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)Text: 0458 737 732Website: https://www.1800respect.org.auSafe Steps – Family violence response centre (Victoria)Phone: 1800 015 188 (24/7)Website: https://safesteps.org.auLifeline – Crisis support and suicide preventionPhone: 13 11 14 (24/7)Text: 0477 13 11 14Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond Blue – Mental health support for anxiety and depressionPhone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.auSupport the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
39: Emma Lovell on Life After… A Broken Back: Building a Business Around Travel, Self-Care, and the Bleisure Life
Can work, travel, and self-care really co-exist without burning out?This week, I’m joined by Emma Lovell, Bleisure Coach, speaker, and author, who helps people harmonise business, travel, and self-care in what she calls the ‘bleisure lifestyle’.She shows how a life designed with purpose, joy, and freedom is possible, even while running a thriving business and traveling the world.Before the books, global audiences, and retreats, Emma experienced a life-changing moment at 22 that set her on a path to building a business around travel, self-care, and purpose.In this conversation, she openly shares the clarity, grief, and growth that shaped her approach to life, business, and the bleisure lifestyle.In this episode, we chat about:The life-changing skiing accident that became a turning point for rest, reflection, and goal-settingStarting a business from zero while recovering from a broken back, and the lessons learned about taking the first stepHow grief, loss, and tragedy shaped her approach to entrepreneurship, self-care, and life designThe evolution from PR and social media to coaching, personal branding, and bleisure coachingUnderstanding the bleisure lifestyle and how to harmonise work, travel, and self-care without burning outHow to identify whether you are taking meaningful steps toward your goals or procrastinatingLessons from running retreats, traveling with family, and integrating creativity, leisure, and businessThis episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating grief, burnout, or the challenge of designing a life they truly love.Emma’s story is a reminder that clarity and growth often come in unexpected ways, and that starting, even imperfectly, is the first step toward a life full of purpose and freedom.Connect with Emma:Website: www.emmalovell.auInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalovell.au/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalovelly/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmmaLovellAUPodcast: https://emmalovell.au/podcast/Our live event is back!Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 12 Feb for our 5th unforgettable event. 5 women, sharing 5 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Grab your ticket now:https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-the-big-5-tickets-1811765131279Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
38: Jemma Haythorne on Life After... Diet Culture: Healing your relationship with food, body confidence, and breaking diet culture cycles
This week, I’m joined by Jemma Haythorne, body image coach and host of the Finding Freedom podcast. Jemma helps women ditch body shame, rebuild a healthy relationship with food, and embrace their bodies with compassion, confidence, and self-love.Before she was helping women heal their relationship with food, Jemma experienced the very struggles so many of her clients face like confusing diet rules, obsessive weight cycles, and the impossible beauty standards pushed by social media and society.In this conversation, Jemma shares her personal journey through body dissatisfaction, diet culture traps, and self-sabotage, and how she found freedom and empowerment through mindset work, coaching, and self-awareness.She also opens up about her mission to teach children healthy body image from an early age, because the earlier we start, the bigger the impact.In this episode, we chat about:What diet culture actually is and how it impacts body image and self-esteemHow diet culture and body obsession shaped her relationship with food from a young ageThe vicious cycle of strict dieting, binge eating, and disordered eating patternsThe role of parents, partners, and family in shaping children’s body beliefsWhy starting conversations about body acceptance in primary schools can create lifelong confidenceJemma’s thoughts on popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic, and why diet culture is so prevalentHow stripping back to nutrition basics, like protein and regular meals, can transform energy and rebuild an intuitive relationship with foodThis episode is a must-listen for anyone tired of diet culture, struggling with food or body confidence, or for parents wanting to raise children who feel safe, confident, and empowered in their bodies.Connect with Jemma:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejemmarose/ Website: https://www.inspirewellnessau.com.au/Podcast: https://www.inspirewellnessau.com.au/podcastOur live event is back!Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 12 Feb for our 5th unforgettable event. 5 women, sharing 5 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Grab your ticket now:https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-the-big-5-tickets-1811765131279Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
37: Clare Elizabeth Dea on Life After… Shame: Poland Syndrome, social anxiety, intuition, and learning to feel safe being seen
What happens when the very thing you’ve spent decades hiding becomes the source of your freedom?In today’s episode, I’m joined by Clare Elizabeth Dea, international performance artist, speaker, author, facilitator, and host of Fuckup Nights Melbourne.Clare shares her deeply personal journey of growing up with Poland Syndrome, the shame she carried around her body for years, and how learning to be seen changed everything.Born without a left pectoral and developing only one breast, Clare spent much of her life hiding, managing intimacy through fear, and chasing success while feeling deeply disconnected from her true self. Despite being a trained performer who loved the stage, she was terrified of being truly seen.Through acting training, therapy, intuition-led decisions, and storytelling, Clare slowly reclaimed her voice, transforming shame into beauty, power, and purpose. Today, she helps others feel safe to be seen - whether that’s on stage, in business, or in their personal lives.In this episode, we chat about:What Poland Syndrome is and how it shaped Clare’s relationship with her body, confidence, and identityGrowing up with shame, hiding parts of yourself, and the cost of staying silentManifesting $15,000 to train in London, and how that overseas experience shaped Clare’s authentic confidence when she returned to MelbourneHow intuition shows up, and what can happen when you ignore itThe difference between telling your story before you’re ready vs when it’s truly integratedCreating safety before visibility through therapy, community, and baby stepsWhy live events and shared stories help people drop the mask and feel less aloneThis conversation is a wild journey. From Clare’s first experience with entrepreneurship, to overseas dance and acting training, to creating her own live speaking events, Clare’s story is a powerful reminder that you don’t need to rush to share everything at once to be worthy of being seen. Safety comes first and, from there, transformation follows.If you’ve ever struggled with shame, social anxiety, body image, or trusting your intuition, this episode is for you.Connect with Clare:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clareelizabeth_deaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/clare.e.deaWebsite: https://www.clareelizabethdea.comOur live event is back!Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 12 Feb for our 5th unforgettable event. 5 women, sharing 5 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Grab your ticket now:https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-the-big-5-tickets-1811765131279Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
36: Sophia Salmon on Life After… Psychiatric Care: Toxic workplaces, burnout, mental health exclusion, and rebuilding her confidence through healing and a 100km walk
Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of mental health and suicide ideation. Please take care of yourself and skip this episode if it feels triggering.What happens when the workplace you once loved becomes the very thing that breaks you?This week, I’m joined by Sophia Salmon, business mentor and founder of Wise Mind Consulting. Sophia helps women step into confidence, self-trust, and authentic visibility through an integrated, no-fluff approach that supports business growth without sacrificing lifestyle.But before the thriving business and clients who adore her, there was a version of Sophia left shattered by a workplace that failed her.Sophia openly shares her journey through burnout, psychiatric care, mental health discrimination, workplace exclusion, a traumatic leave experience, and the devastating realisation that her employer wasn’t going to let her return.In this conversation, she takes us inside the reality of what it’s like to rebuild your identity after a workplace breaks your spirit, and how a 100km charity walk became the symbol of her mental and physical strength returning.In this episode, we chat about:How years of perfectionism and high self-expectations led her to mask her internal strugglesThe moment COVID ended a job she once loved, and the loneliness and loss of identity that followedNavigating psychiatric inpatient and outpatient care, and what a Crisis Assessment Team isThe emotional toll of workplace exclusion, dismissal, and finding out her employer was stopping her from returningHow a long and exhausting legal battle reshaped her understanding of mental health at workWhat a 100km fundraising walk for Beyond Blue taught her about resilience and self-beliefRebuilding her confidence, voice, and purpose, and how that led her into businessThis episode is a powerful listen for anyone who’s experienced burnout or exclusion in the workplace.It’s a reminder that so many burnout stories start in environments that don’t support their people, and why backing yourself, rather than staying somewhere that doesn’t value you, matters so much.Connect with Sophia:Website: https://www.wisemindconsulting.com.auInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisemind.consultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophia-salmon-abbottAge Article: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/hawthorn-accused-of-mental-health-hypocrisy-20220814-p5b9nt.html Our live event is back!Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 12 Feb for our 5th unforgettable event. 5 women, sharing 5 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Grab your ticket now:https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-the-big-5-tickets-1811765131279Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
35: Dr. Heena Sinha Cheung on Life After… Childhood Sexual Abuse: Advocating for children, breaking cycles & creating safe spaces
Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of trauma, sexual abuse, sexual assault, rape, and the challenges of leaving unsafe or toxic environments. Please take care of yourself and skip this episode if it feels triggering.Can the pain of your past become the catalyst for protecting the next generation?In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Heena Sinha Cheung, a powerful advocate, survivor, and storyteller who has transformed her lived experience into a mission of healing and justice. After leaving behind years of trauma, discrimination, and silence, she rebuilt her life with courage and purpose, emerging as a voice for women, children, and people with disabilities.Today, she works at the intersection of advocacy, policy, and community empowerment, championing safer systems and platforms where survivors can be heard and believed.From surviving abuse in silence to becoming a public advocate, Dr. Cheung has dedicated herself to giving children the vocabulary, tools, and safe spaces they need to express themselves.She is the author of "My Safe Circle: Learning to Protect Ourselves" and the founder of the political movement "Protect Our Children - Jail, Not Bail," which aims to strengthen laws and hold abusers accountable.In this episode, we speak about:Dr. Cheung’s experiences throughout childhood, reaching out for help, and finding that people didn’t know how to support herBeing labelled as lazy, disruptive, and rebellious as a child, when really she was in survival modeFinding a safe, loving relationship with her husband, growing a family, and realising she was never broken or damagedHer journey from trauma to advocacy, and the moment she realised entrepreneurship alone wasn’t enoughHow speaking her truth has empowered others to share their storiesThe creation of My Safe Circle and practical tools to help children protect themselvesHer bold decision to run as an independent for the Senate, and why politics became part of her advocacyThe power of community action and how giving one minute of your time can help protect children and drive systemic changeDr. Cheung's story is a powerful reminder that our past doesn’t define us, but it can inspire change, protect the vulnerable, and create a safer future for children everywhere. Connect with Dr. Cheung:Jail Not Bail Website: www.jailnotbail.com.auHeena Sinha Cheung Website: www.heenascheung.com.auInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heena_sinhacheung/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-heena-sinha/ Our live event is back!Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 12 Feb for our 5th unforgettable event. 5 women, sharing 5 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Grab your ticket now:https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-the-big-5-tickets-1811765131279 Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
34: Life After… 2025: Letting go of ‘New Year, new you’, reflecting on what you’ve built, and why safe spaces matter
The start of a new year can bring up a lot, and it doesn’t all have to look like big goals or fresh starts.It’s just me here today, in this solo New Year’s episode. I’m sharing a reflection on welcoming 2026 in your own way, without needing to feel your best on day one.I reflect on the power of celebrating what you’ve already built, the importance of community and storytelling, and the safe spaces created through the Life After I Left podcast and live events. I also share details about our upcoming Melbourne event on 12 February, and why creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported matters now more than ever.This episode is an invitation to slow down, breathe, and honour yourself for making it here.In this episode, I chat about:Why you don’t need to feel amazing on 1 January for the year to still countLetting go of the ‘New Year, new you’ narrative and embracing change in your own timeReflecting on 2025 and celebrating what you’ve already achievedThe impact of storytelling, community, and creating safe spacesWhat’s coming next for Life After I Left, including our February Melbourne eventThank you for being here, for listening, and for being part of this community. Our live event is back!Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 12 Feb for our 5th unforgettable event. 5 women, sharing 5 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Grab your ticket now - and use code LIFE5 to save $5:https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-the-big-5-tickets-1811765131279Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
33: Elinor Moshe on Life After… Misalignment: Shadow work, archetypes, and reconnecting with her inner truth after years of living through roles.
What if the key to your spiritual growth was simply learning to protect your energy, slow down, and trust what feels right in your body?This week, I’m joined by Elinor Moshe, co-founder of Truth of You and a four-time author. She’s built a remarkable public legacy through awards, books, and a respected podcast. Yet beneath that outward success, a fracture grew. Her external achievements and inner world slowly slipped out of alignment, creating a quiet but relentless tension.At 32, while travelling overseas with her parents, Elinor found herself caught in what she later learned as the ‘devouring mother’, where even simple choices felt impossible.That moment sparked a profound awakening. She realised she had been living through masks and roles, disconnected from her own reality, and vowed to reclaim herself through spiritual guidance and grounded practices.Although this story has unfolded only in recent years, her life today looks completely different.This is a deep, expansive conversation that pulls back the curtain on the spiritual space, and it’s packed with so many golden insights you may find yourself listening more than once.In this episode, we chat about:Elinor’s personal journey through shadow work, nervous system healing, and breaking lifelong generational patternsHow she met her now-partner, and what their life together looks like todayWhat energetic protection and spiritual hygiene actually look like, and why they matter before doing any deep healingHow to choose a practitioner or guide with discernment (including red flags to look out for)The importance of reconnecting with intuition and trusting your body’s signalsHow modalities like astrology, shadow work, human design, tarot, and QHHT can support, but never replace, your inner wisdomPractical, accessible first steps for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to beginWhether you’re deep into your spiritual journey or just taking your first steps, this episode is full of insight and guidance. Elinor’s story is a reminder that you don’t need to force your path; it begins by tuning into what feels true in your body right now.Connect with Elinor:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theelinormoshe/Website: truthofyou.com.auLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elinor-moshe/Our live event is back!Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 12 Feb for our 5th unforgettable event. 5 women, sharing 5 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Grab your ticket now: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-the-big-5-tickets-1811765131279Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
32: Shani Connard on Life After… Becoming a Mum: The unspoken realities of motherhood, panic disorder, exposure therapy, and finding your way back
What happens when the motherhood you pictured meets the reality of anxiety, exhaustion, and doing it without enough support?Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of mental health challenges and references to suicidal ideation.This week, I’m joined by Shani Connard, a holistic life coach.She supports men and women to be happier parents, live healthier lives, and show up in their relationships with courage and authenticity. She also hosts monthly women's gatherings and potluck dinners where the focus is on being real, authentic, and navigating the ups and downs of life.Shani is also a voice for women who feel unseen and overwhelmed in the early years of parenting.After experiencing debilitating panic disorder and the crushing weight of feeling unsupported, she now speaks openly about the realities so many mothers quietly carry.In this episode, we chat about: Shani’s early challenges in the birth of her son and the first years of motherhoodThe importance of evaluating your support network before becoming a parentHandling divorce, selling a house, and organising custody and finances while her mental health was at its lowestReceiving a diagnosis of panic disorder and how gradual exposure therapy, medication, and support meetings helped reduce her panic triggersExperiencing a near-death anaphylactic attack, suppressing fear and grief for six months, and how this may have contributed to the onset of panic attacksWhy mums often minimise their own needs until reaching their breaking point due to fear of judgementWhat she wants every mother who feels scared, overwhelmed, or alone to knowThis episode is a reminder that behind the highlight reels of motherhood are real women navigating fear, identity shifts, and invisible emotional loads; and how transformative it is to have the right people and support around you.Connect with Shani:Websites: www.reconnect2life.com.au & www.hertribe.com.auFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Reconnect2Life & https://www.facebook.com/her.tribe.gatheringsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/reconnect_2life & https://www.instagram.com/her.tribe.gatherings/Gift vouchers for Shani's offersChristmas vouchers are officially live - and if you’re looking for a gift that feels meaningful, supportive and actually helpful… this is it. Vouchers can be used across all Reconnect2Life and Her Tribe offerings in 2026 - workshops, coaching, women’s gatherings, and more: https://www.reconnect2life.com.au/gift-vouchers Free Strategy Call with ShaniUnsure? Totally get it… Book a free 20-minute strategy call to feel things out and see if I’m the right fit for you: https://www.reconnect2life.com.au/book-a-sessionSupport the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
31: Adriana Tantau on Life After… PMDD: Symptoms, limited treatment options, and finding a holistic path forward
Ever experienced pain or symptoms that didn’t feel right, only to hear it’s ‘just bad period pain’?Trigger warning: Discussions of PMDD, mental health struggles, and suicidal ideation (in the context of healing and transformation).In today’s episode, I’m joined by Adriana Tantau, a menstrual mentor and educator helping women live symptom-free menstrual cycles after being let down by the system.Adriana shares her decade-long journey to a PMDD diagnosis, the frustration of being misdiagnosed, and being told her only options were antidepressants or birth control.Through nervous system regulation and menstrual intelligence, she went from barely surviving her cycle to being completely symptom-free. Now, Adriana teaches other women to do the same inside The Cycle Codes™ movement. From understanding symptoms to navigating a healthcare system that often overlooks women’s experiences, Adriana brings both compassion and clarity to a topic that many women struggle with in silence - or may not even be aware of.In this episode, we chat about:What Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is, the early symptoms Adriana experienced, and why they were dismissed for so longAdriana’s journey through sobriety and the night she experienced a ‘dark cloud’, she later recognised as PMDDHow Adriana left behind the version of herself who thought pain was normal, who swallowed pills, drank alcohol just to get through the month, and who believed her body was brokenThe limited medical treatments she was offered and why she chose to find another wayWhy PMDD is often misdiagnosed as anxiety or depressionThe holistic steps Adriana took to begin healing naturally, and how she now supports other womenHow understanding your cycle and regulating your nervous system can become the most empowering tool for your wellbeingAdriana unpacks a lot in this episode. From her childhood experiences and sobriety journey to her PMDD diagnosis and current motherhood journey.This conversation is a powerful reminder that you deserve options, to be heard, and to feel supported on your path to wellbeing.Connect with Adriana:Instagram: https:/www.instagram.com/thecyclecodes Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6RckYyVBPSul2DZkyh0HuYJoin SYNCED — a 6-week live masterclass series helping women move from fight-or-flight to symptom-free living through menstrual intelligence and nervous system regulation. https://tr.ee/6gZkdlJmsy Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
30: Glenda Kroll on Life After… Starting Over: Escaping toxic relationships, rebuilding from nothing, and finding strength through intuition
What happens when the life you built becomes the one you have to leave behind?This week I’m joined by Glenda Kroll, a podcast host and life empowerment strategist, helping women 40+ and special needs families reinvent life with confidence, purpose, and real estate success. She is deeply passionate about reinvention after 40, rebuilding self-worth after betrayal, and empowering women to step into their next chapter with courage and clarity.Glenda shares her extraordinary journey of leaving not one, but two toxic relationships, and how she rebuilt her life, confidence, and business from the ground up.From running a successful company while hiding the reality of her home life to secretly planning her escape, Glenda’s story is one of resilience, strategy, and self-belief.In this conversation, Glenda shares how she found the courage to start over, the lessons she’s passed on to her children, and how trusting her intuition (and a few divine nudges) helped her rebuild a life filled with purpose, peace, and freedom.In this episode, we chat about:How, after decades of caregiving, navigating divorce, and putting others first, Glenda made the bold decision to reinvent her life in her 60sThe moment she walked into court with $200,000 in legal bills, and fired her lawyerHow she planned her exit from a toxic relationship safely and reclaimed her independenceThe affirmation that kept her going during her darkest nightsBreaking the cycle of attracting unhealthy relationshipsRebuilding self-trust, strength, and emotional resilience after leavingHow intuition and divine guidance shaped her healing and purposeWhy she now helps women and families rebuild after hardship and create financial freedomGlenda’s story is more than one of survival. It’s a testament to the truth that you’re never too old, too broken, or too late to start over.Connect with Glenda:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisewomensword/ Website: https://glendakroll.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IAMGLENDAKROLLSupport the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
29: Annelise McCarthy on Life After… Finding her Voice: From speech therapy to speaking coach, mastering public speaking, and starting a business at 20
What happens when the thing you once felt most insecure about becomes your greatest strength?This week, I’m joined by Annelise McCarthy, a renowned women’s speaking coach and founder of Her Speaking Coach.She shares how a childhood struggle with speech became the foundation for a career empowering others to speak with confidence and authenticity.At just 20 years old, she launched her business, but behind the polished brand and professional voice was a young woman terrified she wouldn’t be taken seriously.In this episode, Annelise gets honest about imposter syndrome, starting a business young, and the moment she realised that hiding her age (and her story) was holding her back.This is such a fun and insightful conversation, packed with practical takeaways, lessons on confidence, communication and the power of backing yourself. In this episode, we chat about:The childhood experiences with a lisp and speech therapy that shaped Annelise’s confidence and love of communicationHow studying public speaking from age eight built lifelong speaking and presentation skillsThe mindset hurdles of launching a business at 20, and why she now sees it as a privilege to mentor womenThe self-doubt that surfaced in her early business years and the conversation that changed everythingWhy age has nothing to do with authority or impact when you have the experience to back it upThe importance of solo dates and how spending intentional time alone builds confidence, creativity, and self-trustHow her business evolved into Her Speaking Coach, a global community of over 250,000 peopleAnnelise’s story is a reminder that confidence isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you build through practice, self-trust, and courage. Connect with Annelise:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herspeakingcoach/Website: https://www.herspeakingcoach.com/You're on Mute Tour: You're On Mute | Australian Tour 2026 | Her Speaking CoachSupport the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
28: Courtney Wilder on Life After… Escaping a Cult: Questioning beliefs, healing from religious control, and her path to freedom
Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of suicide ideation, sexual trauma, and religious trauma. Please take care of yourself and skip this one if it feels triggering.What happens when your entire life has been built on fear, control, and shame, and you finally decide to walk away?This week, I’m joined by Courtney Wilder, author, speaker, and coach, who shares her powerful story of escaping a high-control religious group and learnt to rebuild her life from the inside out.After years of suppressing her voice, questioning her worth, and living under constant scrutiny, Courtney made the brave decision to choose freedom, even when it meant starting over completely.Through our conversation, she opens up about the messy middle of healing, and the anger and isolation that come with leaving everything you’ve ever known.But she also shares how reconnecting with her intuition, building community, and doing the inner work helped her reclaim her sense of self.In this episode, we chat about:Courtney’s experience growing up in, and breaking free, from a religious cultThe pressure to be ‘perfect’, how she learned to suppress shame, and the impact of denying her darknessHow hours of devotion and study led to damaging beliefs, and the link between control and groomingThe night she packed her bags and left in search of life beyond those beliefsHow partying, drugs, and stripping became her way of escaping a life that felt out of her controlWhat led her back home, and back into the cult, after years of rebellionHer journey of rebuilding self-trust after years of fear and manipulationThe role of the body and intuition when questioning beliefs and programming that aren’t your ownCourtney’s story is raw, honest, and full of twists and turns. A reminder that even after the darkest chapters, healing and freedom are possible.Connect with Courtney:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seekingwilder/Website: www.seekingwilder.comSupport the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
27: Sallyanne Hartnell on Life After… The Perfect Marriage: Choosing yourself, rebuilding your identity after divorce, and navigating separation
What does it really take to rebuild your life after divorce and separation?This week, I’m joined by Sallyanne Hartnell, divorce coach, strategist, founder of Reflect Coaching, and podcast host.Sallyanne helps women decide whether to stay or leave a relationship and guides them through divorce with less drama.With a mix of practical strategies and deep emotional support, she empowers clients to reframe what divorce means, communicate with clarity, and make confident, future-focused decisions, so they can create a life that feels aligned, supportive, and truly their own.In this episode, we chat about:Sallyanne’s own story of separation and divorce, and how it inspired her coaching workThe biggest challenges women face when navigating divorce, separation, and co-parentingWhy rebuilding your identity after divorce can feel daunting, and where to startThe power of choosing yourself in relationships and life after separationPractical tips for creating financial independence after divorceWhat it really means to ‘centre yourself’ and live aligned with your valuesSallyanne’s work is a reminder that while divorce and separation can feel overwhelming, they can also be a gateway to clarity, freedom, and self-discovery.Connect with Sally:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reflectcoaching/Website: https://www.reflectcoaching.com.au/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sallyanne-hartnellPodcast, offers, and resources: https://bio.site/reflect_coachingSupport the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me onInstagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.
26: Life After… Scare Acting: Halloween, haunted houses, and the thrill of being scared
Is fear something we should avoid, or does it actually make us feel more alive?This week, I’m going solo with a Halloween-themed episode (costumes and lollies encouraged). From my very first horror movie experience at seven years old, through teenage sleepovers with zombie films, to scare acting in haunted attractions in the UK and Australia, I’m sharing why horror has been such a huge part of my life, and why I believe being scared is one of the best feelings in the world.Fear isn’t just about hiding behind a pillow at the movies. It’s about adrenaline, aliveness, and even building community with the people who “get” you. And when fear happens in a safe space, whether that’s a haunted house, making a bold move in your life, or stepping on stage at a live event, it can change everything.In this episode, I chat about:My earliest (and slightly traumatic) childhood horror movie memoriesWhat it was like working as a scare actor in horror and haunted house attractionsThe community I found through horror festivals and writing for The London Horror SocietyWhy safe fear makes us feel alive, from rollercoasters to public speakingHow being scared connects to growth, bravery, and even businessSo, if you’re a horror fan, Halloween lover, or just curious about what it takes to be a scare actor, this episode is for you.Grab your witch’s hat, line up your favourite spooky film, and let’s talk about why fear can be fun.Support the show:Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.