There are some people that you meet in your life and just know instantly that you're going to be friends with for a very long time. For me, one of those people is Kara Kavensky.

I've watched Kara go through the worst things that a person should have to endure, including a traumatic marriage, and subsequent divorce, from an abusive narcissist and the tragic loss of her son. And the most incredible thing about her, is that she moves through all of the devastating pain with a beautiful open heart and a passion for telling stories of hope and love.

And joy.

Finding Joy to be more specific.

Kara captures much of her journey in her upcoming memoir, Finding Joy, where she shares her awakening moment, the impact of witnessing a beautiful love story between Bob and Joy, and how it inspired her to find courage in her own life.

We talk about the importance of healing before entering new relationships, the challenges of divorce, and the significance of self-love and seeking out positive examples of things you most desire to have in your own life.

Takeaways

• Kara's awakening moment occurred during her third pregnancy, realizing she was in an abusive relationship with a dangerous narcissist.
• Therapy and energy modalities helped Kara cope and heal during her marriage.
• Bob and Joy's love story became a beacon of hope for Kara during her darkest times.
• Kara emphasizes the importance of healing before entering new relationships.
• Divorce is a challenging process, and seeking professional help is crucial.
• Self-love and positive examples are essential for personal growth.
• Kara's memoir aims to inspire others to believe in love after hardship.
• Collecting evidence of positive relationships can empower individuals.
• It's important to set boundaries and prioritize mental health during difficult times.

No one person should have to endure the pain that my friend Kara has. It's just not fair. Even so, Kara has chosen to live a fully authentic life, out loud and proudly sharing her story, and help be a source of light and that beacon of hope that so many of us can use right now.

Listen, be inspired, and then share this episode with someone in your life that needs this positive evidence of the possibility of finding the love you desire, even against all of the odds.

Connect with Kara directly and follow her work at:

https://www.karakavensky.com/

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This conversation with my dear friend Anna Sutter left me jaw-dropped, tearful, and in true admiration that this brilliant, big-hearted friend of mine endured and overcame all of the trauma and pain that she experienced growing up in her tumultuous family dynamic.

It proved once again that you never really know someone's story until you get a chance to sit down and hear it in their own words.

We have an honest and raw conversation exploring the complexities of learning ti survive an abusive family member at a very young age, the impact the growing up seeing one parent be a loving, supportive provider while one parent is destructive and neglectful, and how those experiences continue to impact and shape you even as an adult.

With a focus on finding compassion in painful experiences, our conversation aims to provide insights and support for those facing similar struggles. Anna bravely shares her profound insights on the impact of her mother's courageous decision to leave an abusive relationship. She reflects on the relief and gratitude she and her siblings felt after their mother left, the challenges of growing up in a single-parent household, and the financial struggles that accompanied it.

The discussion delves into the societal judgment faced by divorced women, the importance of support systems, and the internal battles of self-doubt versus intuition when making life-altering decisions.

The hope is that in hearing Anna's story, you can borrow her bravery and that of her mother to protect yourself and your children when you need to make choices that you can be proud of in the long run.

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In this episode, I have a candid and vulnerable conversation with Maggie McGrann LMHC-A, NCC where we discuss the intrinsic link between mental health and relationships, particularly focusing on the challenges women face in maintaining their mental well-being within partnerships.

We get real about the true, and often unspoken, impact of divorce on both parents and children, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, self-value, and the courage to make difficult decisions for the sake of personal happiness.

Having both gone through the painful circumstances of divorce and facing the judgement of those close to us, we take a deep dive into societal expectations surrounding marriage and divorce. As mothers, we both experienced losing some of the people we thought would be most supportive of us, and were surprised to find people we wouldn't have expected to show up for us in big ways do just that, emphasizing how important it is to find the right type of support when navigating divorce and co-parenting.

As a mental health professional, Maggie shares invaluable and actionable ways to help you focusing on what you can control, shares the value of meditation for mental clarity, and highlights the opportunity to model resilience for children during challenging times.

Key Takeaways:

• Prioritizing your mental health is a form of love for your children.
• Women often neglect their mental health in partnerships.
• Authenticity in relationships is crucial for well-being.
• Cultural messages can hinder personal growth and self-value.
• Divorce can actually lead to healthier family dynamics for the children.
• Support systems are vital during transitions like divorce.
• You have the right to prioritize your own happiness.
• Radical acceptance is key to moving forward after divorce.
• Divorce doesn't have to be a negative experience.
• If you're waiting for your partner to acknowledge your feelings, you'll never be okay.
• Accepting someone's capacity to meet your needs is crucial for your mental health.
• Redirect your energy towards what you can control in your life.
• Understanding the divorce process can alleviate fear and anxiety.
• Detaching from emotional triggers can help maintain your peace.
• Building a support network of those who understand your situation is vital.
• Tools like meditation can help you reconnect with your inner voice and intuition.
• Modeling emotional intelligence for your children is essential.

TEXT ME! Let me know what you think of this episode or what topics you would like to see covered next!

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