In this episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, let’s explore the profound impact of forgiveness on our emotional and physical well-being.

Do you know that holding onto unforgiveness keeps us trapped in negative emotions and prevents us from moving forward? There are common myths about forgiveness, such as the notion that we should forgive and forget, and the misconception that forgiving means letting our guard down completely. But true forgiveness is not about erasing memories but releasing the emotional weight they carry.

Discover the various manifestations of unforgiveness, some practical steps to embrace forgiveness, the benefits of forgiveness, and how forgiveness can change your life. Tune in to this week’s episode and start your journey towards a life filled with joy, peace, and purpose!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:03 - Forgiveness

1:21 - Misconceptions about forgiveness

4:36 - What is unforgiveness?

7:53 - Questions to identify unforgiveness

8:41 - What forgiveness is not?

15:31 - Benefits of Forgiveness

17:32 - Steps to Forgiveness

21:39 - How to take action

Quotations:

"The one principle that if we don't get a hold of, we're not going to move forward. It is going to keep us stuck. It is going to keep us feeling sad and blue and depressed and even angry and bitter - forgiveness"

"True forgiveness is not about erasing memories but releasing the emotional weight they carry."

"Forgiveness is not a memory relapse. You don't just forget what happened, but it is a memory release."

"Unforgiveness manifests in a lot of ways. If you're feeling some bursts of anger, or you become petty and critical, you're stuck in unforgiveness."

"Forgiveness is a choice. You can make it."

Resources:

🎁 FREE Download: Brave Affirmations for an Abundant Life: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/brave-affirmations

📚 Get a copy of Dawn’s NEW book - The Making of a BraveHearted Woman: Courage, Confidence, and Vision in Midlife: https://amzn.to/491OnAt

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: dawn@braveheartmentor.com

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravehearted_woman

💞 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveheartedwoman

💞 Podcast: https://the-bravehearted-woman.captivate.fm/listen

Download the full transcript here.

In this week's episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, Dawn Damon welcomes Keisha Hickson, a resilient leader and advocate for women's empowerment. Despite a daunting diagnosis of multiple myeloma, Keisha's journey has been one of transformation and triumph. From being a senior vice president in banking to navigating the challenges of a rare and incurable cancer, Keisha's story is a testament to resilience and the pursuit of a limitless legacy.

Join Dawn and Keisha as they dive into Keisha's journey, from the initial shock of diagnosis to finding strength through treatment and beyond. Keisha shares how facing her mortality became a catalyst for personal growth, pushing her to live authentically and pursue her dreams fearlessly. Through her program "Dare to Change," Keisha now inspires others to break free from complacency, embrace change, and live a life true to themselves.

Tune in to hear Keisha's powerful story of courage, resilience, and the transformative power of daring to change. This episode is a reminder that we are stronger than we know, and even in the face of adversity, there is always hope and the potential for a new beginning.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Guest Intro

1:40 - Keisha’s journey of battling with multiple myeloma

7:15 - How did Keisha face cancer with bravery and resilience?

11:11 - What is the high cost of complacency?

15:00 - Overcoming fear and finding fearlessness

15:26 - How to take action

20:28 - How to live a life with authenticity and accountability?

23:01 - Keisha’s #1 tip for midlife women

Quotations:

"You have to accept it. It has to be part of you. It happened. You can't turn it back. It happened." - Keisha Hickson

"We are bravehearted women. We talk about having to face brave things and find our courage, our bravery, and our fearlessness because we're stronger than we know." - Dawn Damon

"Fear is definitely a thief and a robber... we have to face our fear with a plan." - Dawn Damon

"Time is not refundable. Mondays and Sundays, never get them back." - Keisha Hickson

"Complacency is the anchor that keeps our dreams from sailing." - Keisha Hickson

Resources:

🌐Connect with Keisha at keishahickson.com

📚 Get a copy of Dawn’s NEW book - The Making of a BraveHearted Woman: Courage, Confidence, and Vision in Midlife: https://amzn.to/491OnAt

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: dawn@braveheartmentor.com

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravehearted_woman

💞 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveheartedwoman

💞 Podcast: https://the-bravehearted-woman.captivate.fm/listen

Download the full transcript here.

In this episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, I am joined by Kamini Wood, a certified life coach who focuses on helping high achievers heal their relationships and become resilient self-leaders.

Kamini shares her journey, growing up in a predominantly white town in Connecticut as a member of an Indian family, which shaped her into a people-pleaser and perfectionist. Her upbringing further reinforced these tendencies as a caretaker and high achiever. Kamini explains how she recognized these patterns in her children and underwent a self-transformation to address them.

Professionally, she realized her passion for helping others grow and evolve, leading her to become a life coach specializing in areas like overcoming perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and self-sabotage. Kamini emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, understanding underlying narratives behind behaviors, and taking values-based actions.

Kamini also discusses the significance of embracing her Indian heritage and how it enriched her identity, which she aims to pass on to her children. Tune to this week’s episode and discover how Kamini encourages women to ask themselves what they truly need and take steps towards living authentically!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Guest Intro

1:36 - Kamini’s journey growing up as a people pleaser and perfectionist

4:01 - The impact of perfectionism in one’s life

7:33 - How Kamini transitioned her career to being a life coach

9:48 - How Kamini balances her personal and professional life

12:27 - What is the truth about self-sabotage?

17:56 - Kamini’s POV about anxiety, trauma, and imposter syndrome.

20:18 - How to embrace uniqueness

22:46 - Kamini’s #1 tip to midlife women

Quotations:

"It’s not always about getting rid of things. It’s about how you learn to either live with it or find that relationship with those things." - Kamini Wood

"If we look at just the human race, yes, we're all human beings, but we all have a unique quality. There’s one message that I’d love for people to hear it’s, Hey, your uniqueness is actually the gift that this world needs." - Kamini Wood

"I think the one thing that I would say is that with self-sabotage, people will constantly say, I want to stop self-sabotaging if we want to stop something instead of just, we would have stopped it already if we could, right? So the idea, it's a shift. Okay. I'm noticing the self-sabotage isn't serving me. So if I got curious about the self-sabotage, what's behind it, right?" - Kamini Wood

Resources:

🎁 FREE GIFT Ignite Your Confidence and Soar With Self-esteem: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/ignite_your_confidence_ebook

🌐Connect with Kamini at kaminiwood.com; Facebook and Instagram

📚 Get a copy of Dawn’s NEW book - The Making of a BraveHearted Woman: Courage, Confidence, and Vision in Midlife:

In this episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, we take an in-depth look at the midlife crisis, exploring the significant life changes that often come with this stage of life. From empty nesting and career transitions to relational changes and the unique challenges of being in the sandwich generation, midlife can be a complex and transformative time. We discuss the emotional rollercoaster many women experience, including feelings of restlessness, regret, fear, and confusion.

I share 6 key strategies for navigating midlife with grace and empowerment, helping you to embrace this season with confidence and courage. Additionally, I read an excerpt from my book, The Making of a BraveHearted Woman, where I illustrated how setting meaningful goals helped me turn my midlife crisis into an exciting adventure. This episode is packed with practical advice, personal insights, and inspirational stories to support you on your midlife journey.

Tune in to learn how to transform your midlife challenges into opportunities for growth and reinvention. And make sure to finish this episode to know what my gift for the week is!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:46 - What is a midlife crisis?

9:43 - Tip 1: Embrace the change.

10:58 - Tip 2: Self-reflection.

12:08 - Tip 3: Seek support.

13:20 - Tip 4: Prioritize self-care.

15:03 - Tip 5: Set new goals.

16:24 - Tip 6: Celebrate your journey.

18:27 - How bravehearts are born?

Quotations:

"Midlife sneaks up on us like a little whisper and eventually grows into this roar that we can't ignore."

"Midlife really is not a crisis. Midlife is a transition. It's a time for you to reinvent yourself."

"Self-reflection and being able to be self-aware is the answer to so many things. Next to knowing God, it's knowing yourself."

"Midlife is not the end. It is a powerful new beginning. You're at the threshold of a new beginning. It's a new you."

"These feelings of restlessness, fear, self-doubt, and maybe some confusion, are simply indicators that you are ready for profound transformation."

"Reframe this midlife crisis as your opportunity to reinvent so that you don't have hard later. Do the hard thing now."

Resources:

📝Confidence Quiz: https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/664671c0bfcbb8001586d6c7

📚 Get a copy of Dawn’s NEW book - The Making of a BraveHearted Woman: Courage, Confidence, and Vision in Midlife: https://amzn.to/491OnAt

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: dawn@braveheartmentor.com

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravehearted_woman

💞 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveheartedwoman

💞 Podcast: https://the-bravehearted-woman.captivate.fm/listen

Download the full transcript here.

In this episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, I am joined by Ashley Balza, a mother of seven and grandmother of two, who shares her transformative journey following a severe septic illness in 2018. Ashley recounts the drastic health challenges she faced post-childbirth, leading to her hospitalization and eventual diagnosis of a strep bacterial infection. This life-threatening experience underscored the importance of self-advocacy in medical settings.

Ashley explains how this ordeal propelled her into prioritizing self-care, which she emphasizes as critical for preventing burnout and chronic health issues. She describes how her faith and a shift in her expectations towards her husband played a crucial role in her recovery and personal growth. Ashley highlights the significance of recognizing personal value beyond familial roles and finding worth in spiritual faith.

Tune in to find out how Ashly ventures into direct sales of skincare, which boosted her confidence and led to a broader self-care routine. She now encourages others to embrace self-care, advocating for small, manageable steps over expensive or time-consuming activities. So it’s never too late to pursue your dreams and start a business in midlife!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Guest Intro

1:32 - Ashly’s braveheart story of overcoming life’s biggest challenges

9:20 - Practical tips to prevent burnout

10:18 - Signs and symptoms of burnout

15:33 - How to determine your self-worth?

21:00 - The importance of surrendering

23:24 - How proper skin care can transform your confidence and appearance

26:51 - Ashly’s #1 tip for midlife woman

28:55 - Find out Ashly’s FREE gift

Quotations:

"You have to advocate for yourself. You have to open up and share your voice and don't be afraid to keep pressing the issue." - Dawn Damon

"Advocating for your own self-care is so critically important because when you're burning the candle at both ends, not taking care of yourself, you end up severely dehydrated or with chronic issues." - Ashly Balza

"Disease comes from chronic inflammation. So if you're not getting to the root cause of that inflammation, you're inviting illness." - Ashly Balza

"Your value and your worth are not found in your husband or anyone else; they come from God, the one who created you." - Ashly Balza

"Self-care doesn’t have to be an extravagant, expensive thing. It can be simple, like starting with your skincare routine." - Ashly Balza

"The only way you will fail is if you quit. Keep pushing forward." - Ashly Balza

"If you feel called to do something, no more excuses. Just do it, because you never know where it will take you." - Ashly Balza

"For me, it was more so how to begin to love me and begin to find who I was. I'm not just a mom. I'm not just a wife. I'm not just a business owner. Like I am a daughter of the most high King." - Ashly Balza

"The only way you will fail is if you quit. So keep pushing forward. If it's something that is truly on your heart and you feel like it's something that God has for your purpose... no more excuses, just do it because you can come up with excuses all day, every day, and you can live miserably because you have those regrets." - Ashly Balza

"Don't let 'what if' turn into 'if only.' If only I would have taken that risk." - Dawn Damon

Resources:

🎁 FREE GIFT - 30-minute self-care consult with Ashly Balza: https://lbri.com/ashlybalza/skincareadvisor

🌐Connect with Ashly Balza:

In this episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, I am joined by Susan Neal, a registered nurse, health coach, and author of "12 Ways to Age Gracefully: How to Look and Feel Younger."

Susan shares her braveheart story of overcoming a severe health crisis during menopause, which led her to discover the importance of holistic health practices. She emphasizes the critical connection between a healthy mindset and a healthy body, offering listeners practical advice on aging gracefully.

So today, delve into bold and courageous living for midlife women, empower you to conquer your mindset and live your dreams, and read her new book, "12 Ways to Age Gracefully: How to Look and Feel Younger," offering practical advice on boosting energy levels, improving brain health, managing stress, and fulfilling one's divine purpose! Tune in to this episode for more!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Guest Intro

2:35 - Susan’s braveheart story

5:36 - 12 ways to age gracefully

8:25 - Understanding the microbiome in your body

11:28 - How to solve your gluten-free issue?

13:13 - What to eat VS what not to eat

14:25 - The importance of finding what exercise works for you.

15:52 - How to figure out your divine purpose?

17:41 - Susan’s #1 tip to keep yourself healthy

Quotations:

“Look at your plate. Is the food on the plate, did it come out of a garden or off of a ranch? If it did, eat it. If it has been shredded and put into a shape and a different color, and you don't know what type of food it was before, don't eat it." - Susan Neal

"Finding that divine purpose... God has given all of us a mission, all of us a purpose. Figure it out, and fulfill it." - Susan Neal

"Drink lots of water. Half your body weight in water is how many ounces of water you should drink per day. So drink up." - Susan Neal

"We don't have to do everything overnight all at once. We can make those baby steps, right? Just start making those small tweaks and you'll live, God willing, more vibrant, healthier, younger, and just that happiness, content, and satisfaction." - Dawn Damon

"It's all entwined, isn't it? Our health with our mind, our body, our soul, and our spirit. It's all interconnected." - Dawn Damon

Resources:

📚Get a copy of Susan Neal’s books here: https://susanuneal.com/product-category/my-books-and-products/

🌐Connect with Susan: https://susanuneal.com/

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: dawn@braveheartmentor.com

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravehearted_woman

💞 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveheartedwoman

💞 Podcast: https://the-bravehearted-woman.captivate.fm/listen

Download the full transcript here.

🗓️Become the woman of your dreams with The BraveHearted Woman Planner: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/offers/bHky3uoX/checkout

In this week’s episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, I want to focus on empowering you to become your best self by giving you 5 practical steps for personal growth. These steps are designed to help you take actionable measures toward realizing your potential and achieving your dreams.

So if you’re looking for something to inspire you, this is your sign. Tune in now!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:18 - Step #1: Identify and name your goals.

6:31 - Step #2: Write affirmations for yourself.

9:04 - Step #3: Find your lifters.

11:41 - Step #4: Keep your visions in front of you.

15:27 - Step #5: Associate yourself with women of the same growth mindset.

18:31 - How to take action

Quotations:

"You have more power than you know. That’s not to say that you don’t love and appreciate yourself right now just as you are. But when we start to bring some of these things to our awareness, we start to understand, okay, that’s actually an area that I can hone, I can polish, I can elevate, and I can reduce."

"Personal growth is not a sprint but a marathon. It requires daily effort and a long-term commitment."

"Failures are not defining moments but opportunities for learning and growth. By reframing failures as valuable lessons, individuals can build resilience and continue their journey with renewed determination."

"Celebrating milestones, both big and small, is crucial for maintaining motivation. Recognizing these victories can boost morale and provide the encouragement needed to keep going."

"An emotionally healthy environment allows for genuine connections and mutual support, which are vital for personal growth."

"You have the power within you to create the life you envision and become the woman of your dreams."

"The path to becoming your best self is not always straightforward, but with a clear vision, specific goals, a growth mindset, consistent action, and regular reflection, you can achieve incredible things."

"Personal growth is a dynamic process, and being flexible allows you to adapt to changing circumstances and continue moving forward."

Resources:

♀️ Join the community of the The Brave-Hearted Woman ☆ Self-Rescue for Worn Out Working Wonder Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/braveheartedwoman

🗓️Become the woman of your dreams with The Bravehearted Planner: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/offers/bHky3uoX/checkout

🎁Get a copy of my FREE Gift for the week - Ignite Your Confidence & Soar with Self-Esteem: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/ignite_your_confidence_ebook

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: dawn@braveheartmentor.com

💞 Website:...

🎁 FREE GIFT: The 7-Day Identity Challenge for Midlife Women of Faith: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/offers/rMw4gih9/checkout

In this episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, I am joined by LaTan Roland Murphy, a wife, mother, grandmother, sought-after speaker, award-winning writer, TV personality known for candid and honest communication.

Today, LaTan shares her experiences of dealing with significant life challenges, including the loss of loved ones and her husband's severe health issues. She emphasizes the importance of finding strength and joy in God's presence rather than relying solely on personal strength. Her book highlights the stories of ten women from the Bible who, despite their flaws and difficult circumstances, found strength and joy in God.

LaTan also touches on the writing process, sharing how personal grief and challenges shaped her work. She encourages women to share their own stories and to keep faith and determination amidst adversity.

So, remember the significance of staying focused on God’s strength and purpose, especially in difficult times is the way for growth and success. Women in midlife need to support each other to be bold in faith! Tune in now and relate yourself if you’re seeking encouragement andn wisdom in midlife and beyond!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Guest Intro

2:11 - LaTan’s braveheart story of finding strength and joy

4:04 - 10 stories of women to finding God’s strength to find strength and joy in life

11:48 - How writing your own story can change your life

17:14 - What’s next for La Tan?

20:20 - Why you should not quit

22:28 - Hard stories vs real stories

Quotations:

"I think sometimes as women that's kind of what we do is lean into our own strength and our own power and our own ability to stir up joy all around us. But it's not really joy we're stirring up. It's a moment of happiness, but there's a big difference." - LaTan Murphy

"It's then that we really need to draw from our faith in Christ and be able to experience something that is so far bigger and so outside the realm of what we could ever model in our own human strength." - LaTan Murphy

"Some of us get overwhelmed by the small things of life, let alone the big things." - Dawn Damon:

"Dear sister listening, if you've not made that exchange yet, I encourage you to do that, that you lay down your efforts, your striving, your strength. That doesn't mean that we're not courageous, brave women taking steps of action. What it does mean is that we're not doing it by ourselves." - Dawn Damon

"There are a few women out there who will not be your cheerleaders. They'll think they'll misperceive your heart and what you're doing. And they'll make it their ambition to let you know that." - LaTan Murphy

"When you keep your eyes on God and you listen for his voice and how to do it, when to do it, and where to do it, everything changes." - LaTan Murphy

Resources:

🎁 FREE GIFT: The 7-Day Identity Challenge for Midlife Women of Faith: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/offers/rMw4gih9/checkout

📚Get a copy of His Strength, Her Joy: Finding God-Powered Fulfillment: