Stronger in the Difficult Places

Letting go is one of the most misunderstood decisions we face in relationships. If you've ever stayed longer than you should have… Tried harder than felt sustainable… Or questioned whether walking away means you've failed- This episode is for you. In this conversation, Dr. Zoe unpacks the powerful difference between giving up and letting go, and why so many high-capacity, deeply loving women struggle to tell the difference. Through the lens of Complex Shame, you'll begin to understand why letting go can feel like failure- even when it's actually the most self-honoring choice you can make. Because sometimes what we call "not giving up"… Is actually self-abandonment. And sometimes letting go… Is the very thing that brings you back to yourself. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Key Takeaway Letting go is not failure. It's the end of abandoning yourself in the name of love. A Few Questions to Reflect On: Your Next Step If this episode stirred something in you, start here: Work With Dr. Zoe If you're ready to untangle Complex Shame and build healthier, more aligned relationships: Visit drzoeshaw.com to explore resources, coaching, and upcoming programs. Resources & Next Steps: Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement. Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love. Join the waitlist for Stronger Woman Intensive: here Buy my book Stronger In The Difficult Places: here Free Downloads: Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Subscribe & Review If this episode resonated with you, make sure to follow Stronger in the Difficult Places and leave a review. It helps more women find this work- and begin their own healing.

That quiet belief- I'm not enough- doesn't just stay in your thoughts. It shows up in how you love, how you communicate, and how you stay in relationships that don't fully meet you. In this episode, Dr. Zoe is joined by Christina Ketchen, host of The Self Love Shift Podcast, to unpack what we're calling the epidemic of not enoughness—and why so many high-achieving women still feel it, no matter how much they've accomplished. Together, they explore how this internal belief quietly drives overgiving, overthinking, and self-abandonment in relationships—and what it actually takes to shift it at the root. If you've ever questioned your worth in love or felt like you had to prove your value to be chosen, this conversation will meet you right where you are—and help you begin to move forward. In this episode, we discuss: * How "not enoughness" forms and why it's so persistent * The subtle ways it shows up in relationships * Why insight alone isn't enough to create change * What it looks like to begin shifting your self-worth from the inside out About Christina: Christina Ketchen is a mindset and self-love coach and the host of The Self Love Shift Podcast. Her work centers on helping women break free from limiting beliefs, rebuild self-worth, and step into more aligned, confident lives. Visit her website: https://christinaketchen.com/ Resources & Next Steps: Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement. Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love. Order the book Stronger in the Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book Join the waitlist for Stronger Woman Intensive: here Free Downloads: Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here If this episode spoke to you, please share it with a friend who needs hope in their relationships. And don't forget to subscribe to Stronger in the Difficult Places so you never miss an episode

Forgiveness is often talked about like it's simple- something you should do if you want to heal. But what if it doesn't feel freeing… what if it feels impossible? In this episode, Dr. Zoe unpacks the complicated reality of forgiveness—why it's so hard, what it actually means, and why struggling with it doesn't make you broken. You'll learn a new definition of forgiveness that removes pressure and shame, and offers a more honest path forward—one rooted in truth, grief, and self-compassion. What You'll Learn • Why forgiveness often feels like letting someone "off the hook" • A redefining of forgiveness: giving up hope of a better past • The hidden grief beneath forgiveness—and why it matters • Why fear (not resentment) is often what blocks forgiveness • The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation • Why forgiveness isn't the first step in healing • How to begin when forgiveness feels out of reach Key Takeaway Forgiveness isn't about excusing what happened or rushing to move on. It's about releasing the exhausting attempt to change the past- and allowing yourself to grieve what was lost so you can move forward with honesty and wholeness. Resources & Next Steps: Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement. Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love. Order the book Stronger in the Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book Join the waitlist for Stronger Woman Intensive: here Free Downloads: Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here If this episode resonated, share it with someone who may be quietly struggling with forgiveness—and remind them they're not alone.

What if the thing you keep trying to change about yourself… isn't actually changeable? And what if the same is true for your partner? In this powerful and perspective-shifting conversation, I sit down with Dr. Denim Slade, author of Unlock Your C.O.R.E. Potential, to talk about temperament, relationships, and the freedom that comes when we stop trying to "fix" what was never meant to be fixed. Dr. Slade brings decades of experience as a marriage and family therapist and coach, along with his CORE framework—a temperament-based system that helps people understand the parts of themselves that are innate and unchangeable. Together, we explore the tension so many of us live in: Trying to grow… while also needing to accept. Because here's the truth: Growth doesn't come from changing your core nature. It comes from understanding it—and learning how to work with it. In This Episode, We Talk About: A Shift to Consider: If you've been living with the quiet belief that: "I'm too much…" "They should be different…" "If I could just change this, everything would work…" This conversation invites you to pause. What if the work isn't changing your core… but understanding it? About Dr. Denim Slade Dr. Denim Slade is a relationship expert, coach, and author with over 25 years of experience helping individuals and couples improve their lives and relationships. He holds a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science and is the creator of the CORE temperament framework—a personality system designed to help people understand the innate, unchangeable aspects of who they are and how those impact their relationships. Learn more about his work: https://becomehealthyandhappy.com/ Resources & Next Steps: Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement. Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love. Order the book Stronger in the Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book Join the waitlist for Stronger Woman Intensive: here Free Downloads: Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here If this episode spoke to you, please share it with a friend who needs hope in their relationships. And don't forget to subscribe to Stronger in the Difficult Places so you never miss an episode

You are my people. Everything I create- this podcast, my writing, these emails- is for one reason: to help you have a better relationship with yourself and with the people you love. And when you ask me questions, I listen. I really listen. I answered this question today because even though she didn't share many details, I could feel the anguish in her words… and I remember what it felt like to be in that place. Here's what she asked: "Dr. Zoe, what do I do when overwhelming shame is keeping me from seeking the help I truly need? How do I even begin to find the words—or the strength—to reach out when I feel so ashamed of myself?" If you've ever felt that… you are not alone. Tune in to hear my answer. Resources & Next Steps: Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement. Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love. Order the book Stronger in the Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book Join the waitlist for Stronger Woman Intensive: here Free Downloads: Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here If this episode spoke to you, please share it with a friend who needs hope in their relationships. And don't forget to subscribe to Stronger in the Difficult Places so you never miss an episode

What happens when the relationship you once chose begins to feel heavy and you quietly tell yourself you're stuck? In this episode, Dr. Zoe speaks directly to the woman who feels trapped not by crisis, but by clarity she's been avoiding. The kind of clarity that comes when love hasn't disappeared, but ease has. When you're still committed, but something inside you is tired. This is not an episode about whether you should stay or leave. It's an invitation to reclaim your power. In this conversation, Dr. Zoe gently challenges one of the most painful beliefs women carry in long-term relationships: "I'm stuck." Instead, she offers a reframing that can shift your nervous system, your thinking, and your sense of agency without forcing a decision you're not ready to make. In this episode, we explore: • Why feeling "trapped" often comes from emotional bargaining, not the relationship itself • The hard but freeing truth: you are still choosing and why that matters • How owning your reasons for staying restores power instead of shame • The difference between acceptance and resignation • What it means to stop trying to change your partner without abandoning yourself • Why unacknowledged grief turns into resentment and how clarity creates cleaner love • The question that brings honesty back into long-term relationships If this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with a friend who might need these words today or leaving a review so more women can find this conversation. Resources & Next Steps: Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement. Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love. Order the book Stronger in the Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book Join the waitlist for Stronger Woman Collective: here Free Downloads: Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here If this episode spoke to you, please share it with a friend who needs hope in their relationships. And don't forget to subscribe to Stronger in the Difficult Places so you never miss an episode

Many women believe that if they are loved well enough, they will finally feel secure, whole, and at peace. But here's the hard truth: love doesn't heal self-abandonment—it reveals it. In this episode, Dr. Zoe explores why self-abandonment forms, how it shows up in romantic relationships, and why expecting love to fix it quietly sabotages intimacy. This conversation is compassionate, direct, and deeply hopeful, especially if you've ever felt loved yet still unseen, exhausted, or emotionally alone. In This Episode, You'll Learn: • Why self-abandonment is a learned survival strategy—not a character flaw • How love activates self-abandonment rather than curing it • The hidden ways self-abandonment disguises itself as being "easy," "loyal," or "low maintenance" • How Complex Shame convinces women their needs are the problem • Why expecting love to heal you turns relationships into emotional labor • How your romantic patterns often mirror how you treat yourself • What it actually means to choose yourself without blowing up your relationship • Why healing self-abandonment requires grief—not just insight • How small acts of self-return change the way love feels • The hope: why self-abandonment can be unlearned—and how love becomes safer when you stop disappearing A Gentle Reminder You don't heal self-abandonment so someone will finally choose you. You heal it so you stop leaving yourself—even when love gets hard. Reflection Question Where in your life are you staying quiet, flexible, or agreeable at the expense of your truth—and calling it love? Resources & Next Steps: Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement. Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love. Order the book Stronger in the Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book Join the waitlist for Stronger Woman Collective: here Free Downloads: Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here If this episode spoke to you, please share it with a friend who needs hope in their relationships. And don't forget to subscribe to Stronger in the Difficult Places so you never miss an episode.

Do you ever feel like you have to be "right" in order to feel safe? Or that if you could just figure out the answer, the relationship, or the next step, then the anxiety and shame would finally go away? If so, you're not alone. Many women stuck in co-dependency and complex shame cling to certainty as a way to feel secure—but often it only leaves us more exhausted, more disconnected, and further from ourselves. In this episode of Stronger in the Difficult Places, I sit down with Stefani Ruper - Oxford-trained philosopher, former Harvard researcher, and author of the forthcoming book The Certainty Cure. Stefani shares why releasing certainty and embracing curiosity can transform the way we see ourselves, our relationships, and our healing journey. We talk about: • Why certainty addiction keeps women stuck in cycles of co-dependency and shame • How uncertainty fuels personal growth and builds resilience • What curiosity looks like in daily life (even in arguments or moments of shame) • How to stay grounded when everything feels uncertain • Practical ways to release the need to be right and rediscover who you are If you're ready to stop chasing control and start healing by embracing the unknown, this conversation will give you hope and practical steps forward. Connect with Stefani Ruper: • Instagram: @stefani.ruper • Facebook: facebook.com/stefani.ruper • X: @stefaniruper • Substack: stefaniruper.substack.com Resources & Next Steps: Join the Stronger Woman Collective waitlist: here Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement. Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love. Buy my book Stronger In The Difficult Places: here Free Downloads: Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here If this episode spoke to you, please share it with a friend and leave a review. Your reviews help more women untangle shame, break free from co-dependency, and discover the strength to live with curiosity.

We’ve all been there—wishing someone we love would finally be different. Maybe it’s a spouse who won’t listen, a parent who won’t soften, or a friend who keeps repeating the same destructive patterns. The temptation is to pour our energy into fixing them—but what if the real path to peace and change begins with you? In this episode, I unpack why clinging to the hope that someone will change can keep you stuck, frustrated, and resentful. I offer practical, compassionate steps for accepting people as they are, protecting your worth with boundaries, and reclaiming your peace. Because the truth is, the second you change, the entire relationship changes. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Encouragement: You don’t need to wait for someone else to transform before you can breathe again. Peace doesn’t come when they change—it comes when you stop needing them to. Resources & Next Steps: Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement. Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love. Preorder the book Stronger in the Difficult Places (coming September 30, 2025!): drzoeshaw.com/book Free Downloads: Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here If this episode spoke to you, please share it with a friend who needs hope in their relationships. And don’t forget to subscribe to Stronger in the Difficult Places so you never miss an episode.

What do you even call a divorce anniversary? Two years after the end of my marriage, I find myself reflecting—not on celebration, but on growth, healing, and the lessons heartbreak leaves behind. In this deeply personal episode, I’m sharing the three truths divorce taught me about co-dependency and how I’m learning to live and love differently. Whether you’re walking through the rubble of a relationship, navigating the lonely spaces of divorce, or stepping into love again with a hopeful but shaky heart, these lessons are for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: This Episode Is For You If… You’ve struggled with co-dependency or shame in relationships. You’re navigating divorce, separation, or stepping into new love after loss. You want to stop abandoning yourself in relationships and learn how to show up fully as you. Resources & Next Steps: Connect with me on Instagram @drzoeshaw for daily encouragement. Subscribe to my newsletter for more conversations on healing, boundaries, and healthy love. Preorder the book Stronger in the Difficult Places (coming September 30, 2025!): drzoeshaw.com/book Free Downloads: Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here Share this episode with a friend who needs a reminder: you are not too much, and you are not alone.

So many women in difficult relationships hold onto a dangerous belief: if I just love him enough, I can save him. Psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott knows this illusion all too well. In her memoir Nightbird (Pierian Springs Press, May 12), she unflinchingly shares her journey through an emotionally abusive marriage, her husband’s tragic suicide, and the painful yet liberating process of rebuilding her life. In this conversation, Shavaun and I explore: Shavaun’s story is raw, sobering, and ultimately full of hope. Whether you’ve faced abuse, grappled with loss, or love someone who has, her voice is a reminder that healing is possible, and freedom is worth fighting for. Learn more about Shavaun’s work and her book Nightbird at shavaunscott.com. Pre-order my book Stronger In The Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book Free Downloads: Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

In a world where we’re taught to speak up, make our point, and persuade, the skill of listening often gets overlooked—and undervalued. Yet listening, when done well, can transform our relationships far more than talking or lecturing ever could. In this episode of Stronger in the Difficult Places, Dr. Zoe sits down with Licensed Professional Counselor Gina Yanovitch to explore how truly hearing others can deepen understanding, foster connection, and defuse conflict. Gina, author of Stop Avoiding It, shares how coping skills, neuroscience, and scripture can help us move out of our emotional minds, embrace uncertainty, and navigate hard conversations with grace. What We Discuss in This Episode: About Gina Yanovitch: Gina Yanovitch is a Licensed Professional Counselor in sunny Phoenix, Arizona, specializing in trauma and relationships. In her new book, Stop Avoiding It, she equips readers with tools to face difficult emotions and conversations head-on—combining practical coping skills, brain science, and spiritual wisdom. Connect with Gina: Stop Avoiding It: stopavoidingit.com Website: mindhelm.org Instagram: @mind_helm Pre-order my book Stronger In The Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book Free Downloads: Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

What does it really take to make a long-term marriage work and why do so many couples struggle to stay connected over time? In this episode, I sit down with psychologist and author Dr. Bonnie Comfort to explore the hard truths and hopeful tools behind enduring love. With over 30 years of experience working with couples, Dr. Comfort offers a candid look into the complexities of modern marriage, the emotional minefield of infidelity, and why empathy, not perfection, is the real glue that holds relationships together. We talk about the cultural conditioning that encourages women to be overly pleasing, the evolving power dynamics in long-term relationships, and how to navigate the inevitable incompatibilities that arise between two people over time. Dr. Comfort’s latest book, Staying Married Is the Hardest Part, is a compassionate, unflinching exploration of what it means to choose each other over and over again, even when it's not easy. In this conversation, we explore: - The infidelity trap and what it reveals about a relationship - The “glue” that helps couples weather storms and stay committed - The surprising risks inherent in couples’ therapy - How empathy becomes a sustaining force in long-term love - Why cultural messaging still trains women to please at their own expense - How to make peace with the inevitable incompatibilities in marriage - The shifting power dynamics that unfold over decades together Meet Dr. Bonnie Comfort: Dr. Bonnie Comfort is a clinical psychologist, author, and expert in marital therapy. She holds an MSW from the University of Manitoba and a PhD from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles. Her psychological thriller Denial was published in seven countries and translated into four languages. Her newest book, Staying Married Is the Hardest Part, offers a raw, honest take on the emotional and psychological complexities of committed relationships. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her long-time partner. Connect with Dr. Bonnie Comfort: Website: www.bonniecomfort.com Instagram: @bonniecomfortauthor Facebook: Bonnie Comfort LinkedIn: Bonnie Comfort Buy her book Staying Married Is the Hardest Part: here Pre-order my book Stronger In The Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book Free Downloads: Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

What do you do when life takes a turn you never asked for? When the diagnosis, the betrayal, the loss, or the slow unraveling of your plans leaves you feeling like the wrong person for the job? In this deeply personal and compassionate episode, Dr. Zoe reads a letter to anyone facing a life they didn’t expect. Originally written for an anthology, this letter was adapted for anyone navigating life-changing pain, disorientation, or shame. Whether you’re in the midst of grief, struggling with a sudden shift in identity, or simply wondering how to move forward this episode is a lifeline. You'll hear: -Why shame, guilt, and blame aren't yours to carry -How real bravery can look like breaking down, not holding it all together -The truth about phantom critics and inner comparison -A gentle invitation to stop fighting for the past and start building from the now -Why acceptance isn’t giving up—it’s grieving forward This is for the woman who is tired of pretending she’s fine. For the one who needs someone to say, “You are not broken.” For anyone who needs a breath, a moment, and a reminder: You’ve got this. Resources & Links: Sign up for the newsletter: www.drzoeshaw.com Preorder the book Stronger in the Difficult Places (coming September 30, 2025!): drzoeshaw.com/book Last call to join the Stronger in the Difficult Places Launch Team ( closing July 31st!): join now Free Downloads: Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Rate & Review: If this episode moved you, helped you, or made you feel a little less alone, would you take a moment to leave a review? It helps more brave souls find this space of healing.

Why do so many women find themselves in relationships where they’re doing all the emotional labor? And what role does childhood—and especially the way we raise boys—play in this dynamic? In today’s powerful episode, Dr. Gloria K. Vanderhorst joins me to unpack the lifelong impact of early emotional conditioning—particularly for boys. With over 50 years of experience working with individuals, families, and schools, Dr. Gloria brings deep insight into how our earliest experiences shape how we love, relate, and often repeat patterns without even realizing it. We explore why boys are often taught to disconnect from their emotions, how that affects their adult relationships, and what it takes to change—even later in life. Whether you're parenting a son, partnered with an emotionally shut-down man, or healing from your own emotional inheritance, this episode will speak to your heart. In this episode, we discuss: About Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst: Dr. Gloria K. Vanderhorst is a licensed psychologist and author of the best-selling book Read, Reflect, Respond: The 3 R’s of Growth and Change. With five decades of experience, she’s helped individuals of all ages understand how early experiences shape their present—and how to heal from trauma in order to grow. Resources Mentioned: Read, Reflect, Respond: The 3 R’s of Growth and Change by Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst – Available on Amazon Connect with Dr. Gloria on her website or social media: www.drvanderhorst.com https://www.youtube.com/@gloriakvanderhorst https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloria-vanderhorst Pre-order my book Stronger In The Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book Free Downloads: Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

What if anxiety wasn’t the enemy, but a signal? In this powerful episode, Dr. Zoe talks with psychotherapist and transformational coach Bonnie Brindle about why anxiety is just energy—and how to channel it instead of being ruled by it. Bonnie shares her own story of living with intense anxiety, what finally helped her break free, and the surprising way your energy system could be sabotaging your calm. You’ll walk away with practical, empowering tools to regulate your nervous system before hard conversations, build internal trust, and quiet your mind when your relationship feels uncertain. We Talk About: About Our Guest: Bonnie Brindle is The Anxiety Avenger™—a licensed psychotherapist, author, educator, transformational coach, and international speaker. She blends talk therapy with evidence-based energy practices to help clients shift out of survival mode and into self-trust and emotional freedom. Bonnie’s work is grounded in the belief that peace is possible for everyone—once you learn to decode the chaos. Connect with Bonnie Brindle: Website: www.bonniebrindle.com Order a personalized copy of Bonnie's book, Cracking the Crazymakers’ Code Receive Bonnie's bi-monthly newsletter, Musings from the Menagerie Pre-order my book Stronger In The Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book Free Downloads: Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

Welcome back to Stronger in the Difficult Places. I’m your host, Dr. Zoe, and today we’re digging deep into a topic that hits close to home for so many women in difficult relationships: the difference between enmeshment, co-dependence, and healthy interdependence. These patterns can be hard to recognize when they’re all you’ve ever known. Maybe you were taught that love means sacrifice. That closeness means never saying no. That boundaries are rejection. But the truth? Real love doesn’t require you to disappear. In this episode, you’ll learn: This episode is for the woman who’s tired of losing herself in the name of love. Who wants connection — but not at the cost of her own soul. Who’s ready to set boundaries not out of anger, but out of clarity and care. Remember: We’re not fixing them. We’re fixing you. And that changes everything. Resources & Links: Buy My book Stronger In The Difficult Places: drzoeshaw.com/book Free Downloads: Download the Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™ PDF: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here Subscribe + Review: If this episode spoke to your heart, please rate and review the show! It helps more women like you find the strength to get stronger in their difficult places. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Hit subscribe so you never miss a dose of truth, healing, and empowerment.

In this powerful episode, Dr. Zoe sits down with author and biblical life coach Dawn Ward to talk about the often-invisible toll that guilt, shame, and self-blame take on mothers of addicted children. Dawn shares how faith helped her move forward in her calling, even while her loved ones were still in the midst of their struggle. Together, they explore how trauma can keep us stuck, what it means to truly feel again, and how to reclaim peace without waiting for the perfect outcome. Dawn Ward is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and a certified biblical life coach. She is the founder of The Faith to Flourish, a ministry offering support and encouragement to women with addicted loved ones. She is married to Steve and mom to three adult children. Her book, From Guilt to Grace: Hope and Healing for Christian Moms of Addicted Children, published September 2024, is now available. Connect with Dawn: Website: www.thefaithtoflourish.com Instagram: @thefaithtoflourishblog Her Book: From Guilt to Grace: Hope and Healing for Christian Moms of Addicted Children: here Resources & Links: Free Downloads: Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™: here Share This Episode With: A friend stuck in a confusing, painful relationship Someone who keeps hoping for change but needs permission to take a breath Any woman struggling to trust again—whether in their relationship, or in themselves Subscribe + Review: If this episode spoke to your heart, please rate and review the show! It helps more women like you find the strength to get stronger in their difficult places. Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

Trust is the foundation of every healthy relationship—and when it breaks, it can feel like your world is unraveling. In this deeply honest and empowering episode, Dr. Zoe speaks to the woman who finds herself in the painful in-between: staying in a relationship with a partner she no longer fully trusts. Whether the betrayal is emotional, financial, or physical—or the result of consistent minimization of your needs—Dr. Zoe shares five powerful steps to help you regain clarity, agency, and peace. This episode isn’t about making the decision to stay or leave. It’s about choosing you—your healing, your stability, your voice. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Resources & Links: Free Downloads: Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here Are you a writer? Join me in person at the HopeWriters Writing Retreat—a beautiful weekend designed to help you craft, connect, and confidently step into your calling. For one week only, we’re offering a Mother’s Day special—your spot is just $97 with the code MOM2026. (Valid from April 18th - April 24th) Sign up here Share This Episode With: A friend stuck in a confusing, painful relationship Someone who keeps hoping for change but needs permission to take a breath Any woman struggling to trust again—whether in their relationship, or in themselves Subscribe + Review: If this episode spoke to your heart, please rate and review the show! It helps more women like you find the strength to get stronger in their difficult places. Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website

If you’re feeling tired—but not just in your body, in your soul—this episode is for you. Dr. Zoe sits down with Tracie Braylock, holistic nurse, educator, and author of Radical Relaxation: Releasing the Stress You Were Never Meant to Carry. Together, they unpack what “radical relaxation” really means (hint: it’s not about bubble baths) and why women especially need to redefine their relationship with rest. We talk about: Why modern stress is more than just a lifestyle issue—it’s a spiritual and physiological oneThe difference between numbing out and true restorationHow to recognize your stress signals before your body forces you to stopThe role of boundaries in protecting your peaceHow Biblical wisdom and scientific research both point to the necessity of deep rest Tracie brings her experience as a former operating room nurse and her current role as a writer with Proverbs 31 Ministries to offer grounded, compassionate insights for women who carry too much—and rest too little. Take a deep breath, press play, and give yourself permission to stop striving and start receiving the rest your body and soul actually need. Connect with Tracie: Website: traciebraylock.com Instagram: @traciebraylock Book: Radical Relaxation: Releasing the Stress You Were Never Meant to Carry [Free Download] Steps to Healing from Complex Shame™: here Get the First Chapter of Stronger in the Difficult Places: here Are you a writer? Join me in person at the HopeWriters Writing Retreat—a beautiful weekend designed to help you craft, connect, and confidently step into your calling. Sign up here Connect with me: Dr. Zoe Shaw on Instagram Dr. Zoe Shaw on Facebook Dr. Zoe Shaw Website