“Part of breaking the norm is healing. How many people are walking around every day who haven’t tackled anything that happened to them in childhood?”

This episode is for anyone still carrying what was never theirs to hold. It’s about finally facing what happened to you — and reclaiming who you were always meant to be.

So many of us — especially women of color — were raised to: Stay silent about abuse Confuse survival for self-worth Swallow pain to preserve family loyalty We were never told we were enough.

We were never taught to champion ourselves. We were expected to carry trauma and smile through it.

But what happens when we stop performing… and start healing? In this raw and unfiltered conversation, we share the moments that changed us forever:

Putting my abuser in prison

Walking away from toxic family ties

Owning my story, even when it terrified me

Chasing my dream, even when I was misunderstood

This episode is about taking your power back — and telling yourself: “I am enough.” What you’ll learn:

1. The moment we decided to take our power back — from putting an abuser in prison to walking away from toxic family ties

2. What courage looks like in real life — choosing justice, truth, and dreams, no matter the cost

3. How to deal with judgment and being misunderstood — especially when your path makes others uncomfortable

4. The importance of building emotional tools — and how to access the right coping skills when it matters most

5. How harmful inner dialogue shapes your identity — and what it takes to rewrite the story in your own voice

6. Why speaking your truth out loud is terrifying — and liberating

7. How learning to be proud of yourself changes everything — even if no one else ever says it

Love, Ruth & Lily

Two unconventional women, one empowerment journey, zero apologies. We’re just your friends.

We are not licensed therapists, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional.

This podcast comes from the empowerment lessons we’ve learned from our lived experiences.

Get full access to Break the Norm Podcast at breakthenormpodcast.substack.com/subscribe