Cohort 11 for The Thread is open now! To apply, visit www.thethreadwichita.com/apply
Are you navigating a season of unexpected change, feeling lost in your roles, or searching for your own definition of success? Discover how one woman rebuilt her life, career, and sense of self after a pivotal turning point, and find inspiration to trust your own inner voice—no matter what life throws your way.
Kristen Selby, founder of Timely Executive Assistants and Chief Administrative Officer at The Thread, shares her raw and honest journey through divorce, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and rediscovering self-trust. This conversation is a heartfelt look at what it means to let go of external expectations, set boundaries, and build a life that feels truly authentic.
Highlights
- The moment everything changed: turning 40 and facing an unexpected divorce
- Feeling like a single mom within a marriage and the challenges of raising three young children
- The power of boundaries and the “only love in, only love out” philosophy
- Rebuilding self-trust after years of seeking external validation
- Starting a business against the odds and finding empowerment in adversity
- Letting go of relationships that no longer serve you
- Parenting through messy times and embracing vulnerability
- Advice for anyone facing an unplanned life shift
- The importance of agency, self-compassion, and finding your “rainbow colors”
Chapters
00:00 — Introduction to Kristen Selby
02:16 — The Big Shift in 2020
03:01 — Turning 40 and Reflecting on Life
04:03 — Life in Wichita
04:46 — Single Mom Within a Marriage
06:32 — The Unexpected Divorce
08:10 — Rebuilding After the Divorce
08:24 — Finding Breadcrumbs of Self
14:39 — Rediscovering Self-Trust
17:10 — Seeking Freedom and Love
18:06 — Building a New Home and Life
19:10 — Starting a Business Against the Odds
20:03 — Trusting Inner Knowing
20:18 — Getting Your Sea Legs
20:29 — Becoming Your Own Expert
20:58 — Building Inner Trust
21:09 — The Importance of Self-Trust
21:56 — Facing Hardships with Self-Trust
22:48 — Boundaries and Rebuilding
23:49 — Support from Friends
24:54 — Letting Go of Relationships
27:18 — Parenting Through Messy Times
28:54 — Homeschooling and Consistency
29:28 — Embracing Vulnerability
30:23 — Advice to 30-Year-Old Self
31:39 — Letting Go of Control
32:11 — Dealing with Your Own Issues
33:49 — Finding Your Rainbow Colors
35:44 — Closing Reflections
Resources Mentioned
- Timely Executive Assistants — Kristen’s business providing fractional executive assistant support: https://www.timelyea.com/
- We Can Do Hard Things Podcast (Abby Wambach & Glennon Doyle): https://wecandohardthingspodcast.com/
Want to learn more?
The Thread
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This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network.
Disclaimer: we may receive a small commission on any products purchased through the links used in this episode. I only recommend tools and resources I actually use and find valuable.