After spending over a week in my first foster home, my grandparents picked me up — just before my 13th birthday.
I thought maybe this was it.
Maybe I was home for good.
But just a few weeks later, everything shifted again… and I was sent back.

In this episode, I’m sharing what it felt like to go from hope to heartbreak — and the weight of being returned by the very people who had helped raise me. The ones who once made everything feel okay.

Because sometimes, what hurts the most isn’t what happened.
It’s who let it happen.

We also introduce something new this week:
The Rebuild Challenge — a small, intentional step to help you grow and give back, right alongside your weekly Broken to Built Reflection Question.

Wherever this finds you… you’re not alone in the undoing.
Let’s keep building, together.

Have you ever felt misjudged or misunderstood? Like someone took pieces of your story and twisted them into something unrecognizable?

In this episode, I open up about what it feels like to be painted in a false light — and how to rise above the narratives others create about you. We explore the emotional toll of being mislabeled, the psychology behind projection, gaslighting, and character attacks, and why letting go of people’s opinions can be one of the most freeing steps toward healing.

You’ll hear personal reflections, a powerful truth from Mel Robbins’ “Let Them Theory,” and a biblical reminder from the story of David and Goliath: sometimes our greatest battles are what shape us the most.

Referenced in this episode:

• The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins — a mindset tool for releasing control over how others perceive you
• Pew Research (2020): Nearly 6 in 10 Americans say they often feel misunderstood
• 1 Samuel 17 — The story of David and Goliath: a reminder that trials often shape leaders
• Gaslighting, Projection, and Character Attacks — Psychological defense mechanisms often used to deflect accountability or manipulate narratives
• “Their Version of You Is Not Your Truth” — Original reflection and title inspired by reclaiming identity from others’ perceptions

Next week, I’ll take you inside my very first foster home — the beginning of a chapter that changed everything.

They say your home reflects your mind — and for me, that’s always rung true.

In this episode, I open up about the environments that shaped me: the chaos of living with my mom, the calm of my grandparents’ house, and how those early experiences shaped the way I live and parent now. From fast food wrappers to messy apartments and neglected spaces — the physical mess mirrored something deeper, something harder to clean up.

I also talk about why I keep my home so clean today, why my husband lovingly calls me a perfectionist, and how creating peace in my space has helped me find peace in my mind.

And before I close, I want to invite you into this space I’ve created for the Built From Broken community — a safe, anonymous place to share what’s on your heart. A memory. A question. A story you’ve been carrying. From time to time, I’ll respond to a few in special episodes — with compassion and care.

💬 Share anonymously here: https://linktr.ee/_builtfrombroken
(Also, on Instagram @_builtfrombroken)

You’re not alone — not in your mess, and not in your healing.

This episode takes you into the unraveling—when love, instability, and mental illness collided in a way that changed my life forever.

It’s the chapter where my childhood started slipping through my fingers… and I realized no one was coming to save me.

And if it resonates—please follow, leave a review, or share. It means the world.

As always…

Keep building.

Before the unraveling, there was shame.

In this deeply personal episode, I pause the timeline to reflect on something I've carried quietly for years - the parts of my childhood that bring guilt, confusion, and pain. From behaviors I now know weren't okay, to moments rooted in curiosity and unmet emotional needs, this is a vulnerable look at the ways children act out when they don't know how else to ask for love or safety.

It's not easy to admit. It's even harder to forgive. But healing starts with honesty.

Whether you've wrestled with your own past or you're learning to offer grace to the younger version of yourself, I hope this episode helps you feel less alone - and more seen.

Plus, stay tuned for this week's Broken to Built reflection question and a gentle affirmation to carry with you.

I'm going back to where it all started - my early years with my mom, dad, and grandparents. This episode reflects on the love, instability, and the people who shaped my foundation before I ever realized it was cracked.

This isn't about blame - it's about honesty, memory, and how the foundation of my story was laid long before I realized I was building something out of brokenness.

I still remember the moment everything shifted-the knock on the door, the voices I didn't expect to hear, and the trash bag for belongings. This is where my story begins: the day I entered the foster care system.

In this first episode, I'm sharing what led to that moment, what it felt like, and why I believe stories like mine matter. It's raw, real, and just the beginning of a journey l've spent years trying to understand.

Stick around for the reflection question at the end-you just might find a piece of your own story in mine.

As always, keep building.

Welcome to Built From Broken.

This teaser gives you a quick peek into what the podcast is all about - healing, growth, and honest storytelling from a life that didn't follow the script.

Episode 1 drops soon... and it all starts here.