Prickly and Blooming

Episode 010: Rewriting the Fairytale

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Serena Bennett's fairytale romance offered little foreshadowing of the divorce she would have to navigate in her 30's with a young child. But today, after enduring the storm, she's made it to the other side with some wisdom to share.

Joining Jessie in conversation today on the Prickly and Blooming podcast, Serena opens up about the struggle that came with having to reimagine her life mid-way through the story. Hear how she not only endured but found a way to thrive after the trauma of an affair. Diving deep into her story of leaning into healing she didn't know she was in need, Serena opens up about discovering a more authentic, fulfilled version of herself.

Episode Timeline:
  • [00:47] Intro
  • [01:14] Serena Bennett on thriving after a divorce
  • [07:10] Looking back
  • [09:18] Getting stuck in the grieving cycle
  • [11:56] Finding her authentic self
  • [15:10] Realizing she was depressed for the majority of her life
  • [20:43] Guilt in the wake of divorce and depression
  • [27:46] Letting go of the anger
  • [28:18] What not to say to someone in pain
  • [31:09] Feel what you're feeling and redefining strength
  • [33:48] We are the product of our childhood
  • [37:19] Advice for women going through similar things
  • [40:57] Finding opportunities to help others like her with psychiatry
  • [46:17] Her relationship with perfectionism
  • [53:52] Learning what to do with anger
  • [1:00:38] Outro

    • Resources Mentioned:
    • Rising Strong by Brené Brown
  • Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner

    • Standout Quotes:
    • "Being seen has to start here, [with yourself] and accepting all of it even all the shit all the bad times. When we hide them and we hide what we think we should be shameful about, we're not even presenting ourselves to ourselves, so how are you going to show it to your husband if you're not even letting yourself see it." -Jessie Browning [23:43]
  • "I can tell you that the most powerful turning points that I've had in this journey have been when I do sort of finally give up this insider knowledge, this thing that I've been grappling with in my mind... It really allows finally for that opening to then be filled with something better. You open that wound and boom- something better fills it up." -Serena Bennett [26:11]
  • "Typically as women as mothers, we want to be that idolized version of 'oh i don't know how she does it.' Asking for help is a completely vulnerable thing because you're admitting that you can't do it alone." -Serena Bennett [32:09]
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    Prickly and BloomingBy Jessie Browning
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