In this episode, you will learn the following :

• Healing Process: Antoinette emphasizes the importance of taking the healing process one step at a time, much like writing a book. She compares the process of grief to writing a book, where one chapter, one paragraph, or even one sentence is written at a time. By breaking it down, it becomes more manageable and less overwhelming.

• Redefining Identity: Antoinette advises widows to maintain their individual identity even within a marriage. She shares that having separate interests and hobbies outside of the relationship can help immensely during the grieving process. This separation enables a widow to maintain their sense of self and makes it easier to transition into life after the loss of a spouse.

• Financial Preparedness: Antoinette emphasizes the importance of financial preparedness for both spouses. She shares her experience of having financial conversations with her husband and knowing the specifics of their finances. This knowledge helped her navigate her financial situation after her husband's passing. She also encourages having life insurance as a crucial aspect of financial planning to provide stability and support during difficult times.

Can you imagine losing the love of your life and finding the strength to not only heal but also inspire others with your journey? That's precisely what Antoinette Gaynor has done. Weathering the storm of loss, the unexpected passing of her beloved husband, Antoinette found herself on a path of healing and self-care that was guided by her faith, art, and writing. As a minister and artist, her journey post-loss is a beacon of resilience and personal growth, offering hope and strength to anyone dealing with a similar ordeal.

Antoinette's wisdom doesn't stop there. Imagine being able to maintain your individual identity, even within a relationship. She shares the importance of having a hobby that can serve as an outlet in the healing journey. Delving into the realm of financial knowledge, Antoinette puts emphasis on the significance of life insurance. Navigating life as a single woman post-loss, she shares her insights, turning her personal experience into valuable lessons for us all.

Have you ever thought about how art could be a therapeutic outlet? Antoinette takes us through her artistic journey, giving us an insight into how her work has served as an emotional release. By sharing her story, she has created a platform where we connect with her on a deeper level through her book chapter in The Journey to Love Again titled A Widow's View. Her art, book and coloring sheets are not just products but are an extension of her resilience, faith and human spirit. Antoinette's journey is a testament to the strength that lies within us all. Let her story inspire you to find your own path of resilience and growth.

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In this episode, you will learn the following :

• Discover the liberating effect of embracing vulnerability and sharing personal experiences.

• Uncover the journey to sobriety and the role of faith in overcoming hardships.

• Learn the significance of accountability and openness during the healing process.

• Explore the concept of breaking generational patterns and embracing forgiveness.

• Gain insights into parenting grown-up children and the obstacles that come along.

Can you recall a time in your life where you felt utterly defeated? I sat down with the incredibly courageous Melissa Bonacci, who shared her powerful story of overcoming alcoholism and embracing a life of sobriety. Melissa's journey is a testament to the transformative power of self-love, resilience, and hope, as well as the vital importance of sharing our stories with others so that we may find connection and healing in our imperfections.

Melissa doesn't hold back as she discusses her tumultuous childhood, marked by her parents' struggles with addiction, and how her faithful grandparents provided solace. We dive deep into her own destructive behaviors, such as alcohol abuse and teenage motherhood, and uncover the turning point in her life when she reached out to God for a transformation. Her inspiring faith and resilience will leave you in awe.

We also tackle the importance of vulnerability in overcoming addiction, delving into the role faith played in Melissa's recovery. Through her compelling testimony, we come to understand the healing power of sharing our stories and the connections that can be made through our vulnerabilities. Don't miss out on this emotional and inspiring conversation with Melissa Bonacci, where we explore the journey towards sobriety, redemption, and the power of love.

TRANSCRIPT

00:00:00 Stephanie Hey y'all. It is so good to be back. I have missed y'all. I really, I lost my voice for a while, but I'm back, and I think that you are going to really enjoy this conversation that I had. It is a passionate and captivating interview that I had with Melissa Bonacci, and she opens up about her courageous journey of overcoming alcoholism and embracing a life of sobriety. We go deep. We delve into the transformative power of sharing your story. We talk about the impact of her relationships with herself, with her past, with her children, and we also talk about personal growth. And she advises others facing similar struggles on how they can break free. So tune in for this powerful conversation on self-love, resilience, and hope.

00:01:10  Stephanie Hey y'all, and welcome to the Free to Love podcast, the space where you share your stories and your truth. A safe place where you can be heard, celebrated, and have real conversations that act as a catalyst for courage, strength and growth, so you can break through your past and live a life of freedom. Now, I used to believe that once you forgive and let go, you have arrived. But when I got there, I discovered that that is just a part of the journey. So join us each week as we explore what being free to love means so that you can be free to love God, free to love yourself, and then free to love everyone else.

00:02:00  Stephanie Telling your story may be one of the most powerful medicines on earth. Each one of us is constantly unfolding narrative. You are the hero in a novel that no one else except for you can write. And yet so many of you leave your stories untold, your songs unsung, your emotions unresolved. And when this happens, you wind up feeling lonely and sad, di

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On a special Father's Day episode, I take a moment to honor my dad and his profound impact on my life. But what does the number 11 have to do with it? Join me as we explore its significance and how it has played a vital role in my journey, despite some negative associations. 

As we honor our fathers, we also discuss the essential aspect of leaving a personal legacy and how it can help you live a life of freedom. Get ready to be inspired and empowered with a storytelling tool that can transform your stories from pain to empowerment. Tune in to hear real conversations that act as a catalyst for courage, strength, and growth, and let's discover together what being freed to love truly means - how it allows you to be freed to love God, freed to love yourself, and ultimately, freed to love everyone else. 

Don't miss this heartfelt and empowering episode!

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Have you ever had a moment where a simple social media post triggered a powerful realization about yourself? That's exactly what happened to me while writing a Mother's Day post and through this vulnerability, I discovered the impact of unhealed pain on my success. Join me in this heartfelt episode as we explore the concept of triggers as indicator lights for unhealed pain in our lives and how childhood experiences can be a source of these triggers.

It's time we take ownership of our healing process by questioning what we can learn from our triggers instead of asking 'why.' Together, let's recognize and accept ourselves as anointed and successful individuals, breaking free from self-destructive behaviors and finding the courage to grow. But how can we overcome these negative habits and self-destructive behaviors?

One of the most effective ways to break free is by utilizing powerful tools, such as my Freed to Love Masterclass. This transformative experience can help you gain the tools and mindset to break free from limiting beliefs, embrace personal growth, and achieve success. 

So, are you ready to embark on this journey towards freedom and self-acceptance? Visit freedtolove.com/class and take the first step towards living a life of freedom today.

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This is one of my most vulnerable episodes ever.  I let you in on what's been going on with me and how I am P.R.E.S.S.ing forward!  

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Eavesdrop in on this candid conversation of our new segment - Iron Sharpens Iron as my friend Angela and I discuss her view of how to be a wise wife.  

Things You'll Takeaway In This Episode:

• How to NOT loose yourself in marriage or a relationship
• The trophy wife ~ do you want to be one?
• How to keep your man's attention
• That dirty word ~ submission ~ one woman's practice
• Learn how to manage your relationship
• Much, much more!

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Master connector and bridge builder lifts the culture to create opportunities for introverts and black people in her local area.   The most positive person I know, Jorgie with her magnetic personality shares how she transitioned from selling Jesus (as a PK) to bringing in major contracts for the clients she serves.  She also talks about her book The Journey to Love Again ~ An Anthology of Resilience and her chapter "Freed From the Silence".


Things You'll Takeaway In This Episode:

• How you can interact in settings as an introvert
• How an extrovert can connect with an introvert
• How an African American person can stay positive even in the climate in America today.
• The importance of self care and continuous personal development
• The courage to speak out instead of remaining silent to resolve conflict in relationships
• Ways for staying positive always

Bio:

Jorgie Franks is a CBLC (Certified Breakthrough Life Coach). The area Jorgie helps clients breakthrough is in Consultative Business Development Coaching.

Her one on one coaching provides valuable insights to take business to the next stage of development and achieve real results!  

Jorgie Franks has been in sales and leadership for over 20 years which includes, territory management, cold calls, call center, knocking on doors, retail sales, and sales management. Jorgie worked with companies, churches, and the local chamber of commerce. She now serves minority and introverted business owners to help them live their purpose and increase their sales. Jorgie is the owner of Jorgie Inc. The hospitality director at Bayside Community Church Riverview Campus, and Director of Business Development for BEST Employment.  She has a vast experience as a Speaker and Motivator

 You can find Jorgie at  https://jorgieinc.com

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It has been 475 days since I dropped a new episode on this podcast. Alot has happened and today's episode is a look back on where we were and where we are headed!

Things You'll Takeaway In This Episode:

• What is happening when you are frustrated
•  Crossroads of your life
•  How a job can help you clarify and feel your purpose
•  How Godly counsel and coaching can Propel your purpose and clarity
•  How transitions can make or break your destiny
•  Where forgiveness fits in
•  Crystallize your purpose
•  Business models

Bio:

Stephanie McNeal is a certified relationship educator, licensed in Identity and Destiny, former Women’s Ministry Leader, Podcast Host, Speaker and Author.  For over 10 years, she was known as a Forgiveness Coach, but when she fully embraced her call, she is a Minister of Reconciliation.  She helps divorcées and people bouncing back from heartbreak to heal by telling their stories. 

Newly single and empty neXter, she is the Mommy of 4 young adult children who all were/are scholarship collegiate athletes and she is so excited to be a first time Grand Mommy this Spring!

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Things You'll Takeaway In This Episode:

1. How to deal with the guilt of abortion and the assurance that the first time you asked God for forgiveness, you received it.
2. How unforgiveness affects you physically.
3. How talking about "it" and not keeping silent actually frees you and keeping secrets tortures you.
4. The importance of community, mentors, guidance and intentionality and how you know you are free.

Guest Bio:

After thirteen years of dealing with the shame of life post-abortion, Latoya Mathews is on a mission to help other women who are ready to break free from shame, guilt, and regret of their past lives.  Latoya is a beacon of hope and serves boldly as she unravels the pieces of pain for women and leads them to wholeness and freedom.  

She desires for women to experience the same healing, hope, and forgiveness that she encountered after her most traumatic seasons.  Latoya is a gifted Author who birthed her book, "Discovery." is a thirty-one-day devotional for women.

She is also the founder of Woman, You Are Free Retreat and featured on major podcasts and publications.  Latoya desires to bring healing to women from all over the world. 

She knows that rediscovery was a process that she wished she didn’t have to go through alone.  For this reason, she has created her mentorship program where she will coach women in their healing journey.  The number one thing she wanted after her abortion was to find value in herself again.  Latoya has discovered that value in herself and is excited to share more of her journey along the way.  She has been married over thirteen years now and has a twelve-year old daughter. 

Connect With Latoya:

Website  - www.latoyamathews.com
Instagram  - www.instagram.com/thelatoyamathews
Facebook  - www.facebook.com/thelatoyamathews

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PLEASE NOTE:  In the middle of the recording, there was a little distortion in the audio, but it is very temporary.

Things You'll Takeaway In This Episode:

 - How we walk around as adults with childhood trauma from the 10 year-old version of ourselves, but now we are adults.
- Generational curse, generational trauma or familiar spirit?
- How to use your pain and suffering as fuel for your purpose, creative endeavors and transforming it to power for your life.

Bio:

Reba Rice-Portwood  is a mother of a child in Heaven, grandmother of an earthly child, but most importantly a Woman of God.  Reba is a published author of a children's affirmation book, a poet and an absolute dynamic motivational speaker.  Reba has a Master's degree in Educational/Community Counseling, a Bachelors degree in Juvenile justice and an associates degree in Law enforcement.

Ms. Portwood is a Licensed Mental Health professional and love doing work in the mental health field as she advocates for grieving mothers and fights hard for suicide prevention and intervention.  She believes it is past the time of us being a seed -  it is time to grow.


Reba Rice-Portwoods Book on Amazon:

Amazing Beautiful Child

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