From Broken To Brave Podcast

Consistency in personal growth practices can be a powerful tool for healing, transforming relationships, and rebuilding our lives. By committing to daily habits and creating a 'scaffolding' for personal development, we lay the foundation for lasting change and a more fulfilling life. This process, while challenging, can lead to deep personal transformation and a renewed sense of purpose.

In this episode, Heather Ranjo shares her journey of building consistency in her growth practices. She discusses the valuable lessons learned about the importance of daily meditation, journaling, therapy, and physical activity. Heather explains how this commitment to consistency allowed her to heal past traumas, improve her relationships, and become a better parent. She openly shares her struggles with maintaining consistency and its transformative impact on her life when she perseveres. She emphasizes the importance of starting small, giving yourself grace, and remembering that you're doing this work for your future self.

Tune in to learn how building consistency in personal growth practices might transform your life and relationships!

[01:39] Recognizing the need to stop using trauma as an excuse for their actions

[04:04] Heather's struggle with being fully honest in therapy

[08:53] Strong emotions and blending families in a new relationship

[13:51] Importance of scaffolding and consistency

[15:59] Tips for implementing consistency and starting small

[18:12] Elements of scaffolding 

[25:48] Importance of consistency and self-improvement

[28:36] Importance of healing for the sake of children

[30:55] Importance of perseverance in maintaining healthy habits and self-improvement

[35:04] Tips for implementing systems and staying consistent

• My job is to end the trauma. My job is to break the generational curses that had no control, that I had no control over.
• I still have a hard time doing all the things and showing up. But what I can also tell you is that had I not started being consistent in building the scaffolding, I wouldn't have had the frame of mind or the right attitude to be proud of, to be present, and to check myself when I need to do better.
• You made a contract with yourself. You made a promise to yourself to show up even when it's hard. You made a promise to future you. That future you is gonna thank you for because you're sick and tired of living the life you're living.
• Once your body knows that it has the green light to rest, you're exhausted. So, it's hard to keep pushing during those times.
• I got tired of using my trauma and weaponizing it with the people around me, it was not their problem. It was mine. I don't know how else to say it other than that way, but I was weaponizing my grief. I was weaponizing my trauma and using it as a crutch and an excuse not to change my bad behavior.

Connect with Heather Ranjo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frombrokentobravepodcast/

Follow the onApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-broken-to-brave-podcast/id1614102331

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ArU1nIGSD1YSPfL5yJH1g?si=qmKvF6CWShSg3JSr3Du0zw&nd=1&dlsi=7a1b893ef7254721

Isolation periods can be a powerful tool for personal growth, healing, and reassessing priorities in our hyperconnected world. By stepping away from the constant noise of social media and reducing access to our lives, we create space for deep introspection and authentic relationships. This process, while challenging, can lead to deep personal transformation and a renewed sense of purpose.

In this episode, Heather Ranjo shares her experience of taking an extended break from social media and isolating herself to focus on personal growth. She discusses the valuable lessons learned about boundaries, authenticity, and being present in relationships and experiences. Heather explains how this period allowed her to heal, grow, and build a more fulfilling life. She also challenges listeners to consider their social media habits and the potential benefits of a digital detox. 

Tune in to gain insights into how an isolation period might transform your life and relationships!

[00:45] Importance of isolation in one's life

[01:46] Heather's reasons for taking a social media break

[04:08] Heather's decision to reduce social media presence and engagement

[07:13] Lessons learned about relationships and reciprocation

[09:10] Insights gained during the social media hiatus

[13:14] New experiences and hobbies discovered

[15:25] Importance of therapy and personal growth

[17:28] Learning to be consistent and give oneself grace

[18:25] Heathers challenge to listeners 

• Sometimes, it requires your isolation to come back and relate to people from a healthier place. If people take your isolation personally, then they're the problem.
• I am no longer going to pour from an empty cup. I am no longer going to make an effort in relationships that do not put an effort back to me.
• Can we stop acting like social media is not a drug? Can we stop doing that in 2024?
• Give yourself grace and love yourself when you miss the mark and do better tomorrow. That's it. That's all anybody could ever ask of you.

Connect with Heather Ranjo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frombrokentobravepodcast/

Follow the podcast onApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-broken-to-brave-podcast/id1614102331

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ArU1nIGSD1YSPfL5yJH1g?si=qmKvF6CWShSg3JSr3Du0zw&nd=1&dlsi=7a1b893ef7254721

In this powerful season premiere, Heather Ranjo returns after a long hiatus to kick off Season Three of "From Broken and Brave Podcast." She shares a personal letter to her 2022 self, reflecting on the profound changes and growth she's experienced over the past two years. Heather discusses personal transformation, healing, and the bravery required to face life's challenges. She opens up about unexpected changes in her life, including finding new love, redefining relationships, and owning her mistakes. Through her story, Heather encourages listeners to confront their struggles, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, self-awareness, and consistent personal growth.

Are you ready to embark on your journey of transformation? Listen to this episode, reflect on your path, and take the first step towards becoming the best version of yourself. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share this powerful message with someone who might need to hear it. 

Your story of growth and bravery starts now!

[00:02] Introduction to the podcast

[00:45] The "letter to 2022 me" concept

[05:18] The ongoing nature of healing and personal growth

[07:46] Heather’s reflection on positive changes and breakthroughs

[10:12] Heather’s gratitude for the new life and relationship

[11:35] The loss of relationships and circle changes

[14:18] Grief in relationships and personal growth

[16:00] Accepting and processing the changes in relationships

[17:05] Benefits of consistently doing the work required for personal growth

• Life as I knew it in 2022 is nothing like the life I am living now. And I am so grateful, so thankful, and so blessed for it.
• Be afraid and do it anyway. Be brave even when you're terrified. Be authentic even when it feels lonely. Be honest, even when it hurts.
• Do the work even when you're exhausted. When you wanna quit, find that strength you save and battle your demons.
• You're your own worst enemy. Keep fighting, keep pushing. Life is better than you could ever think possible.
• Hey, God, it's me again. I'm not mad anymore. Thank you for this beautiful life.
• I know that I would not have gotten through this past year without losing certain people. I also wouldn't be able to go forward without the people who stuck by my side when I hit rock bottom and loved me anyway.
• If you're walking through your mess, hang tight to those people in your life who support you and love you through your mistakes. The ones who can give you tough love from a good place. But I also want you to recognize that not everybody is going to like the version of you that's growing and healing and transforming into the person you've always been meant to be.

Connect with Heather Ranjo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frombrokentobravepodcast/

Follow the podcast onApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-broken-to-brave-podcast/id1614102331

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ArU1nIGSD1YSPfL5yJH1g?si=qmKvF6CWShSg3JSr3Du0zw&nd=1&dlsi=7a1b893ef7254721

Losing a baby is an unimaginable and deeply devastating experience for couples, leaving them in profound grief and emotional turmoil. Navigating this painful journey requires immense support, understanding, and compassion. By acknowledging the unique challenges faced by grieving couples, providing a safe space for expression, and offering guidance on coping strategies, it is possible to offer a lifeline of hope and healing, enabling couples to navigate the complex emotions and find solace amidst the overwhelming grief of losing a precious child.

In this episode, I am joined by Julianne Curtis, a Birth and Bereavement doula serving Northern Colorado and the creator of Be Still, an award-winning short film that is about a family grieving the loss of a child. Julianne shares how people can help couples navigate the grief of losing a baby. She explains how she honors the families and babies that she helps, how people can understand grief, and the different ways couples can use to navigate grief. She also advises non grievers on how they can walk through the loss of someone that they love. Tune in to learn more about this and other exciting topics!

Timestamps

[01:47] Julianne Curtis’s background information

[04:26] What does a bereavement doula do? And how is Julianne helping women in their journey to becoming mothers?

[10:00] Ways to get through our grief

[13:03] How Julianne honors the babies and families she helps

[15:48] Be Still, the short film that Julianne created

[21:04] How people can understand grief

[23:07] Julianne’s plans to expand the Bereavement doula education

[25:08] Ways to address the loss of a baby

[31:04] How Julianne supports dads in grief

[38:00] Relationships coming to an end

[41:02] Advice for the non-grievers to walk through the loss of someone that they love

[44:02] The book: It’s Ok That You’re Not Ok

[48:23] What Julianne would tell her younger self

• “When we lose our loved ones, that pain never goes away.”
• “The only way we can get through our grief is by feeling it and sitting on it.”
• “If everybody understood grief, then our culture wouldn’t be so uncomfortable with it.”

The book: It’s Ok That You’re Not Ok

Website: https://juliannecurtis.com/

Be Still: https://bestillshortfilm.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliannecurtiscoaching

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliannecurtisdoula/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frombrokentobravepodcast/

Addiction can be a very difficult time for an addict and those around them. This is one woman's story of addiction. The mix of emotions like a storm in her heart. In the middle of all the chaos, love becomes a strong force that affects her deeply, like a powerful drug flowing through her veins. It makes her happy and excited but also creates a strong desire for more. Love becomes like cocaine to her, an addictive potion that she can't resist, even though it keeps her trapped. It's a rollercoaster of emotions where she tries to understand how love can be her escape and the thing that keeps her stuck, always caught in its mixture of happiness and sadness.

In this episode, I share a piece about a cocaine-addicted woman trying so hard to overcome the challenge and how the addiction affects her kids and the people that love her. I also share how that piece relates to my current state of undergoing a divorce, how we can make our divorce less painful for our kids, and the importance of being mindful of the judgment you put on other people while they are walking through the hardest things of their lives. Tune in to learn more about this!

Timestamps

[01:50] The idea of an anonymous guest

[02:54] The definition of addiction

[03:27] How addiction affects the people who love us

[05:58] The challenges of being an addicted mother

[06:55] The support that addicts need

[13:20] The real story behind the piece that I wrote

[14:19] The book: A Love Letter to Whiskey

[14:38] The divorce from my husband

[16:28] How can we make our divorce less painful for our kids?

[18:12] The hardest things about a divorce

[22:52] Healing from your traumas

[23:21] The importance of being mindful of the judgment you put on others

[24:18] Being real about the grief that comes with divorce

[30:47] The relationship that I have with my father

[32:31] Some food for thoughts

[33:23] Stopping the cycle of trauma in your generation

• “Every addiction is different. However, the story behind it is always the same. It does not make it easy for the people who love us.”
• “Love sometimes isn’t enough. Whoever said that love is all you need does not have an addiction to break.”
• “Where there is deep love, there is also deep grief.”
• “Real growth comes when you are sick of your shit and say enough is enough.”

The book: A Love Letter To Whiskey 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frombrokentobravepodcast/

Sitting in silence is a powerful practice that allows us to connect with our inner selves and learn valuable lessons without the influence of external distractions or the input of others. It is a time of introspection and reflection where we can be fully present with ourselves and explore our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. By tuning out the noise of the world around us, we can tap into our intuition and gain insights that may be obscured by the opinions of our family and friends. In this way, silence can become a valuable teacher, guiding us towards greater self-awareness, clarity, and personal growth.

In this episode, I share the benefits of working alone in silence without the help of friends and family. I talk about the times that we have to work alone, the things that can be learned in silence, the power of journaling and the benefits of feeling our feelings. Tune in to learn more about this and other exciting topics!

Timestamps

[01:30] The times that we have to work alone

[02:05] There is something to be learned from the silence

[03:25] Learning to work on things by yourself

[04:10] The power of journaling

[07:17] Feeling your feelings

• “It is a good thing to work alone. Lean into that because there is something to be discovered in the silence.”
• “There is infinite power in putting your pen to paper and getting it out of your system.”
• “When we address our feelings and feel them, they don’t leak into other people.”

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frombrokentobravepodcast/

Reading books can be an excellent way for moms and wives to get smarter and improve their knowledge in various areas. Reading can help to expand one's vocabulary, improve critical thinking skills, and enhance problem-solving abilities. It can also provide an opportunity to learn new things and gain insight into different perspectives. Additionally, reading books can be a great way to unwind and reduce stress, which can benefit both moms and wives who often face multiple responsibilities and challenges daily. By making reading a habit, moms, and wives can improve their intellectual abilities and enhance their overall well-being, leading to a more fulfilling life.

In this episode, I am joined by Shirley, a mother of three boys who has been married for over eleven years. Shirley shares her love for reading books and how it has impacted her life as a wife and a mom. She shares some tips to find time and read while having kids in the house, how you can prioritize yourself in the chaos of life, and the journey to building a stronger marriage. Tune in to learn more!

Timestamps

[01:28] Shirley's background information

[03:31] Getting smarter by reading books

[07:25] Finding the time to read while having kids in the house

[11:04] Prioritizing yourself in the chaos of life

[14:08] How Shirley connects with Danny and makes her marriage a priority

[18:55] The journey to building a stronger marriage

[22:18] Vulnerability in men

[24:23] How women can put themselves first.

[26:24] What message Shirley would like to leave her children with for their future relationships. 

[28:28] What would Shirley say to her younger self?

[31:18] Rapid fire questions on books

• “Too much help can make you not step up in ways that you should have as both a mother and a spouse.”
• “Vulnerability is sexy. Men need to be vulnerable in marriages.”

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frombrokentobravepodcast/

In this episode, Heather talks about restricting access to those non-VIPs in her life or who put only a little amount of effort, as well as how to grant access to others and at what cost. Considering that we occasionally grant access to those who do not deserve it, this episode is also a reminder that "Not everyone deserves access to your life." Cut off access to you from those who don't deserve it to free up the space and energy inside of your thoughts—PROTECT YOUR PEACE.

Questions on this episode:

• What is Mystery Guest all about?
• Why am I giving premium access to everyone on the internet?
• If I'm allowing anyone and everyone access to me, what is left for me?

Key Points:

• Podcast updates that Heather is excited to tell you about!
• Hard and tough stories will always be on this podcast, but still, we're bringing the FUN this season.
• Started thinking about who I will allow into my space and who makes time for me.
• It's not "I'm thinking about her, I should call her."–and they never pick up the phone. It's actually picking up the phone, and doing it.
• Reciprocation in relationships does matter.
• YOU NEVER KNOW.
• One small act of checking on me, MATTERED.
• Just because it's not posted on social media, doesn't mean it is happening.
• Breaking down the past.
• Weaponizing our vulnerability.
• Learning the hard way who I trust and withhold from.
• Everyone in our circle is different, and it's okay.
• The feeling of being left out and not valued
• Be more selective about what to post on social media.

Quotables:

"Don't give them the privilege of knowing everything about you."

"If it doesn't serve us, they damn sure don't deserve us•

"Privacy is Protection."

📣 Questions that I want you guys to answer truthfully and honestly.

1. Are you showing up to your friends and family only on social media?
2. If so, how can you be more intentional with their relationships in your life?
3. Is there anyone in your life that doesn't deserve VIP access to you? And if so, how can you create boundaries to protect your peace?
4. I challenge you to pick a friend in your contacts, the more random the better. — Facetime them. Remind them that they're a "Bad bitch and have a great day!"

Take a pic then tag me on the gram. @frombrokenandbravepodcast

Despite everything that has occurred, Heather continues to find meaning in her suffering, and this has carried through to the present day.

After Maddie's passing, she will take us along on her mental health journey. Join in on this continued conversation of Heather recovering from her traumas and mental health challenges with greater power and clarity than ever after seeking expert assistance alongside uncovering her secret to perseverance and never giving up.

Questions on this episode:

• What did you learn out of Maddie's case?
• How do you think moms should handle guilt?

Key Points:

• Expressing her feelings to the autopsy results–huge recovery piece for Heather.
• Confirmation she gets from the autopsy result.
• Knowing Maddie's quality of life.
• Heather's mental health struggle.
• Working through traumas, postpartum depression, and anxiety. 
• Identifying and working through your triggers. 
• Pieces that still need to be unfold
• EMDR Therapy
• Finding the right therapist. 
• Heather and Erik: How we are in real life
• How to handle grief and guilt within yourself and other Heart Moms. 
• The impact Maddie has made.

Quotables:

“I have lived through so much trauma. And I don't say that for anybody to feel sorry for me. I tell you that because I want you guys to know that no matter how hard life kicks you in your ass or in your gut, you can get up again. And I promise you that no matter how hard you think it is, you need to keep trying.”

Heather's world turned upside down when she found out that her youngest baby girl would be born with a congenital heart defect and Heterotaxy. Heather and her husband came to the conclusion that they had to do everything in their power to provide Madi with the greatest care.

Heart Mom Heather Speakman tells us her Heart Baby story in this episode. Heather has had to deal with the most difficult scenarios when it comes to being a Heart Mom as she fights her daughter's battle with heterotaxy and hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Follow her as she takes us on a journey filled with love, gratitude, and support through the highs and lows of her experience with a Heart Baby–and shares the purpose that her angel brought to her.

Discussed on this episode:

• What is Hypoplastic left heart syndrome and Heterotaxy?
• What is ECMO?
• What does Heather do now?
• What advice could Heather give to those who experience the same situation as hers?

Key Points:

• Getting to know Heather Speakman.
• Maddie as a heart baby
• Madi's diagnosis
• Preparing for the worst
• Finding support with other heart moms and care team
• The highest and lowest part of being a heart mom.
• Why did Maddie need to undergo ECMO
• Series of ups and down Maddue encountered
• Conversations of Maddie's progress
• Giving gratitude to medical workers who handled Maddie.
• The purpose of Maddie was given to Heather.
• Telling Maddie's story and being a heart baby.
• Heather as Maddie's voice.
• Heather's advocacy and awareness towards CHD.

Quotables:

"Remind that in every pain even if it sucky, hard, and ugly there's also a purpose in it."

"There is nothing wrong or shameful in accepting help."