Crowned by God ft. Leeshanda “Lee” Hodge

Who were you before the relationship, the ring, or the titles you acquired along the way?

In this episode of Heart of a Wife, Thatiana sits down with Leeshanda “Lee” Hodge for a conversation about identity, faith, and becoming rooted in who God created you to be.

Too often, women can unintentionally attach their identity to being chosen, becoming a wife, or the roles they hope to fulfill. But your identity doesn’t begin when a man recognizes your value—it begins with recognizing what God already placed within you.

Together, Thatiana and Lee explore what it means to know yourself before joining your life with someone else, prepare for love without losing yourself in the process, and understand that marriage is a title you may carry—not the source of who you are.

Whether you’re single, dating, married, or somewhere in between, this conversation is a reminder: you were already crowned.

Most women overlook the real work of becoming "her" before the altar. Andrea, founder of the Processed Preventive Mental Health Forum, exposes how true transformation is rooted in inner work, not just social media gloss. She reveals the unspoken costs of growth, the importance of emotional and spiritual preparation, and misconceptions about what it really takes to step into the person you're called to be—long before marriage ever enters the picture.

In this powerful conversation, you'll discover why living fully in the present is your secret weapon for authenticity and fulfillment. Andrea shares practical insights on shedding cultural expectations, unlearning generational cycles, and embracing the process of healing through faith, therapy, and self-awareness. You'll hear her breakthroughs on how perfectionism, trauma responses, and false ideals sabotage your progress—and what you can do today to reframe your mindset and elevate your life.

This episode is a wake-up call for women craving authentic growth, men who want to support their future spouses, and anyone who recognizes that true love starts within.

Ready to redefine what it means to truly become "her"?

Tune in to this episode of HEART OF A WIFE Before the Altar Becoming Her!

How many times have we fallen in love with who someone could become while ignoring who they are right now?

In this powerful episode of Before the Altar, Thatiana Cruz sits down with relationship mentor, speaker, and author Mz. Mahogany to unpack the dangerous illusion of potential and how it can keep us attached to relationships that are not aligned with our reality.

Together, they explore the difference between seeing someone’s future and accepting their present, the role unresolved wounds play in partner selection, and why patterns often reveal more truth than promises. Through honest conversation and self-reflection, they challenge listeners to examine the stories they tell themselves about love, healing, and what they truly deserve.

In this episode, we discuss:

❤️ The illusion of potential vs. reality

🚩 Why red flags often get overlooked in the name of love

🩹 How childhood wounds influence partner selection

🔍 The importance of paying attention to patterns over promises

💭 Self-reflection and personal accountability in relationships

🤝 Shared vision, values, and long-term compatibility

✨ The difference between helping someone grow and trying to save them

💔 When love becomes attached to possibility instead of truth

If you’ve ever found yourself holding on because of what a relationship could be, this conversation is for you.

What red flag did you ignore because you were focused on someone’s potential? Let us know in the comments.

🎙️ Subscribe to Heart of a Wife for more conversations about love, healing, relationships, and becoming the person who can sustain the love they desire.

#HeartOfAWife #BeforeTheAltar #RelationshipAdvice #RedFlags #DatingWisdom #LoveAndRelationships

Most women reach a point where love feels completely different—no butterflies, no instant chemistry, just a deep desire for peace and genuine connection. If you've ever questioned whether you're bitter or simply evolving, this episode is for you.

Join Thatiana Cruz and her soul sister, Rachele Cine, as they unravel how love transforms over the years—and why what once felt magic now might look like boundaries, self-love, and healing.

Rachele Cine is an author, coach, and creator of the self-love activation deck, Reflect and Affirm. She’s known for helping women heal inner wounds and embrace their authentic power. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of inner work and self-awareness.

Unlock the true meaning of healing in today’s conversation—are we raising children to avoid struggle or to develop different tools? This episode dives deep into how current generations redefine vulnerability, emotional intelligence, and breaking inherited cycles—all through the honest voices of a mother and her teenage daughter. You’ll discover how shifting the narrative around parenting, emotional regulation, and trust can transform not only how we see ourselves but also how we shape the future.

Ever wondered why some relationships thrive despite insecurities, while others falter? This eye-opening episode dives deep into the unspoken truths about vulnerability, trust, and the battle between the king and the fool within us all. If you're navigating love, waiting periods, or just seeking real talk about marriage’s hidden lessons, this episode is your blueprint for understanding what makes or breaks lasting connections.

Explore how childhood wounds silently shape adult relationships in this insightful episode with Shoshani. Discover practical steps to heal from generational trauma and transform your approach to love and boundaries. Learn about the impact of societal conditioning on self-worth and the importance of embracing emotional triggers for inner peace. Perfect for anyone on a healing journey, seeking authenticity, or committed to healthier relationships.

In this episode, I’m joined by 3theehardwayyy for a real and reflective conversation on breaking the cycles that quietly shape our relationships.

We explore toxic patterns and traits through both a feminine and masculine lens, the responsibility of self-awareness, and what it truly looks like to prepare for partnership—not just desire it.

From navigating the “in-between” season to the transformative power of fatherhood as he raises daughters into womanhood, this conversation gently challenges how we show up in modern dating dynamics.

Because before love can align externally… it has to be addressed within.

Before the ring. Before the relationship. Before the altar… there is often a mindset shift that must happen first.

In this opening episode of the Before the Altar series, we’re talking about the inner work many overlook while preparing for love. From releasing desperation and fear, to developing discernment, confidence, and emotional maturity—this conversation is for the woman who knows healthy love starts within.

If you’ve ever questioned your patterns, felt exhausted by modern dating, or wondered why the same cycles keep repeating, this episode will meet you where you are and challenge how you think about love moving forward.

Because sometimes the breakthrough isn’t finding the right person… it’s becoming the right version of you first.

Welcome to Heart of a Wife—aligning with love at every stage.

On this episode, we pour it out using Bridgerton as more than just entertainment—it becomes a mirror. We unpack how society’s expectations, beauty standards, body image, empowerment, and self-worth are still shaping how we see ourselves and each other today. Behind the romance and drama, we explore the quiet pressure to perform, be chosen, and be “enough.” And because healing also needs room to breathe, we close the conversation with a Never Have I Ever: Bridgerton Edition—where laughter meets truth and a few confessions slip out