In part one of our chat with Mum and social media influencer Charlotte (@_charlotteemily__), she shares the story of her life - from a childhood marked by instability to the complicated journey of making sense of her past. Beginning with her Dad’s radical conversion and her parents’ early faith, Charlotte describes how that thread of belief remained through the years, even as her family drifted from church and home life grew increasingly unpredictable.
She reflects on the impact of her Mum’s emotional affair, the breakdown of her parents’ marriage, and the role reversals that left her without the stability she needed to prepare for adulthood.
As a teen, Charlotte struggled with self-worth, and her first serious relationship beginning in betrayal. When it ended, it triggered a season of rebellion - living in ways she knew weren’t good for her and distancing herself from God.
Charlotte also opens up about learning the truth of her Mum’s second affair, her Mum secretly divorcing her Dad, and the shock of being asked to tell her Dad about the divorce.
This conversation tells an honest, nuanced story - real, unembellished, and deeply human. It explores how a fragile thread of faith can pull someone through family trauma and rebellion, and what it looks like to slowly rebuild a life shaped by complicated beginnings.
There’s more to come next week in part two, where we hear about Charlotte becoming a social media influencer, her marriage, living in Bali, having twins, dabbling in new age and psychic practices, the breakdown of her marriage, and her return to God.
Click here to watch this episode on YouTube.
0:00 – Welcome and introducing Charlotte
1:24 – How I connected with Charlotte
3:57 – Charlotte’s story beginning with her Dad’s radical conversion as a young man
5:35 – How one salvation can impact generations
6:20 – Mum’s Christian background
8:02 – Parent’s decision to leave ‘church’
9:53 – Unstable childhood
18:15 – Mum’s emotional affair and parents separation
20:11 – Parent role reversal
24:24 – “There was no safety or stability”
25:50 – Mum decides to do a law degree
28:08 – Was Christianity modelled at all?
30:50 – Going to church as a teen and Charlotte’s personal faith
32:40 – Diminishing self worth as a teen
33:48 – Dad’s focus on end times
36:29 – Mum’s focus on keeping home troubles private
37:57 – Unprepared for adult life
39:03 – Charlotte’s deep desire to get married and have children
40:08 – First relationship and betrayal
48:48 – Learning to understand her past and to have the tools for the future
51:38 – Angry with God, rebelling, moving to Sydney
54:03 – Coming home to God
57:19 – The choice to stay in Australia or New Zealand
58:17 – Learning about Mum’s affair
1:00:07 – Mum divorces Dad in secret and Charlotte is asked to tell her Dad about the divorce
1:02:50 – Living with her parents, losing her license
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Outside of Sunday is part of the Outsider Network and is made with the help of Inspirational Media.