In this deeply moving episode, Leticia shares her story as a first-generation American born to Brazilian parents and the complex family dynamics that shaped her early life. As a child, Leticia witnessed domestic violence between her parents—an experience that deeply conflicted her loyalty as a self-described “daddy’s girl.” When her mother threatened to leave, young Leticia begged her to stay, not yet understanding the cost of that choice or the trauma it would leave behind.

Unable to process the anger and fear she carried, Leticia learned to bottle her emotions, leading her into therapy at a very young age and later into anger management. As she grew older, her perspective shifted. She began to see her parents not as larger-than-life figures, but as flawed humans—recognizing her mother as a tireless, hardworking single parent caring for three children, and coming to terms with the painful reality that her father was not a good man.

The episode explores how these early experiences fueled Leticia’s deep fear of abandonment, impacted her romantic relationships, strained friendships, and contributed to her feeling treated differently than her brothers. Throughout the conversation, I find myself becoming emotional as Leticia’s abandonment wounds mirror my own, creating a powerful and vulnerable moment between host and guest.

Together, we unpack the healing work Leticia has done, the realizations that changed her patterns, and how she ultimately built a healthy, secure relationship. We also discuss her years in the restaurant industry, the ways she felt stuck and afraid to move forward with her life, and how negative influences around her fed a fear of success. The episode closes with Leticia reflecting on her hopes, aspirations, and the future she is now brave enough to envision.

This is a raw conversation about trauma, resilience, healing, and what it means to finally choose yourself.