Shattered Not Broken

After a devastating scooter accident left him with multiple fractures, a traumatic brain injury, and only a small chance of recovery, Vincent Vandebroek had to rebuild his life one step at a time. In this powerful conversation, Vincent shares how he defied expectations, changed his priorities, and discovered that the life we intentionally build can become the very thing that saves us.

Dawn and Vincent discuss resilience, family, authenticity, and the importance of defining what “the other side” looks like before creating a plan to reach it. His story is a compelling reminder that being shattered does not mean being broken—and that what feels impossible today may simply be something you haven’t accomplished yet.

Info on Vincent:

Genres: Memoir, Narrative Non-Fiction, Self-help  | Publication date: 11 October 2026 Availability: International, HB (£14.99) EB (£5.99) PB (£) AB (£16.99) | ISBN: 9781911774365(PB)   9781911774372(EB) |  Publisher: Publish Nation | Page count: 93 | Media folder & enquiries: https://bit.ly/VincentVandenBroeck  | [email protected] | Author online: https://untilitsdone.eu/           

Instagram: @vincentinthekitchen          

LinkedIn:    @vincentvandenbroeck

Pre order the book by clicking on the title:  Everything Feels Impossible Until It's Done

What happens when the strength that helped you survive starts wearing you out?

In this episode of Shattered Not Broken, I’m talking about something I’m living through right now: burnout. Not because everything is falling apart, but because I’ve spent so much time doing, achieving, providing, helping, proving, and staying busy that somewhere along the way, I stopped making room for myself.

A song playing in the background while I worked made me realize something uncomfortable: I may have stopped molding myself to fit into certain relationships, but I haven’t completely stopped trying to prove that I’m worthy.

This episode is about recognizing when strength becomes survival mode, when productivity becomes avoidance, and when taking care of everyone else leaves nothing for you.

In this honest and refreshingly candid conversation, Dawn sits down with licensed therapist Sidni Brown, owner of Evoke Therapy and Wellness, to challenge some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding therapy. They explore the difference between functioning and truly being okay, why so many of us believe we should handle everything alone, and how staying busy can become a way to avoid facing what is happening beneath the surface.

Sydney also shares what therapy actually looks like, how to find the right therapist, and why your struggles are valid—even when someone else may appear to have it worse. This episode is a powerful reminder that asking for help is not weakness, healing does not have a deadline, and you are worthy of the time, support, and space it takes to become whole.

Sidni Brown, MSW, LCSW, CYT

Therapist and Practice Owner

-Phone: 812.202.6660

-Website: evoke-wellness.co

-Email: [email protected]

-Online scheduling: https://evoketherapyandwellness.clientsecure.me/

-Psychology Today profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/sidni-brown-indianapolis-in/1044308

After 27 episodes of honest conversations about heartbreak, healing, survival, and rebuilding, Dawn opens Season 2 of Shattered Not Broken by looking at how far she—and the podcast—have come. She reflects on the lessons of the past year, the truths she has learned to accept, and the positive life she is creating beyond what tried to break her. This episode isn’t about pretending the difficult moments never happened. It’s about recognizing that healing has made room for peace, purpose, connection, and hope—and inviting listeners and future guests to become part of the next chapter.

What happens when life doesn't just knock you down once—but keeps coming back for more?

In this episode of Shattered Not Broken, Dawn sits down with Sass Schaeffer, founder of Team Positive, to talk about divorce, career loss, devastating floods, rebuilding a home—and ultimately rebuilding herself.

Sass shares how an unexpected period of downtime forced her to ask a question many women spend years avoiding: What would my life look like if I actually lived it for me?

Together, Dawn and Sass talk about learning to receive help instead of always being the giver, why positivity doesn't mean pretending everything is okay, and how small actions can begin to change our mindset when we're overwhelmed by circumstances we can't control.

This isn't about toxic positivity or finding a silver lining in everything. It's about acknowledging when life absolutely sucks—and then choosing one small action that helps you move forward.

Because sometimes rebuilding doesn't begin with a huge breakthrough. Sometimes it starts with opening the mail, drinking a glass of water, texting a friend, or simply getting up and taking the next step.

You can find Sass on Linked in @ Sass Schaeffer or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jointeampositive/ or also @sass_schaeffer

You escaped. You survived. You rebuilt pieces of your life. So why does it still feel like you're standing in the middle of the road, looking backward and forward at the same time?

In this episode of Shattered Not Broken, Dawn explores the frustrating reality of life after trauma. The unanswered questions. The anger that still surfaces when you see people who hurt you. The struggle to trust others when your trust has been shattered before. And the realization that sometimes healing isn't about finding the perfect explanation. Sometimes it's about accepting that there was nothing you could have done differently.

Why do some wounds still linger long after we've survived them? In this episode of Shattered Not Broken, Dawn explores the exhausting cycle of self-blame, negative self-talk, and questioning what could have been done differently. Through conversations with friends and unexpected encounters from the past, she reflects on how years of being blamed for other people's choices can shape the way we view ourselves. This episode is about reclaiming your worth, silencing the voice that says you're not enough, and realizing that survival itself is proof of your strength.

One year ago, Dawn moved into a new home and began a chapter she never expected to be writing at 56 years old: living completely on her own. What should have been a celebration of freedom was also one of the lowest points of her life.

In this deeply personal episode, Dawn reflects on the 365 days since her divorce became reality. She shares the emotional toll of accusations, threats, manipulation, and learning how to stand on her own after spending nearly her entire adult life taking care of everyone else.

But this isn't a story about divorce.

It's a story about survival.

It's about discovering that peace is louder than chaos, that healing isn't linear, and that sometimes the life you were terrified of becomes the life you never knew you needed.

From divorce parties and empty houses to concerts, travel, friendships, grandchildren, personal growth, and the simple joy of choosing what music plays in your own home, this episode is proof that some endings are actually beginnings in disguise.

Because sometimes the greatest gift isn't getting your old life back.

It's realizing you don't want it anymore.

For years, people have called me “the strongest person they know,” but I never saw myself that way. Strength felt loud and fearless, while I was simply trying to survive childhood trauma, toxic relationships, heartbreak, rebuilding, and the emotional exhaustion that comes from carrying everyone else while quietly falling apart yourself.

In this deeply personal episode of Shattered Not Broken, I reflect on the moments that shaped me and the realization that strength is not about never struggling. It is about continuing to move forward when life tries to take you down. This episode is about survival, resilience, healing, boundaries, rebuilding, and discovering that sometimes the strongest people are the ones who never had the luxury of giving up.

Because strong was never the goal.
Survival was.

In this raw and deeply personal episode of Shattered Not Broken, I open up about what it really looks like to take your life back after being broken down piece by piece. From navigating betrayal and misplaced trust to recognizing the emotional toll of staying in something that was never healthy, this is a conversation about truth, growth, and reclaiming your voice.

I share the hard lessons learned about boundaries, why not everyone deserves access to your story, and how healing isn’t linear. There are still moments of grief, especially when it comes to relationships that didn’t survive the fallout, but there’s also strength in recognizing how far I’ve come.

This episode is also about moving forward with intention. Choosing peace. Choosing honesty. And choosing relationships, whether friendships or something more, that actually add value instead of draining it.

If you’ve ever felt silenced, overlooked, or like you were losing yourself just to keep the peace, this one will hit home. You are allowed to take your power back. You are allowed to protect your story. And you are absolutely worthy of a life that feels like your own.