In this episode of Shattered Not Broken, Dawn reflects on how different life feels entering 2026—lighter, calmer, and finally free from the tension that once dominated holidays, friendships, and everyday moments. She shares how Christmas was filled with love, laughter, and family connection—something that hadn’t truly happened in years because there was no stress, no drama, and no walking on eggshells.

She opens up about past New Year’s Eves spent isolated and controlled in a marriage where everything had to revolve around her spouse, and how she slowly stopped accepting invitations just to avoid conflict—leading to a life that became smaller and smaller. This year, she did something brave and simple: she went to dinner with a friend, enjoyed herself, came home early without guilt, and realized what it feels like to just be herself again.

Dawn also shares painful memories of public humiliation, judgment, and manipulation—how her ex made inappropriate comments in front of others, criticized her body, and created constant discomfort around friends and family. She talks about how staying in the marriage wasn’t strength—it was fear of “failing again,” and how she now sees that choosing peace is not failure.

The episode goes deeper as she reflects on childhood trauma, including molestation, and how every marriage weaponized that pain against her. She describes the mental weight of accusations, emotional abuse, and the darkest months after divorce was filed—when survival felt uncertain. But now, she’s on the other side of it: still healing, still triggered at times, but undeniably stronger and more grounded.

She closes with a powerful message for listeners: your life is yours, you are worthy, you are unstoppable, and you don’t have to stay small. Whether through affirmations, boundaries, or simply remembering who you are, Dawn reminds you that healing is possible—and peace is allowed.

In this deeply personal and unfiltered episode of Shattered Not Broken, I reflect on how Christmas slowly lost its joy during years spent in a marriage that centered on control, narcissism, and emotional exhaustion. From silenced traditions and delayed holidays to forced appearances at parties that were never about connection, I share how the magic of the season was quietly stripped away—one compromise at a time.

Through memories sparked by Facebook posts and past Christmases, I unpack what it feels like to be present physically but absent emotionally, and how isolation can creep in without you realizing it. More importantly, I talk about what it looks like to reclaim your joy—setting boundaries, choosing peace, and finally celebrating life on your terms.

This episode is about grief, growth, and the powerful realization that it’s never too late to decorate again—literally or figuratively. If you’ve ever felt like your light was dimmed by someone else, this conversation is for you. Healing isn’t linear, but joy does come back. And when it does, it’s real, genuine, and yours to keep.

In this raw and revealing episode of Shattered Not Broken, Dawn opens up about the early years leading into her third marriage — the relationship that slowly unraveled her confidence, independence, and sense of self. From love bombing, manipulation, and subtle control to outright gaslighting and isolation, she walks listeners through the warning signs she missed and the moments that now paint a much clearer picture. With honesty and hindsight, Dawn shares how a once-ordinary dating story turned into years of emotional damage — and why recognizing these patterns matters. This episode marks the beginning of a multi-part series exploring the red flags, the fallout, and ultimately, the resilience that brought her back to herself.

n this episode of Shattered Not Broken, I’m opening up about something many of us carry quietly—those years we look back on and think, “why didn’t I walk away sooner?” I spent over two decades in a marriage that slowly pulled me away from my friends, my family, and even pieces of myself. It wasn’t dramatic in the moment, but it was damaging over time.

This conversation isn’t about blame—it’s about awareness. It’s about realizing when someone is shrinking your world instead of sharing it with you. And it’s about reclaiming your life, your joy, and your relationships, even if it happens years later than you wish it had.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you stayed out of survival… or whether you gave up too much of yourself to keep the peace, this episode will probably feel a little personal. And just know—you’re not the only one who’s had to rebuild from something you didn’t recognize until you were already deep in it.

In this episode, Dawn opens up about the hidden struggle many trauma survivors face: accepting compliments and believing they deserve kindness. Through honesty, personal stories, and hard-earned insight, she explores how childhood wounds, narcissistic relationships, and patterns of people-pleasing shape the way we view ourselves.

This conversation is a reminder that healing is possible—slowly, gently, and one moment of self-worth at a time. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable being seen, celebrated, or valued, this one will hit home. You deserve happiness, and you deserve to take up space.

When “Normal” Isn’t Normal: Choosing Yourself After Toxic Love

In this candid episode of Shattered Not Broken, Dawn opens up about her second marriage—an experience marked by verbal abuse, neglect, shifting identities, and a slow unraveling of boundaries she didn’t yet know she needed. She walks listeners through what it looked like to stay too long, why she tolerated behavior she would never accept today, and what finally pushed her to choose herself and her kids over chaos.

This episode digs into the hard truths: how easy it is to excuse red flags, how damaging it is when someone tries to “change” you, and how quietly toxic patterns can take root when you’re used to surviving instead of thriving. Dawn reflects on the painful realization that she never set expectations for how she deserved to be treated—and how everything changed once she decided to stop shrinking for anyone.

Her message is simple and powerful: you deserve people who see your worth, not people who chip away at it. And if no one around you is treating you like you hung the moon? Then it’s time to treat yourself that way.

Honest, raw, and deeply validating, this episode is a reminder that surviving isn’t the finish line—learning to expect more, love yourself harder, and protect your peace is where the real healing begins. Tune in, breathe deep, and remember: you deserve better, too.

In this powerful episode of Shattered Not Broken, host Dawn McClara opens up about her journey from surviving a painful childhood filled with trauma to finding her voice and reclaiming her power as an adult. She shares raw and honest reflections about growing up in an abusive home, enduring a toxic marriage at a young age, and breaking generational cycles to protect her children and grandchildren from similar harm.

Through her story, Dawn reveals how the weight of the past can shape who we become—but it doesn’t have to define us. She talks about confronting her abusers, learning to live life on her own terms for the first time, and recognizing the quiet victories that come with healing. With authenticity and compassion, she reminds listeners that while the road to recovery is messy and painful, it leads to strength, self-worth, and peace.

By the end, Dawn’s message is clear: you are not alone, your story matters, and no matter what you’ve endured, you can rise above and build a life filled with hope, love, and purpose.

Content note: mentions child sexual abuse and domestic violence.
In this raw, first-person chapter of Shattered Not Broken, I trace how early wounds shaped what I learned to tolerate—and how I’m unlearning it all. I share memories of losing my dad, living with an abusive stepfather, not being believed, and how that silence followed me into an abusive first marriage. I talk about setting boundaries with family (you can love someone and still keep them out of your life), raising my kids through the chaos, and the moment I decided I’m not settling anymore. I’m working to tell my story more chronologically, bringing on guests to explain how stress lives in the body and to share creative healing paths. If you’ve ever felt “not enough,” this one reminds you: you’re not what happened to you—you’re who you choose to become.

In this episode of Shattered Not Broken, Dawn McClara shares her journey through childhood trauma, family dynamics, and personal growth. She reflects on her experiences of abuse, estrangement from family, and the importance of setting boundaries. Dawn emphasizes the need for self-reflection, taking responsibility for one's own actions, and the power of healing and empowerment. She encourages listeners to believe in themselves and understand that they can rebuild their lives, even when feeling shattered.

Divorce is supposed to bring closure, but what happens when it doesn’t? In this episode, I share the reality of life after my marriage officially ended—where the emails, accusations, and manipulations didn’t stop just because the papers were signed. From losing retirement funds to being berated over cars, bank accounts, and “gifts” with strings attached, I learned that freedom isn’t handed to you in a decree—you have to claim it.

Even after twenty years together, my ex continued trying to control the narrative, painting me as the problem and refusing accountability. But step by step, I set boundaries, blocked the harassment, and reminded myself of a truth I had forgotten: I can stand on my own. I was doing it before him, and I can do it again.

If you’ve ever felt trapped in post-divorce drama, this story is for you. Healing takes time, but peace is possible—and sometimes the best gift you can give yourself is the freedom to live life on your own terms.