Space & Purpose

Anna was young, given a full academic scholarship for college, had wonderful relationships with her friends, teachers, and family, and rocked the 2000's-era Christian purity ring with full commitment.  

It wasn't until she was exploring life on her own in a different state with a new job that a mysterious stranger walked into her work, became obsessed with her, and hooked her in.  

Six years later, after multiple attempts to reclaim her life, she finally made discoveries that scared her enough to fully break free.

She is now healing, married, and walking in a beautiful redemption story that we'll learn more about in Part 2... but for Part 1, we're walking through the manipulation and mental games she endured for years that slowly broke her spirit down.

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My Instagram: @spaceandpurpose
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Want me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!

Nicole locked eyes with a stranger, and everyone else in the room disappeared.  It felt like she'd always imagined it would.
At first, his charm and charisma were enough to hide the warning signs that this man was hiding a past... one that she would dig up 3 years later.

CW: Sexual assault, abuse, suicidal ideation.

Resources Mentioned (Plus Extras):
- Dr. Ramani, YouTube

- Dr. Ramani's Podcast: Navigating Narcissism 

- Sam Vaknin, YouTube 

- Trauma, Drama, and Life Podcast  

- Mental Healness/Lee Hammock on Instagram 

- Survivors of Narcissistic Abuse Support Group (SoNA)
- Group Leader's Instagram (Brenda Stephens)
- Book by Brenda Stephens: Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Workbook 

Sustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose
My Instagram: @spaceandpurpose
Share your story: [email protected]
Want me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!

Mandi had been married for over 10 years, and her son was 3 years old before she realized she was in an abusive situation and it was time to make her move. 

After leaving, things got ugly, and one day, she came home to find a business card in her front door. It said "Robbery Unit", and the phone number was answered by an FBI agent... who was looking for her ex-husband in relation to multiple bank robberies.

Years later, she is now an author, advocate, and speaker, and is coaching women and teens in self-defense and preparedness through a business called Women Aware and Prepared.

CW: Domestic violence, abuse.

To hear her story, listen to her podcast: Women Aware and Prepared.

Her Website: https://beacons.ai/womenawareandprepared

Instagram: @womenawareandprepared 

Sustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose
My Instagram: @spaceandpurpose
Share your story: [email protected]
Want me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!

Imagine knowing before your wedding that something isn't right, so you try to call it off... but find yourself cornered and feeling stuck into going through with it.

This was Kate's situation, and if you've ever experienced anything similar, you will relate to the immense pressure that comes with weddings.  Kate was swept up (along with her family) and eventually made the decision she'd known she should have made all along... something much of her community still doesn't quite understand to this day.  And that's okay.

CW: Sexual abuse and domestic violence.

Sustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose
My Instagram: @spaceandpurpose
Share your story: [email protected]
Want me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!

JoAnna Knopf is not only a survivor of domestic abuse and on her own healing journey, but she pushed through much resistance in order to follow her calling and do what she is doing today- helping others. 

She shares her professional wisdom with us but weaves her own story throughout for examples, and I promise you- you will walk away having learned something!

CW: Domestic violence, abuse, spiritual abuse.

JoAnna's website: https://askccllc.com/about/

Sustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose
My Instagram: @spaceandpurpose
Share your story: [email protected]
Want me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!

It's time to hear from Ana's mom and gain a deeper understanding of what it's like to decide when it's time to trust your gut and act... then have to figure out on the fly how to save your daughter and protect your family. 


CW: Suicidal ideation and self harm.

Sustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose
My Instagram: @spaceandpurpose
Share your story: [email protected]
Want me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!

Let's get closure on Ana's story, hear the aftermath, and what continues to deepen her healing to this day.


CW: murder, self-harm, sexual violence, and suicidal ideation.

Sustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose
My Instagram: @spaceandpurpose
Share your story: [email protected]
Want me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!

Ana and her family's lives changed for the better when a new youth pastor - also a therapist - entered their lives.  He and his wife became family, even moving in across the street from them.

After years are spent in close proximity and wonderful memories are made, it's not so easy to see that someone might be the exact opposite of the mentor figure you've come to know. 

In fact, he might be a predator who will change your life forever.


CW: Sexual assault, suicidal ideation, murder.

Sustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose
My Instagram: @spaceandpurpose
Share your story: [email protected]
Want me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!

Elizabeth had never felt as loved and cared for as her boyfriend could make her feel.  15 years and three children later, she found herself willing to do whatever she had to do to free herself and her kids- even if it meant starting over with absolutely nothing.

Elizabeth's experience is hard to take in, but her resiliency and redemption story will definitely fill you with hope for what is possible.

TW: Domestic violence and suicide. 

Sustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose
My Instagram: @spaceandpurpose
Share your story: [email protected]
Want me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!

Ready to learn how your negative experiences might be affecting your body in ways you might not be aware of, and what to do about it?  You might wanna listen to this one twice, or get a pen out to take some notes because Dr. Chelsea is a firehose of information while still being extremely relatable, as she has a toxic relationship story of her own.  

Dr. Chelsea Azarcon's website: www.chelseaazarcon.com

Her Instagram: @naturallydrchelsea

Sustain the podcast with a cup of coffee! buymeacoffee.com/spaceandpurpose
My Instagram: @spaceandpurpose
Share your story: [email protected]
Want me to read your story for you? Write "Minisode Story" in the subject line!