The BraveHearted Woman

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “Maybe it’s just me,” “I’m probably overreacting,” or “I don’t want to cause drama”?

I want to remind you of something today: your voice matters.

In this episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, I’m continuing our Live Out Loud October by talking about what happens when we slowly silence ourselves. Maybe you were told you were too loud, too emotional, too sensitive, or simply “too much.” Maybe you learned that keeping the peace was safer than telling the truth. Over time, those experiences can teach us to edit ourselves, second-guess our opinions, and shrink our voices.

But your voice is more than the words you speak. Your voice is your perspective, influence, story, convictions, creativity, experience, wisdom, leadership, and message.

I’ll walk you through three ways women lose their voices: constantly seeking approval, confusing peace with avoidance, and believing their past disqualifies them. Then I’ll give you practical steps to reclaim your voice, including listening to yourself, stopping unnecessary apologies, and using your voice to speak life.

This isn’t about becoming the loudest person in the room. It’s about becoming a clearer, wiser, more courageous, and authentic woman who knows when it’s time to speak.

And this week, I have a challenge for you: identify one place where you’ve been silent when you need to speak, and finish this sentence:

“It’s time for me to say…”

Write it down. Think about it. Ask whether it’s true, necessary, wise, loving, and whether now is the right time.

You were never meant to shrink. So this October, stop shrinking, start speaking, and live out loud.

Quotations:

“Your voice matters. Yes, it does. Not because you're the loudest person in the room, not because everybody agrees with you or that you have perfect words, but you have something to contribute that only you can contribute.”

“There is something wrong when you hear everyone else's voice except your own.”

“Your voice isn't just your literal speaking voice. It's your perspective. It's your influence. It's your story. It's your convictions.”

“Your words have influence. Your words can change things.”

Resources:

📝 Take the BraveHearted Woman Quiz: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/quiz

💌 Email your braveheart story to me at [email protected]

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: [email protected]

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravehearted_woman

💞 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveheartedwoman

💞 Podcast: https://the-bravehearted-woman.captivate.fm/listen

Download the full transcript here.

What if you’ve been making yourself smaller without even realizing it?

In this episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, I’m kicking off Live Out Loud October with a message I believe so many women need to hear: you were never meant to shrink.

Over the years, many of us learn to shrink our dreams, our opinions, our voices, our needs, our bodies, and even our vision for the next chapter of our lives. We do it because we want to be liked, because we’re afraid, because we’ve been hurt, or because we’ve confused humility with hiding.

But midlife is not the time to disappear. Your age is not evidence that your best contribution is behind you, and there is no expiration date on your dreams.

Today, I’ll help you recognize where you may be playing small and give you four practical steps to start shrinking less: notice where you’re making yourself small, stop asking for permission, say the thing, and take one brave action.

I’ll also give you my Live Out Loud Challenge for October: finish this sentence, “If I stopped making myself smaller, I would…” Then choose one brave step you can take.

You don’t need to become someone else. You simply need to become more fully you.

Quotations:

“Being liked is not the same as being loved.”

“There is no expiration on your dreams.”

“Sometimes the permission that you’re waiting for has to come from you.”

“Fear doesn’t get to decide the final vote. You do.”

“Confidence comes after you do the thing.”

“Stop abandoning yourself in order to keep everyone else more comfortable.”

“Stop shrinking, start speaking, take the leap, and live out loud.”

Resources:

📝 Take the BraveHearted Woman Quiz: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/quiz

💌 Email your braveheart story to me at [email protected]

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: [email protected]

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravehearted_woman

💞 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveheartedwoman

💞 Podcast: https://the-bravehearted-woman.captivate.fm/listen

Download the full transcript here.

Have you ever said yes when everything inside you wanted to say no?

In this episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, I’m talking about something every midlife woman needs to learn: how to set healthy boundaries without guilt.

As women, many of us have spent years caring for others, solving problems, meeting expectations, and making everyone else’s needs our priority. But eventually, we have to ask ourselves: What is every yes costing me?

Your time is limited. Your energy is limited. Your attention is limited. And every time you say yes to something that doesn’t align with your priorities, purpose, or capacity, you may be saying no to something or someone that truly matters.

I want to encourage you to stop apologizing for protecting the life God has entrusted to you. Boundaries are not rejection. Saying no doesn't make you selfish. And loving people doesn't mean giving them unlimited access to your time, energy, or resources.

In this episode, I share four powerful truths about boundaries, guilt, relationships, and learning to say, "I'm not available for that."

It may be time for a boundary audit, BraveHeart.

Where are you saying yes when you really want to say no?

It's time to protect your peace, steward your energy, and find the courage to live with healthy boundaries.

You don't need to apologize for prioritizing the life God has entrusted to you.

Quotations:

"You have worth. You are worth investing in."

"Your time isn't unlimited. Your energy isn't unlimited. Your attention isn't unlimited."

"Guilt isn't always a sign that you've done something wrong."

"You're not responsible for people. You can act responsibly toward them, but you're not responsible for them."

"Don't allow someone else's urgency to become your emergency."

"You do not need to apologize for protecting and prioritizing the life that God has entrusted to you."

Resources:

📝 Take the BraveHearted Woman Quiz: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/quiz

💌 Email your braveheart story to me at [email protected]

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: [email protected]

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravehearted_woman

💞 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveheartedwoman

💞 Podcast: https://the-bravehearted-woman.captivate.fm/listen

Download the full transcript here.

Do you know your worth but struggle to charge for your work, ask for more money, or confidently own the value you bring?

In this episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, I’m talking about something many women struggle with: knowing our worth internally but failing to demonstrate that belief externally.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, coach, speaker, author, consultant, ministry leader, or working in corporate America, you may be undercharging, overgiving, apologizing for your prices, or afraid to ask for the raise, opportunity, contract, or seat at the table you deserve.

I want to help you understand the difference between your human worth and your professional value. Your worth as a person is priceless, but your time, experience, expertise, wisdom, and intellectual property have real economic value.

Midlife women especially have something powerful to offer: years of experience. You've solved problems, overcome challenges, survived difficult seasons, gained wisdom, and learned valuable lessons that others can benefit from.

In this episode, I share four powerful reminders to help you stop shrinking, stop giving away what should be paid for, and start making the brave ask.

It's time to identify the value you bring, own your experience, and take courageous action.

You don't have to apologize for being good at what you do. You don't have to make yourself smaller so someone else can afford you. Know your value. Be brave. Make the ask.

The message aligns closely with the BraveHearted Woman mission of helping women rebuild confidence, reclaim their identity and worth, and take courageous action toward their next chapter.

What you'll learn in this episode

• Why knowing your worth should change how you operate professionally
• The difference between your human worth and your professional value
• Why your experience and wisdom have real value
• How fear can cause women to undercharge and overgive
• When generosity becomes unhealthy overgiving
• Why midlife women should stop dismissing their years of experience
• How to identify the value you bring to others
• Why asking for what you need is a BraveHearted move
• How to stop apologizing for your prices and expertise
• The courageous question every woman should ask herself

Quotations:

"Your human worth is priceless, but your professional expertise, your time, your experience, and your intellectual property have economic value."

"Everything you've done in your life has value."

"Stop treating all those years like they're irrelevant because they're not shiny and new."

"Know your value. Don't be afraid to ask."

Resources:

📝 Take the BraveHearted Woman Quiz: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/quiz

🎁FREE Download: Ignite Your Confidence & Sour With Self-Esteem: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/ignite_your_confidence_ebook

💌 Email your braveheart story to me at [email protected]

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: [email protected]

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravehearted_woman

💞 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveheartedwoman

💞 Podcast: https://the-bravehearted-woman.captivate.fm/listen

Download the full transcript here.

Have you spent decades investing in everyone else while putting yourself at the bottom of the list?

Your children. Your husband. Your family. Your home. Your career. Your friends.

But when was the last time you invested in you without guilt or apology?

In this episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, I want to challenge you to rethink what it means to invest in yourself. Because investing in your growth, healing, health, education, dreams, and future isn't selfish. It's stewardship. It's self-respect. And it may be one of the most important decisions you make in this season of life.

As midlife women, many of us have become experts at pouring into everyone else. But you can't continually withdraw from an account you never replenish, and you are the account.

Your physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and relational well-being all need deposits.

Maybe it's time to take the class. Hire the coach. Learn a new skill. Go to the retreat. Read the book or write the book. See the counsellor. Join the gym. Invest in the future woman you know is still inside of you.

This is your reminder that you are not a project that needs fixing. You are a woman worth developing.

Today, I'll share four powerful reasons why investing in yourself matters and why you need to stop waiting for someone else to recognise your worth, open the door, or give you permission to move forward.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why investing in yourself isn't selfish
• The difference between self-investment and indulgence
• Why you can't keep giving when you're emotionally depleted
• How neglecting yourself can lead to exhaustion and resentment
• Practical ways to invest in your personal and spiritual growth
• Why your future self needs your attention today
• How to rediscover dormant gifts, talents, and dreams
• Why you need to stop waiting for someone else to believe in you
• How faith and courageous action work together
• How to take your next Brave Action Move

Quotations:

"Investing in yourself isn't selfish, it's stewardship."

"You can't just keep giving everything to your present and nothing to your future."

"Your future requires your investment."

"Sometimes the woman you've been waiting for to believe in you is you."

"Don't wait for someone to discover your worth. Teach them your worth. Show up with your worth."

Resources:

📝 Take the BraveHearted Woman Quiz: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/quiz

💌 Email your braveheart story to me at [email protected]

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: [email protected]

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravehearted_woman

💞 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveheartedwoman

💞 Podcast: https://the-bravehearted-woman.captivate.fm/listen

Download the full transcript here.

Do you ever feel like you have to prove your worth?

Maybe you’re constantly taking care of everyone else, striving to be needed, saying yes when you really want to say no, or wondering whether you’re still valuable as you enter a new season of life.

BraveHeart, I want you to hear this today:

You do not have to prove your worth. You need to recognize it.

Your value is not determined by how useful you are, how much you accomplish, what other people think about you, your age, your relationship status, or whether everyone around you approves of you.

In today’s episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, I’m talking about knowing your worth in midlife and what happens when you finally stop looking outside yourself for permission to matter.

This episode kicks off our September theme of hope, healing, and a heart full of brave. If you’ve been feeling stuck, uncertain about your next step, or questioning your identity in this season of life, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why you don't have to earn, prove, or perform for your worth
• The difference between being useful and being valuable
• Why being needed by others can become connected to your sense of worth
• How your age does not diminish your value
• Why there is no expiration date on your dreams
• How your life experience, mistakes, disappointments, and resilience can become part of your purpose
• Why someone else's rejection or criticism does not define your identity
• How to stop allowing other people's opinions to determine your value
• What changes when you begin showing up from a place of confidence and self-worth
• Why knowing your worth can change the relationships and circles you choose
• How to recognize where you've been shrinking, apologizing, people-pleasing, or overdoing it
• Why your next season can be vibrant, purposeful, courageous, and full of possibility

Quotations:

“You do not have to prove your worth. But you do need to recognize your worth.”

“Your worth isn't something that you need to earn or prove or perform for.”

“Don't confuse your usefulness with your worth.”

“Being needed is not the same thing as being valued.”

“Your value is truly in your being, just being.”

“You don't need to be more valuable. You need to just become more convinced of the value that already exists within you.”

Resources:

📝 Take the BraveHearted Woman Quiz: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/quiz

💌 Email your braveheart story to me at [email protected]

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: [email protected]

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravehearted_woman

💞 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveheartedwoman

💞 Podcast: https://the-bravehearted-woman.captivate.fm/listen

Download the full transcript here.

Have you been feeling lost, uncertain, or unfulfilled in this season of your life? Are you wondering, “What is my purpose now?” or “What am I supposed to do with the rest of my life?”

If you're a Christian woman navigating midlife, major life changes, or a season of transition, you may be experiencing what is commonly called an existential crisis or midlife crisis.

In this episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, I’m talking openly about what an existential crisis really means, why it can happen even when you have a strong faith, and how a season of questioning can become an opportunity for growth, clarity, and transformation.

An existential crisis often brings deep questions about purpose, meaning, identity, direction, and your place in the world. For women in midlife, it can happen when the roles and routines that once gave life structure begin to change. Your children may leave home, relationships may shift, your career may look different, or you may simply realize that you're no longer sure what comes next.

But here’s the good news: you are not done.

A midlife crisis doesn't have to be the end of your story. It can become a fresh canvas—a chance to reconnect with what you love, rediscover your gifts and passions, evaluate what truly matters, and reconnect with the purpose God has placed inside you.

In this episode, I share 5 signs you may be experiencing an existential or midlife crisis, including feeling lost, increased stress, loss of productivity, low energy, and loss of social support.

I’ll also share practical ways to begin moving forward, including reconnecting with your purpose, finding meaningful community and accountability, and shifting your focus toward the possibilities that are still ahead.

If you've been asking “What is my life about?”, wondering whether it's too late to start again, or searching for clarity and purpose in midlife, this episode is for you.

Your next chapter can still be meaningful, purposeful, and brave.

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

1:08 - What is an existential crisis?

12:30 - Sign #1: You feel lost.

13:34 - Sign #2: Increased stress or mental distress.

15:48 - Sign #3: You’ve lost your productivity.

17:25 - Sign #4: You have low energy levels.

19:16 - Sign #5: You’ve lost some of your support.

20:02 - How to take action today

Quotations:

“We don't do a good service to each other when we choose not to talk about it or put it out there in the open.”

“Don't be afraid of a crisis. It's not negative. It can have massive, powerful effects, and really good positive outcomes for you.”

“You are not done. It is time for you to rediscover your passion project and get going again in that.”

Resources:

📝 Join my writing Class - How to write your story and get it published: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/courses/write-your-story

🎁 FREE Downloads: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/resources

📚 Get a copy of Dawn’s books here: https://dawndamon.com/books/

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: [email protected]

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravehearted_woman

💞 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveheartedwoman

💞 Podcast: https://the-bravehearted-woman.captivate.fm/listen

What would change if you stopped allowing your past to determine your future?

In this week’s episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, let’s talk honestly about one of the most powerful and uncomfortable emotions we all experience: regret.

Whether you're regretting a decision you made, an opportunity you missed, a relationship you handled differently, or something you wish you had done sooner, it can be easy to get trapped in the cycle of “what if,” “if only,” and “I should have.”

Let me explain that while regret can be painful, it can also become an opportunity for growth. Instead of continually replaying the past, you can learn from your experiences, practice self-forgiveness, make amends where necessary, and choose how you want to live moving forward.

For women in midlife, this can be especially powerful. You've lived enough life to recognize what no longer fits, and you have the wisdom to make different choices now.

Today, let me share six ways to live with less regret in life.

The big takeaway is that you cannot change what happened in the past. But you can change what you do with it.

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

1:15 - Understanding regret and where it comes from

3:57 - Why regret can feel like emotional pain

6:01 - Regret = Growth

6:49 - 6 ways to live with less regret

16:18 - How to release the pain of regret

17:25 - How to take action

Quotations:

“When you start to feel, you can start to heal.”

“Regret can induce pain, but it can also be a chance for growth.”

“Do not stop learning. Do not stop growing. Do not stop reading and expanding.”

“I choose today to live today going forward, refreshed, refueled, refocused, refined.”

Resources:

♀️ Join the community of the The Brave-Hearted Woman ☆ Self-Rescue for Worn Out Working Wonder Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/braveheartedwoman

📚 Get a copy of Dawn’s NEW book The Making of a BraveHearted Woman: Courage, Confidence, and Vision in Midlife: https://www.amazon.com/Making-BraveHearted-Woman-Courage-Confidence/dp/B0DTJ1CWLM

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: [email protected]

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravehearted_woman

💞 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveheartedwoman

💞 Podcast: https://the-bravehearted-woman.captivate.fm/listen

How do you forgive someone who hurt you without forgetting what happened?

In this episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, let’s take a deeper look at forgiveness and why holding onto anger, resentment, betrayal, and unforgiveness can keep us stuck in the past.

But forgiveness is often misunderstood.

Forgiving someone doesn't mean pretending the hurt didn't happen. It doesn't mean forgetting, excusing wrongdoing, immediately trusting someone again, or automatically reconciling with them.

Instead, forgiveness can be a conscious decision to release the emotional weight of what happened and place the hurt in God's hands while continuing to grow in wisdom, discernment, boundaries, and healing.

Let me explain how to forgive what you can't forget and share practical steps for releasing resentment without denying the reality of your experience.

She also addresses an important truth: forgiveness and justice can coexist. Forgiving someone does not mean tolerating abuse, ignoring injustice, abandoning healthy boundaries, or refusing to seek appropriate legal or professional help.

Most importantly, forgiveness is about your freedom and your future, not giving the person who hurt you continued power over your life.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why unforgiveness can keep you emotionally stuck
• The difference between forgiveness and forgetting
• How anger, resentment, criticism, and constantly replaying the past can reveal unforgiveness
• Five questions to help identify whether you're holding onto a grudge
• What forgiveness is and what it is not
• Why forgiveness does not require an apology
• Why forgiveness does not automatically mean reconciliation
• The difference between forgiveness and trust
• Why trust must be earned
• How forgiveness and healthy boundaries can exist together
• Why forgiveness doesn't mean allowing abuse or injustice to continue
• The potential emotional, relational, and spiritual benefits of releasing resentment
• Practical steps for forgiving someone who hurt you
• How to stop allowing your past experience to become your identity

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

1:11 - Why forgiveness matters

1:41 - Common misconceptions about forgiveness

5:08 - What is unforgiveness?

8:24 - 5 Questions to identify unforgiveness

9:31 - What Forgiveness Is NOT

16:05 - Reason why you should forgive

18:04 - Practical steps to forgive

21:57 - How to take action today

Quotations:

“Forgiveness is not a memory relapse. You don't just forget what happened, but it is a memory release.” - Dawn Damon

“Your healing and your freedom and your release and your restoration of joy is not predicated on them asking or giving you an apology.” - Dawn Damon

“Forgiveness is a free gift. Nobody earns that. You give it freely. But trust me, now that's a different story. That is earned.” - Dawn Damon

Resources:

🎁 FREE Download: Brave Affirmations for an Abundant Life: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/brave-affirmations

📚 Get a copy of Dawn’s NEW book The Making of a BraveHearted Woman: Courage, Confidence, and Vision in Midlife: https://www.amazon.com/Making-BraveHearted-Woman-Courage-Confidence/dp/B0DTJ1CWLM

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: [email protected]

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravehearted_woman

💞 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveheartedwoman

💞 Podcast: https://the-bravehearted-woman.captivate.fm/listen

What keeps some women moving forward through life's biggest challenges while others stay stuck? The answer is fortitude.

In this week's episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, let me introduce the powerful framework behind my book The Making of a BraveHearted Woman and explain why fortitude is more than courage. It's a combination of character, resilience, discipline, virtue, and consistent action.

If you're searching for practical ways to build confidence, overcome self-doubt, strengthen your mindset, or create meaningful habits in midlife, this episode provides a roadmap for lasting personal transformation.

What You'll Learn

• What fortitude means and why it matters
• Why standards are more powerful than goals
• How grit and discipline work together
• The importance of keystone habits
• The five areas where every woman needs fortitude
• How your identity influences every decision you make
• Why your words shape your future
• How to develop resilience for life's challenges

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

1:30 - What is Fortitude?

3:05 - Goals VS Standards

7:09 - The 5 Fortitudes

7:42 - Fortitude #1: Bold vision

8:37 - Fortitude #2: Real identity

9:44 - Fortitude #3: Able mindset

11:13 - Fortitude #4: Virtuous talk

13:15 - Fortitude #5: Excellent actions & habits

13:52 - How fortitude can change everything

Quotations:

"Fortitude is formed from bravery, virtue, consistent grit, discipline, and keystone habits."

"You can't have a million-dollar future with a ten-cent mentality."

"Choose a mindset that says, 'I can do it. I am able.'"

"I do hard things."

Resources:

🗓️ Get a copy of The BraveHearted Planner: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/offers/bHky3uoX/checkout

♀️ Join the community of the The Brave-Hearted Woman ☆ Self-Rescue for Worn Out Working Wonder Women: https://www.facebook.com/groups/braveheartedwoman

📚 Get a copy of Dawn’s NEW book The Making of a BraveHearted Woman: Courage, Confidence, and Vision in Midlife: https://www.amazon.com/Making-BraveHearted-Woman-Courage-Confidence/dp/B0DTJ1CWLM

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: [email protected]

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravehearted_woman

💞 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveheartedwoman

💞 Podcast: https://the-bravehearted-woman.captivate.fm/listen