The advice to be more, do more, and "should" more is breaking women long before they realize it. Licensed therapist and empowerment coach Chellie Adler reveals what happens when grief, motherhood, marriage, social media, and impossible expectations pile up—and how to finally burn the script down and build a life that actually fits. Dr. Court and Chellie get brutally honest about the hidden cost of the “good mother,” “good wife,” and “good Christian” checklist, they uncover the layers of shame women carry around bodies, emotions, and identity. What starts as a conversation about the life of shoulds turns into a powerful roadmap for reclaiming your voice, your boundaries, and your right to stop performing for everyone else.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why so many women confuse survival with “having it all together”
• How social media adds a new layer of pressure, comparison, and self-doubt
• What “self-full” means—and why it changes everything about how you care for others
• How masking, menopause, perimenopause, and late-diagnosed ADHD intersect for women in midlife
• Why community spaces where women can be seen and heard are essential for mental health

Chellie also shares the story behind her own major reinvention: going back to school in her 40s, becoming a licensed therapist, and creating women-centered spaces that honor the realities of female health instead of hiding them. Dr. Court adds her own reflections on parenting, labels, and the exhausting work of protecting kids from an internet-driven culture of “should.” This episode is for anyone who feels boxed in by expectations, dismissed by labels, or tired of shrinking to make other people comfortable. If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s a way to stop apologizing for taking up space, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, challenged, and ready to rewrite your own ever after. Chellie Adler is a licensed therapist, empowerment coach, speaker, and women’s mental health advocate who works at the intersection of grief, trauma, midlife reinvention, ADHD, and menopause. She’s known for helping women drop the shame and stand in their power.

Connect with Chellie:

https://www.instagram.com/chellieadler

https://www.chellieadler.com/

The advice to "be quiet, be good, be what’s expected" can train you out of yourself. Dr. Court sits down with Heather Gill to unpack how women lose their inner authority, why self-abandonment feels so easy to normalize, and what it actually takes to come back home to the sovereign part of you that knows what’s true. Heather is an award-winning realtor, author, and sought-after speaker known for her grounded, heart-led approach to personal transformation. Here, she opens up about the long-term relationship, religious conditioning, and life unravelings that forced her to stop looking outside herself for permission and start asking harder questions about belonging, agency, and authenticity. You’ll discover:

• Why the "good girl" conditioning starts so early, and how it shapes identity for years
• The red flags many people ignore until life forces a real wake-up call
• How self-abandonment shows up through people pleasing, over-functioning, and martyrdom
• Why boundaries can make you look like the villain to people who benefited from your silence
• What Heather means by returning to your sacred heart, and how sovereignty begins with asking whether you truly belong to yourself

Dr. Court and Heather also get honest about the cost of constantly adapting to other people’s expectations, especially for women navigating marriage, family roles, faith systems, and the pressure to be endlessly accommodating. If you’ve ever felt yourself shrinking to keep the peace, this conversation names the pattern and gives you language for choosing differently. Heather also shares the book she’s writing, Journey to Your Sacred Heart, a memoir-meets-coaching guide designed to help readers not just feel seen, but actually move forward with practical next steps. She even introduces a memorable symbol for people pleasing that you won’t forget. Essential listening if you’re ready to stop shoehorning yourself into someone else’s box, trust your own knowing, and reclaim the version of you that was never meant to be diluted.

https://linktr.ee/sovereignandsacred

https://substack.com/@sovereignandsacred.

Meetheathergill.com

Dr. Court uses this episode to answer listener questions with unfiltered honesty about divorce, grief, marriage, motherhood, healing, and identity. The conversation matters because it reframes “success” away from appearances and toward peace, self-respect, and surviving what life throws at you. In this episode:

• Dr. Court shares why her version of happily ever after is rooted in safety, silence that does not feel terrifying, and peace rather than money or status.
• She explains why she would marry her ex again, even with the pain it caused, because it led to her son and to the woman she became.
• She talks about her current husband as a patient, kind partner who complements her rather than rescues her.
• She unpacks her belief that two things can be true at once, including being a wife and ex-wife, biological mom and stepmom, and strong and still wounded.
• She reflects on living in the gray area instead of forcing life into black and white judgments.
• She names the hardest things she has survived: divorce, losing time with her son, the death of her brother, her husband’s jail time, and her mother’s death.
• She gets honest about fear, saying she was scared to write and share her story but refused to let fear stop her.
• She explains why she does not regret writing Uncaged, describing the book as the beginning of her reinvention and a catalyst for healing with her mother before she died.
• She clarifies that she did not give up nursing, but now balances nursing with publishing, writing, and helping others reinvent themselves.
• She explains her weight loss journey as a mix of sobriety, movement, diet, mindset work, and appropriate medication use for type 2 diabetes.
• She rejects the idea of being “fully healed,” saying healing is ongoing and anger still comes up, but she does not stay in it.
• She closes by defining the ideal Rewrite listener as anyone who has been through pain, grief, trauma, or reinvention and wants to turn survival into purpose.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Radical honesty and why this episode is different

01:27 - What happily ever after means without the fairy tale

02:53 - Why she would still marry her ex

04:18 - Why she would still marry her husband

06:16 - The Libra lens and the idea that two things can be true

09:08 - Learning to live in the gray instead of black and white

10:02 - Being a wife, ex-wife, mom, and stepmom at the same time

13:24 - Divorce, custody, and why grief is valid even when you chose the ending

13:51 - The hardest things she has survived so far

18:35 - Driving her husband to jail and nearly breaking under the pressure

20:31 - Her mother’s death and the grief she is still living through

21:54 - Why fear did not stop her from telling her story

23:21 - Why writing Uncaged became part of her healing

26:13 - The book’s role in opening a conversation with her mother

28:10 - Why she did not give up nursing 30:25 - How she lost nearly 100 pounds with multiple tools, not one fix

33:40 - Why she still gets angry and why healing is not a finish line

35:37 - Forgiving the people who hurt her without excusing them

37:56 - The biggest misconceptions about her

39:20 - Why peace matters more than happiness

40:19 - Why this podcast has no edits

42:07 - Who The Rewrite is really for

Notable quotes:

• “I am my own damn hero.”
• “You can’t get to the other side without going straight down the fucking middle of it.”
• “The goal is to be healing, not healed.”

What if the heartbreak, divorce, and “wrong” detours in your life were actually the rewrite that set everything in motion?

Gabrielle Stone joins Dr. Court for a raw, funny, and deeply honest conversation about blowing up the life you thought you were supposed to want and building something truer on the other side. From the betrayal that inspired her bestselling book Eat, Pray, FML to the trip to Europe that changed everything, Gabrielle shares how one devastating breakup led to a new identity, a new career, and a radically different relationship with herself.

In this episode, we talk all about the “thought onion” framework for peeling back superficial reactions to the subconscious beliefs underneath them, why safety is often the real wound hiding beneath anger, fear, or abandonment, and how to stop looking for another person to heal what only you can face.

Gabrielle breaks down the difference between being loved and being “fixed,” and why taking responsibility for your patterns is the first step toward changing them.

Dr. Court and Gabrielle dig into how childhood loss can shape the partners you choose, why love bombing can come from emptiness as well as manipulation, and what it really means to heal while parenting, creating, and surviving the chaos of everyday life. They also talk candidly about judgment, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to put your real story on the page anyway.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of abandonment, self-doubt, or starting over, this episode is your permission slip to look inward, tell the truth, and stop waiting for someone else to hand you your happily ever after. Essential listening for anyone ready for blunt handholding, real healing, and a reminder that your rewrite is still in progress.

Gabrielle Stone does it all... she is a bestselling author, award-winning actress, director, podcast host, world traveler with her FML'er crew, momma, wife, and speaker known for turning painful life experiences into candid, empowering books and conversations.

She is the author of Eat, Pray, FML; The Ridiculous Misadventures of a Single Girl; Fuck Off, I’m Healing; and Finding You Through Finding Me.

Find her:

IG:

@eatprayfml

@gabriellestone

TT:

@gabrielle_stone

In this episode, Dr. Court shares a heartfelt and raw narrative of losing her mother, exploring the complex emotions of love, grief, and the process of rewriting her story. She emphasizes the importance of honesty in honoring difficult relationships and finding beauty in the imperfect.

• Dr. Court’s candid recounting of her mother’s passing and her first year of grief
• The challenge of loving someone with whom the relationship was complicated
• The philosophy of honesty and duality in storytelling about loved ones
• The power of acknowledging both light and shadow in memory and mourning
• How her experiences shaped her resilience and strength
• The concept of honoring loved ones by facing the truth, not glossing over pain
• The significance of boundaries and self-preservation during grief
• The process of writing her second book, "Like My Mother Was," to explore these themes
• A heartfelt letter to her mother on her birthday, embracing all parts of their story
• Offer of support to others experiencing similar, complex grief

If you are dealing with grief or complex family dynamics, remember you are not alone. Dr. Court’s story is a testament to the power of honesty, resilience, and writing your own ending. Thanks for listening.

Like, share, and follow The ReWrite.

Connect with Dr. Court:

drcourt_everafterco

www.drcourtney.me

When military life, injury, and heartbreak threaten to define her, Stephanie Cole discovers that true healing begins with a personal reset and the courage to rewrite her story on her own terms. Her journey from feeling like “furniture” to owning her power is the kind of transformation every woman (and man) needs to hear right now. In this deeply personal episode, Stephanie shares how hitting her lowest point, after her spouse’s injury, divorce, and a life-changing car accident, forced her to confront her identity that was rooted in her military role. She reveals powerful moments, like being called “a piece of furniture,” and how yoga and nervous system work became her lifelines...tools she now channels to help others rewrite their own stories. Stephanie’s story is a testament to resilience, showing how feeling “behind” isn’t failure, but a sign you’re finally starting as your authentic self. You’ll discover:

• How a life-threatening accident and a “furniture” comment cracked open Stephanie’s world and how she rebuilt with intentionality
• The “thought treadmill” technique she uses to break free from mental spirals and re-center her nervous system
• The importance of community, boundaries, and self-awareness in healing from invisibility and burnout
• Why she believes “fear is fun on the other side,” and how embracing discomfort accelerates personal growth
• Easy, practical ways to sit with your feelings, set boundaries, and step into your true power, at any age or stage

This episode breaks down actionable tools and inspiring insights that push you to face your fears, rewrite your narrative, and take power over your life no matter what chaos or circumstances you face. If you’ve ever felt invisible, overwhelmed, or trapped in a role that isn’t yours, Stephanie’s story empowers you to start your rewrite today. Stephanie DeZern is the founder of Lotus River Wellness, supporting military families with nervous system regulation and healing practices rooted in yoga. With over 20 years of experience, Stephanie specializes in helping women reconnect with their authentic selves after trauma and transition. Perfect for women navigating divorce, trauma, or life-changing shifts—this episode is your call to finally stop surviving and start thriving. Rewrite your story, reclaim your power, and remember: it’s never too late to begin anew.

Interested in working with Stephanie:

https://www.instagram.com/lotusriverwellness/

https://www.lotusriverwellness.org/

https://www.facebook.com/LotusRiverWellnessLLC

Trigger Warning

This episode contains discussions of suicide, mental health challenges, trauma, and grief. Listener discretion is advised.

Most stories of pain and darkness contain a powerful seed of hope — if you’re willing to find it. Peter Colter’s journey from contemplating suicide to becoming a voice of healing and purpose is nothing short of transformative. In this deeply moving episode, Peter shares the harrowing moment on a balcony that changed his life and how divine intervention helped him rewrite his story into one of hope, love, and helping others.

Discover how facing his own depression, bipolar diagnosis, and deafness ignited a mission to give voice to the invisible wounds many carry. Peter’s story offers a blueprint for turning despair into purpose, emphasizing that your darkest moments can be the prelude to profound impact. You'll learn about the importance of vulnerability, the power of faith, and practical ways to lean on support systems when life feels overwhelming.

We break down the core principles Peter lives by: trust, faith, and hard work—especially during the days when hope seems scarce. You'll hear how writing his novel and screenplay not only helped him process his pain but also became a beacon for countless others battling their own inner struggles. His message is clear: sharing your story can be a permission slip for someone else to take the next step.

This episode is perfect for anyone feeling stuck in the dark, battling mental health challenges, or searching for purpose after loss or trauma. If you’ve ever wondered whether your pain can serve a greater good, Peter’s extraordinary journey proves it can. Whether you're seeking motivation, spiritual hope, or simply a reminder that you’re not alone, this conversation will leave you inspired to turn your own pain into a powerful catalyst for change.

Meet Peter Colter, author, screenwriter, and survivor who believes that every struggle has the potential to help others. His story underscores that hope is alive within us all, waiting for us to rewrite our narrative. Tune in, be moved, and discover how your darkest hours can lead to the brightest dawn.

Keep up with Peter:

TikTok: @petercolter

Instagram: peter.colter

[email protected]

Interested in Peter's books:

https://a.co/d/06blie9c

https://a.co/d/98oWGCM

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/home-peter-colter/1149190779?ean=9798279612680

Peter is also working on a horror anthology Inspired by WV’s real Carrion Run, this early-90s horror anthology tackles the raw, inherited traumas of grief and addiction. Backed by 22 finished scripts- you vote on which nightmare rolls cameras first.

VOTE HERE:

https://seedandspark.com/fund/carrioncreek#story

Most women spend years trying to hide their imperfections — but what if your struggles are actually your biggest superpower? In this raw and authentic conversation, Dr. Court and guest Vicky Lebrilla reveal how embracing imperfection, grief, and authentic vulnerability unlocks unshakeable strength and real happiness. You’ll discover how to stop chasing perfection and start honoring your journey — whether it’s post-trauma healing, navigating social media noise, or shifting your mindset. Vicky shares powerful insights on reprogramming your brain, using essential oils for emotional clarity, and the importance of unconditional self-acceptance. She explains how unlearning societal conditioning allows women to reclaim their worth and live unapologetically, no matter their past. We break down the myth of linear healing, the importance of embracing setbacks as stepping stones, and how to quiet your inner critic so you can hear your authentic voice. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the chaos of life or trapped in the “shoulds,” this episode is your wake-up call to reconnect with your true self and start thriving. Perfect for women in transition, entrepreneurs, caregivers, and anyone ready to rewrite their story — this is the conversation you need to hear today. By the end, you'll understand that your imperfections are the blueprint for your greatest growth, and that the power to transform is already within you. Don't wait for the “perfect” moment — start today, because your most unstoppable self is waiting.

Vicky Lebrilla is an internationally best-selling author, certified emotions coach, and founder of Align Wellness, dedicated to helping women unblock blessings and harness their emotional power through mindful practices and essential oils.

Check out her Website:

https://vickilebrilla.com

Follow Vicki:

https://www.instagram.com/vicki_lebrilla/

Before there was The ReWrite, there was Uncaged.

In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Courtney Evans shares the story behind her bestselling memoir, the labels that shaped her life, and the moments that forced her to question who she was beneath them. From being a nurse leader, professor, mother, stepmother, ex-wife, new wife, and grieving daughter, Courtney explores how roles can become identities, and how even good labels can keep us from fully becoming ourselves.

This conversation is an invitation to examine the stories you’ve inherited, the expectations you’ve carried, and the version of yourself you’ve been trying to protect. It’s the beginning of understanding why The ReWrite isn’t about becoming someone new, it’s about returning to who you’ve always been underneath the labels.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why Uncaged became the foundation for The ReWrite
• How labels quietly shape our identity and decisions
• The hidden grief of outgrowing old versions of yourself
• Why reinvention begins with honesty, not perfection
• What it means to rewrite your story without erasing your past

If you’ve ever looked at your life and thought, “I should be happy, so why do I feel like I’ve lost myself?” this episode is for you. Because sometimes the bravest thing you’ll ever do isn’t changing your life. It’s telling yourself the truth about the one you’re living.

In the first episode of The ReWrite Podcast, Dr. Courtney Evans introduces The Unlabeling, a foundational practice designed to help you separate who you are from the roles, expectations, and identities you’ve been assigned.

This exercise is not about rejection, but clarity. It helps you begin noticing the difference between your true self and the labels you’ve carried through life, mother, wife, professional, caretaker, achiever, survivor.

This episode explores how identity is shaped in seasons of grief, burnout, and transition, and how self-trust begins when you stop living as a collection of roles and start returning to yourself.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What The Unlabeling is and how to begin
• How labels shape identity and behavior
• Why transition often triggers identity confusion
• How to reconnect with your inner authority

This is the first step in The ReWrite...where you begin to see your life clearly enough to change it.