Today, Stephanie sits down with Shana Francesca, who shares her harrowing journey through a traumatic childhood raised inside an evangelical Christian cult. Shana's talks about growing up in an environment where curiosity was punished, intuition was stifled, and survival required constant self-protection. She discusses her path to breaking free at 26, learning to trust herself, and discovering what a healthy relationship looks like. The conversation also explores Shana's transition into adulthood, her professional evolution, and the poignant realization that she needed to give language to her personal values and align them with her business aspirations. As Stephanie and Shana uncover the parallels in their respective transformative journeys, they highlight the importance of autonomy, self-trust, and finding one’s voice.

Guest Bio 

Shana Francesca is a speaker and consultant. Her work centers around the fact that we become infinitely more impactful as leaders when we understand our organization as an ecosystem we are meant to foster as a bubble of life.

Turning 40 and Getting Healthy after Being Raised in a Cult

In this deeply moving episode of the Forty Drinks Podcast, Stephanie sits down with Shana Francesca, a survivor of an evangelical Christian cult, who shares her harrowing journey from a controlled and abusive childhood to finding her voice and establishing her values in midlife. Shana's story is not just about survival; it's a testament to the power of self-discovery, the importance of nurturing one's intuition, and the transformative impact of defining personal and professional values. Join us as Shana opens up about the challenges she faced and how they shaped her into the advocate for ethical leadership and community she is today.

Key Highlights:

• Surviving a Cult: Shana discusses her upbringing in an abusive household within a cult, highlighting the lack of personal freedom and the severe consequences of curiosity.
• Early Signs of Resistance: From as young as three, Shana exhibited signs of resistance, including running away from home, signaling her deep-rooted awareness of the dangers in her environment.
• Journey to Self-Trust: Shana shares her path to trusting her intuition, which was crucial in her escape and subsequent independence from the cult at the age of 26.
• Redefining Faith and Identity: A significant part of Shana's transformation involved reevaluating her religious beliefs and ultimately stepping away from organized religion to embrace a more personal and inclusive spirituality.
• Establishing Core Values: Shana talks about the importance of defining clear personal and business values, which guide her current work as a consultant focusing on ethical leadership and community building.
• Empowerment through Language: The power of language in shaping and expressing one's identity and values is a central theme, as Shana emphasizes how articulating her values has empowered her and others.

Today's episode with Shana not only explores the depths of overcoming a controlled and abusive upbringing but also celebrates the heights one can reach through self-awareness, resilience, and ethical leadership. Shana's journey is a powerful reminder of the strength found in reclaiming one's story and the importance of community in personal and professional realms. Her insights into the significance of nurturing intuition and establishing clear values offer valuable lessons for anyone navigating their own midlife transformations.

If you found inspiration in Shana's story and our discussion, please consider rating, following, and reviewing the Forty Drinks Podcast. Your feedback helps us bring more compelling stories and transformative insights to light.

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Do you have the Midlife Ick? 

Download Stephanie’s guide to the Ick to diagnose whether you or someone you love is suffering from this insidious midlife malaise. www.fortydrinks.com/ick

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The Forty Drinks Podcast is produced and presented by Savoir Faire Marketing/Communications