⚠️Trigger warning: This episode mentions domestic violence. Listener discretion advised.
Leaving a toxic relationship is one of the hardest things you can do, but what happens after?
How do you rebuild your life, heal from narcissistic abuse, and find your voice again?
In this week's episode, I sit down with Maricruz Kwon, a lifestyle photographer + content creator who turned her survival story into a powerful form of storytelling.
Maricruz shares how leaving a narcissistic abuser shaped her work and how photography became a tool for healing.
We also dive into resilience, motherhood after abuse, and the first steps to reclaiming your power.
Maricruz’s journey is proof that healing is possible. Her story is a reminder that even after experiencing deep pain and betrayal, you can rebuild, reclaim your voice, and step into a new chapter with strength and purpose.
Healing isn’t linear, sis...but every step forward matters.
Whether you’re in the thick of it, just beginning your journey, or years into your healing, know that you are not alone, and always remember that there is a beautiful life after abuse.
Resources:

• Reach out to The Hotline for free, confidential DV resources; support is just a call or text away
• Get your ticket to my virtual workshop for survivors & advocates
• Feeling stuck? Explore therapy when you need it. Receive 10% off your 1st month with my sponsored link
• Looking for support on your healing journey from toxic relationships? Purchase my workbook
• Visit my 90-Day Breaking Free Coaching Program to start your healing
• Visit my website to stay up-to date
• Get your free copy of The Thrive Guide + the Self Love Blueprint
• Share this podcast & leave a rating + review on Apple. New episodes premiere every Tuesday
• Follow me on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Facebook, & YouTube
• Interested in being a sponsor of the show? Send an email📧: [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/watch-us-thrive--5682406/support.

Trigger warning: This episode mentions domestic violence. Listener discretion advised.
We’re shaking things up this season!🎙️
I’m finally bringing back guest interviews + couldn’t think of a better way to kick things off than with this powerful conversation. Today, I’m sitting down with Janine Hernandez—a survivor, author & advocate—to unpack the reality of spiritual abuse.
This is a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention, but it’s something so many people have experienced, often without realizing it.
Janine opens up about how religion was weaponized against her in an abusive relationship, the challenges she faced in breaking free, and how she reclaimed her power through storytelling and healing.
If you’ve ever felt trapped in a situation where faith was used as a form of control, this episode is for you.
We’re talking about:
- How spiritual abuse plays a role in DV
- The red flags to look out for in toxic relationships
- The impact of trauma on our healing and decision-making
- Why storytelling is a powerful tool for reclaiming your voice
This conversation is raw, real, and so necessary. Hit play and let’s get into it!
Resources:
✔️Reach out to The Hotline for free, confidential DV resources; support is just a call or text away
✔️Get your ticket to my virtual workshop for DV survivors & advocates
✔️Feeling stuck? Explore therapy when you need it. Receive 10% off your 1st month with my sponsored link
✔️Looking for support on your healing journey from toxic relationships? Purchase my workbook
✔️Visit my 90-Day Breaking Free Coaching Program to start your healing
✔️Visit my website to stay up-to date
✔️Get your free copy of The Thrive Guide + the Self Love Blueprint
✔️Share this podcast & leave a rating + review on Apple. New episodes premiere every Tuesday
✔️Follow me on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, & YouTube
✔️Interested in being a sponsor of the show? Send an email📧: [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/watch-us-thrive--5682406/support.

This episode of the podcast is going to hit hard but trust me, it's a conversation we need to have. The title says it all: 9 Types of Men Who Will Ruin Your Life.
We’re diving deep into the patterns and behaviors that toxic men bring into relationships.
I’m breaking it all down: how to spot these red flags, protect your peace, and step into your power. Because sis, your self-worth is non-negotiable.
This week, I’m sharing personal experiences and real talk on how these toxic patterns creep into relationships and what you can do to break free.
Whether it’s dealing with emotional abuse, manipulative love bombing, or the constant gaslighting that makes you question your reality, you’re not alone.
Healing is possible, and it starts with recognizing the signs and choosing YOU.
I’m here to remind you that you deserve love that uplifts, not love that drains.
Surround yourself with people who genuinely support you and your journey.
Remember, healing isn’t easy, but it’s worth it—and I’m here to walk this path with you.
Listen to the full episode now and share it with a friend who needs this reminder. Let’s keep healing and thriving together. You’ve got this, sis!
If you’re ready to take your healing to the next level, I’m offering personalized coaching to help you reclaim your self-worth and create the life you deserve. Let’s work together to build boundaries, break toxic patterns, and step into the empowered queen you’re meant to be.
Resources:
✔️Ep. 12: My Survivor Story
✔️Visit my 90-Day Breaking Free Coaching Program to start your healing journey
✔️Sign up for my virtual 5-day workshop for DV survivors & advocates
✔️Feeling stuck? Explore therapy when you need it. Receive 10% off your 1st month with my sponsored link
✔️Looking for support on your healing journey from toxic relationships? Purchase my workbook
✔️Book your free coaching call with me! 
✔️Visit my website to stay up-to date
✔️Get your free copy of The Thrive Guide + the Self Love Blueprint
✔️Share this podcast & leave a rating + review on Apple. New episodes premiere every Tuesday.
✔️Follow me on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, & YouTube!
✔️Interested in being a sponsor of the show? Send me an inquiry 📧: [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/watch-us-thrive--5682406/support.

Have you ever had one of those moments where you’re looking back on your life and realize just how far you’ve come? I know I have.
There was a time when I felt broken, lost, and unsure of how I would ever heal from the emotional wounds that came with toxic relationships and betrayal.
But let me tell you—healing is possible.
In fact, today’s solo episode is all about healing after a major betrayal: cheating/infidelity.
It’s not easy, sis… but, we need to talk about it⤵️
New episode out now: The Impact of Cheating/Infidelity
Sis, we’re diving headfirst into the messy, painful, and VERY real topic of cheating/infidelity in today’s solo episode.
(Don’t worry, my guests episodes are coming back to the show in February!)
Whether you’ve been through it or you’re supporting someone who has, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.
Here’s what I’ll be breaking down for you:
✔️ Why people cheat: It’s about their choices—not yours
✔️ The emotional scars: How infidelity affects your trust, self-esteem, and even your identity
✔️ Healing + rebuilding: Practical steps to reclaim your power and move forward stronger than before.
If this episode resonates with you, please share it with a friend who needs to hear it. We all need that reminder that we are enough—no matter what someone else does.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
✔️ Attachment Styles blog post
✔️ Check out my 90-Day Breaking Free Coaching Program to start your healing journey
✔️ Sign up for my virtual 5-day workshop for DV survivors & advocates💜
✔️ Feeling stuck? Explore therapy with BetterHelp and get 10% off your first month
✔️ Looking for support on your healing journey from toxic relationships? Purchase my workbook, BREAKING FREE
✔️ Book your free coaching call with me! Visit my website to stay up-to date
✔️ Get your free copy of The Thrive Guide and the Self Love Blueprint
Share this podcast & leave a rating + review on Apple. New episodes premiere every Tuesday.
Follow me on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, & YouTube!
Sponsors:
BetterHelp®— Get professional support when you need it. Receive 10% off your 1st month with my sponsored link!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/watch-us-thrive--5682406/support.

🚨Trigger warning: this episode contains discussions of domestic violence & healing from past trauma. Please listen with care + seek support if needed.
I'm back this week with another solo episode and I'm diving deep into a personal breakthrough I experienced just recently.
This breakthrough confirmed just how far I've come in my healing journey.
If you've ever questioned your growth or wondered what true healing feels like, this episode is for you.
In this heartfelt conversation, I reflect on realizing that I'm no longer emotionally tied to my past trauma with my most recent abusive ex.
This isn't about masking pain or pretending the hurt never happened, sis. It's about reaching a place of emotional neutrality & genuine peace.
In this convo, I share:
❤️‍🩹How I realized I've reached a new level of healing
❤️‍🩹The emotional neutrality & peace I now feel
❤️‍🩹Breaking free from emotional triggers and toxic patterns
❤️‍🩹Empowering tips to help you on your healing journey
This conversation is raw, honest, and so necessary.
Healing takes time, self-reflection, and self-love. If you're on your own healing journey, know that you're not alone.
Remember: Healing doesn’t happen overnight, but you can reach a place of peace and self-empowerment.
And remind yourself always that you're worthy of peace, healing & living a life free from your past!
Resources:
✔️Visit my 90-Day Breaking Free Coaching Program to start your healing journey
✔️Sign up for my virtual 5-day workshop for DV survivors & advocates
✔️Feeling stuck? Explore therapy when you need it. Receive 10% off your 1st month with my sponsored link
✔️Looking for support on your healing journey from toxic relationships? Purchase my workbook
✔️Book your free coaching call with me! 
✔️Visit my website to stay up-to date
✔️Get your free copy of The Thrive Guide + the Self Love Blueprint
✔️Share this podcast & leave a rating + review on Apple. New episodes premiere every Tuesday.
✔️Follow me on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, & YouTube!
✔️Interested in being a sponsor of the show? Send me an inquiry 📧: [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/watch-us-thrive--5682406/support.

Season 4 of the Watch Us Thrive Podcast is here, and I’m so excited to kick off this new chapter with you!
This season marks a fresh direction for the show, blending powerful solo episodes where I share my personal growth journey with impactful guest interviews that will leave you inspired.
As I step into this new space, I’m committed to deeper, more vulnerable conversations about healing, self-discovery, and stepping into your power. 
In this season opener, I’m reflecting on my own growth and the lessons I’m carrying into 2025.
I’ve learned so much over the past year—especially when it comes to showing up intentionally in all areas of my life.
From navigating social media growth and building meaningful collaborations to understanding the patterns in my past relationships, I’ve grown in ways I never imagined.
I’m sharing my top 10 lessons that I’m bringing into the new year with the hope that they inspire you to embrace change, set boundaries, prioritize your well-being, and fully step into your power moving forward. 
I’m so grateful to have you here as we kick off this exciting new season together!
Remember, growth is a continuous journey, and you have the power to create the life you truly deserve.
If this episode resonated with you, be sure to check out the links below to learn how you can work with me and take the next step in your personal transformation.
Let’s make 2025 the year we break free and thrive—together!
Resources:
✔️Visit my 90-Day Breaking Free Coaching Program to start your healing journey
✔️Sign up for my virtual 5-day workshop for DV survivors & advocates
✔️Feeling stuck? Explore therapy when you need it. Receive 10% off your 1st month with my sponsored link
✔️Looking for support on your healing journey from toxic relationships? Purchase my workbook
✔️Book your free coaching call with me! 
✔️Visit my website to stay up-to date
✔️Get your free copy of The Thrive Guide + the Self Love Blueprint
✔️Share this podcast & leave a rating + review on Apple. New episodes premiere every Tuesday
✔️Follow me on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, & YouTube
✔️Interested in being a sponsor of the show? Send me an inquiry 📧: [email protected]

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/watch-us-thrive--5682406/support.

Have you ever been cheated on?
If you’ve experienced the pain of infidelity, you know how deeply it can cut.
For the final episode of Season 3 of Watch Us Thrive, I’m joined by Affair Recovery Coach Briaina Latrice to have an honest conversation about infidelity, emotional abuse & what it takes to heal after cheating.
As a captivating TED speaker, podcast host, author of "Healing the Heart From Infidelity" & a Certified Affair Recovery Coach, Briaina shines as a trusted guide for women navigating the challenging journey of healing after infidelity.
With first-hand experience in dealing with infidelity, her journey has evolved into a mission to assist others in finding confidence, strength & happiness.
Briaina dives into the complexities of affair recovery, acquiring the expertise, tools & tips essential for guiding others through their own paths.
This week, Briaina shares her expertise on navigating the aftermath of infidelity, the importance of self-trust & how understanding core wounds can help you move forward.
Together, we explore the tough decisions of staying or leaving after betrayal and what it means to truly forgive—not just your partner, but yourself.
Season 3 has been all about sharing stories that inspire, empower, and remind you that healing is possible.
This final episode is the perfect sendoff, packed with lessons, raw truths, and hope for the future.
Thank you for rocking with me this year. Your support means everything & I can’t wait to bring you even more transformative conversations in Season 4.
Until then, keep glowing, growing & thriving!
Resources:
✔️Visit my 90-Day Breaking Free Coaching Program to start your healing journey
✔️Sign up for my virtual 5-day workshop for DV survivors & advocates
✔️Feeling stuck? Explore therapy when you need it. Receive 10% off your 1st month with my sponsored link
✔️Looking for support on your healing journey from toxic relationships? Purchase my workbook
✔️Book your free coaching call with me! 
✔️Visit my website to stay up-to date
✔️Get your free copy of The Thrive Guide + the Self Love Blueprint
✔️Share this podcast & leave a rating + review on Apple. New episodes premiere every Tuesday
✔️Follow me on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, & YouTube
✔️Interested in being a sponsor of the show? Send me an inquiry 📧: [email protected]
✔️Future— Access to personal training is more accessible than ever. Visit Future today to try out your first month for only $19!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/watch-us-thrive--5682406/support.

Angela Morris is a survivor, advocate, and the CEO of Embody Her—a movement empowering women who’ve been through trauma, addiction, abuse, and more.
Using her own journey, she’s turned pain into purpose, creating products and resources to help women step out of survival mode and into their power.
Angela’s platform is all about connection and transformation, with the upcoming Confessions From a Hauté Mess™podcast sharing real conversations about trauma, healing, and growth. She’s also launching Ask Angela—HER Community for Candid Conversations, a safe space for support and empowerment.
Angela is all about real change and helping women live unapologetically.
This week, Angela dives into her journey from a life marked by trauma, addiction, and toxic relationships to one of healing and empowerment.
She opens up about the struggles she’s faced, the turning point that sparked her transformation, and the steps she took to reclaim her life.
Angela emphasizes that self-love isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the foundation for true growth.
By prioritizing self-love, setting boundaries, and surrounding yourself with positivity, you can break free from the past and step into a life that’s truly yours.
This episode is a reminder that healing starts within, and by embracing self-love, we open the door to a life of purpose, resilience, and endless growth.
Looking for support on your healing journey from toxic relationships? Purchase my workbook, BREAKING FREE.
Book your free coaching call with me!
Share this podcast & leave a rating + review on Apple. New episodes premiere every Tuesday.
Follow me on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter & YouTube!
Get your free copy of The Thrive Guide!
Visit my website to stay up-to date.
Sponsors:
BetterHelp®— Get professional support when you need it. Receive 10% off your 1st month with my sponsored link!
Purple Garden™— Get palm readings, oracle guidance & more with trusted providers in the psychic advisor space. Receive $10 of your 1st deposit matched by using my promo code.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/watch-us-thrive--5682406/support.

At 35, Krista Dykes, a busy music industry publicist and new mom, often wished for support from another working mom who understood her struggles. Inspired by her own journey, she launched Secret Mom Hacks to be that resource for new parents.
A Phi Rho Pi Gold Award winner in Persuasive Speaking and a seasoned communications professional, Krista shifted in February 2023 from media relations to full-time mompreneur, officially launching her podcast on March 1, 2023.
Through her podcast, she aims to pay it forward to parents who feel like she did as a first-time mom.
In this episode, Krista shares her powerful story of betrayal, uncovering the double life her husband was living, and the emotional abuse she endured along the way.
She opens up about the shock of discovering his infidelity, the pain of realizing just how deep the manipulation and gaslighting went, and the impact this had on her sense of trust and self-worth.
Krista also dives into the hidden signs of emotional abuse, the complexities of relationships when deception is involved, and her journey to rebuild after betrayal.
This conversation sheds light on what it’s really like to face such heartbreak and why community and support are so essential in the healing process.
Krista’s story reminds us that even in the darkest moments, there’s a path forward—and with the right support, healing is possible.
Looking for support on your healing journey from toxic relationships? Purchase my workbook, BREAKING FREE.
Book your free coaching call with me!
Share this podcast & leave a rating + review on Apple. New episodes premiere every Tuesday.
Follow me on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter & YouTube!
Get your free copy of The Thrive Guide!
Visit my website to stay up-to date.
Sponsors:
BetterHelp®— Get professional support when you need it. Receive 10% off your 1st month with my sponsored link!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/watch-us-thrive--5682406/support.

Trigger warning: This episode mentions domestic violence. Listener discretion advised.
This episode wraps up my month-long series for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and I’m so excited to have the National Domestic Violence Hotline sponsoring this episode.
It’s been a powerful month of sharing survivor stories, raising awareness & providing resources.
In this episode, we’re diving into the incredible work The Hotline is doing to support those impacted by domestic violence and how they’re helping people take steps toward safety & healing. Allow me to introduce today’s guest, Melissa Dolak-Keller.
With 8+ years of experience at The Hotline, Melissa has worked in multiple roles, from Digital Advocate to Shift Support Specialist & has recently returned to providing direct support to survivors.
After 15 years in the private sector, she found her true calling in victim services, earning a diploma in Violence Against Women from Rutgers & volunteering at a DV shelter before joining The Hotline.
Melissa is committed to helping others & has contributed to the organization’s training, mentorship, and wellness programs.
This week, Melissa shares valuable insights from her years at The Hotline.
We discuss the different forms of abuse, the importance of safety planning & how The Hotline provides confidential, judgment-free support for survivors.
Melissa also highlights the complexities of leaving abusive relationships & the critical role community support plays in the healing journey.
As we close out DVAM, I want to remind you that help is always available. If you or someone you know is in need of support, reach out to The Hotline for free, confidential resources. You don’t have to go through this alone—support is just a call or text away.
Click the resources below to learn more:
Find local resources
Interactive safety plan
Types of abuse
Looking for support on your healing journey from toxic relationships? Purchase my workbook, BREAKING FREE.
Book your free coaching call with me!
Share this podcast & leave a rating + review on Apple. New episodes premiere every Tuesday.
Follow me on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, & YouTube!
Get your free copy of The Thrive Guide! Visit my website to stay up-to date.
Sponsors:
BetterHelp®— Get professional support when you need it. Receive 10% off your 1st month with my sponsored link!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/watch-us-thrive--5682406/support.