Unshackled: Faith, Family & Finding Herself After 24 Years of Marriage
Beatrice Smith, She was the reliable one. The woman in ministry, the devoted wife, the mother who held it all together—until she couldn’t anymore. Married at just 20 to a man 15 years her senior, she entered a marriage she wasn’t fully prepared for, one that slowly chipped away at her identity. For 24 years, she lived in a cycle of duty, deep depression, and anxiety—fearing what her family, church, and community would say if she walked away. Infidelity on his part, emotional detachment on hers, and years of pretending left her feeling like a shell of herself. And yet, even when she finally told her teenage daughter about the divorce, the response shook her: “Finally…what took you so long?” In this episode, we dive deep into: 💔 The moment she realized her marriage was unraveling after just 5 years 💔 How she became a “robot in church,” performing but feeling empty inside 💔 The heavy weight of family and community expectations that kept her stuck 💔 Why she stayed for decades despite knowing the love was gone 💔 Losing her identity as a woman, wife, and mother—and the journey to reclaim it 💔 How faith sustained her even in the darkest moments of depression and anxiety 💔 What surviving looks like 5 years after the divorce This is a raw and real conversation about breaking free from fear, rediscovering identity, and healing after a lifetime of losing yourself in marriage. If you’ve ever felt trapped by expectations or struggled to recognize the woman staring back at you in the mirror, this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen in, be encouraged, and know—you are not alone. 📢 Episode Sponsors: 1️⃣ The Sejour-Gustave Firm PLLC – Your trusted legal partner for estate planning, business structuring, and securing your legacy. Whether you're navigating divorce, setting up a trust, or ensuring your family's future, we provide the guidance and protection you need. Visit thesgfirm.com to learn more. 2️⃣ The Divorce Lab Institute – A research-based program helping women of faith heal, rebuild, and thrive after divorce. The Healor Program offers expert-led sessions, spiritual support, and real-life strategies for moving forward with confidence. Sign up today at dlabInstitute.com. 3️⃣ Ally Prestige Apparel – Ally Prestige Apparel celebrates and empowers paralegals and nurses with high-quality, meaningful fashion, Ally Prestige Apparel blends elegance with empowerment. Shop now at AllyPrestigeApparel.com.