Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Last week was the why. This week is the what now. In Part 2 of this conversation, Natalie Hoffman and Diana Swillinger get practical about what it actually takes to move your nervous system from a state of constant threat management into something that feels like real life. And they go somewhere unexpected: the resistance to joy itself.
This is not a list of lofty advice. These are specific, doable practices that teach your body moment by moment that it is safe to let its guard down. There is also a deeper question: is "survival mode" even still the right story for where you are now?
đ Key Takeaways:
- Why does joy sometimes feel more like a warning than a gift, and what does BrenĂŠ Brown call this experience that is shockingly common among women who left destructive marriages?
- There is a stage beyond "survivor" that most women never realize they are allowed to reach. What does it actually look like to get there?
- An MRI study reveals something surprising about the fastest way to make a painful emotion pass. It takes about five minutes and you can do it anywhere.
- Natalie and Diana share the language reframes that change not just how you think about your healing, but how your nervous system responds to your own story.
- Why doing something with absolutely no practical purpose might be one of the most powerful things you can do for your healing right now.
Related Resources:
Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is our live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $59/month.
Be sure to check out Dianaâs podcast, Renew Your Mind! (dianaswillinger.com/renew-your-mind-podcast/)
Do you have a question for the Divorced Christian Woman Podcast? Send me an email! natalie@flyingfreenow.com
Last week was the why. This week is the what now. In Part 2 of this conversation, Natalie Hoffman and Diana Swillinger get practical about what it actually takes to move your nervous system from a state of constant threat management into something that feels like real life. And they go somewhere unexpected: the resistance to joy itself.
This is not a list of lofty advice. These are specific, doable practices that teach your body moment by moment that it is safe to let its guard down. There is also a deeper question: is "survival mode" even still the right story for where you are now?
đ Key Takeaways:
- Why does joy sometimes feel more like a warning than a gift, and what does BrenĂŠ Brown call this experience that is shockingly common among women who left destructive marriages?
- There is a stage beyond "survivor" that most women never realize they are allowed to reach. What does it actually look like to get there?
- An MRI study reveals something surprising about the fastest way to make a painful emotion pass. It takes about five minutes and you can do it anywhere.
- Natalie and Diana share the language reframes that change not just how you think about your healing, but how your nervous system responds to your own story.
- Why doing something with absolutely no practical purpose might be one of the most powerful things you can do for your healing right now.
Related Resources:
Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is our live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $59/month.
Be sure to check out Dianaâs podcast, Renew Your Mind! (dianaswillinger.com/renew-your-mind-podcast/)
Do you have a question for the Divorced Christian Woman Podcast? Send me an email! natalie@flyingfreenow.com
![Nine Tricky Ways Emotional Abusers Pull Us Back Into the Cycle (and six ways to respond!) [347]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HYL6iANSLGY/mqdefault.jpg "Nine Tricky Ways Emotional Abusers Pull Us Back Into the Cycle (and six ways to respond!) [347]
If youve ever set a boundary only to get emotionally drop-kicked right back into the dysfunction, this ones for you.
In this episode, I break down 9 manipulative tactics that emotionally abusive people use to keep you stuck in their never-ending circus... and 6 powerful strategies you can start using TODAY to get your life and sanity back.
Weâre talking:
đ§ Guilt trips that make you question your worth
đ Passive-aggressive digs disguised as âjokesâ
đĽ Emotional meltdowns that hijack your peace
đŁ Love bombing that makes you second-guess yourself
đŞ And boundaries that donât feel meanâthey feel healthy
đď¸ SUBSCRIBE + HIT THE BELL
For more episodes about emotional abuse recovery, Christian deconstruction, boundary setting, and spiritual healing. New episodes every week!
đ If this helped you, share it with a friend who needs a little truth (and a whole lotta validation).
đ Like this video if youâve ever had to say: âThe boundary stands.â
đ¨ď¸ Drop a comment: Which of these tactics have you experienced?
Related Resources:
đ§ Are you wondering what is happening inside your own painful and confusing marriage? I wrote a book just for you called Is It Me? Making Sense of Your Confusing Marriage: A Christian Womanâs Guide to Hidden Emotional and Spiritual Abuse. Get a free chapter when you sign up for my mailing list at the top of my website: https://flyingfreenow.com
đš My book, All the Scary Little Gods (https://www.flyingfreenow.com/all-the-scary-little-gods/), is a spiritual memoir about healing from religious trauma and toxic programming.
đŚ The Kaleidoscope (https://joinflyingfree.com) is our ridiculously affordable online community educating and supporting Christian women in emotionally abusive marriages. Whether you want to stay in your marriage or leave, we can equip you for the next part of your journey through this program.
đ Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my private mentorship program for Christian women who want to go deeper and work with me in a smaller group.
đď¸ Check out related Flying Free Podcast episodes: âYour Marriage Abuse Cycle Exerciseâ (https://www.flyingfreenow.com/341-2/) and âHow to Respond to Emotional Abuse Tacticsâ (https://www.flyingfreenow.com/64-2/).
đ Read the full show notes at https://www.flyingfreenow.com/347
#EmotionalAbuse #FlyingFreePodcast #NatalieHoffman #Boundaries #ToxicRelationships #ChristianWomenHealing #ReligiousTrauma #NarcissisticAbuse #DivorceRecovery #EmotionalHealing #INFJ #FaithDeconstruction")
