In this deeply personal episode of Healing Out Loud, I share my own experience with the mother wound and explore how our earliest relationship with our mother can shape the way we see ourselves, love others, and move through life.

At fourteen, my world changed when my mother left our family. That experience left me carrying feelings of abandonment, shame, and grief that quietly influenced my relationships, marriages, parenting, and struggles with an eating disorder for many years.

Together, we'll explore what the mother wound is, how it can show up in adulthood, and why understanding our past isn't about placing blame—it's about finding the awareness needed to heal.

Whether your mother was absent, emotionally unavailable, or simply unable to meet your emotional needs, I hope this conversation reminds you that you are not alone, your feelings are valid, and healing is possible.

• What did you need from your mother that you didn't receive?

• How has that shaped the way you see yourself today?

• In what ways has the mother wound shown up in your relationships?

• Is there a younger version of yourself still longing to be seen, comforted, or chosen?

• What is one small act of compassion you can offer yourself this week?

Remember... healing doesn't erase your story. It helps you rewrite the chapters that come next.

Season 1: Understanding the Pain

Have you ever found yourself wondering…

“Why do I keep repeating the same patterns, even when I know they’re hurting me?”

Self-sabotage isn’t a sign of weakness. More often, it’s a survival strategy we developed to protect ourselves from pain, rejection, disappointment, or abandonment.

In this episode of Healing Out Loud, I share my own journey through an eating disorder, running from relationships to avoid being hurt, and the emotional patterns that kept me stuck for years. Together, we’ll explore why we sometimes push away the very things we long for, how fear quietly influences our choices, and why healing begins with understanding ourselves instead of criticizing ourselves.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re standing in your own way, this conversation is for you.

✨ Reflection Questions

As you reflect on today’s episode, consider these questions:

• Where might self-sabotage be showing up in your life today?

• What fear could be influencing the choices you’re making?

• What is one small step you can take to respond with self-compassion instead of self-criticism?

There are no right or wrong answers. Simply notice what comes up with curiosity and compassion. Healing begins with awareness.

🌿 Continue Your Healing Journey

If today’s conversation resonated with you and you’d like additional support, I’ve created resources to help you continue your healing journey.

📚 Books: Heal the Pain and Breaking the Chains are available on Amazon.

💛 Self-Paced Course: Why You Still Feel Stuck is designed to help you better understand your emotional patterns, rebuild self-trust, create healthier boundaries, and move forward with greater confidence through gentle lessons, guided reflection, and practical tools.

To learn more about my books, self-paced course, podcast, and other healing resources, connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn under Donna Blanchard.

🎙️ Coming Up Next

The Mother Wound: Healing the Relationship That Shaped You

Our relationship with our mother—or the absence of the love we needed—can leave lasting emotional wounds. In our next conversation, we’ll explore how the mother wound shapes self-worth, relationships, and the journey toward healing with compassion.

🎙️ Stay Connected

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to follow Healing Out Loud so you never miss a new conversation.

If someone came to mind while you were listening, please consider sharing this episode with them. You never know how much a simple conversation can mean to someone who needs it.

New episodes are released every two weeks.

Until next time…

Be gentle with yourself.

Your story matters.

Your healing matters.

And remember…

Healing isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about coming home to who you’ve always been.

Take care of yourself, and keep healing out loud. 💛

Season 1: Understanding the Pain

Have you ever been deeply hurt by someone you trusted?

Betrayal has a way of shaking our sense of safety. Whether it’s a parent who leaves, a partner who breaks their promises, a family member who turns away, or a friend who lets us down, the pain often reaches far beyond the moment itself.

In this episode of Healing Out Loud, I share some of the deepest betrayals I’ve experienced—from my mother’s abandonment and my father’s absence, to broken promises, failed relationships, and the heartbreak of trusting people who couldn’t be there when I needed them most.

Together, we’ll explore how betrayal affects our self-worth, why it can leave us questioning ourselves instead of the person who hurt us, and how healing begins when we stop carrying responsibility for someone else’s choices.

If you’ve ever struggled to trust again after being deeply hurt, this conversation is for you.

✨ Reflection Questions

As you reflect on today’s episode, consider these questions:

• Is there a betrayal you’ve been carrying that still deserves your compassion and attention?

• How has betrayal influenced the way you trust yourself or others today?

• What is one step you can take toward healing—not because what happened was okay, but because you deserve peace?

There are no right or wrong answers. Simply notice what comes up with curiosity and compassion. Healing begins with awareness.

🌿 Continue Your Healing Journey

If today’s conversation resonated with you and you’d like additional support, I’ve created resources to help you continue your healing journey.

📚 Books: Heal the Pain and Breaking the Chains are available on Amazon.

💛 Self-Paced Course: Why You Still Feel Stuck is designed to help you better understand your emotional patterns, rebuild self-trust, create healthier boundaries, and move forward with greater confidence through gentle lessons, guided reflection, and practical tools.

To learn more about my books, self-paced course, podcast, and other healing resources, connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn under Donna Blanchard.

🎙️ Coming Up Next

Self-Sabotage: Why We Get in Our Own Way

Sometimes the greatest obstacles we face aren’t outside of us—they’re the patterns we’ve developed to survive. In our next conversation, we’ll explore why we unknowingly sabotage our own happiness, relationships, and success, and how healing helps us move forward with greater self-compassion.

🎙️ Stay Connected

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to follow Healing Out Loud so you never miss a new conversation.

If someone came to mind while you were listening, please consider sharing this episode with them. You never know how much a simple conversation can mean to someone who needs it.

New episodes are released every two weeks.

Until next time…

Be gentle with yourself.

Your story matters.

Your healing matters.

And remember…

Healing isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about coming home to who you’ve always been.

Take care of yourself, and keep healing out loud. 💛