But what happens when the person everyone considers “strong” gets tired of always having to be strong?

In this episode of Shattered Not Broken, Dawn explores the difference between what people see and who she actually is underneath the accomplishments. She reflects on relationships, the need to prove her worth, why being needed can sometimes feel safer than being vulnerable, and the realization that independence doesn't mean you don't want someone beside you.

Most importantly, she shares what she's learning on the other side of survival: you don't have to audition for a place in someone's life, shrink yourself to make someone else comfortable, or prove that you're worthy of being loved.

Maybe the question isn't, “Who do I need to be so someone will choose me?”

Maybe it's finally, “Who gets access to me exactly as I am?”

After 27 episodes of honest conversations about heartbreak, healing, survival, and rebuilding, Dawn opens Season 2 of Shattered Not Broken by looking at how far she—and the podcast—have come. She reflects on the lessons of the past year, the truths she has learned to accept, and the positive life she is creating beyond what tried to break her. This episode isn’t about pretending the difficult moments never happened. It’s about recognizing that healing has made room for peace, purpose, connection, and hope—and inviting listeners and future guests to become part of the next chapter.

What happens when the strength that helped you survive starts wearing you out?

In this episode of Shattered Not Broken, I’m talking about something I’m living through right now: burnout. Not because everything is falling apart, but because I’ve spent so much time doing, achieving, providing, helping, proving, and staying busy that somewhere along the way, I stopped making room for myself.

A song playing in the background while I worked made me realize something uncomfortable: I may have stopped molding myself to fit into certain relationships, but I haven’t completely stopped trying to prove that I’m worthy.

This episode is about recognizing when strength becomes survival mode, when productivity becomes avoidance, and when taking care of everyone else leaves nothing for you.

After a devastating scooter accident left him with multiple fractures, a traumatic brain injury, and only a small chance of recovery, Vincent Vandebroek had to rebuild his life one step at a time. In this powerful conversation, Vincent shares how he defied expectations, changed his priorities, and discovered that the life we intentionally build can become the very thing that saves us.

Dawn and Vincent discuss resilience, family, authenticity, and the importance of defining what “the other side” looks like before creating a plan to reach it. His story is a compelling reminder that being shattered does not mean being broken—and that what feels impossible today may simply be something you haven’t accomplished yet.

Info on Vincent:

Genres: Memoir, Narrative Non-Fiction, Self-help  | Publication date: 11 October 2026 Availability: International, HB (£14.99) EB (£5.99) PB (£) AB (£16.99) | ISBN: 9781911774365(PB)   9781911774372(EB) |  Publisher: Publish Nation | Page count: 93 | Media folder & enquiries: https://bit.ly/VincentVandenBroeck  | info@literallypr.com | Author online: https://untilitsdone.eu/           

Instagram: @vincentinthekitchen          

LinkedIn:    @vincentvandenbroeck

Pre order the book by clicking on the title:  Everything Feels Impossible Until It's Done

This episode will give you a little background as to why and how this Podcast came into being. Please know I am not a therapist, I am just an average person that didn't realize how many other people were experiencing what I was and am. Had I known there were others going through these types of situations it would've been helpful. As a society we don't speak our truth, for fear of being judged. Know that you are not alone and while life may be a little rocky, if you believe enough in yourself and are surrounded by people who genuinely care about you, it gets better.

In this episode, I share the raw truth about how a marriage that looks “fine” from the outside can slowly strip away your identity on the inside. After three marriages and three divorces, I carried the weight of believing I was the problem—the common denominator in each failed relationship. But the truth is, I wasn’t broken. I had just given away too much of myself to keep peace, avoid conflict, and please others. Over time, I shrank into someone I barely recognized, always giving but rarely receiving. My kids saw it too—and after my last divorce, they told me I was finally happier, lighter, and more present. Divorce is never easy, but it can be the doorway back to yourself. In this conversation, I open up about accountability, resilience, and what it means to rebuild not just a life, but a stronger relationship with yourself and your children. This is for anyone who has felt fractured by marriage but is ready to rediscover their strength.

In this episode, I open up about what it means to lose your voice in a relationship with a narcissist—and how I found mine again. For years, I carried blame for things I didn’t do, gave up friendships, and lived in fear of arguments, accusations, and control. From keyloggers on my computer to being told who I could and couldn’t see, my world shrank until I felt like a shell of myself. But surviving that marriage taught me something powerful: it is not OK to silence yourself for the sake of keeping peace, and it is not OK to let someone else define your worth. I share the lessons I learned about boundaries, reclaiming joy, and refusing to model unhealthy love for my children and grandchildren. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt trapped, unheard, or diminished in a relationship—you are not alone, and you are worthy of love, peace, and respect.

Season 2, Episode 3 Title

The “I’m Fine” Epidemic: Why Therapy Is for Everyone

Synopsis

In this honest and refreshingly candid conversation, Dawn sits down with licensed therapist Sidni Brown, owner of Evoke Therapy and Wellness, to challenge some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding therapy. They explore the difference between functioning and truly being okay, why so many of us believe we should handle everything alone, and how staying busy can become a way to avoid facing what is happening beneath the surface.

Sydney also shares what therapy actually looks like, how to find the right therapist, and why your struggles are valid—even when someone else may appear to have it worse. This episode is a powerful reminder that asking for help is not weakness, healing does not have a deadline, and you are worthy of the time, support, and space it takes to become whole.

Sidni Brown, MSW, LCSW, CYT

Therapist and Practice Owner

-Phone: 812.202.6660

-Website: evoke-wellness.co

-Email: sidni@evokewellnessllc.com

-Online scheduling: https://evoketherapyandwellness.clientsecure.me/

-Psychology Today profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/sidni-brown-indianapolis-in/1044308