💛 Episode Summary:In this powerful first episode, Melanie sits down with friend and guest Natalie Jenkins Rice to talk about faith, divorce, single motherhood, and healing without bitterness. They explore what it means to honor God while walking away from a destructive marriage, and the difference between a “hard” marriage and a harmful one.

This episode is a reminder that your story doesn’t define you—it refines you.

🧡 Key Takeaways:

· Some marriages are hard, but others become destructive—if we are unwell, we are not honoring God

· Healing begins when you stop asking, “What do they need to change?” and start asking, “God, what do You want to change in me?”

· You can leave a destructive marriage without leaving compassion, dignity, or faith behind.

· Speaking poorly about your ex harms your children because they are half of that person.

· God uses our most painful seasons to draw us closer and transform us—not to shame us.

✨ Topics We Explore:

· Christian women navigating divorce and judgment from others

· The difference between giving up vs. leaving well

· Codependency, boundaries, and emotional exhaustion

· Journaling, therapy, and faith as healing tools

· Co-parenting with grace instead of bitterness

· How church communities can hurt—or help—during divorce

· “Your story isn’t over yet” — finding purpose through pain

📝 Quote from this Episode:

“Silence doesn’t protect us — it protects the pain.”

📚 Resources Mentioned:

· The Emotionally Destructive Marriage – Leslie Vernick

· Conquer Membership - Leslie Vernick

· Good Boundaries and Goodbyes – Lysa TerKeurst

· Codependent No More – Melody Beattie

· Divorce Care Support Groups

· Scripture (Revelation 12:11)

· Natalie's link tree: https://linktr.ee/nataliesellsknox

🎵 Music Credit:I

ntro: White Petals – Keys of Moon

Outro: Lights – @sakuragirl

💌 Connect with Me:

• ​Instagram: @fromsilencetostrength
• ​Facebook: @fromsilencetostrength
• ​Email: fromsilencetostrength7@gmail.com
• ​YouTube: Coming soon!
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• ​💛 If this episode gave you hope…
• ​Please follow, rate the show, or send it to a friend who needs some sunshine. Your voice matters—because it’s where silence ends and healing begins.