Real Strength Feels

The Power of Naming What You Feel

Barb shares her deeply personal story of realizing she was living in survival mode. She had mastered the art of appearing strong, but underneath, she had numbed herself to protect herself from pain. And like so many of us, she didn't even notice it initially.

In this episode, Barb helps us rewrite the script that says emotions make us weak. She offers wisdom from her personal healing and her leadership in recovery communities—showing us how naming and feeling our emotions can build resilience rather than break us.

We talk about:

• The moment Barb realized being "strong" had pushed her into numbness, and how she found her way out.
• The damaging myth that shutting down emotions equals strength (especially in faith circles).
• What it takes to step out of survival mode and into emotional health.
• The unexpected ways of allowing yourself to feel again make you a better leader, friend, and human.

Practical Steps to Reconnect With Your Emotions

If you've been living numb—pushing through, smiling on the outside, but feeling nothing on the inside—this conversation is for you.

You'll walk away with practical steps to:

• Name the emotions you were taught not to feel.
• Give yourself permission to feel them now.
• Use tools like "name it to tame it" to regulate emotion safely.
• Find the support you need to heal in community—not isolation.

Barb reminds us that feeling doesn't mean falling apart. It means waking up. It means reclaiming joy, connection, and purpose. And it starts with one brave choice: to feel again.

🎧 Listen to Episode 6 now: "How to Be Strong Without Being Numb”—Available on all major podcast platforms.

👉 Like what you hear? Subscribe and share. And remember—this is not your practice life.
Start messy. Start scared. Just start. Because healing starts with feeling—and you’re stronger than you think.