From Survival to Sustainability: Healing Financial Trauma After Divorce and Domestic Violence

Get ready for a transformative and unfiltered conversation as Dr. Constance Craig-Mason sits down with the powerful and transparent D. Cherelle. Together, they unpack the intersection of money, mindset, and mental health—revealing how financial trauma, emotional healing, and self-awareness all collide on the path to true wealth.

D. Cherelle gets incredibly raw as she opens up about her journey through divorce, domestic violence, and the humbling process of checking her own ego around money. She shares how these painful lessons shaped her passion for empowering others—especially the men she now works with in the prison system—and her mission to spark global change through financial and emotional transformation.

This episode dives deep into what it really means to rebuild from the inside out: confronting financial fears, leading with authenticity, and creating sustainable success rooted in healing.

🎧 Press play for a conversation that will move you, challenge you, and remind you that your money story can become your ministry.

To take your next step to building wealth in a healthy and supportive way, click here.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Financial Empowerment
04:49 Building Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
07:04 Capacity Building in Financial Services
15:00 The Intersection of Financial Trauma and Mental Health
23:23 Navigating Financial Challenges in New Environments
30:55 Overcoming Financial Reluctance
33:27 The Power of Financial Planning for Entrepreneurs
39:14 Reframing Financial Conversations
42:08 Lessons from Personal Loss
48:00 Transforming Trauma into Testimony

Takeaways

• Building financial literacy is crucial for entrepreneurs.
• Financial trauma can significantly impact mental health.
• Therapy can be a valuable resource for healing.
• Experiencing survival mode can change one's perspective.
• Community support is essential for financial empowerment.
• Authenticity in financial services fosters trust.
• Fear of financial discussions can hinder progress.
• Many people feel reluctant to organize their finances due to fear and shame.
• Financial planning is essential for entrepreneurs to transition from survival to sustainability.
• Addressing financial trauma is crucial for effective financial planning.
• Reframing the narrative around budgeting can empower individuals to take control of their finances.
• Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in financial planning and entrepreneurship.
• Transforming personal losses into lessons can guide future decisions.

D. Cherelle Cohens, MBA is a CFO Strategist, Financial Trauma Expert, and founder of FinTraum, a financial literacy agency empowering entrepreneurs to overcome financial barriers and build sustainable businesses. With over 17 years of experience across banking, insurance, and financial consulting, she helps founders transform their financial futures through trauma-responsive planning. D. Cherelle is passionate about demystifying business finance, building financial confidence, and closing funding gaps for underserved entrepreneurs. She's also an adjunct professor, national speaker, and co-author on one of the Money TALK$ books. Her mission: help leaders rewrite their financial stories and lead with vision, resilience, and financial power.

Visit D. Cherelle's website here- https://www.fintraum.com

Keywords

financial empowerment, entrepreneurial ecosystems, capacity building, financial trauma, mental health, financial literacy, business planning, community support, personal growth, professional development, financial planning, financial trauma, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, personal growth, budgeting, financial organization, overcoming fear, sustainable business, emotional intelligence