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The question isn’t “what’s next?” so much as “where does safety live now?” That’s where our conversation with Karla begins—mid-shock, mid-limbo—after she leaves her marriage, her home, and the routines that once defined her. Karla is a violinist with The OK Factor and the founder of The Inspired Foundry, and she brings the kind of honesty that disarms you: panic attacks during a tour stop, court emails that feel like alarms, and the way sharing dogs can turn a simple text into a week-long grief spiral. We map the three stages of major transition—shock, limbo, and re-entry—and discuss what actually moves you forward: safe people, simple rituals, and boundaries you establish every day.

As the fog lifts, we get into therapy as both triage and transformation. Karla shares how an early mismatch still helped her stabilize, why switching therapists opened new doors, and how weekly cadence became a lifeline. We explore the difference between a breakup and a divorce, the guilt and shame that surface on their own schedule, and how triggers can send you back to mile zero without erasing progress. Along the way, Karla makes a case for community that isn’t performative—friends who will sit on a green room floor and say “You’re safe” until your body believes it.

From there, the conversation widens to creative re-entry. Karla recognizes that brand design without deeper alignment no longer fits, and she pivots The Inspired Foundry toward idea coaching, residencies, and visual identities rooted in purpose. Networking becomes a small but brave practice for an introvert relearning how to be seen. And then the dream returns: 30 acres of rolling land, a retreat barn, tiny houses, artists showing up with unfinished ideas and leaving with momentum. If you’re somewhere between letting go and letting in, this story is a reminder that you don’t lose yourself to grief—you rebuild the path back.

If this conversation resonates, follow and share the show with a friend who’s navigating change. Leave a quick rating or review to help others find it, and send me a DM on Instagram @ToniThrash with the next question you want answered.

Find Karla:

https://theinspiredfoundry.com

IG: @theinspiredfoundry

Karla@theinspiredfoundry

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We explore how structure and routine become anchors when transition blows up your playbook, from empty nest and retirement to divorce and the loss of a spouse. Small, intentional habits become scaffolding that restores safety, momentum, and meaning.

• why a blank slate overwhelms after a change
• routines as practice drills that build confidence
• empty nest strategies for connection and mastery
• retirement anchors that restore purpose and variety
• divorce routines that protect kids and co-parents
• grief rituals that provide gentle scaffolding
• morning and evening bookends to shape days
• start small: add one anchor at a time

My new book, Start Your Comeback, releases 11/11. Head over to my website, ToniThrash.com, and sign up so you'll be the first to know when it's available.
If you want to reach out, you can DM me on Instagram @tonithrash
Until next week, remember, there's still time left on the clock. Let's get you off the bench to start your comeback.

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Have you ever felt trapped in an impossible situation with no way out? That's exactly where we find Benaiah in one of Scripture's most overlooked stories – facing a lion in a pit on a snowy day. The symbolism couldn't be clearer: a predator stronger than us, nowhere to run, and treacherous conditions making every move dangerous.

This powerful biblical account perfectly mirrors those major life transitions many of us face: divorce, retirement, job loss, or the empty nest syndrome. These moments feel exactly like being trapped with a lion – frightening, overwhelming, and seemingly impossible to overcome. But Benaiah teaches us something profound – he wasn't pushed into that pit; he chose to enter it. Sometimes our breakthrough doesn't come from running away but from stepping directly into our challenges with courage and faith.

What's fascinating about Benaiah's story is that this terrifying encounter became his proving ground. That lion battle led to his promotion under King David and eventually to leadership of Israel's entire army under Solomon. Similarly, your current struggle isn't punishment; it's preparation. Those moments where we feel most outmatched and unprepared often shape us most profoundly for our next season. Your "lion" – whatever form it takes – represents the fear that wants to keep you paralyzed. But remember, courage isn't the absence of fear; it's moving forward despite it.

Ready to face your own lions? My upcoming book "Start Your Comeback" offers practical strategies for navigating life's most challenging transitions with courage and hope. Sign up at ToniThrash.com for updates on the launch. Remember, your comeback isn't built on easy victories but forged in those messy, slippery battles where you choose faith over fear. Your pit can become your launching pad. Don't run – step in and watch what God does!

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What happens when our love of the familiar becomes the very thing that keeps us stuck? That's the question at the heart of this deeply reflective episode on breaking free from comfort ruts.

As someone who thrives on routine and predictability—"If sameness has a fan club, I'd be president and treasurer"—I've come to recognize the subtle but significant difference between being predictable and being faithful. While predictability clings to what's worked before with no veering away or risk-taking, faithfulness means showing up wholeheartedly even when it means stepping into unfamiliar territory. The distinction might seem small, but it's transformative: predictability clings to sameness, while faithfulness clings to purpose.

The cost of holding too tightly to familiarity is steep. Our edges dull, our courage atrophies, and opportunities pass us by because we're too comfortable to reach for them. Through personal stories and practical examples, I share why we struggle to let go (our love of control, comfort, and fear of the unknown) and offer four actionable steps to loosen your grip: name your ruts, make small changes to train your brain for flexibility, reframe your fears, and anchor in faithfulness to purpose rather than patterns. These aren't about abandoning stability but creating space for growth and new possibilities.

Ready to break free from the familiar patterns keeping you benched? Consider where you might be mistaking predictability for faithfulness, identify one small familiar thing you can let go of this week, and imagine how your story would shift if purpose, not patterns, led the way. Then join me for more guidance in my upcoming book "Start Your Comeback"—your playbook for navigating life's biggest transitions with confidence and courage.

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Life transitions often force us into uninvited pauses that feel like being benched, but these pauses are actually opportunities for formation and growth. The stillness after major changes like divorce, empty nesting, or job loss isn't punishment but rather a necessary halftime that prepares us for our comeback.

• Pauses feel terrible—lonely, confusing, and full of doubt—but they're where champions are made
• Life's pauses trick us into thinking the game has passed us by when they're actually giving us perspective
• Acknowledge the stop instead of fighting against it
• Listen to the silence to hear what your thoughts are telling you
• Prepare for re-entry by using this time to strengthen your heart and clarify your next steps
• Journaling during pauses helps reveal what matters most and how the experience is shaping you

Head to tonithrash.com and sign up for updates on my upcoming book "Start Your Comeback" packed with tools, stories, and strategies to help you move from the bench back into the life waiting for you.

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We've reached a milestone with our 100th episode, celebrating 100 weeks of showing up to share coaching, strategies, and stories about navigating life's transitions. This journey has been a joy, and I'm grateful for every listener who has allowed me to be part of their comeback story.

• Understanding the three phases of transition: shock, limbo, and re-entry
• Navigating the disorientation of shock—the first step in your comeback
• Dealing with limbo by creating a game plan with small, courageous steps
• Embracing re-entry not as returning to your old life, but stepping into what's been waiting for you
• Recognizing that you're stronger than you imagined when you complete the transition journey

I'd love to hear what transition you're navigating right now. Send me a message, share your story, or let me know how I can be praying for you. And if you know someone in transition, please share this podcast with them—a single episode can spark tremendous hope.

My book "Start Your Comeback" releases at the end of October! It's the playbook for navigating life's biggest transitions, walking you through shock, limbo, and re-entry with practical strategies and encouragement. Head to tonithrash.com to sign up for updates and early access.

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The classroom door closes behind you. It's just you and thirty expectant faces. Your teaching degree prepared you for lesson plans and pedagogy—but did it ready you for the real-world challenges of your first year? Whether you're a brand-new educator or a seasoned veteran, this episode delivers candid insights about navigating the often overwhelming transition into the teaching profession.

Toni Thrash unpacks the common hurdles first-year teachers face: from managing overflowing to-do lists and establishing effective classroom routines to creating engaging lessons and finding that elusive work-life balance. With warmth and honesty, she shares her own strategies for avoiding burnout, including her determined efforts to complete work during school hours rather than letting it consume evenings and weekends.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Spanish educator Andrea Ward-Fernandez shares her unique perspective on transitioning to an American classroom. Her initial culture shock at expectations around classroom decoration, precise scheduling, and school traditions offers both humor and profound insights about the unwritten rules of educational environments. Andrea's most valuable advice? "Don't be afraid to ask questions and have a teachable spirit"—wisdom that resonates for educators at any stage.

Teaching is more than lesson delivery—it's community building, continuous learning, and self-forgiveness when things don't go as planned. If you're feeling overwhelmed by classroom challenges or preparing to enter the profession, this episode offers practical strategies for seeking support, developing organizational systems, and embracing the growth that comes with each new day at the whiteboard. Remember, every master teacher was once a nervous newcomer. You've got this!

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Brittany Tinsley, author of "Stories Our Scars Tell," shares her 20-year journey through self-injury, healing, and finding purpose in her pain. This raw conversation explores how scars—both literal and metaphorical—can become powerful storytellers of hope and redemption.

• Brittany explains how her struggle with self-injury began at age 15 and continued into adulthood
• The crucial role of hope in sustaining her through dark periods: "Eventually this is going to be okay"
• Why shame thrives in secrecy and how vulnerability begins to break its power
• The profound impact of her professor's acceptance when he saw her wounds: "This doesn't change how I see you"
• The concept of "invisible effort"—the unseen battles we fight that no one acknowledges
• How fierce independence can both help and hinder healing
• The transformative role of therapy in sustained recovery

Pre-order "Stories Our Scars Tell" now everywhere books are sold. Connect with Brittany at britneytinsley.com or on Instagram @BrittanyTinsleyWrites.

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