“God works everything out for our good, even when we think our life is over.”

In this episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, I am with Kelly Jansens Mensch, an entrepreneur, event organizer, and author of Outside God’s Umbrella: Journey from Darkness to Divine Light.

Kelly opens up about her shocking real-life story — how a single social media connection spiraled into tragedy, leading her through incarceration, guilt, and ultimately, redemption.

Through raw honesty and deep faith, Kelly shares how God met her in the darkest valley and rebuilt her life from the inside out. She reveals the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit, recognizing red flags, and learning to live “under God’s umbrella” of grace and protection.

Her story reminds every midlife woman that no matter how far she’s fallen, faith, courage, and identity in Christ can restore peace, purpose, and freedom.

This episode will inspire you to trust God through your hardest seasons, reclaim your confidence, and live brave again.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Guest Intro

1:59 - The BraveHeart Story of Kelly Jansens Mensch with online encounter

5:15 - What are the red flags?

9:06 - Let’s talk about loneliness, vulnerability, and connection

11:12 - God’s redemption and rebuilding process

14:17 - How to find a new identity with Christ

16:22 - That moment when Kelly decided to write a book

18:41 - How to live under God’s umbrella

20:38 - Kelly’s #1 tip for midlife women

Quotations:

“Listen to that inner spirit — what we would call the Holy Spirit — because He’s your gut check.” - Kelly Janssens Mensch

“Without God in my life, I can’t do life alone. That proved to be the wrong track. I need God.” - Kelly Janssens Mensch

“You can be a nice person, but don’t do it to a fault. Some red flags are divine warnings.” - Kelly Janssens Mensch

“Bad things happen to good people — but it’s who you go through the fire with that matters.” - Kelly Janssens Mensch

“When you’re lonely, you’re vulnerable — and that’s when discernment is most needed.” - Dawn Damon

“When we lose everything, God rebuilds our identity on something stronger.” - Dawn Damon

Resources:

🌐Follow Kelly on KJ-FITT.com and goblackdoggo.com

📚 Get a copy of Kelly’s book: Outside God’s Umbrella: A Journey from Darkness to Divine Light

📲 Connect with Kelly @KellyJansens or @JansensMensch on Facebook and Instagram

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🎁 FREE GIFT: The 7-Day Identity Challenge for Midlife Women of Faith: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/offers/rMw4gih9/checkout

💌 Email your braveheart story to me at dawn@dawnscottdamon.com

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor,

“Recovery is a process, but addiction is a process too.”

In this episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, I am with Sherry Hoppen, author, speaker, and founder of She Surrenders and Selah House Recovery. Sherry shares her remarkable journey from secret addiction to lasting recovery — and how total surrender to God became the turning point that changed everything.

Once living a double life as a woman of faith hiding her alcohol addiction, Sherry opens up about the moment she fell to her knees and prayed, “God, I’ll do it your way.” Her story reveals the pain of hiding, the power of surrender, and the miracle of restoration — especially in her marriage and faith.

Sherry also talks about her award-winning book, “Sober Cycle: Pedaling Through Recovery One Day at a Time,” and how a grueling cross-country bike ride became a symbol of hope and transformation. Today, she leads other women to freedom through She Surrenders Ministries and the newly established Selah House Recovery — a faith-based inpatient center for women in Michigan.

This conversation is raw, redemptive, and deeply inspiring — a must-listen for midlife women seeking freedom, faith renewal, and brave transformation.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Guest Intro

1:52 - The BraveHeart Story of Sherry Hoppen on alcohol addiction

7:01 - Common signs of addiction

9:55 - Sherry’s inside battle on faith and guilt

11:56 - The “sober cycle” story

14:29 - How to overcome addiction

16:57 - Selah House Recovery

19:23 - How to connect with Sherry

Quotations:

“The moment I said, ‘God, I’ll do it Your way,’ everything began to change.” - Sherry Hoppen

“If you think you’re stronger than addiction, you’re playing Russian roulette with your life.” - Sherry Hoppen

“You have no reason to drink alone. If you’re drinking alone, stop.” - Sherry Hoppen

“You are not alone. There’s a community of women walking this same journey.” - Sherry Hoppen

“You’re not as bad as you think you are — and with God, all things are possible.” - Sherry Hoppen

“Once you truly surrender, your life will change in ways you never thought possible.” - Sherry Hoppen

Resources:

🌐 Follow Sherry on shesurrenders.com

🏠 Check out Sherry’s Selah House Recovery

📚 Get a copy of Sherry’s books at Amazon

📲 Connect with Sherry on shesurrenderssherry on Facebook and Instagram

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💌 Email your braveheart story to me at dawn@dawnscottdamon.com

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: dawn@braveheartmentor.com

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravehearted_woman

💞 Facebook:...

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you choose to see it.”

In this week’s episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, let me invite midlife women to examine the “lenses” through which they view life. Using my vivid rose-colored glasses analogy, this is a reminder for you that our outlook determines our peace, joy, and spiritual strength.

With honesty and warmth, she shares biblical truths, personal stories of resilience, and two life-changing principles: your attitude is your power, and your inner story determines your outcome.

This heartfelt message challenges every woman to replace negativity with faith, choose gratitude over grumbling, and see life through God’s victorious perspective.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

2:00 - Rose-colored lens VS dark-pair sunglasses

3:54 - The power of choice

5:50 - How to reframe negativity

8:49 - 2 truth for joy and peace

13:37 - How to take action

Quotations:

“Your joy and peace follow the decision to believe you are an overcomer.”

“Every negative thought is an invitation to tell yourself a better story.”

“When you change your perspective, you change your peace.”

“The story you tell yourself shapes the woman you become.”

“Even in midlife, you can rewrite your narrative and step into joy.”

Resources:

👩🏻‍🏫 Subscribe to The BraveHearted Transformation Course

📚 Get a copy of Dawn’s NEW book: The Making of a BraveHearted Woman: Courage, Confidence, and Vision in Midlife

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: dawn@braveheartmentor.com

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravehearted_woman

💞 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveheartedwoman

💞 Podcast: https://the-bravehearted-woman.captivate.fm/listen

Download the full transcript here.