In this episode, Rachel Brooks joins the Heal Through Humor podcast with Talia Bombola for an honest conversation about chasing perfection, hitting rock bottom, and learning how to rise stronger. Together, they unpack what it takes to stop performing, stop proving, and start healing from the inside out.

If you’ve ever felt trapped in cycles of burnout, identity shifts, or striving for “enoughness,” this episode reminds you: you are allowed to step back, surrender, and rebuild in alignment with who you truly are.

Timestamps:

• [00:01] Rachel’s rock-bottom moment and the trap of chasing enoughness
• [00:04] How perfectionism leads to burnout, injury, loss, and grief
• [00:07] Why you can’t think your way out of healing—you have to feel
• [00:11] Asking the 3 life-changing questions: Who am I? What’s holding me back? Why am I here?
• [00:17] Redefining success and fulfillment on your own terms
• [00:24] Breaking free from performance, people-pleasing, and external validation
• [00:29] Using emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical alignment for holistic healing
• [00:35] Why you’re never starting over—you’re starting with experience
• [00:40] Letting go of perfection, owning your worth, and writing a new chapter

Key Takeaways:

• Perfectionism is a lie that keeps you stuck; true freedom comes when you release the need to perform.
• Healing is a layered, ongoing process that unfolds at your own pace.
• You are not defined by your lowest moments—or your greatest achievements.
• Fulfillment doesn’t come from external success, but from living in alignment with your purpose.
• You have the power to rewrite your story at any time.

Quotes:

“You can’t perform, prove, or achieve your way into worthiness.”

“True confidence is built from the inside out—not from external validation.”

“You’re allowed to rewrite your story at any time; nothing is wasted.”

“Healing comes through honesty, surrender, and letting God meet you right where you are.”

Resources + Offers:

• The Confident Woman Starter Kit → Reclaim clarity, confidence, and direction.
• Create Your Own Story Journal → A beautiful blank journal to help you write, reflect, and own your authentic journey.
• Fit From Within: 60 Days to Finding Freedom → A guided digital journal to build mental, emotional, and spiritual strength.

Follow for more real, raw, faith-fueled conversations on confidence, identity, and creating a life you love.

Connect with Talia Bombola:

Website: therapywithtalia.com, taliabombola.com

Connect with Rachel Brooks

• Website → iamrachelbrooks.com
• Instagram → @iamrachelbrooks
• Newsletter → Subscribe here

What if you didn’t need more content or funnels—just one great story?

In this episode, Rachel sits down with StoryBrand-trained strategist Kris Jones, founder of Red Door Stories, to uncover how a simple narrative shift can turn your website into a client-converting machine. Whether you’re burnt out on content creation or stuck in sales overwhelm, this conversation shows you the missing link: story.

Timestamps:

• [00:01] Meet Kris Jones: StoryBrand expert + Red Door Stories founder
• [00:04] Why most websites fail (and what to do instead)
• [00:06] Story vs. information: What the brain remembers
• [00:10] Outsourcing your voice? Why it doesn’t work
• [00:14] How to stand out from big brands as a personal brand
• [00:18] The secret to positioning yourself as a guide, not the hero
• [00:21] Testimonials that sell: The 4-question formula
• [00:24] Website mistakes that cost you clients
• [00:29] Why you don’t need 10 platforms—just one strong homepage
• [00:34] Evergreen marketing vs. trends (and why story always works)
• [00:38] From Click to Client: Kris’ story-based sales strategy
• [00:43] Final word: Do less, but better

Key Themes + Takeaways:

• Story-based messaging outperforms facts every time
• You are not the hero of your brand—your customer is
• You don’t need to do more, just say it better
• A good homepage can outperform 10 platforms
• Your voice is your greatest marketing asset—don’t outsource it

Quotes:

“You can’t read the label from inside the bottle.” – Kris Jones

“People don’t buy from the best—they buy from who they feel most connected to.”

“A single well-told story can replace all your marketing and double your revenue.”

Community & Resources

The Confidence Blueprint

Fit From Within Journal

The Confident Woman Community

Connect with Kris Jones

• Website: RedDoorStories.com
• Instagram: @reddoordesign

Connect with Rachel:

Website: iamrachelbrooks.com

Instagram: @iamrachelbrooks

Podcast IG: @theconfidentwoman.co

Do you ever feel like you’re giving everything to everyone else—but still feel like it’s never enough?

In this episode, Rachel Brooks sits down with Dr. Gertrude Lyons, a pioneer in holistic women’s development and author of Rewrite the Mother Code. They dive deep into what it means to mother—not just children, but dreams, businesses, and most importantly, yourself.

Dr. Gertrude unpacks her journey of discovering that motherhood is not limited to birthing a child—it’s a role every woman holds, whether she has children or not. Together, they explore how self-mothering is the key to healing, growth, and breaking generational cycles.

If you’ve ever felt like your role is “less than” or questioned your capacity to nurture and create, this episode is your call to step into your true, divine purpose.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to rewrite your own mother code and define motherhood on your own terms
• Why self-mothering is the foundation for growth and healing
• How to break free from societal expectations and step into divine nurturing
• The connection between birthing dreams and birthing life—whether it's children, businesses, or vision
• How to mother yourself so you can show up powerfully for others

Timestamps

[01:30] Dr. Gertrude’s journey from economic analyst to holistic women’s coach [

05:00] How pre-marital counseling sparked her personal growth journey

[10:00] Navigating family dynamics, marriage, and healing generational trauma

[15:00] Why self-mothering matters more than society tells you

[18:00] Redefining “motherhood”—birthing ideas, businesses, and nurturing self

[23:00] How to recognize your mother code and rewrite it for freedom

[30:00] Letting go of guilt and shame: mothering yourself without limits

[35:00] How self-mothering empowers everything you do—business, relationships, life

[40:00] How to begin self-mothering today

Quotes:

“Motherhood is not limited to birthing children; it’s the capacity to create, nurture, and transform.”

“If you aren’t mothering yourself, you can’t fully show up for anyone else.”

“We’ve been conditioned to think self-sacrifice is noble—but self-mothering is revolutionary.”

“You have the power to birth life in many forms—dreams, businesses, visions. Motherhood is expansive, not limited.”

Community & Resources

The Confidence Blueprint

Fit From Within Journal

The Confident Woman Community

Connect with Dr. Gertrude Lyons

• Website: Dr. Gertrude Lyons
• Get Her Book: Rewrite the Mother Code

Connect with Rachel:

Website: iamrachelbrooks.com

Instagram: @iamrachelbrooks

Podcast IG: @theconfidentwoman.co