In this powerful solo episode, Rachel Brooks shares her deeply personal journey of surrender and what it truly means to let go. If you've ever felt the weight of control, perfectionism, or pressure to hold it all together, this message is for you. Rachel unpacks how letting go isn’t about giving up—it’s about opening up space for God to move and freedom to unfold.

Let this episode be your invitation to loosen the grip, breathe deeper, and step boldly into the life God is calling you to live.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Introduction: What letting go really looks like

• [00:01] Why control is a false sense of security

• [00:02] The brain’s protective response to fear + uncertainty

• [00:03] What surrender really means (and what it doesn’t)

• [00:04] How to notice where you’re gripping too tightly

• [00:05] What control is costing you: peace, joy, presence

• [00:06] Final reflection + invitation to step into your God-given mission

Key Themes & Takeaways:

• Control is an illusion that often masks fear and mistrust

• Surrender is not passive—it’s one of the boldest acts of trust

• When you release what’s not for you, you create space for what is

• Healing and wholeness require space to breathe

• You don’t have to carry it all alone—God’s got you

Quotes to Save + Share:

“You can’t control your way into freedom.”

“What’s meant for you won’t miss you—let go of what no longer serves you.”

“Surrender isn’t weakness—it’s the doorway to strength.”

Ready to Go Deeper?

→ The Confident Woman Starter Kit — Your next step to rebuild your identity, let go of pressure, and step into a life of purpose, peace, and confidence. → Download it now

→ Fit From Within Digital Journal — Realign your mind, body, and spirit with daily prompts to help you heal from the inside out. → Start journaling today

→ Becoming… The Confident Woman — A 12-week journey through faith, identity, and healing. If you're ready for transformation, this is your path. → Your journey awaits

Connect with Rachel:

Website: iamrachelbrooks.com

Instagram: @iamrachelbrooks

Podcast IG: @theconfidentwoman.co

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

In this powerful solo episode, Rachel Brooks dives deep into the foundation beneath confidence, success, and leadership: self-worth.

Rachel shares how chasing perfection, seeking external validation, and striving for approval all trace back to one central question—Am I enough?

This is not just a feel-good conversation; it's a soul-level invitation to reclaim your identity, rebuild your self-trust, and redefine success based on who you already are—not what you achieve.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why success feels empty without self-worth
• How to identify and uproot the lies you're believing
• Five simple steps to rebuild true confidence from the inside out
• How to reclaim your identity apart from titles, roles, and achievements
• Why your worth is inherent—and how to finally believe it

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Introduction: Self-worth as the root of confidence
• [01:00] The silent question: Am I enough?
• [02:00] The real reason external success never feels like enough
• [04:00] Seasons of grief, rebuilding, and unraveling
• [06:00] The connection between identity, self-worth, and belonging
• [08:00] Peeling back layers to rediscover who you are
• [10:00] Challenging the lies that whisper "you’re too much" or "not enough"
• [12:00] Building real self-trust through consistent action
• [14:00] Practicing self-compassion and learning how to love yourself first
• [17:00] Changing your environment to support your healing
• [19:00] Final encouragement: You are already worthy—no proving required

Quotes to Highlight:

"You’re not your roles, your titles, or your achievements. You are worthy simply because you exist."

"Self-worth is not something you earn—it’s something you reclaim."

"When you know who you are, you stop chasing who the world says you should be."

Community + Resources:

The Confident Woman Community

Download (FREE) The Confidence Blueprint

Next Steps: Start Your Journey Here

↳ Starter Kit → Becoming... The Confident Woman → Impact Accelerator

Connect with Rachel:

Website: https://www.iamrachelbrooks.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamrachelbrooks

Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/theconfidentwoman.co

Enjoyed this Episode?

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts + tag us @theconfidentwoman.co with your biggest takeaway!

This week on The Confident Woman Podcast, Rachel Brooks is joined by the incredible Carla Reeves—a coach, writer, and host of the Differently Podcast—whose work centers on helping women reset their lives from the inside out.

What starts as a conversation about writing and reflection turns into a deeply raw and faith-filled dialogue around burnout, surrender, perfectionism, and the holy (but hard) work of resting and realigning with God in every area of life—business, marriage, motherhood, and self.

This is not your typical success chat. It’s a soul-to-soul reminder that rest is not weakness. It's wisdom. And sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is finally let go.

Inside this conversation:

• The quiet, sacred power of journaling and self-reflection
• What true surrender to God really looks like in business and life
• The grief of releasing the old and waiting on what’s next
• Why success doesn’t always mean striving
• Rest as a spiritual weapon—and your permission to pause

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Intro to Carla + her journey into writing
• [03:00] Journaling as the doorway to God, creativity, and self-acceptance
• [07:00] Breaking up with perfectionism
• [10:00] What real surrender looks like in entrepreneurship
• [13:00] The burnout loop and why high-achieving women struggle with rest
• [17:00] Thought management + renewing your mind through faith
• [22:00] Bringing faith into business (and the fear of doing it wrong)
• [26:00] Realigning your message without swinging into extremes
• [30:00] Following God’s lead—even when it doesn’t make sense
• [34:00] Marriage, presence, and what surrender restored
• [39:00] Carla’s invitation: journaling as your next step

Quotes to Highlight:

"Rest isn’t stepping away. It’s stepping in—with God."

"You’re not behind. You’re being rebuilt."

"Your next breakthrough begins when you let go."

Connect with Carla:

• Connect with Carla: carlareeves.com
• Carla’s podcast: Differently

Links + Resources:

• Book: The Art of War
• Grab The Confidence Blueprint
• Explore Becoming… The Confident Woman
• The Confident Woman Community

Connect with Rachel:

Website: iamrachelbrooks.com

Instagram: @iamrachelbrooks

Podcast IG: @theconfidentwoman.co

📩 Subscribe to The Confident Woman Weekly newsletter

🎧 Listen to more episodes: iamrachelbrooks.com/podcast

In this episode, Rachel Brooks unpacks what it truly means to redefine success and unlock unshakable confidence from within. In a world that measures worth by titles, achievements, and performance, Rachel offers a new path—one rooted in faith, fulfillment, and freedom.

Together with Molly Claire, the coach and host of The Masterful Coach podcast, Rachel explores why many women tie their identity to what they do and how they perform—and how to break free from the pressure to prove and perform. Whether you're building a business, raising a family, or rediscovering your purpose, this episode will inspire you to pause, realign, and create a life that feels meaningful and true to who you are.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Intro: Redefining success + reclaiming confidence
• [01:00] Rachel’s personal story and the journey from within
• [03:30] Confidence already exists within—you just have to rediscover it
• [05:00] The butterfly analogy: pressure as preparation
• [06:30] Turning struggle into strength and healing
• [09:00] Why lack can be a powerful starting point
• [11:00] Success ≠ Achievement: fulfillment is the new definition
• [14:30] Why high achievers often feel unfulfilled
• [17:00] Your business must align with your values and vision
• [20:00] The danger of tying identity to outcomes
• [22:00] Inherent worth: you’re already enough because you exist
• [24:30] Raising children vs. raising competitors: redefining parenting wins
• [26:00] The loneliness of achievement without fulfillment
• [28:00] The real reason you're building your business
• [29:00] Final words: You have the power to create your own story

Key Takeaways:

• Confidence is already within—you’re not broken, you’re becoming.
• Redefining success requires unlearning what the world told you matters.
• Fulfillment is a feeling, not a finish line.
• You don’t need to prove your worth—you’re already worthy.
• When your values lead, everything aligns.

Quotes to Highlight:

“You have the power to create your own story. If you don’t like the chapter you’re in—write a new one.”

“Success without fulfillment is the ultimate failure. Fulfillment is the new freedom.”

“You can’t compare your insides to someone else’s outsides. Their highlight reel is not your truth.”

Tools & Resources:

🎧 Listen to the full episode now and start redefining success on your own terms.

🛠️ Explore resources to help you build confidence and alignment in life and business:

• The Confident Woman Starter Kit
• Fit From Within Journal
• Becoming… The Confident Woman
• The Confident Woman Impact Accelerator

What if the life you’re living right now—no matter how messy or uncertain—is actually preparing you for something greater?

In this episode, Rachel sits down with Rhonda Nelson—speaker, philanthropist, patient advocate, and author of A Different Life—for a raw, wisdom-packed conversation on navigating chronic illness, profound loss, and the courage to reinvent yourself through life’s darkest seasons.

Rhonda opens up about her diagnosis with AERD (aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease), the emotional impact of losing both her father and stepfather, and how she transformed pain into purpose through advocacy, authorship, and service. From life on the road with her husband (lead singer of Little River Band) to giving back through mission-driven work, Rhonda's story is a reminder that reinvention starts with radical honesty and deep self-compassion.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, exhausted by expectations, or unsure how to keep going—this conversation is for you.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• How to advocate for your health (and your voice)
• The role grief plays in shaping purpose
• Why redefining expectations is key to peace
• The truth behind celebrity life and public perception
• What it means to love your life as it is

Timestamps: [00:00:00] Intro + meet Rhonda Nelson

[00:01:00] Living through chronic illness and receiving an AERD diagnosis

[00:04:00] Balancing marriage, mission, and illness

[00:06:00] Losing both her father and stepfather: grief and resilience

[00:08:00] Finding light after loss and transforming pain into purpose

[00:10:00] Reinvention, transition, and the power of grace

[00:14:00] Knowing when to say “no” and honoring your energy

[00:16:00] Using your voice: honesty with yourself and others

[00:20:00] Celebrity vs. reality: redefining public image with truth

[00:26:00] Why humanity is the real platform we all stand on

[00:29:00] Writing A Different Life and navigating public opinion

[00:33:00] Giving back: the dog rescue fundraiser and divine alignment

[00:36:00] Food, health, and honoring your body through nourishment

[00:38:00] Final encouragement: love the life you live

Resources Mentioned:

• Rhonda’s Website & Book: A Different Life
• Follow Rhonda: @rhondabnelson

Next Steps: → Download your FREE Confidence Blueprint:

Connect with Rachel: Website: iamrachelbrooks.com Instagram: @iamrachelbrooks Podcast IG: @theconfidentwoman.co

Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts + tag us @theconfidentwoman.co with your biggest takeaway. Let’s keep this mission of confidence, freedom, and impact growing.