“Why do you keep bringing up the past?” “You can't have boundaries with me. You're my wife.” “You're too sensitive.” “I said I was sorry. You need to accept that. Let's choose to have a good day now.” “You think you're so perfect.” Do these phrases sound familiar? They certainly sound familiar to me. I want to show you some ways you can combat these words your abuser throws at you, even if you’re just combating them in your own mind. You don’t even have to say anything out loud (because we all know what happens when we try to reason with an abuser/fool). You can just say these phrases I’m ..read more

Have you ever been told you are incorrigible? Or how about contumacious, which means stubbornly and willfully disobedient to authority? Janet’s church promised to help and protect her, but when she decided to set a boundary to protect herself by divorcing her abuser, they turned on her with this vicious name-calling.  Sort of like her abuser, come to think of it.  In this final episode of our excommunication series, Janet outlines her story of waking up to abuse, seeking help from her church, and receiving a proverbial beating in return. Let’s unmask these particular wolves in Jane ..read more

In part two of our excommunication series, I interview Valerie, a former member of a Reformed Baptist church that excommunicated her for divorcing her unfaithful and emotionally abusive husband. After years of receiving “help” from her church as she endured betrayal after betrayal from her husband, she said enough was enough. But even as she divorced her husband and then tried to leave the church peacefully, they wouldn’t allow it. They had to have the last word. Listen to Valerie’s story today.  Read the show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here If you are a Christian woman who thi ..read more

Is teaching survivors how to have boundaries the equivalent of victim blaming? I’ve seen this topic come up again and again, and I thought it was time I stated what I believe about it. The bottom line is that I believe that boundaries is an essential tool in a survivor’s toolbox. I also believe abuse is never, ever the survivor’s fault. Those two beliefs can go hand in hand nicely, and I’m going to show you how. Join me as I explain my stance, why it’s important, and what McDonald’s burgers and fries have to do with the whole sordid affair. Read the show notes and/or ask Natalie a question he ..read more

I gratefully and joyfully, with so much love, offer my brand new book, All the Scary Little Gods, to you! WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR: Anyone who has suffered from anxiety in their relationship with God Perfectionists Fear filled folks Angry survivors Exhausted women who are just “done” Confused Christians Searchers and seekers Grievers The Guilty The Shamed Anyone who just only ever wanted to be loved. (Especially you, precious one.) You can now get All the Scary Little Gods on Amazon in the following formats: Kindle, paperback, or Audible ($19.99).  Read the show notes and/or ask Natalie a ..read more

We are gearing up for the release of my brand new book, All the Scary Little Gods, which will be available on Amazon in Kindle, paperback, and Audible formats on February 20th. In this episode, you’ll get some more sneak peeks including the foreword by Dr. Tiffany Yecke Brooks and chapters about my first kiss in college plus a time when I thought “crying out to God” would bring back some mail-in-rebate money. (That’s right. You’ll have to listen to believe it.)  Laugh, cry, and roll your eyes with me in this sneak peek episode!  Read the show notes and/or ask Natalie a question he ..read more

Have you ever been told to, “first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will be able to see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye” in regards to your emotionally abusive marriage? That passage of the Bible is often used to mutualize the sin of the abuser and his victim. This is called sin-leveling, and it’s a form of spiritual abuse.  Karen McMahon is here to show us how to take back the meaning of these verses to empower and strengthen ourselves.  Read the show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here If you are a Christian woman who thinks you may be in ..read more

During the entire year of 2023, I wrote a book. It was not an easy book for me to write, emotionally, and I’m glad to be done and even more glad to release it into the world soon. In this episode, I discuss why I titled my new book, All the Scary Little Gods, and I explain the symbolism on the front cover. Read the show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here If you are a Christian woman who thinks you may be in an emotionally destructive marriage, learn more at https://flyingfreenow.com I'll send you (free!) the first chapter of my book, Is It Me? Making Sense of Your Confusing Marriage, wh ..read more

“Communication is key,” right? But healthy communication often isn’t possible with an emotionally abusive individual who twists your words and uses them against you.  Today’s conversation is with Mikki Gardner, Certified Life + Conscious Parenting Coach. Mikki’s expertise and knowledge will help propel you forward as you learn how to deal with toxic communication cycles in the context of co-parenting. Read the show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here If you are a Christian woman who thinks you may be in an emotionally destructive marriage, learn more at https://flyingfreenow.com I ..read more

“I’m really struggling with feeling extremely lonely. How did you deal with this in a healthy way? “How do you cope with loneliness? A shattered, broken heart?” “We don’t speak to each other at all most of the time, so I just get really lonely for human fellowship and interaction.” “I’m feeling really isolated. I just feel sad and alone.” “I need help dealing with how lonely I feel all the time.” Do these expressions of loneliness feel familiar to you? Then today’s episode is for you. Read the show notes and/or ask Natalie a question here If you are a Christian woman who thinks you may ..read more