When did you start to get interested in starting a podcast?

BrokenGirl Unchained the Blog was born in 2018. I’ve said this before but there’s no other way to say this. I was completely broken over the loss of my little family and my extended family. I started connecting with other people that had stories that matched mine. I’m a people person. I love to get deep with others. There’s something about seeing someone brave enough to bare their bare bones.

While covering topics with Mike, BrokenGirl’s editor and engineer, I somehow came up with starting a podcast to open up the connections outlets. I thought you had to know some big guy at some top notch radio station. Mike said “No, we can do it ourselves.” I couldn’t wait to get started. So in 2019, we brainstormed 5 topics to cover and gathered our guests, and we dove right in. Yes, we were that podcast that started in our sound proof walk in closet with a hand held recorder and Mike interviewed me. I remember, we must have done a million takes.

To me it had to be perfect. I think I drove Mike nuts, but it was okay. BrokenGirl Unchained was my baby and creating anything you love has to be perfect, right?      

If you were an advertisement, which would your slogan be?

I’m terrible with this stuff. The first thing that comes to mind is the Orbit Commercial. lol Why? Because we all have dirty mouths.

We’re unchained, raw and real. To be honest, I don’t trust anyone that doesn’t cuss and who ever made the “F” word was genius. You can use it for anything. i.e. Anyone that knows me knows I love hard. So when I say ‘I love you’, I say it with conviction. 

I F****kin Love you”. We use to catch a lot of grief because of our potty mouths. However, we’re not trashy; we know how to tone it down and keep it classy when need be. Mike and I are very professional. At the end of the day, we’re real, we’re honest and we always have our listeners coming back for more. Not one episode is scripted. 

Which is the part you enjoy the most about being a podcast host?

Getting deep. I’m most definitely intense, and an emotional person. Most women are. However, like I mentioned before, there’s something about seeing someone open up for the first time to talk about something that has been hindering their self growth. It’s not only therapeutic, but seeing someone tell their story you can see that sense of closure in their eyes. That final exhale they have been waiting for.

 As I always tell our listeners…. I can only meet you as deep as you meet yourself. 

Most artists say that through their art they learn more about themselves, heal injuries… In which aspects has your podcast helped you?

Where do I start?  I’m still learning. Just when I think I have it all figured out I crash and burn just like anyone else. I’m human so I’ve made mistakes and some really bad ones. I have learned to accept my flaws, and to forgive myself. I battle depression and guilt. I almost took my life in 2011 when my ex husband told me I wasn’t loved by my own family and my children. The worst feeling in the world is feeling so unloved you’d rather not live anymore. I had to learn how to fall in love with myself. Not in a vain way, in a way that I loved all of my imperfections, because that is what truly made who I am.

I’m clumsy, forgetful, emotional, intense, messy, dyslexic, air headed. I was born with 6 toes (true story) and I’m terrible with money. But let me tell you who I really am. I am deep, intense, tender, soft hearted and I’ll be the first to go to war beside you. Hold your hair back if you’re sick, and stay with you in the dark.

 I’ve learned that I am not perfect. I was made to be imperfect. However, it sounds cliché but I love who I have grown to be. No one knows the blood, sweat and tears I have fought to become this woman. Sure, I am someone’s the villain in someone’s narrative, but absolutely no one can tell me who I am as a person. I’ll own my mistakes everyday of the weak because that’s who I am.

However, my mistakes do not define me. My podcast and brand has helped me to see what I am capable of and that I’m worth loving just like the next person. I am not better than you and no one is better than me. Not anyone’s status, no amount of money, not the car they drive, or any amount of education someone has, blessings evolve.  It’s their bare bones that I love in someone. It’s striving to be someone better each and every day.  

What does Broken Girl Unchained mean to you? Have you ever seen someone absolutely broken? Have you ever seen someone break into tiny little pieces? You’re most likely not sure at that point if their going to survive. Have you seen someone pull their strength from the unknown and put themselves back together again?

I have. That kind of beauty is spoken for, and who doesn’t love a comeback story.   

Who are your idols?

To be honest my idols aren’t renowned ones. It sounds kind of funny when I say it out loud but my children. My god they are strong.

 I look up to them and they don’t even know it. They keep me trendy with what is in style and sometimes I think they could be honestly wiser than me (at times). My children keep things in perspective for me, I am amazed by their strength and their beauty each time I lay my eyes on them. I’m truly awestruck by how they have handled some of life’s ugliest trials. I’m not sure if that’s a good answer, but it’s my answer. Sorry not sorry.

If you didn’t like hosting a podcast, what would you like to do?

For sure I would like to be a therapist of some kind.  I use to own two day spas in my younger, strapping years and somehow my table became the therapy couch. My clients knew they could tell me anything without judgment and they would get an honest answer through another perspective. 

Do you consider that nowadays there are more or less opportunities for women? Why?

I think there is a fair share of opportunities for both women and men. However, women are still often downplayed, mocked, and totally dismissed. I still don’t understand why. We’re beautiful creatures with so much emotion that men are designed not to have. We’re nurturers. However, I believe in equality. Everyone is deserving of the same opportunity. Some might have a higher EQ and another might have a higher IQ. Put them both together and you could have one hell of a masterpiece.

What would your idyllic life as an artist be like?

Everyone that knows me knows money has no value to me. I come from a wealthy family and I’ve seen what it does to people. I have been broke as well, warming up water on a bbq pit just to give my kiddos a bath. I feel I want to be rich in love and on self fulfillment. I want to leave a legacy behind that my children’s children will say that I tried to change the world. I tried making the world a better place. Everything I do in life has love behind it. I might call some people out, but that’s okay. I will always love thy neighbor.