Episode 10

full
Published on:

7th Jan 2026

The #1 Divorce Mistake You NEED To Avoid

Fresh out of a marriage and already thinking about dating again? I get it...you want to feel valued, desired, and whole again. But here's the truth you need: rushing into a new relationship will rob you of the healing you desperately need. You'll lose yourself before you ever find yourself, and you're worth more than that!🤍

In this episode, I share why waiting at least a year after divorce isn't about punishment -- it's about reclaiming yourself. I open up about my own journey: the temptation to jump into something new, what happened when I chose myself instead, and how that year of waiting became the most empowering season of my life.

You'll hear about rediscovering who you are outside of being someone's wife or significant other, learning to trust yourself again, and why skipping this step keeps you stuck in old patterns. If you're tired of being told what you want to hear and ready for what you actually need, this episode is for you. 🤍 Part 1 of 2.

☕️ New episodes drop on Wednesdays. Follow so you never miss one.

🙏 A special welcome if you just started following — I’m grateful you’re here. 🤍

👉 Start the healing journey here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cSXSdist0GYS4EL-yT9ockORATI-MY5

📓 Companion Journal:

https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1867562/169272817871750921/share

If something stirred in you today, you don't have to hold it alone.

This journal gives you a private place to process at your own pace.

Listen & Subscribe

🤍 Listen page: https://validatedpodcast.com/listen

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ownvoiceheal?sub_confirmation=1


🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/validated-own-voice-heal/id1850964341


🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MPNnTAWX2VsoMR9Lek2r2?si=2ed341ee4c0f4306


🔗 RSS: https://feeds.captivate.fm/validated-own-voice-heal/


📓 Free Companion Journals: https://validatedpodcast.com/validated-vault

In This Episode

00:00 Introduction and Bold Statement

01:42 The Importance of Waiting After Divorce

03:07 Personal Struggles and Emotional Pull

06:49 What Healing Actually Looks Like

08:41 Reclaiming Identity and Confidence

13:15 Strengthening Mind, Body, and Spirit

19:17 Closing Encouragement


📓 Companion Journal (free)


https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1867562/169272817871750921/share


⚖️ Disclaimer


Just a reminder:

I’m not a licensed therapist, medical professional, or attorney. The stories, insights, and reflections I share through the Validated podcast, website, and downloadable resources are based on my personal experiences, perspectives, and opinions. Identifying details have been changed or omitted to protect privacy.


This content is offered for support and education, not accusation, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional care. No therapeutic relationship is implied or created by your use of this content.


If you’re in crisis or need personalized help, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional and/or seek wise counsel within your faith community. You are worthy of such support.


🎶 Music Credit & License


Intro/Outro music: “Lofi Background Music-337568” by [Artist] — licensed via Pixabay.

Licensed under the Pixabay Content License (free for commercial use; no attribution required). Content ID registered; used with license.


🔗 Links & Resources


🤍 Listen page: https://validatedpodcast.com/listen


📓 Companion Journal (free): https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1867562/169272817871750921/share


📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ownvoiceheal?sub_confirmation=1


🍏 Apple Podcasts: coming soon

🎧 Spotify: coming soon

🔗 RSS: https://feeds.captivate.fm/validated-own-voice-heal/

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About the Podcast

Validated: Own. Voice. Heal.
Faith-rooted support and practical tools for women facing hidden abuse.
Validated is a podcast for women navigating hidden psychological, emotional, spiritual, and financial abuse—especially in relationships that look “perfect.” If you're walking on eggshells, doubting your reality, or asking, “Am I overreacting?” you’re in the right place.

☕️New episodes release every Wednesday at 4:45 AM PT, starting Nov 19. Subscribe so you never miss one.

Here, you'll find:
🌱 Hope when you feel isolated – You're not alone, and you're not crazy
🌱 Tools to recognize the patterns – Finally see what's been so hard to name
🌱 Faith-rooted truth – Scripture and encouragement for your healing journey
🌱 Language for your story – Words for what you've struggled to explain
🌱 Courage for your next steps – Whether you stay, work through it, or walk away

I'm Valerie—a voice advocate who chose to leave a marriage that was breaking me emotionally and psychologically. I share my story, the truths that carried me, and practical wisdom to help you move from silence to strength.

This is where you finally get to stop pretending everything is fine...this is where God meets you in your pain and helps you find your voice.

Listen & Subscribe
🤍 Listen page: https://validatedpodcast.com/listen
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ownvoiceheal?sub_confirmation=1
🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/validated-own-voice-heal/id1850964341
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MPNnTAWX2VsoMR9Lek2r2?si=2ed341ee4c0f4306
🔗 RSS: https://feeds.captivate.fm/validated-own-voice-heal/


Disclaimer

Just a reminder: I’m not a licensed therapist, medical professional, or attorney. The stories, insights, and reflections I share through the Validated podcast, website, and downloadable resources are based on my personal experiences, perspectives, and opinions. Identifying details have been changed or omitted to protect privacy.

This content is offered for support and education, not accusation, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional care. No therapeutic relationship is implied or created by your use of this content.

Every situation is unique; if you’re in crisis or need personalized help, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional and/or seek wise counsel within your faith community. If you ever feel unsafe or are in immediate danger, contact local emergency services or a trusted crisis resource in your region. You are worthy of such support.

About your host

Profile picture for Valerie Pratt

Valerie Pratt

Valerie is a voice advocate and host of Validated: Own. Voice. Heal., a faith-rooted podcast for women navigating hidden abuse—psychological, emotional, spiritual, or financial. After walking through her own experience and choosing a different future, she blends lived wisdom, careful research, and gentle, practical tools to help women name what’s happening, make empowering choices, and move from silence to strength. Each episode offers clear teaching, real-life examples, and “tiny brave step” prompts, alongside free journals and guides in the Validated Vault. Valerie’s aim is simple: give you hope when you feel alone, truth to steady your mind, and courage for your next brave step. Validated shares education and support; it is not therapy, counseling, or legal advice.