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Life After I Left
Cat Dunn
34 episodes
4 days ago
Welcome to Life After I Left. A space where women share their real stories, including the struggles, the triumphs, and the moments that created change. I’m Cat Dunn - an Online Business Manager, mentor, speaker, and your host. Life After I Left exists to break the silence - to give women a platform to speak up, encourage vulnerability, and remind listeners that they’re not alone. Here you'll find real-life stories, powerful conversations, expert insights, practical tips, and we’ll definitely be having a few laughs as well because you can’t have darkness without the light.
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Self-Improvement
Education
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All content for Life After I Left is the property of Cat Dunn and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Welcome to Life After I Left. A space where women share their real stories, including the struggles, the triumphs, and the moments that created change. I’m Cat Dunn - an Online Business Manager, mentor, speaker, and your host. Life After I Left exists to break the silence - to give women a platform to speak up, encourage vulnerability, and remind listeners that they’re not alone. Here you'll find real-life stories, powerful conversations, expert insights, practical tips, and we’ll definitely be having a few laughs as well because you can’t have darkness without the light.
Show more...
Self-Improvement
Education
Episodes (20/34)
Life After I Left
33: Elinor Moshe on Life After… Misalignment: Shadow work, archetypes, and reconnecting with her inner truth after years of living through roles.

What if the key to your spiritual growth was simply learning to protect your energy, slow down, and trust what feels right in your body?

This week, I’m joined by Elinor Moshe, co-founder of Truth of You and a four-time author. She’s built a remarkable public legacy through awards, books, and a respected podcast. Yet beneath that outward success, a fracture grew. Her external achievements and inner world slowly slipped out of alignment, creating a quiet but relentless tension.

At 32, while travelling overseas with her parents, Elinor found herself caught in what she later learned as the ‘devouring mother’, where even simple choices felt impossible.

That moment sparked a profound awakening. She realised she had been living through masks and roles, disconnected from her own reality, and vowed to reclaim herself through spiritual guidance and grounded practices.

Although this story has unfolded only in recent years, her life today looks completely different.

This is a deep, expansive conversation that pulls back the curtain on the spiritual space, and it’s packed with so many golden insights you may find yourself listening more than once.


In this episode, we chat about:

  • Elinor’s personal journey through shadow work, nervous system healing, and breaking lifelong generational patterns
  • How she met her now-partner, and what their life together looks like today
  • What energetic protection and spiritual hygiene actually look like, and why they matter before doing any deep healing
  • How to choose a practitioner or guide with discernment (including red flags to look out for)
  • The importance of reconnecting with intuition and trusting your body’s signals
  • How modalities like astrology, shadow work, human design, tarot, and QHHT can support, but never replace, your inner wisdom
  • Practical, accessible first steps for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin


Whether you’re deep into your spiritual journey or just taking your first steps, this episode is full of insight and guidance. Elinor’s story is a reminder that you don’t need to force your path; it begins by tuning into what feels true in your body right now.


Connect with Elinor:

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

Website: truthofyou.com.au

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elinor-moshe/


Our live event is back!

Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 12 Feb for our 5th unforgettable event. 5 women, sharing 5 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Grab your ticket now:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-the-big-5-tickets-1811765131279


Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
2 weeks ago
1 hour 5 minutes 37 seconds

Life After I Left
 32: Shani Connard on Life After… Becoming a Mum: The unspoken realities of motherhood, panic disorder, exposure therapy, and finding your way back

What happens when the motherhood you pictured meets the reality of anxiety, exhaustion, and doing it without enough support?

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of mental health challenges and references to suicidal ideation.

This week, I’m joined by Shani Connard, a holistic life coach.

She supports men and women to be happier parents, live healthier lives, and show up in their relationships with courage and authenticity. She also hosts monthly women's gatherings and potluck dinners where the focus is on being real, authentic, and navigating the ups and downs of life.

Shani is also a voice for women who feel unseen and overwhelmed in the early years of parenting.

After experiencing debilitating panic disorder and the crushing weight of feeling unsupported, she now speaks openly about the realities so many mothers quietly carry.


In this episode, we chat about:

  • Shani’s early challenges in the birth of her son and the first years of motherhood
  • The importance of evaluating your support network before becoming a parent
  • Handling divorce, selling a house, and organising custody and finances while her mental health was at its lowest
  • Receiving a diagnosis of panic disorder and how gradual exposure therapy, medication, and support meetings helped reduce her panic triggers
  • Experiencing a near-death anaphylactic attack, suppressing fear and grief for six months, and how this may have contributed to the onset of panic attacks
  • Why mums often minimise their own needs until reaching their breaking point due to fear of judgement
  • What she wants every mother who feels scared, overwhelmed, or alone to know


This episode is a reminder that behind the highlight reels of motherhood are real women navigating fear, identity shifts, and invisible emotional loads; and how transformative it is to have the right people and support around you.


Connect with Shani:

Websites: www.reconnect2life.com.au & www.hertribe.com.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Reconnect2Life & https://www.facebook.com/her.tribe.gatherings

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reconnect_2life & https://www.instagram.com/her.tribe.gatherings/


Gift vouchers for Shani's offers

Christmas vouchers are officially live -  and if you’re looking for a gift that feels meaningful, supportive and actually helpful… this is it. Vouchers can be used across all Reconnect2Life and Her Tribe offerings in 2026 - workshops, coaching, women’s gatherings, and more: https://www.reconnect2life.com.au/gift-vouchers 


Free Strategy Call with Shani

Unsure? Totally get it… Book a free 20-minute strategy call to feel things out and see if I’m the right fit for you: https://www.reconnect2life.com.au/book-a-session


Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
3 weeks ago
46 minutes 47 seconds

Life After I Left
31: Adriana Tantau on Life After… PMDD: Symptoms, limited treatment options, and finding a holistic path forward

Ever experienced pain or symptoms that didn’t feel right, only to hear it’s ‘just bad period pain’?

Trigger warning: Discussions of PMDD, mental health struggles, and suicidal ideation (in the context of healing and transformation).


In today’s episode, I’m joined by Adriana Tantau, a menstrual mentor and educator helping women live symptom-free menstrual cycles after being let down by the system.

Adriana shares her decade-long journey to a PMDD diagnosis, the frustration of being misdiagnosed, and being told her only options were antidepressants or birth control.

Through nervous system regulation and menstrual intelligence, she went from barely surviving her cycle to being completely symptom-free. Now, Adriana teaches other women to do the same inside The Cycle Codes™ movement.

From understanding symptoms to navigating a healthcare system that often overlooks women’s experiences, Adriana brings both compassion and clarity to a topic that many women struggle with in silence - or may not even be aware of.


In this episode, we chat about:

  • What Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is, the early symptoms Adriana experienced, and why they were dismissed for so long
  • Adriana’s journey through sobriety and the night she experienced a ‘dark cloud’, she later recognised as PMDD
  • How Adriana left behind the version of herself who thought pain was normal, who swallowed pills, drank alcohol just to get through the month, and who believed her body was broken
  • The limited medical treatments she was offered and why she chose to find another way
  • Why PMDD is often misdiagnosed as anxiety or depression
  • The holistic steps Adriana took to begin healing naturally, and how she now supports other women
  • How understanding your cycle and regulating your nervous system can become the most empowering tool for your wellbeing

Adriana unpacks a lot in this episode. From her childhood experiences and sobriety journey to her PMDD diagnosis and current motherhood journey.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that you deserve options, to be heard, and to feel supported on your path to wellbeing.

Connect with Adriana:

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

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6RckYyVBPSul2DZkyh0HuY

Join SYNCED — a 6-week live masterclass series helping women move from fight-or-flight to symptom-free living through menstrual intelligence and nervous system regulation. https://tr.ee/6gZkdlJmsy

 

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
1 month ago
46 minutes 20 seconds

Life After I Left
30: Glenda Kroll on Life After… Starting Over: Escaping toxic relationships, rebuilding from nothing, and finding strength through intuition

What happens when the life you built becomes the one you have to leave behind?

This week I’m joined by Glenda Kroll, a podcast host and life empowerment strategist, helping women 40+ and special needs families reinvent life with confidence, purpose, and real estate success.

She is deeply passionate about reinvention after 40, rebuilding self-worth after betrayal, and empowering women to step into their next chapter with courage and clarity.

Glenda shares her extraordinary journey of leaving not one, but two toxic relationships, and how she rebuilt her life, confidence, and business from the ground up.

From running a successful company while hiding the reality of her home life to secretly planning her escape, Glenda’s story is one of resilience, strategy, and self-belief.

In this conversation, Glenda shares how she found the courage to start over, the lessons she’s passed on to her children, and how trusting her intuition (and a few divine nudges) helped her rebuild a life filled with purpose, peace, and freedom.


In this episode, we chat about:

  • How, after decades of caregiving, navigating divorce, and putting others first, Glenda made the bold decision to reinvent her life in her 60s
  • The moment she walked into court with $200,000 in legal bills, and fired her lawyer
  • How she planned her exit from a toxic relationship safely and reclaimed her independence
  • The affirmation that kept her going during her darkest nights
  • Breaking the cycle of attracting unhealthy relationships
  • Rebuilding self-trust, strength, and emotional resilience after leaving
  • How intuition and divine guidance shaped her healing and purpose
  • Why she now helps women and families rebuild after hardship and create financial freedom


Glenda’s story is more than one of survival. It’s a testament to the truth that you’re never too old, too broken, or too late to start over.


Connect with Glenda:

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

Website: https://glendakroll.com/   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IAMGLENDAKROLL


Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
1 month ago
53 minutes 42 seconds

Life After I Left
29: Annelise McCarthy on Life After… Finding her Voice: From speech therapy to speaking coach, mastering public speaking, and starting a business at 20

What happens when the thing you once felt most insecure about becomes your greatest strength?

This week, I’m joined by Annelise McCarthy, a renowned women’s speaking coach and founder of Her Speaking Coach.

She shares how a childhood struggle with speech became the foundation for a career empowering others to speak with confidence and authenticity.

At just 20 years old, she launched her business, but behind the polished brand and professional voice was a young woman terrified she wouldn’t be taken seriously.

In this episode, Annelise gets honest about imposter syndrome, starting a business young, and the moment she realised that hiding her age (and her story) was holding her back.

This is such a fun and insightful conversation, packed with practical takeaways, lessons on confidence, communication and the power of backing yourself.


In this episode, we chat about:

  • The childhood experiences with a lisp and speech therapy that shaped Annelise’s confidence and love of communication
  • How studying public speaking from age eight built lifelong speaking and presentation skills
  • The mindset hurdles of launching a business at 20, and why she now sees it as a privilege to mentor women
  • The self-doubt that surfaced in her early business years and the conversation that changed everything
  • Why age has nothing to do with authority or impact when you have the experience to back it up
  • The importance of solo dates and how spending intentional time alone builds confidence, creativity, and self-trust
  • How her business evolved into Her Speaking Coach, a global community of over 250,000 people


Annelise’s story is a reminder that confidence isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you build through practice, self-trust, and courage.


Connect with Annelise:

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

Website: https://www.herspeakingcoach.com/

You're on Mute Tour: You're On Mute | Australian Tour 2026 | Her Speaking Coach

Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
1 month ago
54 minutes 30 seconds

Life After I Left
28: Courtney Wilder on Life After… Escaping a Cult: Questioning beliefs, healing from religious control, and her path to freedom

Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of suicide ideation, sexual trauma, and religious trauma. Please take care of yourself and skip this one if it feels triggering.

What happens when your entire life has been built on fear, control, and shame, and you finally decide to walk away?

This week, I’m joined by Courtney Wilder, author, speaker, and coach, who shares her powerful story of escaping a high-control religious group and learnt to rebuild her life from the inside out.

After years of suppressing her voice, questioning her worth, and living under constant scrutiny, Courtney made the brave decision to choose freedom, even when it meant starting over completely.

Through our conversation, she opens up about the messy middle of healing, and the anger and isolation that come with leaving everything you’ve ever known.

But she also shares how reconnecting with her intuition, building community, and doing the inner work helped her reclaim her sense of self.


In this episode, we chat about:

  • Courtney’s experience growing up in, and breaking free, from a religious cult
  • The pressure to be ‘perfect’, how she learned to suppress shame, and the impact of denying her darkness
  • How hours of devotion and study led to damaging beliefs, and the link between control and grooming
  • The night she packed her bags and left in search of life beyond those beliefs
  • How partying, drugs, and stripping became her way of escaping a life that felt out of her control
  • What led her back home, and back into the cult, after years of rebellion
  • Her journey of rebuilding self-trust after years of fear and manipulation
  • The role of the body and intuition when questioning beliefs and programming that aren’t your own


Courtney’s story is raw, honest, and full of twists and turns. A reminder that even after the darkest chapters, healing and freedom are possible.

Connect with Courtney:

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

Website: www.seekingwilder.com


Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
1 month ago
46 minutes 39 seconds

Life After I Left
27: Sallyanne Hartnell on Life After… The Perfect Marriage: Choosing yourself, rebuilding your identity after divorce, and navigating separation

What does it really take to rebuild your life after divorce and separation?

This week, I’m joined by Sallyanne Hartnell, divorce coach, strategist, founder of Reflect Coaching, and podcast host.

Sallyanne helps women decide whether to stay or leave a relationship and guides them through divorce with less drama.

With a mix of practical strategies and deep emotional support, she empowers clients to reframe what divorce means, communicate with clarity, and make confident, future-focused decisions, so they can create a life that feels aligned, supportive, and truly their own.


In this episode, we chat about:

  • Sallyanne’s own story of separation and divorce, and how it inspired her coaching work
  • The biggest challenges women face when navigating divorce, separation, and co-parenting
  • Why rebuilding your identity after divorce can feel daunting, and where to start
  • The power of choosing yourself in relationships and life after separation
  • Practical tips for creating financial independence after divorce
  • What it really means to ‘centre yourself’ and live aligned with your values


Sallyanne’s work is a reminder that while divorce and separation can feel overwhelming, they can also be a gateway to clarity, freedom, and self-discovery.


Connect with Sally:

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

Website: https://www.reflectcoaching.com.au/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sallyanne-hartnell

Podcast, offers, and resources: https://bio.site/reflect_coaching


Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
1 month ago
35 minutes 47 seconds

Life After I Left
26: Life After… Scare Acting: Halloween, haunted houses, and the thrill of being scared

Is fear something we should avoid, or does it actually make us feel more alive?

This week, I’m going solo with a Halloween-themed episode (costumes and lollies encouraged).

From my very first horror movie experience at seven years old, through teenage sleepovers with zombie films, to scare acting in haunted attractions in the UK and Australia, I’m sharing why horror has been such a huge part of my life, and why I believe being scared is one of the best feelings in the world.

Fear isn’t just about hiding behind a pillow at the movies. It’s about adrenaline, aliveness, and even building community with the people who “get” you. And when fear happens in a safe space, whether that’s a haunted house, making a bold move in your life, or stepping on stage at a live event, it can change everything.


In this episode, I chat about:

  • My earliest (and slightly traumatic) childhood horror movie memories
  • What it was like working as a scare actor in horror and haunted house attractions
  • The community I found through horror festivals and writing for The London Horror Society
  • Why safe fear makes us feel alive, from rollercoasters to public speaking
  • How being scared connects to growth, bravery, and even business


So, if you’re a horror fan, Halloween lover, or just curious about what it takes to be a scare actor, this episode is for you.

Grab your witch’s hat, line up your favourite spooky film, and let’s talk about why fear can be fun.


Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
2 months ago
22 minutes 43 seconds

Life After I Left
25: Sarah Gray on Life After…  Perimenopause: Understanding symptoms, hormones, and finding the right support

Ever feel like your symptoms aren’t being taken seriously?

This week, I’m joined by Sarah Gray, pharmacist, nutritionist, certified lifestyle practitioner, and now author of a brand-new book all about perimenopause.

Sarah is passionate about helping women demystify this often confusing stage of life and giving them the tools to advocate for themselves.

From hormones to healthcare to simply being heard, Sarah is on a mission to help women stop dismissing their symptoms and start creating a team around them that truly supports their wellbeing.

Sarah shares her professional expertise as well as the personal reasons behind her work, and how her book is changing the way women approach this transition.


In this episode, we chat about:

  • Sarah’s unusual symptoms, the dismissal she faced from doctors, and the moment one even questioned if she was making it up
  • What perimenopause actually is, when it typically starts, and what’s really happening with your hormones
  • Common symptoms of perimenopause vs. what could signal something else (like thyroid or iron issues)
  • Why so many women’s symptoms are dismissed, and how to advocate for yourself while building a supportive health team
  • The empowering shift that happens when you understand your body and options
  • Sarah’s journey of writing her book and what she hopes women will take away from it

 

Sarah’s work is a reminder that knowledge is power, and that women deserve support, clarity, and compassion through every stage of life.


Connect with Sarah:

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

Website: https://thenutritionpharmacist.com./

Book: https://thenutritionpharmacist.com/perimenopause-book


Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
2 months ago
38 minutes 58 seconds

Life After I Left
24: Life After…  Self-Harm: Vulnerability, recovery, and finding healthier ways to cope

Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of self-harm. Please take care of yourself and skip this one if it feels triggering.

This is one of the hardest episodes I’ve ever recorded.

My heart was racing as I hit record because, for the first time, I’m sharing a story I’ve kept hidden for years - my experience with self-harm as a teenager, and how those scars shaped the woman I am today.

For so long, I carried deep shame about it. I hid my arms, made excuses, and feared people would see me as weak, broken, or simply “seeking attention.” But what I’ve learned is that self-harm is not about attention; it’s about survival when you don’t know another way.


In this episode, I open up about:

  • The night I first self-harmed, and why it became my secret outlet as a teen
  • The shame, stigma, and isolation I felt while hiding my scars
  • How self-harm resurfaced in moments of heartbreak and abuse in adulthood
  • The healthier coping strategies I’ve found, from journaling to personal development
  • Why I now see my scars as a symbol of resilience rather than weakness


Sharing this makes me feel exposed and vulnerable, but I believe stories like this matter. If you’ve ever struggled with self-harm, or love someone who has, I want you to know you are not alone. There are other ways to cope, and healing is possible.

If my story helps even one person feel less isolated or gives them hope that recovery is possible, then recording this episode was worth every nervous breath.


If you need urgent support, reach out to one of these incredible services:


Lifeline – Crisis support and suicide prevention

Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)

Text: 0477 13 11 14

Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au


Beyond Blue – Mental health support for anxiety and depression

Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)

Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au

Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au

Resources: https://beyou.edu.au/resources/suicide-prevention-and-response/suicide-prevention/self-harm


Suicide Call Back Service – For people affected by suicide

Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)

Website: https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au


13YARN – Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Phone: 13 92 76 (24/7)

Website: https://www.13yarn.org.au


Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
2 months ago
24 minutes 25 seconds

Life After I Left
23: Irene Jones on Life After…  Loss: Grief, resilience, purpose, and empowering women through travel

Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of suicide ideation, self-harm, and drug use. Please take care of yourself and skip this one if it feels triggering.

What does it mean to transform unimaginable loss into a life filled with meaning and purpose?

This week, I’m joined by Irene Jones, entrepreneur and founder of Travel Globe, where she creates women-led travel businesses and experiences that empower, connect, and inspire. She's also a co-presenter on Travel Oz, one of Australia’s longest-running travel series.

After the devastating loss of her daughter, Irene faced profound grief and trauma, yet chose to step forward with courage and purpose.

With raw honesty and infectious energy, she shares how travel, community, and refusing to stay in the darkness became her pathway to healing.

Her story is a testament to the power of women lifting each other up, even in the face of grief, cancer, and the challenges life inevitably brings.


In this episode, we explore:

  • Irene’s journey through grief after her daughter’s passing
  • How her family navigated loss together and how she found healing through travel
  • Why action often comes before emotion in the grieving process
  • How Irene discovered her purpose after loss
  • Her mission to create empowering, women-led businesses and travel experiences
  • How grief, trauma, and mental health challenges can be transformed into resilience and strength


Irene’s story is both heartbreaking and deeply uplifting.

If you’ve ever wondered how to move forward after loss or how to find strength in the small moments, this episode is a powerful reminder that healing is possible.


Connect with Irene:

Website: https://irenejones.com.au/

https://www.travelglobe.com.au/

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

https://www.instagram.com/travelglobeagents/


Our live event is back!

Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 16 Oct for our 4th unforgettable event. 4 brand new speakers sharing 4 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Grab your tickets now: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-oct-2025-tickets-1514579691629


Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
2 months ago
46 minutes 22 seconds

Life After I Left
22: Mariana Gaona Lopez on Life After… Leaving My Home Country: Growing up between Mexico and Australia, and navigating identity and entrepreneurship

How does it feel to be shaped by two cultures, always searching for where you truly belong?

This week, I’m joined by Mariana Gaona Lopez, a digital operations strategist, mum of two, wife, queer Mexican woman, and founder of Pink Ocean, where she helps service providers systemise and streamline the backend of their business.

Mariana’s story is one of resilience, curiosity, and the ongoing search for identity. Migrating from Mexico to Australia at 15, she knows what it’s like to navigate life between two cultures.

Through her sexuality journey, motherhood, and entrepreneurship, she’s embraced her identity as a Mexican Australian and created a life that honours all parts of who she is.

In this episode, we chat about:

  • Moving to Australia as a teenager and learning to navigate Australian slang, humour, and culture
  • Navigating life as a mother of third culture children, a queer person, a business owner, and a dual citizen
  • The painful reality of femicide in Mexico, and how it impacts her connection to her homeland
  • Building a business, life, and sense of self across two countries
  • Her path to entrepreneurship, creating Pink Ocean, and supporting women to streamline their businesses


Mariana reminds us that identity isn’t fixed, it’s something we create, layer by layer, as we move through life.

Her story is both vulnerable and empowering, showing that belonging can be found in the spaces between.


Connect with Mariana:

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

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@pinkoceanvs

Website: http://www.Pinkoceanvs.com.au

Join The Break Newsletter: https://pinkoceanvs.myflodesk.com/instagram


Our live event is back!

Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 16 Oct for our 4th unforgettable event. 4 brand new speakers sharing 4 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Grab your tickets now: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-oct-2025-tickets-1514579691629


Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
3 months ago
34 minutes 40 seconds

Life After I Left
21: Jess Soto-Ramirez on Life After… Breaking Cycles: Healing from generational trauma, finding refuge, and creating change for future generations

Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of domestic and family violence. Please take care of yourself and skip this one if it feels triggering.

What does it take to break free from generational cycles of abuse and find your voice?

This week, I’m joined by Jess Soto-Ramirez, a mindset and empowerment coach, podcast host, and advocate for women’s empowerment. She helps women rewrite their stories and to lead with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

Jess’s story is one of survival, courage, and the ripple effect that happens when one woman chooses to heal, not only for herself, but for her children, her community, and the generations that follow.

She shares how her mother’s experience with domestic violence shaped her childhood, what it was like growing up in women’s refuges, and the strength it takes to break the cycle of generational trauma.


In this episode, we chat about:

  • Jess’s journey from rural Colombia to being raised in Australia by a single mum in search of a better life
  • Growing up around domestic and family violence, and the long-term impact on her identity and relationships
  • Moving through five schools and three women’s refuges in her first 12 years of life
  • How her unsettled childhood fuelled her drive through high school, and her passion to coach women today
  • What it really means to break the cycle of generational trauma
  • Why environment, community, and supportive relationships are essential for healing
  • The ripple effect of sharing your story and inspiring others to reclaim their power
  • A powerful message to mothers on the impact they have, and why women’s voices matter in creating lasting change


Jess reminds us that healing isn’t just for ourselves, it’s for the generations that come after us. Her story is both raw and hopeful, showing that breaking cycles is possible.


Connect with Jess:

Instagram: @jesssotoramirez

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ignite-with-jess-soto-ramirez/id1650700891

Rewire & Rise Playbook - coaching.jesssotoramirez.com/freebie


Our live event is back!

Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 16 Oct for our 4th unforgettable event. 4 brand new speakers sharing 4 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Early bird tickets are limited, so grab yours now: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-oct-2025-tickets-1514579691629


Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
3 months ago
46 minutes 1 second

Life After I Left
20: Michelle McCarthy on Life After… Having it “All”: Leaving corporate, navigating single motherhood, and building a business in Australia

What happens when you finally have everything you thought you wanted, but still feel unfulfilled?

This week, I’m joined by Michelle McCarthy, creative agency founder, brand strategist, solo mum, speaker and all-round powerhouse.

From the outside, Michelle had it all, the high-flying corporate career, relationship, new car, the picture-perfect life. But behind the scenes, she felt stuck, unfulfilled, and ready for change.

Her story takes us from leaving a relationship with a couple of suitcases and walking away from the corporate ladder, to starting a business in Australia as an expat with no safety net, all while navigating the curveball of unexpected single motherhood.

Through it all, Michelle has rebuilt her life and business in a way that truly reflects who she is, proving that success doesn’t have to follow anyone else’s rulebook.


In this episode, we chat about:

  • Michelle’s journey from corporate marketing to entrepreneur and brand strategist
  • What it’s really like to start a business in a foreign country, with no safety net
  • Navigating pregnancy, and single motherhood in Australia, with no family support around
  • The identity shifts that come with leaving relationships, careers, and old versions of yourself behind
  • Why building a business that feels authentic matters more than following trends
  • Lessons in resilience, reinvention, and giving yourself permission to start again


Michelle’s story is a powerful reminder that your biggest challenges can also become the foundations for your next chapter.

It’s about trusting yourself, taking bold steps forward, and creating a life and business that truly feels like yours.


Connect with Michelle:

Instagram: @immichellemccarthy

Website: https://michellemccarthy.com.au/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@immichellemccarthy


Our live event is back!

Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 16 Oct for our 4th unforgettable event. 4 brand new speakers sharing 4 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Early bird tickets are limited, so grab yours now: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-oct-2025-tickets-1514579691629


Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
3 months ago
40 minutes 30 seconds

Life After I Left
19: Life After… Becoming Psychic: Intuition, ghost stories, and spiritual energy

What if trusting your gut wasn’t just a feeling, but a doorway into your intuition, psychic abilities, and even spiritual energy?

This week, I’m taking you on a solo episode to share my own story, and if you love a bit of woo woo, this episode is for you.

I shared my very first psychic experiences as a teenager, through toxic relationships where I ignored my intuition, to the ghost stories and spiritual awakenings that eventually led me to embrace this side of myself.

For a long time, I pushed down what I was feeling and sensing. But the truth is, our intuition never lies.

Learning how to protect my energy, ground myself, and open up to spiritual guidance has been life-changing, not only personally, but also in how I show up in relationships, business, and daily life.


In this episode, I share:

  • My first psychic experiences and ghost encounters (and why they didn’t scare me at the time)
  • How ignoring intuition kept me stuck in toxic relationships for years, and how this was connected to my psychic abilities
  • Signs from the spirit world, from handprints to claw marks to nosebleeds, that couldn’t be explained
  • The moment a stranger in a nightclub told me exactly what I needed to hear
  • What I’ve learned about spiritual energy, lightworkers, and protecting your own space
  • How developing your intuition can be a tool in life and business


This conversation is for you if you’ve ever felt a gut instinct, sensed “something” in the room, or wanted to explore your own psychic abilities.

So, if you’re curious about psychic experiences, ghost stories, or simply learning how to tune into your intuition and protect your energy, you’ll want to listen in.


Our live event is back!

Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 16 Oct for our 4th unforgettable event. 4 brand new speakers sharing 4 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Early bird tickets are limited, so grab yours now: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-oct-2025-tickets-1514579691629


Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
3 months ago
24 minutes 16 seconds

Life After I Left
18: Cortnie Kemp on Life After… Anxiety: Presence, motherhood, and healing through bodywork and breathwork

What if calming your anxiety wasn’t about fixing yourself, but about slowing down, breathing, and being present?

This week, I’m joined by Cortnie Kemp, a somatic and functional breathing coach, contrast therapy instructor, bodyworker, and speaker. She helps women who are stressed, overwhelmed, or in pain release tension and find freedom through these practices.

As a mother herself, she knows the unique pressures and judgments women face, and the importance of creating safe spaces for healing, and community. From ice baths to bodywork to simply remembering how to breathe, her work is all about finding calm in the chaos and finding tools that work for you.

In this conversation, Cortnie shares her journey with anxiety, motherhood, and healing, as well as the practices she now uses to support others in doing the same.


In this episode, we chat about:

  • Cortnie’s personal journey with anxiety and postnatal depression, and her path to healing
  • Why bodywork is such a powerful tool for healing stored tension and emotion
  • How breathwork supports calm, clarity, and nervous system regulation
  • The benefits of ice baths and hot–cold therapy for mental health
  • What Sacred Union really means and how she now uses offers different modalities to help other women
  • The power of presence and ways to start practicing presence today
  • Practical ways mothers can find space and release judgment in their daily lives


Cortnie’s story is a reminder that healing doesn’t have to look like striving or fixing; it can be as simple as remembering to breathe, connect, and allow yourself to be supported.


Connect with Cortnie:

Instagram: @cortniekemp

Website: https://www.cortniekemp.com.au/

 

Our live event is back!

Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 16 Oct for our 4th unforgettable event. 4 brand new speakers sharing 4 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Early bird tickets are limited, so grab yours now: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-oct-2025-tickets-1514579691629


Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
4 months ago
44 minutes 53 seconds

Life After I Left
17: Lurinda Vollmer on Life After… Denial: Using shadow work to overcome trauma, and confronting the systems that silence women

Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of sexual assault. Please take care of yourself and skip this one if it feels triggering.

How do you begin to heal when you can no longer hide from a truth you’ve buried for years?

This week, I’m joined by Lurinda Vollmer, a Somatic Shadow Work Coach and creator of the Surrender Retreat, an immersive healing experience guiding women from survival mode into self-trust, embodiment, and feminine reconnection.

As a support coach for the Shadow Work Alchemy Certification, she brings a trauma-informed, nervous system-led approach to trauma healing, helping women safely meet and integrate suppressed parts of themselves. Blending personal experience, intuitive facilitation, and somatic practices, Lurinda creates transformative spaces where women feel seen, safe, and empowered in their truth.

Today, Lurinda shares a story she has never spoken about on a platform like this before. She opens up about facing the reality of sexual assault after years of denial, and the resilience it takes to heal in a culture that often silences survivors. From navigating the long-term effects of trauma and shame to finding her voice and using it to support others.


In this episode, we explore:

  • The moment Lurinda acknowledged her assaults after years of suppression
  • How trauma and shame resurface over time, and their impact on mental health
  • Her healing journey through retreats, somatic shadow work, and coaching
  • What somatic shadow work is and how it supports deep emotional healing
  • The importance of supportive networks, therapy, and safe spaces for women
  • Why so many women are silenced, and what we can do to change that


Lurinda doesn’t just tell her story, she speaks for those who haven’t yet found their voice.

If you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, or unsupported in your healing journey, this episode is a reminder, you are not alone, and your voice matters.

Her journey is both powerful and inspiring, carrying a key message, your truth is yours, and no one can take it away.


Connect with Lurinda:

Instagram: @perspectivebylurinda

Website: https://www.perspectivebylurinda.com/

Welcome to Surrender Retreat: https://www.perspectivebylurinda.com/surrenderretreat


Our live event is back!

Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 16 Oct for our 4th unforgettable event. 4 brand new speakers sharing 4 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Early bird tickets are limited, so grab yours now: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-oct-2025-tickets-1514579691629


Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
4 months ago
48 minutes 32 seconds

Life After I Left
16: Jennifer Ginty on Life After… childhood trauma: Reclaiming your voice, healing through group therapy, and creating emotional safety for the next generation

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of child physical and sexual abuse. Please take care of yourself and skip this one if it feels triggering.

What if the pain of your past could become the foundation of someone else’s healing?

In this episode, I’m joined by Jennifer Ginty, a single mum, podcast host, and entrepreneur, who shares her deeply personal journey of healing from childhood trauma and living with Complex PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder.

From growing up in an abusive home to navigating family court, Jennifer’s early life was shaped by silence and survival.

After years of pushing her past away, it all came to a breaking point, and her healing journey truly began through therapy, group work, and eventually, creating a  therapeutic toy called My Moody Monster.

Jennifer now uses her story to help others better understand their emotions, reconnect with their inner child, and heal from trauma in a way that feels safe, empowering, and real.


In this episode, we talk about:

  • Jennifer’s journey from survival to emotional healing
  • The moment her brain said "enough", and why breakdowns can be breakthroughs
  • The transformative power of group therapy and trauma-informed support
  • Creating 'The Moody Monster' to support emotional regulation in kids
  • How childhood trauma can echo into adult relationships, and what healing really looks like


Whether you’re in the thick of your healing or just starting to unpack your story, Jennifer’s journey is a reminder that you're not alone, and that recovery, community, and creativity can offer a powerful way forward.

Jennifer and I are available to provide additional resources and organisations that can support you in your healing journey, so please reach out.

 

Connect with Jennifer:

Website: http://www.mymoodymonster.com

Podcast website: http://www.whennotyetbecomesrightnow.com

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@mymoodymonster

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mymoodymonster

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/my-moody-monster

TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@mymoodymonster

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/93141440

 

Our live event is back!

Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 16 Oct for our 4th unforgettable event. 4 brand new speakers sharing 4 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Early bird tickets are limited, so grab yours now: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-oct-2025-tickets-1514579691629


Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
4 months ago
47 minutes 23 seconds

Life After I Left
15: Sophie Spencer on Life After... Feeling Safe in My Own Body: Reclaiming yourself, healing through creativity, and being seen in your full power

What if the parts of yourself you’ve been hiding were actually the key to your healing?

Content warning: This episode includes brief discussions of sexual violence. Please take care of yourself and skip this one if it feels triggering.

This week, I’m joined by photographer, artist, and women’s embodiment facilitator, Sophie Spencer, whose story is raw, powerful, and full of unexpected turns.

Sophie doesn’t just capture images, she captures the essence of who you are beneath the surface.

Through intuitive, emotionally attuned photographic experiences, she helps women feel safe, seen, and at home in their bodies. She also brings this same intention to her branding and web design work, supporting women-led businesses to show up with authenticity and confidence.

From feeling invisible in high school to guiding women in reclaiming their bodies, stories, and sensuality, Sophie’s path reminds us that healing isn’t about fixing but reconnecting with the truth of who you already are.

In this episode, we cover:

  • Sophie’s healing journey through trauma, shame, and self-doubt
  • The power of embodiment, safe spaces, and deep self-reclamation
  • Sophie's experience in a cult-like spiritual community
  • Why embodiment is the missing link to creativity, confidence, and joy
  • How topless photo shoots became a powerful part of her clients’ liberation
  • What it means to reclaim your voice, your story, and your sensuality


This is a wild, honest conversation. It’s raw, inspiring, a little bit juicy, and full of “I feel seen” moments.

Especially for anyone who’s ever struggled with body image, perfectionism, or feeling like you needed to be more to be worthy.


Connect with Sophie:

Website: www.sophiespencer.com.au

Instagram: @sophiespencer___

Branding Instagram: @brandingbysophie_


Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
4 months ago
47 minutes 58 seconds

Life After I Left
14: Life After… Coming Home to Yourself: Healing generational trauma, reconnecting with family, and redefining what 'home' really means

What if going backward was the very thing that moved you forward?

In this solo episode, I reflect on a recent trip back to the UK, which is the first time I've returned to my hometown of Sunderland in six years.

If I'm being totally honest, I was dreading it. But for a trip I wasn’t looking forward to, it turned out to be one of the most healing experiences of my life. So much so… I can’t wait to return!

From facing old trauma and reconnecting with loved ones, to realising that home isn't a place; it's who you are, this is a story of coming full circle and finding peace in the most unexpected ways.


In this episode, I speak about:

  • Why returning to my hometown after six years away was one of the most healing things I’ve ever done
  • The complicated beauty of family relationships and breaking generational trauma
  • Reconnecting with my inner child and finally seeing my parents and brother with compassion
  • The unexpected power of letting go of judgement, blame, and outdated stories
  • What it really means to come home to yourself, and how to know when you’re ready
  • Why the most uncomfortable next step is often the most freeing one


Whether you’ve been avoiding a conversation, a person, or even a part of yourself… this episode is a gentle invitation to stop running and start coming home.


Our live event is back!

Life After I Left - the live event - is back in Melbourne on 16 Oct for our 4th unforgettable event. 4 brand new speakers sharing 4 raw, powerful stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Early bird tickets are limited, so grab yours now: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/life-after-i-left-oct-2025-tickets-1514579691629


Support the show:

Got a topic idea or would love to share your story on the podcast? Connect with me on

Instagram @lifeafterileftpodcast - I would love to hear from you.

New episodes drop every Thursday. Make sure you’re subscribed, so you never miss a story that could change your life (or someone else's).

And we’d love a 5-star review to help these stories reach the women who need them most.

❤️ Remember: Don’t be silent. Be unstoppable.

Show more...
4 months ago
26 minutes 24 seconds

Life After I Left
Welcome to Life After I Left. A space where women share their real stories, including the struggles, the triumphs, and the moments that created change. I’m Cat Dunn - an Online Business Manager, mentor, speaker, and your host. Life After I Left exists to break the silence - to give women a platform to speak up, encourage vulnerability, and remind listeners that they’re not alone. Here you'll find real-life stories, powerful conversations, expert insights, practical tips, and we’ll definitely be having a few laughs as well because you can’t have darkness without the light.