Reframing Resilience as the Prize (w/ Susan Brown)

Life can change in an instant, and sometimes you're left rebuilding from the ground up without the chance to prepare. 

In this episode, I sat down with Susan Brown, speaker, author, and founder of Women Who Rise. Susan shares how she rebuilt her life after the sudden end of her 25-year marriage and why resilience grows through faith, resourcefulness, and the willingness to start again.

Together, we explore how to stop focusing on what you've lost, recognize what you already have, and take practical steps toward rebuilding with confidence and hope.

This episode is a reminder that starting over doesn't mean starting from nothing.

Song of the week: W.A.Y.S. by Jhené Aiko

Topics Covered:

00:00:00 – Episode snippet

00:02:23 – Introducing Susan Brown

00:07:05 – Faith, perspective, and life's hardest seasons

00:11:21 – Troubles vs. tribulations

00:15:02 – Trusting God in the middle of uncertainty

00:19:00 – The invisible bridge of faith

00:23:24 – Devil’s tool: Distraction

00:25:48 – Rebuilding after losing everything

00:28:29 – The GIVES framework for starting over

00:30:50 – Why gratitude comes first

00:32:26 – Surround: You are never truly alone 

00:35:58 – "God gave us each other as witnesses"

00:39:19 – Finding hope through gratitude and action

00:42:20 – One word: And

00:45:33 – Connect with Susan Brown

Key Takeaways:

"Nothing can come to you until it has passed God's desk and He has signed off on it.” 

“If we can learn to accept the disruption as if it's from God for our good, then we're able to begin to navigate.” 

“The devil only really has one tool in his toolbox, and it's called distraction. If he can distract you from what God has for you in the moment, he's won.”

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Episode Sponsors: 

• This episode is sponsored by Your Next Chapter LLC. Need a speaker? Book Dr. Nicole, TEDx and keynote speaker, to speak on life transitions, healing, and growth. Email hello@yournextchapter.co with “Speaker Request” to get started.

About Our Guest

Susan Brown is a speaker, author, and founder of Women Who Rise. After rebuilding her life following the sudden end of her 25-year marriage, Susan now helps women recognize their resilience, rebuild with purpose, and move forward with hope through her speaking, writing, and coaching. 

Connect with Susan

Web: https://www.susan-brown.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/susan.w.brown.16/

About Your Host

Dr. Nicole is a pediatrician, the owner of a successful healthcare consulting company, a riveting keynote and TEDx speaker, and the mom of two beautiful young adult daughters. From the outside, she appeared to have it all. But in 2023 she faced the most difficult challenge of her life- ending a 28-year marriage and navigating heartbreak, deception, and loss. Dr. Nicole is committed to creating a safe space where other women who have experienced a “divine disruption” can heal, recover, and THRIVE!

Connect with Dr. Nicole:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/yournextchap

Your nEXt Chapter podcast explores the challenges and triumphs women face as they reclaim joy, reimagine the future, and redefine their identity after divorce and other unexpected life transitions. Join Dr. Nicole as she shares insights from her journey as a high-achieving professional woman navigating divorce while walking in her Christian faith.