Embrace Your Brave

01/22/2026

This is what I call “sh*tty theology” - using spiritual language to control, abuse, and exploit people.
Exactly the kind of religion Jesus flipped tables over.

One of the ways toxic religion is a disservice to people is how it theologizes life in a way that prevents people from responding to situations as they require, and impairs their well-being.

“Honor your father and mother” should never mean accepting family or parental manipulation, abuse, or toxic interactions or behavior.

“Turning the other cheek” should never mean that allowing others to violate your boundaries.

Being a "person of faith" should never mean that seeking mental health services is a sign of spiritual immaturity.

"Taking up your cross" should never mean denying your needs, desires, and individuality.

Being a "Proverbs 31 woman" should never mean assuming a posture of inferiority, submission and appeasement to men, or tolerating domination or abuse.

The "fear of the Lord" should never mean living in a state of anxiety and uncertainty about being worthy of acceptance and love.

“Obey your leaders and submit to them” should never mean giving another human being authority over your life and choices.

“Waiting on God” should never mean that we become passive, idle or inert, expecting situations to be resolved by divine intervention.

“Offering gifts and tithes” should never mean sacrificing responsible money management based on one’s individual circumstances.

“Do not lean on your own understanding” should never mean we are incapable of successfully guiding our lives by relying upon self-reflection, critical thinking, and personal agency.

"Forgiving seventy-seven times" should never mean that being Christ-like is accepting a relationship that is characterized by a pattern of harmful behavior.

"Trust and obey" should never mean that we override our humanity, moral conscience and critical thinking to follow a religious leader or teaching.

People are not told that the right choice in life includes:

standing up for yourself
saying “no"
enforcing boundaries
terminating toxic relationships
seeking professional therapy
caring for yourself
honoring your needs and desires
rational thinking
0-tolerance for disrespect or abuse
responsible adulting
thinking for yourself

Jim Palmer

01/05/2026

✨ OPEN HOUSE | YOU’RE INVITED ✨

I’m so excited to share that Embrace Your Brave is officially part of — a beautiful, intentional space rooted in healing, truth, and becoming who you really are.

We’re opening the doors and inviting our community in 🤍

🗓 January 16th, 2026
🕒 3:00–7:00 PM
📍 The Authenticity Center
850 Kaliste Saloom Rd
Orleans Place Complex
Royale Building, Suite 107
Lafayette, LA 70508

Come by, say hello, explore the space, and get a feel for the heart behind the work happening here. Whether you’re already part of the community or just curious, this is a warm, come-as-you-are kind of gathering. There will be door prizes and refreshments too!

Healing happens in spaces where we are seen, safe, and supported — and this place was created with that exact intention.

✨ You matter.
✨ Your story matters.
✨ Your healing matters.

I’d love to see you there 🤍

12/19/2025

🌟 TEEN GIRLS, THIS ONE IS FOR YOU! 🌟
We’re SO excited to partner with The Authenticity Centerto bring you our Dream It & Do It Vision Board Workshop! 🎨💖

If you’ve got BIG dreams, bold goals, and a bright future ahead of you… this day is your chance to create it, see it, and BELIEVE IT! ✨

📅 Monday, January 19, 2026
⏰ 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 InspireHer Center | 1424 St. John St., Lafayette, LA
👧 For Teen Girls Ages 13–17
💸 Only $35 – ALL supplies + snacks included! 🙌

Expect vision boarding, creativity, empowerment, laughter… and a space where girls can dream out loud and DO something amazing with those dreams! 💪💗

🎟 Register here: https://givebutter.com/oHLqjZ

Spots are limited — grab your seat and let’s create some MAGIC together! ✨

12/17/2025

For anyone that needs it. Education is power.

Check out the Amazing Deals on my favorite products: https://trythis.dhrupurohit.com/p/try-this-amazing-deals-on-my-favorite-products-35-off-moreSocial media...

12/17/2025

Abuse breaks the marriage covenant. Divorce frees God's child from being held captive against God's will. Far too many abuse victims are guilted, shamed, and bullied into believing they are the sinner and the abuser is the victim for choosing to save their life, but the word of God, rightly divided, has something to say about that.

The bible does not command or obligate an injured spouse - mentally, emotionally, or physically, to stay in bo***ge, separate without divorce, reconcile with an abuser, or remain unmarried.

In this unprecedented Facebook live, my guests and I will address this topic from every angle and put to rest any notion that God's word condemns divorce on the grounds of marital abuse - physical, mental, or emotional, requires separation "without divorce" or prohibits remarriage after divorce from a pathologically destructive, depraved, and covenant-breaking spouse.

Join us on Thursday, December 18th, at 8:30 pm EST/7:30 pm CST/5:20 pm PST right here on my page for this life-changing Facebook Live event. Note: This is a free worldwide broadcast via Facebook Live. To watch, just visit my page at that time and tune in.

The event will be recorded and available to rewatch on my page following the event.

12/14/2025

Living with a coercive controller is not “conflict.”

It is the construction of a system of power and control, one that pulls everyone in the family into its orbit.

Over time, the rules shift, your choices shrink, and then you begin to notice the change in your child. The words they use don’t sound like their own. Their tone echoes his. They begin to pull away.

This is not because you failed, and it is not because your child stopped loving you.

It is because the predatory parent has stepped into the role of cult leader at home. The abuser creates fear, enforces loyalty, and fractures attachment until survival looks like obedience. To outsiders, it looks like preference.

To you, it feels like betrayal. In truth, it is neither. It is survival.

When your child repeats his script, “You’re always angry,” “You don’t want me to be happy,” My other parent “says you’re crazy,” it cuts deeply.

But those words are evidence of indoctrination. They are proof your child is doing what they must to survive.

In my blog, I unpack how coercive control mirrors cult leadership inside families, why indoctrination works so effectively on children, and what protective parents can do to stay steady through it.

Read the full blog here: https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/cult-leader-at-home/

Or at the link in bio: NEW ON THE BLOG.

12/06/2025

✨ Anxiety isn’t the enemy — it’s an alarm. ✨

Anxiety isn’t your body failing you.
It’s your nervous system trying to protect you.

Often, anxiety is a younger, wounded part of you
waving a tiny flag that says:
“Something inside me needs attention and care.”

Not punishment.
Not pushing harder.
Not “getting it together.”

But gentleness.
Curiosity.
Safety.

When you feel anxious, try asking:
💛 What part of me feels scared right now?
💛 What does she need to feel safe?

Healing begins when we stop fighting our anxiety
and start listening to the story it’s trying to tell.

Your body isn’t broken — it’s communicating.
And you are worthy of responding with compassion.

🕊️ You matter.

12/04/2025

✨ Ready to make 2026 your most intentional, purposeful year yet? ✨

Say goodbye to autopilot and overwhelm — and hello to clarity, direction, and real momentum.

At Life By Design, we’re more than a vision-board workshop.

You'll have space to:
• Dream big and define exactly what you want.
• Build a mindset for success.
• Create clear, smart action steps.
• Anticipate obstacles so you stay on track (cause you know life can throw curveballs).

📅 When: January 10, 2026 | 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Where: UL Student Union, Louisiane Room — Lafayette, LA
💵 Early bird / deposit option available. Lunch is included.
👉 Spots are limited — claim yours now! (link in bio)

https://melissabowen.kartra.com/page/lifebydesign