Rebuilding After Violence: Michelle Manley’s Decade of Healing and Growth

In this episode, host Amy Stone welcomes Michelle Manley, a Reiki master and trauma survivor, who shares her story of leaving an abusive marriage and healing from the impact of both spiritual and emotional abuse. Michelle opens up about the pivotal moments that led her to break free, her journey to recovery—including a diagnosis of complex PTSD—and how she eventually turned her experience into a source of support for others. Her story is an honest and inspiring look at imperfect adulting and finding hope on the other side of hardship.About the Guest:Michelle Manley is a soma-spiritual mentor, Reiki Master Teacher, Jungian tarot reader, and multidimensional healer with a unique approach that blends somatic embodiment, energy work, metaphysics, and deep mindset transformation. As an overcomer of time in a cult, an abusive marriage, and debilitating chronic pain, Michelle has reclaimed her sovereignty and now guides others in doing the same. She helps her diverse clients cultivate a deeper relationship with Self and find their unique equilibrium. As a queer and neurodiverse practitioner, Michelle hears the voice of those who feel unheard and is committed to providing a safe, nurturing space for healing and expansion.Main Topics Covered:Navigating and leaving an abusive marriageThe role of mental health and misdiagnosis in abuseLiving with and recovering from complex PTSDThe impact of spiritual abuse and fundamentalist religionSelf-care through nature and energetic healingParenting and healing alongside childrenBuilding a new life and helping others healQuote from the Episode:“I've reclaimed so many bits of myself that I hadn't given voice to for years, decades. I'm a better parent, I think, at this point. And I became a Reiki master… I get to watch my story actually have benefits, have goodness in it.” — Michelle ManleyTimestamps:00:00:05 — Welcome, self-care, and getting to know Michelle00:01:38 — The van incident: pivotal moment and aftermath00:02:41 — Michelle’s background: spiritual abuse and abusive marriage00:06:16 — Reflecting on the relationship and mental health00:08:16 — CPTSD diagnosis and trauma recovery00:11:00 — Michelle’s experience with a fundamentalist religion00:14:27 — Parenting, isolation, and challenges in the marriage00:17:54 — Life changes and becoming a healer00:19:54 — Supporting other women through energy work00:22:17 — Finding growth and acceptance after hardship00:24:44 — Rapid fire questions and closingNever Miss a Moment of Imperfect AdultingWe invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.Why subscribe?Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast appGet guest offers delivered straight to your inboxAccess all important links in one convenient placeCatch the highlights even when you don't have time to listenAre you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/supportIf you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that happen. Pitch yourself at https://www.imperfectadulting.com/be-a-guestHere are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)For livestreaming and recording ECamm https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=amy69Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofjFor Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stonebefore that I used Kit. Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors