The Book I Never Thought I’d Write: Healing, Domestic Violence & Telling the Truth

Hazel opens up about the deeply personal decision to write a book about surviving an abusive marriage, and why sharing difficult stories might be one of the most powerful ways to create change.What started as a quiet idea over the holidays quickly turned into something much bigger. From requesting her own case files from a women’s shelter to navigating the emotional toll of revisiting the past, Hazel shares the real process of turning trauma into storytelling. Along the way, she and Kristen talk about the systems meant to support survivors, the stigma around failed marriages, and the generational shifts that have given women more freedom to leave unhealthy relationships.They also dive into the messy realities of healing, building a platform to talk about hard topics online, and why Hazel is considering self-publishing as a way to keep control over her own story.This conversation is honest, emotional, and surprisingly funny in moments, exactly what you’d expect from Rebrand Pending.In this episode:Why Hazel decided to write a book about domestic violenceThe emotional impact of revisiting old case filesHow trauma can show up physically in the bodyThe challenges of sharing vulnerable stories onlineSelf-publishing vs traditional publishingWhy women’s stories deserve to be toldIf you or someone you know is navigating difficult relationships, this conversation may remind you that you're not alone and that there is a way forward.Follow the podcast:New episodes of Rebrand Pending every week.Today's Topics:domestic violence awareness, healing after abuse, writing a memoir, women’s stories, trauma recovery, relationships, self-publishing, storytelling.Chapters00:00 Navigating Trauma and its Physical Impact13:05 Empowerment through Storytelling24:23 Navigating Confusion and Strategic Planning30:27 The Choice to Report and Impact on Others35:30 Navigating Feedback and Audience