The Wedding Planner Within: A Story of Control, Survival & Integration

As a child, Leslie sensed something wasn’t right long before she had words for it. After being taken from her home, growing up across countries, navigating instability, and later experiencing abuse, she developed one powerful strategy to survive: control.In this deeply honest conversation, Leslie shares how that protector showed up throughout her life through perfectionism, bulimia, achievement, work, relationships, and eventually parenting. But what changed everything wasn’t forcing herself to be different. It was learning to see the pattern, understand what it was protecting, and give it a name.Together, we explore what happens when we stop asking “What’s wrong with me?” and start asking “What happened to me… and what am I protecting?”This episode is part of theNaming phase of cycle-breaking. For more information about Leslie’s project, Casa Damara: Go hereSupport the PodcastYour support means the world and is deeply appreciated. If this resonates, click follow and leave a review to help spread the message of It Ends With You. Disclaimer & ResourcesThis podcast is intended for personal reflection and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, medical care, or professional mental health support.If you are looking for deeper support in the cycle breaking and parenting space, you can explore coaching and resources at www.branchout.life and follow along on Instagram at @branchout.life.It Ends With You - The journal, for interrupting inherited patterns.