Today we are sitting down with Julia Penner, and she openly and vulnerably shares her story of living in and leaving an abusive marriage, the shame and confusion of enduring marital rape, the battle she had with her religious beliefs and her marriage and what changed for her when she became a mother. Julia shares how she navigated multiple forms of abuse from her ex- husband, how he used love bombing and gaslighting in the beginning of their relationship, being forced to have sex and what marital rape looks like, the religious beliefs she held that made her believe she needed to be and stay with him - and the slow process of realizing she was allowed to take up space, and how she found her voice. We talk about misconceptions about WHY women stay in abusive relationships, and the layers of confusion, shame and fear that are involved. 

She shares how losing her dad suddenly became the turning point for her to fully realize she needed to leave her marriage, what it felt like when she stood her ground and called the police to report him, the terrible blessing that helped her pay for her divorce and legal battle that followed and the brokenness of the system that allows abusers to have open access to  children. Julia talks about how she navigated the stigma of divorce in the Christian community, how it felt when members of her own family did not support her, and how walking alongside one another in divorce brought her and her new husband together. 

We talk about how we were educated about sex as young women, the shame often tied to sex for women, Julia’s journey of feeling comfortable and safe sexually, the panic attacks and the triggers she still navigates as aa result of her abuse and how her now husband created a safe space for her to feel confident and loved. Julia shares about how sharing her story on instagram has helped her healing, created impact, connection and community and gives  advice for women navigating leaving an abusive relationship, and how to support a loved one in an abusive relationship.

PLUS: 
How Julia navigated finding pleasure in sex, the book that changed her life, the positive impact anxiety meds have had, and the importance of feeling supported and the power of coming home to yourself. 

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