Rebuilding Confidence After Control: Dana Bristol Smith on Voice, Worth, and Agency

<p>Rachel speaks with Dana Bristol Smith, founder and CEO of Leap to Success, about rebuilding confidence, identity, self-worth, and agency after abusive or high-control experiences. Dana explains how her work teaching public speaking led her to develop programs that help women strengthen their voices, set boundaries, challenge an inner critic, and recognize their own capabilities. </p><p><br /></p><p>They discuss the Leap to Confidence program, affirmations, self-blame, the importance of community support, and learning to distinguish what is and is not within your control. Dana also shares the “don’t pick up the rope” strategy for stepping out of emotionally charged exchanges, why leaving abusive relationships can take multiple attempts, and how recognizing the courage and resilience already demonstrated through survival can become a foundation for what comes next.</p><p><br /></p><p>Leap to Success:</p><p>https://leap2success.org</p><p><br /></p><p>National Domestic Violence Hotline:</p><p>800-799-SAFE (7233) Text “START” to 88788</p><p><br /></p><p>Connect with us on social media: </p><p>⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/indoctrination⁠⁠</p><p><br /></p><p>Support IndoctriNation on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and more: </p><p>https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination⁠</p><p><br /></p><p>Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link:</p><p>https://www.paypal.biz/indoctriNATION</p><p><br /></p><p>Watch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here:</p><p>⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNAi0T2hzH9dM029dkTfj635PzuXl67jS⁠⁠</p><p><br /></p><p>Restart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation: </p><p>https://a.co/d/1ssz4Rm</p><p><br /></p><p>Restart and Restore: Companion Notebook:</p><p>https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSCLTZN4</p><p><br /></p><p>Download a Free Chapter from Restart and Restore:</p><p>https://education.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restart-and-restore-campaign</p><p><br /></p><p>Journal App: </p><p>https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restore-journal-app.html</p><p><br /></p><p>Download Rachel’s Video Lectures and Webinars here:</p><p>https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html</p><p><br /></p><p>IndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant:</p><p>⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com/about</p><p>Advertising Inquiries: </p>