Episode 1

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Published on:

1st Dec 2025

Turning Hurt Into Hope with Julie Barth

When life shatters, where do you turn? In this episode, Julie Barth shares how she survived profound loss, emotional abuse, and the demands of raising a medically fragile daughter — and how she rebuilt her life with purpose. This conversation is a lifeline for anyone navigating grief, trauma, or the aftermath of a toxic relationship.

Julie’s journey began with the heartbreaking loss of her first husband, Colin, to pancreatic cancer while she was caring for their special-needs daughter. What followed was a long stretch of exhaustion, guilt, and survival mode that left her vulnerable to a relationship filled with emotional manipulation and control. Julie opens up about the red flags she ignored, the isolation she felt, and the physical toll trauma took on her body.

In one of the most honest conversations we’ve had on Ashes & Aftermath, Julie explains how unresolved grief can pull strong women into abusive dynamics, why so many victims blame themselves, and what finally helped her leave for good. She also shares how these experiences led her to create CJB Outreach, a nonprofit dedicated to helping women in crisis who fall through the cracks of traditional support systems.

In this episode, Julie and Brandon discuss:

  • The hidden weight of caregiving and widowhood
  • Why intelligent, strong women miss red flags
  • How emotional abuse rewires your thinking
  • The physical symptoms that come from living in chaos
  • The guilt, self-blame, and silence that keep people trapped
  • What healing looked like when she finally broke free
  • How CJB Outreach supports women before they hit rock bottom

Julie’s story is a powerful reminder that you are not broken, you are not alone, and you can rebuild a life that feels safe, grounded, and hopeful — no matter what you’ve been through.

If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who may need it. Your reviews and ratings help this show reach more people who need these conversations.

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About the Podcast

Ashes and Aftermath
Stories of healing and rebuilding
“Life doesn’t always break softly. Sometimes it shatters — and in the silence after, we’re left standing in the ashes, wondering how to begin again.”

Ashes and Aftermath is a podcast about trauma, healing, and the messy, beautiful work of rebuilding after life-altering experiences. Hosted by Brandon Holder, each episode opens a safe, honest space to explore what it really means to survive and to grow.

Here, you’ll hear:
Real stories from survivors who found hope in the aftermath
Conversations with experts in trauma recovery, therapy, and resilience
Personal reflections on the ups, downs, and truths of healing
Practical tools for navigating triggers, setbacks, and breakthroughs

This isn’t about toxic positivity or quick fixes. It’s about truth, compassion, and the belief that even in the ashes, there is always the possibility of light.

If you’ve ever felt broken, lost, or alone in your healing journey — you are not alone. Join us for Ashes and Aftermath and discover that from the fire, new life can rise.

About your host

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Brandon Holder

Brandon Holder – Host, Storyteller, Survivor – is the heart and voice behind Ashes & Aftermath, a podcast dedicated to holding space for people who’ve walked through fire and lived to tell the tale. As a survivor of severe childhood trauma, Brandon brings a rare blend of vulnerability, depth, and steady presence to every episode — offering listeners not just stories, but solidarity. His style is reflective, calm, and deeply human. With each conversation, Brandon creates space for trauma survivors and mental health professionals to speak truth, share healing, and remind us all that survival is strength. As co-founder of Holder Haus Media, Brandon is equal parts podcast host, producer, and creative engine. Whether he’s behind the mic or holding it for someone else, Brandon’s mission is clear: create safe, authentic spaces for people to be fully seen.