Self-Love Post-Divorce Mini-Series: I Am Beautiful

One Hour a Week: How Kate Markland Turned a Court-Ordered Separation Into a Global Children’s Movement

What do you do when a court tells you that you get one hour a week with your child?   Kate Markland didn’t fall apart. She asked her son Gabriel one question: “Do you want to be the hero of your own story?” That question built a world. Kate is a former physiotherapist, children’s author, award-winning innovator, and founder of StoryQuest™ — a storytelling methodology that has achieved 100% engagement among 465 children in 9 schools, with zero behavioral incidents, and has every single child become a published author. It has been presented to the British Psychological Society and considered by UNICEF. In this episode, Kate shares what her 20 years as a physiotherapist taught her about listening — not to symptoms, but to the story beneath them. She walks us through the night her son Gabriel was removed from her home by armed police, how she survived the darkest chapter of her life one small win at a time, and how one hour on FaceTime became a #1 Amazon bestselling children’s book series and a global movement connecting children across continents. This conversation is for every woman who has ever felt like someone else was writing her story — her divorce, her judge, her ex. Kate’s journey is proof that you are always the author. No matter what chapter you’re in. “You own your story. Nobody else owns your story.” — Kate Markland. TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 — Hook: What do you do when a court limits you to one hour a week with your child? * 1:00 — Welcome to Wings of a Phoenix * 2:00 — Introducing Kate Markland * 4:00 — 20 years as a physiotherapist: learning to hear what people carry, not just what’s broken * 5:00 — Why the answer is always in someone’s story — and how to help them find it * 10:00 — The night armed police removed Gabriel from their home — and a mother’s decision not to quit * 12:00 — The court hearing that changed everything: “do or die.” * 13:00 — When the system tried to silence her — and the moment she stopped negotiating * 15:00 — One hour a week: what the court didn’t realize it handed her * 17:00 — “Shall we make up a story where you’re the hero?” — one question on FaceTime * 18:00 — Writing their story week by week, like Dickens * 20:00 — From a Word document on a messy desktop to a #1 Amazon bestseller * 22:00 — Helen Fielding at Cheltenham, and the moment Kate realized she had something real * 23:00 — How 20 years of physiotherapy became a literacy methodology: the StoryQuest™ process explained * 26:00 — What the stories gave Gabriel — and what they gave Kate * 30:00 — The phoenix quest in the books — and what Kate has had to become * 31:00 — “Use all your skills, Mum” — rowing, endurance, and Gabriel’s advice * 33:00 — Becoming a whistleblower — researching the system that failed her * 34:00 — Finding gratitude in the darkest place — and trusting Gabriel when she couldn’t protect him * 38:00 — Stories Without Borders: one question to one little boy now connects children from Bradford to Lahore to Buenos Aires * 40:00 — Kate’s message to women who feel their story was written by someone else + Trena’s closing FEATURED GUEST: KATE MARKLAND Kate Markland is a former physiotherapist, children’s author, and advocate for every child’s right to tell their own story. She is the creator of StoryQuest™ — a storytelling methodology that has achieved 100% engagement across 465 children in nine schools, turning every reluctant, resistant, or disengaged learner into a published author. When Kate faced a court-ordered separation from her son Gabriel, she transformed their weekly hour together into a collaborative storytelling adventure — one that became a #1 bestselling children’s book series before Gabriel turned twelve. That same insight — that healing begins with being heard — became the foundation of StoryQuest™. The methodology has been presented to the British Psychological Society, considered by UNICEF, and covered by BBC News, Times Radio, and publications across four continents. Kate received the PhysioTimes Women in Leadership Award in 2026, and her global story library, Stories Without Borders, now connects children across Bradford, Lahore, Buenos Aires, and beyond.   She brings clinical rigor, a mother’s heart, and twenty years of listening to people at their most vulnerable to every conversation she has. 📚 The Adventures of Gabriel — theadventuresofgabriel.com [https://www.theadventuresofgabriel.com/] 📺 YouTube — @TheAdventuresofGabriel [https://www.youtube.com/@TheAdventuresofGabriel] 🌐 StoryQuest™ & everything Kate — katemarkland.com [https://www.katemarkland.com/] ABOUT YOUR HOST: TRENA BRISCOE MATTHEWS Trena Briscoe Matthews is a post-divorce coach and author helping high-achieving women — especially divorced moms — move from survival mode into their most intentional chapter yet. Through Silverline Publishing & Coaching and her signature Phoenix Protocol, she guides women to rebuild — not just recover. She is the author of the upcoming book (working title) The Phoenix Path: A Woman’s Guide to Rediscovering Her Voice, Reclaiming Her Confidence, and Writing Her Next Chapter — and her launch team is now open. 📖 Join the Launch Team: thephoenixpathbook.com [https://thephoenixpathbook.com] 📞 Book a Complimentary Clarity Call: call.silverlinepublishing.cloud [https://call.silverlinepublishing.cloud/] 🎁 Free Phoenix Reset Guide: free.silverlinepublishing.cloud [https://free.silverlinepublishing.cloud/] 🔗 Connect with Trena: tcbriscoe.my.canva.site [https://tcbriscoe.my.canva.site] Until next time — this is your season to rise.

Your Ex Isn't the Only One Who Needs Boundaries | Protecting Your Peace After Divorce

Are you setting boundaries with your ex but letting everyone else drain your energy?   In this episode of Wings of a Phoenix, post-divorce coach Trena Briscoe Matthews reveals the hard truth: real reinvention after divorce means protecting your peace from everyone — not just your ex.   We talk about: - How your social circle shifts after divorce. - Why it feels harder to set limits with friends than with an ex. - How to recognize when a friendship has hit its expiration date. - Why this chapter of your life is by invitation only.   If you're a high-achieving woman 40+ rebuilding your life with intention, this episode is for you.   📥 Download the FREE Phoenix Reset Guide — your first step from surviving to designing your life with intention: https://free.silverlinepublishing.cloud [https://free.silverlinepublishing.cloud]   📞 Book a Complimentary Clarity Call: https://call.silverlinepublishing.cloud [https://call.silverlinepublishing.cloud]

A High-Achiever’s Guide to Self-Love: The One Apology That Changes Everything

Buy Self-Love for Women on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKK55WFC [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKK55WFC] — Follow along with our April Miniseries. Access the Phoenix Reset & Free Resources: https://tcbriscoe.my.canva.site/ [https://tcbriscoe.my.canva.site/]   "We’ve spent years over-performing to prove our worth, rather than simply owning it. Today, we’re stopping the performance."   In this finale of our April Self-Love mini-series, host Trena Briscoe Matthews leads you through a radical act of self-reclamation. This episode is for the woman who is tired of waiting for an apology from the past and is ready to give herself the closure she deserves. Inside this episode: * The Radical Worthiness Reflection: Identify the blind spots keeping you from your brilliance. * The Love Letter Exercise: A step-by-step guide to writing your way into your next chapter. * Ending the "Not Enough" Narrative: Moving from over-functioning to unapologetic worth. Today’s Mantra: "I am worthy of my own forgiveness, and I am the author of my next chapter." ABOUT WINGS OF A PHOENIX Wings of a Phoenix is the podcast for high-achieving women 40+ navigating life after divorce. Host Trena Briscoe Matthews helps you move through the chaos, reclaim your power and peace, and intentionally design your next chapter.   #SelfLove #PostDivorce #SelfWorth #WingsOfAPhoenix #DivorceHealing #WomenOver40 #SelfCare #HighAchievers #LifeAfterDivorce

A High-Achiever’s Guide to Self-Love Post-Divorce

Buy Self-Love for Women on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKK55WFC [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKK55WFC] — Follow along with our April Miniseries. Access the Phoenix Reset & Free Resources: https://tcbriscoe.my.canva.site/ [https://tcbriscoe.my.canva.site/] Welcome to Part 2 of our April Self-Love mini-series on Wings of a Phoenix. In this episode, host Trena Briscoe Matthews dives into why putting yourself first isn't just a luxury—it’s a rescue mission. For the high-achieving woman used to managing everyone else's needs, reclaiming your own identity and time after divorce is the first step toward true healing. Inside this episode: * The "Me First Hour": A concrete 60-minute blueprint to help you sit with your own needs and feelings. * The Self-Love Series: How this "Day 14" exercise bridges the gap between acknowledging your beauty and owning your worthiness. * Breaking the Cycle: Why we habitually put ourselves last and how to shift that narrative. Today’s Mantra: "I am the most important woman in my life, and today I will put my needs and feelings first."   ABOUT WINGS OF A PHOENIX Wings of a Phoenix is the podcast for high-achieving women 40+ navigating life after divorce. Host Trena Briscoe Matthews helps you move through the chaos, reclaim your power and peace, and intentionally design your next chapter.   #SelfLove #PostDivorce #WomenEmpowerment #PersonalGrowth #SelfCare #WingsOfAPhoenix #DivorceHealing #HighAchievers #LifeAfterDivorce

Self-Love Post-Divorce Mini-Series: I Am Beautiful

📖 Get the book: Self-Love for Women: Transform Your Life in 30 Days. Available on Amazon → https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKK55WFC [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKK55WFC]   ✨ Love this episode? Please Like, Share, and Subscribe! Your support helps us reach more women ready to rebuild their lives with intention.   Welcome to the Self-Love Post-Divorce Mini-Series! In this special birthday month episode, your host Trena Briscoe Matthews kicks off a month-long celebration of self-love and post-divorce intentional design for women over 40.   This episode dives deep into Day 5 of her book, Self-Love for Women, with a powerful mantra: "From my nose to my toes, I am beautiful."   If you've ever looked in the mirror and only seen a to-do list of things to "fix" after your divorce—this episode is for you. We cover why the beauty industry profits from your self-doubt and walk through the transformative Mirror Affirmation Ritual together.   ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Welcome & Introduction 0:33 – Introducing the Self-Love Post-Divorce Mini-Series 0:55 – Day 5 of *Self-Love for Women*: "From My Nose to My Toes" 1:45 – The Beauty Industry & the 4,000–10,000 Daily Ads Bombarding Women 4:20 – Reading Day 5 from the Book 4:45 – The Mantra: Every Curve, Every Freckle, Every Wrinkle Tells Your Story 5:49 – The Mirror Affirmation Ritual (Do This Together!) 7:14 – Speak Love From Head to Toe 8:13 – Closing with Gratitude 8:44 – What 30 Days Could Do + Book Link   🔑 KEYWORDS / TAGS self-love after divorce, post-divorce healing, women over 40, divorce recovery, body confidence, mirror affirmation, self-love affirmations, confidence for women, beauty standards, reclaim your power after divorce, Wings of a Phoenix podcast, Trena Briscoe Matthews, TC Briscoe, self-love book for women, transform your life, divorce mindset, body positivity over 40, high-achieving women, self-worth, inner beauty   🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on healing, power, and peace after divorce. 📌 Follow Trena: https://tcbriscoe.my.canva.site/ [https://tcbriscoe.my.canva.site/] 📚 Book: Self-Love for Women: Transform Your Life in 30 Days → https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKK55WFC [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKK55WFC]