276 - Brutally Honest with Kathryn Ducey

Buckle in for a very emotionally raw and, well, brutally honest conversation this week as Jill chats with Kathryn Ducey in the first part of a two-part episode! Kathryn (or Ducey, as Jill calls her) is a life coach and host of the upcoming Brutally Honest podcast, a podcast about the raw realities of life, healing, and transformation, and she reflects on her personal journey, from childhood trauma and complicated relationships to the powerful awakening that she experienced in her early forties. The conversation explores her struggles with identity, emotional healing, and the process of shedding borrowed beliefs and behaviors that weren’t truly hers.

Kathryn takes us through her process of self-discovery, including how she began to understand her role in her own pain and the deep healing that she experienced after realizing dysfunction in her family. We also hear about her experience with therapy and personal development programs, such as Landmark, which helped her find a new, healthier path. This episode offers a truly vulnerable look into Kathryn’s growth process, revealing how confronting past trauma and facing uncomfortable truths can lead to real freedom.

This episode of Be YOU also touches upon the difficulties of healing from trauma and the impact of sexual and emotional boundaries. Kathryn and Jill both share and reflect on their individual experiences of personal growth and how learning to embrace vulnerability has changed their lives. This is truly a heartfelt and powerful episode that you will not want to miss!

Also, gives the details around an exciting announcement - tickets are now on sale for a Be YOU event on October 25, 2025 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, celebrating the podcast's five-year anniversary. The four-hour women's empowerment experience includes immersive activities; a live podcast recording, and a focus on authentic leadership, with early bird pricing available until June 1st! Two ticket options are available, including a VIP experience, and the event is expected to sell out quickly, so grab your ticket(s) now at jillherman.com/beyou!

Be sure to tune in next week for part two of this conversation with Kathryn Ducey!

Show Notes:

[0:00] - Hear the details about an upcoming Be YOU event celebrating five years of the podcast!
[5:20] - This episode offers a candid conversation with Kathryn Ducey about life, honesty, and overcoming childhood trauma.
[8:53] - Kathryn appreciates Jill's tough love after a breakup, which strengthened their connection.
[10:49] - Hear about how Kathryn struggled with borrowed identities before learning to embrace her true self through human design.
[12:46] - Jill expresses fascination with human design, even learning about her own undefined and defined centers.
[14:36] - Kathryn reflects on the challenging but rewarding changes that she underwent between ages 40 and 43.
[16:42] - At 33, Kathryn faced hair loss and short-lived relationships, leading her to uncover childhood trauma stored in her.
[19:46] - Jill recalls a wake-up call about victimhood and the realization of her own childhood struggles.
[20:15] - Hear about how Kathryn blamed her partner for relationship issues, unaware she was actually avoiding pain and responsibility.
[22:06] - Kathryn left therapy to dive into Landmark, revealing her parents’ dysfunction and her unresolved trauma.
[24:21] - Kathryn reveals that her chaotic and abusive childhood stemmed from her parents' unstable relationship and her mom's struggles.
[27:12] - Hear how a harsh caretaker and punishment during childhood shaped Kathryn’s struggles.
[29:22] - Childhood trauma, as Kathryn realized, was surfacing in her relationships where she looked for validation via unhealthy sexual patterns.
[31:55] - Hear Kathryn open up about how she disconnected from her body during intimacy, triggering survival responses despite her partner's support.
[33:13] - Struggling with her sexuality, Kathryn discovered her turn-ons were linked to the environment, not physical appearance.
[35:20] - Reflecting on her family’s financial dysfunction and her spending habits, Kathryn realized the importance of boundaries,
[37:28] - Death and trauma marked Kathryn’s childhood, leading her to create chaos while maintaining a façade of stability.
[39:32] - Masking destructive patterns, Kathryn's seemingly perfect life involved stealing and toxic relationships with wealthy men.
[41:45] - Jill acknowledges the contrast between Kathryn’s outward success and her hidden chaos, stressing the deep impact of unresolved trauma.

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