Rewriting Your Story After Trauma and Identity Loss featuring Candice Horbacz
Release Date: 11/17/2025
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info_outlineIn this episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I sit down with Candice Horbacz, a former adult film star turned mindfulness advocate, podcaster, and homeschooling mother. Candice brings a rare blend of candor, introspection, and wisdom to this deeply personal conversation. We explore how she navigated radical life transitions, healed from childhood trauma, and created a home rooted in authenticity, curiosity, and emotional safety.
Candice opens up about her own upbringing, the dysfunction that shaped her early worldview, and how she found her way to a new version of identity after walking away from the adult industry. This episode is about reclaiming power—through parenting, partnership, and personal evolution.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
[0:00] – Introduction
[1:36] – How Candice’s childhood shaped her early sense of self
[4:18] – Growing up in a home where emotions weren’t safe
[7:03] – Her path into the adult film industry and what it masked
[9:55] – Why the lack of secure relationships drew her toward unhealthy dynamics
[12:30] – How she began to explore healing, trauma work, and self-awareness
[14:49] – The role of her partner in helping her see her worth
[17:01] – What led her to leave the adult industry behind
[18:57] – Shifting identity and rebuilding trust within herself
[21:04] – Navigating marriage with vulnerability and truth
[23:15] – Creating emotional safety for her son as a homeschooling mom
[26:40] – Why curiosity is her #1 parenting tool
[29:21] – Helping kids navigate their own triggers without shame
[32:09] – Final reflections on how to lead with authenticity at home
5 KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Early Dysfunction Often Masks Itself in Achievement or Escape: Candice shares how a childhood without emotional safety pushed her to find validation in unhealthy spaces, including adult entertainment.
- Self-Awareness Begins with Naming the Pain: Her healing journey started by recognizing how trauma shaped her reactions, her self-worth, and her definition of love.
- You Can Reinvent Your Identity Without Shame: Leaving the adult film industry was a reclamation of agency, and her story proves it’s never too late to rewrite your narrative.
- Parenting with Curiosity Builds Emotional Safety: Rather than reacting with control, Candice leans into curiosity when her son struggles—inviting connection instead of conflict.
- Partnerships Flourish in Vulnerability, Not Performance: With her husband, Candice found safety to explore who she truly was—laying the foundation for a conscious, present, and authentic marriage.
LINKS & RESOURCES
- Learn more about Candice and her work: https://www.chattingwithcandice.com
- Candice's Website: http://candicehorbacz.com/
- Discover our free Questions for the Car download: https://thedadedge.com/25questions
- The Dad Edge & Bark: http://thedadedge.com/bark
- Show Notes for this episode: https://thedadedge.com/1402
If this episode gave you a new perspective on parenting, healing, or connection, share it with someone who needs to hear it—and don’t forget to rate and review the podcast.
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