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From Surviving to Free: Motherhood at 20, DV Recovery, Self-Forgiveness, and Reinvention
01/14/2026
From Surviving to Free: Motherhood at 20, DV Recovery, Self-Forgiveness, and Reinvention
What if your “glow up” isn’t a makeover… it’s freedom? In this episode of Surviving Roots, Cari Fund sits down with Michelle Fairburn—mother of two, creator, and living proof that rebuilding a life doesn’t happen overnight (and doesn’t need to look polished to be powerful). Michelle became a mom at 20, navigated profound loss and a mother wound, and later survived a fast-moving relationship that turned abusive after marriage. Together, Cari and Michelle unpack the real behind-the-scenes of healing: self-forgiveness, faith, identity, parenting while evolving, and what it takes to break cycles without pretending it’s “easy.” In this episode, we talk about: Becoming a mom at 20—and why her kids were planned. The “mother wound,” abandonment, grief, and missing pieces you can’t Google. How love-bombing can look like a fairy tale… until it doesn’t. Red flags: moving too fast, isolation, jealousy, identity erasure (“my wife”). Self-forgiveness as the moment you finally unlock your life. Faith as a turning point (and the difference between healing and pretending). Parenting with grace: not bashing dads, letting kids see truth for themselves. Creating content with her daughter as a business: impact + income. Handling trolls (and what happens when someone comes for your kid). Michelle’s story is honest, funny, raw, and deeply human—and it’ll leave you thinking about what “freedom” really means. Find Michelle: @michellefairburn (on all platforms) Find Cari: @cari.fund If this episode hits home, share it with a friend—and don’t forget to follow, rate, and review. Check out my
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