The RBF Podcast: Moving Forward When the World Tells You to Smile

Sharon Gutierrez

RBF is a bi-monthly podcast, hosted by Sharon Gutierrez, that is built on her life’s motto: acknowledge the sh*t in the world, but let’s find a way to not just move forward but thrive. She is Latina, queer, a serial entrepreneur, community developer, huge fan of rpg video games, and self-reportedly hilarious. She’s ready to talk activism, queerness and identity, BIPOC issues, single-life and entrepreneurship, all sprinkled with some stories about the world she is experiencing daily. Follow me on IG: www.instagram.com/SharonEGutierrez/

  1. 24 Jul

    Ep. 10: Part 2 -- The Deconstruction Survival Guide: Boundaries, Joy, and Spicy Books w/Christine Parker

    Trigger Warning: In this series we are discussing religious trauma and deconstructing from high-control religions. I want to be clear that I deeply respect personal faith journeys, and this is absolutely not an attack on spirituality or mainstream religion. We are talking specifically about high-control groups—the ones that attempt to dictate your life by using fear, guilt, and shame to enforce compliance. The Series Intro This is a special two-part series with therapist Christine Parker, who I originally found on TikTok because her content unpacking purity culture was entirely too relatable! We sit down to discuss the absolute fever dream that is leaving and healing from a high-control religion. We laugh a lot in these episodes —but the real value is Christine bringing actual clinical insight into how these environments can affect us long-term. Part 1: The Damage Report T’sha, Christine, and I basically play a game of "You know you grew up in a high-control religion when..." We cover all the classics: chronic rapture anxiety, intense guilt over basic human connections, and the unnecessarily traumatic church plays we were all forced to watch. Part 2: The Aftermath & Spicy Books In this episode, we move into the actual healing phase. You get to hear me have a real-time existential realization that I completely skipped the fun, casual part of dating in my teens. We also talk about what setting actual boundaries looks like, unlearning the guilt, and how we finally figured out how to experience joy (and read spicy books) without waiting for the sky to fall. Christine Parker’s Bio: Christine Parker is a licensed therapist who specializes in religious trauma and purity culture recovery.  Having grown up in conservative evangelicalism herself, she brings both clinical expertise and lived understanding to her work. She works with clients who are reexamining long-held beliefs, navigating identity and sexuality, and learning how to trust themselves again after high-control religion. Christine Parker’s Links:  🔗 TikTok | Instagram 🔗 Website  Sharon's Links:  🔗 www.ComplimentsofSharon.com 🔗 14-Day Free Trial -- Pretty Simple: #1 Affordable Leads Tracking App 🔗 Sharon's Socials: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

    Ep. 10: Part 2 -- The Deconstruction Survival Guide: Boundaries, Joy, and Spicy Books w/Christine Parker
  2. 10 Jul

    Ep 9: Part 1 -- Trauma Bonding & Rapture Anxiety: Signs You Grew Up in a High-Control Religion w/Christine Parker

    Trigger Warning: In this series we are discussing religious trauma and deconstructing from high-control religions. I want to be clear that I deeply respect personal faith journeys, and this is absolutely not an attack on spirituality or mainstream religion. We are talking specifically about high-control groups—the ones that attempt to dictate your life by using fear, guilt, and shame to enforce compliance. The Series Intro This is a special two-part series with therapist Christine Parker, who I originally found on TikTok because her content unpacking purity culture was entirely too relatable! We sit down to discuss the absolute fever dream that is leaving and healing from a high-control religion. We laugh a lot in these episodes —but the real value is Christine bringing actual clinical insight into how these environments can affect us long-term. Part 1: The Damage Report T’sha, Christine, and I basically play a game of "You know you grew up in a high-control religion when..." We cover all the classics: chronic rapture anxiety, intense guilt over basic human connections, and the unnecessarily traumatic church plays we were all forced to watch. Part 2: The Aftermath & Spicy Books In this episode, we move into the actual healing phase. You get to hear me have a real-time existential realization that I completely skipped the fun, casual part of dating in my teens. We also talk about what setting actual boundaries looks like, unlearning the guilt, and how we finally figured out how to experience joy (and read spicy books) without waiting for the sky to fall. Christine Parker’s Bio: Christine Parker is a licensed therapist who specializes in religious trauma and purity culture recovery.  Having grown up in conservative evangelicalism herself, she brings both clinical expertise and lived understanding to her work. She works with clients who are reexamining long-held beliefs, navigating identity and sexuality, and learning how to trust themselves again after high-control religion. Christine Parker’s Links:  🔗 TikTok | Instagram 🔗 Website  Sharon's Links:  🔗 www.ComplimentsofSharon.com 🔗 14-Day Free Trial -- Pretty Simple: #1 Affordable Leads Tracking App 🔗 Sharon's Socials: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

    Ep 9: Part 1 -- Trauma Bonding & Rapture Anxiety: Signs You Grew Up in a High-Control Religion w/Christine Parker
  3. 11 Jun

    Ep 8. The Solopreneur Secrets You Need to Hear w/ the COO Building 7-Figure Brands, Annie Walther

    Summary Join me, Annie Walther and my sister in another fun episode! Annie Walther is a Fractional COO. She has over 25 years in Business Development through Corporate events, Corporate Planning and helping grow both product and service businesses beyond the 7 figure mark. This is the must listen episode for Solopreneurs!  In addition, she is a good friend of mine and together we run the Solopreneur Networking Meetup in San Antonio!  Follow Annie on Instagram here.  Sharon's Links:  🔗 The RBF Podcast Links 🔗 FREE Masterclass: The Solopreneur Quick-Start Checklist  🔗 14-Day Free Trial -- Pretty Simple: #1 Affordable Leads Tracking App 🔗 Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Solopreneurship 02:52 The Importance of Straight Talk in Mentorship 03:03 Grit and Adaptability in Business 04:15 Navigating Growth and Scaling Challenges 07:14 The Shift from Friend to Leader in Business 09:05 The Rise of Solopreneurship 11:05 The Impact of COVID-19 on Work Culture 14:10 Challenges of Solopreneurship 16:10 Time Management and Community Support 18:33 Finding Balance and Overcoming Isolation 26:05 The Importance of Networking and Collaboration 29:47 Understanding Funding and Investment Challenges 34:13 The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Motivation vs. Profit 36:47 The Importance of Research: Naming Your Business 38:37 Learning from Experience: The Value of Mentorship 41:34 Finding Balance: Defining Thriving in Business 46:24 Tools for Success: Resources and Recommendations Key Topics Challenges of solopreneurship Scaling to seven figures Building community and support Time management and boundaries Importance of mentorship and honest feedback Time management and productivity tools like Pomodoro and Asana The importance of getting out and networking for solopreneurs Common misconceptions about funding and pitch competitions The significance of industry research and Google searches for business validation The impact of AI and technology on solo businesses The value of self-reflection, gratitude, and goal setting Balancing work and personal life through seasons and boundaries The importance of community and avoiding toxic solo entrepreneurship culture

    Ep 8. The Solopreneur Secrets You Need to Hear w/ the COO Building 7-Figure Brands, Annie Walther
  4. 2 Apr

    Ep 6. Our Top 5 Tips For Starting Therapy by T'sha & Sharon

    Summary   In this episode, Sharon and T'sha share practical advice and personal insights on starting therapy, finding the right therapist, and making the most of mental health journeys. They discuss the importance of being open, exploring different modalities, and the transformative power of therapy.   Takeaways   Shop around for a therapist to find the best fit. Be honest and open with your therapist for effective results. Explore different therapy modalities like EMDR for trauma. Remember you're not alone; many high achievers seek therapy. Give yourself grace and time to process after sessions. Chapters   00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates 01:57 Navigating Therapy: Finding the Right Fit 05:12 Understanding Therapy: Breaking Stigmas 07:02 The Importance of Professional Help 09:43 Preparing for Therapy: Tips and Strategies 12:46 The Value of Openness in Therapy 15:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 19:03 Navigating Honesty in Therapy 20:22 Processing Emotions Post-Therapy 22:29 Exploring Alternative Therapeutic Modalities 23:48 The Impact of EMDR on Trauma 27:54 The Importance of Continuous Learning in Therapy 29:47 Finding the Right Therapist: A Personal Journey 32:09 Embracing the Challenges of Therapy 35:23 The Journey Towards Healing and Hope 38:49 Inspiration and Connection 39:18 Engagement and Resources 39:20 NEWCHAPTER   Resources   psychologytoday.com - https://www.psychologytoday.com   Sharon's Links:  🔗 www.ComplimentsofSharon.com 🔗 FREE Masterclass: The Solopreneur Quick-Start Checklist  🔗 14-Day Free Trial -- Pretty Simple: #1 Affordable Leads Tracking App 🔗 Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

    Ep 6. Our Top 5 Tips For Starting Therapy by T'sha & Sharon
  5. 26 Jan

    Ep. 5: Battling PCOS & Stigma: The Science of Advocacy w/ Dr. Kim Hopkins

    Skip to 16:30 to jump into the interview!  Summary I loved this conversation with Dr. Kim Hopkins and it is a must listen to or anyone who is actively dealing with PCOS, thinks they might have it or has a friend or partner who is living with it. During out talk, Dr. Kim Hopkins shares her personal and professional journey with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), discussing the challenges she faced in the military and the stigma surrounding women's health issues. Personally, I walked away from this episode feeling so seen and inspired. She was able to share so much helpful information around self-advocacy and also the actual science of how PCOS affects your body.  Dr. Kim Hopkins's Bio:Dr. Dawnkimberly “Kim” Hopkins served as a 30-year United States Military member. During her 30 yrs of service to her country, Dr. Hopkins served with the US Army and US Air Force. As a women’s health nurse practitioner in the US Air Force, she noted a high number of her patients, particularly active duty members, were suffering from symptoms of PCOS that severely impacted their abilities to function effectively and efficiently within their occupations at their home duty stations and during their military deployments.Noting that these symptoms greatly impacted the total quality of life of these individuals, Dr. Hopkins began her quest to find answers and solutions by obtaining her PhD in nursing science with a focus on PCOS in the military. She has published works on PCOS in the military, while completing a post-doctoral fellowship with NIH in the Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH). During her post-doctoral fellowship, Dr. Hopkins published a NIH/ORWH-supported PCOS information booklet and participated in working-groups to help further the cause of PCOS initiatives. She has published works that have assessed the relationship between PCOS and obesity, as well as PCOS and pain. Dr. Hopkins is passionate about facilitating and supporting PCOS endeavors, especially for early-stage investigators, to continue to develop relevant, patient-centered knowledge and interventions related to PCOS. As a dedicated advocate, she was a member of the International PCOS Network that updated the 2023 International evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and is a scientific research committee co-Chair on the Patient Advisory Board of the PCOSChallenge -the national PCOS association. Dr. Hopkins’ is married to Felix Hopkins’ who is a retired Navy pilot. They have 3 children, Anthony, Tanner and Reign. Dr. Hopkins’ is also the caregiver for her mother, who is a retired Army Quartermaster. In her free time, Dr. Hopkins enjoys reading and studying her Bible, spending time with her family, their three dogs, Marco, Jame-Cori and Pickle, and being outside in nature.   Chapters 00:00 - 16:30 Sharon & T'sha discuss Sharon's personal PCOS Journey and current frustrations  17:01 Impact of Military Structure on PCOS Experience 21:09 Diagnosis Journey: From Patient to Provider 25:18 Understanding PCOS: Symptoms and Misconceptions 31:13 Advocacy and Research in PCOS   40:40 Advocacy and Change in Women's Health 42:35 Defining Thriving with PCOS 44:42 Collaboration and Innovation in PCOS Research  50:48 Life After the Military    56:37 Engagement and Resources    Dr. Kim Hopkins Links:  🔗 LinkedIn    Sharon's Links:  🔗 www.ComplimentsofSharon.com 🔗 14-Day Free Trial -- Pretty Simple: #1 Affordable Leads Tracking App 🔗 Sharon's Socials: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

    Ep. 5: Battling PCOS & Stigma: The Science of Advocacy w/ Dr. Kim Hopkins
  6. 29/11/2025

    Ep. 3 Navigating Core Values, Identity and Capitalism with Dr. Sadé

    Eavesdrop on my conversation with Dr. Sadé about our personal journeys, the impact of capitalism, and the importance of financial therapy. One thing we have in common is having a lot of different ‘re-starts’ in life, and for Dr. Sadé this spans being a U.S. military officer and then in depth research on historical trauma and so much more! (Hint, just check out her bio!) In this episode we are discussing the intersection of psychology and financial well-being, and share actionable steps for sustainable living.  Dr Sade’s Bio: Dr. Sadé is a psychologist, Certified Financial Therapist™, and former U.S. military officer whose work spans financial empowerment, leadership and DEI consulting, and research on historical trauma and resilience. Now expanding her impact as a full-time farmer, she is dedicated to increasing access to Afro-Caribbean and Indigenous medicinal plants while creating nature-based wellness experiences that honor healing, culture, and community. The conversation emphasizes the need for community, understanding one's values, and the importance of having safe spaces to process experiences related to rights and equity.    Chapters 00:00 - Actionable Steps for Sustainable Living 05:15 - Accessing Education and Self-Discovery 06:38 - Taking Action and Understanding Values 07:33 - Processing Conversations on Rights and Privilege 08:22 - Finding Safe Spaces for Expression 10:30 - The Importance of Processing Experiences 12:34 - Building Community and Collective Action 14:14 - Exciting Future Projects and Personal Growth 20:03 - Inspiration and Connection 20:33 - Engagement and Resources   Dr. Sade’s Links:  🔗 Website  🔗 Email Sade  🔗 Follow Her Brand New Instagram @Dr.SadeTheFinPsychFarmer   Sharon's Links:  🔗 www.ComplimentsofSharon.com 🔗 14-Day Free Trial -- Pretty Simple: #1 Affordable Leads Tracking App 🔗 Sharon's Socials: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

    Ep. 3 Navigating Core Values, Identity and Capitalism with Dr. Sadé

About

RBF is a bi-monthly podcast, hosted by Sharon Gutierrez, that is built on her life’s motto: acknowledge the sh*t in the world, but let’s find a way to not just move forward but thrive. She is Latina, queer, a serial entrepreneur, community developer, huge fan of rpg video games, and self-reportedly hilarious. She’s ready to talk activism, queerness and identity, BIPOC issues, single-life and entrepreneurship, all sprinkled with some stories about the world she is experiencing daily. Follow me on IG: www.instagram.com/SharonEGutierrez/

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