After two marriages, violence, and the terror of choosing survival, Realtor & community leader Diahnna Curtis tells host Barbara L. Parker, MA, LPCC-S how she rebuilt: leaving abuse, working three jobs, choosing public assistance without shame, raising two daughters through activities and structure, and transforming health with intentional eating and meal prep (autoimmune-friendly). What you’ll learn The moment you know it’s over—and how to plan your exit safelyWorking hard vs. working smart (at-will state, layoffs, pivot to real estate)Single-mom playbook: activities as stability (golf, theater, teams)Food as medicine: anti-inflammatory choices, meal prep & label literacyBoundaries that last: “If I can choose never again, I had power all along”What if the dream you chased became the cage you had to escape? That’s where our conversation with Diahnna Curtis begins—young love misread as devotion, red flags disguised as attention, and the quiet, terrifying shift from romance to violence. Diahnna takes us into the moment she chose safety over the picture-perfect story, and the long, unglamorous road that followed: two divorces, three jobs, school at night, and the pain of missing first steps while building a way out. From there, we pull back the curtain on how survival turns into strategy. Diahnna reclaims her power by reframing public assistance as a bridge, not a failure; by leaving toxic workplaces in an at-will state that thrives on precarity; and by pivoting into real estate where she can set her ceiling, advocate for minority homeownership, and lead with integrity. She shares what autonomy really looks like—choosing not to return to a place you were released from, building income around values, and protecting your peace even when the numbers tell you to compromise. Threaded through is a masterclass in parenting through upheaval and caring for a body that demands intention. Golf lessons at lunch breaks, theater sign-ups, swim practice, and drive-thru dinners gave her daughters rhythm when life felt uncertain. An autoimmune condition reshaped her kitchen: weekend meal prep, freezer-ready proteins, fresh markets, and seasoning shelves split into “safe” and “general.” She talks about setbacks from indulgent meals out, the joy of almond flour pancakes, why blueberries and kale stay on the plate, and how improved labs prove that consistent choices pay off. Diahnna’s final insight lands with weight: if she can say she won’t allow abuse again, then she admits she allowed it once—and that admission returns her agency. If you’re navigating control, career burnout, parenting in transition, or a health reset, this story offers a blueprint: walk when you’re released, design work that serves your life, feed your body with care, and build a home—literal and emotional—on your own terms. If the episode resonates, subscribe, share it with someone who needs hope, and leave a review so more listeners can find their way to safety and strength. Resources & Safety If you’re in danger, call 911 (U.S.).Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.): 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or chat: thehotline.orgSuicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.): Call/Text 988 (24/7)About the show Powerfully Broken helps you overcome unhealthy relationships that harm mental health. New episodes Tuesday and Fridays at 9 AM ET and Sunday at 8am ET • Boo Support the show Shop: www.bfempowerment.com/shop Follow: @powerfullybroken | @queenblparker | bfempowerment.com/pbp Book: A Powerful Divorce Therapy: BF Empowerment Center 526 South Main Street Akron, Ohio 44311 Watch Powerfully Broken Podcast airing on Fridays at 9am.
