Your nEXt Chapter with Dr. Nicole | Healing From Divorce and Traumatic Transitions

Dr. Nicole Rochester
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Welcome to the Your nEXt Chapter podcast w/ Dr. Nicole, where we explore the challenges and breakthroughs high-achieving women of faith experience as they reclaim joy, reimagine the future and redefine their identity after divorce and other unexpected life transitions. Whether you're navigating divorce, a life-altering medical diagnosis, a career transition, an empty nest, middle age, or the loss of a loved one, you deserve support on your healing journey. Through riveting conversations with survivors and experts, Dr. Nicole normalizes vulnerability, transparency, healthy boundaries, and the brave steps we take to create the lives we desire and deserve. Join us every Monday for the transformation your soul has been waiting for!

  1. Reclaiming Your Voice After a Season of Silence (w/ Dr. Melba Mota)

    2D AGO

    Reclaiming Your Voice After a Season of Silence (w/ Dr. Melba Mota)

    Send us Fan Mail In this week’s conversation, Dr. Nicole sits down with Dr. Melba Mota, educator, author, and founder of Called and Kept Collective LLC, to talk about the cost of staying silent and the journey back to your voice. Dr. Melba shares how being silenced from a young age shaped her life, and how years of doing everything for everyone else left her tired, empty, and unseen. Song of the week: The Voice Within by Christina Aguilera Topics Covered: 00:00:00 – Episode snippet 00:01:17 – Episode Sponsor: Your Next Chapter LLC 00:02:55 –  Introducing our guest, Dr. Melba Mota  00:05:06 – How women lose their voice 00:07:36 – Teaching children to use their voice 00:10:24 – Silence trains acceptance of the unhealthy 00:12:22 – Self-silencing in relationships 00:19:08 – Silence, Survival, Stewardship 00:28:05 – Not losing yourself in the name of faith  00:38:05 – Book: Silence and Survival  00:40:41 – “My divorce is not final”  00:44:06 – Faith  00:44:57 – Connect with Dr. Melba Book Giveaway 🎉- The first 2 individuals to DM Dr. Nicole “born and still here”on Facebook or Instagram will receive a FREE copy of Dr. Melba’s book, Silence & Survival Key Takeaways: “God gives you so many warnings before destruction.” *Want to join our membership community, the R&R Collective™? Apply today and get on the waitlist for when the doors re-open.  bit.ly/yncapply Episode Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Your Next Chapter LLC. Book Dr. Nicole, TEDx and keynote speaker, to speak on life transitions, healing, and growth. Email hello@yournextchapter.co with “Speaker Request” to get started. About Our Guest Dr. Melba Mota is the founder of Called & Kept Collective, LLC, where she blends education, writing, and faith-based formation. With over 17 years in education and a doctorate in education, she brings a grounded, real-world approach to healing and personal growth. Her work helps people move from silence and survival into stability and stewardship, learning boundaries, identity, and self-worth in life transitions. Connect with Dr. Melba Mota: IG: https://www.instagram.com/silencesurvivalstewardship  Book: https://www.amazon.com/Silence-Survival-Dr-Melba-Mota/dp/B0GRTRCKPN?ref_=ast_author_mpb About Your Host Dr. Nicole is a pediatrician, the owner of a successful healthcare consulting company, a riveting keynote and TEDx speaker, and the mom of two beautiful young adult daughters. From the outside, she appeared to have it all. But in 2023 she faced the most difficult challenge of her life- ending a 28-year marriage and navigating heartbreak, deception, and loss. Dr. Nicole is committed to creating a safe space where other women who have experienced a “divine disruption” can heal, recover, and THRIVE! Connect with Dr. Nicole: Web: https://yournextchapter.co/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/yournextchapter_co FB:https://www.facebook.com/yournextchapter.co Join our email community:  https://yournextchapter.myflodesk.com/community Support the show

    48 min
  2. Alignment Starts at Home (w/ Kim Costa)

    APR 6

    Alignment Starts at Home (w/ Kim Costa)

    Send us Fan Mail In this week’s conversation, Dr. Nicole sits down with Kim Costa, award-winning realtor, speaker, and CEO of Lifestyle Foundations, to talk about alignment, authenticity, and the powerful connection between your inner life and your physical space. Kim shares her personal journey through misalignment in her career, relationships, and environment and how a series of wake-up calls led her to rebuild her life around what truly fits who she is becoming. They explore how your home reflects your identity, healing, and next chapter. Kim shares her “stay, go, or renovate” approach and Wheel of Life framework to help assess what’s working and what needs to change across key areas of life. If life looks fine on the outside but feels misaligned within, this episode invites you to pause, reconnect, and realign your life and space. Song of the week: Home by Stephanie Mills Topics Covered: 00:00:00 – Episode snippet 00:02:32 –  Introducing our guest, Kim Costa 00:06:21 – Living outside your true identity 00:16:11 – Your home reflects who you are becoming 00:21:50 – The 8 areas of life (Wheel of Life) 00:26:24 – Spiritual alignment shapes the home you need 00:28:40 – Why you shouldn’t rush major decisions 00:37:49 – Connection: Who you allow into your space matters 00:39:39 – Connect with Kim Costa Key Takeaways: “Alignment is recognising how you were made, your personality, your values, and what you want to do in your next phase of life.” *Want to join our membership community, the R&R Collective™? Apply today and get on the waitlist for when the doors re-open.  bit.ly/yncapply About Our Guest Kim Costa is a Top 5% Realtor® in Atlanta and creator of The Wheel House Method, helping high-achieving women align their homes with their next chapter. She supports women through transitions such as divorce, career changes, and midlife shifts with intentional, values-based decisions. Kim is the author of Live in Your Wheel House (March 2026) and host of the Live in Your Wheel House podcast. Connect with Kim Costa: Web: https://lifestylefoundations.com/lp-supp/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/kim.e.costa/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/kimecostarealtor/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimecosta/ Book (Pre-Order): https://lifestylefoundations.com/lp-supp/#order-book About Your Host Dr. Nicole is a pediatrician, the owner of a successful healthcare consulting company, a riveting keynote and TEDx speaker, and the mom of two beautiful young adult daughters. From the outside, she appeared to have it all. But in 2023 she faced the most difficult challenge of her life- ending a 28-year marriage and navigating heartbreak, deception, and loss. Dr. Nicole is committed to creating a safe space where other women who have experienced a “divine disruption” can heal, recover, and THRIVE! Connect with Dr. Nicole: Web: https://yournextchapter.co/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/yournextchapter_co FB:https://www.facebook.com/yournextchapter.co Join our email community:  https://yournextchapter.myflodesk.com/community Support the show

    41 min
  3. Pathological Altruism- Do You Put Yourself Last? (w/ Dr. Jattu Senesie)

    MAR 30

    Pathological Altruism- Do You Put Yourself Last? (w/ Dr. Jattu Senesie)

    Send us Fan Mail Constantly putting others first can look like love, but over time, it can cost you your well-being. In this week’s conversation, Dr. Nicole sits down with Dr. Jattu Senesie to talk about pathological altruism and how the habit of always saying yes can lead to burnout, exhaustion, and self-abandonment. They unpack how high-achieving women are often conditioned to prioritize everyone else, how this behavior is rewarded, and why it becomes so difficult to choose yourself without guilt. If you have ever found yourself overextended, constantly available, or wondering why you feel drained while  doing “good” for others, this episode is a reminder that caring for yourself is not selfish. As you reconnect with your humanity, you create space to live, serve, and show up from a place that is whole. Song of the week: Cranes in the Sky by Solange Topics Covered: 00:00:00 – Episode snippet 00:01:30 – Introducing our guest, Dr. Jattu Senesie 00:03:53 – What is pathological altruism? 00:15:49 – Signs you may be a pathological altruist 00:17:27 – “How can I inconvenience myself?” mindset 00:26:55 – Clarity comes after rest 00:29:20 – You cannot pour from an empty tank 00:32:33 – Intentional well-being: The “7 joy activities” practice 00:38:55 – Gaining energy, creativity, and clarity 00:40:11 – Learning to do less 00:42:54 – Humanity 00:45:16 – Connect with Dr. Jattu Key Takeaways: “If you're saying yes to them, you very well are saying no to something for yourself.” *Want to join our membership community, the R&R Collective™? Apply today and get on the waitlist for when the doors re-open.  bit.ly/yncapply About Our Guest Dr. Jattu Senesie is a Board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist turned transformational success coach and self-proclaimed recovering pathological altruist. She helps mission-driven professionals create intentional, sustainable lives by aligning high achievement with personal well-being. After retiring from clinical medicine at 35, she now supports early-career professionals, especially those in service-oriented fields, who feel overwhelmed or on the brink of burnout. Through coaching, workshops, and speaking, she equips her clients with the tools to care for themselves as deeply as they care for others. Connect with Dr. Jattu: Website: essenceofstrength.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/dressenceofstrength LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jattu/ About Your Host Dr. Nicole is a pediatrician, the owner of a successful healthcare consulting company, a riveting keynote and TEDx speaker, and the mom of two beautiful young adult daughters. From the outside, she appeared to have it all. But in 2023 she faced the most difficult challenge of her life- ending a 28-year marriage and navigating heartbreak, deception, and loss. Dr. Nicole is committed to creating a safe space where other women who have experienced a “divine disruption” can heal, recover, and THRIVE! Connect with Dr. Nicole: Web: https://yournextchapter.co/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/yournextchapter_co FB:https://www.facebook.com/yournextchapter.co Join our email community:  https://yournextchapter.myflodesk.com/community Support the show

    49 min
  4. Recognizing and Surviving Narcissistic Abuse (Reflections Series)

    MAR 27

    Recognizing and Surviving Narcissistic Abuse (Reflections Series)

    Send us Fan Mail *Disclaimer: The opinions shared in this episode are rooted in lived experience and are not intended to diagnose any individuals mentioned or not mentioned. Trying to make sense of a relationship that feels confusing, draining, and inconsistent can leave you questioning everything, including yourself. And if you’re honest, you may have called it love when it was really survival. In this bonus “reflections” episode, I’m sharing thoughts that came from sitting with my own story a little longer. After my conversation with Katherine Miura on narcissistic and emotional abuse, there were things I couldn’t leave unsaid.  I talk about what it looks like when trust is slowly built just to be used against you, how love bombing can feel like a dream but is really the beginning of a nightmare, and why the cycle of hope and disappointment can keep you holding on far longer than you ever planned. I also get real about patterns like future faking, emotional withdrawal, and the quiet, subtle ways emotional abuse shows up. No yelling. No obvious chaos. Just confusion, self-doubt, and a slow shrinking of who you used to be. If you’ve ever found yourself doing the most to fix something that was never yours to fix, this episode will meet you right there and gently point you back to yourself. Topics Covered:  00:00:00 – Episode Snippet  00:03:18 – Reflecting on Episode 62: Narcissistic abuse  00:04:44 – Not recognizing abuse in real time  00:06:27 – Trust built to be used against you  00:10:03 – Playing the victim to gain sympathy  00:11:43 – When “love” is really manipulation in disguise 00:15:19 – “Generosity” that’s actually a calculated setup  00:20:33 – Public generosity vs private neglect  00:23:23 – Why  don’t you just leave?  00:29:39 – Future faking as a control tactic  00:33:31 – Accountability reveals the truth  00:34:48 – The need to be the center of attention  00:37:39 – Your birthday becomes their victim story  00:39:59 – Abuse by deception defined  00:43:11 – A help to recognize the signs Key Takeaways: “You don't freaking know what you're going through until you're on the other side of it.” Episode Mentioned:  Recognizing and Surviving Narcissistic Abuse (w/ Katherine Miura)  *Want to join our membership community, the R&R Collective™? Apply today and get on the waitlist for when the doors re-open.  bit.ly/yncapply About Your Host Dr. Nicole is a pediatrician, the owner of a successful healthcare consulting company, a riveting keynote and TEDx speaker, and the mom of two beautiful young adult daughters. From the outside, she appeared to have it all. But in 2023 she faced the most difficult challenge of her life- ending a 28-year marriage and navigating heartbreak, deception, and loss. Dr. Nicole is committed to creating a safe space where other women who have experienced a “divine disruption” can heal, recover, and THRIVE! Connect with Dr. Nicole: Web: https://yournextchapter.co/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/yournextchapter_co FB:https://www.facebook.com/yournextchapter.co Join our email community:  https://yournextchapter.myflodesk.com/community Support the show

    45 min
  5. The Clarity to Decide: Do I Stay or Do I Go? (w/ Betsy Pake)

    MAR 23

    The Clarity to Decide: Do I Stay or Do I Go? (w/ Betsy Pake)

    Send us Fan Mail Being stuck between staying and leaving can feel like living in constant tension within yourself. In this week’s conversation, Dr. Nicole sits down with Betsy Pake, certified master coach and host of The Art of Living Big podcast, to talk about the clarity needed to make life-changing decisions in relationships. They unpack why high-achieving women can lead powerfully in their careers yet feel stuck in their personal lives, the internal conflict behind indecision, and how beliefs, patterns, and past experiences shape the choices we struggle to make. If you have ever felt paralyzed trying to figure out the “right” decision, this episode is a reminder that clarity doesn’t come from overthinking, but from reconnecting with who you truly are. Song of the week: Hard Place by H.E.R. Topics Covered: 00:00:00 – Episode Snippet 00:01:14 – Introducing our guest, Betsy Pake 00:04:11 – Betsy’s journey to her work 00:07:37 – Conflicting beliefs women carry 00:10:02 – Disorientation and lack of direction 00:11:43 – Ad: Join the R&R Collective™ 00:13:05 – Clarity through letting go of inherited beliefs  00:15:24 – Clarity starts with self-awareness 00:20:38 – No perfect decision 00:21:28 – Brain filters through focus and emotion 00:24:30 – Align beliefs with future vision 00:26:52 – All it takes is a mustard seed 00:29:41 – Indecision is internal conflict 00:30:38 – Heal to break cycles 00:34:30 – Own your part 00:36:37 – Your choices are shaping who you’re becoming 00:39:40 – Honor past versions of you 00:42:49 – Reclaim yourself 00:43:31 – Connect with Betsy Key Takeaways: “Whatever it is that you're doing today is creating a version of you.”  “If you don’t like who you’re becoming, it’s your responsibility to do something about it.” *Want to join our membership community, the R&R Collective™? The doors have reopened and will close again on 4/1/26. Apply today! (The deadline to apply is 3/23.) bit.ly/yncapply About Our Guest Betsy Pake is a certified master coach, speaker, and writer with over 12 years of experience helping women expand their potential. Using trauma-informed care and neuroscience-based techniques, she supports women through midlife transitions, marital challenges, and major life decisions. She is the creator of The Navigate Method and host of the weekly podcast The Art of Living Big. Connect with Betsy: Website: https://betsypake.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betsypake/ About Your Host Dr. Nicole is a pediatrician, the owner of a successful healthcare consulting company, a riveting keynote and TEDx speaker, and the mom of two beautiful young adult daughters. From the outside, she appeared to have it all. But in 2023 she faced the most difficult challenge of her life- ending a 28-year marriage and navigating heartbreak, deception, and loss. Dr. Nicole is committed to creating a safe space where other women who have experienced a “divine disruption” can heal, recover, and THRIVE! Connect with Dr. Nicole: Web: https://yournextchapter.co/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/yournextchapter_co FB:https://www.facebook.com/yournextchapter.co Join our email community:  Support the show

    46 min
  6. Recognizing and Surviving Narcissistic Abuse (w/ Katherine Miura)

    MAR 16

    Recognizing and Surviving Narcissistic Abuse (w/ Katherine Miura)

    Send us Fan Mail *Disclaimer: The opinions shared in this episode are rooted in lived experience and are not intended to diagnose any individuals mentioned or not mentioned. Surviving narcissistic abuse can feel like losing yourself piece by piece. In this week’s conversation, Dr. Nicole sits down with licensed marriage and family therapist Katherine Miura to talk about narcissistic abuse, manipulation, and the patterns that keep people trapped in toxic relationships. They unpack love bombing, trauma bonds, and the emotional confusion that often leaves survivors questioning their own reality. If you have ever felt drained, isolated, or unsure how a relationship became so painful, this episode is a reminder that awareness is the first step toward healing. As you reclaim your voice, you begin rebuilding the parts of yourself that were slowly worn down. Song of the week: Smiling Faces Sometimes by The Undisputed Truth Topics Covered: 00:00:00 – Episode Snippet 00:05:06 – Katherine’s journey and turning point 00:06:45 – Brainwashing behind narcissistic abuse 00:11:38 – Abuse by deception 00:16:53 – Predator-prey relationships   00:19:01 – Uncovering the narcissist’s mask 00:23:31 – Why victims are often not believed 00:26:17 – What causes narcissism? 00:29:40 – How narcissists manipulate couples therapy 00:39:20 – Curb your empathy 00:46:13 – What love bombing looks like in relationships 00:48:13 – Setting boundaries and rebuilding yourself 00:49:35 – Stop becoming your own abuser  00:51:01 – Healing the inner child 00:55:40 – Awareness 00:56:23 – Connect with Katherine Key Takeaways: “Narcissistic abuse destroys you piece by piece until you become dependent on the person hurting you.” “Abuse by deception works because we trust like sheep without a brain.” *Want to join our membership community, the R&R Collective™? The doors have reopened and will close again on 4/1/26. Apply today! (The deadline to apply is 3/23.) bit.ly/yncapply About Our Guest Katherine Miura is a licensed marriage and family therapist, author, and survivor of narcissistic abuse. Through her private practice and educational work, she helps survivors recognize manipulation, break trauma bonds, and rebuild healthy relationships grounded in self-awareness and healing. Connect with Katherine: Website: https://www.katherinemiura.com Quora: https://www.quora.com/profile/Katherine-Miura-LMFT-Author About Your Host Dr. Nicole is a pediatrician, the owner of a successful healthcare consulting company, a riveting keynote and TEDx speaker, and the mom of two beautiful young adult daughters. From the outside, she appeared to have it all. But in 2023 she faced the most difficult challenge of her life- ending a 28-year marriage and navigating heartbreak, deception, and loss. Dr. Nicole is committed to creating a safe space where other women who have experienced a “divine disruption” can heal, recover, and THRIVE! Connect with Dr. Nicole: Web: https://yournextchapter.co/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/yournextchapter_co FB:https://www.facebook.com/yournextchapter.co Join our email community:  https://yournextchapter.myflodesk.com/community Support the show

    56 min
  7. Breaking Free: Why Good Girls Finish Last (w/ Siobhan Middleton)

    MAR 9

    Breaking Free: Why Good Girls Finish Last (w/ Siobhan Middleton)

    Send us Fan Mail Performing for love will keep you exhausted. Choosing yourself will set you free. In this week’s conversation, I sat down with Siobhan Middleton to talk about breaking free from good girl conditioning and stepping into grown woman energy. We unpack people-pleasing, performance-based love, and the power of accountability in healing after divorce. If you’ve been shrinking to be chosen or praised, this episode is your reminder-  you don’t need permission to choose yourself. As you release who you had to be, you begin gathering the life and love aligned with who you truly are. Song of the week: Free by Jill Scott Topics Covered: 00:00:00 – Episode Snippet 00:04:11 – From corporate layoff to calling 00:08:48 – Accountability is part of healing 00:12:40 – Abuse, awareness & owning your growth 00:16:33 – Therapy, Support & Real-Time Healing 00:20:28 – The roots of “Good Girl” conditioning 00:24:25 – Performance, praise, and conditional love 00:28:37 –  Defining Grown Woman Energy 00:31:57 – The cost of choosing yourself 00:35:16 – 3 truths every grown woman must know 00:36:14 – Releasing & Gathering  00:39:43 – Freedom 00:40:32 – Connect with Siobhan  Key Takeaways: “All women deserve to be free. It is your birthright. Even if it has been stripped away, it’s up to you to reclaim it, and it is possible.” We’re welcoming 10 new women to our membership community, the R&R Collective™ on 4/1/26. Apply today! (Deadline to apply is 3/23.) bit.ly/yncapply About Our Guest Siobhan J. Middleton is a life coach and founder of Freedom Is the Lifestyle. After transitioning from corporate America in 2013, she established a platform dedicated to helping women unlearn “good girl” conditioning and step into their full womanhood. Through coaching, retreats, and digital content, she equips women with the tools to set healthy boundaries, make empowered choices, and cultivate lives rooted in freedom and self-trust. Connect with Siobhan: IG: https://www.instagram.com/siobhanjmiddleton  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@siobhanjmiddleton Free Resource:  https://l1nq.com/zsId6  About Your Host Dr. Nicole is a pediatrician, the owner of a successful healthcare consulting company, a riveting keynote and TEDx speaker, and the mom of two beautiful young adult daughters. From the outside, she appeared to have it all. But in 2023 she faced the most difficult challenge of her life- ending a 28-year marriage and navigating heartbreak, deception, and loss. Dr. Nicole is committed to creating a safe space where other women who have experienced a “divine disruption” can heal, recover, and THRIVE! Connect with Dr. Nicole: Web: https://yournextchapter.co/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/yournextchapter_co FB:https://www.facebook.com/yournextchapter.co Join our email community:  https://yournextchapter.myflodesk.com/community Your nEXt Chapter podcast explores the challenges and triumphs women face as they reclaim joy, reimagine the future, and redefine their identity after divorce and other unexpected life transitions. Join Dr. Nicole as she shares insights from her journey as a high-achieving professional woman navigating Support the show

    43 min

  8. FEB 26 ·  BONUS

    Do these 2 things BEFORE Season 4 drops!

    Send us Fan Mail Hey Loyal Listeners (and new listeners too)! There are 2 ways you can help me reach more high-achieving women who are out here trying to navigate life transitions on their own: Leave us a 5-star rating and review. If you’re listening to this in the Apple Podcasts app, click the 3 dots in the upper right corner, click “Go to Show”, scroll all the way down until you see “Ratings & Reviews” and click there. This will take you to the screen where you can both give the podcast a 5-star rating AND write a review. Please be sure to do both, as positive ratings and reviews help new listeners find the podcast.Share the podcast with a friend. Word of mouth is good, but people will forget to take action. The best way to share the podcast is to share the direct link to the show. Put it in the group chat. Text it to your bestie or a coworker. From the Apple Podcasts app click the 3 dots in the upper right hand corner and click the share button. You can share the show or specific episodes. Remember-- this podcast is not just about divorce. It’s for high-achieving women navigating disruptive life transitions, which includes divorce but also caregiving, parenting, career transitions, midlife, health challenges and more! I can't wait to see you on 3/9 for Season 4! 🎉 Support the show

    2 min
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About

Welcome to the Your nEXt Chapter podcast w/ Dr. Nicole, where we explore the challenges and breakthroughs high-achieving women of faith experience as they reclaim joy, reimagine the future and redefine their identity after divorce and other unexpected life transitions. Whether you're navigating divorce, a life-altering medical diagnosis, a career transition, an empty nest, middle age, or the loss of a loved one, you deserve support on your healing journey. Through riveting conversations with survivors and experts, Dr. Nicole normalizes vulnerability, transparency, healthy boundaries, and the brave steps we take to create the lives we desire and deserve. Join us every Monday for the transformation your soul has been waiting for!

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