What if the pain you’ve endured wasn’t meant to break you — but to make you?

In this deeply heartfelt episode of the Crown Yourself podcast, Kimberly Spencer sits down with Bonnie Strati — a former “hot mess” turned high-performing coach, author, and sovereign leader — to explore what it really means to build yourself back stronger after life knocks you down.

Bonnie’s new book, Built Stronger: The Art of Becoming Whole Again, is part memoir, part medicine, part permission slip to feel the grief, the rage, the disappointment — and still choose to rise. Together, Kimberly and Bonnie dive into how betrayal serves as a mirror for our own healing, why boundaries are sacred acts of self-love, and how we can stop numbing with busyness and start sitting with what needs to be felt.

This conversation is raw, real, and radically empowering. Whether you’re facing a personal initiation, navigating grief, or ready to rewrite your story, Bonnie’s wisdom will inspire you to embrace the mess, honor your emotions, and claim the next level of your queendom.

✨ This episode is a reminder that the beauty is often found on the other side of messy — if you’re willing to walk through it.

👑 Queen, it’s time to step into your strength. Press play now and let this conversation catalyze your next chapter.

Enjoy, sovereigns!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or your favorite podcast listening platform. You can also watch the episode on Youtube.

Moments of Note:

00:00 – Welcome to the Crown Yourself Podcast

 Kimberly sets the stage for another soul-shifting conversation on sovereignty, high performance, and conscious leadership.

00:54 – From Hot Mess to High Performance

 Kimberly introduces Bonnie Strati, celebrating her transformation since joining Crown Yourself Coaching in 2017 and her newly published book Built Stronger.

02:09 – The Journey to Finding Your Voice

 Bonnie shares her 8-year path of writing, blogging, and healing that led to the creation of her book.

03:33 – Quotes That Pack a Punch

 Kimberly highlights her favorite lines from Built Stronger — including “Rest is romanticized but rarely respected” and “Numbing through busy.”

05:08 – Betrayal, Truth, and Radical Honesty

 A deep dive into why betrayal is about the other person’s inability to live authentically — and how choosing honesty can reduce pain and accelerate healing.

06:30 – Seeing People as Mirrors

 Bonnie discusses how relationships act as mirrors, revealing where we still need healing — and how to turn triggers into wake-up calls.

08:55 – Boundaries, Worthiness, and Saying No

 Why high-achievers often struggle with boundaries and how learning to say “no” becomes a radical act of self-love.

11:05 – Writing as a Tool for Healing

 Bonnie explains how years of writing (and a little AI help!) transformed into her book — and why creative expression is crucial for personal growth.

13:01 – Giving Yourself Space to Feel

 Bonnie shares why she added journaling prompts and grounding techniques to her book to help readers slow down and sit with their emotions.

16:25 – Physiological + Spiritual Upgrades

 Kimberly and Bonnie discuss how launching a book can feel like a physical and spiritual initiation — and Bonnie opens up about her cancer journey as a catalyst for transformation.

19:42 – The Power Within You

 A powerful reminder that you already hold the power to improve your life — if you’re willing to face your discomfort and own your choices.

21:27 – Sitting in the Discomfort to Find Breakthroughs

 Why numbing, hiding, or running only delays the lessons you need — and how “sitting in your sh*t” (as Bonnie jokes) leads to evolution.

22:00 – Busyness vs. Purpose

 Kimberly and Bonnie reflect on the difference between true purpose and mental overdrive — and why rest is revolutionary.

23:37 – Releasing Old Beliefs + Claiming Sovereignty

 Bonnie shares how she reprogrammed limiting beliefs, condensed her schedule, and created a life with more freedom and space.

25:46 – Writing the Next Chapter of Your Life

 How to stop rewriting your old story and start consciously authoring the next chapter of your life — with a belief system that serves who you are now.

26:31 – Kimberly’s Personal Breakthrough

 Kimberly shares how Bonnie’s book helped her release old identities and grow her leadership as a mother and entrepreneur.

29:00 – Leaders Need Breakthroughs Too

 A reminder that even high performers and leaders need safe spaces for growth, visibility, and vulnerability.

31:46 – Embracing the Journey, Not Just the Outcome

 Bonnie encourages listeners to stop rushing to the finish line and instead see the gold in the process of healing and transformation.

33:10 – Preparing for Transformation

 How Bonnie’s life and mindset equipped her to face cancer with grace and presence — and why everything happens with intention.

36:10 – Letting Healing Be Messy

 A beautiful metaphor about finger painting, anger release, and letting the process be chaotic before it becomes art.

37:11 – The Power of Speaking Your Truth

 Bonnie shares her most profound perspective shift — realizing her words matter and can act as catalysts for others.

38:24 – Coaches as Catalysts for Change

 Kimberly and Bonnie explore the role of coaches and leaders as catalysts, even when their pushes bring up resistance.

40:29 – Rapid Fire Questions + Reflections

 From Wonder Woman inspiration to redefining success as peace and integrity — Bonnie shares her rapid-fire insights.

43:33 – Crowning Yourself Daily

 Bonnie shares how she “crowns herself” through kindness, presence, and honoring her own process.

44:07 – Where to Find Bonnie + Get the Book

 Details on how to connect with Bonnie, grab Built Stronger (and the companion journal), and continue the work.

44:58 – Closing Sovereign Invitation

 Kimberly wraps up with a powerful reminder to own your throne, mind your business, and reign now.

Mentions + Additional Resources:

Connect with Bonnie Strati.

Website: https://www.bonniestrati.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BonnieStratiCoaching

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonniestrati/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-strati-b893033b/

Twitter: https://x.com/bonstar25

Get Bonnie’s book here: https://www.bonniestrati.com/book

Transcript:

For a full episode transcript, it can be found here.

Sharables:

For sharable images, quotes, and other social media posts to add some royal sparkle to your socials (with proper tagging and credit, of course), they can be found here.

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📺  YOUTUBE TIPS PLAYLISTS:  

The Crown Yourself Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZwctt-09Yk&list=PL2ClsckBxxujcpec_c4m-haGSeWZkfNmP 

Becoming the Queen-B(usiness) of Yo’ Biz: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEircICw4o0&list=PL2ClsckBxxuhTAZNjo3wKa84gAgJAgpBB

Podcasting Queen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWLm9j9TSPE&list=PL2ClsckBxxuhIznCt03xcCIR-caCZBads 

Conscious Leadership Queen:: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R35hokbpIJI&list=PL2ClsckBxxuhJqGJuF9kqCg-UfBwZzI_o 

🙌🏼 MORE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU BUILD YOUR EMPIRE + CROWN YOURSELF  🙌🏼

Get booked on podcasts + turn guest podcasting into getting clients when you join then Communication Queens Agency: https://www.communicationqueens.com  

Want to get Kimberly Spencer on your podcast? Request an interview: https://crownyourself.com/media  

Watch Kimberly’s TEDx Talk on “Becoming a Warrior for Possibility” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzwbvqzbmRk  

NEW MERCH! 🥰 Grab your Crown Yourself shirts, mugs, pillows, and totes!  http://tee.pub/lic/crownyourself 

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🥰  Loved learning about how to turn pain into power? Listen to this podcast again: https://youtu.be/srWJUnlIiQw