Beauty for Ashes: Balencia Reed on Grace, Growth, and Getting Back Up

In this heartfelt and hilariously honest episode of The Self-Aware & F**ked Up Podcast, host Sandtrice D. Russell (Tree the LPC) sits down with her big cousin and lifelong inspiration, Balencia Reed—a health information manager, mother, wife, “bebe” and woman of unmatched courage and grace.

Together, they take a walk down memory lane, sharing laughter and hard truths as Balencia opens up about her journey: becoming a teen mom at 17, raising three small children as a single mother, and navigating life without a stable father figure.

She speaks candidly about surviving two painful marriages—one ending in betrayal—and finally finding lasting love and peace. But the heart of her story is rooted in faith. Balencia reveals how her relationship with Christ has anchored her through every trial, how she's grown in her spiritual walk, and why she now uses her story to encourage other women facing their own storms.

This episode is raw, real, and redemptive—full of wisdom, childhood flashbacks, spiritual gems, and cousin-to-cousin love that will leave you laughing, crying, and inspired to keep going.

Whether you're navigating relationship pain, single motherhood, spiritual uncertainty, or simply seeking a story of hope and healing-- this episode will remind you that restoration is always possible. Tune in for real talk on resilience, motherhood, love, heartbreak, and the courage it takes to rebuild.

Connect with Balencia

 https://www.facebook.com/BalenciaJReedQueen

https://www.instagram.com/mrsreed_bj

 

For more information on Tree the LPC visit https://linktr.ee/TreetheLPC or the UniqueDestiny.org website. Also be sure to follow @treethelpc on all social media platforms.

 

To purchase the Minding my Own Mental HealthJournal and other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shop

 

This Podcast is not a substitute for therapy.