Rachel Faulkner Brown on Vulnerability, Healing, and the Power of Sharing Our Stories

Rachel Faulkner Brown:

• Website: rachelfaulknerbrown.com
• Instagram: @RachelFaulknerBrown
• Never Alone Widows

Listen On:

YouTube

Spotify

Healing begins when we come out of hiding. Vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s the key to unlocking a freer, fuller life. – Rachel Faulkner Brown

Rachel Faulkner Brown is no stranger to navigating life’s hardest transitions. After being widowed twice before the age of 31, she emerged from unimaginable loss to not only rebuild her life but to help others do the same. Today, she is the founder of Never Alone Widows, an organization that equips widows to find community, healing, and purpose. But Rachel’s insights extend far beyond her focus on widows. Her story and wisdom resonate with anyone who finds themselves in a season of change, loss, or uncertainty.

In this episode, Rachel shares:
👉 How vulnerability is the foundation for healing—and why it’s essential to speak your truth.
👉 The patterns that emerge during life transitions and how to avoid the pitfalls of rushing through the pain.
👉 The surprising ways our subconscious shapes our healing journey—and how reflection can bring freedom.
👉 Why flourishing isn’t about perfection but about authenticity, relationships, and embracing God’s grace.

Whether you’re grieving, navigating a career change, or just trying to make sense of the in-between, Rachel’s story offers profound encouragement and practical wisdom.

Unlocking the Power of Vulnerability: Healing Begins with Honesty

For Rachel, healing isn’t just about survival—it’s about thriving. And that starts with vulnerability.

Confess your sin one to another so that you may be healed. I believe that Jesus meant it. Vulnerability and confession aren’t for forgiveness—they’re for freedom. And freedom is what heals you, she explains.

Rachel’s journey to healing began when she finally opened up about a painful secret she had carried since childhood. She describes how hiding that part of her story kept her trapped in shame and disconnected from the people who loved her most. But when she confessed the truth to a trusted friend, it unlocked a new level of freedom, authenticity, and healing.

The Takeaway:
No matter what kind of loss or struggle you’re facing, healing requires honesty. Whether it’s confessing a long-hidden secret, admitting your struggles to a friend, or simply naming your pain to yourself, vulnerability is the first step toward freedom.

Patterns in Transition: What Keeps Us Stuck (and How to Move Forward)

Through her work with widows, Rachel has noticed universal patterns that emerge during seasons of transition. These insights apply to anyone facing a major life change, whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a divorce, or even the end of a career.

1️⃣ Rushing Through the Pain:
Rachel warns against the tendency to “just get through it” by rushing into distractions or quick fixes—like dating too soon, overworking, or numbing with unhealthy habits. “You’ll miss the deeper work God wants to do in you during this season,” she says.

2️⃣ Resurfacing of Old Wounds:
Loss often triggers unresolved pain from the past, particularly from formative years. Rachel explains, “Healing requires going back to address what happened between zero to twenty. Your body remembers those experiences, even if your conscious mind doesn’t.”

3️⃣ Isolation and Secrets:
Seasons of transition can also lead people into secrecy—hiding unhealthy behaviors or feelings out of shame or fear. Rachel believes these hidden struggles often compound the pain and delay healing.

The Takeaway:
Instead of rushing through the discomfort, Rachel encourages us to embrace the slow, messy process of healing.

Ask yourself: What patterns keep showing up in my life? What triggers take me from zero to sixty? These are the places where God wants to meet you.

The Role of Worship and Reflection in Finding Clarity

Rachel’s advice for anyone feeling stuck or overwhelmed begins with worship. She recommends starting with the song Out of Hiding by Stephanie Gretzinger, a song that deeply impacted her own journey.

“There’s something powerful about music—it creates space for healing in a way that words alone can’t,” she says.

Rachel also emphasizes the importance of quiet reflection. She encourages listeners to sit down and identify one area of their life that feels out of alignment. What’s the one thing you don’t like about your life? Start there. Name it. Bring it to the light. Healing starts with honesty, even if it’s just with yourself.

Flourishing: Redefining Success in Every Season

When asked what flourishing looks like to her today, Rachel shared a definition that centers on relationships and authenticity rather than external achievements.

Flourishing at home: It looks like Rod and I being honest with each other and making time for our marriage. It looks like my kids wanting to spend time with me—and still wanting to talk about God.

Flourishing personally: It’s being honest about what I need, about what hurts, and about the things that bring me joy.

Flourishing spiritually: It’s trusting God’s timeline even when it doesn’t match mine. It’s believing that my life is expanding, not contracting, because of His grace.

For Rachel, flourishing isn’t about avoiding hard seasons—it’s about embracing them with faith, vulnerability, and hope.

Key Themes from Rachel’s Story:

• Don’t rush the process. Healing takes time. It’s better to sit with the discomfort than to distract yourself with quick fixes.
• Ask the hard questions. Look for patterns in your life that keep showing up. What wounds might still be unhealed?
• Vulnerability is essential. Healing happens when we step out of hiding and speak the truth.
• Invite others into your story. Whether it’s a trusted friend, a therapist, or a small group, community is a powerful catalyst for growth.
• Flourishing is about relationships. True success is measured in love, honesty, and the legacy you leave in the lives of others.

Where to Connect with Rachel Faulkner Brown

Rachel’s story is a powerful reminder that healing, freedom, and flourishing are possible—even in the midst of life’s hardest transitions. To learn more about her work or connect with her directly, visit:

👉 Website: NeverAloneWidows.com
👉 Instagram: @RachelFaulknerBrown

Whether you’re navigating loss, questioning your purpose, or feeling stuck in the “in-between,” Rachel’s message is clear: Healing begins when you come out of hiding. You don’t have to do this alone.