What do you do when the person you love most also becomes the source of your deepest pain? In this raw and personal episode, I open up about losing my mom — twice. Once to her alcoholism, and again when she physically passed away two years ago.

I share what it was like growing up with an alcoholic parent, how that shaped me, the anger and resentment I carried for years, and the realization that shifted everything: her addiction had stolen her ability to choose. This episode is about forgiveness, letting go of the anger, and learning to carry forward the love while leaving behind the pain.

If you’ve walked through grief, complicated family dynamics, or the heaviness of letting go, this conversation is for you. My hope is that you’ll find comfort, clarity, and permission to write your own story, not out of resentment, but out of gratitude and strength.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

✨ The reality of growing up with an alcoholic parent and how it shapes your perspective

✨ Why anger and resentment can harden us and how to begin releasing them

✨ The powerful moment of realizing addiction takes away choice

✨ How forgiveness doesn’t erase pain, but frees you from carrying it

WEEKLY CHALLENGE

This week, take ten minutes to reflect on a relationship or experience that still feels heavy. Ask yourself: What parts of this am I ready to set down? And what parts — the love, the memories, the lessons — am I choosing to carry forward? Write it down, speak it out, or simply sit with it, but give yourself permission to release even just a little bit of what you no longer want to hold.

RESOURCES

✨ Apply to The Rocketship Mastermind → https://theceobesties.com/rocketship-mastermind 

Our 2x sold-out mastermind is where ambitious women scale with clarity, confidence, and a crew that matches their energy. Virtual and in-person options available.

✨ Listen to the Limited Series: What Is Rocketship Energy?

My CEO Bestie, Emily, and I created a private 10-episode podcast series just for women who are ready to build or scale with the right mix of mindset, strategy, and community, without sacrificing the life you actually want to live. It’s bingeable, honest, and full of the things no one else is teaching about growing in alignment with your real, full, beautiful life. 

🎧 Click here to listen now  → https://theceobesties.com/rocketship-energy-podcast 

CONNECT WITH ME

✨ Instagram → @nataliebernacchi & @lightheruppodcast

✨ Website → https://nataliebernacchi.com/ 

✨ Get on The Lit List → https://nataliebernacchi.com/newsletter