Can You Handle the Truth?
Why honesty is her Substack superpower
Welcome to the 2025 edition of Voices of Courage! This year, I’ll be focusing on the courageous acts of REINVENTION. I’m thrilled to open this year’s edition with a spotlight on
Lisa-Marie Cabrelli, Ph.D., is no stranger to reinvention. From building a seven-figure e-commerce empire to becoming a digital nomad before it was "cool," Lisa has consistently embraced change and carved her own path. Now, as a novelist, speaker, and retreat host, she empowers midlife women to embark on their own Heroine's Journeys. But her greatest act of reinvention? Sharing her most personal stories with the world through Substack.
With each post, Lisa bravely confronts her shadows, revealing her experiences with failure, catastrophe, love, and success. She understands that vulnerability can be a catalyst for change, inspiring her readers to embrace their own truths. But this level of openness doesn't come without risks. In a world where judgment and fear often hold us back, Lisa fearlessly shares her voice, encouraging others to do the same.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your background
I am a novelist, creator, speaker, and retreat host living an Extraordinary Life. Between Scotland, Italy, and The Bahamas, I follow the sun with my table-dancing husband while penning romantic comedies and creating transformative courses for midlife women searching for a Heroine's Adventure. I became a digital nomad before it was cool (2006, eek!), I’ve been traveling while I turned $500 into a seven-figure eCommerce empire. I sold my business and "retired" at forty-five and earned a Ph.D. in Creative Writing at fifty-two.Q: Beyond the act of hitting "publish," what's the most courageous thing you've done as a writer on Substack?
Over the past fifty-four years, I’ve learned that telling personal stories of failure, catastrophe, love, and success can be a catalyst for change in others. So, every week I need the courage to dig deep into my shadows to find the stories I believe will most help the midlife women heroines I’m trying to help.
Q: Many people dream of writing but fear judgment or failure. What advice would you give to those who are hesitant to share their voice on Substack?
I would tell them that the healing power of words far outweighs the (possibly) negative consequences of sharing them. Substack is a gorgeously supportive community, and they would be surprised at how much imposter syndrome impacts those with years of experience and education. All writers fear judgment or failure. That’s why we are so nice to each other.
Q: In your opinion, what's the most courageous thing a reader can do after engaging with your work?
Every week, I provide a journal prompt to help women get UNSTUCK. These prompts can be challenging and scary. The most courageous thing a reader could do after engaging with my work is take out a journal and a pen and answer the prompt. The second most courageous thing they could do is comment on the post and let the rest of the heroines know how answering that prompt impacted them.
Q: Vulnerability is often a key component of courage. How do you balance being vulnerable with maintaining healthy boundaries as a writer in such a public space?
I’m not sure I have many boundaries. 😆I used to be an incurable people-pleaser. The most significant side-effect of menopause for me is that I just don’t care much anymore about what others think. I know in my heart that my work is meant for good. My intentions are pure. I’ve had people come at me on Notes sometimes or in my DMs and found that the best reaction is a truly honest and vulnerable explanation of my actions. This is why I said this, shared this, or believe this. Once others realize I’m vulnerable but don’t believe in fighting, we usually become friends.
Q: Courage often involves taking risks. What's the biggest risk you've taken in sharing your writing or building your Substack community?
I’ve discovered that I love Substack so much—the community, the education available, the juicy, beautiful writing—that I’m in the middle of taking a giant risk by bringing my business onto the platform. I am slowly shutting down pieces of my entire venture and reorganizing it so I can spend most of my time and attention on the platform. I probably won’t make as much income this way, but I will be much happier, which is what life is all about.
Q: If you could go back and tell your pre-Substack self one thing about the journey ahead, what would it be?
I would tell her she is in for a real treat and about to find her peeps.
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