In this powerful episode of The Quiet As Kept Podcast, Shawnti Refuge dives into the emotional and psychological impact of the ongoing government shutdown — not from a political lens, but a deeply human one.

When the government shuts down, it’s not just budgets and offices that pause — it’s people’s peace of mind. Shawnti explores how uncertainty, delayed benefits, and unpaid work create real mental health consequences for families, essential workers, and communities across the country.

From the stress of missed paychecks to the silent exhaustion of TSA agents working without pay, this episode shines a light on what it means to survive when systems fail — and how guided journaling can help you reclaim your emotional stability.

💜 Inside This Episode:

• The mental and emotional cost of financial uncertainty
• How benefit delays and job instability trigger trauma responses
• The hidden emotional toll on TSA and essential workers
• How to ground yourself when life feels unpredictable
• Guided journaling prompts to help you process, reflect, and restore peace

✍🏾 Journal Prompts from This Episode:

1. Where in my life do I feel the most uncertainty right now?
2. How does that uncertainty show up in my body?
3. What part of my life feels most vulnerable to outside systems?
4. What can I do to regain a small sense of control or peace today?
5. Where am I still showing up for others even when I’m empty?
6. What would rest look like for me — not escape, but restoration?
7. Who in my circle might be struggling silently right now?
8. What truth do I need to speak to myself to feel grounded again?

💬 Featured Mentions:
✨ The Audacity of a Healing Woman — a transformational coaching experience for women ready to reclaim their power and peace.
✨ New Year, Better Me — an in-person guided journaling workshop to start 2025 grounded, healed, and intentional.

Visit ShawntiRefuge.com
to grab your guided journals, sign up for upcoming events, or join the healing community.

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Shawnti Refuge is an Award Winning Master Certified Mental Health Coach, Keynote Speaker, and Author of the best-selling book, “Quiet As Kept”, specializing in guided journaling for mental wellness. After overcoming severe depression and anxiety through journaling, Shawnti developed her own program, empowering individuals to heal and thrive without medication. She is the creator of Shawnti Refuge Journals, which carries a series of guided journals designed to help others release past traumas. With her relatable, no-nonsense approach, Shawnti's mission is to inspire personal growth and self-awareness. She is the founder of Stayin' Stuck Ain't Cute Coaching and a passionate advocate for mental health in both business and community settings.

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