It’s one of those life experiences that feels a bit like stepping on a rake in the backyard—unexpected, painful, and completely disheartening. You know the one. You’re living your life, doing your thing, and then suddenly, you hear whispers, murmurs, or, worse, direct accusations about yourself that leave you reeling. People talking behind your back. It’s an almost universal experience, and yet, it seems uniquely personal each time it happens.…
