What Are You Hiding From? Perfectionism, Shame, and the Stories we Tell Ourselves

What Are You Hiding From? Perfectionism, Shame, and the Stories we Tell Ourselves

Ever notice how one small moment can make you question everything you believe about yourself? In this episode of Brains Gone Bold, Maria and Jeanine start with a conversation about laughter, work, and showing up as your authentic self. But the discussion quickly turns into something much deeper. Together, they unpack perfectionism, shame, intelligence, vulnerability, and the stories we carry about who we are. Why do some of us feel embarrassed when we don't know something? Why do we work so hard to look competent? And why is it often easier to give grace to everyone else than it is to ourselves? Along the way, Maria shares a surprising realization about a belief she's carried for years, while Jeanine explores why feeling uninformed can hit so close to home. What follows is an honest conversation about self-worth, curiosity, judgment, and the pressure to be "the best" instead of simply being human. One of the biggest takeaways? Sometimes shame isn't loud. Sometimes it shows up as perfectionism, over-preparing, hiding what we don't know, or trying to prove ourselves. And sometimes the stories we've believed about ourselves for years aren't true at all. This episode is thoughtful, funny, surprisingly vulnerable, and packed with those moments that make you stop and think, "Wait... do I do that too?" If you've ever worried about not being enough, not knowing enough, or not measuring up, this conversation is for you. Let's jump in.

Thrown Into the Unknown: What happens when there's no backup plan?

This week on Brains Gone Bold, Maria and Jeanine sit down with Patrice Matamoros for a conversation about courage, confidence, creativity, and why some of life's biggest lessons come from stepping into the unknown. The conversation starts with a story from Patrice's teenage years, when she was taken into the wilderness and expected to find her way. That experience sparked a discussion about what happens when there's no perfect plan, no guarantees, and no one coming to rescue you. From there, the conversation explores everything from fear and failure to gratitude, leadership, and the importance of staying curious. Patrice shares why she's a big believer in "crashing spectacularly," how boredom can fuel creativity, and why so many of us spend too much time waiting until we feel ready. Along the way, Maria, Jeanine, and Patrice talk about "main character energy," scarcity versus abundance, and the stories we tell ourselves that keep us stuck. One of the biggest takeaways? Confidence doesn't come from knowing exactly what to do. It comes from trusting yourself enough to take the next step anyway. It's thoughtful, funny, honest, and full of those moments that make you stop and think, "I needed to hear that." If you've ever been afraid to take the leap, this conversation might be the nudge you've been waiting for.

The Introvert's Guide to Networking...or at least surviving it!

No one talks about how networking can feel absolutely awful. In this episode of Brains Gone Bold, Maria and Jeanine get brutally honest about the pressure of meeting new people, making small talk, and pretending networking doesn’t drain the life out of you. Jeanine shares that she’s literally driven to networking events, sat in the parking lot, and left without ever going inside. More than once. And honestly? A lot of us probably get it. The conversation dives into why networking can feel fake, awkward, exhausting, and weirdly performative, especially for introverts or people who overthink every conversation. They also talk about the pressure behind the question, “So… what do you do?” and why that question can feel a little too personal, a little too loaded, and a little too much like being sized up. There are also plenty of funny moments along the way, including: “I evaluated all my operating systems, and they said no.” An accidental debate about Planet Fitness A failed attempt to join a laughing group at an event And the idea of creating a “no BS” networking group where nobody asks what you do for a living If networking makes you want to hide in your car, this episode is probably for you. Tune in, laugh with us, and maybe send us your best “how to survive networking” tips. We clearly need them.

We're Not Meant for Everyone

Sometimes the hardest relationships to leave aren’t romantic ones. In this episode of Brains Gone Bold, Jeanine and Maria tackle the messy, emotional, deeply human question: How do you know when it’s time to walk away from a relationship? From friendships that quietly fade… to family estrangement… to values that no longer align… to the pain of being ghosted by someone you genuinely loved… this conversation gets honest fast. The episode explores: Friendship breakups Family obligation vs. self-protection Giving difficult feedback Political/value differences in relationships Ghosting and emotional avoidance Boundaries, intuition, and self-awareness The emotional weight of obligation and expectation There are no perfect answers here, just two people trying to think through complicated things in real time. And honestly? That’s probably why this one feels so relatable. If you’ve ever wrestled with whether to stay, leave, reconnect, forgive, or let go… this conversation is for you. 💬 We’d genuinely love to hear from you in the comments: Have you ever walked away from a relationship and known it was the right choice?

How to Know When to Walk Away

Quitting sounds simple… but it never feels that way.   In this episode, Maria and Jeanine dig into a question most of us quietly wrestle with: when is it actually okay to quit? They grew up hearing, “don’t be a quitter.” Finish what you start. Push through.  But now? Life looks different.   They talk about jobs, parenting, relationships, and the pressure to stay… even when something clearly isn’t working. At one point, Maria admits she’s stayed in situations way too long, saying she held on “until they became unhealthy for me.” And Jeanine shares how she knew it was time to leave when she felt like she was “beating [her] head against the wall every single day.”   It gets real, but it also gets practical.   They explore the difference between quitting too soon and staying too long. They talk about how guilt, fear, and even pride can keep you stuck. And they land on something that actually helps:   Know your values. Because once you’re clear on what really matters to you, the decision gets a whole lot easier.   If you’ve ever stayed somewhere longer than you should have… or wondered if it’s time to move on… this one will hit home.   Tune in. You’re going to feel seen.