(25) Self-abandonment is poison in a bottle labeled "kindness": On the epidemic of trading our voice for an escape, an Eldest Daughter's favorite addiction [Substack Essay]

(25) Self-abandonment is poison in a bottle labeled "kindness": On the epidemic of trading our voice for an escape, an Eldest Daughter's favorite addiction [Substack Essay]

Never trust me when I say that I'm taking a break. Over the summer, as I focus on writing over on Substack, I will post the audio version here on my podcast feed. If you'd like to support my work, one of the best ways you can do that is subscribe to my Substack, which you can find here. [https://rudibetzold.substack.com/] Find me on Instagram: @rudibetzold [https://www.instagram.com/rudibetzold/]

(24) [Substack Essay] May Is Motherhood Accelerated: On Maycember, the grief underneath the busy-ness, and watching your children become themselves

Never trust me when I say that I'm taking a break. Over the summer, as I focus on writing over on Substack, I will post the audio version here on my podcast feed. If you'd like to support my work, one of the best ways you can do that is subscribe to my Substack, which you can find here. [https://rudibetzold.substack.com/] Find me on Instagram: @rudibetzold [https://www.instagram.com/rudibetzold/]

(23) Motherhood as an Initiation: Interview with therapist Laura from @helping.you.flourish

In this episode of The Hidden Way, therapist and host Rudi Betzold sits down with fellow therapist Laura from @helping.you.flourish for a deeply honest conversation about motherhood, identity, emotional healing, and the intense inner transformation that often happens when we become mothers. Together, they explore the emotional realities of motherhood that many women experience but rarely talk openly about: postpartum overwhelm, rage, guilt, anxiety, identity loss, nervous system overload, people-pleasing, and the pressure many mothers feel to “get it right.”  They also discuss the difference between codependency and attunement, why motherhood can feel so emotionally exposing, and how healing often begins when we learn to reconnect with ourselves. This episode is especially for mothers who feel overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, disconnected from themselves, or unsure how to balance caring deeply for others while also caring for themselves. Topics discussed include: Motherhood emotions and emotional overwhelm Postpartum support and maternal mental health Nervous system regulation and emotional safety Rage, guilt, shame, and identity shifts in motherhood Self-care for mothers and reclaiming selfhood Emotional healing and learning to trust yourself Millennial motherhood and perfectionism Connect with Laura: Instagram: @helping.you.flourish [https://www.instagram.com/helping.you.flourish/] Website: Greenhouse Belleville Counseling [https://www.greenhousebelleville.com/] The Instagram post that inspired this conversation: Motherhood is a sacred call to deep healing [https://www.instagram.com/p/DWy6WZDkQcP/?img_index=1] Connect with Rudi: Instagram: @thehiddenwaypod [https://www.instagram.com/thehiddenwaypod/] Substack: After Eden [https://rudibetzold.substack.com/]

(22) Nervous System Safety, People-Pleasing, and Why You Feel Stuck: Cindy Payne Interview

In this episode, I’m joined by therapist Cindy Payne for a conversation about nervous system safety, complex trauma, and the patterns many women find themselves stuck in—like people-pleasing, perfectionism, and overthinking.  We talk about what it means to feel safe in your body, and why so many people feel anxious, overwhelmed, or shut down—even when their life looks “fine” from the outside.  Cindy explains the difference between top-down approaches (like trying to change your thoughts) and the deeper, body-based work of creating safety underneath those patterns.  We also explore:  – why you can be doing everything “right” and still feel off  – how early relationships shape your sense of safety and belonging  – the role of shame in keeping you stuck  – and what it actually looks like to begin building safety in everyday life This isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about learning how to listen to your body, understand your patterns, and relate to yourself in a different way. If you’ve ever felt like you’re trying really hard but something still isn’t working, this conversation will likely resonate. You can find Cindy at cindypayne.com [https://cindypayne.com/] or on Instagram @cindypaynerooted [https://www.instagram.com/cindypaynerooted/], and her podcast Reclaiming Me. [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reclaiming-me-heal-your-childhood-attachment-wounds/id1765039841] You can find me on Instagram @thehiddenwaypod [https://www.instagram.com/thehiddenwaypod/] or on Substack. [https://rudibetzold.substack.com/]

(21) What Is the Enneagram? A Beginner’s Guide to Finding Your Personality Type (with Mandy Capehart)

In this episode, I’m joined by Enneagram coach and grief educator Mandy Capeheart for a conversation introducing the Enneagram—a powerful framework for understanding your personality, core motivations, and the patterns that shape how you think, feel, and relate to the world. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why you react the way you do, why certain struggles keep repeating, or why growth can feel so hard even when you’re trying your best—this conversation offers a starting point. We walk through: - What the Enneagram is (and what it’s not)   - The 9 personality types and how they differ   - Why the Enneagram focuses on motivation, not just behavior   - How this framework can help you grow in self-awareness and compassion  This is an Enneagram 101 episode—simple, approachable, and designed to help you begin to see yourself more clearly. Connect with Mandy Capehart: Website: HERE [https://www.mandycapehart.com/] Instagram: @mandycapehart [https://www.instagram.com/mandycapehart/] Book: Purchase here [https://a.co/d/01riQv4l] Connect with host, Rudi Betzold: Instagram: @thehiddenwaypod [https://www.instagram.com/thehiddenwaypod] Read my essays about things like The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives here. [https://substack.com/@rudiobetzold?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page]