The Stories Shame Creates: Why You Feel Not Enough, Too Much, or Unworthy (73)

The Stories Shame Creates: Why You Feel Not Enough, Too Much, or Unworthy (73)

What if the thoughts holding you back aren't actually facts—but stories? In this episode of Lessons of the Journey, we explore the hidden narratives shame creates and how those stories influence the way we see ourselves, our relationships, and our future.  Together, we unpack four of the most common shame stories: "I'm not enough." "I'm too much." "I don't belong." "I have to earn love." Inspired by the work of Brené Brown and supported by research on shame, attachment, and self-worth, this conversation explores how these stories develop, why they feel so convincing, and how they can quietly become the lens through which we experience life. You'll learn why shame stories often overlap, how they shape self-limiting beliefs, and why awareness is the first step toward freedom.  If you've ever struggled with self-doubt, people-pleasing, perfectionism, fear of rejection, or feeling like you don't belong, this episode is for you.  Topics include: • Shame stories and self-worth • Perfectionism and people-pleasing • Belonging and connection • Attachment wounds and shame • Self-limiting beliefs • Brené Brown's research on shame  Because once you can see the story, you can begin changing your relationship with it.  #SelfWorth #HealingJourney #PersonalGrowth

The Shame No One Sees: Shame vs Guilt vs Embarrassment (Brené Brown Inspired) (72)

Shame is one of the most powerful emotions we experience—and one of the least understood. In this episode of Lessons of the Journey, we explore the critical differences between shame, guilt, and embarrassment, and why understanding those differences can completely change the way you view yourself.  Drawing heavily from the research of Brené Brown, we discuss how shame attacks identity, guilt focuses on behavior, and embarrassment is often a temporary social experience. We also explore how shame develops, why it thrives in secrecy, and how it can quietly shape our self-worth, relationships, and sense of belonging. If you've ever felt like you're not enough, too much, unworthy, or fundamentally flawed, this episode will help you understand where those feelings come from and why they are far more common than you think. This is the first episode in our four-part shame series and lays the foundation for understanding one of the most influential forces in human behavior. Topics include: • Shame vs guilt vs embarrassment • Brené Brown's shame research • How shame affects self-worth • Trauma, attachment, and shame • Why shame thrives in silence • The connection between shame and belonging Listen now and begin uncovering the shame no one sees.  #ShameHealing #SelfWorthJourney #BreneBrown

Are Your Your Diagnosis? ADHD, Trauma, Anxiety & The Labels We Put on Ourselves (71)

In this episode of Lessons of the Journey, Coaches Jen and Nicole explore a powerful and timely question: what happens when the labels we use for awareness begin to define who we are? From ADHD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder to trauma, PTSD, attachment styles, and neurodivergence, modern psychology language has given people more understanding than ever before. These labels can be life-changing, offering clarity, validation, and support after years of confusion.  But there is another side to awareness that is often overlooked: when explanation turns into identity, and identity turns into limitation. This conversation dives into the difference between awareness and accountability, and why understanding your diagnosis, trauma history, or attachment style is only the beginning—not the end—of growth. Jen and Nicole explore how easily labels like “triggered,” “traumatized,” or “I am ADHD” can shift from helpful frameworks into fixed identities that quietly shape what we believe is possible.  You’ll hear clear distinctions between concepts like trauma vs. pain, attachment style vs. behavior, and diagnosis vs. identity. The episode also breaks down misunderstood terms like trauma bonds and PTSD, while offering a grounded perspective on neurodivergence, emotional regulation, and personal responsibility.  At the core of this episode is a simple but challenging idea: awareness is not the finish line—action is. If you’ve ever wondered whether your diagnosis or past experiences define you, or how to hold self-understanding without limiting your growth, this episode offers a compassionate and empowering reframe.  Because you are not your diagnosis. You are not your trauma. And you are not your attachment style—you are the person deciding what happens next.  #ADHD  #TraumaHealing #MentalHealthAwareness

Are We Misusing Words Like Narcissist, Toxic, and Gaslighting? (70)

In this thought-provoking episode of Lessons of the Journey, Coaches Jen and Nicole explore how therapy language and psychological terms have moved from the therapist's office into everyday conversations—and what happens when those words lose their original meaning. From "narcissist" and "gaslighting" to "toxic," "abuse," and "boundaries," social media has given millions of people access to mental health concepts that can create awareness, validation, and healing. But when these terms become labels, accusations, or identities, they can also limit personal growth, reduce curiosity, and damage relationships.  Join Jen and Nicole as they examine the difference between discomfort and danger, conflict and abuse, boundaries and control, and accountability versus blame. They discuss the growing tendency to pathologize normal human experiences, why emotional capacity may be more important than emotional vocabulary, and how increasing  resilience can transform the way we navigate challenges, relationships, and personal growth.  If you've ever wondered whether popular psychology terms are helping us understand each other—or simply making it easier to avoid responsibility—this conversation offers a balanced, compassionate, and empowering perspective.  In this episode you'll learn: • The true meaning of gaslighting and why it's often misunderstood • Why not every difficult person is a narcissist • The difference between toxic behavior and human imperfection • How healthy boundaries differ from attempts to control others • Why developing emotional capacity is essential for resilience • How discernment can help you navigate relationships more effectively This episode is for anyone interested in emotional intelligence, mental health, personal development, resilience, healthy relationships, and self-awareness.  #EmotionalIntelligence #MentalHealthAwareness #PersonalGrowth

How to Stop Reinforcing The Story That Keeps You Stuck (69)

In this episode, we move beyond understanding self-limiting beliefs and begin exploring how to actually change them. If you’ve ever felt trapped in patterns of self-doubt, procrastination, fear of failure, people pleasing, perfectionism, or feeling “not good enough,” this episode breaks down the practical psychology behind why those patterns continue — and how to begin rewiring them in realistic, sustainable ways.  We explore how identity-based thinking shapes behavior, why the brain confuses repeated thoughts with truth, and how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), neuroplasticity, and self-awareness practices can help create new mental and emotional patterns over time.  You’ll learn: ● how to identify the hidden beliefs underneath your behaviors ● why adding the phrase “I believe…” creates psychological distance from limiting thoughts ● how to separate objective facts from fearful predictions ● why affirmations sometimes fail ● what “bridge beliefs” are and why they work better ● and how small repeated actions begin creating new evidence for the brain to believe  This episode also includes practical exercises listeners can use immediately to become more aware of their own thought patterns and begin building healthier, more flexible self-perceptions. Because rewiring self-limiting beliefs doesn’t happen through shame or forcing positivity. It happens through awareness, repetition, nervous system safety, and practicing new experiences consistently enough that the brain begins updating the story.  #SelfLimitingBeliefs #CBT #PersonalGrowth