Self Belief Unsquashed
Why do I feel de-motivated? Why do I keep falling down self-doubt spirals? Why do I sound like a stranger to myself when meeting new people? Why do I veer from uber-confident to wet-rag!? Have I got Impostor Syndrome? Well - if you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, you are a human and not alone. On Self-Belief Unsquashed, I (and my guests) help you understand what the heck all that inner chatter is about and what fears, illusions and baggage might be holding you back from fully being you and fully thriving - at work and out of work. I am known as the ’unsquasher’ - having written a popular non-conventional business book -The Mystery of the Squashed Self’ and delivered a TEDx talk that resonated - ’Beware the Self Squashing Prophecy’. So enjoy the world of ’people pleasing’ ’Comparisonitis’ ’Self Limiting Labels’ and all that human stuff. Each episode gives you a sense of symptoms, drivers and how to move forward to a more joyful and opportunity-taking unsquashed you.
Episodes
Saturday Nov 09, 2024
174: Emotional Flooding: When Tears Take Over
Saturday Nov 09, 2024
Saturday Nov 09, 2024
Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by your emotions? Do you feel like a softie when you well up in the middle of a work meeting or social event for seemingly small reasons? Do you suppress or release your crying?
Let's put 'crying' on the forensics table. Not just any old crying - 'emotional crying'.
A little look at the science of crying and a real story to illustrate the potential embarrassment (and learning opportunities) of unbid and out of proportion 'emotional crying'. Those waves of feeling that hit you without warning and quickly flood you - if you let them.
Is there a way to stop the tears? Do you need to? Are you being over-reactive or simply human?
This is not a sad listen. This is about building a better relationship with your emotions. Real stories, some brain/body stuff, and practical tips to try.
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Research for further investigation:
How Stuff Works - How Crying Works.
The Relationship of Gender Roles and Beliefs to Crying in an International Sample.
More 'Unsquashing' resources and links - go to my website.
Follow me on Medium for all sorts of 'human' stories around the topic of 'self-squashing'.
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
173: Is it stupid to feel like and impostor?
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
This episode explores the complexities of imposter syndrome, a feeling of inadequacy despite evidence of success. We delve into the idea that instead of viewing imposter syndrome as solely a negative experience, you can reframe it as a catalyst for growth and learning. Could the feeling act as a motivator to push past comfort zones, embrace vulnerability, and acquire new knowledge. We consider the importance of self-awareness, a growth mindset, and finding supportive communities to overcome the debilitating aspects of imposter syndrome and harness its potential for positive change.
REFERENCES
The first quote is from:
The importance of stupidity in scientific research - Martin A. Schwartz
Books:
Mindset - Carol Dweck
Think Again - Adam Grant
Dunning-Kruger Effect
TEDx - Beware the Self Squashing Prophecy
Book - The Mystery of the Squashed Self
Coaching and more on 'unsquashing' - my website.
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
172: The Torture of Talking to Strangers
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Ever been at a social event on your own and with loads of strangers - wedding, awards ceremony, business networking - and felt suffocated by self-consciousness - the kind that leaves you mute and convinced that everyone is looking at the way you hold your knife and fork - that sort of thing? I have! This episode explores the symptoms, drivers and then offers some very good tips to stop the torture!
References:
You Learn by Living - by Eleanor Roosevelt
Letters to a Young Artist - by Anna Deavere Smith
The Spotlight Effect
More on 'Self Squashing' -
TEDx - Beware the Self Squashing Prophecy
Book - The Mystery of the Squashed Self
Resources and links at trishalewis.com
Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
171: Feeling like you Don't Fit In.
Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
That self generated feeling of being an outsider when with a group of people - familiar? New word - 'self-outsidering'. What are the symptons and drivers of this unhelpful self-squashing feeling - and what reframes and actions might help.
The 'self' part of this is the key! You are doing it to yourself. Something has triggered this 'outsider' feeling - what might it be? What are the FIBs that are holding you back - fears, illusions and baggage. Your host shares a couple of personal anecdotes - briefly - that might resonate ... or surprise!
REFERENCES
Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
How Emotions are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett
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More on 'unsquashing' - have a look at my website.
The Mystery of the Squashed Self - Self-help book with a difference! Beware the self squashing prophecy - TEDx
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
170: Breathe Life into your Writing. Guest Bee Higgins.
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
Tuesday Sep 03, 2024
You want to stand out with more confident, heart-led copy and content. You want to delve into your creative mindset - but a host of fears, illusions and bits of baggage - hold you back.
My guest Bee Higgins gets it! She feels it herself and she has tons of experience and expertise in creative writing. Bee is a messaging mentor who doesn't offer top tip templates for writing success - she offers insights and practical ideas on putting more of your own personality into your writing without getting squashed by comparisonitis and generic advice.
Just listening to her gentle wisdom will inspire you!
If you want to connect more with Bee - LinkedIn Instagram
More about 'unsquashing'? Head to my website - links to my book, TEDx and other resources.
Thursday Aug 22, 2024
169: Standing out while Fitting in
Thursday Aug 22, 2024
Thursday Aug 22, 2024
This episode explores the tension between wanting to make and impact and wanting to conform to the norm. Is it possible to do both? What are the symptoms of too much blending in or even too much standing out - when you are not coming from a place of 'you-ness'?
As always we look at the symptoms, drivers and then possible solutions to try out. As always I refer to a book or two and some areas that you might want to explore more - if you like a good rabbit hole like me.
References for this episode: Book - A Fraction of the Whole by Stand Toltz
Book - A Life of One's Own by Marion Milner
Theories: Impression Management
Social Identity
I also refer to my book and TEDx talk Book: The Mystery of the Squashed Self TEDx: Beware the Self Squashing Prophecy
More resources at www.trishalewis.com
Sunday Aug 04, 2024
168. We all make Mistakes
Sunday Aug 04, 2024
Sunday Aug 04, 2024
Do you have a recurring flush of embarrasement or even shame well after you have done something stupid? Do you dwell on the stuff you messed up on? Do you worry too much about what people think about you?
Welcome to another episode that explores the human stuff - the stuff that can sometimes hold you back and stop your JIG - joy, impact and growth!
The potential to self-sabotage is in us all - and dwelling on the things that didn't go so well or maybe just felt like a way bigger issue than it actually was.. well that could have you falling down the self-squashing, self-doubt spiral! We look at the symptoms, drivers and then reframe actions.
Quotes from a great book - Chatter - Ethan Kross - https://amzn.eu/d/2G7fpZX
More on Self-Squashing on my website https://www.trishalewis.com/ where you will find links to the TEDx talk and my book - all exploring this variant of Imposter Syndrome - Self-Squashing.
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
167: Dare to be Disliked
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
Time to explore a very human fear - fear of rejection. Can you really protect yourself from being disliked? What are the symptoms of this fear? What drives this fear? Time to name and reframe - and make sure this classic 'self-squasher' isn't holding you back.
Inspired by this book:
The Courage to be Disliked - by Ichiro Kishimi and FUmitake Koga
Also referenced:
The Presentation of Self in Every Day Life - Erving Goffman
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself - Jo Dispenza
Research - 'The Liking Gap' - Erica Boothby and colleagues 2018.
My book - The Mystery of the Squashed Self
My TEDx - Beware the Self Squashing Prophecy
Links and more - trishalewis.com
Thursday May 02, 2024
166: Give yourself more credit. With Ben Franklin.
Thursday May 02, 2024
Thursday May 02, 2024
Do you give yourself enough credit? My guest Ben Franklin shares his experience from the very start of his journey - and as he puts it - the setbacks and growth moments will be part of your journey at every point - wherever you enter, whatever your background or age.
We explore the importance of taking risks, gaining practical experience, and overcoming setbacks and self-doubt. Ben gives examples of recognising the value of personal experience and skills.
We also touch on the challenges of comparing ourselves to others on social media, impostor syndrome triggers and handling negative feedback.
We share our personal experiences and insights on how to build resilience with a focus on embracing differences and focusing on personal growth whilst taking inspiration from others.
Connect with Ben Franklin - LinkedIn
Listen to his podcast 'Ground Zero' on most podcast platforms.
Also on YouTube here.
In this episode we refer to a community we are both involved with - 'You are the Media' - more details here.
Transcript PDF on my website trishalewis.com
Video of this episode on my YouTube Channel.
Wednesday Apr 24, 2024
165: Be More Skeptical
Wednesday Apr 24, 2024
Wednesday Apr 24, 2024
How come you blindly accept 'expert' opinion and even default thinking about yourself! Common sense ideas and public opinion can be too readily accepted by us all. Time for some healthy skepticism - time to get curious and examine!
Who better to help us with this process than the philosoper Socrates? Whilst he might be long gone - his ideas remain as relevant as ever.
There is a method of examining known as 'the Socratic Method of Thinking' - and it is clearly laid out in the book I reference -
'The Consolations of Philosophy' by Alain de Botton.
You will be taken through the 6 steps of this method - with an everday example. You can then place any example of an 'unquestioned truth' into the 'curiosity' machine - and see what comes out!
Video of episodes are available on my YouTube channel
More resources on 'self-belief unsquashing' to be found at trishalewis.com
5 Star reviews!
So refreshing!
This podast feels like sitting down with pals for a natter and a cuppa. It's refreshingly real, very human and Trisha's enthusiasm, curiosity and energy shine through every episode I've listened to so far. And I will definitely be dipping into past episodes - what an amazing, inspiring array of guests!