The Self Help Antidote Podcast

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1667158/open_sms) Episode Description: Are you living your life… or managing everyone else’s reactions to it? In this episode, we dig into what happens when your self-worth gets tangled in the opinions of others. From the exhausting pursuit of universal approval, to the sneaky trap of meta-perception; how we think others see us. We explore how this mental noise hijacks our happiness, relationships, and performance. We’ll unpack the difference between being affected by and defined by other people’s views, how emotional intelligence requires the guts to hear hard truths, and why the ability to celebrate someone else's success says more about you than you think. Also in this episode: • What friendships are actually worth keeping (and why that's not selfish). • The one thing you should never do if you want to help someone change. • The science-backed factor that explains 70% of workplace performance variation, and what it has to do with how you talk to people. • And why curiosity is more than a mindset, it's the antidote to the toxic oversimplifications of “sound-byte thinking.” Let’s explore what it means to guide rather than push, ask rather than assume, and build relationships that don’t just perform, but transform. Visit us at: www.theselfhelpantidote.com

Most people fear public speaking more than death. Fear of public speaking isn’t a flaw it’s human. But what if it’s not fear that’s the problem… it’s our relationship with it? In this video, you’ll learn how to shift from anxious survival mode to powerful presence, and speak with impact.

What happens when a leader loses faith in the very thing they once loved? In this case study, we explore how coaching helped a disillusioned executive reconnect with their values, rediscover meaning in their work, and transform disengagement into a renewed sense of purpose and direction. This isn’t about fixing someone, it’s about guiding them back to themselves.

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1667158/open_sms) In a world obsessed with certainty, group identity, and the illusion of "the one right way," what happens when we choose to live in the question instead of clinging to the answer? In this episode, we challenge the seductive comfort of tribalism and explore how identifying too strongly with a single worldview can shrink our humanity. We dive into the dangerous allure of "my truth" vs. the truth, and why people who promise you the right way may be leading you the wrong way. Through the lens of self-compassion, responsibility, and the courage to deconstruct our own egos, we unpack how awareness without shame creates the space for real change. You’ll hear about the power of environment, the beauty of curiosity, and the transformative question: What if I had six months to live, what would I do differently? This is not an episode about how to live like someone else. It’s about discovering what’s real, meaningful, and creatively joyful for you. Visit us at: www.theselfhelpantidote.com

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1667158/open_sms) What if the voices in your head, your doubts, your drive, your deepest wounds, weren’t just background noise, but characters in a play that you could rewrite? In this episode of The Self Help Antidote, we dive into the transformative world of Anonymous Drama, a creative approach to emotional wellbeing that blends improv, wellbeing, psychology, and storytelling. Playwright, director and drama therapy advocate Mark Macnicol shares how creating scripts and characters, even if you have zero interest in “drama”, can help untangle emotional knots that feel too overwhelming to confront directly. We explore how this approach, born in places like maximum-security prisons and inspired by the therapeutic roots of improv, can help you step outside your own story just enough to see it clearly. Learn how the three core characters, the Protagonist, the Inner Critic, and the Inner Mentor mirror the ongoing dialogue in your own mind, and how naming these voices creates the space for intention, self-compassion, and conscious choice. This isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about finally hearing yourself. Because once you recognize who’s talking in your head, you get to decide who’s actually in charge. Visit us at: www.theselfhelpantidote.com

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1667158/open_sms) This episode dives into the real cost of living on autopilot, and how to reclaim your direction through honest self-awareness, emotional courage, and a bit of play. We cover everything from choosing your environment like your sanity depends on it (because it does), to why “discipline” is a form of self-care, not self-punishment. Most importantly we discuss why the only person who can change your life is you.  People may offer well-meaning advice, but in the absence of autonomy living another persons plan for your life, steals your confidence and accountability.   You'll laugh, we think. You might flinch. And by the end, you just might stop waiting for permission to live the life you actually want. Visit us at: www.theselfhelpantidote.com

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1667158/open_sms) Ever feel like you're stuck in the gravitational pull of your own comfort zone, orbiting the same problems like a satellite doomed to reruns of its own past mistakes? You’re not alone. Avoiding the Comfort Trap isn’t about radical, reckless change as much as it’s about understanding why we cling to familiarity, even when it holds us back, and how to break free without setting off existential alarm bells. In this episode, my friend and colleague Jo Groves, joined by a live audience, take a deep dive into why behavior change is so complicated and why simply knowing what to do isn’t enough. From suspending assumptions to the sneaky hidden commitments that conflict with our stated goals, we’ll explore how our internal arguments for and against change play out every single day. We’ll break down the dynamic systems that shape our choices, and how our values, behaviors, environment, and social determinants of changes shape us.  Discover why crafting a compelling vision of the future (or revisiting the past to find what truly mattered) is essential to meaningful transformation. But it’s not just about dreaming big, it’s about starting small. Change often happens through incremental wins, building self-efficacy, and isolating key variables instead of trying to overhaul your entire life overnight. We’ll explore tools like decisional balance sheet, motivational interviewing, and other models that support a deeper understanding of yourself, your clients, and how to facilitate change talk. Speaking of talk, let's not forget the role of language, the words we use to describe ourselves are powerful predictors of behavior change. When we shift from "I should" to "I will," "I am," and "I have," we’re no longer just talking about change, we’re preparing to engage in it. We’ll talk about why we need mavericks, in every industry, in every field; people willing to challenge norms, ask better questions, and create a culture where empathy fuels evolution instead of judgment reinforcing stagnation. So, what’s the one thing you’re going to work on changing? Let’s get to it. Because avoiding the comfort trap isn’t about making life harder, it’s about making it matter. Visit us at: www.theselfhelpantidote.com

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1667158/open_sms) What if uncertainty isn’t a void to fear but a blank canvas daring you to create? In this episode, we dive headfirst into the unknown, exploring how to reframe uncertainty as an opportunity, take small, bold risks, and build unshakable resilience. Through relatable stories, sharp insights, and actionable strategies, we’ll show you how to turn fear into curiosity, mistakes into masterpieces, and setbacks into setups for growth. Whether you’re stuck at a crossroads or overwhelmed by the chaos of "what ifs," this episode will inspire you to grab the brush and start painting your path forward. Because in life—and art—the first stroke is always the hardest, but it can also be the most transformative.  Visit us at: www.theselfhelpantidote.com