Decision Ease

#174: Shame vs Guilt (and Why it Even Matters)

Listen Later

If you’ve ever bent a decision around “not wanting to feel guilty,” this one’s for you.

Today we separate guilt (outward, action/outcome-focused: “I did something wrong”) from shame (inward, identity-focused: “I am wrong”).

Which matters because when you can spot authentic emotions that help you repair or realign—you can drop the inauthentic, habitual stuff that only fuels people-pleasing, FOPO, and misaligned decisions.

 Here’s where we go: 

  • The fast distinction: Guilt vs. Shame
  • What’s usually going on when we feel “guilty” for a choice (hint: you’re probably shaming yourself)
  • How authentic emotions guide useful repair vs. how shame paralyzes
  • Questions to sort authentic vs. inauthentic shame/guilt (and act accordingly)
  • A boundary example from real life 

    •  

    👉 Links!  

    • Grab it for free! 5 Things Clear-headed Decision Makers Get Right

    • Book your VIP End-of-Year Session: Make the decisions you need to now to end 2025 strong!

    • Join the waitlist for an exclusive discount to 2026's Decision Ease Program 

    • Find out the best way we can work together

      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store
      Decision EaseBy Kirsten Parker: Decision-Making Coach for Overthinkers
      • 5
      • 5
      • 5
      • 5
      • 5

      5

      37 ratings

      More shows like Decision Ease

      View all
      Good Life Project by Jonathan Fields / Acast

      Good Life Project

      3,290 Listeners

      The Daily by The New York Times

      The Daily

      112,735 Listeners

      UnF*ck Your Brain: Feminist Self-Help for Everyone by Kara Loewentheil

      UnF*ck Your Brain: Feminist Self-Help for Everyone

      5,128 Listeners

      Mom On Purpose With Natalie Bacon by Natalie Bacon

      Mom On Purpose With Natalie Bacon

      473 Listeners

      Habits on Purpose by Kristi Angevine, MD

      Habits on Purpose

      265 Listeners

      The Burn Stress Lose Weight Podcast by Dr. Priyanka Venugopal

      The Burn Stress Lose Weight Podcast

      91 Listeners

      Alive & Well – Nervous System, Productivity, Time Management, Somatic Tools, Work-Life Balance, Burnout, Anxiety by Michelle Grosser – Inspired by Mel Robbins, Dr. Andrew Huberman, and Ed Mylett

      Alive & Well – Nervous System, Productivity, Time Management, Somatic Tools, Work-Life Balance, Burnout, Anxiety

      526 Listeners

      The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

      The Mel Robbins Podcast

      19,825 Listeners