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7. Taming the Inner Critic - how embodied work changes your relationship with self-doubt
“You’re not ready. Don’t speak up. They’ll think you’re not good enough.”
That voice? That’s your inner critic. The relentless whisper that second-guesses your ideas, rewrites your sentences, and makes you shrink before you even open your mouth.
In this episode of Beyond the Corporate Mask, Emma and Suzanne explore where the critic comes from, how it shows up in your thoughts, body, and voice, and what you can do to meet it differently. Instead of fighting it, you’ll learn how to recognise it, calm your nervous system, and choose another voice.
You’ll hear:
Why the inner critic develops in childhood, and why double standards make it louder for certain groups of people.
The disguises the critic takes: the Perfectionist, the Doubter, the Harsh Motivator, the Shame Whisperer.
How the critic speaks through your body: tight jaw, racing heart, shrinking posture.
Why arguing with the critic doesn’t work, and what to do instead.
Simple, body-based practices to soften the critic’s grip in the moment.
Resources & Tools Mentioned:
Spot the entry line - notice phrases like “Sorry, but…” and drop the apology.
Name it to tame it - locate the tension in your body and say it out loud (“My chest feels tight”).
Show compassion - instead of fighting, thank the critic for trying to protect you.
Centering practice - feet on the floor, lengthen your spine, open your posture, breathe toward the sensation.
Try This:
The next time the critic shows up, pause.
Where in your body do you feel it? Is it in your jaw, chest, stomach, shoulders?
Place your hand there, breathe slowly, and whisper to yourself: Thanks for looking out for me. I’ve got this.
Links:
Learn more about Doors Open - Institute for Corporate Sociology
Follow us on Instagram / LinkedIn for more on embodied leadership
Beyond the Corporate Mask is a podcast by Doors Open - Institute for Corporate Sociology.
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By Doors Open - Institute for Corporate Sociology“You’re not ready. Don’t speak up. They’ll think you’re not good enough.”
That voice? That’s your inner critic. The relentless whisper that second-guesses your ideas, rewrites your sentences, and makes you shrink before you even open your mouth.
In this episode of Beyond the Corporate Mask, Emma and Suzanne explore where the critic comes from, how it shows up in your thoughts, body, and voice, and what you can do to meet it differently. Instead of fighting it, you’ll learn how to recognise it, calm your nervous system, and choose another voice.
You’ll hear:
Why the inner critic develops in childhood, and why double standards make it louder for certain groups of people.
The disguises the critic takes: the Perfectionist, the Doubter, the Harsh Motivator, the Shame Whisperer.
How the critic speaks through your body: tight jaw, racing heart, shrinking posture.
Why arguing with the critic doesn’t work, and what to do instead.
Simple, body-based practices to soften the critic’s grip in the moment.
Resources & Tools Mentioned:
Spot the entry line - notice phrases like “Sorry, but…” and drop the apology.
Name it to tame it - locate the tension in your body and say it out loud (“My chest feels tight”).
Show compassion - instead of fighting, thank the critic for trying to protect you.
Centering practice - feet on the floor, lengthen your spine, open your posture, breathe toward the sensation.
Try This:
The next time the critic shows up, pause.
Where in your body do you feel it? Is it in your jaw, chest, stomach, shoulders?
Place your hand there, breathe slowly, and whisper to yourself: Thanks for looking out for me. I’ve got this.
Links:
Learn more about Doors Open - Institute for Corporate Sociology
Follow us on Instagram / LinkedIn for more on embodied leadership
Beyond the Corporate Mask is a podcast by Doors Open - Institute for Corporate Sociology.