Episode 1: A Former Version of You Prayed for This Life: Breaking Free from Comparison

Episode Description: 

In this solo episode, Erin gets vulnerable about her 45th birthday funk and the comparison trap that nearly stole her joy. She shares the powerful message that shifted everything: "The life you are living now, a former version of you prayed for." If you've ever looked around at everyone else's highlight reel and felt like you're somehow behind, this episode is for you.

Key Topics Covered

• Why comparison feels heavier in your 40s
• The negativity bias: why your brain only sees what you don't have
• How social media amplified the comparison trap beyond our immediate circle
• The life-changing question: "Do I even want what they have?"
• The answered prayer audit: what did 35-year-old you desperately want?
• Why your current reality (even the messy parts) might be exactly what you prayed for

Timestamps

• 0:00 - Welcome back! Holiday mode and daylight savings rants
• 2:08 - The comparison trap at 45: why midlife hits different
• 4:00 - How comparison steals more than just your joy
• 6:14 - Erin's 45th birthday funk: feeling behind despite building everything from scratch
• 8:28 - The church message that changed everything
• 10:42 - The only person who can save you from comparison is you
• 12:18 - Why comparison ramps up in your 40s (the science behind it)
• 14:19 - Social media's role: comparing to everyone's highlight reel
• 16:16 - Practical tips: Do you even want what they have?
• 18:16 - The 10-year exercise: what did younger you pray for?
• 20:07 - Your worth is not based on someone else's highlight reel

Call to Action

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow lawyer or friend who needs to hear this message. Tag Erin on social media and let her know how you combat the comparison trap—she'd love to hear from you!

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Connect with Erin

• Instagram: @eringerner
• LinkedIn: Erin Gerner
• Website: eringerner.com 

Have a topic you'd love to hear covered on the podcast? DM Erin and let her know!