Emotional Deflection, Baiting, and the Tactics That Keep You Off Balance

Welcome to today’s episode of Decoded Life: Unfiltered and Unmasked.I’m your host, Claudia G, and today we’re diving deep into another real, raw, and necessary conversation. Whether you’re tuning in from your car, your couch, or your chaos—I see you. This space is for all of us who are done masking / pretending and ready to unmask, heal, and rise. Let’s get into it.

Welcome to Episode 3 of Decoded Life: Unfiltered and Unmasked.I’m your host, Claudia G, and today we’re talking about natural unmasking—what it really means to live without the filters we were taught to wear. This isn’t about forcing authenticity or performing vulnerability. It’s about remembering who we were before the world told us who to be. Together, we’ll explore what it looks like to unmask gently, in our own time, and on our own terms. This is your permission slip to come home to yourself—naturally.

Welcome to Episode 2 of Decoded Life: Unfiltered and Unmasked.I’m your host, Claudia G, and today we’re unmasking one of the most exhausting survival patterns—people-pleasing. The habit that wears a smile while carrying the weight of silence, resentment, and self-erasure. In this episode, we’ll explore where it begins, why it’s so hard to stop, and how to start choosing yourself—without guilt, without apology. If you’ve ever felt like loving others meant losing yourself, this one’s for you.

Welcome to Episode 1 of Decoded Life: Unfiltered and Unmasked.I’m your host, Claudia G, and today we’re starting where so many of our stories begin—in childhood, where love and survival sometimes get tangled. In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on codependent parenting: how it shows up, how it shapes us, and how we can begin to break the cycle. This isn’t about blame—it’s about truth, healing, and reclaiming our power. Let’s decode it together.

In this episode, we delve into the intricate process of unmasking, a journey towards embracing one's true self. Through the compelling story of an individual who unknowingly unmasked during a year of self-isolation, we explore the challenges and triumphs of shedding the social masks that many neurodivergent individuals wear.

Discover the profound impact of masking on the nervous system and overall well-being, and learn practical steps to slowly and healthily unmask in a supportive environment. This episode offers insights into self-reflection, setting personal boundaries, and embracing neurodiversity as a vital part of one's identity. Join us as we navigate the path to authenticity and encourage a supportive community for all.

EPISODE SUMMARY (Spotify/Podcast Platforms):

What if your politeness was actually a survival strategy? In this episode of Decoded Life | Unfiltered and Unmasked, we rip off the mask of people-pleasing and dissect how neurodivergent individuals—especially those raised in trauma, codependency, or misattuned environments—learn to survive by becoming what others want. From autistic masking to attachment trauma, we reveal the high cost of being the “good kid,” “model employee,” or “perfect partner.”

This is not about blame—it’s about unmasking manipulation dressed as manners, and reclaiming the truth underneath.

For parents: Detangle guilt from love. Say, “I can hold space for your feelings, but I won’t negotiate respect.” Learn to discern meltdown from manipulation.

For children:- Emotional literacy- Coaching/behavioral support- Boundaries and responsibility.