In episode 85 of the Beyond the High Road podcast, host Shelby Milford discusses the challenges of feeling scrutinized and misunderstood, a topic inspired by her personal experiences and conversations with fellow alienated moms.

She reflects on her own journey, starting from a point of feeling misunderstood to focusing on personal resilience in the face of criticism. Shelby highlights two influential books: 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck' by Mark Manson, which helped her adopt a carefree approach to criticism, and 'The Courage to Be Disliked', which premises on Adlerian psychology, advocating for the detachment from others' opinions for personal happiness.

The episode further delves into the importance of not allowing fear or the need for external validation to dictate one's actions, encouraging listeners to pursue their passions despite the potential for scrutiny or disapproval. Shelby's message is one of empowerment, urging her audience to embrace their unique identities, pursue their passions, and not to be silenced by fear or judgment.

Finally, she addresses an incident where she was publicly criticized on social media, using it as a case point to illustrate how to deal with negative scrutiny without compromising one's self-worth.

00:00 Welcome to Episode 85: Navigating Scrutiny and Misunderstanding

00:29 Exploring the Roots of Feeling Misunderstood

02:54 The Journey of Self-Discovery Through Audible Books

06:48 The Impact of Mark Manson's Work on Self-Empowerment

09:18 Discovering 'The Courage to Be Disliked' and Adlerian Psychology

17:02 Facing Scrutiny and the Power of Self-Expression

26:56 Dealing with Criticism and Embracing Your True Self

40:29 Concluding Thoughts: Embrace Your Voice and Overcome Fear

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Books: The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck

The Courage To Be Disliked