Have you ever been caught off guard by someone talking behind your back? It’s one of those moments that can steal your energy—if you let it.

In this episode of Stress Smarts with Colonel Deb, we talk about backbiters: the people who judge, criticize, or tear others down from the shadows. From grade school to the military, nonprofits to personal relationships, I’ve seen how painful and distracting backbiting can be. And here’s the truth: healthy, grounded people don’t backbite. It’s never really about you—it’s about their insecurity.

But what you do next? That’s where your power lives.

In this episode, I’ll teach you my C.A.L.M. method—a simple, heart-centered framework to help you protect your peace, your energy, and your purpose:

💡 Key Takeaways

• C – Create Space
  Pause. Breathe. Stop reacting from survival mode.
• A – Align With Your Values
  Act from your integrity, not their insecurity.
• L – Let It Bounce Off You
  Their harsh words belong to them—not to your heart.
• M – Move Forward With Grace and Your Best
  You don’t need to convince anyone of your worth. The people who matter already see it.

Backbiters will always exist. But your power isn’t in fighting them—it’s in staying calm, grounded, and aligned with your best self.

These episodes are adapted from my live Facebook series, Let’s Talk About…, where I share real tools for rising stronger. You can also watch the video versions on my Stress Intelligence YouTube channel (YouTube.com/@StressIntelligence).

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📺 Watch video versions on my Stress Intelligence YouTube channel (www.YouTube.com/@StressIntelligence)

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