Are you exhausted from doing all the things, checking all the boxes, and still feeling like you're drowning?

You're not broken. You've just been sold the wrong version of resilience.

In this episode, I'm breaking down why "staying positive" and "bouncing back" is actually heightening your stress—and what to do instead.

What you'll learn:

• The #1 thing stealing your energy (and how to set boundaries with your own brain)
• Why that word "should" is keeping you trapped in burnout
• The difference between being fear-driven vs. value-driven (and why it matters)
• How to make progress when you're completely overwhelmed
• Why people-pleasing isn't actually kindness—it's self-abandonment

Real talk: I'm teetering on the edge of burnout myself right now. So I'm not just teaching these strategies—I'm actively using them to protect my capacity through a really challenging season.

If you're tired of performing optimism while your nervous system screams for help, this episode is your permission slip to stop.

A quick update: I'm hitting pause on the podcast through February to protect my energy ahead of the trial for the driver who killed mum and our March 8th concert celebrating her legacy.

If you're in Sydney or surrounding areas, please join us for Because of Julie: Her Legacy Takes Centre Stage on March 8th at The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre. Let's pack the auditorium and celebrate that love always wins. Get your tickets here.

Stuck in the people-pleasing, burnout cycle and can't seem to break it on your own? Book a free consultation at kategladdin.com. I'll help you identify what's actually draining you and give you personalized strategies you can use immediately. I respond within 24 hours because I know waiting when you're burned out feels impossible.

See you in mid-March. 💛

Ever catch yourself thinking, "Why am I like this?" Too much. Too quiet. Too emotional. Too in your head.

What if the thing you criticize yourself for most… isn't a flaw at all?

In this episode, I unpack a powerful reframe that challenges the way we try to "fix" ourselves. Because what if your so-called weakness is actually a strength that's just been turned up too high?

If you've ever called yourself an overthinker, a people-pleaser, disorganized, shy, or "too much"—and felt stuck in shame because of it—this one will hit close to home.

No fluffy self-love. No personality overhaul. Just a simple shift that brings clarity, balance, and relief.

Less "What's wrong with me?" More "How do I work with who I already am?"

Press play if you're ready for self-improvement without self-loathing.

Ready to stop self sabotaging? I've got limited one-on-one coaching spots opening up where we dig into your specific patterns and create practical strategies that actually work for you. Visit https://www.kategladdin.com/coaching to book your call.

For the high achievers who think they need to be harder on themselves.

You're holding yourself accountable, chasing your goals, refusing to waste time. But somewhere along the way, self-discipline turned into self-loathing. And now you're wondering: if I stop being so hard on myself, will I just... stop trying?

This episode breaks down why hating yourself into change is like taking a 36-hour flight with unnecessary layovers. You'll eventually get there, but you'll be exhausted, depleted, and resentful. There's a direct flight available.

In this episode:

• Why shame triggers your nervous system into protection mode (and kills your follow-through)
• The cycle that keeps you stuck: shame → avoidance → more shame
• Why loving your body BEFORE it changes is what actually creates change
• Four mantras to redirect your brain when the shame spiral starts
• The difference between self-discipline and self-attack (and which one actually works)

You don't need more discipline. You need to stop taking the long way around.

Ready to stop self sabotaging? If you need someone to help you push through (not just give you another pep talk), I've got limited one-on-one coaching consult spots available each week. Visit https://www.kategladdin.com/coaching to book your call.

You're three weeks into your goal. The excitement's worn off. You're questioning everything. Your brain is screaming at you to quit.

And then someone tells you to "just stay motivated."

Here's the truth: motivation doesn't last. It's not supposed to. And the reason you keep quitting your goals has nothing to do with willpower, laziness, or not wanting it badly enough.

There are five predictable emotional stages every single person goes through when making real change—and most people quit at Stage 3 because no one told them it was coming.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why that initial excitement is designed to fade (and what happens when reality hits in Stage 2)
• The Valley of Despair—where dreams go to die and your only job is to not quit
• How to recognize when your brain is throwing a tantrum versus when something's actually wrong
• Why the struggle isn't evidence you're failing—it's evidence you're growing
• The one mindset shift that changes everything: seeing discomfort as proof it's working, not breaking

Here's what nobody tells you: every successful person you admire has stood exactly where you're standing right now—in the messy middle, doubting everything, wanting to quit. The difference isn't that they didn't experience the Valley of Despair. It's that they expected it, prepared for it, and pushed through it.

This episode gives you the framework to do the same. Whether you're building a fitness routine, launching a side hustle, or finally going after that goal you've been putting off—understanding these five stages will change how you approach change forever.

Because once you know Stage 3 is coming, you stop using it as a reason to quit.

Ready to stop quitting on yourself? If you're in Stage 2 or 3 right now and need someone to help you push through (not just give you another pep talk), I've got limited one-on-one coaching consult spots available each week. Visit https://www.kategladdin.com/coaching to book your call.

Remember: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

After such a heartbreaking, life-shattering year, I wanted to record this little message for you as we head into 2026. ❤️

Ready to Stop Forcing Happiness and Actually Start Healing?

You can know all the "right" things to say to yourself, all the strategies, all the steps—but if you're still trying to push through grief, anxiety, or life's hardest moments alone, nothing truly shifts.

That's where coaching comes in.

I help women navigate the messy, non-linear process of healing—not by forcing happiness or bypassing pain, but by figuring out what YOU actually need (not what others think you should need), how to honor your grief while still moving forward, and most importantly—how to trust your own healing timeline without guilt.

Book your free Coaching Clarity Call: https://www.kategladdin.com/coaching

It's one-on-one with me, completely private, and you'll walk away with actionable strategies whether or not coaching is right for you.

A huge shoutout to Kevin Lowe at K-Lowe Music, the talent behind my intro song. Listen to the full version here. Or explore custom music options here.

Connect with Kate:

• Instagram: @kategladdin
• Website: https://www.kategladdin.com/

If you've lost someone, you've probably heard people say "they would just want you to be happy." Well-meaning? Absolutely. Helpful? Not always.

In this episode, I'm sharing why that phrase hasn't been landing for me—and what I wish people would say instead. Because grief isn't about forcing happiness. It's about something much more important.

Whether you're navigating loss or supporting someone who is, this one's for you.

You don't owe anyone happiness. But you do deserve healing.

Take this episode slowly. Pause when you need to. Let it meet you wherever you are today.

Ready to Stop Forcing Happiness and Actually Start Healing?

You can know all the "right" things to say to yourself, all the strategies, all the steps—but if you're still trying to push through grief, anxiety, or life's hardest moments alone, nothing truly shifts.

That's where coaching comes in.

I help women navigate the messy, non-linear process of healing—not by forcing happiness or bypassing pain, but by figuring out what YOU actually need (not what others think you should need), how to honor your grief while still moving forward, and most importantly—how to trust your own healing timeline without guilt.

Book your free Coaching Clarity Call: https://www.kategladdin.com/coaching

It's one-on-one with me, completely private, and you'll walk away with actionable strategies whether or not coaching is right for you.

A huge shoutout to Kevin Lowe at K-Lowe Music, the talent behind my intro song. Listen to the full version here. Or explore custom music options here.

Connect with Kate:

• Instagram: @kategladdin
• Website: https://www.kategladdin.com/

There's a loneliness that comes with loss that's hard to describe until you've felt it. That moment when you realize the person you'd normally call isn't there to answer anymore.

Tara Accardo knows this pain intimately. In December 2019, she lost her mom to cancer. Six months later, her dad. Then, her beloved dog of 19 years. Each loss compounding the one before, leaving her asking: "What am I going to do?"

But this conversation isn't about finding silver linings or moving on. It's about the messy, visceral reality of grief—and the unexpected strength that emerges when you're forced to find your own way forward.

Kate and Tara share openly about:

• The physical, gut-wrenching response to loss that catches you off guard
• Why grief is a tunnel, not a black hole (and why holding onto that truth matters)
• How to navigate people who mean well but can't hold space for your pain
• The strange, sacred empowerment of learning to trust yourself through the darkness
• Finding your people in a club no one wants to join

If you've lost someone, if you're watching someone you love decline, or if you're simply terrified of the loss you know is coming—this episode will remind you that you're not alone in the dark.

Connect with Tara:

• Instagram: @lossesbecamegains + @lifewithgriefpodcast
• Podcast: Life with Grief (available everywhere)
• Website: https://lossesbecomegains.com/

Ready to Stop Feeling Like You're Doing Grief Wrong?

You can listen to every episode and relate to every story, but if you're still wondering why you're not "better" yet or feeling guilty that you can't just move on, you need more than information.

That's where coaching comes in.

I help women stop judging themselves for how they're grieving, learn to trust their own timeline (not everyone else's expectations), and find a way forward that honors both the person they lost and the life they're still living.

Book your free Coaching Clarity Call: https://www.kategladdin.com/coaching

It's one-on-one with me, completely private, and you'll walk away with clarity and support whether or not coaching is right for you.

A huge shoutout to Kevin Lowe at K-Lowe Music, the talent behind my intro song. Listen to the full version here. Or explore custom music options here.

Connect with Kate:

• Instagram: @kategladdin
• Website: https://www.kategladdin.com/

Ever find yourself waiting for someone to notice how hard you're struggling? Waiting for your partner to ask if you're okay, your doctor to take you seriously, or someone—anyone—to validate that yes, what you're going through really IS that hard?

Here's the truth: you can't control if someone else gives you that validation. But you can give it to yourself. And no, that's not the same as toxic positivity or forcing yourself to "look on the bright side." It's about giving yourself the same compassion you'd give a friend going through the exact same thing.

In this episode, I'm sharing a 6-step framework for self-validation that's helped me navigate everything from grief to everyday struggles. I'll walk you through how to actually process what you're feeling instead of bypassing it, how to connect your emotions to your values so you don't stay stuck, and the common mistakes that keep people trapped in either self-denial or self-pity.

Because here's what I want you to hear: You don't need anyone else's permission to feel what you're feeling. The validation you're waiting for? You can give it to yourself.

Key Topics:

• The difference between self-validation and toxic positivity
• Why naming your emotions literally calms your nervous system
• The 6-step framework for validating yourself through hard things
• Common mistakes (and what self-validation is NOT)
• How to honour what you actually need right now

Ready to Actually Stop Waiting for Others to Validate You?

You can listen to every podcast episode and know all the strategies, but if you're still waiting for someone to notice you're struggling, nothing changes.

That's where coaching comes in.

I help women get clear on what they actually need (not what they think they should need), how to validate themselves without falling into toxic positivity, and most importantly—how to stop making their worthiness dependent on other people's recognition.

Book your free Coaching Clarity Call: https://www.kategladdin.com/coaching

It's one-on-one with me, completely private, and you'll walk away with actionable strategies whether or not coaching is right for you.

A huge shoutout to Kevin Lowe at K-Lowe Music, the talent behind my intro song. Listen to the full version here. Or explore custom music options here.

Connect with Kate:

• Instagram: @kategladdin
• Website: https://www.kategladdin.com/

Ever gotten feedback at work that just... stung? Like, you worked your ass off on a project, pulled off what felt like a miracle given the circumstances, only to be told you "weren't enthusiastic enough" or "should have felt more excited"? Yeah, that's the kind of feedback that can send you spiraling. In this episode, I'm breaking down why feedback hits us so damn hard in the first place, and more importantly, what to do about it. I'll share my pistachio nut framework for figuring out what feedback is actually worth keeping versus what's just... someone else's baggage you don't need to carry.

If you've ever felt like you're constantly taking things too personally or spiraling after every piece of criticism, this one's for you.

Together we'll explore..

• The neuroscience behind why feedback feels like a threat
• The "pistachio nut" framework for filtering feedback
• Three essential filters: truth, actionability, and source
• Why self-compassion beats self-criticism every time
• When feedback is information about fit, not failure

You can listen to every podcast episode and know all the strategies, but if you're still spiraling after every piece of criticism, nothing changes.

That's where coaching comes in.

I help women get clear on which feedback is actually worth listening to, how to separate behavior from worth without falling apart, and most importantly—how to stop making other people's opinions mean more than your own.

Book your free Coaching Clarity Call: https://www.kategladdin.com/coaching

It's one-on-one with me, completely private, and you'll walk away with actionable strategies whether or not coaching is right for you.

A huge shoutout to Kevin Lowe at K-Lowe Music, the talent behind my intro song. Listen to the full version here. Or explore custom music options here.

Connect with Kate:

• Instagram: @kategladdin
• Website: https://www.kategladdin.com/

After the hardest year of my life, I discovered something I'd been taking for granted—the one thing that held me when everything else fell apart.

This isn't your typical gratitude episode. Because when you're barely holding it together, "just be thankful" doesn't cut it.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why one deep breath does nothing (and what actually works)
• The science behind why your exhales matter more than your inhales
• The 60-second tool that can stop you from spiraling before a difficult conversation
• What happens in your nervous system when you sigh (hint: it's not dramatic, it's biological)

Perfect timing before Thanksgiving week when family dynamics, grief, or anxiety might show up at the table.

Come home to your breath, my friends. It's been there for you through every moment of your life—and it's not going anywhere.

You can listen to every podcast episode and read every self-help book, but if you're not implementing, nothing changes.

That's where coaching comes in.

I help women get clear on what boundaries they actually need, how to communicate them without falling apart, and most importantly—how to enforce them when guilt kicks in.

Book your free Coaching Clarity Call: https://www.kategladdin.com/coaching

It's one-on-one with me, completely private, and you'll walk away with actionable strategies whether or not coaching is right for you.

A huge shoutout to Kevin Lowe at K-Lowe Music, the talent behind my intro song. Listen to the full version here. Or explore custom music options here.

Connect with Kate:

• Instagram: @kategladdin
• Website: https://www.kategladdin.com/