Hotter Than Ever

People Pleasing and Overachieving with Amy Wilson


Listen Later

"Getting things done": it's a mantra for many, but what happens when it becomes a burden? In this episode, we sit down with author, performer, and self-proclaimed overachiever Amy Wilson to untangle the messy web of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the endless pursuit of "more." Drawing from her eye-opening book, “Happy to Help: Adventures of a People Pleaser,” Amy shares her journey from being the person who could handle everything to realizing that our worth isn’t defined by what we can do for others. 

Tune in as Erin and Amy explore why high-achievers—especially women—often take on more than their fair share and the power in stepping back and saying “enough”. We discuss:


  • The hidden cost of being “highly capable”—why taking on too much responsibility can be a fast track to burnout.
  • Why "people pleaser" and "perfectionist" are loaded (and gendered) labels that set us up for exhaustion and resentment.
  • How birth order can shape self-sacrificing and accommodating tendencies (hello, eldest daughters!).
  • The power of letting go—why some things simply can’t be fixed, no matter how hard you try.
  • The myth that quitting equals failure and why knowing when to walk away is just as important as perseverance.
  • Why being indispensable doesn’t mean being secure and how overachieving at work and in relationships can lead to being overlooked and undervalued.
  • How to recognize life’s warning signs before they escalate into painful wake-up calls.


OUR GUEST: Amy Wilson is the author of the memoir When Did I Get Like This? And her latest book, Happy to Help. Since 2016 she has been the co-host of the Webby-honored podcast What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood. Amy is also an actor who appeared on Broadway and as a series regular on TV sitcoms. She lives with her family in New York City. 


Want more Amy? Find her online at https://www.amywilson.com/, read her book, “Happy to Help” https://www.amywilson.com/happy-to-help-book and listen to her podcast “What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood” https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/   


Follow her on social media:

  • Instagram: @amywlsn 
  • Facebook: @amywlsn 
  • TikTok: @amywilsonauthor
  • Threads: @amywlsn
  • Blueskey: @amywlsn 


Want more Hotter Than Ever? Subscribe to the Hotter Than Ever Substack to dive deeper. 


Find episode transcripts at www.hotterthaneverpod.com 


Follow us on:

  • Instagram: @hotterthaneverpod  
  • TikTok: @hotterthaneverpod   
  • Youtube: @hotterthaneverpod  
  • Facebook: @hotterthaneverpod  


Follow Hotter Than Ever wherever you listen to podcasts - we’re on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more! That way you’ll never miss an episode. 


We’d love to hear what you think about the show - it helps us know what stories are resonating with you. DM us on Instagram and write us a review!

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Hotter Than EverBy Erin Keating

  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4

4.4

154 ratings


More shows like Hotter Than Ever

View all
Love Life With Matthew Hussey by Matthew Hussey

Love Life With Matthew Hussey

2,682 Listeners

The Confidence Podcast: Mindset Coaching and Tips to Overcome Self-Limiting Beliefs, Self-Doubt, Perfectionism, Overthinking, Impostor Syndrome and Insecurity by Trish Blackwell

The Confidence Podcast: Mindset Coaching and Tips to Overcome Self-Limiting Beliefs, Self-Doubt, Perfectionism, Overthinking, Impostor Syndrome and Insecurity

1,488 Listeners

The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes

The School of Greatness

21,203 Listeners

What Healthy Couples Know That You Don't by Rhoda Sommer on Relationships

What Healthy Couples Know That You Don't

277 Listeners

The Rachel Hollis Podcast by Three Percent Chance

The Rachel Hollis Podcast

16,663 Listeners

On Purpose with Jay Shetty by iHeartPodcasts

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

27,677 Listeners

The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast by Kate Anthony, CPCC

The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast

571 Listeners

Let’s Get Vulnerable: Relationship and Dating Advice by Dr. Morgan Anderson

Let’s Get Vulnerable: Relationship and Dating Advice

1,130 Listeners

Weight Loss Mindset by Weight Loss Mindset

Weight Loss Mindset

104 Listeners

The Intimate Marriage Podcast, with Intimacy Coach Alexandra Stockwell, MD by Alexandra Stockwell, MD

The Intimate Marriage Podcast, with Intimacy Coach Alexandra Stockwell, MD

157 Listeners

Navigating Narcissism with Dr. Ramani by iHeartPodcasts

Navigating Narcissism with Dr. Ramani

1,731 Listeners

Jillian on Love by Jillian Turecki | QCODE

Jillian on Love

1,389 Listeners

The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

The Mel Robbins Podcast

20,214 Listeners

The Sabrina Zohar Show by The Sabrina Zohar Show

The Sabrina Zohar Show

4,977 Listeners

The Jamie Kern Lima Show by Jamie Kern Lima

The Jamie Kern Lima Show

2,642 Listeners