Perfectionism might sound like a strength—but research shows it’s one of the biggest barriers to joy, creativity, and authentic growth. In this entrée episode, Alyssia Sheikh explores the roots of perfectionism, why our brains crave control, and how to practice imperfectionism instead. Learn how to let go of shame, reframe mistakes, and return to presence—with practical tools, compassion, and a bit of humor.

Show Notes: Episode 13

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Do your morning rituals or self-care practices ever start to feel like chores? In this Quick Bite, Alyssia introduces a freeing mindset shift: tools, not rules. Learn how to stop turning your growth practices into perfectionistic “shoulds,” use the right tools when you need them, and return to the point of it all—to be fully present for your life.

Show Notes: Episode 12

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Email me: [email protected]

Call our hotline and leave a voicemail! (213) 632-9972‬

Book a Self-Trust Session with Alyssia

The Hoffman Institute (I am a Hoffman Process teacher. This podcast is not affiliated with the Hoffman Institute Foundation).

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Settle in for a gentle loving-kindness (metta) practice—an ancient meditation for cultivating warmth, goodwill, and an open heart. We’ll offer simple phrases of well-wishing to a sequence of recipients (benefactor, self, friend, neutral person, difficult person, all beings). Go at your own pace, adapt the wording so it feels sincere, and let the intention—not perfection—lead. A regular Metta practice can increase positive emotion, support emotional regulation, and nurture a steady, compassionate presence.

See Show Notes for full breakdown of the practice: Loving-Kindness Meditation (Mettā)

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Why do hard conversations feel like danger in your body—and why does it feel safer to “pick a side”? In this long-form entrée, Alyssia unpacks the neuroscience of polarization and ego, explaining how networks like the Default Mode Network, salience and prefrontal systems wire us for “me/us vs. you/them”—and how mindfulness, compassion, and loving-kindness can retrain that wiring. You’ll learn the Regulate → Relate → Reason sequence, the practice of Sacred Neutrality (conviction plus openness), and embodied tools to stay regulated without abandoning your values. Includes science, stories, and practical scripts for real conversations.

Show Notes: Episode 11 - The Neuroscience of Polarization

Try today's Dessert meditation.

Note that the other mindfulness meditation “dessert” I mentioned is not yet live and will be released next week on the podcast; if you want access early, you can access it here.

Relevant previous episodes to listen to first:

Compassion in Action

Beyond Binary: Fixed vs Fluid

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Email me: [email protected]

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Book a Self-Trust Session with Alyssia → https://alyssiasheikh.com/self-trust-session

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if compassion isn’t just soft or sentimental—but a skill that strengthens your nervous system and your boundaries? In this episode of Relish, Alyssia Sheikh explores the science and practice of compassion and self-compassion, drawing distinctions from empathy, sharing embodied practices, and unpacking Kristin Neff’s research on both tender and fierce self-compassion. You’ll walk away with tools you can use right away, from hands-on-heart to compassionate journaling, to meet yourself with kindness and resilience. 

Show Notes: Episode 10 (See show notes link for all resources mentioned in this episode)

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Kristin Neff – Self-Compassion (Official Website), University of Texas at Austin

(Resource hub with practices, guided meditations, and research from the pioneer of self-compassion.) https://self-compassion.org

Build Your Self-Trust → https://alyssiasheikh.com/unshakeable

Book a Self-Trust Session with Alyssia → https://alyssiasheikh.com/self-trust-session

Download my free Self-Compassion Break Meditation → https://www.alyssiasheikh.com/self-compassion-break-meditation

The Hoffman Institute (I am a Hoffman Process teacher. This podcast is not affiliated with the Hoffman Institute Foundation).

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most people think self-doubt means they can’t trust themselves. But what if it’s actually proof you already know what’s true? In this Quick Bite of Relish, Alyssia Sheikh reframes self-trust as a skill you can practice and self-doubt as a signal—not a stop sign. You’ll learn how to discern intuition from fear, why doubt often shows up right before meaningful change, and how to strengthen your ability to follow your own inner knowing.

Show Notes: Episode 9

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Unshakeable Self-Trust course → https://alyssiasheikh.com/unshakeable

Free visualization to Meet Your Light → https://www.alyssiasheikh.com/meet-your-light-meditation

The Hoffman Institute (I am a Hoffman Process teacher. This podcast is not affiliated with the Hoffman Institute Foundation).

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever wonder why you’ve read the books, taken the courses, and listened to the pods—yet your life still feels the same? This episode explains why information isn’t transformation—and how embodiment (mindful, in-the-body presence) is what actually rewires patterns. You’ll learn what embodiment is, how interoception (the brain’s sensing of internal signals) and regions like the insula and somatosensory cortex support it, and how it connects to your BE → DO → HAVE reality. Includes a brief experiential practice and practical ways to bring embodiment into everyday moments.

Show Notes: Why Real Change Isn’t Sticking: The Neuroscience of Embodiment - Entreé

Listen first: Ep 7 – Get Off the Hamster Wheel of Doing (BE → DO → HAVE)

Related: Ep 3 – From Reacting to Responding (BLIPS)

Dessert: BLIPS Guided Practice

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The Hoffman Institute (I am a Hoffman Process teacher. This podcast is not affiliated with the Hoffman Institute Foundation).

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever feel trapped on the hamster wheel of “doing more” but never quite feeling enough? In this Quick Bite episode of Relish, Alyssia Sheikh introduces the powerful BE · DO · HAVE framework, a life-changing reframe that flips the script on success and fulfillment. Instead of chasing accomplishments to finally feel whole, you’ll learn how starting with being—your authentic, present self—naturally shapes what you do and what you have. A short and potent reminder to step off the cycle of striving and start savoring your life right now.

Show Notes: Get Off the Hamster Wheel of Doing - Quick Bite

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The Hoffman Institute (I am a Hoffman Process teacher. This podcast is not affiliated with the Hoffman Institute Foundation).

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What if the very patterns you’ve been trying to “fix” aren’t flaws, but proof that your brain is doing exactly what it was designed to do? In this episode of Relish, Alyssia Sheikh explores the neuroscience of survival, predictive processing, and brain networks—and why they make you human, not broken. You’ll discover how to reframe your patterns with compassion, honor both spirit and conditioning, and embrace wholeness as you already are.

Show Notes: You’re Not Broken—You’re Wired: The Neuroscience of Being Human - Entreé

Mentioned:

Lisa Feldman Barrett – How Emotions Are Made / Body Budgeting → https://lisafeldmanbarrett.com

Dr. Sarah McKay – Neuroscience Educator → https://drsarahmckay.com

Connect:

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Website & Newsletter

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The Hoffman Institute (I am a Hoffman Process teacher. This podcast is not affiliated with the Hoffman Institute Foundation).

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do you ever catch yourself thinking in “black or white”—always or never, good or bad? In this Quick Bite, Alyssia Sheikh introduces the idea of Fixed Mode vs. Fluid Mode, and how shifting from rigidity into flow can open you to more freedom, curiosity, and presence.

Show Notes: Beyond Binary: Fixed vs Fluid Mode in Mindfulness & Growth - Quick Bite

Instagram (@alyssiasheikh)

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The Hoffman Institute (I am a Hoffman Process teacher. This podcast is not affiliated with the Hoffman Institute Foundation).

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.