Lucy Todd, CPC, is a fellow introvert and career coach, is the coach for folks desperate to start a new career but stuck on what to do next. She knows firsthand that indecision is the enemy of change! So after breaking out of the corporate stress cycle in 2021, she made it her mission to help others do the same. Now a Certified Professional Coach, she started Lucy Todd Coaching to help clients build clarity and confidence, turning “someday” career change plans into ASAP action.

In this episode, Lucy and I talk about all things careers and jobs, including what being an introverted corporate manager was like, how she knew it was time to make the switch from corporate to being her own boss, how she plays on her introverted strengths in a people-oriented business, how to know if you’re in the wrong job vs. the wrong career, what you gain and lose by leaving corporate, her journey with overcoming alcohol use to cope with extreme anxiety and overload, and so much more!

⭐Resources from The Introverted Misfit⭐

>> Free Audio Guide on Starting a Conversation: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/how-to-start-a-conversation

>> Communicate with Quiet Confidence: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/coaching

⭐Connect with Lucy⭐

>> Website: https://lucytoddcoaching.com/

>> Instagram: @lucytoddcoaching | https://www.instagram.com/lucytoddcoaching/?hl=en

>> LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-vww-todd/

Humans are built to form social connections, but dealing with the emotional nature of humans can be a big barrier, especially if you have struggled with your emotional intelligence for a long time like I once did.

This episode explores what EQ is, why it’s important for human connection, and the one key skill you need to learn in order to improve your EQ in your personal and work life. I discuss the science and psychology of emotions, and my personal experience as an autistic woman who has struggled with emotional intelligence for most of my life. I even reveal a bonus tip that I think might change how we approach solving the issue of low EQ.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

>> Free Audio Guide on Starting a Conversation: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/how-to-start-a-conversation

>> Communicate with Quiet Confidence: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/coaching

>> 5 Major Signs That You Are Socially Awkward: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/blog/signs-that-you-are-socially-awkward

>> Emotion Theory and Research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2723854/

>> Humans are born too soon: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165587604002551

>> The Age of Brain Maturity: https://journeytocollege.mo.gov/when-does-the-brain-reach-maturity-its-later-than-you-think/

>> Long-term Effects of Childhood Emotional Neglect: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8381469/

It’s a common misconception that introverted means you are automatically shy and scared of socializing with people, but those terms are actually not synonymous. You can be introverted and not shy at all, shy or anxious but not an introvert, or simultaneously shy and introverted which comes with its own set of issues.

This episode explores the key differences between introversion, shyness, and social anxiety, how to know which one you are, and how to overcome your fears of socializing if you happen to be both introverted and shy.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

>> Free Guide to Becoming a Socially Confident Introvert: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/become-a-confident-introvert

>> Communicate with Quiet Confidence: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/coaching

>> Why Am I Shy and Socially Awkward?: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/blog/why-am-i-shy-and-socially-awkward

Everyone of us at some point in our lives is going to have to receive a hard truth about ourselves or our situation, and tell someone else a hard truth about themselves or their situation, but when the time comes to lay everything our on the table, there is a right and wrong way to go about delivering the message.

This episode explores some strategies for telling people hard truths with a healthy mix of sensitivity and bluntness, including the important factors to consider for each individual so that your communication method is as effective as possible.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

>> Free Guide to Small Talk: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/guide-to-small-talk

>> Communicate with Quiet Confidence: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/coaching

Being bullied in childhood, adolescence, and teenage years can cause the victims to experience varying degrees of emotional withdrawal and mental illness much later on in life, but there are some ways we can cope with our past.

Join me as I discuss my personal experience with bullying in my schooling days, how it affected me into my early adulthood, and how I came to accept my past without letting it affect my future. We’ll also discuss some practical strategies you can use to accept your own unique past with bullying or exclusion and transform your life so that you can learn to trust people again.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

>> Communicate with Quiet Confidence: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/coaching

>> Free Guide to Small Talk: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/guide-to-small-talk

>> The Effects of Bullying: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1751722210000715

If you’ve ever been a social outcast, you know how humiliating and lonely it can be, especially if it’s because of something over which you have no control. As someone who was diagnosed with high-functioning Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which is a neurological disorder that affects how individuals communicate and socialize with others, I can relate to feeling like a social outcast.

It can be hard to stay motivated when you feel like you don’t fit in anywhere, but don’t lose hope just yet; there are some effective ways you can cope and even overcome being a social outcast, and depending on your situation, some of them will be easier than others.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

>> Free Guide to Small Talk: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/guide-to-small-talk

>> Communicate with Quiet Confidence: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/coaching

>> Healthline - Social Alienation: https://www.healthline.com/health/alienation#symptoms

Today’s podcast explores how healthy relationships are the foundation to a fulfilling life, and how we can individually contribute to a better society by nourishing the relationships in our lives — one person at a time.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

>> Free Guide to Small Talk:https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/guide-to-small-talk

>> Communicate with Quiet Confidence: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/coaching

>> The Evolution of Social Connection as a Basic Human Need: https://www.thesocialcreatures.org/thecreaturetimes/evolution-of-social-connection?format=amp

>> Loneliness in the Digital Age: https://www.aplaceofhope.com/loneliness-in-the-digital-age/

Sometimes it can be easy for introverts to feel out of place in the world, especially when the personality with the most visibility seems to be more extroverted people. In this episode, we discuss the valuable role that introverts have in the balance of introversion and extroversion in the world by exploring how the two opposing personalities create stability in human societies and how both introverts and extroverts can learn to be better counterparts to one another.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

>> Free Guide to Small Talk:https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/guide-to-small-talk

>> Communicate with Quiet Confidence: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/coaching

>> Henry Ford Health Stats About Introverts & Extroverts: https://www.henryford.com/blog/2022/09/introvert-or-extrovert

Socially awkward women are no strangers to feeling out of place in social settings and interactions, but those feelings can be even worse when the people with whom you’re trying to interact are exhibiting behaviors that are purposefully excluding you.

In this episode, I react to the viral Jubilee YouTube video titled “Whose Girlfriend is the Most Attractive | Ranking” and point out the discreet and not so discreet ways that socially awkward women are often shunned by typical mean girl antics, and I explain how to respond to such behavior if and when it happens to you.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

>> Free Guide to Small Talk:https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/guide-to-small-talk

>> Communicate with Quiet Confidence: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/coaching

>> Original Video by Jubilee:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbC4l5DG7s4

Welcome to The Introverted Misfit Podcast with me, Caroline Smith, where we discuss topics related to the human experience of connection and communication — from an introverted misfit’s perspective.

Growing up as a neurodivergent introverted woman with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - a combination that fueled my severe social anxiety for almost a decade - I used to think the only way to be a part of a community was to exude lively, extroverted sociability. As I grew into myself, however, I realized that each one of us has a valuable place in society, no matter what your personality type is or what diagnosis you may have. Through this podcast, you’ll learn to let go of your fears, improve your communication skills, master emotional intelligence, and build thriving relationships, all without having to act like someone you will never be.

We’ll talk about introversion, extraversion, social anxiety, self-confidence, communication styles, neurodivergence, relationships of all kinds, building community, and anything under the sun that demonstrates the importance of quality relationships, managing social burnout, and coming to terms with who you are as an introverted misfit.