The Malu Journey

You're the oldest sister, the friend everyone calls, the one who never says no. So who are you when nobody needs you?

Host Vanessa Johnson, COO of Malu Journey, sits down with therapist Kaela Ason and executive coach Kasia Hatcher of The Trusted Edge to talk about what happens when your identity is built around being needed. They get into burnout when you seemingly have it all, losing your sense of self after a layoff or a whole industry disappearing, scarcity mindsets from immigrant families, and why so many high-achieving women keep their word to everyone except themselves.

In this episode:

• Using your values to figure out why "having it all" still doesn't feel right
• The difference between what therapy and coaching each help with
• Nervous system tools and journaling prompts for when fear takes over
• Kasia's "protect or project" exercise for high-stakes rooms
• Why it's okay not to know, and how to get curious instead

Follow us on Instagram @malu_journey and learn more at malujourney.com.

Burnout, boundaries, and what success actually feels like

The Malu Journey is a podcast exploring what it means to become whole in a world that asks us to constantly achieve, perform, and push forward.

Through conversations with therapists, coaches, organizational psychologists, leaders, and changemakers, we explore the intersection of personal growth, professional success, emotional well-being, and community.

Because we believe healing is not just about looking back, growth is not just about moving forward, and you should never have to navigate your journey alone.

Welcome to The Malu Journey: a space to pause, reflect, reconnect, and rediscover the person beyond what you do.