Too Much: Reclaiming Women’s Voices and Raising Spirited Kids

On The Deconstructed Woman podcast, hosts Elisa Marie and Jojy talk about the message women receive that they are “too much” and should dilute themselves to be acceptable. They discuss Cynthia Erivo’s experience being told in performing arts school to “settle down,” and how Erivo later reframed that in her book Simply More about embracing the fullest iteration of oneself. Alyssa connects the theme to parenting her spirited four-year-old, using daily affirmations and redirecting behavior without diminishing identity, and they explore how “too much” messaging can either fuel trailblazing or cause people to quiet down. The conversation also covers birth order, school expectations, ADHD referrals, and how early pressure to be quiet can make adult self-advocacy difficult, urging women not to perpetuate silencing and to create space for girls to keep their voices.

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast

00:30 Why Women Feel Too Much

00:54 Cynthia Erivo Story

02:09 Raising a Spirited Child

04:17 Birth Order and Personality

07:33 Quieting vs Blazing Trails

09:07 Simply More and Embracing It

12:06 School Expectations and Judgment

15:26 Bell Curve and ADHD Lens

21:00 Church Shame and Letting Kids Shine

23:47 Finding Your Voice as Women

31:44 Final Takeaways and Call In

33:35 Outro and Contact Info