In this episode, I respond to a question from an anonymous listener who writes:

“How do I grieve someone who’s still alive? I’m watching a loved one self-destruct and I feel powerless.”

We explore the pain of ambiguous loss — the kind of grief that comes not from death, but from disconnection, decline, or change in someone you love. Inside this episode, we’ll talk about:

• What ambiguous loss is and why it’s so emotionally disorienting
• Why hope and heartbreak can coexist — and create so much inner conflict
• How to name what you're grieving, even without closure
• What it means to love someone without losing yourself in the process

If you're mourning the version of someone you used to know — or the relationship you hoped you’d have — this episode is for you.

📝 Want to submit a question for a future episode?

Nothing is off-limits (well, almost nothing).

⁠Submit⁠ anonymously or with your name — whatever feels safest for you.

👉 https://forms.gle/1uYJ87Y2Vag6KYCeA

🧠 If this episode spoke to you, share it with someone who might need it. Let’s break the silence — together.

Ready to take the next step?

• Download the FREE handout, “⁠5 Things Shame Resilient People Do Every Day⁠” to start grounding yourself in self-trust, even in the midst of loss.
• ⁠Book a free 25-minute discovery call⁠ to explore coaching or program options that meet you where you are.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe on ⁠Spotify⁠ or ⁠Apple⁠, and leave a review to share your thoughts.
• ⁠YouTube⁠
• ⁠Website⁠

💬 You don’t have to wait for closure to grieve. Some of the hardest goodbyes happen without words at all.

#AskMeAnything #AmbiguousLoss #GriefWhileTheyreAlive #ShameResilience #LettingGo #AdversityRising

Summer Re-Release SeriesWe’re taking a pause to rest and reflect—and sharing some of your favorite episodes in the meantime. These powerful conversations are worth revisiting, whether it’s your first time listening or a timely return. New episodes resume September 7th.

Episode: Shame & the Shadow Self with Lena PapadopoulosIn this final episode of our summer re-release series, Kyira sits down with trauma-informed educator and leadership coach Lena Papadopoulos to explore the shadow self—the parts of us we hide, suppress, or reject because of shame and societal pressure. Together, they uncover how this suppression impacts our identity, emotional responses, and even our collective well-being.

The conversation dives into the protective mechanisms that form in childhood, the compounding effect of conformity, and how cultural narratives and historical trauma shape the way we see ourselves and others. Most importantly, Kyira and Lena highlight the power of compassionate shadow work—integrating the parts of ourselves we’ve rejected in order to live authentically and foster collective healing.

Key Takeaways

• The shadow self represents the hidden aspects of our identity shaped by shame and societal pressure.

• Suppression often begins as a protective mechanism in childhood and deepens through conformity.

• Our emotional reactions and judgments of others can reveal the shadows we’ve disowned.

• Cultural narratives and historical trauma influence how we express ourselves and see others.

• Shadow work requires compassion, curiosity, and the willingness to integrate rejected parts of self.

• Embracing nuance and iterative growth leads to personal liberation and deeper connection with others.

About Lena:Lena Papadopoulos is a trauma-informed educator, coach, facilitator, and consultant supporting purpose-driven leaders and changemakers in creating a more inclusive, equitable world. She developed (R)EVOLutionary Change, a human-centered leadership framework that addresses trauma-based shadows in individuals, society, and systems. With nearly 20 years of experience in intercultural education, leadership development, and community building, Lena’s work integrates sociology, psychology, and evolutionary astrology to foster individual and collective liberation.

Connect with Lena:

- Website

- Instagram

In this solo episode, I’m opening up about something I’ve carried shame about for most of my life — body hair — and how it became a symbol of all the ways I thought I didn’t belong.

From being called “Chewbacca” in school to obsessing over whether or not I shaved before a trip or a workout, I learned to tie my worth to how “smooth” or “presentable” my body looked — and the shame ran deep. But the anxiety wasn’t really about the hair. It was about the story I believed the hair told.

Inside this episode, we explore:

• How shame teaches us to fixate on our bodies as a form of control
• The damage of trying to avoid judgment instead of challenging the narrative
• Why neutrality — not confidence — is often the most powerful first step
• What it means to take back your power and stop performing for people who no longer matter
• A powerful reminder that your value is not defined by the amount of hair on your body

We also touch on the practice of cognitive reframing and how shifting the way we think about our experiences helps us reclaim our stories — especially the ones we’ve been holding since childhood.

If you’ve ever felt ashamed of your body, tried to manage your anxiety by micromanaging your appearance, or are navigating how to raise kids who feel safe in their skin — this episode is for you.

🧠 Want more support?

• Download the free workbook Letting Go of Shame Stories: A Body Image Reset — a reflective tool to help you rewrite the stories that keep you stuck in shame.
• Missed the episode on cognitive reframing? Listen here to learn how to shift your thoughts and reduce anxiety and self-criticism.
• Join the AR Insider List for weekly resources, tools, and support to untether from shame and live in alignment.
• Book a free discovery call if you’re ready for 1:1 coaching or group support on your shame resilience journey.

🎧 Subscribe + Share

Be sure to follow the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and leave a review to let us know what landed with you.

Know someone who’s struggling with body shame? Share this episode — you never know whose story it might change.

💬 Your body is not a project. You are not a problem to fix. You are worthy — as you are.

#UntetheringShame #BodyImage #ShameResilience #BodyHairAndShame #ReclaimYourNarrative #AdversityRising #CognitiveReframing #SelfAcceptance #NeutralIsPowerful

In this episode, I respond to a question from an anonymous listener who writes:

“I’ve built my whole identity around being high-achieving, but now I’m tired. Who am I if I’m not constantly proving my worth?”

We dive into the emotional weight of tying your value to productivity and performance — and how to start untangling your identity from the pressure to constantly do in order to feel like you are enough. Inside this episode, we’ll talk about:

• How high-achievement can become a form of self-protection
• The shame and fear that show up when you stop striving
• How to rest without guilt and reconnect with who you are beyond accomplishments
• Practices for living from values, not validation

If you’ve ever felt afraid to slow down because you’re not sure who you are without the hustle — this episode is for you.

📝 Want to submit a question for a future episode?

Nothing is off-limits (well, almost nothing).

⁠Submit⁠ anonymously or with your name — whatever feels safest for you.

👉 https://forms.gle/1uYJ87Y2Vag6KYCeA

🧠 If this episode spoke to you, share it with someone who might need it. Let’s break the silence — together.

Ready to take the next step?

• Download the FREE handout, “⁠5 Things Shame Resilient People Do Every Day⁠” to start separating your worth from your output.
• ⁠Book a free 25-minute discovery call⁠ to explore support that meets you where you are.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe on ⁠Spotify⁠ or ⁠Apple⁠, and leave a review to share your thoughts.
• ⁠YouTube⁠
• ⁠Website⁠

💬 You are not your output. You are worthy even when you rest.

#AskMeAnything #HighAchieverFatigue #RestWithoutGuilt #ShameResilience #IdentityAndWorth #AdversityRising

Summer Re-Release Series
We’re taking a pause to rest and reflect—and sharing some of your favorite episodes in the meantime. These powerful conversations are worth revisiting, whether it’s your first time listening or a timely return. New episodes resume September 7th.

Episode: Shame & Money with Kyley Caldwell
Money is one of the most emotionally charged topics in our lives—and shame is often hiding right underneath it. In this episode, Kyira and coach Kyley Caldwell dive deep into the complicated relationship between money, self-worth, and shame.

Together, they explore how societal narratives, family patterns, and internalized expectations shape the way we think about money and ourselves. From the fear of being “bad with money” to overspending in search of validation, this conversation invites you to untangle financial identity from personal value. Kyley shares strategies for cultivating a more joyful and liberated relationship with money, so that it becomes a tool for alignment rather than a source of fear and avoidance.

Key Takeaways

• Shame is often the hidden driver behind our financial fears and decisions.

• Family patterns and societal narratives shape how we view money and self-worth.

• Spending for validation or image can create cycles of financial stress and shame.

• Healing our relationship with money requires curiosity, self-compassion, and awareness of triggers.

• Aligning financial choices with personal values creates freedom and ease with money.

About Kyley:
Kyley Caldwell is a mindset coach and money mentor helping people transform their relationship with money, self-worth, and abundance. Through her coaching and programs, she supports individuals in breaking free from shame-driven financial patterns and stepping into a more empowered, joyful, and values-aligned approach to money.

Connect with Kyley:

• Instagram

In this episode, I respond to a question from an anonymous listener who writes:

“I’m dating someone new and they’re great, but I keep waiting for something to go wrong. How do I stop sabotaging what feels good?”

We unpack the fear of being seen, loved, and safe — especially when past pain makes “good” feel unfamiliar or even threatening. Inside this episode, we’ll talk about:

• Why your nervous system might interpret calm and connection as danger
• How shame and past hurt quietly drive self-sabotage
• What to say to yourself (and your partner) when fear creeps in
• How to build safety without abandoning your growth

If you’ve ever found yourself pulling away from something good — even when you want to lean in — this episode is for you.

📝 Want to submit a question for a future episode?

Nothing is off-limits (well, almost nothing).

⁠Submit⁠ anonymously or with your name — whatever feels safest for you.

👉 https://forms.gle/1uYJ87Y2Vag6KYCeA

🧠 If this episode spoke to you, share it with someone who might need it. Let’s break the silence — together.

Ready to take the next step?

• Download the FREE handout, “⁠5 Things Shame Resilient People Do Every Day⁠” to start replacing old sabotage cycles with daily self-trust practices.
• ⁠Book a free 25-minute discovery call⁠ to explore coaching or community support designed for your growth.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe on ⁠Spotify⁠ or ⁠Apple⁠, and leave a review to share your thoughts.
• ⁠YouTube⁠
• ⁠Website⁠

💬 You don’t have to sabotage what’s good just to feel prepared. You’re allowed to feel safe — even if it’s new.

#AskMeAnything #RelationshipAnxiety #SelfSabotage #ShameResilience #AttachmentHealing #AdversityRising

Summer Re-Release Series

We’re taking a pause to rest and reflect—and sharing some of your favorite episodes in the meantime. These powerful conversations are worth revisiting, whether it’s your first time listening or a timely return. New episodes resume September 7th.

Episode: Shame & Ambition with Andrea Barr

In this conversation, Kyira and certified coach Andrea Barr explore what it means to pursue ambition on your own terms. They unpack the pressures of perfectionism, premature identity foreclosure, and external expectations—and how shame weaves through each of these barriers. Together, they offer a powerful reframe of ambition as a slow burn rooted in curiosity, intention, and personal fulfillment—not performance or permission. This episode is an invitation to come home to your values and make bold, aligned decisions, even in the face of fear.

Key Takeaways

• Redefine ambition as an internal drive grounded in values—not just career outcomes.
• Recognize how shame, fear of failure, and fear of judgment can block authentic pursuit.
• Let go of the pressure to “choose one path” early and forever.
• Share your goals and ambitions to build accountability, not approval-seeking.
• Embrace exploration, change, and intentional decision-making.
• Prioritize fulfillment, balance, and your evolving desires.

About Andrea:

Andrea Barr is an ICF Certified Coach who helps parents figure out their work-life rhythms to create more quality time with their families while continuing to grow personally and professionally. She’s the host of the All Figured Out podcast and offers 1:1 coaching and community-based events online and in Vancouver, Canada.

Connect with Andrea:

• ⁠Instagram⁠
• ⁠Website⁠
• Check out Ep. 57 "⁠Coping with shame and guilt as a parent with Kyira Wackett⁠"

Ready to take the next step?

• Download the FREE handout, "5 Things Shame Resilient People Do Every Day" and start making those daily shifts to break that shame cycle that's keeping you stuck in that negative headspace.
• Book a free 25-minute discovery call to discuss different program options and find the support best fits your needs.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and be sure to leave a review to let us know your thoughts on this episode.
• YouTube
• Website

In this solo episode, I’m diving into a tool that has changed my life and the lives of so many of my clients: cognitive reframing — the practice of shifting how we think about our experiences to reduce shame, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm.

We explore how even subtle mindset shifts can dramatically change how we engage with difficult moments, and why reframing isn’t about toxic positivity — it’s about reclaiming our power.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

• What cognitive reframing actually is and where it comes from
• How shame distorts our thoughts and keeps us stuck
• Real-life examples of reframing anxious or shame-based thoughts
• Five practical steps to help you start reframing right now

If you've ever caught yourself spiraling over a comment, dreading a task before it begins, or feeling like you can’t change your inner narrative — this episode is for you.

🧠 Want more support?

• Download the free workbook, Reframing the Narrative: A Self-Coaching Tool for Rewriting Shame-Fueled Thoughts to practice shifting your perspective with compassion and intention.
• Join the AR Insider List for weekly tools and resources on untethering from shame and building a life rooted in self-trust.
• Book a free 25-minute discovery call to explore 1:1 coaching and program options that meet you where you are.

🎧 Subscribe + Share

Make sure you’re subscribed on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and leave a review if this episode spoke to you.

Know someone who struggles with negative thought spirals? Share this episode with them — your story might be just what they need to hear.

💬 You are not your thoughts. You are the narrator — and you get to choose how the story unfolds.

#CognitiveReframing #UntetheringShame #ShameResilience #ReframeYourThoughts #AdversityRising

In this episode, I respond to a question from an anonymous listener who writes:

“Whenever someone compliments me, I instantly deflect or downplay it. How do I learn to actually believe good things about myself?”

We explore how shame, fear of visibility, and old survival strategies make it hard to accept even the kindest words — and how to begin building a new relationship with self-worth. Inside this episode, we’ll talk about:

• Why compliments feel threatening when we don’t trust our own worth
• The connection between downplaying praise and self-protection
• How to receive a compliment without deflecting or apologizing
• Gentle practices to help you believe good things about yourself — without shame

If you’ve ever felt squirmy, uncomfortable, or exposed when someone says something nice about you — this one’s for you.

📝 Want to submit a question for a future episode?

Nothing is off-limits (well, almost nothing).

⁠Submit⁠ anonymously or with your name — whatever feels safest for you.

👉 https://forms.gle/1uYJ87Y2Vag6KYCeA

🧠 If this episode spoke to you, share it with someone who might need it. Let’s break the silence — together.

Ready to take the next step?

• Download the FREE handout, “⁠5 Things Shame Resilient People Do Every Day⁠” and start shifting the narrative that says you don’t deserve good things.
• ⁠Book a free 25-minute discovery call⁠ to explore personalized support through coaching and programs.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe on ⁠Spotify⁠ or ⁠Apple⁠, and leave a review to share your thoughts.
• ⁠YouTube⁠
• ⁠Website⁠

💬 You are allowed to be seen. You are allowed to be celebrated. You don’t have to shrink to be safe.

#AskMeAnything #ReceivingCompliments #ShameResilience #SelfWorth #Visibility #AdversityRising

Summer Re-Release Series
We’re taking a pause to rest and reflect—and sharing some of your favorite episodes in the meantime. These powerful conversations are worth revisiting, whether it’s your first time listening or a timely return. New episodes resume September 7th.

Episode: Shame & Binge Eating with Kyira Wackett
In this solo episode, Kyira shares her own story and lived experience with binge eating, breaking down the myths, stigma, and shame that so often accompany it. Rather than centering food itself, this conversation unpacks the emotional drivers beneath disordered eating behaviors—especially the role of shame, secrecy, and self-punishment. Kyira walks through how she learned to bring curiosity and compassion to the table, transforming the narrative from one of control and chaos to one of understanding and care.

Whether you struggle with binge eating or have internalized messages about food and body that leave you feeling disconnected or ashamed, this episode is a grounding and validating listen.

Key Takeaways

• Binge eating is often a response to emotional overwhelm, not a failure of willpower.

• Shame thrives in secrecy—naming our patterns is the first step toward change.

• Curiosity and compassion are powerful tools in breaking cycles of self-punishment.

• Healing from disordered eating is not about control, but about reconnection.

• You are not alone—and your worth is not defined by what or how you eat.

  
  

Ready to take the next step?

• Download the FREE handout, "⁠⁠5 Things Shame Resilient People Do Every Day⁠⁠," and start making those daily shifts to break that shame cycle that's keeping you stuck in that negative headspace.

• Book a ⁠⁠free 25-minute discovery call⁠⁠ to discuss different program options and find the support best fits your needs.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to the podcast on ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ and be sure to leave a review to let us know your thoughts on this episode. 
• ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠