Women's Mental Health Podcast

Weaponized Incompetence: When 'I Can't' Means 'I Won’t


Listen Later

Subscribe now to listen to all episodes: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2023530/subscribe

In this episode of The Women’s Mental Health Podcast, we explore weaponized incompetence—how emotional labor and the mental load are quietly crushing women behind closed doors. Join licensed therapists Randi Owsley, LMSW and Jessica Bullwinkle, LMFT as they unpack why so many women feel alone, burned out, and stuck carrying the emotional weight in their relationships. Whether you're the default parent, navigating relationship stress, or trying to reclaim your identity, this episode offers relatable insights and coping tools to protect your mental health and prioritize self-care. 

Get information on weaponized incompetence—a subtle yet damaging form of emotional manipulation where one partner avoids responsibility by pretending they’re incapable. Learn more about coping skills and tools you can use to manage emotional labor and protect your mental well-being. Whether you're feeling burned out from carrying the mental load in relationships or struggling to set boundaries, you'll find practical resources to help you regain balance, reduce resentment, and prioritize your own self-care. 

 In upcoming episodes of The Women’s Mental Health Podcast, we’ll dive deeper into powerful and often overlooked topics that impact women every day. We’ll unpack the realities of emotional labor and the mental load, explore coping skills for stress and overwhelm, and talk candidly about relationship burnout. Expect honest conversations about self-care that actually works, what it means when women feel alone, and how to navigate identity struggles in motherhood, career, and beyond. If you're craving validation, support, and real tools to feel more like you again—you won’t want to miss what’s coming. 

Don’t forget—we’re now a subscription-based podcast, and your support helps us continue bringing you the content you love.

What is weaponized incompetence?

How do I know if I’m experiencing weaponized incompetence?

Is weaponized incompetence intentional or subconscious?

How does weaponized incompetence affect mental health?

What are some common examples of weaponized incompetence?

What’s the difference between genuine incompetence and weaponized incompetence?

How should I respond to weaponized incompetence?

Can weaponized incompetence be a form of gaslighting?

How does weaponized incompetence show up in parenting

Send us a text

Unlock the Full Experience with Our Premium Subscription

$7.00/month

If you've found value in our weekly episodes and want to dive deeper into the stories, science, and strategies for thriving mental health, our Premium Subscription is for you.

https://www.womensmentalhealthpodcast.com/join/

Support the show

Subscribe now to listen to all episodes: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2023530/subscribe

Stay Connected! Instagram | Facebook | Website + Resources
The Women’s Mental Health Podcast, hosted by licensed therapists Randi Owsley MSW and Jessica Bullwinkle LMFT, PMH-C, offers educational and entertaining mental health content. This is not therapy or a substitute for professional care. No therapeutic relationship is formed by listening or engaging. Some links may be affiliate links, which may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Women's Mental Health PodcastBy Randi Owsley, LMSW and Jess Bullwinkle, LMFT, PMH-C

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

26 ratings


More shows like Women's Mental Health Podcast

View all
The Confidence Podcast: Mindset Coaching and Tips to Overcome Self-Limiting Beliefs, Self-Doubt, Perfectionism, Overthinking, Impostor Syndrome and Insecurity by Trish Blackwell

The Confidence Podcast: Mindset Coaching and Tips to Overcome Self-Limiting Beliefs, Self-Doubt, Perfectionism, Overthinking, Impostor Syndrome and Insecurity

1,488 Listeners

The Anxious Truth - A Panic, Anxiety, and Mental Health Podcast by Drew Linsalata

The Anxious Truth - A Panic, Anxiety, and Mental Health Podcast

1,214 Listeners

Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Forrest Hanson

Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

2,511 Listeners

UnF*ck Your Brain: Feminist Self-Help for Everyone by Kara Loewentheil

UnF*ck Your Brain: Feminist Self-Help for Everyone

5,129 Listeners

Self Improvement Daily by Best You 2025

Self Improvement Daily

321 Listeners

Clean With Me by Raani Starnes

Clean With Me

819 Listeners

On Purpose with Jay Shetty by iHeartPodcasts

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

27,661 Listeners

Teach Me How To Adult by Gillian Berner

Teach Me How To Adult

40 Listeners

Therapy in a Nutshell by Therapy in a Nutshell -Emma McAdam

Therapy in a Nutshell

569 Listeners

Guided Meditation by Guided Meditation

Guided Meditation

1,038 Listeners

The Mindset Babe | Self-Love, Confidence, Motivation, Mental Health, & Personal Growth by Perry Richardson | Life Coach + Mindset Expert

The Mindset Babe | Self-Love, Confidence, Motivation, Mental Health, & Personal Growth

246 Listeners

We Can Do Hard Things by Treat Media and Glennon Doyle

We Can Do Hard Things

41,595 Listeners

Navigating Narcissism with Dr. Ramani by iHeartPodcasts

Navigating Narcissism with Dr. Ramani

1,734 Listeners

The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

The Mel Robbins Podcast

20,079 Listeners

The Jefferson Fisher Podcast by Civility Media

The Jefferson Fisher Podcast

8,405 Listeners