What does it actually mean to trust yourself, especially after years of trying to control every part of your life, your body, or your impulses?

In this episode, I share how years of shame, "self-improvement", and control kept me trapped in cycles of compulsion and self-judgment - and what it was like to finally build trust with myself.

Through personal story, trauma-informed insight, and a surprising experiment called Rat Park, this episode explores why compulsive urges aren’t failures or moral flaws - they’re messages. And when we start to listen with curiosity instead of control, trust becomes possible.

 In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• Why compulsive behaviors aren’t about willpower or weakness
• How childhood disconnection, shame, and unmet needs shape our coping patterns
• The surprising science of Rat Park - and what it reveals about safety and connection
• How I learned to shift from control to curiosity
• What self-trust looks like in real life 

Links:


Work with Rande


Free Spirit Academy on Instagram