In this episode of Your Traitor Within, Jessica Anne Pressler sits down with psychotherapist and author Kristine Jensen to explore how childhood shame shapes the way we see ourselves—and the patterns we repeat in adulthood.

Kristine shares how early experiences of emotional neglect and feeling “not enough” can quietly turn into self-doubt, perfectionism, and a harsh inner critic. Together, they connect this to the Traitor Within—the part of us that once protected us, but now keeps us stuck in cycles of pressure, overperformance, and self-attack.

They discuss why these patterns are often misunderstood as personality flaws instead of learned survival responses, and how healing begins with awareness, self-compassion, and learning to meet yourself differently. 

This conversation is a powerful reminder: you may have been shaped by your past—but you are not defined by it.

About Kristine Jensen:
Kristine Jensen is a licensed psychotherapist, speaker, and author of Bruised Not Broken. Her work focuses on helping people understand the hidden roots of self-doubt and heal the shame formed through emotional neglect and early experiences. 

🌐 https://kristine-jensen.com/

Key Takeaway:
What feels like a personal flaw is often something you learned to survive—and once you see it, you can begin to change it.

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