In this episode, Dr. Wendy Schofer joins me for a conversation that’s part personal story, part wake-up call. As a dual-board certified pediatrician, lifestyle physician, and trauma-informed coach, she’s learned firsthand how burnout, people-pleasing, and emotional disconnection can show up in our careers, relationships, and even our relationship with food and our bodies. We talk about what it means to live boldly instead of shrinking to fit someone else’s mold, how emotional regulation chang...
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In this episode, Dr. Wendy Schofer joins me for a conversation that’s part personal story, part wake-up call. As a dual-board certified pediatrician, lifestyle physician, and trauma-informed coach, she’s learned firsthand how burnout, people-pleasing, and emotional disconnection can show up in our careers, relationships, and even our relationship with food and our bodies. We talk about what it means to live boldly instead of shrinking to fit someone else’s mold, how emotional regulation chang...
In this episode, Dr. Wendy Schofer joins me for a conversation that’s part personal story, part wake-up call. As a dual-board certified pediatrician, lifestyle physician, and trauma-informed coach, she’s learned firsthand how burnout, people-pleasing, and emotional disconnection can show up in our careers, relationships, and even our relationship with food and our bodies. We talk about what it means to live boldly instead of shrinking to fit someone else’s mold, how emotional regulation chang...
What if helping someone you love is actually hurting you? In this episode, Donna Marston shares her journey as a mother of a child in active addiction—and how she learned to set boundaries, release shame, and reclaim her life. We talk about the difference between support and enabling, the grief of parenting through addiction, and how healing begins when you choose yourself. Learn more at www.sharingwithoutshame.com Grab her free resource: 5 Boundaries and Breakthroughs Send me a message ...
Jenn Fredericks, Personal Resilience Practitioner and founder of The Carewell Circle, joins us to talk about Prosilience, a proactive approach to resilience, and why managing your energy (not just your time) is the key to staying afloat. Jenn shares powerful stories from her own journey as both a two-time kidney transplant recipient and a caregiver for her daughter with a brain tumor, and offers practical strategies to help you pause, refill, and reconnect with yourself. Connect with Jenn o...
Ever feel stuck even when you’re motivated and ready to change? In this episode, Kam Knight breaks down the hidden force behind that feeling: internal resistance. We talk about how it shows up as procrastination, overthinking, and self-doubt, plus simple ways to start moving forward. Grab Kam’s freebie 5 Ways to End Procrastination and Sabotage at kamknight.com, and find him on Instagram and Facebook. Send me a message This episode includes a paid partnership with BetterHelp. Click this li...
In this episode, I sit down with Michelle Butt, founder of Face Talk™ and expert in Facial Intelligence, to explore how our facial features can act as a mirror to the mind and spirit. Michelle shares how understanding our own face can reveal patterns, improve communication, and help us break free from cycles of people-pleasing and conflict. It’s a powerful conversation about stepping into self-awareness, connection, and personal power. Connect with Michelle on Instagram @michellembutt, on F...
Neuroscience researcher and wellness coach Samantha Stoltz joins me to talk about what burnout really is, why it’s more than just exhaustion, and how the mind-body connection shapes our health in powerful ways. Samantha shares her own journey through burnout and the science-backed, soul-centered practices that helped her rebuild balance. From breaking limiting beliefs to creating small sustainable shifts through habit stacking, this conversation is packed with tools to help you shine from the...
In this episode, I sit down with psychotherapist and mindful life coach Elizabeth Mintun, host of The Calming Ground podcast. We talk about navigating life transitions — from leaving toxic relationships to moving through grief and midlife shifts — and how to embrace the discomfort of change as part of growth. Elizabeth also shares practical tools for holding space for yourself. Click here for a free Morning Ritual Guide to support your journey. Connect with her at thecalmingg...
Your nervous system—not just your mindset—holds the key to healing. In this powerful conversation, Elizabeth Kipp shares how she recovered from 40 years of chronic pain and why codependent patterns are actually survival strategies, not flaws. You’ll learn simple breathing techniques to shift from stress to safety in minutes, plus holistic tools for releasing trauma, breaking cycles, and finding true regulation. Website https://Elizabeth-Kipp.com Facebook: elizabeth.kipp.3 Instagram @lizi.kipp...
Feeling lost in people-pleasing and emotional caretaking? You’re not alone. Psychotherapist and author of Love Smacked, Sherry Gaba, joins us to unpack codependency. We explore how early relational trauma wires us to abandon ourselves for connection. Learn to spot the subtle signs of codependency: resentment, overgiving, chronic guilt. Sherry explains the link between love addiction and the pull toward unavailable partners. We dive into healing tools: inner child work, parts therapy, and nerv...
Breakups hurt! In this episode, Dr. Downey unpacks why heartbreak can feel like withdrawal, especially for those with codependent tendencies. When your identity is wrapped up in caring for someone else, losing the relationship often means losing your sense of self. From the brain chemistry behind those late-night texts to the quiet signs it’s time to leave a draining relationship, this episode is a deep dive into the real pain of letting go—and how to begin healing for real. You’ll learn...
In this episode of The Codependent Doctor, I introduce the powerful yet simple tool that’s helped me stop people-pleasing on autopilot: the three-second authenticity pause. Through personal stories and practical tips, we explore how this tiny moment of mindfulness can help you reconnect with your body’s wisdom, set boundaries without guilt, and honor your truth—because real self-care starts with choosing yourself. Send me a message You can buy my books now on Amazon. 🦋 Enough As I Am - A heal...
Have you ever thought, “My parents really tried their best… but I still got hurt”? This episode dives into that exact truth—the emotional complexity of being raised by loving parents who lacked the tools to meet all your needs. Dr. Angela Downey shares her story from both sides: As a child with unmet emotional needsAnd as a mother navigating burnout while trying to give her kids everythingWe explore how: Childhood coping becomes adult codependency“Being the good child” often means losing your...
Have you ever felt the quiet pressure to “just get over it” after someone broke your trust? Maybe they apologized. Maybe they didn’t. But something inside you still feels unsettled. Trust doesn’t rebuild overnight. It takes consistency, accountability, and the slow return of emotional safety—not just a quick “I’m sorry.” In this episode, we explore: Why trust feels like emotional debt, not a switch you can flipHow codependent patterns make rebuilding trust even harderThe difference between tr...
Do Father’s Day celebrations leave you feeling hollow instead of happy? You’re not alone. In this raw, candid conversation, we explore the grief that comes with having a father who was physically present but emotionally absent—a special kind of loss that often goes unspoken. In this episode, you’ll hear about: The lasting impact of emotional neglect on self-worth and relationshipsHow we internalize the absence of emotional warmth as “something is wrong with me”The burden of generational silen...
Codependency doesn't just affect romantic relationships—it can appear in our friendships too, creating anxiety, over-functioning, and emotional entanglement that feels just as intense without the relationship label. Emotional intimacy is emotional intimacy, regardless of whether it's with a friend or partner, and our attachment patterns don't discriminate. • Friendships lack the clear definitions and expectations that romantic relationships have—there's no "define the relationship" talk or b...
Mental health and codependency intersect in profound ways that affect how we treat ourselves, not just our relationships with others. We explore four key patterns that keep us stuck in cycles of burnout, guilt, and emotional exhaustion while providing practical steps toward healing. We will explore how: • People-pleasing isn't just politeness but a nervous system survival response developed in childhood • Self-abandonment occurs when we consistently put others first regardless of the cost t...
In this bonus episode for Mental Health Awareness Month, Dr. Angela Downey shares five powerful mindset shifts that challenge how we think about healing and self-care: Healing isn’t linear — Growth often looks messy, not perfect.You can struggle and still be strong — Vulnerability is courage, not weakness.Feeling your feelings isn’t weakness — Emotions are messengers, not problems to fix.Rest is productive — You don’t need to earn your downtime.Boundaries protect your peace — Limits aren’t se...
The quietest form of trauma often leaves the deepest marks. If you've always been "the strong one," the helper, or the person who never rocks the boat, this episode on emotional neglect might explain why you still struggle with relationships as an adult. Emotional neglect isn't defined by dramatic incidents but rather by what didn't happen in your childhood. Your basic needs may have been met, but when you experienced difficult emotions, no one helped you name them or comfort you through the...
Ever caught yourself saying "it's not that bad" when you're feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or simply not yourself? That seemingly innocent phrase carries enormous weight, subtly convincing us to minimize our struggles and postpone getting the support we truly need. This Mental Health Awareness Month bonus episode tackles high-functioning distress—that space where you're managing responsibilities, showing up for others, and appearing put-together while feeling completely drained inside. Thro...
In this episode of The Codependent Doctor, I dive deep into the phenomenon of love bombing—a term I only discovered a few years ago, despite having experienced it firsthand. We explore what love bombing really is: an overwhelming display of affection, attention, and promises that can feel intoxicating but often masks emotional manipulation. I share my personal experiences, including a time when I rushed a relationship by introducing someone to my entire family after just one date, highlightin...
In this episode, Dr. Wendy Schofer joins me for a conversation that’s part personal story, part wake-up call. As a dual-board certified pediatrician, lifestyle physician, and trauma-informed coach, she’s learned firsthand how burnout, people-pleasing, and emotional disconnection can show up in our careers, relationships, and even our relationship with food and our bodies. We talk about what it means to live boldly instead of shrinking to fit someone else’s mold, how emotional regulation chang...
