Why do so many of us feel the need to justify, clarify, and explain ourselves to exhaustion? In this episode of Uninhibited: The Mental Health Podcast, licensed professional counselor Jessica Van Leer unpacks the roots of overexplaining—and how this common behavior keeps us small, anxious, and disconnected from our truth.

You’ll learn:

• The psychological and cultural origins of overexplaining

• How trauma, gender roles, and people-pleasing shape the urge to be overly understood

• Why silence can feel threatening when your safety once depended on staying in control

• What it means to reclaim your right to say less—and let your boundaries stand

• How active listening in your relationships can shift the need to over-clarify

• Tools to calm your nervous system when guilt or self-doubt makes you want to overshare

• Gentle practices to honor your voice without drowning it in over-explanation.

With warmth and a trauma-informed lens, Jessica offers strategies to help you move from compulsive clarity to embodied confidence. Whether you’re someone who replays conversations in your head or feels guilt when setting limits, this episode is for you.

💬 Quote from the episode: “Overexplaining is a form of self-protection—but when we soften that impulse, we make room for trust, clarity, and true connection.”

🎧 Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute therapy or create a therapeutic relationship. If you are in crisis or need support, please reach out to a licensed provider in your area.

Next week on Uninhibited, we’ll explore shame spirals—how they hijack our inner world, and what it takes to interrupt them with compassion.