The Overwhelm Cure

It's the holidays, and we might be witnessing many of our friends and family doing things that we wish we were doing. Today, I'm taking you back 15 years to a time when I shoveled driveways one relentless Canadian winter and felt intense FOMO (the fear of missing out).  While I was working in the freezing cold, my friends were enjoying a Hawaiian vacation. I could have wallowed in feeling resentfu...

Do you ever feel awkward asking for help?  You're not alone!  In this episode, we delve into why asking for help can be tough and why it's actually crucial for our well-being.  From personal anecdotes, including my own recent embarrassing incident, to professional insights from my experience as a registered Psychologist, I discuss the importance of breaking the stigma around seeking and receiving...

Let's talk about the stress of the holiday season and how we can transform this into one of joy. As the holiday season approaches, I find myself overwhelmed with the pressures of Christmas shopping, baking, party planning, and more.  In this episode, I candidly share my past struggles with holiday stress and how I've taken steps to make this year different.  You'll hear about the importance of pri...

Do you ever wake up feeling amazingly well-rested and ready to take on the day? Yeah, me neither.  Most women I talk to are just like us—constantly tired, exhausted by the end of the day, and overwhelmed by daily responsibilities. We've got jobs, kids, family , and all sorts of commitments that drain our energy.  But guess what? It doesn't have to be this way! In this episode, I dive into why we'r...

In this episode, I dive into the feelings of guilt and shame that many women experience. This common sentiment, 'I feel so guilty,' often surfaces when trying to balance competing priorities between work, family, and friends. Maybe you're trying to choose between social events, work commitments, and family obligations, which leads to a cycle of guilt and overextension. You'll hear me explain the d...

Friendship is a happiness booster—and research shows that strong social connections not only improve our mental well-being but also help us live longer. But let's be real: as adults, building friendships can feel overwhelming. Between careers, family responsibilities, and the fear of rejection, it's easy to feel isolated—even when we don't mean it to be. That's why, as a psychologist, I give my cl...

If you feel like you're just going through the motions when writing down what you're grateful for and not TRULY feeling the joy in your body, this episode is for you.  Today, I'm breaking down: Why you can't have joy without gratitude How your brain might be sabotaging your excitement and celebrations How gratitude fuels resilience Practical tips for making gratitude a regular part of your day   C...

If you know "clear is kind" but you struggle to put it into action, especially when it comes to giving honest feedback and holding people accountable, this episode is for you.  Listen in to learn: How to give feedback without hurting feelings Why our brains hate being called out (and how to work with that) The importance of generous assumptions when others make mistakes Practical tips for handling...

If you're overwhelmed by all of the parenting advice on social media, and you feel like you're doing it all wrong, you're going to want to listen to this episode.  Today, I'm cutting through the noise and social media trends and bringing you my parenting perspectives as a registered psychologist.  Listen in as I break down: The pros and cons of the most popular parenting styles  How lighthouse par...

It's normal to feel anxious now and then. But if you are constantly on edge and your mind is racing, your heart's pounding, and you feel like you're stuck in a stress loop you can't escape, it's time for a nervous system reset.  And I know squashing anxiety is not as easy as "just taking a deep breath." That's why today, I'm breaking down:  The 5-step process I use to help my clients hit the reset...

I've reached the chapter of parenthood every mom dreads — the one where I'm watching the tiny baby I felt like I was rocking to sleep just yesterday leave the nest.  And I know so many of you moms are right here on this emotional rollercoaster with me. That's why today, I'm unpacking "empty nest syndrome."  Listen in as I discuss:  Common fears and coping mechanisms that surface as our children ga...

Could saying yes when you really want to say no be sabotaging your relationships?  As a psychologist and recovering people-pleaser, I can tell you with complete confidence, the answer is yes.  That's why today, I'm sharing: How overcommitting and saying yes, when you want to say no, sabotages relationships  My best tips for getting comfortable speaking your mind The healing power of being a beginn...

How much time and mental energy are you wasting trying to impress or please others?  If you struggle to just relax and be yourself at work or with friends, this episode is for you.  Today, I'm sharing:  Why fitting in feels like life or death (spoiler alert: it's the way you're wired)  Baby steps that'll help you stop wasting precious time and energy people-pleasing  Simple hacks to squash overthi...

Tired of feeling like a mean mom? I've been there, snapping at my kids for no good reason, wondering why I couldn't just be nice.  Turns out, I didn't set out to be a mean gremlin. I just fell into a trap. A trap society places in front of every mom – the trap of self-sacrifice that leaves us feeling drained and resentful.  If you can relate, don't miss this episode. I'm sharing:  My burnout story...

Society says moms should be able to do it all while running on fumes and caffeine.  Not only is that humanly impossible (take it from a registered psychologist), but it's also unfair. Wouldn't you agree?  If you're tired of feeling guilty for even doing just the BARE minimum for yourself, this episode is for you:  I'm diving into:  How society fuels mom shame  Tips for keeping shame at bay when yo...

Let's be real; guilt and parenthood go together like peanut butter and jelly. And there's nothing worse than hearing your inner mean girl whisper, "You're a terrible mother" after you've slipped up and yelled. The good news? A single "failure" will not define the rest of your child's life. Take it from today's guest, licensed professional counselor Allison McQuaid.   In this episode, she and Kim d...

Struggling to get back into the groove and jump into back-to-school routines? You're not alone! Summer is fun, but let's be real, it's chaotic. Sleep schedules get thrown off, screen time increases, our kids' behavior becomes more challenging, and our stress levels soar.  If you're ready to get back on track and create a routine that helps your kids thrive this school year and protects your sanity...

Ever been hurting and had someone say, "Just stay positive!" or "Everything happens for a reason?"    Those well-meaning words of comfort probably left you feeling dismissed. Why?    They didn't convey REAL empathy.    Nobody teaches us what real empathy looks like. That's why today, I'm bringing you an empathy masterclass– chock full of things I've learned over the years as a psychologist.    Lis...

Our kids don't need us to fight their battles. They need to see us face struggles and overcome obstacles, so they can learn to do the same.   Raising resilient kids is hard work. That's why today, I'm bringing Dr. Patrice Berry on the show to break down how we can avoid helicopter parenting and offer our kids a healthy level of support instead.    We're chatting about managing anxiety (so it doesn...

Body image is the #1 shame trigger for women, yet so many of us struggle silently. Why is that?   The answer is simple: society has normalized outlandish beauty standards.   So, instead of asking for support, we blame ourselves, thinking, "Every other woman can maintain the perfect figure, so why can't I?" and  "There must be something wrong with me."   If those thoughts sound familiar, I want to...

Most of us don't know much about menopause, we just know it will happen at some point. Turns out it is more than just hot flashes, the end of your period, and possible hormone-replacement therapy.    The symptoms affect women physically and mentally, and they can go on for a long time. For me, it created the perfect storm where my life felt really hard for a while.   This episode is a great listen...

Whether you're new to therapy or have long-standing weekly appointments, it's easy to second-guess yourself or consider skipping a session. Because, let's face it, showing up and unpacking heavy stuff takes a lot of mental energy.   But getting the most out of therapy requires more than just showing up; it takes preparation. That's why I'm sharing seven tips to help you get ready for therapy. Thes...

Do you find yourself swooping in to save the day for your kids every time something goes wrong? You're not alone. As caring parents, we often default to 'rescue mode.' The problem is that kids need space to fail, dust themselves off, and keep going. They can only do that if we give them the room to try independently. If you struggle to stand by while your kids face challenges, catch this episode f...

Grief is hard to talk about because it usually feels isolating or scary    The problem with that? Healing can't happen in a vacuum. We NEED to feel heard and understood to heal, but It's hard to find the right words to express the pain we're feeling. Or a listening ear willing to hear us without judgment.   That's why today, I'm peeling back the layers of grief by using one of my most difficult lo...

Are you scared to have tough conversations? It's not your fault.    Many of us (myself included) were raised in families where discussing emotions wasn't the norm, and being a 'good girl' and doing what we were told - no matter how we felt about it -  was expected.    But sweeping real issues under the rug to avoid tough conversations doesn't do anyone any favors. Eventually, the hidden problems s...