What if the first voice you hear in the morning tells you you're worthless?

This episode goes beyond addiction, into belonging, rage, and the fight to feel worthy.

Tommy Morris returns for part two of our raw, real, and transformational conversation and this time, we're diving into the messy middle of recovery. The shame. The resistance to love. The desperate need to belong.

If you've ever woken up with a heavy head and thought, "What am I even doing here?" this episode is for you.

We're talking about what it really means to heal the beliefs that kept you stuck. The ones that say you're unlovable, unworthy, too much. And we're walking straight into the tender truth: that you can build new belonging. But only when you're brave enough to let people in.

Tommy doesn't hold back about the rage, the knee-jerk reactions, the moment he nearly became a pimp (yes, really), and how picking up the phone saved his life. Again and again.

I'll be honest, this one gave me goosebumps.

In part two of my conversation with Tommy, we move from chaos to clarity. From self-pity as a comfort blanket to the unshakable power of human connection.

You'll hear how Tommy rewrote the story of who he thought he had to be - tough, invulnerable, always on guard and learned to accept love, even when it made him squirm.

We talk about his daily rituals, the friends who became family, and why saying "I'm lonely" can be the most courageous thing a person in recovery will ever do.

This isn't just about addiction, it's about identity, trust, and learning how to belong without betraying yourself.

If you're in a funk, spiralling in your head, or scared to reach out, this episode will meet you where you are and remind you: you're not alone. And you never have to be again.

What You'll Learn:

• How to catch your thoughts before they spiral into shame

• What real support looks like and why it often starts with strangers

• The surprising reason we resist affirmation (even when we crave it)

• Why old habits feel like safety, and how to build new 'warm blankets'

• How group belonging can rewire your relationship with trust

• The mindset shift that helps you trade judgment for curiosity

Resources & Links:
Need support with addiction or recovery? You are not alone. Start here:

Narcotics Anonymous - https://na.org
Alcoholics Anonymous - https://aa.org

Listen & Subscribe:

Don't miss the final part of Tommy's journey next week, follow the show on Apple or Spotify and get new episodes as soon as they drop.

Love what you're hearing?

Here's what one listener said about part one:
"I cried listening to Tommy's story. The honesty hit me in the gut, I felt less alone."

This is your reminder that you don't need fixing, you just need tools. And I'm here with you, every step of the way.

This episode was produced by Key Step Support - www.keystepsupport.com

When you've never felt loved, you'll chase belonging anywhere, even when it leads you down a path you never meant to take.

Tommy Morris didn't start using drugs to get high. He used them to feel less alone.
In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Tommy shares the early story that shaped his addiction, growing up in a home full of alcohol, silence, and violence, where vulnerability was punished and affection was absent.

By the time he was 11, drugs became his way out. Not of the house, but of his feelings. What started with smoking weed in the woods with other lost kids quickly became a spiral into heroin, crack, prison, and shame. But that's not where this story ends. It's where it begins.

This is Part 1 of a 3-part series with Tommy, a journey through chaos, connection, and the long road to recovery.

What You'll Learn:
• Why emotional neglect can be more damaging than violence
• How addiction often starts with the need to feel safe
• The real reason so many boys learn to numb, not feel
• What belonging looks like when you've never known love
• How Tommy's childhood laid the groundwork for prison, not possibility
• The moment he realised: this doesn't have to be my life

Resources & Links:
Need support with addiction or recovery? You are not alone. Start here:

Narcotics Anonymous - https://na.org
Alcoholics Anonymous - https://aa.org

Listen & Subscribe:

Don't miss Part 2, where Tommy shares how recovery finally started to stick, and the one moment that changed everything.

Follow Who Do You Think You Are Talking To on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode.

If this moved you, share it:

You never know who needs to hear Tommy's story. Forward it to a friend, post it on your socials, or leave a review to help more people find their way home to themselves.

Remember:

You don't need fixing.
You need space to feel.
You need tools to stay.
And you need people who see all of you, and stay anyway.

I'm here. With you. Every step of the way.

Still dreading that one question, that one look, that one comment? This is the episode that shows you how to stop hinting, start speaking up, and finally feel calm, clear, and in control, without the emotional hangover.

You promised yourself it would be different this year… but it's happening again.
Your throat tightens. Your shoulders rise. Someone makes a comment or expects too much, and suddenly you're doing what you've always done - smiling, swallowing it, and telling yourself, "It's not worth it."

You go home exhausted. Resentful. Drained.
And then you replay the whole thing in your head.

In Part 1, we talked about saying no to your own behavior, the people-pleasing, perfectionism, and emotional over-functioning.

Now, in Part 2, we're going deeper. Because no amount of self-awareness will change your life unless you learn how to ask for what you need.

And no, this doesn't require confrontation, drama, or blowing up at the wrong person.
It just requires clarity. Calm. Courage. And the emotional skills most of us were never taught.

This episode is your invitation to stop bottling it up, and start showing up - for real.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why hinting doesn't help - and what to say instead

• The one sentence that will instantly shift your communication style

• 3 go-to frameworks to ask for what you need (without guilt)

• How to model emotional safety when someone else shuts down

• What to do when a loved one's comment reopens an old wound

• How to quietly set boundaries without confrontation or drama

• Why real change doesn't happen when the calendar flips, it happens when you do

Resources

Holiday Boundary Blueprint: Your cheat sheet for dodging drama at the dinner table.
https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/816991/173971389271770683/share

Listen & Subscribe CTA:

Loved this conversation? Don't miss the next breakthrough.
Follow Who Do You Think You Are Talking To? on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

❤️ Remember:
You don't need permission to need what you need.
You don't have to confront everyone to set a boundary.
And you don't have to disappear to keep the peace.

You're allowed to change. You're allowed to speak up. You're allowed to take up space.

And every time you do, it's not just a win for you, it's a pattern you're rewriting for everyone who comes after you.

If you're already bracing for guilt trips, intrusive questions, or just trying to keep the peace, this episode is your new plan.

Because surviving the holidays shouldn't mean abandoning yourself in the process.

It's supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, right?
So why do you feel like you're quietly seething in the car, biting your tongue at dinner, and crashing into bed completely drained?

This week, I'm kicking off a two-part holiday mini-series with the truth no one wants to say out loud:

You're not going to change them. But you can change how you show up.

In this episode, I'll show you how to say no to your own self-betrayal, those old habits of people-pleasing, overdoing, and hoping your family will be different this year while you keep abandoning your own needs.

We're getting honest about the emotional toll of the season, from the guilt that ruins the day to the pressure to perform and please. I share the real story of the year I finally cracked... and the quiet, powerful boundary that changed everything.

This isn't about drama. It's about clarity. And if you're ready to choose calm over chaos and connection over obligation, you're going to love this one.

PS: If you're already dreading that comment at Christmas dinner, don't wait for the moment to spiral—grab my free Holiday Boundary Blueprint now. It'll give you the exact words to say.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why the holidays feel like a crash course in guilt, pressure and people-pleasing

• The truth about self-betrayal and how it's sneaking into your holiday plans

• How to set a boundary without causing drama (yes, even with your family)

• Three real-life scripts to shut down questions, comments and conflict, calmly

• The "internal no" that shifts everything before you open your mouth

• How to stop rehearsing arguments in your head and start reclaiming your peace

Resources

Holiday Boundary Blueprint: Your cheat sheet for dodging drama at the dinner table.
https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/816991/173971389271770683/share

Listen & Subscribe CTA:

Loved this conversation? Don't miss the next breakthrough.
Follow Who Do You Think You Are Talking To? on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

❤️ Remember:

You are not responsible for everybody's Christmas.
You are responsible for how you treat you.

This is your reminder that peace is not something you have to earn.
It's something you get to choose, one small, powerful "no" at a time.
And when you stop betraying yourself, everything changes.

Ever felt judged, lost, or like you're wasting time when it comes to fitness? This episode is for anybody who wants to feel strong, supported, and finally at home in her own body.

Let's talk about the fears that keep us stuck, and how to move through them.

In today's episode, I'm joined by the incredible Kelly Haas, founder of Fitness on the Fox, a women-only gym that has become one of the most welcoming, uplifting places I've ever been. We go deep on the emotional roadblocks so many of us face when it comes to fitness, fear of judgment, fear of getting it wrong, and fear that we'll fail (again).

If you've ever told yourself, "I'm just not a gym person," or felt like you didn't belong in a workout space, please listen. This conversation is about rewriting the story. It's about letting yourself be a beginner, finding joy in movement, and knowing that you are worthy of the time, energy, and investment it takes to take care of yourself.

This episode is full of laughs, real talk, and powerful re-frames that will help you take one small step toward building habits that feel like love, not punishment.

• How to overcome "gymtimidation" and stop comparing yourself to others

• What makes a gym truly inclusive, and how to spot red flags

• Why modifications are a sign of strength, not weakness

• The truth about starting small (and why it's the smartest strategy)

• A fresh mindset for when you're afraid to "waste" time or money on yourself

• How to reframe movement as a gift, not a chore

Want to find out more about Fitness On The Fox, check out their Website: www.fitnessonthefox.com

Winter Wellness Program:
https://www.fitnessonthefox.com/service-page/winter-wellness-program?referral=service_list_widget

New Year Promotion Code: 2026
When someone purchases a monthly membership their first month will be 50% off with that coupon code. *applies to new members only - https://www.fitnessonthefox.com/plans-pricing

Loved this conversation? Don't miss the next breakthrough.
Follow Who Do You Think You Are Talking To? on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

If you've ever left a doctor's office or professional meeting feeling unheard—or like you were the problem instead of the person needing help—this one's for you.

Ever found yourself nodding politely while an expert dismissed your concerns?
You walked in hoping for support, but left doubting your instincts, downplaying your pain, and questioning your right to speak up.

I've been there too. And so have many of my clients.

In this episode, I share a personal story (yep, it involves a root canal) and a powerful client transformation that both reveal what really happens when we outsource our voice, and how to take it back.

You'll hear what happens when ego gets in the way of expertise, how to stay calm when you feel yourself spiraling, and the one golden question that can transform a defensive conversation into a collaborative one.

Whether you're dealing with a doctor, a lawyer, a therapist, or a coach—this episode is your reminder: you're the client. You're allowed to ask questions. You're allowed to be heard.

And you don't have to blow up or shut down to get your needs met.

• Why you freeze or go quiet in high-stakes conversations

• What to do when an expert's ego starts to take over

• How to use "the golden question" to reset the room

• A real client script for communicating clearly and calmly

• How to shift from emotional reactivity to empowered communication

• The power of pausing - and how it can bring everyone back into the present

Make sure you join my mailing list as this Sunday's email gives you the exact words to use when you feel dismissed - so you can speak up calmly, clearly, and without guilt. Get on the list.

https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/816991/142538089324086821

1:1 Coaching Book a call FREE:

https://calendly.com/jennymcoaching/initial-call?month=2025-09

Connect with me:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennymaxwell-leadership-coach-replacemicromanagement/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jennymcoaching/?hl=en

Website - https://jennymcoaching.com/

Don't Miss the Next Breakthrough

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a reset moment. And if this episode spoke to you, would you leave a quick review? It helps more women find the tools they didn't know they needed.

This is your reminder that you don't need fixing - you just need tools.
And I'm here with you every step of the way.

If you've ever made a big life choice… then second-guessed it because of someone else's opinion? This one's for you.

We all want to make the right choice.
The smart choice. The one that keeps us safe, successful, secure.

But what if the voice in your head saying "play it safe" isn't even your voice at all?

In today's episode I am joined by returning guest and financial planner Frank Iozzo. Together, we explore what really happens when we outsource our thinking - and the emotional cost of handing our decision-making power over to other people's headlines, opinions, and fears.

You'll hear why following blanket money advice (even from big names like Dave Ramsey) might not work for you, and what it looks like to reclaim your gut instinct, ask better questions, and choose what's right for you - not your parents, your neighbours, or the algorithm.

This isn't just about money. It's about your life. Your values. Your voice.

If you've been living by other people's rules, without even realising it, this is your invitation to pause and come home to your own.

What you will hear about:

• Why even well-meaning advice can lead you away from yourself

• How to tell the difference between fear-based decisions and informed ones

• Frank's honest take on why "all debt is bad" doesn't hold up

• The emotional pressure behind financial decisions (like buying a home or sending your kids to college)

• How to spot when you're seeking advice… just to avoid responsibility

• What it means to reclaim your gut wisdom - and why it's so needed now

The next time you feel pulled to follow someone else's advice, pause and ask:
Is this true for me? Or just familiar?

Then take one small step toward your own clarity.

Resources & Links:

If you missed Franks last two episodes you can check them out now:

Episode 40 - Tackling College Debt: Beyond Price Tags and Prestige

https://jennymcoaching.com/episode40/

Episode 43 - Drowning in Debt? How to Take Back Control Before It's Too Late

https://jennymcoaching.com/episode43/

Frank will be back, so if there is a question you would like to ask him, you can DM me on Instagram @jennymcoaching or email me at jenny@jennymcoaching.com
or DM me on Instagram with the word "MONEY".

Connect with Frank

Make sure you are following Frank on LinkedIn @Frank-Iozzo or check out his webiste https://www.fmifinancial.com/

Don't Miss the Next Breakthrough

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a reset moment. And if this episode spoke to you, would you leave a quick review? It helps more women find the tools they didn't know they needed.

Whether you're feeling the weight of other people's opinions, second-guessing your next step, or just craving clarity in a noisy world - please share this episode with someone who needs to feel more grounded. A decision reclaimed is power restored.

Before You Go

You don't need fixing - you just need tools. And I'm here with you every step of the way.

This episode was produced by Key Step Support - www.keystepsupport.com

Your people pleasing isn't a personality trait.

It's a survival strategy you learned long before you ever realised you were doing it.

In this episode, I take you right into the early moments where people pleasing begins, how those habits harden over time, and the emotional cost of performing calm on the outside while falling apart inside.

I share my story from childhood stage school to years of performing for approval, to losing myself again after moving to America. You'll hear how the cracks finally pushed me toward habit change coaching and the tools that helped me rebuild my voice, my self-trust and my emotional regulation one pause at a time.

If you've ever wondered why you swallow your truth, overextend yourself or explode over tiny things, I walk you through the exact tools that changed my life and the lives of my clients.

These are the practices that help you shift the cycle of trigger → react → regret into trigger → pause → respond.

And if you're tired of performing, pleasing or pretending, there's one small challenge at the end of the episode that can shift everything.

"People pleasing isn't who you are, it's what you learned." – Jenny Maxwell

You'll hear about:

• Why people pleasing begins so young
• Childhood rules that shape lifelong behaviour
• Performing for approval and its hidden cost
• Becoming everyone's person after moving abroad
• Finding purpose in non-profit work
• The moment coaching changed everything
• Rebuilding self-trust and emotional regulation
• Learning to pause before reacting
• Setting boundaries without guilt
• A challenge to practice one tiny truth

Press Pause:

https://jennymcoaching.thrivecart.com/presspause/

1:1 Coaching Book a call:

https://calendly.com/jennymcoaching/initial-call?month=2025-09

Connect with me:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennymaxwell-leadership-coach-replacemicromanagement/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jennymcoaching/?hl=en

Website - https://jennymcoaching.com/

Don't Miss the Next Breakthrough

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a reset moment. And if this episode spoke to you, would you leave a quick review? It helps more women find the tools they didn't know they needed.

Whether you're a mom, a partner, or someone supporting a loved one through postpartum, please share this episode with someone who needs to feel less alone. A problem shared is a problem halved.

Before You Go

This is your reminder that you're not too much, and you're not not enough. You are allowed to take up space, to need support, and to rest. And if that feels hard right now, I'm here. You're not alone in this.

Episode produced by Between Tracks Media Productions - https://www.betweentracks.com/