logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2023
49m 33s

Why Rejection Hurts So Much — And How to...

NPR
About this episode
Rejection, or even the thought of it, can strike fear into our hearts, and leave a bad taste in our mouths. It often leads to a mix of sadness, shame, anxiety, and anger — along with nagging questions. What's wrong with me? Why did this person not like me? Why didn't I win this award? Why didn't I get the job? But it doesn't have to be that way, and there's a lot we can learn from not making the cut. On this episode, we explore the experience of rejection — what it feels like, how it functions, and the lessons we can draw from it.We'll hear from a fear and anxiety researcher about the evolutionary roots of anxiety — and why asking someone out on a date can feel like a life-or-death situation. Then we'll explore a common experience among people with ADHD, known as rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), and hear how one future physician dealt with the worst rejection of her life.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Today
Finding Focus in the Age of Distraction
We often think of digital distractions, from TikTok to newsfeeds, as a way of giving our brains a break. But in reality, they could be doing the opposite. We talk with psychologist Marc Berman about a better way of restoring our focus — spending time in nature. We also try a dopa ... Show More
49m 34s
Oct 1
The Search for the Golden Toad and Other Adventures in the Wild
Many adventurers and researchers feel the call of the wild — a force tugging them to explore, climb distant mountains, venture into faraway forests, and discover or rediscover something: a creature, a place, some new clue. On this episode: Adventures in the Wild, featuring the my ... Show More
49m 34s
Sep 24
Lessons on Weight Loss from ‘The Biggest Loser’
In its heyday, “The Biggest Loser” was one of the biggest shows on TV. But now, nine years after it went off the air, a Netflix docuseries and new book by leading obesity researcher Kevin Hall, are prompting a re-examination of the show’s tactics, and some of the surprising disco ... Show More
49m 30s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
#617: Rejected But Not Dejected: How to Stay Confident When Rejected, Fired or Not Selected
Rejection hurts. And the thing is, when we get rejected we also self-isolate and personalize the rejected state. This episode of The Confidence Podcast will help you know what to do to self-heal after the next rejection you experience (because let's be honest, you'll have them co ... Show More
37m 27s
Nov 2024
Taking The Sting Out Of Rejection (Part 1)
Rejection—it’s the sting we all dread. Whether you’re battling social anxiety, people-pleasing, or simply trying to navigate life’s challenges, the fear of rejection can keep you trapped. But what if you could take the sting out of rejection for good? In this episode, we explore ... Show More
21m 10s
Oct 2024
Failure, Rejection, And Not Enoughness (The Gruesome 3)
Welcome to today's episode of Shrink for the Shy Guy! You are brave for clicking on this one because today we're tackling the gruesome three—failure, rejection, and not-enoughness. As we approach Halloween, it's time for some real horror stories—those emotions we avoid like the p ... Show More
23m 25s
Jul 18
“Why Healing Feels Like Rejection (But Isn’t)”
You got clear headed. You stopped chasing.You’re doing everything “right.” So why does it still feel so empty? In this episode of Sappy Hour, JB responds to two voicemails from listeners who are deep in the in-between - not who they used to be, but not quite who they’re becoming. ... Show More
50m 5s
Aug 2024
(Rewind): 3 Ways to Deal With Rejection in Dating
When it comes to dating, does the fear of rejection stop you from being yourself? Whether it’s approaching someone at a coffee shop, reaching out first on an app, or allowing yourself to “let go” whilst on a date, this fear is the very thing that will have you looking back wistfu ... Show More
11m 25s
Jun 2025
I Got Rejected 567 Times… Which is Why I’m GREAT with Women Now
Fear of rejection can make you freeze. It’s why you don’t say hi to the stylish woman at the café or make a move on the date. In this episode of. “How to Get a Girlfriend,” dating coach Connell Barrett gets raw and real about his own fear of rejection. He also shares how getting ... Show More
38m 45s
Mar 2025
how to turn REJECTION into GROWTH: the best revenge to overcome hurt, regain confidence, & move forward | REDEMPTION ARC
Rejection is your SUPER POWER… The greatest form of revenge, is using rejection to FUEL your passion instead of putting it out. If you’ve felt rejected, you know how hard it can be to let go/forgive, or move on from the past. The truth about rejection, is it’s actually a GIFT onc ... Show More
21m 39s
Jul 2024
Why do I always feel so hopeless?
This week on Ask Kati Anything (ep. 224) licensed therapist Kati Morton talks about how therapists react when clients have breakthroughs, how we can fight hopelessness, and ways that we can more easily talk to a therapist of the opposite sex about sensitive topics. She then dives ... Show More
42m 12s
May 2024
Rejection Sensitivity
Healthy//Toxic Healthy versus Toxic is a podcast where licensed mental health professionals explore what makes a relationship healthy or unhealthy. Our hosts aim to provide a scientifically informed perspective on what factors go into making healthy relationships, how to build se ... Show More
19m 59s
Sep 3
Fear of Rejection
Fear of rejection is one of the biggest hurdles in dating, often holding people back from putting themselves out there or forming deeper connections. In this episode, we unpack where this fear comes from, how it ties into past experiences and self-worth, and why rejection is not ... Show More
46m 42s