We all have an inner critic, it’s part of how our brains evolved to keep us safe. But in today’s world, that survival instinct has turned into a constant pressure to be better, do more, and never slow down. And when we start measuring our worth by productivity? That’s when burnout sneaks in.

Leah and I dig into where this critical voice comes from, how it shapes our sense of self, and what happens when it morphs into a drill-sergeant-style coach that still never lets us rest. I walk Leah through a mindset shift—from seeing productivity as the only measure of success to embracing rest and self-compassion as essential parts of a fulfilling life.

The goal isn’t to silence your inner voice completely—it’s to change the conversation. Because when we replace that critical voice with a cheerleader that celebrates our progress, everything shifts. And I promise—you’ll actually get moredone with less stress. Let’s talk about how to make that happen!

Key Takeaways

Your Inner Critic is Just Trying to Keep You Safe – But it doesn’t have to be so mean about it!
Perfectionism Feeds Burnout – Chasing impossible standards will only leave you drained and discouraged.
Rest is Not Laziness – It’s actually the secret weapon to being more effective, creative, and energized.
Turn the Coach Into a Cheerleader – Instead of a voice that pressures you, create one that lifts you up!
Celebrate Every Win – Small victories matter, and noticing them will actually help you feel more motivated.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

📺 Watch the video version of this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN1hZiZD_NA
📲 Join me live every Monday at 8 PM EST: jodiaman.com/live
📩 Get text updates + apply to be a guest on Ask Dr. Jodi: jodiaman.com/live
🎥 Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: @DoctorJodi

Let’s Keep This Conversation Going!

If this episode spoke to you, take a second to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts and share it with a friend who needs to hear it. We’re all in this together, and I’ll keep reminding you: You are so much better than you think you are!

See you next week! 💛

You’re listening to the Ask Dr. Jodi - Mental Health & Relationship Advice with Jodi Aman.

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About Dr. Jodi:

Jodi Aman is a social work doctor with 28 years of experience in clinical practice. She helps clients heal from trauma, understand the world, and reclaim self-confidence. She created C.O.M.P.A.S.S., an emotional wellness curriculum for middle and high school health classes designed to mitigate symptoms of anxiety and depression.

You can find hundreds of self-help videos on YouTube @doctorjodi. Also, watch her TEDx Wilmington talk, "Calm Anxious Kids," and read her award-winning book, Anxiety… I'm So Done with You! to learn how to understand and reverse the current mental health crisis. More about Jodi.

Ask Dr. Jodi Live

Welcome to Ask Dr. Jodi, where you get trauma-informed mental health and relationship advice you won’t hear anywhere else. Advice that helps you breathe a sigh of relief.

You’ll discover that your brain is not broken...that, whatever you are feeling, it is understandable. You are having a regular human response to the context of this crazy world. But that doesn’t mean you are destined to stay like this. You can get better. And we're here to help.

We cover topics that you and those you love are dealing with every day, helping you understand the problem, yourself, and other people so you have the information you need to heal, shift beliefs, get relief, set strong limits, let go, and act in a way that helps you and those you love FEEL BETTER.

I’m your host, Dr. Jodi. I've worked for 28 years as a psychotherapist, so I've seen and understood the nuances of human behavior and relationships from a rare perspective inside people’s minds and emotions. Together, we’ll discover how you are much more amazing than you think you are by building your confidence and accelerating your healing journey.

We livestream this show on YT every Monday at 8 PM E, @doctrojodi, so follow me there so you can participate in the conversation. We do live coaching on air, and you can get personalized advice for your situation. You will gain a deeper understanding of yourself, gain practical tips, and hear from relatable guests who will show you how to get rid of worry, strengthen your emotional bandwidth, and create a happy, purposeful life.

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