logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
57m 46s

405. Taming the Inner Critic with Holly ...

Debbie Sorensen, Jill Stoddard, Yael Schonbrun, Michael Herold & Emily Edlynn
About this episode

Constantly battling that harsh inner voice that tells you you're not enough, that you’ll never measure up?

It can feel like this voice is always lurking, trying to undermine your confidence and making it so much harder to move forward. The good news is that you can change your internal narrative.

For this episode, Jill welcomes Shawn Costello Woolley and Holly Yates, coauthors of The Inner Critic Workbook, a fantastic resource that helps you transform your inner critic into a supportive, empowering voice.

You’ll understand how shame fuels negative self-talk, but more importantly, how self-compassion, mindfulness, and connecting with shared humanity can help you to quiet your critic and start building a kinder, more confident inner dialogue.


Listen and Learn:

How your inner critic often sabotages your path toward what matters to you most

Why your inner critic exists, how it hijacks your progress, and the ways it holds you back in life

Is your inner critic pushing you to avoid discomfort, keeping you from the meaningful things you crave?

Why self-compassion isn’t about letting yourself off the hook

Why attempting to replace your inner critic with positivity frequently fails, and what works instead

When your inner critic speaks, does it close doors or point you in the direction of values you care about?

Using the CARE method for growth to turn your inner critic into a compassionate coach

How shame isolates you, but sharing struggles helps you connect and turns our inner critic into a coach

Transforming self-criticism into compassion by speaking to yourself the way you would to a friend

Stepping back from your thoughts and reacting intentionally, not just based on emotional interpretations

How observing your thoughts and actions in the present moment can help clarify your values and guide your choices


Resources:

  • Connect with Shawn and Holly on social media:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-yates-8a8055321

https://www.instagram.com/holly.yates.healing/

https://www.instagram.com/shawncostello19/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-costello-whooley-psyd-b181294

Related Episodes:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Aug 5
419. Break Up on Purpose with John Kim
If you’re stuck in an unhealthy relationship and wondering whether it’s right for you or you’re recently facing the pain and confusion of a breakup, we invite you to tune into this episode with John Kim, also known as the Angry Therapist, to explore his viewpoint on relationship ... Show More
51m 31s
Jul 30
418. Changing the Stories We Tell Ourselves with Phil Lane
Could the stories you tell yourself be shaping how you see yourself? Sometimes those stories build us up, but other times, they are just quietly tearing us down. In this episode, Michael talks with Dr. Phil Lane, a licensed clinical social worker and the author of The Narrative T ... Show More
56m 7s
Jul 23
417. Busting Trauma Treatment Myths with Emi Nietfeld
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk has become a go-to book for understanding trauma, but not everyone agrees with its approach. In this episode, journalist and author of Acceptance: A Memoir, Emi Nietfeld joins us to talk about The Body Keeps the Score and how it inf ... Show More
1 h
Recommended Episodes
May 12
Is a "Viking" Childhood a Happier Childhood (with Helen Russell)?
Nordic countries are known to be happy - so should we all raise our children like the Scandinavians do? British parent Helen Russell moved to Denmark and was shocked that Danish children play outside in all weathers; are given sharp tools and they're shown how to light matches. I ... Show More
38m 56s
Nov 2024
Happiness Hacks That Actually Work (And What You’re Getting Wrong) with the World’s Leading Happiness Expert: Arthur Brooks : 1219
What if everything you believe about happiness is wrong? In this episode, Harvard professor and world-renowned happiness expert Arthur Brooks joins Dave Asprey to unlock the secrets of real happiness, revealing the science behind joy, resilience, and lasting fulfillment. As a bes ... Show More
1h 18m
Dec 2024
#873 - Lionel Page - The Invisible Psychology Of Happiness & Meaning
Lionel Page is a professor at the University of Queensland and an author.Lionel is one of my favourite writers so I had to bring him on to uncover the invisible psychology which drives our happiness. How can we optimise for wellbeing in a world full of distractions and pressures? ... Show More
1h 27m
Sep 2024
The Secret to a Happy Life: What the Longest Study on Happiness Reveals
In today’s episode, you’ll learn the surprising science of happiness. This is a masterclass on everything you need to know about happiness: what really creates it, the different types of happiness, and 4 easy habits that will make your life better.You’ll learn lessons from the lo ... Show More
53m 35s
Mar 2025
Friendships (Part 3 of 3) - The SWL Culture Guide To Denmark
Things are never quite as scary when you’ve got friends. But what happens if you leave them all behind? Uproot your entire life and move to a new country? To Denmark of all places! Where people are notoriously reserved and will do almost anything to avoid making eye contact with ... Show More
13m 58s
Jan 2025
181. Why Happiness is a Direction, Not a Destination: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing
Why connection is the key to a life well lived.The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part series on communication, happiness, and well-being explores practical ways ... Show More
24m 36s
Nov 2024
How To Get The Physiological And Psychological Benefits Of Nature If You Don’t Live Near Nature | Dacher Keltner
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- Practical tips for accessing the healthcare of nature no matter where you live. It’s very possible that you've heard the long list of physiological and psych ... Show More
27m 5s
Mar 2025
#354 - The Truth About Willpower – How to Use It to Your Advantage
In today’s episode of The Business of Happiness podcast, Dr. Tarryn McCarthy uncovers the science behind decision fatigue and why putting yourself first isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Learn how your daily energy levels impact your choices, why self-care should come before serving ... Show More
23m 36s
Dec 2024
The Winter Mindset: How Norwegians Love the Winter (And You Can Too)
When people think about winter, they often focus on the negatives: the cold, the dark, and the seasonal depression the season can bring. But my guest today questions whether winter really has to be so miserable and says that by changing our mindset, we can actually learn to enjoy ... Show More
1h 1m
Nov 2024
The Science Of Walking: The Benefits Of Walking In Nature, Walking Meetings, And Walking Meditation | Dacher Keltner
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- This scientist says that walking is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Here are some ways you can incorporate it into your life. Today we're goi ... Show More
33m 53s