Scenic Route, Social Change and Mental Health Conversations for Perfectionists

<p>You’ve outgrown perfection, but not your desire to grow.<br />This is the place where high-functioners, deep feelers, and quiet rebels come home to themselves.<br /><br /></p><p>We explore:</p><ul><li>Mental health wisdom (minus toxic positivity)</li><li>Social change (that starts from within)</li><li>System critiques (with actionable solutions)</li><li>Inner wisdom (over external validation)</li><li>Mindfulness for minimalists (no crystals required)</li></ul><p><br />Join Jennifer Walter, sociologist (MASoc UCC) and recovering perfectionist, for weekly conversations that blend critical thinking with oh-so-much compassion.<br /><br /></p><p>If you’re questioning everything – or just trying to stay grounded in a chaotic world – this space is for you. We make room for your inner critic and collective action. Because personal healing and social change go hand in hand (with a side of potty humour).<br /><br /></p><p>New episodes drop every Tuesday.<br /><br />The longest way round is the shortest way home – and that's exactly why we're taking the Scenic Route.<br /><br />Ready to walk the scenic route?<br />The view here is *<em>chef's kiss</em>.*</p>

Default Male Lens and Abortion Myths: Two Feminist Snapshots That Fired Me Up

Why do people still say women make “careless” decisions about abortion – and how can you shut that argument down fast? And what does it have to do with a shocking PhD thesis on endometriosis? In this episode of The Scenic Route, you’ll get: A toolkit to counter the “careless abortion” myth from three angles: logic, evidence, and power.Evidence-based insights you can drop in conversation to cut through opinion with data.A clearer lens on structural bias – why women’s pain is underfunded and di...

09-30
19:55

Self-Sabotage Isn’t What You Think: Why It Happens and How to Change It

Why do we procrastinate, overthink, avoid, or hold back just when things matter most? Your social media feed at 2 am calls this self-sabotage, but is it? In this episode of the Scenic Route, we unpack fresh psychology research that flips the story of self-sabotage on its head. You’ll discover three hidden patterns that shape how we repeat harmful choices: Sensitives: quick learners who adapt after mistakesUnawares: people who miss the cause-and-effect until it’s explainedCompulsives: those wh...

09-16
16:24

SMART Goals Don’t Work (Here’s What Does)

September rolls in and suddenly life speeds up – school runs, work deadlines, holidays on the horizon. And with it comes the pressure to “get organised,” “finish strong,” and set bigger, better goals. But here’s the truth: SMART goals don’t work for most women juggling kids, work, and real life. They focus on outcomes you can’t fully control — which often kills momentum before you even get started. In this episode of The Scenic Route, we’re rethinking goal-setting from the end of summer to th...

09-09
16:15

Does Body Size Affect Your Grades? The Latest Truth About Fat Bias in Education

Can a student’s body size affect their grades? Research says yes. In this episode of The Scenic Route, Jen explores how fat bias and socioeconomic bias shape grades, opportunities, and self-worth. You’ll hear: A personal story of how weight stigma shows up in healthcare.A German study of 14,000 students showed that overweight and lower-income kids receive lower grades than equally capable peers.Why grades often reflect compliance, neatness, and bias more than actual learning.How to judge whet...

09-02
18:50

The Knowing–Doing Gap: Why Smart Women Stay Stuck (and How to Finally Change)

You know what to do. You’ve read the books, journaled the insights, maybe even coached others through the same thing. But when it comes to your own life, something still isn’t shifting. We’re diving into the psychology of the knowing–doing gap, that frustrating space between insight and action, and unpacking why even the most emotionally intelligent among us get stuck. Rooted in behavioural theory, trauma-informed coaching, and real-life experience, we explore the invisible forces blocking ch...

05-06
26:42

Who Were You Supposed to Be? The Ache of Doing Everything Right

You did everything right. So why does it feel so wrong? In this episode of The Scenic Route, we dive into the quiet ache so many of us feel after building the life they thought they were supposed to want, only to realise it doesn’t feel like theirs anymore. We explore: Why “success” often leaves women feeling hollow instead of wholeHow Symbolic Interactionism explains the silent shaping of your identityErving Goffman’s Front Stage vs. Backstage selves—and when the performance becomes unbearab...

04-29
20:15

What Makes a Woman (And Who Gets to Decide?)

In this fierce and timely episode of The Scenic Route, we unpack the UK Supreme Court’s ruling that redefines “woman” based solely on biological sex, excluding trans women from legal protections, political representation, and basic recognition. But this isn’t just a courtroom debate. It’s a culture war dressed in legal robes. We follow the funding behind the ruling, expose the billionaire feminists fueling the backlash, and dismantle the persistent myths about biology, gender, and identity. T...

04-22
20:44

The Weight We Carry: How Our Bodies Hold Stress – And What to Do About It feat. Michelle Sabatini

Why do we feel exhausted even when life looks “fine” on the outside? In this episode of Scenic Route, we explore the quiet, invisible weight so many of us carry—and how our bodies often hold onto stress, tension, and emotional labor in ways we don’t even notice. Zurich-based body therapist Michelle Sabbatini joins Jennifer Walter to discuss the difference between having a body and being one and how tuning into our physical sensations can be the first step toward healing and resilience. ...

04-15
01:11:29

Smiles and Sacrifices: The Modern Motherhood Performance

Why are women punished for being honest about motherhood? When Chappell Roan said her friends with kids are “in hell,” the backlash wasn’t about the words but about breaking the performance. In this episode of Scenic Route, sociologist and coach Jennifer Walter unpacks the emotional labour, mental load, and societal expectations that define modern motherhood. Why do we praise men like Seth Rogen for opting out of parenthood while vilifying women who name the cost of caregiving? Why do tradwif...

04-08
21:51

Your Brain’s Blind Spots: How to Think Critically in the Disinformation Age with Dr. Brie Kara

We are living in the Disinformation Age — a time unlike any other in history. Never before have we been bombarded with so much information, yet so little clarity. Our feeds are flooded with misleading headlines, personal opinions disguised as facts, and viral narratives designed to manipulate us. Even the sharpest minds can fall for misinformation—so how do we learn to see through the noise? In this episode of The Scenic Route, I sit down with Dr. Brie Kara, a psychologist specializing in dis...

03-25
59:04

Is Your Empathy Overwhelming You? Here’s How to Fix It.

For decades, empathy has been celebrated as the glue of human connection— but what if it’s actually burning you out? In this thought-provoking episode of The Scenic Route, we unpack why empathy alone isn’t enough and why it’s time to shift toward something more sustainable: compassion. 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ Why empathy is exhausting—and how it leads to burnout, anxiety, and emotional paralysis ✔️ The three ways empathy has been weaponized in modern life ✔️ How selective e...

03-18
34:41

What We Eat Is Political: Reframing Veganism with Joy feat. Matthew C. Halteman

What we eat isn’t just personal — it’s political. In this thought-provoking episode, Matthew C. Halteman, philosopher and author of Hungry, Beautiful Animals, joins Jennifer to reframe the ethics of veganism through the lens of joy, flourishing, and resistance. Instead of guilt or perfectionism, Matt advocates for ethical and vegan eating as an act of joyful defiance — a way to challenge systems of oppression while embracing personal and collective well-being. Together, they explore: How vega...

03-04
01:04:13

Feeling Behind in Life? You're Not Alone: Redefining Success as a Millennial in 2025

If you've ever had that gut-wrenching feeling of being behind in life, wondering "What am I doing with my life?" – trust me, you're not alone. In fact, you're part of a generation grappling with redefining success in a world that looks radically different from the one our parents knew. In this raw episode, we fearlessly dive into what it really means to thrive as a millennial in 2025. We'll unpack the hard truths behind the millennial wealth gap, exploring how economic shifts, the stude...

02-18
26:10

Redefining Luxury: Join the Slow Fashion Revolution with Lora Gene

Think you know quality fashion? Get ready to upgrade your shopping game. Today, we're diving deep into the world of ethical fashion with Lora Gene, who's challenging our perception of luxury and inviting us to be part of a mindful fashion revolution that values both people and the planet. B Corp certified fashion business owner and designer Lora Gene shares her journey into ethical fashion, teaching us how to spot quality in clothing, understand fabrics, and build a wardrobe with intention.&n...

02-11
01:02:37

The Invisible Filter: How Nationalism Shapes Everything You Think Is 'Normal'

From your weather app's borders to the "ancient traditions" invented last century, nationalism shapes our world in ways so subtle we rarely notice them. Join us for an eye-opening exploration of how modern nations make their power invisible (yup, not looking at people waving flags at sports events...) — and learn practical ways to spot these patterns in your daily life. In this episode, we unpack: The shocking youth of nationalism (hint: it's younger than photography)How your routines r...

02-04
18:53

Political Burnout is Real: How to Change the World Without Breaking Yourself

Feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world? You're not alone, and more importantly – it's not your fault. In this episode, we're diving into the hidden forces behind your political exhaustion and uncovering practical strategies to stay engaged without burning out. What you'll discover: The shocking truth about information overload (hint: it's actually by design)Why your brain's "overwhelm" is a perfectly normal response to abnormal circumstancesPolitical economist Naomi Klein's groundbreak...

01-28
19:06

Lonely Hearts Club: Vanishing Third Spaces and Adult Friendships

In this episode, we're diving deep into the loneliness epidemic hitting millennials and Gen X harder than any generation before. Spoiler alert: it's not just your busy schedule or endless TikTok scrolling that's the problem. What You'll Discover: The shocking stats about loneliness in your 30s and 40s (and why it's not just a 'you' problem)What the heck "third spaces", are and why their disappearance matter more than you thinkThe real reason Nordic countries are winning at the friendship game...

01-21
26:17

Wild Kindness: Breaking Free from the 'Nice Girl' Trap

Are you exhausted from being everyone's emotional support human? In this game-changing episode, we're unpacking how being "nice" became a cage and why embracing wild kindness might be your key to freedom. Drawing from bell hooks' radical vision of love and Pierre Bourdieu's social theory, we explore: How society weaponizes kindness against womenThe real cost of emotional labour in modern lifeWhy "being nice" is a tool of social controlHow to practice fierce kindness without guiltSetting bound...

01-14
18:50

2025 Astrology Report: The Death of Bro Marketing & Rise of Intuitive Business ft. Sheri Moise & Jen Fieldman

Ready for the great shift? 2025 isn't just another year – it's a total vibe shift for business and life. A once in a shift! Join me with astrology powerhouse Sheri Moise and intuitive business strategist Jen Fieldman as we decode the massive energetic changes coming your way. In this episode, we spill the celestial tea on: Why Pluto in Aquarius means saying bye-bye to old power structuresHow North Node in Pisces is killing bro marketing (finally!)The rise of trust-first, intuition-led busines...

01-07
01:00:03

Perimenopause Club: Break Free from Supplement Scams & Reclaim Your Health with Nutritionist Sandra Mikhail

Ready to cut through the noise around perimenopause? In this episode, nutritionist Sandra Mikhail helps us navigate the complex world of women's health without falling prey to expensive supplement marketing. Key Episode Highlights Common perimenopause symptoms and when they typically startWhy supplement companies target perimenopausal womenHow to identify quality supplements vs marketing scamsThe truth about collagen supplements and the bone broth trendUnderstanding hormonal changes and thei...

11-26
52:05

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