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© 2025 Why Am I Like This?!
Description
We are a therapist and a psychiatric nurse practitioner and we want to share a simplified view of these complex concepts that are often misunderstood, avoided, and even feared.
This is a podcast about being human, adapting to life, and learning from our unique experience.
We try to provide the answers to question: Why am I like this?
32 Episodes
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We dig into why mental health hacks feel so tempting, which ones actually help, and when they quietly make things worse. We share how to set goals, spot toxic positivity, work with trauma-aware pacing, and choose therapy that fits. • appeal of quick fixes, privacy and control • stigma fears and the urge to go it alone • readiness over resistance and avoidance loops • self-connection and compassionate self-talk • toxic positivity versus true validation • habits that help ADHD and daily stress...
We explore why self-sabotage shows up when life is going well and how the nervous system uses it as protection. We share simple tools to build internal safety, reframe failure, and keep momentum without burning out. • defining self‑sabotage as protection, not laziness • discomfort, avoidance, and procrastination patterns • fear of failure and fear of success dynamics • imposter thoughts and cognitive distortions • chaos, hypervigilance, and dopamine’s novelty drop • curiosity over shame as a...
We explore why we always feel behind in life regardless of our accomplishments and how to break free from arbitrary timelines. • Social media creates unrealistic comparisons as we see others' curated highlights without the struggles • Childhood expectations of adulthood often don't match reality, creating feelings of inadequacy • Economic realities today make traditional milestones harder to achieve than for previous generations • Unlike childhood development, adulthood isn't linear—it has c...
We explore how our childhood experiences shape our perception of being judged and develop strategies to break free from the weight of others' opinions. • The feeling of being judged often stems from childhood insecurities and past experiences • Our brains scan for social threats, especially in new environments • The inner critic narrates how others see us based on our own insecurities • We constantly seek evidence that reinforces our negative self-beliefs • Parents unintentionally perpetuate...
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, involuntary thoughts that pop into our heads and can cause distress when our brains get stuck in loops trying to make sense of them. • Intrusive thoughts are normal but can become problematic when we can't let them go • Our brains create these thoughts as warning systems when we feel anxious or threatened • Childhood experiences and parenting styles can influence what intrusive thoughts we develop • Neurodivergence (ADHD, autism, OCD) can make it harder to in...
Laura and Mishayla explore how childhood experiences create lasting templates in our nervous system that trigger automatic responses in similar situations throughout our lives. • Our nervous system takes "snapshots" during emotionally charged moments that can be triggered later in similar circumstances • When we feel helpless or threatened, our body goes into fight, flight, or freeze responses that can become habitual patterns • Children often interpret negative experiences as meaning ...
Our gut and brain are connected through a remarkable two-way communication system that impacts our physical and mental health in profound ways. The gut, often called the "second brain," contains millions of neurons and produces 90% of the body's serotonin. • Stress activates our fight-or-flight response, slowing digestion and creating gut imbalances • The vagus nerve connects our brain to every organ and plays a crucial role in regulating our stress response • Trauma and chronic stress can c...
Emotions are complex internal experiences that provide valuable information about our values and responses to situations, yet many of us struggle to manage them effectively. • Emotions are subjective experiences that vary from person to person • Children experience emotions intensely because they lack adult context and understanding of time • Anger often masks more vulnerable feelings like fear, sadness, or rejection • Many adults struggle with emotions because they never learned co-regulati...
We explore imposter syndrome and why so many people feel like frauds despite evidence of their competence and capabilities. • Defining imposter syndrome as feeling like you don't deserve your position or achievements • How childhood experiences of conditional approval or criticism create adult insecurity • Understanding "parts work" and how child parts of ourselves can feel triggered in adult settings • The connection between imposter syndrome and perfectionism • Time orientation exercises t...
We explore the science behind why human connection is essential for survival, from attachment theory to why our brains respond so profoundly to face-to-face interaction. Loneliness isn't simply being alone but a profound feeling of disconnection that can persist even when surrounded by others. • Connection is crucial for safety and releases positive neurochemicals in our brains • Attachment theory explains our innate survival need to connect with caregivers • Digital connections don't activa...
Sleep affects nearly every aspect of our lives, yet many of us struggle to understand why we can't fall asleep, stay asleep, or feel rested in the morning. We explore how childhood patterns, lifestyle habits, and environmental factors impact our sleep quality and offer practical solutions for better rest. • Various types of sleep issues including trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, and early morning awakening • How caffeine creates a vicious cycle that worsens sleep problems, especially ...
Join us for an engaging exploration of why so many of us carry the weight of seriousness without realizing its impact on our lives. In our latest episode, we dive deep into the reasons behind our reluctance to laugh, unraveling how childhood experiences shape our perceptions of humor. Gain insights into the critical role laughter plays not just in enhancing our mood but also in promoting connections, healing, and overall well-being. We tackle the barriers that prevent us from embracing humor...
Ever wondered why it's so hard to let go of that old sweater or those dusty collectibles? Join us as we unravel the emotional intricacies of our attachment to possessions. Through personal stories, we explore how childhood experiences and challenging financial times shape our relationships with stuff. Hear about my mother's journey from chaos to minimalism, and learn how conditions like ADHD and depression can impact organizational skills. Together, we'll uncover the underlying guilt and proc...
Self-care can be challenging and often feels selfish, yet it is a crucial component of well-being. We explore the reasons behind our reluctance to prioritize ourselves, looking into childhood influences, societal pressures, and the importance of cultivating supportive networks. • Discussing the difficulties of prioritizing self-care • The connection between self-care and burnout • Importance of modeling self-care for others • Exploring barriers to self-care rooted in childhood • Practical ti...
What drives us to try and fix everything around us? Join trauma therapist Laura Wood and psychiatric nurse practitioner Michaela Beaver as they unravel the complex web of motivations behind our relentless need to solve every problem. Is it a quest for control, an intolerance for imperfection, or a sneaky way to sidestep our personal issues? Together, they explore how chaotic childhoods can lead to seeking comfort in chaos, and how this shapes our adult interactions and reactions. Laura and M...
Have you ever wondered why your brain seems wired to focus on the negative? Join us as we unravel the secrets of negativity bias, an ancient survival mechanism that shapes our thoughts and perspectives. Hosts Laura Wood, a trauma therapist, and Michaela Beaver, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, engage in a heartfelt discussion about how past hardships can leave a lingering shadow on our mindset. Drawing from personal stories and professional insights, we explore the impact of depression and h...
Can setting boundaries actually transform your relationships and boost your personal growth? Laura Wood and Michaela Beaver promise to unlock the secrets to mastering healthy boundaries in this episode of "Why Am I Like This?". Dive into a discussion about why so many struggle to set limits and the common misconception that we can control others' actions. Laura and Mishayla delve into the fears that hold us back, like disappointing others and the guilt of asserting our needs, while providing ...
After a childhood filled with playful scares from my father, I've found myself jumping at the sound of a simple balloon pop. Join us on "Why Am I Like This?" as Mishayla and I delve into our personal experiences with fear and the startling responses that followed us from innocent childhood pranks to more serious trauma-induced reactions. Michaela shares her journey from a shocking high school event that left a lasting impact on her nervous system, influencing how she perceives safety in every...
What if dissociation is more common than you'd think, quietly influencing our daily lives? Join us, Laura Wood and Michaela Beaver, as we unpack the intricate world of dissociation, often misunderstood and overlooked. We explore dissociation's role as a protective mechanism against overwhelming emotions or sensory overload. This episode sheds light on our brain's natural inclination to disconnect, from the innocuous zoning out during a TV binge to the complex dynamics in children forming thei...
What if childhood experiences hold the key to understanding our adult behaviors? Join us as we unravel the mysteries of personal development with Michaela Beaver, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and Laura Wood, a trauma therapist, in an enlightening episode of "Why Am I Like This?" Through their personal journeys, Michaela and Laura share how unexpected life events guided them into the mental health field, shifting aspirations from neonatal care to a passion for helping others overcome ment...
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