Ep.68 – Boundaries: What healthy limits mean and why they matter | Ann Weiser Cornell

In this episode, we step into the world of boundaries — what they are, why they matter, and how they can transform our relationships with ourselves and others.

We’re joined by the brilliant Ann Weiser Cornell — American author, educator, and worldwide authority on Focusing, the self‑inquiry psychotherapeutic technique developed by Eugene Gendlin — for a conversation that deeply moved us (it even brought Gwen to tears!)

If you’ve ever said ‘yes’ when you meant ‘no’, struggled to speak up for your needs, or wondered how boundaries and healing are connected — this episode is for you.

We explore:

• How to actually feel what we want and need (and use that to make better decisions)
• Why our inner child — desperate to belong — still influences our people‑pleasing
• Why Ann believes there’s no such thing as being selfish
• Why she chooses not to do what’s merely convenient, but instead what truly matters
• How to say ‘no’ without guilt (and still honour the other person)
• How setting healthy boundaries can be a huge part of trauma healing

Ann has been teaching Focusing all over the world since 1980 and is one of its leading voices. She has written several definitive books and created transformative courses — including 21 Days to Better Boundaries and The Power of Focusing — and developed Inner Relationship Focusing, expanding on Gendlin’s original work.

More about Ann:

Website: Focusing Resources - Inner Relationship Focusing

Book & courses: 

21 days to better boundaries 21 Days to Better Boundaries

And here’s a link to the Get Bigger Than What’s Bugging You course

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