Ep. 98 - The Inner Voice: What It Is, When It Breaks Down and How to Work With It

We all have an inner voice.

It helps us plan, reflect, problem-solve, and create meaning.

But when that same voice starts spiraling into rumination, self-doubt, or mental noise—or chatter—it can become the very thing that keeps us stuck.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the science and psychology of the inner voice, drawing on the groundbreaking research of Dr. Ethan Kross, author of the bestselling book, Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It.

You'll walk away with a deeper understanding of how the inner voice works, why it sometimes malfunctions, and how to shift from being hijacked by chatter to using your voice as a tool for clarity, direction, and emotional regulation.

This episode is for you if:

• You find yourself looping on the same thoughts without resolution
• You struggle to focus or feel paralyzed by overthinking
• You're exhausted by your own thinking
• You’re ready to stop fighting your mind and start working with it

We explore:

• What the inner voice actually is (hint: it’s not just self-talk—it’s part of your brain’s verbal working memory system)
• Why your brain loops on certain thoughts (and why it’s not your fault)
• The neuroscience of cognitive overload, and how chatter hijacks executive function
• How your inner voice shapes identity and decision-making—and what happens when it disappears altogether (as seen in the remarkable case of Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor)
• Practical ways to recognize when you’re in chatter—and how to regain perspective

Plus:

A series of self-reflection questions to help you notice the patterns of your own inner voice in your daily life:

• When is your inner voice most helpful?
• When does your inner voice tend to turn into chatter?
• What role does your inner voice play in shaping your sense of self?
• What situations tend to ‘jam’ your system?
• Are there types of stress—performance, social, emotional—that make your inner voice louder or more critical?
• How often do you realize you’re narrating your life in the moment?
• What might become possible for you if you knew how to work with your inner voice—without letting it overtake your attention, your energy, or your peace of mind?

Even just beginning to ask these questions puts you in a position of greater agency.  And that’s the purpose of this episode—not just to understand the science, but to use it as a lens to see yourself more clearly… and choose differently.

Cited in this episode:

• Chatter: The Voice In Your Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It by Dr. Ethan Kross
• My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor
• TED Talk: My Stroke of Insight by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor
• Ep. 97 - Salience: What It Is and Why Understanding It Can Change the Game
• Ep. 72 - How to Bounce Back Faster

If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to share it with someone who might find it helpful.

Life can be so much more than we think. And that's where we start - with your thinking. See how your thoughts have been holding you back, and how mindset tools can help you cut through the noise and move forward. 

To learn more about how 1:1 mindset coaching can help you change your life, visit KariWatterson.com.