Why Am I Like This?!

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...

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 rejecti...

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 setting...

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 inn...

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
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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...

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 orga...

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 f...

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 ...

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 pr...

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, lik...

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 lastin...

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 ...

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 aspi...

Ever wondered why you still feel tired after a full night's sleep? Join us on "Why Am I Like This?" as we uncover the hidden factors behind fatigue and share effective strategies for managing it. We'll explore the nuances of sleep quality, from the impact of substances like alcohol and marijuana to the importance of REM sleep and proper sleep hygiene. You’ll also gain insights into how mental health can influenc...

Why do we procrastinate even when we know it's hurting us? In this episode of "Why Am I Like This?", we unravel the complex relationship between procrastination and emotional dysregulation. By examining the various factors like fear of failure, lack of motivation, and low self-efficacy, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of why postponing tasks becomes a coping mechanism. With personal anecdotes and insi...

Struggling to understand why focus issues seem to control your life or the life of someone you love? Discover the underlying causes of attention struggles, from ADHD and anxiety to depression and OCD, as we dissect how these conditions overlap and mimic each other. By the end of this episode, you'll gain clarity on how stress and overwhelm can disguise themselves as focus issues, helping you pinpoint the real root of the probl...

Can chronic stress really trap us in a perpetual state of fight or flight? In this episode of "Why Am I Like This?", Laura Wood and Michaela Beaver unearth the complex layers of anxiety, from generalized anxiety to social anxiety and panic attacks. You'll gain a deeper understanding of how our nervous system responds to perceived threats and why some stress can actually be beneficial. We also explore how anxiety ofte...

What if the key to feeling connected lay in understanding your deepest vulnerabilities? In this powerful episode, we unravel the complex relationship between childhood trauma and the persistent sense of isolation that often shadows our adult lives. By examining how our self-worth becomes entangled in external roles and relationships, we highlight the significance of embracing our intrinsic qualities and interests. This critical shi...