EP13: Why Confronting Yourself is So Important

“I became committed to helping others shift out of those patterns because it all starts there. It all starts with how we think about ourselves. Once we can confront our own thought patterns and change them, everything can change,” says Nancy Burger, a communications strategist and founder of the Fear Finding Project. In this episode, she joins Danielle Gibson to explore the transformative power of self-confrontation in reshaping both personal and professional lives.

 

Nancy’s journey from a 35-year writing career to becoming a coach was ignited by her own battles with self-doubt. She reflects on how early life experiences and societal conditioning shape our beliefs, emphasizing the need to reframe these patterns for better self-awareness and emotional well-being.

 

In this episode of The Confrontationalist, Danielle and Nancy dive into the significance of language and self-talk in transforming our experiences. They remind us that true growth begins with the courage to face uncomfortable truths and reprogram our responses to align with our authentic selves. How often do we pause to consider the stories we tell ourselves—and their impact on our lives?

 

Please note that this episode may not be suitable for all listeners. Danielle shares her personal experience with ketamine, a treatment that should only be undertaken under professional supervision. Danielle isn’t offering advice or directives; she’s simply sharing her story for you to listen and reflect upon. What you choose to do with this information is entirely up to you.

 

Quotes

• “I started doing a lot of research on human psychology and neuroscience to better understand why I did the things I did, especially why I felt the way I felt. With the help of a great support system of mental health care professionals, I began experimenting with strategies to change the way I thought and felt. And they worked. I became committed to helping others shift out of those patterns because it all starts there. It all starts with how we think about ourselves. Once we confront our own thought patterns and change them, everything can change.” (02:19 | Nancy Burger) 
• “Sometimes we’ve got to peel the layers back a bit. It takes time, but we often normalize our discomfort and don’t really pay attention to it. We don’t do the meta work—we don’t notice our thoughts that much.” (09:48 | Nancy Burger)
• “I think the awareness comes with leaning into the work. It’s kind of like a cycle, but you first have to acknowledge that something doesn’t feel right. Then, you have to be open to noticing what that is.” (11:41 | Nancy Burger)
• “Stay in your lane and spend a lot of time being silent, listening, and noticing. That’s where much of communication happens. Successful communication involves speaking the least and last, learning, and then expressing your own experience without worrying about how your words will land on others. It all comes down to words—the words you choose are influenced by the words you’ve heard and the words you say to yourself.” (20:24 | Nancy Burger)

 

Links:

Connect with Nancy Burger:

www.nancyrburger.com

 

For more resources and information about Confrontation, check out www.theconfrontationalist.com.

Schedule a FREE 30-minute consultation with Danielle here: https://www.theconfrontationalist.com/contact

 

Follow us here:

IG @the_confrontationalist

LinkedIn @danielle-gibson-5243692/

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