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Tired of saying yes when you desperately want to say no? In this candid conversation, intuitive truth-teller and host of The Nope Coach Podcast, Suzanne Culberg, shares her journey from chronic people-pleaser to boundary-setting expert, offering practical wisdom that will transform how you protect your energy.
"People pleasers are exploding doormats," Culberg explains, revealing how taking responsibility for everyone else's feelings and needs inevitably leads to resentment. The breakthrough comes through her elegant "up until now" technique—a simple phrase that acknowledges past patterns while creating space for change without triggering defensiveness.
Culberg's approach to boundaries is refreshingly practical. Like building muscle at the gym, she recommends starting with "lightweight" boundaries with people who don't yet know you before tackling close relationships. Through vulnerable examples from her own family life, she demonstrates how setting limits with children actually teaches them valuable life skills rather than depriving them of support.
The conversation ventures into territory rarely discussed: the invisible labor women perform, the guilt we feel when prioritizing ourselves, and the surprising reactions we receive when finally speaking our needs. Most powerfully, Culberg challenges the notion that boundaries indicate selfishness: "Do you have hobbies? Do you have interests? Or is your life solely everybody else's?"
Whether you struggle with saying no, feel responsible for others' emotions, or simply need permission to create space for yourself, this episode provides both the practical tools and emotional reassurance to begin reclaiming your energy without the spiral of guilt and second-guessing. Your needs matter—and honoring them allows you to show up more authentically for everyone in your life.
Ready to set boundaries that stick? Subscribe now and share this episode with someone who needs to hear this message of empowerment.
You can find Suzanne HERE.
Comments about this episode? Suggestions for a future episode? Wanna be a guest? Email me directly at NSVpodcast@gmail.com.
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