Most of us know the voice: the one that points out what we should have done differently, or insists we're falling short. In this episode, Stefanie Michele (coach and somatic practitioner) and Sarah (psychotherapist and author) unpack the inner critic—where it begins, how it shows up, and how to shift it from a harsh opponent into something more useful.
They explore how the critic is shaped by cultural pressures, authority figures, and even the small conclusions we draw ourselves, like comparing our bodies to others as kids. They distinguish between the "interjector" critic (the voices we internalize) and the "concluder" critic (the judgments we create), showing how both can take root and influence our sense of self.
This conversation also looks at:
How to recognize the difference between criticism and healthy self-reflection
Why the tone of inner dialogue matters as much as the content
The role of validation in softening self-judgment and creating room for growth
How "fierce self-compassion" can turn frustration with cultural expectations into a source of strength
The possibility that the critic is sometimes protective, trying to keep us safe by holding us in familiar territory
Rather than trying to silence the critic altogether, Stefanie and Sarah consider what happens when we meet it with curiosity, compassion, and a little reframing—so that voice becomes less of a tormentor and more of a reluctant ally.
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