Why Am I Like This?!
We are a therapist and a psychiatric nurse practitioner and we want to share a simplified view of these complex concepts that are often misunderstood, avoided, and even feared.
This is a podcast about being human, adapting to life, and learning from our unique experience.
We try to provide the answers to question: Why am I like this?
Episodes
36 episodes
Why Do I Have a Fixed Mindset?!
We unpack why struggle feels like a verdict on who we are and show how to move from fixed beliefs to a growth mindset grounded in safety, regulation, and honest reframing. Lived stories, research touchpoints, and simple tools make learning feel...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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50:57
Why Am I Struggling with Addiction?!
We map addiction across three lenses—brain changes, attachment trauma, and choice—and show how they fit together without shame. Practical tools, meds, and nervous system skills make healing doable, from habit loops to co-regulation to TMS.<...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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50:31
Why Am I Stuck in Old Paradigms?!
We unpack how childhood emotional survival maps become adult paradigms that shape choices, risk tolerance, and self-worth. We share CBT tools, new agreements, and practical steps to shift identity, reduce rejection sensitivity, and build lastin...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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49:08
Why is Vulnerability So Scary?!
We unpack why vulnerability triggers fear and how armor—perfectionism, people pleasing, overexplaining—protects us while keeping connection out of reach. We share concrete ways to practice safe vulnerability, build shame resilience, and bring m...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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55:32
Why Do I Keep Trying Self Help Hacks?!
We dig into why mental health hacks feel so tempting, which ones actually help, and when they quietly make things worse. We share how to set goals, spot toxic positivity, work with trauma-aware pacing, and choose therapy that fits.• app...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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33:42
Why Do I Self Sabotage?!
We explore why self-sabotage shows up when life is going well and how the nervous system uses it as protection. We share simple tools to build internal safety, reframe failure, and keep momentum without burning out.• defining self‑sabot...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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35:33
Why Do I Feel So Behind In Life?!
We explore why we always feel behind in life regardless of our accomplishments and how to break free from arbitrary timelines.• Social media creates unrealistic comparisons as we see others' curated highlights without the struggles•...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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37:38
Why do I Feel So Judged?!
We explore how our childhood experiences shape our perception of being judged and develop strategies to break free from the weight of others' opinions.• The feeling of being judged often stems from childhood insecurities and past experi...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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41:59
Why do I have Intrusive Thoughts?!
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, involuntary thoughts that pop into our heads and can cause distress when our brains get stuck in loops trying to make sense of them.• Intrusive thoughts are normal but can become problematic when we can'...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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38:44
Why Does Life Feel So Hard?!
Laura and Mishayla explore how childhood experiences create lasting templates in our nervous system that trigger automatic responses in similar situations throughout our lives. • Our nervous system takes "snapshots" during emotiona...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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37:12
Why am I tired, bloated, and moody!?
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'...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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36:13
Why Am I So Emotional?!
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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43:36
Why do I Feel Like an Imposter?!
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 e...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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32:39
Why Am I So Lonely?!
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 disconnectio...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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41:28
Why Can't I Get Good Sleep?!
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 ou...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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44:35
Why Am I So Serious?!
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 ex...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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35:00
Why Am I Hoarding?!
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 chall...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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36:36
Why is Self Care So Hard?!
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 o...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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42:37
Why Do I Have to Fix Everything?!
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 qu...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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34:57
Why Are My Thoughts So Negative?!
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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38:29
Why Can't I Set Boundaries?!
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 disc...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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34:28
Why Am I So SPOOKED??!
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 resp...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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37:19
Why Am I Dissociating?!
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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50:06
Why Are WE Like This?!
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 enlig...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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53:06