Feelings...and Other Inconveniences

In this episode of Feelings… and Other Inconveniences, we dive into the invisible weight of mental load – the constant thinking, tracking and planning that never seems to switch off, even when we are "off duty."  Are we confusing mental load with caring? What happens in our bodies when we are carrying too much? And what do we believe will fall apart if we stop managing everything? We talk about:   💫 How to tell the difference between stress and anxiety in real life, not just in theory 💫 Caring for ageing parents, parenting, work and that feeling of always having "one more thing" to do 💫 The...

In this episode, hosts Sarah Dosanjh, psychotherapist and author, and Stefanie Michele, certified coach and somatic practitioner, dive into the complex psychology of external validation—why we crave approval, how it shapes our sense of worth, and what it means to find confidence that isn't dependent on others.

They explore how early attachment experiences and mirroring affect our lifelong need for recognition, why creative or purpose-driven work can heighten validation sensitivity, and how to tell the difference between healthy acknowledgment vs dependency.

Stefanie reflects on her own relationship with feedback as both a mirror and a...

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 in...

At what point does sharing turn into oversharing? Is it when you tell a near-stranger about your mother's complicated relationship with salad? When you explain your latest existential crisis to the Uber driver who only asked if you wanted the radio on? Or when you admit to a friend that you sometimes rehearse conversations in your head before you have them (I mean that sounds right?) — but how do you know the difference?

In this episode, Stefanie Michele (coach + somatic practitioner) and Sarah Dosanjh (psychotherapist + author) explore what makes a disclosure feel like "too much." They start by asking wh...

Think you're lazy? In this episode of Feelings and Other Inconveniences, therapists Sarah Dosanjh and Stefanie Michele pull apart one of the most loaded labels we give ourselves: laziness. Is it a real trait—or just a label we slap on something deeper?

From resistance to overwhelm, passive rebellion to the emotional weight of impossible expectations, they dig into the psychology behind why we sometimes can't (or won't) act.

Stefanie shares personal moments when she mistook depression for laziness, and Sarah reflects on how "doing nothing" can actually be an act of protection. Together, they ex...

What if your biggest regret at the end of your life was never truly living as yourself?

In this episode, Sarah and Stef crack open the #1 regret of the dying—wishing they'd had the courage to live authentically, not just follow the script written by others.

With raw honesty and a dash of humor, the hosts swap stories about breaking free from expectations—whether it's skipping university, ditching a "dream job," or proudly embracing cat-lady status.

They dig into why it's so hard to know what you really want, how people-pleasing and cultural "shou...

Do our good deeds really count if they also make us feel good? In this episode, psychotherapist Sarah Dosanjh and coach Stefanie Michele unpack the messy middle between selflessness and self-interest. From love languages to financial guilt, they explore how early conditioning, ego, and the need for connection shape our most generous acts. With personal stories and candid reflections, this conversation invites you to rethink what it means to give—and whether "selfish" is really a bad word after all.   00:12 Exploring Selfless Acts 00:58 Client's Struggle with Gift Giving 02:10 Love Languages and Self-Interest 04:43 Personal Stories of Generosity 08:34 Scarcity vs. Abundance Mindset 16:27 Reflecti...

This week, Stefanie Michele (coach + somatic practitioner) and Sarah Dosanjh (psychotherapist + author) explore the tender, often confusing territory of outgrowing friendships—and why it can feel more complicated than a breakup.

They unpack what it's like to feel the slow drift, the quiet mismatch, or the emotional flatness in relationships that once felt vital. When values change, life phases shift, or emotional reciprocity feels lopsided, it's hard to know whether to let go, hang on, or renegotiate the dynamic.

The episode weaves in personal stories, including reflections on feeling loyal to people we've quietly drifted fr...

Do you ever get that feeling like something bad is just around the corner—even when things are going fine? In this episode, Sarah and Stef unpack the sneaky mindset of waiting for the other shoe to drop. Is it intuition? Is it trauma? Is it your hormones?     From personal stories to psychological insight, they dig into the difference between gut feelings and hypervigilance, why calm can feel suspicious, and how to start trusting safety when you're wired for threat. If you've ever struggled to feel peace without also feeling suspicious of it—this one's for you.   00:45 Understanding 'Waiting for the Othe...

Not everyone is going to "get" us—but being misunderstood still stings.

In this episode, Stefanie Michele (coach + somatic practitioner) and Sarah Dosanjh (psychotherapist + author) dig into the uncomfortable and triggering feeling of being misunderstood—especially in a world that thrives on hot takes and out-of-context clips.

From the chaos of YouTube comments to subtle miscommunications in daily life, they explore what gets activated when people don't "get" us, why it's not always about ego, and how to stay rooted in your own truth without needing to over-explain.

They're not here to convince anyo...

In this episode, psychotherapist Sarah Dosanjh and coach/somatic practitioner Stefanie Michele unpack the messy truth about personal growth.

Can we actually change who we are, or are we just managing symptoms with nicer language?

They get real about procrastination, personality quirks, self-perception, and the parts of us that therapy just won't touch.

Through personal stories and client insights, they explore the line between acceptance and accountability — and why some things evolve, while others might be here to stay.

It's not a self-help pep talk.

It's a nuanced look at...

In this episode, Stef and Sarah—one a lifelong extrovert, the other a card-carrying introvert—dive into the messy, often misunderstood world of personality types. They break down common myths (no, not all introverts are shy, and not all extroverts are party animals) and explore how these traits actually play out in real life: in social situations, relationships, and the awkward in-between moments like transitions or obligations we'd rather skip.

This isn't just a surface-level chat about "people who like people" versus "people who like books." It's a deeper conversation about nervous system regulation, attachment styles, and how...

In this episode, Stef & Sarah (the duo behind Life After Diets) kick off a new podcast project exploring emotional awareness, self-understanding, and mental wellness.

Drawing inspiration from Carl Jung and Eckhart Tolle, they unpack how we actually experience our emotions — especially the tangled web between anger, sadness, and shame. Through personal stories and candid reflections, they explore how emotions shape our behaviors, relationships, and sense of self.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by your feelings or unsure what you're even feeling in the first place, this episode will resonate. With their signature mix of depth, hu...