[E232] When You're Tired Of Trying with Melissa Corkum

About this episode

The episode discusses burnout and blocked care with Melissa Corkum, emphasizing the importance of caring for one's own nervous system.

Does your nervous system feel like it’s been in survival mode for a long time? This episode is for you. We sat down in person with Melissa Corkum to talk about burnout, blocked care, and why connection can start to feel like a shock instead of a reward. A few takeaways: ✨ Emotional pain and physical pain activate the same parts of the brain.✨ Blocked care isn’t a character flaw — it’s a protective response.✨ You don’t heal it by trying harder. You start by caring for your own nervous system. If you’ve felt resentful, numb, exhausted, or ashamed for not feeling the joy you “should,” you are not alone. It won’t always feel this way.Keep hope. Carry on. We’re with you. For the Blocked Care Assessment, click here.

People in this episode

Host: Empowered to Connect

Guest: Melissa Corkum

Topics covered

• burnout
• blocked care
• nervous system
• emotional pain
• connection

Keywords

• burnout
• blocked care
• nervous system
• emotional pain
• connection
• self-care
• mental health

More episodes of Empowered to Connect Podcast

• [E239] Replay Let's Talk About Lying with Robyn Gobbel · June 2, 2026 · 49 min
• [E238] Replay Understanding the Brain, Body, Behavior Connection with Mona Delahooke · May 19, 2026 · 41 min
• [E237] When You’re New to Supporting a Foster or Adoptive Family · May 5, 2026 · 48 min
• [E236] When You're New to Walking Together as Adoptive/Foster Parents · April 21, 2026 · 57 min
• [E235] When You’re New to Parenting through Adoption & Foster Care · April 7, 2026 · 59 min
• [E234] When Protection Becomes a Prison: Breaking Down the Wall Between Us with Sherry Varughese · March 24, 2026 · 41 min