About this episode

Em and Jen discuss the origins and impacts of insecurities on various aspects of life and relationships.

This week on ShrinkChicks, Em and Jen unpack insecurities: where they come from, why everyone has them, and how they quietly shape our relationships, careers, and sense of self. They explore the connection between insecurity and hyper-independence, why asking for help can feel so uncomfortable, and how comparison culture can keep us stuck. They also answer listener questions about needing reassurance in relationships, feeling hurt when someone's energy changes, worrying people won't like the "real" you, and what to do when you realize past choices were driven by insecurity instead of authenticity. Along the way, they discuss attachment, vulnerability, self-compassion, and how healing begins by challenging the stories we've carried for years. The Still Face Experiment mentioned in today’s episode: https://www.gottman.com/blog/research-still-face-experiment/ Tune in to gain insight, awareness, and action! PS: Fast forward to around 6 minutes to skip the intro and get straight to today’s content. ⁠ Get Matched With One of Our Therapists ⁠ at The Therapy Group! ⁠ShrinkChicks on Instagram⁠ Our ⁠Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal⁠ !! Check out ShrinkChicks on YouTube by subscribing…

People in this episode

Hosts: Jennifer Chaiken, Emmalee Bierly

Topics covered

• insecurities
• relationships
• self-compassion
• hyper-independence
• comparison culture
• vulnerability

Keywords

• insecurities
• relationships
• self-compassion
• hyper-independence
• comparison culture
• vulnerability
• healing
• attachment

Sponsors

Skims

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Therapy Group

Books & works: Know Yourself Grow Yourself Journal, ShrinkChicks

More episodes of ShrinkChicks

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• Rewind: Boundaries with Emotionally Immature People · July 6, 2026 · 46 min
• Sibling Relationships in Adulthood: Closeness, Conflict, and Boundaries · June 29, 2026 · 41 min
• Are You Settling or Just Compromising in Your Relationship? · June 22, 2026 · 42 min
• How Our Assumptions Keep Us Stuck · June 15, 2026 · 37 min

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