No Without Guilt: Overcoming Approval Addiction

We all want to be liked — but when the need for approval starts shaping our decisions, it can quietly drain our energy, cloud our judgment, and even lead to moral compromise. In this episode, Brian Volpone shares a personal story about learning he was a “people pleaser,” and explores what happens when kindness turns into approval addiction.

The conversation dives into how people pleasing shows up in everyday life — from overexplaining a simple “no” to seeking someone else’s blessing before making a choice — and offers small, practical steps to rebuild confidence and autonomy.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for disappointing someone or pressured to justify your decisions, this episode will help you take steady steps toward freedom from approval addiction.