We’re taught to chase perfection—to get it right, to be good, to hold it together. But perfection is rarely about excellence. More often, it’s about fear: fear of being seen, fear of being judged, fear of being too much or not enough. In this conversation, we explore how perfectionism forms, how it shows up in our work, parenting, relationships, and self-image, and what it costs us emotionally and spiritually.

This episode is an invitation to soften.

To release the pressure to perform.

To return to your humanity.

To remember, you don’t need to earn your right to exist.

We talk about:

• How perfectionism forms in childhood
• Why “being perfect” is a survival pattern, not a personality trait
• The emotional exhaustion of constantly managing how others see you
• What happens in the body when we begin to let perfection go
• The freedom found in being seen as we truly are

If you’ve ever felt like you’re holding your breath in your own life, this conversation is your reminder:

You are allowed to exhale.

In this conversation, Dawn is joined by Dottie and Ashley for a deeply honest discussion about what it really means to grow up in a dysfunctional family system—and how we often mistake survival patterns for love.

Because when love is mixed with control, silence, caretaking, or unpredictability, we learn to protect ourselves in ways that once kept us safe—but eventually keep us small.

This episode gently names those patterns with compassion, curiosity, and clarity, so we can begin to heal without blaming ourselves or our families.

#dysfunctional family systems, #trauma healing, #emotional neglect, #family roles in childhood, #breaking generational cycles, #inner child healing, #somatic healing, #trauma recovery podcast, #Narcissist, #Religious Trauma

Boundaries aren’t walls—they’re bridges to deeper connection. In this heartfelt conversation, Dawn sits down with co-leaders Dottie and Ashley to explore what boundaries really mean in the healing journey. Together, they unpack how saying “no” can actually create safety, trust, and love—both for ourselves and the people we care about.

They share personal stories of people-pleasing, resentment, and guilt, and how learning to honor their own needs changed everything—from their relationships to their health. This episode is an empowering reminder that boundaries aren’t selfish—they’re sacred.

Healing journey, emotional boundaries, self-worth, trauma recovery, people-pleasing, emotional health, personal growth, self-love, empowerment, relationships, religious trauma.