

Meg Josephson
Therapist and author of the book "Are You Mad at Me?". She discusses the nagging suspicion of doing something wrong and letting everyone down, and how it relates to the fawn response.
Top 5 podcasts with Meg Josephson
Ranked by the Snipd community

152 snips
Aug 3, 2025 • 45min
‘Modern Love’: How to Stop Asking ‘Are You Mad at Me?’
Meg Josephson, a therapist and author of "Are You Mad at Me?", dives into the anxiety of people-pleasing and its roots in childhood. She talks about grappling with the fear of disapproval and how it shapes relationships. Josephson shares her realization in a Bed Bath & Beyond aisle that pleasing everyone eroded her sense of self. The conversation weaves in themes of longing for parental connection, emotional neglect, and the impact on adult life. Personal anecdotes reveal the struggle for validation and the journey toward self-discovery.

23 snips
Aug 4, 2025 • 49min
Why We Care What Other People Think & How Social Media is Shaping Language
Meg Josephson, a psychotherapist and author, shares insights on the exhausting nature of people-pleasing and how it relates to our need for approval. She explains the psychological roots of these behaviors and introduces strategies for self-acceptance. Adam Aleksic, a linguist and author, explores how social media reshapes language, including the emergence of new terms influenced by algorithms and censorship. Together, they discuss the interplay between societal expectations and language evolution in our digital age.

21 snips
Sep 8, 2025 • 1h 15min
People Pleasing and the Fawn Response with Meg Josephson
Meg Josephson, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and author of 'Are You Mad at Me?', dives into the fawn response—a survival strategy rooted in people-pleasing. She shares how this behavior can transform from childhood self-protection into adult challenges like hypervigilance and self-abandonment. The discussion spans recognizing unconscious habits, the emotional fallout from silencing one's needs, and the journey to authenticity. Meg emphasizes the importance of setting healthy boundaries and cultivating self-compassion for better relationships.

21 snips
Aug 20, 2025 • 14min
The Hidden Cost of People-Pleasing
Meg Josephson, a licensed psychotherapist and author of 'Are You Mad at Me?', dives into the hidden costs of people-pleasing. She uncovers how early trauma can fuel the 'fawn' response, making us prioritize others over ourselves. Josephson discusses the importance of self-awareness and distinguishing our feelings from others'. She shares practical strategies for embracing discomfort, essential for personal growth. With a focus on detaching self-worth from external approval, she guides listeners on a path to healthier self-relationships.

Oct 7, 2025 • 34min
Are You Abandoning Yourself to Avoid Conflict? This Survival Instinct Might Be the Culprit
Meg Josephson, a psychotherapist and author specializing in people-pleasing and boundaries, delves into the often-overlooked survival instinct of 'fawning.' She explains how this response leads to people-pleasing behaviors, impacting self-trust and relationships. Meg shares signs of fawning, why it has become more prevalent in modern society, and the challenging journey to healing. She emphasizes the importance of navigating conflict and understanding boundaries to reclaim personal safety and autonomy.