

Inner Work With MaryAnn Walker: Stop People Pleasing and Start Honoring You!
MaryAnn Walker: Life Coach for Empaths, Highly Sensitive People & People Pleasers
Welcome to Inner Work with MaryAnn Walker—the podcast for recovering people pleasers (many of whom are also highly sensitive) who are ready to stop living on autopilot and finally start honoring themselves.I work with those who feel emotionally drained from saying yes when they want to say no, from carrying everyone else’s emotions on their shoulders, and from constantly showing up for others while quietly abandoning themselves.You’ve spent years being the dependable one—the caretaker, the partner, the parent, the professional—and now you’re realizing you’ve lost touch with who you are outside of those roles.You may feel:Burned out from trying to make everyone happyAnxious about disappointing othersUnsure of your own needs, wants, and boundariesOverwhelmed by the pressure to keep the peace, even when it costs you your ownIf this sounds like you, you’re not broken—and you’re definitely not alone.As a certified life coach who specializes in supporting recovering people pleasers and highly sensitive souls, I’ll guide you through tools and practices to help you:Set guilt-free boundaries that stickReclaim your time, energy, and peace of mindBuild authentic connections without self-abandonmentProcess emotions in a healthy, empowering wayReconnect with who you really are—not just who others need you to beEach week, I’ll share personal stories, practical strategies, and mindset shifts to help you move from over-giving and burned out to clear, confident, and deeply connected—with yourself and with others.If you’re ready to stop people pleasing your life away and start living it fully, hit subscribe and let’s do this inner work together.https://www.maryannwalker.life https://www.tiktok.com/@maryannwalker.lifehttps://www.instagram.com/maryannwalker.life/https://www.facebook.com/maryannwalker.lifehttps://www.youtube.com/@maryannwalkerlife
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 7, 2024 • 24min
133: Unmet Needs: When Others Don't Reciprocate
Send us a textHow do you navigate it when you invest a lot into other, but they are unwilling or unable to fulfill your very valid needs? Many empaths and highly sensitive people find themselves struggling with anger and resentment due to these relationship imbalances, but there is hope. Join me as we discuss:Empathetic Struggles: Highly sensitive individuals tend to give freely but often face unmet needs in return, leading to frustration.Emotional Awareness: Learn to acknowledge feelings like anger, resentment, and envy without judgment, using them to gain clarity in relationships.Silent Contracts: Discover how unspoken expectations lead to disappointment and how to navigate these dynamics consciously.50/50 Balance of Life: Understand that life is equally positive and negative—disappointment is inevitable, but accepting this truth can bring peace.Survival Responses: Learn how disappointment can trigger a fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response.Healthy Boundaries: Explore strategies to avoid burnout, such as setting time limits before responding to requests and reassessing energy investments.Review and Summary: It can be disappointing when others are unwilling or unable to meet our needs. Using how others show up as information rather than a manipulative tactic can help to bring peace and clarity AND get your needs met. Are you ready to break free from people-pleasing, set boundaries, and create balance in your life? Subscribe to the podcast for more guidance and insights, and reach out to join my one on one coaching waitlist before my schedule fills up. Let’s work together to help you reclaim your energy and step into a life of fulfillment and peace.Resources Mentioned:Empathy Without Enabling: Boundary Setting for Toxic Relationships https://www.buzzsprout.com/2028767/episodes/15152298Stop People Pleasing & Start Loving: How to Tell The Difference https://www.buzzsprout.com/2028767/episodes/15152472Learn more about MaryAnn Walker’s six-week coaching packages designed for empaths and highly sensitive people https://maryannwalker.life/contact-meEpisode 42: When the Relationship is Complete/Relationship Circles: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2028767/episodes/12905497Connect with MaryAnn Walker:Website:https://maryannwalker.life/contact-meInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannwalker.life/Subscribe to the podcast and stay updated on the latest episodes for empaths and highly sensitive individuals!

Oct 31, 2024 • 22min
132: Empaths vs Covert Narcissists: Recognizing Energy Vampires
Send us a textExploring the often misunderstood overlap between covert narcissists, who often masquerade as empaths, and truly empathetic highly sensitive people:Covert narcissists use their heightened sensitivity for others emotions to manipulate and control. If you are a highly sensitive person in a toxic or radically imbalanced relationship, you are not alone. These relationships can leave you feeling drained and taken advantage of. But there is hope!Join me to learn:The definition and characteristics of highly sensitive people (HSPs).How covert narcissists may also be highly sensitive people.Key differences between an empathic HSP and a covert narcissistic HSP.The dynamics of toxic relationships involving energy vampires and compassionate HSPs.The role of the drama triangle (victim, rescuer, persecutor) in these relationships.How covert narcissists manipulate empathy to maintain control.Signs you're in a giver-taker relationship and how to set boundaries.Practical steps to assert yourself, recognize toxic patterns, and regain your energy.If you find yourself constantly giving in relationships but receiving little in return, you might be entangled with an energy vampire. By learning to recognize the signs of covert narcissism, you can protect yourself, assert your needs, and restore balance. Start practicing self-awareness, set healthy boundaries, and reclaim your energy.Helpful Links:Energy Healing for Empaths: How to Protect Yourself from Energy Vampires, Honor Your Boundaries, and Build Healthier Relationships by Lisa Campion https://amzn.to/3XO0r3mEpisodes 109-111: The Drama Triangle Part One: Victim/Creator Energy: Choosing Empowerment https://www.buzzsprout.com/2028767/episodes/15087772Part Two: How Does Victim Energy Show up for Helpers, Healers & People Pleasers? https://www.buzzsprout.com/2028767/episodes/15118007Part Three: Persecutor/Challenger Energy: Choosing Empowerment https://www.buzzsprout.com/2028767/episodes/15172797Part Four: Rescuer/Coach Energy: The Drama Triangle vs The Empowerment Dynamic https://www.buzzsprout.com/2028767/episodes/15126580Episode 121: Boundary Setting as a Highly Sensitive Person https://www.buzzsprout.com/2028767/episodes/15488012If you’re ready to break free from toxic dynamics and reclaim your energy, subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. Don’t forget to check out the resources mentioned in the show notes and share this episode with anyone who might benefit from it. Keep practicing self-compassion and remember that your needs matter too.Ready for customized one on one support? Let's jump on a consult call and see if we might be a good fit for each other! https://maryannwalker.life/contact-me

Oct 24, 2024 • 56min
131: Building Healthy Relationships as a Highly Sensitive Person with Kellyn Legath
Send us a textToday we explore how to build healthy relationships as a highly sensitive person. Join me and fellow coach, Kellyn Legath, as we explore both the challenges and the strengths of building relationships for this population. Main ideas: Discovery of Sensitivity: When you're a highly sensitive person, personal emotional regulation is key when it come to creating healthy and balanced relationships. Understanding Emotions: HSPs are highly attuned to subtle cues like micro-expressions and tone, which helps in understanding others' emotions but may lead to over-personalization.Sensitivity as Strength: Embracing sensitivity as a gift enhances relationships; self-awareness helps HSPs manage emotions without self-judgment.Societal Impact: HSPs often face stigma around their emotions, particularly in a society that misconstrues sensitivity as weakness. Sensitivity isn't a weakness... it's a super power! Self-Worth and Validation: HSPs should focus on maintaining self-worth independent of others' responses and seek authenticity over external validation.Self-Care Practices: Regular self-care routines and exploration of personal interests help HSPs reconnect with themselves and prioritize their needs.Boundaries and Empowerment: Establishing clear boundaries teaches others how to treat HSPs, promoting healthier relationships and reducing the attraction to negative individuals.Your emotions are your responsibility. While others’ emotions can impact you, it’s your thoughts and reactions that determine how much they affect you. By setting boundaries, processing emotions in your body, and separating your feelings from those of others, you can create more connection and belonging in your relationships.If you found this episode helpful, consider working with me one-on-one! I am currently offering 6 week packages to support you, the highly sensitive. I currently have a waitlist for new clients, so click the link below to be next in line! Apply to work with me: https://maryannwalker.life/contact-meConnect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryannwalker.lifeConnect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannwalker.life/Connect with me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryannwalker.lifeGet your FREE Boundary Guidebook: https://maryannwalker-life.ck.page/2124419f37Connect with Kellyn: https://www.instagram.com/daydreamercoaching/https://www.daydreamercoaching.com***Have an idea? Submit a question or leave me a review! https://forms.gle/jCt4i9BPa5xVpArj6

Oct 17, 2024 • 18min
130: Prioritizing What Matters Most: Strategies for Simplifying Your Life
Explore the essence of living according to your true values rather than societal expectations. Learn how a cluttered space can lead to a cluttered mind, causing decision fatigue. Delve into the challenges of emotional labor that can lead to caregiver burnout. Discover the importance of tackling tasks and emotional baggage immediately rather than delaying. Gain insights on how to declutter both your environment and mindset to make space for what truly matters, leading to a more intentional and fulfilling life.

Oct 10, 2024 • 22min
129: Navigating a Chaotic World: From Empathic Overwhelm to Empowerment
Explore the unique experiences of different types of empaths and how they navigate a world filled with chaos. Discover why global events can overwhelm sensitive individuals and the importance of sharing emotions with those who may not understand. Learn about the 'beach ball analogy' for processing feelings and the significance of acknowledging both joy and sorrow. Embrace compassion and community to transform overwhelm into empowerment, complete with a meditation for nurturing emotional well-being.

Oct 3, 2024 • 25min
128: The Art of Showing Up: Measurable Ways to Boost Your Self-Worth
Discover how redefining success can elevate self-worth beyond external validation. Learn strategies for managing anxiety in social situations, especially for empaths. Explore effective communication techniques for expressing feelings and setting boundaries. Uncover the importance of personal accountability and the power of creating measurable goals. Gain insights into appreciating your efforts, regardless of others' responses, and the benefits of professional support in challenging environments. Foster self-empowerment and emotional resilience by focusing on your actions.

Sep 26, 2024 • 23min
127: When Someone Makes You Upset: How to Take Control of Your Feelings
Send us a textDo you ever feel like someone else has the power to ruin your entire day with just a word, a look, or a tone of voice? If so, you’re not alone—but here’s the truth: other people can influence your emotions, but they can’t actually control them. The real power lies in how you process and respond.In this episode, you’ll learn how to control your feelings in healthy, empowering ways—even when someone else makes you upset. We’ll talk about why others can’t control your feelings, how emotional boundary setting can protect your peace, and why highly sensitive people often struggle with carrying the weight of other people’s emotions.Here’s what we’ll cover this week:The difference between cognitive empathy and the lived emotional experience of highly sensitive people.Why others cannot make you upset without your consent.How to distinguish between your emotions and other people’s emotions so you don’t slip into emotional overwhelm.The importance of processing emotions in the body—and practical ways to do it.How to set emotional boundaries that safeguard your well-being without trying to control someone else.When you learn to separate what’s yours from what belongs to others, you reclaim your personal power. Processing emotions in your body, setting clear boundaries, and practicing emotional awareness allows you to move through challenges with more calm and clarity.Your emotions are your responsibility—and that’s actually good news. Because when you take ownership, you’re no longer at the mercy of someone else’s mood or behavior. You get to choose how to show up, no matter what’s happening around you.If this resonates with you, I’d love to support you on a deeper level. My one-on-one coaching sessions are designed to help highly sensitive people and recovering people-pleasers set healthier boundaries and feel more grounded in their relationships. My schedule is filling quickly, so be sure to reserve your spot today.And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please take a moment to leave a rating or review—it helps more sensitive, empathetic souls like you find these tools. Thank you for listening, and I’ll see you next week!

Sep 19, 2024 • 53min
126: Owning Your Peace by Owning Your Piece: Identifying Your Role in Healthy Relationships with Kellyn Legath
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Kellyn Leggath, a relationship coach and close friend, to explore how imbalances in relationships can affect highly sensitive people and empaths. Together, we discuss how crucial it is to recognize these imbalances and take responsibility for our part in maintaining healthy connections. If you’ve ever felt drained or overwhelmed in your relationships, this conversation will help you navigate those feelings with more clarity and compassion.What You’ll Learn:How to identify common signs of imbalance in your relationships.The impact of overextending yourself emotionally as a highly sensitive person.Why asking for support is vital and how to overcome feelings of guilt or shame around it.The role of emotional intelligence in setting and maintaining healthy boundaries.Strategies for handling miscommunication and avoiding taking things too personally.The importance of radical honesty and vulnerability in relationships.How to stop overowning and start letting go of unnecessary emotional burdens.Ways to view relationships as mirrors that reflect your own areas for growth.Practical tips for fostering self-awareness and emotional maturity in your connections.Taking ownership of your part in any relationship is essential for creating balance and fostering growth. By recognizing and addressing imbalances, setting healthy boundaries, and approaching relationships with emotional integrity, you can build deeper, more fulfilling connections. Remember, it’s about releasing what isn’t yours to carry and embracing what is truly yours to nurture.Looking for support as you navigate life as an empath or highly sensitive person? Come and work with me! Click below to get started: Apply to work with me: https://maryannwalker.life/contact-meConnect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryannwalker.lifeConnect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannwalker.life/Connect with me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryannwalker.lifeGet your FREE Boundary Guidebook: https://maryannwalker-life.ck.page/2124419f37***Have an idea? Submit a question or leave me a review! https://forms.gle/jCt4i9BPa5xVpArj6Connect with Kellyn Legath Here: https://www.instagram.com/daydreamercoaching/https://bio.site/daydreamer

Sep 12, 2024 • 17min
125: The Empath Abyss: Symptoms, Triggers, and Solutions (Practical Tips for Empaths & HSP's)
Send us a textThe "Empath Abyss" is the emotional state where empaths and highly sensitive people feel disoriented, overwhelmed, and overly accommodating due to heightened emotions and reactions from others. This episode is essential for empaths and highly sensitive people who often find themselves overwhelmed and disoriented by the emotions of others. Here's what we'll cover:Understanding the Empath Abyss:The empath abyss is an emotional state where you feel disoriented, with heightened emotions and difficulty differentiating yourself from others.Symptoms include emotional overwhelm, insecurity, struggling to make requests, becoming overly accommodating of others, and doubting your own feelings and boundaries.Common Triggers:Negative responses from others to your requests or boundaries.Feeling invalidated by others' strong emotional reactions.Emotional immaturity in relationships, where one partner deflects or intensifies emotions rather than addressing the core issue.Strategies to Navigate Out of the Abyss:Process Your Emotions: Take time to differentiate your emotions from others' and validate your own feelings.Regain Confidence: Remind yourself why you brought up your needs or boundaries and stay firm in your integrity.Set Clear Goals: Make your actions measurable and clear to yourself, ensuring you remain aligned with your values.Action Steps:Calm your nervous system to see situations more clearly. Step out of fight, flight, freeze or fawn.Make your boundaries and requests measurable and stick to them.Remember that others' reactions are about them, not you.If this episode resonates with you, consider working with me through my six-week coaching packages. Together, we can dive deeper into your specific situations and develop personalized strategies to help you navigate your emotions and relationships more effectively. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with others who might benefit. Have a great week, and take care!Apply to work with me: https://maryannwalker.life/contact-meListen to Fawning: A People Pleaser Stress Response: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2028767/14866402Connect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryannwalker.lifeConnect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannwalker.life/Connect with me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryannwalker.lifeGet your FREE Boundary Guidebook: https://maryannwalker-life.ck.page/2124419f37***Have an idea for the podcast? Click here to submit a question or leave me a review! https://forms.gle/jCt4i9BPa5xVpArj6

Sep 5, 2024 • 20min
124: Less is More: Simplifying Communication for Better Understanding
Exploring the pitfalls of over-explaining, the discussion highlights how it can muddle messages and impair connections. Empaths often over-communicate due to fears of misunderstanding and the need for reassurance. Practical strategies for simplifying communication are shared, such as focusing on a clear main point and seeking feedback. Emphasizing mindfulness, the conversation reveals how concise expression can enhance relationship dynamics, making it easier for needs to be understood and addressed.


