The Overwhelmed Brain
Paul Colaianni: Relationship and Emotional Abuse Expert
Get to the root of emotional issues and learn the best way to relate to yourself and others by honoring your personal boundaries and making decisions that are in alignment with what's most important to you.
This is not a "common-sense" personal growth and development show. You won't be told to think positively or create affirmations. The Overwhelmed Brain is about accessing that deeper mental and emotional strength inside you so that you can decrease or even eliminate old fears and evolve into the person you want to be.
Learn what your parents or caretakers never taught you about emotional wellness and creating strong, non-toxic bonds with others.
If you want the exact instructions that will help improve your life, you're in the right place.
This is not a "common-sense" personal growth and development show. You won't be told to think positively or create affirmations. The Overwhelmed Brain is about accessing that deeper mental and emotional strength inside you so that you can decrease or even eliminate old fears and evolve into the person you want to be.
Learn what your parents or caretakers never taught you about emotional wellness and creating strong, non-toxic bonds with others.
If you want the exact instructions that will help improve your life, you're in the right place.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 11, 2024 • 52min
Can challenges and conflicts lead to happiness?
Why is it so hard to strike a balance between our own happiness and the happiness of those we care about? In today's episode, I tackle the challenges of relational conflict and the importance of acknowledging when we're not okay. We face tough moments in life. And it takes courage to assert our dignity. Sometimes, standing up for yourself is the most respectful thing you can do—for you and your loved ones. Let's explore the fine line between pleasing others and recognizing that you might be inadvertently contributing to your own unhappiness. Sometimes that means facing what you fear head on.
Feb 4, 2024 • 58min
Am I wasting time thinking it's ever going to get better?
Is there light at the end of the tunnel of a troubled relationship? Past difficult relationships can certainly leave you with sensitivities to current and future ones, so it's important to make sure you align with what's most important to you and follow that path. If you don't, you could end up sticking around for something that may never, ever change - and you'll wonder if you will regret your decision when all is said and done. In this episode, I address one woman's question about how her partner put his hands on her in anger and she's not sure if she is wasting her time sticking around or if she should hold on to hope even though she can no longer trust the person she's with.
Jan 28, 2024 • 38min
When you don't want to accept that thing they do
Why is it so hard to strike a balance between supporting someone's goals and managing our own reactions? Sometimes, we have to traverse a tightrope walk of love and support without the comfort of a safety net. When you want to love someone but they make it hard because of a habit or behavior they're doing, you might have no choice but to make a hard choice for yourself.
Jan 21, 2024 • 49min
You only get along when you agree they have no flaws
Should you concede to another person's flaws to maintain peace? We all seek approval at times, but in some relationships, this quest can take on a different hue, especially when one's own insecurities are creating difficult and sometimes toxic conversations. Getting through some conversations without one or both people getting upset might take some clever communicating. That's what I'm talking about today.
Jan 14, 2024 • 40min
Will the long-term lie tear the relationship apart?
What is the consequence of withholding a big secret from the person you are supposed to have an honest, transparent relationship with? Secrets can lead to lies that lead to people feeling betrayed, causing pain when all of it could have probably been avoided in the first place.
Jan 7, 2024 • 52min
Should you keep the door open to people who want to close it?
Enforcing boundaries with family is hard enough, but what if they want to enforce them with you? What if they want to close the door to your relationship, even though you didn't do anything wrong? In this episode, I read a message from a woman whose father decided his new wife and family were more important than his existing one. Very, very tough subject.
Dec 31, 2023 • 45min
Why you can't get through to some people
Why do we sometimes struggle to make ourselves understood? You know that moment when you're explaining something you're sure you know inside and out, but the person you're talking to just isn't getting it? It's not about the complexity of the topic, it's about understanding the unique ways we all process information. Our brains are all wired in their own way, which means what's clear to you might be a jigsaw puzzle to someone else. Learning to communicate without sparking a battle shouldn't be a battle in itself.
Dec 24, 2023 • 51min
The tiny things that improve your life
Learn about the power of small changes and how they can greatly enhance your quality of life. Explore the concept of letting go of attachments and reflect on the significance of making minor improvements. Discover advice on moving on from a breakup and the reasons why people go back to their ex-partners.
Dec 17, 2023 • 1h 2min
Challenges come in all shapes and sizes in romantic relationships
Explore the challenges of romantic relationships and how to navigate them. They discuss difficult partners, the importance of making tough decisions, and addressing emotional triggers. They delve into topics such as covert narcissism, negative attitudes, emotionally abusive behavior, and the significance of empathy. They emphasize the need for self-care, open communication, taking responsibility, and direct communication in relationships.
Dec 10, 2023 • 56min
When friends and family think you're making a bad decision
Your friends and family really want the best for you. But what are they going to say when they see you make a decision they believe is just crazy? I explore that very topic in this episode. A woman writes to me and tells me she's taking a break from her husband after telling her friends and family how awful he was. She has no idea to face them and tell them the news.
