Have you ever finally gotten something that you thought would make you feel worthy, like a degree or a promotion, and you still felt like you weren't good enough? Or maybe when someone gives you a genuine compliment, you feel worse instead of better.
My guest is Dr. Marisa Franco, a psychologist, professor at the University of Maryland, and New York Times bestselling author. And she says we've been lied to about what really builds self-worth. But the good news is, once we learn the truth, we can all increase our self-worth without achieving more.
Some of the things we discuss are:
Why compliments and success can actually feel threatening when you're struggling with self-worth
The difference between the two kinds of high self-esteem (and how to tell which one you actually have)
Why "I only date secure people" misses how humans actually work — and the case for being "secure-ish" instead
Why memories are the "database of self-esteem" — and how the brain uses your past to predict your future
How to go back to a painful memory and give your younger self exactly what they needed
Why you don't have to remember what happened to heal past wounds
The three-step framework to try the next time you feel bad about yourself
Healthy ways to handle hard feelings
The Therapist's Take: My top three strategies for building real self-worth starting today
Related Episodes
219 — Stop Hating Yourself: A Step-by-Step Guide to Reclaiming Your Worth with Dr. Blaise Aguirre
104 — What Your Sentimental Keepsakes Reveal About Your Self-Worth
Links & Resources
Worth: The New Science of Self-Esteem and Secure Attachment
Connect with the Show
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