Best Heidi Gustafson Podcasts (2025)

1
63. Love Isn’t Earned & Neither Is Your Worth or Value: How People Pleasers Mistake Approval for Love 14:38

13d ago14:38

14:38

Do you say yes when you REALLY wanna say no — just to avoid disappointing someone? Or say no, but then immediately feel guilty? Yeah… the guilt? It’s not about that moment — it’s about a deeper belief you probably don't realize you’re carrying. In this episode, we’re unpacking why so many women end up chasing approval without realizing it… and how …

1
62. Why People Pleasers Overshare; Regain Your Inner Peace & Power in 4 Steps 15:38

27d ago15:38

15:38

Do you ever walk away from a conversation thinking, “Why did I say all that?” You’re not alone — and there’s nothing wrong with you. Oversharing is a sneaky people-pleasing habit that feels like connection… but usually leaves us feeling exposed, regretful, or misunderstood. I'm breaking down why we do it — and how to quit this habit to take back yo…

1
61. The Price of Being Nice: 5 Hidden Dangers of People Pleasing 18:54

1M ago18:54

18:54

Have you spent your life being "nice" and putting others first, even at the cost of your own happiness and peace of mind? If the answer is yes, it's time to rethink your approach. Tune in to discover how embracing kindness over niceness can rejuvenate your life. In this episode, you’ll learn: The hidden dangers of being too nice and how it can lead…

1
60. Tired of Feeling Responsible for Everyone Else’s Happiness? 15 Habits to Stop 22:19

2M ago22:19

22:19

If you're someone who bends over backwards to keep the peace, this episode is for you! Tune in to learn how you can stop carrying the emotional weight of everyone else and start breathing more freely in your own life. In this episode, you’ll learn: How fear of disappointment can lead us to compromise our own needs and well-being The 15 specific beh…

1
59. 7 Hard Truths About Self Worth and Acceptance I Wish I'd Learned Sooner 13:36

2M ago13:36

13:36

Are you trapped in the cycle of people-pleasing and losing sight of who you truly are? It took me over four decades to break free, and this episode is here to guide you on the journey of self-worth and acceptance. Join me as I reveal seven transformative lessons that helped me let go of the exhausting need to be everything to everyone. In this epis…

1
58. Why Speaking Up For Yourself Feels Hard; Gain Confidence With 10 Vital Steps 20:08

3M ago20:08

20:08

Have you ever left a conversation wishing you'd spoken up? Or found yourself over-explaining and then feeling guilty afterward? If the fear of expressing yourself has left you silent or overwhelmed, you're not alone, I've been there too. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to differentiate between wanting to be right and wanting to be heard in your …

1
57. How to Gain Confidence, Self Respect, and Acceptance: 10 Steps to Break Free of People Pleasing 23:48

3M ago23:48

23:48

What really happens when you stop people pleasing? Speaking up and setting boundaries are powerful steps, and they can also bring unexpected challenges. In this episode, you'll learn: The ten key steps to break free from people pleasing and how each can empower you in living more authentically. The initial discomfort and pushback you might face as …

1
56. What Would I Tell My Younger Self? Is This People Pleasing? How Do I Handle Resentment? Your Questions Answered 15:53

4M ago15:53

15:53

Breaking free from people pleasing can feel overwhelming, especially when you're not sure what to expect or how to handle the discomfort that comes with this huge change. Today, I'm answering some questions that have come through comments on my new YouTube channel (Mastering Midlife with Heidi). In this episode, you'll learn: How to identify and br…

1
55. 25 Simple Things I Did to FINALLY Accept, Love & Trust Myself in Midlife 27:09

4M ago27:09

27:09

It's a very special 2-year anniversary episode of the podcast! Today, I'm giving you 25 simple life changes I made to reinvent my life over the last 7 years after my toxic marriage ended and I got fired from my job. In this episode, you'll learn: The power of rewiring your subconscious mind and why doing so can transform your love, acceptance, and …

1
54. What 62 Years Taught Me About Self Trust, Self Acceptance, and Self Worth: 10 Lessons 22:03

5M ago22:03

22:03

Throughout my life, I've experienced hard lessons that pushed me to figure out self trust and taught me to finally accept myself. Changing your life starts with changing how you see yourself, and in this episode I'm sharing 10 lessons to help you do that. You'll learn: How keeping small promises to yourself builds self trust and diminishes people p…

1
53. The LIE That’s Destroying Your Confidence, Self-Esteem, & Hurting All Your Relationships 15:01

5M ago15:01

15:01

How often do you catch yourself changing your words or actions to avoid someone else's negative reaction? If you're familiar with this habit, it might be rooted in a pattern of people-pleasing that erodes your confidence and relationships over time. In this episode, you'll learn: The deeply ingrained belief that often fuels people-pleasing behavior…

1
52. Stop These 7 People-Pleasing Behaviors for a Confident, Joy-Filled 2025 19:18

6M ago19:18

19:18

Do you ever find yourself saying yes when your gut is screaming no? If you struggle with people-pleasing, this habit can rob you of your time, energy, and self-worth. In this episode, you'll learn: The seven sneaky people-pleasing behaviors that are holding you back Why striving for perfection and over-apologizing are toxic to your confidence Pract…

1
51. 8 Secrets to Increase Your Confidence & Self Esteem & Escape the People Pleasing Cycle 20:28

6M ago20:28

20:28

It took me over five decades to realize that being "nice" was actually damaging my self esteem and confidence. Today, I'm revealing 8 eye-opening behaviors that were keeping me trapped in this cycle, plus sharing how you can break free from this people pleasing cycle. In this episode, you’ll learn: The hidden ways people pleasing depletes your conf…

1
50. People Pleasing Trap: How Do I Say ‘No’ & Avoid Disappointing Someone? 21:51

6M ago21:51

21:51

Have you ever felt obligated to say yes just to avoid disappointing someone? This common people pleasing dilemma can often leave us feeling overwhelmed and resentful. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why a reluctant yes is more harmful than an honest no for both you and the other person The hidden costs and ripple effects of always saying yes when yo…

1
49. How People Pleasing Destroys Self Worth! Take Back Control with One Game-Changing Question 16:46

7M ago16:46

16:46

Do you ever catch yourself asking, "what if they don't like me?" If you're a people pleaser, this question can end up running, and even ruining your life. In this episode, you’ll learn: What causes us to people-please and seek validation from others The physical and mental toll people pleasing can take on us A simple question you can ask yourself t…

1
48. More Life Lessons from an Ex People-Pleasing Procrastinating Perfectionist 21:33

7M ago21:33

21:33

If you've ever hesitated to ask for help, felt trapped by your commitments, or lost touch with your true self, this is your wake-up call. In this episode, you’ll learn: The three lessons that shattered my people-pleasing, perfectionist mindset Why asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness The liberating truth about changing your mind - ev…

1
47. 10 Lessons I Learned About Boundaries & Self Worth In A Hot Yoga Class 23:23

8M ago23:23

23:23

After 15 years of practicing hot yoga, I’ve learned quite a few lessons that go way beyond the mat. But don’t worry, YOU don't have to know a thing about yoga or bend yourself into a pretzel to learn these lessons too. In this episode you’ll learn: The 10 surprising life lessons I picked up in hot yoga The everyday struggles we face when we don't s…

1
46. Boundaries: Are You Being Rude & Selfish? A Listener Question 28:31

8M ago28:31

28:31

Setting boundaries is one thing, but enforcing them can sometimes leave you feeling guilty and rude. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why we might feel like we’re being rude when setting or enforcing boundaries How to enforce boundaries without feeling “rude” Three simple strategies you can use to know your limits, communicate your needs, and build h…

1
45. The Avoidance Trap That Causes Us to Not Set Boundaries 18:24

9M ago18:24

18:24

Have you been avoiding certain situations or conversations in order to maintain your sense of control? In this episode, you’ll learn: Four reasons we put limits on ourselves Real life examples of things we avoid in order to not feel discomfort or not disappoint others How this pattern of avoidance results in a diminished version of ourselves and wh…

1
44. Boundary Mistakes People Make & How They Add Stress To Your Life 19:26

9M ago19:26

19:26

Are you always trying to be everything to everyone and repeatedly make exceptions for the boundaries you’ve set? In this episode, you’ll learn: What leaky boundaries are and seven ways to gauge if you have holes in your boundary bucket Four ways that leaky boundaries negatively impact you and add unnecessary stress to your life A simple exercise to…

1
43. Saying 'Sorry' Is Damaging Your Self Worth! How to Stop Over Apologizing 18:28

10M ago18:28

18:28

Do you find yourself apologizing too much, even for things you don’t need to be sorry for? In this episode, you’ll learn: The five reasons we feel the need to apologize so much How over-apologizing impacts our relationships and our self worth Two things you can do today to start breaking this devastating habit If you'd like to know more about what …

1
42. How Feeling Guilty & Selfish Destroys Your Self Worth 24:54

10M ago24:54

24:54

Constant feelings of guilt and selfishness can be devastating to your self-esteem, making you feel uncomfortable talking about yourself, worried about being seen as self-centered, and afraid to say no or express your true feelings. In this episode, you’ll learn: The three reasons why so many of us feel guilty and selfish so often The way these feel…

1
41. How I FINALLY Learned to Set Boundaries From a Toxic Relationship 25:50

11M ago25:50

25:50

Do you struggle with saying no, justifying negative behavior, changing yourself to fit others' expectations, or feeling resentful when your kindness isn't reciprocated? Setting and upholding healthy boundaries is a common struggle for many women I talk to. In this episode you’ll learn: The aha moment that made me realize that my unhealthy or nonexi…

1
40. Stop Second-Guessing Yourself: Mastering Self-Trust as a People Pleaser 23:34

11M ago23:34

23:34

I’m doing something a little different this week and answering a powerful question from a listener about learning how to trust our own decision-making. In this episode, you’ll learn: How we become trained to doubt ourselves from a young age What it really means to be selfish and how it affects our people-pleasing behaviors A powerful exercise you c…

1
39. The People Pleasing Trap: I’m Not Happy Unless YOU Are Happy! 26:48

12M ago26:48

26:48

Does your people pleasing behavior have you feeling like you don’t even know who you are anymore? In this episode, you’ll learn: Why you can’t depend on others for your happiness and what problems arise when you do Three steps you can take to break free from the trap of people-pleasing and start listening to your own voice A powerful exercise you c…

1
38. Breaking Free from Perfectionism: 10 Simple Steps 23:10

12M ago23:10

23:10

Perfectionism is a thief of happiness, joy, feeling successful, calm, content, fulfilled, or any feeling we'd like to have. It's an exhausting behavior that often causes chronic stress and burnout. But, you don't have to stay stuck in the cycle! In this episode, you’ll learn: What causes us to get into perfectionism and how it manifests in our live…

1
37. Are You A People Pleaser Who Breaks Promises to Yourself? 26:32

1y ago26:32

26:32

Do you find it easier to keep the promises you make to others but struggle with the ones you make to yourself? In this episode, you’ll learn: How breaking promises to ourselves can affect our mental health The subconscious habits and beliefs that lead us to prioritize others over ourselves Practical strategies and exercises to help you uncover deep…

1
36. Part 2: 7 Harmful Myths About People Pleasing 27:26

1y ago27:26

27:26

Welcome to part two of our series diving into the harmful myths that keep us trapped in the cycle of people pleasing and self-sacrifice. Tune in as we continue debunking these myths and learning how to break free from their grip. In this episode, you’ll learn: 4 more myths that perpetuate people pleasing behaviors The importance of recognizing and …

1
35. Part 1: 7 Harmful People Pleasing Myths 23:33

1y ago23:33

23:33

The pervasive nature of people pleasing can leave us feeling stuck in roles of perfectionism and guilt, suppressing our true selves and hindering authentic connections. Let's break free from this debilitating pattern so you can live the rest of your life in the freedom of interdependent relationships instead of the constricting codependent relation…

1
34. Procrastination: The Secret To What Causes Us To Put Things Off 24:43

1y ago24:43

24:43

Is procrastination holding you back from living the life you want? Tune in for a fresh perspective on this sometimes debilitating behavior and what you can do to address it. In this episode, you’ll learn: Common misconceptions about procrastination and what it really is The role emotions and feelings play in procrastination How you can address the …

1
33. Worried About What Other People Think? How To Stop This Harmful Pattern 19:27

1y ago19:27

19:27

Do you find yourself trapped in a cycle of worrying about what others think? It's a common struggle that affects our confidence, self-worth, and ultimately, our decisions. But why do we care so much, and more importantly, how can we break free from this cycle? In this episode, you'll learn: The biological roots of our concern for others' opinions P…

1
32. Terrified To Speak Up? What It's Costing You & What To Do About It 21:35

1y ago21:35

21:35

Does the fear of judgment or rejection have you hesitating to speak your mind? Speaking our truths can be challenging, but withholding our authentic selves can lead to frustration, resentment, and hinder our personal growth. In this episode, I’ll share with you why many of us find it so difficult to speak our truths, the repercussions of staying si…

1
31. How My People Pleasing Attracted A Toxic Relationship & 5 Steps I Took To Heal 21:42

1+ y ago21:42

21:42

Realizing that I was in a toxic relationship with a man I had married just months before opened my eyes to the devastating effects that people pleasing tendencies can have. In this episode, I’m opening up about what I discovered I was doing to attract toxic relationships in my life, the 5 steps I took to heal, and what changes I made to actually be…

1
30. The Worst Question People Pleasers Ask Themselves & What To Ask Instead 21:24

1+ y ago21:24

21:24

Do you find yourself constantly asking "why" questions? Why did I do that? Why can't I get control of my eating? Why am I so disorganized? Then you’re definitely going to want to hear the four reasons why the “why” questions can be detrimental to your personal growth, especially for people pleasers. I’ll also share with you what you can do to shift…

1
29. 7 Life-Changing Lessons of An Ex People-Pleasing Procrastinating Perfectionist 22:28

1+ y ago22:28

22:28

In this special anniversary episode, I'm celebrating the one-year milestone of this podcast, my 61st birthday, and the podcast's top 10% global ranking. Join the festivities as I share with you the life-changing lessons I’ve learned on my journey to becoming a recovered people-pleasing procrastinating perfectionist. Plus, don’t miss your chance to …

1
28. Is Your People Pleasing Actually About Control? 18:20

1+ y ago18:20

18:20

People pleasers do what they can to keep others happy, but many times we don't realize that this is a way we maintain control. In today's episode, I'll be sharing what compels us to want to control so much in our lives, and how a single question helped me let go of my 17-year marriage. Stay tuned to the very end because I'm also going to give you 5…

1
27. The ULTIMATE Secret to Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions! 25:52

1+ y ago25:52

25:52

A shocking 92% of New Year's resolutions fail every year. But, you can avoid falling into this statistic! In this episode, I’m giving you the 3 science-based reasons why it’s so difficult to make lasting changes with resolutions, and sharing the ultimate secret to create change that lasts. Tune in if you want to keep your resolutions! Join the Me F…

1
26. As A People Pleaser, How Being Fired From My Job Was The Best Gift Ever! 15:36

1+ y ago15:36

15:36

Three years ago I went through a devastating moment that turned out to be one of the greatest gifts I could ever receive. In this episode, I’ll share how this pivotal chapter of my life led me to question my deep-seated need for external validation and reassess my self worth. I'll also share three practical steps you can use to break free from the …

1
25. How To Keep Your OWN Peace As A Peacekeeper During The Holidays 18:10

1+ y ago18:10

18:10

Do you spend so much energy keeping the peace between others and then find yourself longing for some peace of your own? Peacekeeping is an exhausting pattern that can lead to putting yourself last. In this episode, I'll share two key reasons why you're stuck in this pattern, plus a powerful strategy to break free so that you can finally have some p…

1
24. Are You The Peacekeeper? 4 Ways To Stay Sane During The Holidays 22:31

1+ y ago22:31

22:31

The holiday season brings hustle & bustle, additional spending, and additional pressure for things to be perfect and for everyone to be happy. In this episode, I'll be sharing why this can cause increased stress for those who are people pleasers and often playing the role of peacekeeper. Plus, I'll give you a 4-part method that you can use to break…

1
23. Curious To Know If You're Codependent? Ask Yourself These 10 Questions 18:38

1+ y ago18:38

18:38

Codependency has had such a deep impact on my life and I’m ready to explore it more deeply with you. In this episode, we’ll discuss the origins of codependent behaviors, the distinctions between codependency and people-pleasing, and the 10 questions you can ask yourself to assess if codependency might be playing a role in your life. Tune in to lear…

1
22. The Hidden Price of Being Nice; 3 Differences Between Being Kind & Nice 22:01

1+ y ago22:01

22:01

There are two words that I’ve been mixing up my whole life and you might be too. In this episode, I’ll share with you the profound differences between being nice and being kind, why only one of them helps you to actually be your authentic self, and the 3 questions you can ask yourself to determine which one is directing the choices you make. Join t…

1
21. 3 Lies People Pleasers Tell Themselves & How They Keep Us Stuck 18:52

1+ y ago18:52

18:52

Ever feel like you're stuck in a cycle of people-pleasing and self-doubt? In this episode, I’ll reveal three common lies that people pleasers tell themselves, and how these beliefs can keep us trapped in frustration and resentment. Join me as I share my personal experiences and valuable insights on breaking free from these limiting beliefs, so you …

1
20. 4 Secrets to Stay Healthy Without Medication From My 92 Year Old Mom 13:25

1+ y ago13:25

13:25

My 92 year old mom is as sharp as a tack and as healthy as a horse. In today's episode, I'm sharing her 4 secrets to living a long and fulfilling life. The best news? They're all really simple things that you can implement in your own life! In this episode, I'm also celebrating 1000 podcast downloads - something that was just a dream only 9 months …

1
19. 3 Things You Must Do to Help You Get Through Difficult Situations 22:51

1+ y ago22:51

22:51

In this episode, I share a deeply personal and unexpected experience from my Labor Day weekend that forced me to reexamine how I react to life's curveballs. I discuss the importance of responding rather than reacting, being your own advocate, and adopting the mindset of "I'm willing to see this differently." Join me in exploring these valuable less…

1
18. One Thing My SCUBA Experience Taught Me About Self Trust 20:02

2y ago20:02

20:02

What's the best way to give yourself freedom and feel amazing about your life without relying on what others think? If you experience the need for approval from external sources, you don't want to miss the answer in today's episode. I'm sharing the experience I had on my first SCUBA dive in the Caribbean and the surprising connection to external va…

1
17. Are You Stuck in People Pleasing? FOG (Fear, Obligation, Guilt) Is The Reason 17:45

2y ago17:45

17:45

Are you afraid of disappointing others or of being judged? Do you often do things out of a sense of loyalty or duty to avoid being seen as bad or unforgiving? Do you feel selfish for putting yourself first or for saying no? If you said yes to any of these, tune in because being in this people pleasing FOG is what we're talking about in today's epis…

1
16. Think You Might Be A People Pleaser? 7 Signs & What To Do About It 18:15

2y ago18:15

18:15

Many people view people-pleasing as a good thing, a positive trait. It can be, when driven by genuine love and generosity. But if your people-pleasing is coming from a fear of not being liked, conflict, being rejected, etc., there's a catch. Tune in to hear about 7 signs that might show you that you're being nice for the wrong reasons, and how to s…

1
15. Are You Addicted to Stress? 3 Steps to Break The Stress Habit 19:15

2y ago19:15

19:15

Stress is no fun and has many negative side effects. Yet, many of us spend a lot of time in this state and some almost wear it as a badge of honor. Do you want to stop living in survival mode? In this episode, I'm breaking down how and why our bodies and brains get addicted to stress, and what you can do to kick stress to the curb. Are you ready to…

1
14. Dislike The Reflection You See in the Mirror? Change It To One You Love! 21:49

2y ago21:49

21:49

Do you look in the mirror and see someone that you deeply love as much as a dear friend? I've despised the person looking back at me, for reasons deeper than physical appearance. In today's episode, I'm sharing how negative perceptions develop and why we end up holding onto them, even when we know they're not benefiting us. Tune in to look at your …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Heidi Gustafson Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide