What happens when you spend your whole life taking care of others, and suddenly realize you’ve lost yourself in the process? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Debbie R. Weiss, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and inspirational speaker, who shares how she spent decades as a family caregiver—first to her father, then to her son with autism, and later to her husband battling mental illness and cancer. At 50, she had an epiphany: if she didn’t start prioritizing herself, she’d keep putting her own life on hold.

Debbie opens up about her journey of shifting from a victim mentality to taking ownership of her life, making small mindset shifts that led to massive transformation. We dive into breaking limiting beliefs, overcoming life’s toughest challenges, and chasing dreams—even when you’re not sure what they are yet. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your circumstances, this conversation will leave you inspired and ready to take action.

Episode Highlights:

[0:02] – Meet Debbie R. Weiss: Author, speaker, and lifelong caregiver.
[2:28] – Becoming a caregiver at 17: navigating life after her father’s stroke.
[5:41] – Running a business while balancing caregiving and family responsibilities.
[9:39] – The devastating moment when her husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
[12:12] – Breaking free from the victim mentality and taking responsibility.
[17:43] – The mindset shift that finally led to lasting weight loss.
[24:55] – How small, consistent actions can transform your life.
[31:16] – What Debbie’s life looks like now: embracing new possibilities.
[38:35] – The power of saying yes and how it led her to writing.
[41:22] – Debbie’s best advice for women who feel stuck in their circumstances.

Resources:

Debbie Weiss’s Website: https://www.debbierweiss.com

Make sure to visit the “Resources” page on our website www.insightsfromthecouch.org to download the worksheet and take ways that accompany each episode. This is hugely important as we are now creating a download that is unique to each episode and working hard to create an email list to support our programming offerings moving forward.

In this heartfelt episode, we’re joined by our dear friend and fellow therapist, Helen Keeling-Neal, as she bravely shares her journey through grief after the sudden loss of her husband. Helen opens up about the profound and unexpected challenges that come with navigating life as a young widow and single mom, all while finding ways to heal, grow, and embrace a new path forward. Whether you’ve experienced a similar loss or simply want to support a loved one going through grief, Helen’s story is full of insights, compassion, and real-life wisdom.

We explore the complexities of grief, from the early shock and survival mode to the ongoing journey of healing and finding purpose. Helen discusses the tools and support systems that helped her, including therapy and community, and she offers invaluable advice on how to be there for someone experiencing loss.

Episode Highlights:
[0:00] - Introducing Helen Keeling-Neal and her story of sudden loss.
[2:00] - The immediate impact of losing a spouse and going into “survival mode.”
[3:26] - Dealing with the “business of death” and the logistics of loss.
[6:54] - Finding support: How friends, family, and community showed up.
[9:36] - Coping strategies: Therapy, EMDR, and the importance of avoiding quick fixes.
[12:58] - Raising young children through grief and balancing career shifts.
[17:51] - Understanding attachment and compound grief in the healing process.
[23:31] - Moving forward in new relationships and dealing with fears of loss.
[29:19] - Top tips for navigating grief and healing after losing a loved one.

Resources:

• For EMDR therapy: https://www.emdria.org/
• For ART: https://acceleratedresolutiontherapy.com/
• To find a therapist for grief near you: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists
• 🔥Get Clear on What You Want in Your Sex Life: Free Download!

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Do you find yourself saying “yes” when you really want to say “no”? Do you feel responsible for keeping the peace, even at your own expense? If any of that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. From childhood conditioning and gender expectations to how this behavior shows up in our adult relationships—romantic, professional, and personal—we’re talking about it all.

In this episode, we get real about our own struggles and growth around people pleasing. We explore the line between kindness and self-abandonment, how saying “no” can actually strengthen relationships, and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways we’ve learned to reclaim our voices. If you’ve ever wrestled with resentment, vagueness, or fear of being “the bad guy,” you’re not alone—and there’s a way out. Tune in as we share stories, insights, and actionable strategies for building healthier boundaries without losing your sense of connection.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Why people pleasing hits so close to home for both of us.
[1:14] - The difference between being genuinely kind vs. being "nice" to your own detriment.
[3:49] - Laura's story: Growing up flanked by strong personalities and learning to placate.
[6:46] - How family patterns condition our conflict tolerance in adulthood.
[8:32] - Colette’s evolution in romantic relationships and the fear of losing love.
[10:11] - Assertiveness is a muscle: why it takes time and practice to break the habit.
[11:02] - People pleasing ≠ being confident and kind. It often leads to resentment.
[12:51] - Key signs of people pleasing from Psychology Today’s checklist.
[13:31] - Natural boundaries: how structure and routine can minimize people pleasing.
[15:25] - Boundaries at work: why therapy helped us develop clear limits.
[17:21] - Practicing assertiveness in safe relationships and why that matters.
[22:08] - The real cost of people pleasing on your mental and emotional health.
[23:17] - Gabor Maté and the connection between chronic niceness and physical illness.
[26:06] - Practical tips: writing out your thoughts, using scripts, and buying time.
[30:38] - Parenting and people pleasing: where we still struggle (and how we’re working on it).
[33:59] - The importance of learning to self-define, and why assertiveness isn’t aggressiveness.
[34:33] - The Giving Tree metaphor and recognizing when you’ve become the stump.
[36:05] - Final tips: Practice, write it out, externalize, and invest in safe relationships.
[37:12] - Where to take the “Are You a People Pleaser?” test and how to connect with us.

Resources:

• Take the “Are You a People Pleaser?” quiz at: https://insightsfromthecouch.org
• Learn more about the podcast and access show archives at: Insights From the Couch

Make sure to visit the “Resources” page on our website www.insightsfromthecouch.org to download the worksheet and take ways that accompany each episode. This is hugely important as we are now creating a download that is unique to each episode and working hard to create an email list to support our programming offerings moving forward.