Episode Overview

In this episode of You Keep Me Sane, we explore the art of listening and its impact on connection, growth, and health. Inspired by listener feedback, we discuss what it takes to be a good listener and how real listening strengthens relationships, helps us feel understood, and supports mental and physical well-being.

Key Discussion Points

• Listening as a Core Value: Inspired by listener feedback, we discuss the importance of listening thoughtfully and without interruption, highlighting its impact on connection.
• Four Key Traits of a Good Listener:
  1. Safe Space: Offering a non-judgmental space for others to open up.
  2. Presence: Practising full presence, even in long-distance voice messages.
  3. Empathy Over Solutions: Prioritising empathy and understanding over advice.
  4. Holding Space Without Pressure: Allowing people to share at their own pace.
• The Health Benefits of Being Heard: Studies show that expressing emotions without suppression benefits both mental and physical health.

Listener Takeaways

• The Power of Empathy: Real listening is about presence and understanding rather than problem-solving. Simple affirmations like “I hear you” can make a world of difference.
• Creating Connection: Developing listening skills helps build trust and vulnerability, both for the listener and the speaker, making for stronger, healthier relationships.
• Physical and Mental Health Impact: Allowing oneself to be heard has shown positive effects on mental and physical health, as expressed through studies on suppressed emotions.
• Space for Vulnerability: Being a good listener can encourage others to open up and allow us to access authentic connections, benefiting everyone involved.

Links From The Show

Incredible holiday portraits for those in London (discount code YKMS24):

https://www.gsixtysix.com/category/xmas24

For more about the impact of suppressing your feelings and staying silent:

https://time.com/6319549/silencing-women-sick-essay/

Join the Conversation

If this episode resonated with you we’d love to hear your stories of listening and being heard. Reach out through voicemail, DM, or in the comments to share your experience with empathy and listening—whether as a listener or someone in need of being heard. Connect with us, share your thoughts, and let’s continue building a supportive community grounded in presence and understanding.

Links:

• Join the YKMS Community: https://ig.me/j/AbZXqiuD7yYWwPg1/
• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at hello@youkeepmesane.com

Host: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

Editor: Allia Lenit Galos

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview:

In this episode of You Keep Me Sane, Aileen and Julie dive into the topic of judgement—how it impacts our lives, the fear of being judged, and the harsh inner critic within us. They share personal stories, explore why judgement holds such power, and offer practical ways to break free from its grip to embrace self-acceptance.

Key Discussion Points:

1. Introduction to Judgement:
   • The ever-present nature of judgement and its influence on self-perception.
   • The fear of judgement as a barrier to pursuing what we truly want.
2. Fear of Being Judged:
   • Aileen and Julie share how childhood experiences and societal expectations contributed to their fear of judgement.
   • The link between fear of judgement and self-worth.
3. Self-Judgement:
   • How self-criticism can be more damaging than external judgement.
   • Realising that most judgement we fear is self-imposed.
4. Breaking Free from Judgement:
   • Practical tips for fostering self-compassion and choosing self-acceptance.
   • Recognising that others’ harsh judgements often reflect their own struggles.

Thought-Provoking Quote:

“Every time you judge someone, you reveal a part of yourself that needs healing.”

- This powerful reminder encourages self-reflection, helping us see that judgement often stems from our own unresolved insecurities and fears.

Listener Contribution:

• A message from Samantha in Victoria, highlighting her experience with judgement.

Listener Takeaways:

• Notice when judgement arises and practise acceptance instead.
• Speak kindly to yourself and let go of perfectionism.
• Remember, most people are too focused on their own insecurities to judge you harshly.
• Embrace imperfection and know you are enough.

Join the Conversation:

Judgement is a shared experience. We’d love to hear your stories—send us a voicemail or DM on Instagram, and we may feature your insights in a future episode.

Call to Action:

If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend and leave us a review. Follow us on Instagram for more relatable conversations and support.

Links:

• Join the YKMS Community: https://ig.me/j/AbZXqiuD7yYWwPg1/
• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at hello@youkeepmesane.com

Host: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

Editor: Allia Lenit Galos

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview In this episode of You Keep Me Sane, Julie and Aileen dive into the topic of self-worth, exploring what it means, how we lose touch with it, and how to rebuild it from within. They share personal stories and insights into why self-worth is crucial for living authentically and setting healthy standards for oneself.

Key Discussion Points

• What is Self-Worth? Understanding self-worth as an intrinsic sense of value, independent of achievements or external validation.
• Losing Touch with Self-Worth: How societal conditioning and early praise tied to accomplishments can skew our perception of self-worth.
• Rebuilding Self-Worth: Personal experiences of separating worth from external achievements and valuing inherent qualities.
• Cultivating Self-Worth Daily: Practical strategies like gratitude practices, setting boundaries, and self-compassion to reinforce a strong sense of self.

Listener Takeaways

• Self-worth isn’t something you earn; it’s inherent.
• Focus on valuing your internal qualities and practising self-compassion.
• Surround yourself with people who appreciate you for who you are, and learn to validate yourself without external approval.

Join the Conversation We’d love to hear your experiences with self-worth. Where do you peg your self-worth, and how are you working to build it from within? Drop us a message or voicemail and, if this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who might need it.

Links:

• Join the YKMS Community: https://ig.me/j/AbZXqiuD7yYWwPg1/
• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at hello@youkeepmesane.com

Host: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

Editor: Allia Lenit Galos

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Summary: In this special introductory episode, Aileen and Julie share the story behind their chance meeting, the evolution of their friendship, and the inspiration behind You Keep Me Sane. From a serendipitous encounter in Greenwich Park to years of daily WhatsApp messages that became an anchor for both of them, they reflect on the challenges they’ve faced, the support they’ve shared, and their decision to bring these honest conversations to others. This episode provides insight into the friendship that forms the heart of You Keep Me Sane, a space where everyone can feel heard and understood.

Quote of the Episode:
"Everyone needs a friend who can catch all of that messiness and make them feel they’re not alone." – Aileen

Join the Conversation:
Feel free to join the You Keep Me Sane Instagram chat group or reach out via DM. Aileen and Julie would love to hear what resonates with you, and you can even email suggestions for future episodes at hello@youkeepmesane.com.

Thank you for listening! Tune in next week as Aileen and Julie dive deeper into the everyday challenges that connect us all.

Links:

• Join the YKMS Community: https://ig.me/j/AbZXqiuD7yYWwPg1/
• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at hello@youkeepmesane.com

Host: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

Editor: Allia Lenit Galos

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Aileen and Julie take a deep dive into the all-too-relatable experience of fear and unpick a quote that really resonated with them:

“All you have to do is show up. Be late. Be scared. Be confused. Just be there. You'll figure out the rest as you go”

They explore how fear holds us back from embracing life’s possibilities. From starting this podcast to navigating personal and professional challenges, Aileen and Julie share their own stories and delve into the fears that affect so many of us. Whether it’s the fear of being seen, fear of judgment, fear of not being ‘enough,’ or fear of failure, they discuss personal insights into facing these fears head-on and how they find the courage to show up, even when it’s uncomfortable.

They also touch on why showing up despite the fear is often what leads us to our most meaningful moments and personal growth. Through relatable anecdotes, they reflect on what it takes to keep going, even when the path feels uncertain and messy. Join Aileen and Julie as they unpack these fears and share the ways they’re learning to live courageously, one step at a time.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. The importance of showing up, even when it feels uncomfortable or imperfect.
2. Fear of being seen – what it means to step out of the shadows.
3. Navigating the fear of judgment and learning to rely less on external validation.
4. Facing the deep-seated fear of not being “enough” and embracing our true selves.
5. Learning to overcome the fear of failure and stepping forward with courage.

Quote to Remember:

"All you have to do is show up. Be late. Be scared. Be confused. Just BE there. You’ll figure out the rest as you go."

Join the Conversation:

We’d love to hear your thoughts! What are some of your biggest fears? How have you faced them? Reach out to us via voicemail or DM—let’s keep the conversation going!

Resources Mentioned:

Theodore Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" - Read the full speech here

Links:

• Join the YKMS Community: https://ig.me/j/AbZXqiuD7yYWwPg1/
• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at hello@youkeepmesane.com

Host: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

Editor: Allia Lenit Galos

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview:

In this heartfelt episode of You Keep Me Sane, Aileen and Julie explore the often elusive concept of success. They delve into how societal definitions can overshadow personal aspirations and how we can redefine success on our own terms.

Key Discussion Points:

1. What Success Means to Us: Aileen and Julie share their personal journey with the definitions of success, highlighting how these have evolved over the years.
2. The Weight of Societal Expectations: A discussion on how societal norms can create pressure to conform to a specific idea of success, leading to feelings of inadequacy.
3. The Role of Authenticity: The hosts emphasise the importance of aligning success with one’s values and passions, advocating for an authentic approach to life goals.
4. Confronting Fear: They talk about the fears that often accompany the pursuit of success, such as fear of judgment and fear of failure, and how to navigate these challenges.
5. Celebrating Small Wins: Aileen and Julie stress the significance of recognising and celebrating the small achievements that contribute to our journey toward larger goals.

Listener Takeaways:

• Reflect on what success means to you personally and consider how it aligns with your values.
• Challenge societal definitions of success and embrace your unique path.
• Recognise the importance of celebrating small victories along the way.

Join the Conversation:

We’d love to hear your thoughts! How do you define success? What fears have you encountered in your journey? Reach out to us via voicemail or DM—let’s keep the conversation going!

Links:

• Join the YKMS Community: https://ig.me/j/AbZXqiuD7yYWwPg1/
• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at hello@youkeepmesane.com

Host: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

Editor: Allia Lenit Galos

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.