In this special live conversation at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver, Canada, Jay sits down with renowned physician and trauma expert Dr. Gabor Maté for a deeply moving exploration of identity, healing, and the hidden patterns that shape our lives. Gabor explains that our obsession with how others perceive us often begins in childhood, when our fundamental need to be seen and understood isn’t fully met. In response, many people unconsciously adapt, hiding parts of themselves or becoming who they think others want them to be in order to feel accepted and loved.

In this episode you'll Learn:

How to Stop Living for Others’ Approval

How to Break Generational Trauma Patterns

How to Know If You’re Living Your True Life

How to Stop Tying Your Worth to Productivity

How to Recognize When Stress Is Hurting You

How to Listen to Your Inner Voice Again

How to Start Saying “No” Without Feeling Guilty

How to Practice Self-Compassion Instead of Self-Criticism

How to Turn Your Past Coping Patterns Into Healing

How to Ask the Question That Changes Your Life

Real change doesn’t come from forcing yourself to be perfect or trying to fix everything overnight. It begins with small moments of awareness, pausing long enough to listen to that quiet inner voice, asking honest questions about what feels true for you, and giving yourself permission to honor it.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX

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What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

00:41 Why Do We Care So Much About Others’ Opinions?

03:10 Learning to Love People the Way They Need

04:53 How Childhood Shapes Our Need for Approval

06:46 The Dangerous Belief: “I’m Only Valuable If…”

11:02 Why Do We Feel Guilty When We Rest?

12:37 What Stress Is Really Doing to Your Brain and Body

16:19 Saying “No” Is Essential for Your Wellbeing

21:05 The Power of Asking Yourself Honest Questions

23:44 How to Listen to Your Gut Again

29:52 A Live Compassionate Inquiry Session

33:23 Your Healing Is Helping Your Children

35:08 Trusting the Wisdom Already Inside You

36:53 Your Coping Mechanisms Aren’t Failures

40:11 Turning Past Mistakes Into Lessons

41:45 Balancing Self-Improvement and Self-Acceptance

47:54 The Question That Can Change Your Life

Episode Resources:

Website | https://drgabormate.com/

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsRF06lSFA8zV9L8_x9jzIA

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/drgabormate

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/gabormatemd/

X | https://x.com/drgabormate

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Jay explores a moment many of us know all too well, walking into a room full of strangers and instantly feeling small, anxious, or out of place. Instead of assuming something is wrong with you, he reframes it through what’s actually happening in the brain. In those moments, your brain shifts into protection mode. It starts scanning for social threats and triggers a stress response. When that happens, the very things that help you connect, what to say, how to be yourself, how to feel at ease, can suddenly feel harder to access. What we often call awkwardness or insecurity isn’t really about who you are, it's your nervous system doing its job, trying to protect you from rejections.

Jay then reframes social confidence in a powerful way: connection isn’t about impressing people, it’s about helping them feel comfortable around you. He shares seven practical shifts, like arriving with intention instead of expectations, calming your nervous system, staying genuinely curious, and focusing on the first few moments of interaction, to show that authentic presence is far more magnetic than charisma. Research shows that people are drawn to those who make them feel heard and understood, and the simple act of asking thoughtful follow-up questions can dramatically increase likability and connection. Instead of trying to be the most interesting person in the room, the real secret is becoming the most interested.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to Calm Your Nervous System Before Social Events

How to Make People Feel Safe Around You Instantly

How to Make a Powerful First Impression in Seconds

How to Position Yourself to Meet More People Naturally

How to Make People Feel Heard and Valued

If social situations have ever made you feel anxious, awkward, or unsure of yourself, remember this: nothing is wrong with you. Your brain is simply doing what it was designed to do, protect you. What people truly respond to is presence, curiosity, and the feeling of being genuinely seen.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX

Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter.Subscribe here: https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

02:44 Do You Feel Anxious in New Social Settings?

05:47 #1: Replace Expectation with an Intention

08:07 #2: Be the First to Provide a Safe Space

11:42 #3: Stop Trying to Be Interesting & Be Interested

15:02 #4: Master the Art of the First Ten Seconds

18:16 #5: Use the Power of Proximity and Positioning

21:15 #6: Give People a Role

23:58 #7: Leave Before You're Done

26:27 Social Confidence Isn't About Impressing People

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.