Have you ever opened up to someone, only to feel corrected, advised, or subtly judged?

In this episode, we explore why “help” can sometimes feel like disapproval, and what’s actually happening in our nervous system when we begin to shut down.

Speaking with Nate, we unpack the gap between intention and impact, the protective patterns that get activated when we feel unseen, and how to begin finding our voice again in those moments.

This episode is for anyone who has:

• Felt overwhelmed by unsolicited advice or fixing
• Noticed themselves shutting down in conversations
• Struggled to ask for what they actually need
• Wondered why certain interactions feel so activating

This is an invitation to soften your inner world, strengthen your voice, and build relationships rooted in real understanding, not correction.

Read more on the blog.

For ongoing practice and deeper learning, I warmly invite you to become a member of The School of Human Connection.

Twice a month, I host live calls where members bring real relationship dilemmas. We slow things down and I'll help you see what's actually happening and how to respond with more integrity, strength and care.

You will find a safe space for live discussions and a supportive community of like-minded, open-hearted humans.

Stay updated on new episodes and resources by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts or visiting yvetteerasmus.com.

Here are more ways to connect with me:

• Join the School of Human Connection
• Hop on my free Wednesday live call
• Follow me on YouTube

What happens when the behavior that triggers you most is something you recognize in yourself?

In this conversation, we explore what it means to be on the receiving end of harsh criticism, and the shock of realizing we’ve done the same thing to others.

This episode unpacks grandiosity as a protective strategy, how shame and powerlessness drive disconnection, and what it looks like to respond with clarity, boundaries, and care, especially as a parent.

We'll Discuss:

•Why grandiosity and criticism are often self-protection, not character flaws

•How to respond when someone is attacking or diagnosing you

•The difference between being “good” and being real in relationships

•How to set boundaries without shutting down connection

•Why your child (or partner) reflecting your past can be a powerful opportunity for healing

Read more on the blog.

Want more direct access to me? I warmly invite you to become a member of The School of Human Connection.

Join regular live calls where students in the school bring real relationship dilemmas. We slow things down and I'll help you see what's actually happening and how to respond with more integrity, strength and care.

You will find a safe space for live discussions and a supportive community of like-minded, open-hearted humans.

Stay updated on new episodes and resources by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts or visiting yvetteerasmus.com.

Here are more ways to connect with me:

• Join the School of Human Connection
• Hop on my free Wednesday live call
• Follow me on YouTube

What happens when speaking up for yourself doesn’t just feel uncomfortable, but unsafe?

In this episode, we explore the hidden cost of being “good”, when agreeability, accommodation, and self-sacrifice become survival strategies that disconnect us from our own voice.

We unpack:

•Why asking for what you want can trigger shame, fear, or collapse

•How early relational dynamics shape patterns of self-abandonment

•The difference between healthy negotiation and domination dynamics

•How to recognize when someone is unable to meet you

•What it means to stay with yourself in the face of pushback

This is a conversation about reclaiming your voice, building self-trust, and learning to choose yourself, without losing your capacity for care and connection.

Read more on the blog.

Want more direct access to me? I warmly invite you to become a member of The School of Human Connection.

Join regular live calls where students in the school bring real relationship dilemmas. We slow things down and I'll help you see what's actually happening and how to respond with more integrity, strength and care.

You will find a safe space for live discussions and a supportive community of like-minded, open-hearted humans.

Stay updated on new episodes and resources by subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts or visiting yvetteerasmus.com.

Here are more ways to connect with me:

• Join the School of Human Connection
• Hop on my free Wednesday live call
• Follow me on YouTube