• EP 0097 - Anger and Resentments Are Gifts
    Jan 8 2026

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    It’s Not You – It’s Your Anger


    Anger is often seen as a negative emotion, but what if it’s actually a powerful tool for self-discovery and healing? Understanding the roots of our anger can unlock the door to emotional freedom and personal growth, allowing us to reclaim our power and reshape our lives.



    The Power of Anger

    Anger is often misunderstood and mismanaged, leading many to feel like helpless victims in their emotional lives. The episode emphasizes that anger is a protective mechanism, a signal that something deeper is at play. When we react with anger or resentment, it’s crucial to explore what vulnerabilities we are trying to shield. Recognizing this can help us reclaim our power instead of giving it away to others.



    Understanding Our Triggers

    Triggers can serve as valuable insights into our unresolved issues. The discussion highlights the importance of examining our reactions and understanding the underlying hurt that fuels our anger. By doing so, we can break the cycle of blame and resentment, allowing for healthier emotional responses and relationships. This self-exploration is essential for emotional freedom and personal growth.



    Healing Through Self-Reflection

    To truly heal, one must confront past wounds and the anger associated with them. The episode encourages listeners to take responsibility for their emotions and to seek healing from within rather than relying on others for validation. By addressing unresolved anger and learning to self-soothe, individuals can foster a healthier relationship with themselves and others, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling life.


    Three Important Takeaways

    • Anger is a protective emotion that signals unresolved vulnerabilities and should be explored rather than suppressed.

    • Understanding our triggers can lead to healthier emotional responses and break the cycle of resentment.

    • True healing comes from within; self-reflection and self-soothing are essential for emotional freedom.



    Conclusion

    To achieve emotional freedom, it is essential to confront and understand our anger rather than allowing it to control us. By recognizing the deeper hurt behind our anger and taking responsibility for our emotions, we can break free from the patterns that keep us stuck and reclaim our power in relationships.


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    21 mins
  • EP 0096 -Recovery Requires Legitimate Suffering
    Nov 3 2025

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    Empowering Individuals To Break Free From Childhood Programming, Emotional Paralysis, and Family System Roles. This is not traditional talk therapy. Inner Work Coaching is a raw, honest, personalized experience.


    It’s Not You – It’s Your Pain


    Healing from trauma requires confronting the very pain we often try to avoid. It’s a journey of legitimate suffering, where we must meet ourselves at our lowest points to truly understand and overcome our emotional struggles.



    The Necessity of Suffering

    To heal from trauma, one must learn to embrace suffering rather than avoid it. This episode emphasizes that true recovery involves meeting oneself at the pain level, allowing emotions to surface without judgment. By doing so, individuals can begin to process their feelings and ultimately find healing.



    Breaking the Cycle of Avoidance

    Many people live unconsciously, making decisions based on fear and avoidance rather than what is truly beneficial for them. The discussion highlights how this avoidance leads to unhealthy patterns, such as codependency and addiction, which only serve to prolong suffering. Recognizing and confronting these patterns is essential for growth.



    Finding Freedom Through Grief

    Grieving is portrayed as a vital process for understanding oneself and overcoming the fear of loss. The episode shares a personal story of loss that led to profound insights about self-worth and the importance of confronting painful emotions. This journey through grief ultimately leads to a clearer understanding of one’s needs and desires.


    Three Important Takeaways

    • Legitimate suffering is essential for healing; avoiding pain only prolongs emotional struggles.

    • Confronting and processing emotions leads to greater self-awareness and healthier decision-making.

    • Grieving loss can provide valuable insights into personal patterns and fears, fostering growth and understanding.



    Conclusion

    Embracing the pain of loss and suffering is a crucial step toward healing and self-discovery. By allowing oneself to grieve and confront difficult emotions, individuals can break free from unhealthy patterns and create a life filled with conscious choices and emotional well-being. The journey may be challenging, but the rewards of understanding and self-acceptance are invaluable.


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    26 mins
  • EP 0094 - Sitting With Uncomfortable Feelings
    Jun 13 2025

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    Empowering Individuals To Break Free From Childhood Programming, Emotional Paralysis, and Family System Roles. This is not traditional talk therapy. Inner Work Coaching is a raw, real, personalized experience.


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    Understanding and Healing Trauma: A Guide to Emotional Freedom


    In this episode of "It's Not You, It's Your Trauma," Joe Ryan explores the profound connection between trauma, fear, and connection. He emphasizes that many of us avoid uncomfortable feelings—whether through busyness, substances, or distraction—because we're afraid of our body's reactions and the pain they bring.


    Joe highlights that our deep desire for connection often clashes with our fear of intimacy, especially if we've experienced childhood neglect or abuse. This disconnect from ourselves manifests as anxiety, panic, shame, and emotional numbness. To heal, he advocates for getting comfortable with discomfort by intentionally sitting with our feelings, particularly in quiet, safe environments. This exposure helps tame the "beast" of unresolved trauma.


    He stresses that addiction is often a misguided attempt to numb these feelings, but ultimately, every addiction fails and worsens emotional suffering. Instead, Ryan encourages reconnecting with the "inner child"—the vulnerable part of ourselves that was silenced or abandoned in childhood—and integrating these suppressed emotions into our adult consciousness.


    The process involves recognizing that feelings are energy in motion that needs to be felt and released. Avoidance only deepens the pain and shrinks our world. Through mindful presence, breathing into discomfort, and allowing ourselves to feel, we can begin to heal and reclaim emotional freedom. Ryan assures that while this work can be challenging, it is essential for long-term well-being and authenticity.

    ---

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    22 mins
  • EP 0092 - Ending Codependency
    Feb 18 2025

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    It’s Not You - It’s Your Codependency


    Years ago, I was trapped in a cycle of disappointments and betrayals, constantly searching outside myself to fill the voids left by my upbringing. It was a painful realization: relying on others to heal childhood wounds never truly worked. Growing up in a codependent family system, I often felt alone, even when surrounded by people. These dynamics stifled my personal growth, kept me emotionally dependent on others—especially that negative parent—and pulled me deeper into toxic relationships. Does this sound familiar?


    We should have been taught independence, autonomy, and self-reliance. We should have been prepared to enter the world with confidence and competence—but we weren’t. If you’ve ever wondered why, consider this: Do you know how powerful it is for a parent to have a child who needs them for validation? That’s addictive. More powerful than any drug. And it makes you easy to exploit and manipulate.


    Every disappointment, every betrayal, every hurt—it’s all just another lesson. When you don’t believe you can function on your own, you seek out relationships to compensate for that incompetence. You look for someone to take care of you, to fill the void when things get too hard, to handle the issues you don’t want to face. And then, when they leave, you’re right back where you started. The cycle repeats.


    It’s time to start rooting for yourself and fighting for yourself. Stop wasting your energy on people who will never complete you. The painful truth is that no one else can fill the voids left from childhood. But once you accept that, you can begin breaking free from toxic patterns. You can reclaim your life, stand confidently on your own, and experience the empowerment that comes from truly knowing yourself.


    The goal isn’t to need people—it’s to want them. And when you finally prove to yourself that you don’t need anyone else to survive in this world, that’s when you’ll be truly ready for genuine, healthy relationships.

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    19 mins
  • EP 0091 - Narcissistic Gaslighting
    Jan 14 2025

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    It’s Not You – It’s Your Reluctance to Change


    Gaslighting isn't just a word—it's a way of life for some people. They thrive in toxic relationships where happiness hinges on external validation. They lack self-respect, self-discipline, and self-love. They don't love at all—they take hostages. But here’s the truth: the prison door is open. You can walk out anytime you want. The only thing holding you back is fear. It’s time to take responsibility and rediscover your self-respect.


    Gaslighting often stems from the perpetrator's own unresolved issues, but the power to lessen its effects lies within you. Changing your reactions can disrupt harmful patterns and create space for growth—not only for yourself but for those around you.


    Waiting for others to change is a losing game. Instead, focus on your own personal growth and self-acceptance. These are the tools you need to navigate and neutralize toxic dynamics effectively. When you emerge on the other side, gaslighting will lose its grip on you—because you simply won’t care anymore.


    If you want a better life, start by getting to know yourself—the good, the bad, and the ugly. The deeper your self-awareness, the freer you become.


    They are stuck in time, and so are you. But gaslighting is no longer anyone else’s responsibility except yours. Reclaim your self-worth, break free from the cycle, and step into a life defined by authenticity and inner peace.

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    18 mins
  • EP 0090 - Lightbulb Moment In Recovery
    Dec 3 2024

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    It’s Not You—It’s Our Childhood Experiences

    Growing up, many of us felt the sting of neglect and carried the silent burden of our caregivers' unmet needs. This often molded us into perfectionists, constructing facades to ensure those around us were happy so we wouldn't face isolation or emotional banishment. As children, we learned that our sense of worth was tied to their approval, never understanding how to feel okay with ourselves if they weren't okay with us. As adults, we unknowingly replay these patterns in our relationships, prioritizing the love and validation of others over self-love. This realization is the true lightbulb moment.


    Understanding how these childhood experiences shape our adult relationships can reveal why we sometimes drift toward isolation. Embracing the courage to let others in and reveal the parts of ourselves we've been taught to hide is daunting, yet liberating. The journey to vulnerability may feel terrifying, but it’s where we begin to heal and discover the power of self-belonging and self-care, mending our internal voids and building resilience against loss and rejection.


    This journey isn’t just about personal growth; it’s about connecting with a community that values the risks of being seen authentically. Can fear and vulnerability actually strengthen your relationships? The answer is a resounding yes.


    Self-hate and shame keep us trapped, sabotaging our relationships and keeping us from genuine connection. Most of us hesitate to let others in, afraid they’ll see beyond our polished exterior. But that mask only perpetuates our isolation. It’s time to let go of the façade and find the courage to gradually remove it, allowing ourselves to be truly seen.

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    27 mins
  • EP 0088 - Fear Of Setting Boundaries
    Oct 15 2024

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    It’s Not You—It’s Your Lack of Boundaries

    True progress in your healing journey isn’t measured by avoiding what hurt you but by how you handle returning to places that once caused you the most pain. It’s time to move beyond blame and victimhood and embrace your personal power.


    The key to overcoming childhood wounds lies in understanding that your past does not control your future. Your self-worth and emotional intelligence are entirely within your hands. Healing is an internal process—one that doesn’t rely on the validation or acceptance of those who raised you.


    Let’s address the emotional challenge of setting boundaries and the discomfort that comes with it. When you set boundaries, anxiety and fear often arise, but rather than turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms, visualize these feelings and acknowledge them. This is the path to breaking the cycles of avoidance and shame.


    By learning to self-soothe and clearly communicate your boundaries, you’ll discover how empowering it is to no longer depend on external validation. You’ll reclaim your emotional independence and break free from old patterns of relying on others to determine your worth.


    Right now, an emotional battle is taking place within you—but the power to change it starts with boundaries. It’s time to reclaim your peace and take control of your emotional well-being.


    Producer: Shelby Buckler


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    31 mins
  • Register For Q&A With Joe Ryan
    Oct 10 2024

    Joe Ryan will host a sixty-minute Q&A session via Zoom once a month with limited spots to ensure full participation. If you'd like to join the discussion, please fill out the form below to receive an email notification when registration opens one week before the next scheduled session.
    Topics: Trauma, False Self, Family Systems, Addiction,
    Anxiety, Shame, Emotional Incest, Setting Boundaries


    Sign Up Here: https://joeryan.com/qanda

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    1 min