Episode 1 — The Validation Trap: Why Chasing Likes and Applause Will Never Be Enough (What It Is and Why We Chase It)

Have you ever noticed how quickly the applause fades? The likes stop rolling in, the praise quiets down, and suddenly you’re left feeling empty, wondering if you still matter. That’s the Validation Trap—the exhausting cycle of chasing approval, getting a temporary high, crashing into emptiness, and then craving the next fix.

In this first episode of our new series, we’ll explore:

• What the Validation Trap is — and why it’s so dangerous.

• Why we crave validation — from childhood wounds to cultural pressure to the dopamine rush of social media.

• How to recognize the signs you’re caught in it — in your identity, work, relationships, and even your faith.

• The cost of staying trapped — emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

• Where freedom begins — living from God’s approval, not for people’s applause.

Along the way, you’ll hear relatable stories, biblical wisdom, and practical steps to help you step off the hamster wheel of performance and into the steady peace of knowing who you are in Christ.

✨ Takeaway: You don’t have to chase applause anymore. The One whose voice matters most has already spoken: You are loved. You are enough. You are His.

🔔 Next episode preview: We’ll unpack how identity and performance get tied together—and why “good enough” so often feels tied to what we do instead of who we are.