Ep. 489 Why Women Lose Their Voice – The Shocking Link Between Perimenopause & People-Pleasing with Meg Josephson, LCSW

I am honored to connect with Meg Josephson today. She is a psychotherapist holding a Master of Social Work degree from Columbia University, with a concentration in clinical practice. She is also a meditation teacher. 

In our conversation, we discuss Meg's new book, Are You Mad at Me?, exploring fawning as a survival mechanism and why women are more likely to be conditioned into people-pleasing. We unpack the archetypes she refers to in her book, examining complex PTSD, and why fawners need to redefine their boundaries and acknowledge their grief and anger. Our discussion also touches on finding your voice during perimenopause and menopause, and why awareness is essential for healing.

This conversation with Meg Josephson is truly invaluable, and her book is a vital resource for those who have experienced complex trauma in childhood or spent their lives people-pleasing and fawning.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

What fawning is, and why it becomes problematic if we keep on doing it when we are safe

Why women and those in minority groups are more susceptible to fawning experiences 

The six archetypes of people pleasers that Meg describes in her book

Finding a voice to describe the experiences you grew up with

Rewiring your beliefs to allow the weaknesses of your parents to become your strengths

Why grief and anger are so significant for fawners

Relating to your emotions rather than trying to erase them

Why is it so hard for fawners to maintain their boundaries?

How perimenopause and menopause provide an opportunity for women to think more introspectively

How healing begins with awareness

Understanding that we cannot control the perceptions of others

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Connect with Meg Josephson

On social media: @ Meg Josephson

Meg’s Peace of Mind Substack