Love Your Life: Love Your Life: Midlife Reinvention, Emotional Regulation, & Parenting

Susie Pettit
  • 4.9 (205)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

If you've spent years taking care of everyone else and you're ready to reconnect with yourself, this show is for you. I'm Susie Pettit, certified parent coach, life coach, and mom of five. Every week, I share practical tools and compassionate coaching to help you navigate parenting, set healthier boundaries, stop feeling responsible for everyone else's happiness, and reconnect with yourself in midlife. We'll talk about emotional regulation, confidence, relationships, people-pleasing, empty nest transitions, and creating a life you genuinely love. I've lived through divorce, bankruptcy, heart surgery, and family estrangement, and know that even in life's hardest seasons, small shifts can create meaningful change. You don't need to overhaul your life. You just need the right support and one small step at a time. Welcome, Warriors. Let's build a life you love. This is a great podcast for empty nesters, adult children of emotionally immature parents, women with ADHD, CPTSD, or who are trying to figure out "should I stay, or should I go" in a marriage. Learn more about my work at SMBwell.com or on Instagram @‌smb.wellness. Thank you for listening—I'm cheering you on every step of the way!

  1. 2d ago

    How to Stop Arguing with Emotionally Immature People + Narcissists

    Have you ever walked away from a conversation thinking, Wait, what?!? How did that get turned around on me? 😵‍💫 Or found yourself replaying an argument, wishing you'd explained yourself just a little better? If you're dealing with an emotionally immature person or a narcissist, more explaining won't help. Listen in as I share 3 teachings that will help you so much! I know because I've been in these convos where my brain feels like it's a tangle of confusion. These 3 things will help you stop getting pulled into exhausting conversations and start protecting your peace. You'll learn why logic doesn't work with someone who's focused on winning, how overexplaining gives them more leverage, and why the longer you stay in the conversation, the more likely you are to leave feeling drained. I also help you if you sometimes think: "Wait, am I raising a narcissist?" or "Wait, am I the narcissist?" This is a good one to listen to and to share. We all interact with emotionally immature people and emotional vampires (those people who suck our energy!)   In this episode you'll learn: Why you can't "win" an argument with an emotionally immature person or narcissist. The hidden reason they keep changing the conversation. How overexplaining works against you. Simple phrases that help you end unproductive conversations. The signs you've been pulled into an endurance test instead of a healthy discussion. How to respond differently with teens that will teach them emotional maturity. (aka "how to not raise narcissists" 😆)   If you've ever left a conversation feeling confused, defensive, or emotionally exhausted, this episode will help you recognize what's happening and give you actual things to say that will help you feel more confident and less confused or reactive.   🎧 If you liked this episode, you'll like this one:    223: 4 Ways To Disarm a Narcissist on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/223-4-ways-to-disarm-a-narcissist/id1434429161?i=1000770657691   223: 4 Ways To Disarm a Narcissist on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bdNYCBfaW1Lq3K2vrZ6xe?si=ieepvba3Ssm3Oe5xw2PBaQ   👩🏼‍🎓Join the school! Learn how to keep your energy and feel confident in conversations and conflict in the Love Your Life School http://theloveyourlifeschool.com/ ⭐️ Feeling confused or overwhelmed with where to begin? Let's chat! Book your free call with me today: https://smbwell.com/call 📩 Get the weekly email you'll actually read: Weekly WELLNESS and MIDLIFE SUPPORT every Wednesday SMBwell.com/newsletter 🩷 SUPPORT SUSIE: LEAVE A GOOGLE REVIEW HERE https://bit.ly/4hlostR (thank youuuuuu!!! Email me support@smbwell.com if you're a small business owner so I can return the joy!) 🤓FIRST TIME LISTENER? Grab the PODCAST ROADMAP with the foundations of emotional intelligence and mental wellness here: https://SMBwell.com/roadmap 📸 Marinate your brain in positivity and helpful programming: Come follow me on Instagram @smb.wellness or Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/SMBwell 🩷Support Susie's mission of helping as many women and girls live lives they love: Become a Patreon here: https://SMBwell.com/patreon 🌟Get the full show notes here👉🏾 https://SMBwell.com/421

  2. 5d ago ·  Bonus

    How to Stop Letting Everyone Else Ruin Your Mood, FREE Workshop

    Do you ever notice that you can be having a perfectly fine day… and then someone else's mood changes everything? Your teenager is grumpy, and suddenly you're walking on eggshells. Your husband is frustrated, and you can't seem to relax. Someone is disappointed in you, and you spend the rest of the day wondering what you did wrong. You might not think of yourself as someone who gets angry or has a bad mood. You probably think of yourself as stressed, overwhelmed, worried, or exhausted. But what if part of the reason you feel so overwhelmed is that you're constantly responding to what everyone else is feeling? In this quick bonus episode, I'm talking about why other people's emotions can affect us so deeply, why we can know intellectually that their feelings are theirs and still get completely pulled into them, and what emotional regulation has to do with it. And if this sounds familiar, I'd love for you to join me for my FREE workshop, How to Stop Letting Everyone Else Ruin Your Mood. Sign up here: https://smbwell.com/event I'll teach you the 4 automatic responses that can take over when you're stressed or activated and show you how to start creating more space between what happens around you and how you respond. Because you can care deeply about the people you love without letting their emotions determine how you feel. You don't need to become less caring. You need to learn how to stay connected to yourself while other people are having their feelings.   FREE workshop, How to Stop Letting Everyone Else Ruin Your Mood. Sign up here: https://smbwell.com/event

  3. Aug 19

    Stop Overexplaining

    Do you ever find yourself talking, talking, talking…trying to explain your decision, your actions, your boundary? Hoping that if you talk enough, the other person will understand? Uh…me!!! And in this episode, I'll be talking about why so many of us women overexplain, how confidence is involved, how what happened in our childhood could be involved, how relationships with narcissists are involved, how it could be harming our relationships with our teens and young adults, and much more. Plus, I give you actual ways to stop. Ways that work! I had all those things going for me (the childhood trauma, narcissistic relationships, teens, confidence 🤯!) In this episode, we're talking about why so many women overexplain and how this habit often starts in childhood, when our feelings were questioned, dismissed, or misunderstood. If you learned that you had to justify your emotions to be accepted, it makes sense that you're still doing it today. The problem? Emotionally mature people don't need a long explanation to respect your choices. And emotionally immature or narcissistic people often use your explanations against you. I'll show you how overexplaining quietly drains your confidence, keeps you seeking validation, and makes it harder to communicate with calm authority. You'll learn why "because I want to" is often enough, how healthy relationships assume positive intent, and practical ways to answer with fewer words and more confidence. If you're ready to stop defending yourself and start trusting yourself, this episode is for you. In this episode, you'll learn: Why so many women feel the need to overexplain How childhood experiences can shape this communication habit The difference between emotionally mature and emotionally immature relationships Why overexplaining can fuel conflict with narcissistic people (and teens!) This episode will help you speak with more confidence, protect your peace, and remember that your feelings and choices don't need a lengthy defense. I got some ideas from Jefferson Fisher (expert trial lawyer) and added my own expertise. I really hope you'll listen in.    🎧 If you liked this episode, you'll like this one:  391: Three Gen X Blind Spots That Hurt Our Relationships and How to Heal Them on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/391-three-gen-x-blind-spots-that-hurt-our-relationships/id1434429161?i=1000770657456 391: Three Gen X Blind Spots That Hurt Our Relationships and How to Heal Them on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/2HK0olINBrKMTPwQRidXOO?si=WU8W50uXQsiBSC6deF89RA ⭐️ NEW ⭐️ Feeling confused or overwhelmed with where to begin? Let's chat! Book your free call with me today: https://smbwell.com/call 📩 Get the weekly email you'll actually read: Weekly WELLNESS and MIDLIFE SUPPORT every Wednesday at SMBwell.com/newsletter 👩🏼‍🎓Take it to the next level: See if the Love Your Life School is open for enrollment! http://theloveyourlifeschool.com/ 📸 Marinate your brain in positivity and helpful programming: Come follow me on Instagram @smb.wellness or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SMBwell 🩷Support Susie's mission of helping as many women and girls live lives they love: Become a Patreon here: https://SMBwell.com/patreon 🤓FIRST TIME LISTENER? Grab the PODCAST ROADMAP with the foundations of emotional intelligence and mental wellness here: https://SMBwell.com/roadmap 🌟Get the full show notes here 👉🏾 https://SMBwell.com/420 📺Find and follow her on YouTube-LOVE YOUR LIFE VLOG - YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW9PibXJfNpKk5Yr6rpNVq4P_utWFkvYS

  4. Aug 12

    Stop People Pleasing + Pretending: The Freedom to be YOU!

    How often do you say "It's fine" when it really isn't?  Or agreeing to something you don't want to do just to keep the peace? So many of us have become experts at pretending.  Pretending we're okay.  Pretending we don't have needs.  Pretending someone else's behavior doesn't bother us.  While those habits may have helped us as kids (or in our emotionally immature relationships), they hold us back as adults and women trying to be in supportive, emotionally safe and mature relationships. Pretending and people pleasing leave us feeling disconnected from people in our lives (not to mention exhausted!) In this episode of The Love Your Life Show, I come to you with a mid-year invitation to stop pretending and start choosing you.   You'll learn: Why people pleasing and pretending aren't personality traits, they're protective patterns How the "good girl" conditioning keeps so many women stuck What one of the top regrets of the dying can teach us about living today Simple ways to stop self-abandoning without becoming "selfish" How small moments of honesty build confidence and self-trust (and are the very things we need in our adult relationships and that we want to model for our preteens and teens!) If you're ready to stop performing, stop apologizing for things that aren't yours, and start living more in alignment with who you truly are, this episode is for you. The world doesn't need another exhausted woman pretending she's okay. It needs the real you.   🎧 If you liked this episode, you'll like this one:  People Pleasing and Lying on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/213-people-pleasing-and-lying/id1434429161?i=1000770657772 People Pleasing and Lying on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0G207R5QM1oBD4u07od0Oh?si=QSM1XmuNQvSiLDRt5GsrxA ⭐️ NEW HERE ⭐️ Grab the free podcast roadmap here: https://smbwell.com/roadmap Want more than a podcast to listen to? Let's chat! Book your free call with me today: https://smbwell.com/call 📩 Get the weekly email you'll actually read: Weekly WELLNESS and MIDLIFE SUPPORT every Wednesday: SMBwell.com/newsletter 👩🏼‍🎓Take it to the next level: See if the Love Your Life School is open for enrollment! 📸 Marinate your brain in positivity and helpful programming: Come follow me on Instagram @smb.wellness or Facebook 🩷Support Susie's mission of helping as many women and girls live lives they love: Become a patreon here: https://SMBwell.com/patreon 🌟Get the full show notes here👉🏾 https://SMBwell.com/419

  5. Aug 5

    Making Friends as an Adult: The Skills We Were Never Taught

    In this week's episode, I'm joined by friendship expert, ADHD coach, and author Caroline Maguire to talk about the friendship skills most of us were never taught. We explore how past relational wounds, people-pleasing, fear of rejection, and even being easily distracted can impact our ability to build and maintain meaningful friendships. Caroline shares practical tools to help us stop performing for connection and start creating relationships that feel more genuine, supportive, and fulfilling. This was a super fun conversation (we found out she's living next to the small town I grew up in - I literally haven't met anyone who knew of my town since I was 18!). Plus the things we dove into were great!  Listen in to hear: How past friendship experiences may still be shaping your relationships today Why some people struggle to maintain friendships even when they deeply care The hidden role of rejection sensitivity and overthinking How people-pleasing and masking can get in the way of authentic connection Practical ways to deepen friendships during busy seasons of life What belonging actually feels like and how to create more of it Friendship isn't something we're supposed to know how to do. Like any skill, it can be learned, practiced, and strengthened. I  loved this conversation with Caroline and can't wait for you to listen.   If you liked this show, you'll like this one: Episode 354 How To Make Friends on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/354-how-to-make-friends/id1434429161?i=1000770657518 Episode 354 How To Make Friends on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/72IyJPMsdVFRbYLb1eGgq3?si=FcCkdHwxSwiO4DQ9kL4x-Q Get all the links we mentioned and connect with Caroline; go here👉🏾 https://SMBwell.com/418   Want more support? 📩 Subscribe to the weekly newsletter http://bit.ly/2gYQMlA so you never miss an episode. 👩🏼‍🎓Come join other women just like you (and make friends!) See if the Love Your Life School is open here: Love Your Life School http://theloveyourlifeschool.com/ 📸 Tag me on Instagram @smb.wellness https://instagram.com/smb.wellness so I can cheer you on!

  6. Jul 29

    What Do You Want? The Shift from Raising Kids to Rediscovering Yourself

    Warrior, when was the last time you asked yourself what you want? Not what your kids need. Not what your partner wants. Not what needs fixing. Not what everyone else expects of you. What do you want? For many of us, especially moms, focusing on everyone else starts as healthy and necessary. When our kids are little, they need us to prioritize their needs. And, as they grow, many of us never make the shift back. We keep organizing our lives around everyone else's wants, feelings, and goals while losing touch with our own. Then one day we wake up feeling restless, resentful, or like something is missing. In this episode, I'm talking about the healthy transition from considering and prioritizing their needs first to considering your needs also. It's not selfish. In fact, I've seen it be so harmful to family units when moms don't make this change that I argue it's selfish not to. Join me in this gentle, supportive episode to learn: Why so many midlife women struggle to answer the question, "What do I want?" How over-responsibility and people-pleasing disconnect us from ourselves Why your kids benefit when you reconnect with your own dreams and desires How a simple Life List can help you rediscover what lights you up Why it's never too late, and this is the perfect day to start. I can't wait for you to listen in. You have this one precious life, and what I find is that so many women support others in reaching their dreams or paying attention to their goals while whittling away their own time here living their lives.  You matter. Let me help you rediscover you and your spark! First step: listen in! Second, join me and let's make our LIFE LIST! https://smbwell.com/lifelist  I can't wait to help you turn up the volume so you can hear the wisdom that's been inside you all along.   🎧 If you liked this episode, you'll like this one: The Life List with Kate Christie on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/251-the-life-list-with-kate-christy/id1434429161?i=1000770657660 The Life List with Kate Christie on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/3secdHENHzVLqIsCCwDQay?si=AlsB20QFThKSXp9EgbNGeA ⭐️ NEW ⭐️ JOIN the ONCE A YEAR opportunity: https://smbwell.com/lifelist 🩷If you're confused as to whether you're in a safe relationship or not, let me help. I've been there and know how to help: https://smbwell.com/coach  📩 Get the weekly email you'll actually read: Weekly WELLNESS and MIDLIFE SUPPORT every Wednesday: SMBwell.com/newsletter 👩🏼‍🎓Take it to the next level: See if the Love Your Life School is open for enrollment! 📸 Marinate your brain in positivity and helpful programming: Come follow me on Instagram @smb.wellness https://instagram.com/smb.wellness or Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/SMBwell 🩷Support Susie's mission of helping as many women and girls live lives they love: Become a Patreon here: https://SMBwell.com/patreon 🤓FIRST TIME LISTENER? Grab the PODCAST ROADMAP with the foundations of emotional intelligence and mental wellness here: https://SMBwell.com/roadmap 🌟Get the full show notes here 👉🏾 https://SMBwell.com/417 📺Find and follow her on YouTube - LOVE YOUR LIFE VLOG - YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW9PibXJfNpKk5Yr6rpNVq4P_utWFkvYS

  7. Jul 22

    How to Raise Emotionally Intelligent Kids: Especially When They Have Big Feelings

    How do we raise emotionally intelligent kids? It's not what our instinct tells us! It's not by preventing them from having big feelings or to try to get them to think positively or see "the bright side". It's also not to expect them to not have emotions or to think that our big feeling kid is doing something wrong that needs to be fixed. Nope! And yet, that's what most of us were taught (for sure me!) and so that's how we parent until we learn differently. That's what this week and my mission is all about. I teach the emotional intelligence skills to adults so that they can parent from emotional regulation and raise emotionally intelligent kids.  Click play on this episode of the Love Your Life Show to learn: The two foundational building blocks of emotional intelligence Where feelings actually come from Why trying to fix your child's emotions often backfires How to teach your child to process feelings in a healthy way The simple three-step process: Name It, Describe It, Feel It Why emotional intelligence requires both support and boundaries How learning about emotional intelligence with a surfing metaphor helped me long before I lived by the beach in Australia!  If you've ever found yourself saying, "Don't be sad," "It'll be okay," or "Just think about it differently," this episode will help you approach your child's emotions in a completely new way. Because emotionally intelligent kids aren't kids who never have big feelings. They're kids who learn that feelings are safe, normal, and something they can move through. One parent at a time. Thanks for being that parent and listening to episodes like this. 🩷   Feeling confused or overwhelmed with where to begin? Let's chat! Book your free call with me today: https://smbwell.com/call    🎧 If you liked this episode, you'll like this one: Emotional Regulation: The Skill That Makes Parenting and Marriage Easier on Apple Podcasts  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/love-your-life-show-personal-growth-mindset-habits-for-moms/id1434429161?i=1000770657544 Emotional Regulation: The Skill That Makes Parenting and Marriage Easier on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/373zUMIMUZ4ff9CyNbdwUD?si=kEGo6ofnRrKb8_j0qz3zyw Toxic Positivity on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toxic-positivity/id1434429161?i=1000770657666   Toxic Positivity on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Hsbo2qulNAfCNOCfsNaiC?si=zO96BwS2SACjhauGofib6A   👉🏽 Get your question answered on the show -> become a PATREON here: https://smbwell.com/patreon   📩 Get the weekly email you'll actually read: Weekly WELLNESS and MIDLIFE SUPPORT every Wednesday SMBwell.com/newsletter   👩🏼‍🎓Take it to the next level: See if the Love Your Life School is open for enrollment!   📸 Marinate your brain in positivity and helpful programming: Come follow me on Instagram @smb.wellness or Facebook    🩷Support Susie's mission of helping as many women and girls live lives they love: Become a Patreon here: https://SMBwell.com/patreon   🤓FIRST TIME LISTENER? Grab the PODCAST ROADMAP with the foundations of emotional intelligence and mental wellness here: https://SMBwell.com/roadmap   🌟Get the full show notes here👉🏾 https://SMBwell.com/416   📺Find and follow her on YouTube - LOVE YOUR LIFE VLOG - YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW9PibXJfNpKk5Yr6rpNVq4P_utWFkvYS

  8. Jul 15

    Emotional Maturity: The Skill Most Were Never Taught

    What if one of the number one skills for feeling calmer, more confident, and more in control of your life was something you were never taught? If you're a genX, boomer, or early millennial, chances are…you weren't! Which is why, for this episode of the Love Your Life Show, I'm doing a masterclass on emotional maturity. Many of us grew up believing we were responsible for other people's feelings. We learned to keep the peace, make others happy, and avoid upsetting anyone around us. While those habits may have earned us praise by parents and friends, they eat away at your self concept and confidence. They exhaust us. Further, they lead to us feeling deeply lonely and often misunderstood. Think about it - if we believe as we're taught that "we're good if we do what they want", we disconnect from ourselves and our inner knowing while overly focusing on managing everyone else's emotions. And guess what, when we feel responsible for other people's feelings and moods, we are highly influenced by others' moods. We might feel like we're walking on eggshells or always waiting to see what he or she will be thinking and feeling. It's a very anxiety-ridden and out-of-control feeling. I know, because I lived 4 decades like this. Which is why I'm thrilled to bring you this masterclass teaching on emotional maturity. I have found that it's the secret to feeling more confident and in control of your life. I really hope you'll listen in.  Because goodness knows - those teenagers are going to be moody. Those husbands are going to be grumpy. Those moms are going to be needy…   In this episode, you'll learn: What emotional maturity actually is (and why it has very little to do with age) The three foundational skills that make up emotional maturity Why other people's moods can feel so overwhelming How to stay connected to yourself when someone else is upset, disappointed, or frustrated The emotional maturity gap many Gen X women were never taught to close If you've ever found yourself worrying about everyone else, taking responsibility for other people's feelings, or feeling completely thrown off by someone else's reaction, this episode is for you. 🎧 If you liked this episode, you'll like this one:  Emotional Intelligence 101 on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/12-emotional-intelligence-101/id1434429161?i=1000770658074   Emotional Intelligence 101 on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/3GWK2i77mU4zmwwAVd3tc4?si=CwDPd1UsSAGCijiS57vxxg   👉🏽 Get your question answered on the show and become a PATREON here: https://smbwell.com/patreon 📩 Don't miss out: Get weekly wellness tips, episode updates, giveaways and links to things I love each Wednesday: https://SMBwell.com/newsletter ⭐️Get on Coach Susie's one-on-one schedule here: https://smbwell.com/work-with-me/ 🤓FIRST TIME LISTENER? Grab the PODCAST ROADMAP with the foundations of emotional intelligence and mental wellness here: https://SMBwell.com/roadmap 👩🏼‍🎓See if The Love Your Life School is open for enrollment http://theLoveYourLifeSchool.com 🙌🏾 Buy Susie's a coffee (and support small business and Susie's mission: https://patreon.com/susiepettit 🙏🏾 🩷Let's be friends on Instagram - https://instagram.com/smb.wellness 🌟Get the full show notes here👉🏾 https://SMBwell.com/415 📺Find and follow her on YouTube - LOVE YOUR LIFE VLOG - YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW9PibXJfNpKk5Yr6rpNVq4P_utWFkvYS

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About

If you've spent years taking care of everyone else and you're ready to reconnect with yourself, this show is for you. I'm Susie Pettit, certified parent coach, life coach, and mom of five. Every week, I share practical tools and compassionate coaching to help you navigate parenting, set healthier boundaries, stop feeling responsible for everyone else's happiness, and reconnect with yourself in midlife. We'll talk about emotional regulation, confidence, relationships, people-pleasing, empty nest transitions, and creating a life you genuinely love. I've lived through divorce, bankruptcy, heart surgery, and family estrangement, and know that even in life's hardest seasons, small shifts can create meaningful change. You don't need to overhaul your life. You just need the right support and one small step at a time. Welcome, Warriors. Let's build a life you love. This is a great podcast for empty nesters, adult children of emotionally immature parents, women with ADHD, CPTSD, or who are trying to figure out "should I stay, or should I go" in a marriage. Learn more about my work at SMBwell.com or on Instagram @‌smb.wellness. Thank you for listening—I'm cheering you on every step of the way!

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