The Introverted Misfit Podcast: Connection & Communication with an Awkward, Introverted Twist

Caroline Smith
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This podcast covers a wide realm of topics related to the human experience of connection and communication from an introverted misfit’s perspective. Growing up as a autistic introverted woman with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - a combination that fueled my severe social anxiety for almost a decade - I used to think the only way to be a part of a community was to exude lively, extroverted sociability. As I grew into myself, however, I realized that each one of us has a valuable place in society, no matter what your personality type is. Through this podcast, you’ll learn to let go of your fears, improve your communication skills, master emotional intelligence, build thriving relationships, be your authentic self, and think about things from a different perspective. We’ll talk about the human experience, introversion, extraversion, social anxiety, self-confidence, communication styles, neurodivergence, relationships of all kinds, building community, and anything under the sun that I think and hope will help you realize the great importance of human connection - with a slightly awkward, introverted twist. Stay tuned for new episodes every Monday!

  1. 1d ago

    The Thing About Blind Spots Is You Can’t See Them (Budgeting, Relationships, & More)

    Have you ever had a blind spot about something in your life that you couldn’t see on your own? You needed someone else — a friend, family member, confidant — to point out the problem that you just couldn’t see for yourself. It happens to the best of us. That’s why having companions is so important for humans — even if you would describe yourself as an “introverted misfit.” Recently, I had an experience where a blind spot in my financial life was revealed to me. In hindsight, the solution to the problem was staring me in the face everyday, but I couldn’t tell because I was too close to the problem. It was a problem I had been replicating over and over again for years. It had become second-nature to me, and even though the fix seemed simple, I needed help to see it. Similar blind spots can exist in your relationships and your social life; you can’t always see the roadblocks that are preventing you from having successful relationships and a healthy social life. Join me as I discuss how not seeing the blind spots in your life can keep you stuck in the same unsatisfactory situations for months or even years, and how outside help — coaching, therapy, true friendships — can help you spot and fix the issues. ⭐Resources Mentioned in This Episode⭐ >> Enroll in 2027 Conversation to Companion: Apply Here Today >> Book Your FREE Connection Call: https://calendly.com/caroline-theintrovertedmisfit/intro-call >> JOIN MY NEWSLETTER: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/newsletter

  2. 6d ago

    Are Autistic People Bad Friends? A Controversial Topic Handled With Compassion

    “Autism isn’t an excuse for being a bad friend.” I’ve heard this sentiment both in real life and floating around various internet spaces recently. And while I don’t think it’s completely false (depending on the level of autism we’re talking about), I despise this argument for one primary reason: it lacks the depth, compassion, and nuance that I think a sensitive topic like this deserves. The autism experience comes with so many mental and external hurdles that must be navigated: bullies, social exclusion, rejection sensitive dysphoria, loneliness, and more. And I think writing those valid struggles off as “excuses for being a bad friend / partner” is too simplified. There’s much more to the story that should be considered. Join me as I discuss what it means to be a good or bad friend, why autistic and allistic people struggle so much to understand one another, and how autistic individuals (with low support needs) can learn to become better friends without abandoning their own needs and interests. I’ll also explain how my upcoming live group program, Conversation to Companion, can help adults with social difficulties including ASD Level 1 build their social and relationship skills to make friends and build healthy social lives. ⭐Resources Mentioned in This Episode⭐ >> Enroll in 2027 Conversation to Companion: Apply Here Today >> Book Your FREE Connection Call: https://calendly.com/caroline-theintrovertedmisfit/intro-call >> JOIN MY NEWSLETTER: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/newsletter

  3. Oct 19

    You’re Surviving, Not Thriving: Life With Social Anxiety

    A life with social anxiety is not a fulfilling experience. Oftentimes, it’s stress-inducing, nerve-racking, depressing, and lonely. You don’t thrive with a socially anxious mind; you merely survive with it. You’re going through life and doing what needs to be done, but you’re not always enjoying it; you can’t go to a social event without hiding in the corner and feeling like everyone is secretly judging you; you can’t make friends and build the social life you desire because you’re too afraid to have a conversation. But, not all hope is lost. Just like your brain has learned to fear social interactions, it can relearn how to be confident in social settings. You can learn to thrive and create fulfilling relationships. Join me as I discuss the practical steps you can take to stop merely surviving and thrive, including how my upcoming group program, Conversation to Companion, can give you the tools you need to make that process more doable. ⭐Resources Mentioned in This Episode⭐ >> Enroll in 2027 Conversation to Companion: Apply Here Today >> Book Your FREE Connection Call: https://calendly.com/caroline-theintrovertedmisfit/intro-call >> JOIN MY NEWSLETTER: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/newsletter

  4. Oct 12

    SOCIAL SAVVY ACADEMY REPLAY: Getting Better at Small Talk: The Prerequisite to Deeper Relationships

    This is a replay of my live monthly workshop series: Social Savvy Academy. To join on future workshops, register here: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/academy Is small talk really the evil monster we think it is? I don’t think so! Join me in this live interactive workshop as we shift your perspective around small talk and learn how to use it to form deeper relationships. Topics Covered: ✅ Shifting your perspective around small talk ✅ Appropriate “small talk” conversational topics ✅ How small talk can lead to big/deep relationships ⭐Resources Mentioned in This Episode⭐ >> Social Savvy Academy: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/academy >> Book Your FREE Connection Call: https://calendly.com/caroline-theintrovertedmisfit/intro-call >> Explore My Services: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/coaching >> JOIN MY NEWSLETTER: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/newsletter

  5. Oct 8

    Why Making Friends Feels Like Climbing Mount Everest

    When you’re an introvert who struggles with additional social difficulties—shyness, social anxiety, or feeling socially awkward—making friends can feel like climbing Mount Everest with little to no preparation. Why? Because, you’re trying to complete an intricate task like making friends without having the basics down—the social and conversational skills. Join me in this week’s episode as I explain how building your social savvy is a great way to achieve your goal of making friends, building a social life, dating, etc. Plus, I’ll talk about how my new workshop series, Social Savvy Academy, will help you improve your social and conversational skills. Making friends doesn’t have to feel like climbing a mountain; let’s find out how! ⭐Resources Mentioned in This Episode⭐ >> Social Savvy Academy: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/academy >> Book Your FREE Connection Call: https://calendly.com/caroline-theintrovertedmisfit/intro-call >> Explore My Services: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/coaching >> JOIN MY NEWSLETTER: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/newsletter

  6. Mar 7

    The Only Way to Get Comfortable at Social Events Is to Go!

    Right now, you’re struggling with a discomfort in social settings, whether it’s shyness, social anxiety, feeling really awkward, or something else that’s got your nerves on high alert. One way to solve this problem is to hide away forever; hide from the world by avoiding as many social events and interactions that you possibly can so that you never have to face your fears. But this solution can come with some costs. It can cost you quality of life, peace of mind, healthy relationships, and more. Here’s the better solution: You build up your tolerance of socializing by actually going to social events and gatherings! Better yet, you walk into those settings with a few social strategies and coping techniques. Join me as I discuss why getting out of your comfort zone is the best way to build up your tolerance of social situations, plus I’ll tell you about my upcoming workshop that will give you the tools to hep you remain calm and be confident in those settings: Introvert-Friendly Social Strategies for Gatherings & Events. ⭐Resources Mentioned in This Episode⭐ >> Register for My Upcoming Workshop: Introvert-Friendly Social Strategies for Gatherings & Events >> Book Your FREE Connection Call: https://calendly.com/caroline-theintrovertedmisfit/intro-call >> Communicate With Quiet Confidence: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/coaching >> 60-Minute Social Confident Booster: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/sessions >> JOIN MY NEWSLETTER: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/newsletter

  7. Feb 26

    Your Fears/Discomfort Around Socializing Are Not Just Silly Excuses; They’re Valid

    The reasons why you avoid social events are not just silly excuses; they are valid! Trust me, I get it; the fear, the uneasiness, the overstimulation, the loud sounds, the unseizing chatter. It can all be a lot for introverts like us – especially if you experience some additional social challenges and differences. But unfortunately, not everyone gets it, and when people think you’re “making it up” it can be really demoralizing. If you’ve ever encountered someone like that in your life and it’s negatively impacted how you view yourself, listen to this short episode to learn why your feelings are VALID and not just “silly excuses.” ⭐Resources Mentioned in This Episode⭐ >> Register for My Upcoming Workshop: Introvert-Friendly Social Strategies for Gatherings & Events >> Book Your FREE Connection Call: https://calendly.com/caroline-theintrovertedmisfit/intro-call >> Communicate With Quiet Confidence: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/coaching >> 60-Minute Social Confident Booster: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/sessions >> JOIN MY NEWSLETTER: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/newsletter

  8. Feb 17

    Workshop Announcement: Introvert-Friendly Social Strategies for Gatherings & Events

    Introducing my upcoming virtual workshop happening March 30, 2026: "Introvert-Friendly Social Strategies for Gatherings & Events" You know that feeling of not belonging in any social setting you walk into? I used to feel that way, too. When you walk into a social event, you want to feel like you belong; you want to make connections; you want to get rid of that fear and nervousness that shows up whenever you have to socialize. But navigating social settings is just too much. The loud chatter, the shear amount of people, and those racing thoughts saying you should’ve just stayed in the comfort of your home; that’s a lot to handle as an introvert like yourself, especially if you have some of the additional social challenges and difficulties that I know many in you experience — shyness, social anxiety, social awkwardness, or symptoms of being on the spectrum. When you walk into a room, you don’t know what to say or do, you don’t know who to talk to or who wants to talk to you, and when you start looking at the other people in the room who have no trouble socializing, you start feeling even worse about your own lack of confidence and social prowess. It’s time to STOP feeling this way and start socializing using strategies that work for your needs and abilities. That’s why I created this workshop for introverts like you who find socializing to be tricky and nerve-racking; I want you to experience social confidence without having to act like an extroverted social butterfly. Listen to this short episode to learn about the workshop details and register by visiting theintrovertedmisfit.com/workshop. ⭐Resources Mentioned in This Episode⭐ >> Register for My Upcoming Workshop: Introvert-Friendly Social Strategies for Gatherings & Events >> Book Your FREE Connection Call: https://calendly.com/caroline-theintrovertedmisfit/intro-call >> Communicate With Quiet Confidence: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/coaching >> 60-Minute Social Confident Booster: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/sessions >> JOIN MY NEWSLETTER: https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/newsletter

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About

This podcast covers a wide realm of topics related to the human experience of connection and communication from an introverted misfit’s perspective. Growing up as a autistic introverted woman with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - a combination that fueled my severe social anxiety for almost a decade - I used to think the only way to be a part of a community was to exude lively, extroverted sociability. As I grew into myself, however, I realized that each one of us has a valuable place in society, no matter what your personality type is. Through this podcast, you’ll learn to let go of your fears, improve your communication skills, master emotional intelligence, build thriving relationships, be your authentic self, and think about things from a different perspective. We’ll talk about the human experience, introversion, extraversion, social anxiety, self-confidence, communication styles, neurodivergence, relationships of all kinds, building community, and anything under the sun that I think and hope will help you realize the great importance of human connection - with a slightly awkward, introverted twist. Stay tuned for new episodes every Monday!

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