If feelings could talk

Karen Strober MSW
  • 4.7 (12)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

If Feelings Could Talk is a podcast dedicated to helping you navigate life’s emotional ups and downs through mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotional wellness. Hosted by Karen Strober, a seasoned DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) therapist with over 20 years of experience, each episode provides practical tools, insightful discussions, and expert guidance to help you manage emotions in healthier ways. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, or looking to cultivate more inner kindness, this podcast is your go-to resource for real, compassionate conversations on how to live a more balanced and mindful life. Tune in weekly for strategies to help you embrace self-acceptance, manage stress, and find peace within yourself—one step at a time.

  1. Sep 14

    S2 E7 The healing power of self-care in a world of chronic stress and anxiety.

    In a world where chronic stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion have become part of everyday life, self-care is not a luxury; it is an essential part of protecting our mental and emotional well-being. In this episode of If Feelings Could Talk, Karen Strober, M.S.W., explores the healing power of self-care and what it truly means to care for yourself. Self-care is more than taking a bubble bath, going on vacation, or temporarily escaping your responsibilities. It is the ongoing practice of noticing what you are feeling, listening to what your mind and body need, and responding to yourself with compassion rather than criticism. When we live in a constant state of stress, our nervous system can remain on high alert. We may feel anxious, overwhelmed, irritable, emotionally drained, or disconnected from ourselves. We may have difficulty sleeping, setting boundaries, concentrating, or finding joy in the things we once enjoyed. Over time, we can become so accustomed to functioning in survival mode that we forget what it feels like to slow down and feel safe within ourselves. This episode offers a gentle reminder that you do not have to wait until you are completely exhausted to begin caring for yourself. Self-care can happen through small, intentional choices: taking a mindful breath, naming an emotion, allowing yourself to rest, saying no without guilt, asking for support, or permitting yourself not to solve everything at once. Karen also discusses how mindfulness and self-compassion can help us move away from self-judgment and toward greater emotional awareness. When we pause long enough to understand what we are experiencing, we create space between our feelings and our reactions. In that space, we can make choices that support our well-being instead of continuing patterns that leave us depleted. In this episode, you will learn: • Why self-care is necessary for emotional wellness • How chronic stress and anxiety affect the mind and body • Why many people feel guilty when they slow down or prioritize themselves • How to recognize the signs of emotional exhaustion • The difference between temporary relief and meaningful self-care • How mindfulness can help calm an overwhelmed nervous system • Why boundaries are an important form of self-care • How self-compassion can soften the voice of the inner critic • Simple practices that can help you feel calmer, safer, and more grounded True self-care is not about avoiding life’s challenges. It is about creating the emotional strength and inner stability needed to meet those challenges without abandoning yourself in the process. If you have been feeling overwhelmed, anxious, emotionally tired, or disconnected from your own needs, this episode is an invitation to pause and come back to yourself. You deserve care not only when everything is finished, but while you are moving through the demands of everyday life. Small moments of care can create meaningful change. One breath, one boundary, and one compassionate choice at a time. If Feelings Could Talk Hosted by Karen Strober, M.S.W. Mental Health Therapist & Emotional Wellness Expert Feel • Reflect • Empower Yourself

  2. Jul 8

    S 2 EP 6 The areas in our lives we need to balance, to find peace and contentment

    In this episode, we're exploring one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves: What areas of my life need more attention, and what does true balance actually look like? Many of us spend so much time caring for our responsibilities, our careers, our families, and the expectations of others that we rarely stop to ask whether we're caring for ourselves in the process. Balance isn't about giving every part of your life equal time every day. It's about becoming aware of what feels neglected, what feels overwhelming, and what needs your attention in this season of life. Together, we'll gently reflect on the key areas that contribute to emotional well-being, including your physical health, emotional health, relationships, work and purpose, personal growth, rest, play, spirituality or meaning, finances, and the relationship you have with yourself. When one area begins to dominate while others are ignored, it's common to feel stressed, disconnected, anxious, or emotionally exhausted. Using principles from The CARE Practice™, I'll guide you through a compassionate process of slowing down, increasing self-awareness, and checking in with each area of your life without judgment. Rather than striving for perfection, we'll focus on creating a life that feels more intentional, grounded, and aligned with your values. You'll also be encouraged to notice where your inner critic may be influencing your choices telling you to work harder, do more, or put yourself last and learn how self-compassion can help you create healthier boundaries and more sustainable habits. This episode includes reflective questions and practical exercises to help you identify where your energy is going, where you may be feeling depleted, and one small step you can take to restore greater balance. Remember, meaningful change rarely comes from doing everything differently overnight. It comes from consistently making small, intentional choices that support your emotional well-being. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or simply longing for a greater sense of peace, this conversation is an invitation to pause, reconnect with yourself, and create a life that nourishes you from the inside out. Because lasting peace isn't found in having a perfect life—it's found in living a life that reflects what truly matters to you. In this episode, you'll learn: Why balance is different from perfection.The essential areas of life that support emotional wellness.How to recognize when one area of your life is out of alignment.The role of self-compassion in creating lasting change.Simple ways to restore balance without becoming overwhelmed.How The CARE Practice™ can help you cultivate greater calm, awareness, resilience, and emotional well-being.If this episode resonates with you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use a little more peace and balance in their life. Feel. Reflect. Empower Yourself. Karen Strober, MSW Mental Health Therapist & Emotional Wellness Expert Host of If Feelings Could Talk

  3. Feb 23

    S 2 E 5 From Actress to Therapist: Constance McCashin on Identity, Emotions & Eating Disorder Recovery

    In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, I sit down with actress-turned-therapist Constance McCashin to explore identity, emotional healing, and the complex world of eating disorders. Constance shares her journey from a successful acting career into becoming a therapist, and how that transition required emotional courage, reflection, and reinvention. Together, we talk about how identity shifts can impact our mental health and how disordered eating is often connected to deeper emotional needs, perfectionism, and a longing for control or belonging. In this episode, we discuss: • The emotional roots of eating disorders • How identity and self-worth become intertwined with food and body image • Reinvention in midlife and beyond • The role of compassion in recovery • Why emotions are not the enemy they are information This conversation is a reminder that eating disorders are not about food they are about emotion, identity, and unmet needs. Healing begins when we slow down, build awareness, and approach ourselves with compassion instead of judgment. If you or someone you love struggles with emotional eating, disordered eating patterns, or identity transitions, this episode offers insight, hope, and practical understanding. For more tools on emotional wellness, mindfulness, and self-compassion, explore my CARE Practice Method and listen to more episodes of If Feelings Could Talk. Because when we understand our emotions, we empower ourselves.

  4. 12/16/2025

    S 2 E 4 The Emotional Weight We Carry: Letting Go of What No Longer Serves You

    This episode explores the invisible emotional weight you carry every day old stories, expectations, guilt, and roles that keep you exhausted, resentful, and disconnected from yourself. Through gentle reflection, mindfulness, and self-compassion, Karen Strober, a mental health therapist and emotional wellness expert, guides you to notice what you’re holding, understand why it feels so heavy, and begin letting go of what no longer serves you. You’ll learn simple, practical ways to release emotional baggage, create healthier boundaries, and make space for calmer nervous systems, softer self-talk, and a life that actually feels like yours.

  5. 12/08/2025

    S 2 E 3 Imposter syndrome - How to own your own success and silence self doubt.

    Imposter Syndrome — How to Own Your Success & Silence Self-Doubt Do you ever catch yourself thinking, “Who am I to do this?” or worrying that one day people will “find out” you’re not as capable as they think? If so, you’re not alone — and you’re definitely not an imposter. In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the truth behind imposter syndrome and why so many smart, accomplished, emotionally aware people still struggle to believe in their own success. You’ll learn why self-doubt shows up, how it keeps you stuck, and most importantly… how to quiet that inner critic so you can finally own your strengths with confidence and clarity. Together, we’ll explore: ✨ Why high-achievers often feel “not enough” ✨ How childhood messages and old patterns feed self-doubt ✨ The emotional habits that reinforce imposter syndrome ✨ Practical mindfulness + self-compassion tools to shift your mindset ✨ How to recognize your real accomplishments and truly believe them If you’re tired of questioning yourself… if you’re ready to let go of the pressure to be perfect… and if you want to step into your life with more calm, confidence, and self-trust — this episode will support you every step of the way. Listen now and start owning the success you’ve already earned. Hosted by Karen Strober, MSW, Emotional Wellness Expert and creator of If Feelings Could Talk New episodes every week on mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotional regulation.

  6. 12/01/2025

    S 2 E 2 Think different, worry less and feel better

    In this episode, we explore how the way you think directly shapes the way you feel. If you’ve been stuck in worry, overthinking, or “what if” spirals, this conversation will give you simple, practical tools to slow down your thoughts and calm your emotions. You’ll learn how to challenge fear-based thinking, interrupt mental loops, and shift into a more grounded, realistic mindset one that brings more peace and less panic. Think different. Worry less. Feel better. Real tools. Real emotions. Real life.

  7. 11/04/2025

    S 2 Ep 1 Breaking free from repetitive patterns: Rewrite your story

    Do you ever feel like you’re stuck living the same emotional story over and over again—repeating old habits, relationships, or thought patterns that no longer serve you? In this episode of If Feelings Could Talk, Karen Strober, MSW Emotional Wellness Expert and DBT-Certified Therapist dives deep into why we get caught in these cycles and how to finally break free. Learn how your unconscious beliefs shape your emotional responses, how to identify resistance to change, and what it truly means to rewrite your story from a place of awareness and self-compassion. Through mindfulness, reflection, and simple, actionable tools, you’ll begin to see how change is possible when you stop judging yourself and start understanding yourself.  In this episode, you’ll learn: Why repetitive emotional patterns form and how to recognize themThe role of mindfulness in breaking unconscious habitsHow to use self-compassion and DBT-inspired skills to create new emotional pathwaysHow to step out of autopilot and consciously write a new story for yourselfPress play to begin your journey toward awareness, freedom, and emotional empowerment.  Listen to “If Feelings Could Talk” for more tools to Feel, Reflect, and Empower yourself.

  8. 11/04/2025

    Season 2 Announcement

    Welcome back to If Feelings Could Talk  I’m your host,  Karen Strober, therapist and Emotional Wellness Expert. Season 2 is all about growth, connection, and collaboration. This season, we’re diving even deeper into the conversations that matter — how to manage emotions with mindfulness, practice self-compassion in real life, and find calm even when life feels chaotic. But here’s the exciting part this season, I won’t be doing it alone. I’ll be joined by incredible therapists and mental health professionals from all over, sharing real stories, fresh perspectives, and practical tools you can start using right away. Together, we’ll explore the everyday challenges that come with being human from anxiety and emotional overwhelm to relationships, boundaries, and authenticity all through the lens of my CARE Practice Method: Connect, Awareness, Reflect, and Empower. So if you’re ready to feel more balanced, more self-aware, and more empowered you’re in the right place. This is If Feelings Could Talk   Season 2. Let’s get started.

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4.7
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

If Feelings Could Talk is a podcast dedicated to helping you navigate life’s emotional ups and downs through mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotional wellness. Hosted by Karen Strober, a seasoned DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) therapist with over 20 years of experience, each episode provides practical tools, insightful discussions, and expert guidance to help you manage emotions in healthier ways. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, or looking to cultivate more inner kindness, this podcast is your go-to resource for real, compassionate conversations on how to live a more balanced and mindful life. Tune in weekly for strategies to help you embrace self-acceptance, manage stress, and find peace within yourself—one step at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Karen Strober MSW
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 If feelings could talk
  • Show Website
    If feelings could talk

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