2 How to Stop Talking to Yourself Like Your Worst Critic

In this episode of The Great Leader, Great Mom Podcast, life coach and leadership mentor Liz Jolley explores what reallyhappens in your brain when you make a mistake — at work or at home.

Many high-achieving women and leaders don’t just think “I made a mistake.”

They jump straight to “I am a mistake.”

And that shift — from behavior to identity — is where shame, burnout, perfectionism, and emotional shutdown begin.

In this episode, Liz breaks down why beating yourself up doesn’t help you perform better, lead better, or parent better — and how self-criticism actually keeps you stuck. Through real client stories and practical coaching tools, you’ll learn how to spot the thought errors that create shame, especially the toxic habit of saying “I should have known better.”

This episode is for you if:

• You replay mistakes over and over in your head
• You feel intense guilt or shame after things don’t go as planned
• You struggle with perfectionism or harsh self-talk
• You want to grow from mistakes instead of shutting down
• You want to model resilience and self-compassion for your kids

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why your brain turns mistakes into personal attacks
• How shame differs from accountability — and why shame never helps
• The hidden damage of “should” thinking
• Why self-compassion leads to better leadership and performance
• How to change your inner dialogue without lowering your standards
• A simple mindset shift that helps you learn, grow, and move forward

This is an episode about emotional resilience, self-leadership, and learning how to treat yourself like someone you love — especially when you mess up.

Because mistakes don’t make you unworthy.

They make you human.

https://lizjolley.com