Emotionally Wealthy

Karen Conlon
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

You look successful on the outside. You know how to get things done, stay productive, and keep it together. But inside, you may struggle to feel seen, valued, or emotionally safe in your closest relationships. You crave deeper, more authentic connection, and it’s not just about who you choose, it’s about how you show up. High achievement often comes at the cost of emotional connection. Hosted by Karen Conlon, coach, psychotherapist, and relationship expert, Emotionally Wealthy explores how childhood conditioning, emotional patterns, and unexamined beliefs quietly shape the way we show up in love, work, and life. If you have ever wondered: - Why you feel numb, lonely, or unfulfilled despite “doing everything right” - Why relationships feel harder than they should - Why you struggle to name your needs, trust your emotions, or set boundaries without guilt - Why insight alone hasn’t led to lasting change You are in the right place. Each episode blends emotional insight, relational neuroscience, and real-life conversations to help you master self-awareness, break old patterns, and build deeper, more authentic relationships. Topics include emotional intelligence, attachment, boundaries, people-pleasing, emotional resilience, self-trust, and what it actually takes to feel connected, grounded, and fulfilled. This is not surface-level motivation or quick-fix advice. It is honest, practical, and deeply human. Whether you are navigating relationships, questioning long-held patterns, or ready to stop performing and start living with clarity and intention, Emotionally Wealthy offers the insight and tools to help you move from emotional disconnection to clarity and direction.

  1. The Hidden Emotional Side of A Medical Spouse’s Life with Karen Conlon, LCSW (Host, Lisa Muehlenbein, PhD)

    5d ago

    The Hidden Emotional Side of A Medical Spouse’s Life with Karen Conlon, LCSW (Host, Lisa Muehlenbein, PhD)

    This episode originally aired on the Medlife Support Podcast, hosted by Dr. Lisa Muehlenbein, where I joined as a guest to discuss the emotional realities many partners in medical families experience. Enjoy! The Hidden Emotional Cost of Medical Life: Loneliness, Resentment, and Reclaiming Yourself What happens when you've spent so much time taking care of everyone else that you've lost touch with your own needs? In this conversation with Dr. Lisa Muehlenbein, we explore the emotional experiences many partners of medical professionals quietly carry, including loneliness, resentment, guilt, jealousy, and the gradual loss of self that can happen when your role becomes centered around supporting others. These feelings are often misunderstood, judged, or pushed aside. Yet they may be providing important information about what is missing, what is needed, and where greater connection is possible. Together, we discuss: Why loneliness can exist even in loving relationshipsThe emotional impact of always being the supporterWhat resentment may be trying to tell youHow guilt and self-judgment keep people stuckIdentity loss and the challenge of staying connected to yourselfWhy opposing emotions can coexist at the same timeThe power of emotional awareness in creating healthier relationshipsHow naming your experience can be the first step toward meaningful change If you've ever found yourself thinking: "Why do I feel lonely when I'm not alone?" "Why do I feel guilty for wanting more?" "Why do I feel resentful when I know how hard they work?" This conversation is for you. Because emotional health isn't about judging your feelings. It's about understanding what they're trying to tell you. Connect with KarenWebsite: https://www.karenconlon.com Podcast: Emotionally Wealthy Instagram: @karen_conlon_lcsw LinkedIn: Karen Conlon, LCSW Connect with Lisa Muehlenbein - drlisa@themedlifematrix.com Email:: drlisa@themedlifematrix.com Website:: https://www.themedlifematrix.com Instagram:: @themedlifematrix and @themedlifesupportpodcast Linkedin:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-muehlenbein-phd-3088b73a/

    57 min

  2. Jun 16

    Afraid To Slow Down? Uncovering The High Achieving Women’s Struggles With Karen Conlon, LCSW (Hosted by, Erin Trier)

    This episode originally aired on the Empowered In Health Podcast, with host Erin Trier. Karen Conlon, LCSW was the guest speaker. Erin and Karen discuss how early conditioning, non-verbal messages, and rewarding certain behaviors can easily and quietly become the reason behind your over-functioning and fears around slowing down. Enjoy! —----------------- What if the real reason you feel overwhelmed, exhausted or stuck… isn’t your schedule - but rather, your conditioning over time? In this exceptional episode of Empowered in Health, I sit down with psychotherapist, coach and host of The Emotionally Wealthy Podcast, Karen Conlon. Together, we unpack the hidden patterns that drive high-achieving women to constantly push, perform and ignore their own needs. Karen shares her deeply personal journey, from growing up as a child of immigrants and navigating “parented child” dynamics to rediscovering her voice through motherhood and setting boundaries for the first time. Together, we explore: • Why slowing down feels scary (and how to build tolerance for it!) • The hidden impact of childhood conditioning and nonverbal messages • How emotions act as signals, not problems to fix • The powerful connection between mental health and physical health (the mind-gut connection!) • Why your body isn’t betraying you; it’s trying to guide you • Practical tools to build emotional awareness and self-trust If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly “doing” but you're still not feeling fulfilled - this conversation will shift how you see yourself, your body and your healing journey. Watch full episode on YOUTUBE here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA20zsCKMH4 To connect more with Karen: Website: https://www.karenconlon.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/karen_conlon_lcsw/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenconlonlcsw/ Find Karen's Everything Here: https://stan.store/Karen_Conlon_Live_Fulfilled Free Guide: 5 Steps To Powerful Self Awareness & More Authentic Connections: https://karenconlon.com/freebie If this episode resonates with you, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Sharing this episode with a friend can also help us reach more incredible women on their journey to better health. Thank you for being a part of our community and investing in your wellness journey! To stay connected, here's where you can find me online: Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/empoweredinhealth Coaching Business IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/erinktrier Book Free Coaching Call Here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.erintrier.com/coaching Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.erintrier.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠... 🎧 Available on: Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/7HVkUSv6V5fKcQz8JiBnUh Apple Podcasts | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/empowered-in-health/id1598678571 Amazon Music | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/37565b6e-4648-46d0-8881-548e7193313b/empowered-in-health iHeartRadio | https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-empowered-in-health-276832447/

    57 min

  3. Jun 10

    Brilliant, Ambitious, and Judged by a Double Standard with Rachel Freyman, Esq.

    What if the biggest barrier to having a meaningful career, fulfilling relationships, and personal well-being isn’t a lack of time, but the belief that you must choose one over the other? In this conversation, Karen Conlon sits down with attorney, speaker, and creator of the Choose Both framework, Rachel Freyman, to explore the hidden pressures high-achieving women face. They discuss burnout, guilt, shifting expectations, defining success for yourself, and how moving from “either or” thinking to “both-and” thinking can help create a life that feels aligned and emotionally rich. Who This Episode Is ForHigh-achievers struggling with burnout or competing prioritiesWomen balancing ambition, motherhood, relationships, and personal identityLeaders who want to better understand and retain talented professionals Key Themes & Topics DiscussedMoving beyond either-or thinkingRedefining success on your own termsThe hidden causes of burnoutNavigating guilt, expectations, and workplace biasBuilding a life that aligns with your values Thoughtful TakeawaysBurnout often happens through small decisions that slowly move us away from ourselves.Success becomes exhausting when it’s based on someone else’s definition.The right support should increase your capacity, not your stress. Memorable Quotes“If something feels impossible, it is probably under-supported.”“If you don’t define success for yourself, you’ll spend your whole life chasing it.”“The things in your life are not stealing from each other. They are your life.”“Knowing that your life and career are the life and career you actually want — that’s wealth.” Chapters00:00 Introduction to emotional wealth and Rachel Freyman’s work 02:35 Rachel’s childhood, her mother’s influence, and learning that you can choose both 07:20 Breaking free from either-or thinking and creating a both-and mindset 13:25 The mental cage of competing priorities and the importance of support 16:25 Guilt, motherhood, and the invisible expectations placed on women 19:55 The double standards women face at work and at home 27:00 Understanding burnout through small daily decisions 33:00 Why life is not a pie and how to define your own version of success 34:45 Choosing your five priorities and the “two things” daily practice 39:15 The Choose Both framework and building a life by design 41:25 Workplace bias, perception, and the hidden barriers women experience 51:05 Why organizations lose talented people and how leaders can create a path 55:45 Moving from “Which one do I choose?” to “How do I design for both?” 59:30 Rachel’s practical first step: define your five priorities 01:03:05 What emotional wealth truly means and where to connect with Rachel Resources & LinksWebsitehttps://karenconlon.com/ Emotionally Wealthy PodcastBook Karen as a Podcast Guesthttps://talks.co/karen-conlon-lcsw Apply to Be a Guest Expert or Live Coaching Guesthttps://karenconlon.com/become-a-podcast-guest Review the Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1814244500?action=write-review Free Guide5 Steps to Powerful Self-Awareness and More Authentic Connections https://karenconlon.com/freebie Books & WorkbooksThe Teenager’s Guide to Adulting Skills and Life Hacks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQGHHT6L Manage Your Anxiety Workbook & Journal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5FW5Q2J Connect With KarenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/karen_conlon_lcsw/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559407463659 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenconlonlcsw/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@karen_conlon_lcsw/ Substack: https://karenconlon.substack.com/ Connect With Rachel FreymanWebsitehttps://rachelfreyman.com/ LinkedInwww.linkedin.com/in/rachel-freyman Tune in to the Emotionally Wealthy Podcast Your Preferred PlatformApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/emotionally-wealthy/id1814244500/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BxaZasAk68BD5mRkD59cI?si=b406d5735eae4304/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy-yaUREWiHBJNxwze7zI4/ Post-production and distribution are handled by the Buzzspear team. https://www.buzzspear.com/

    1h 5m
  4. Couples Corner: What We Misunderstood About Each Other for Years

    Jun 2

    Couples Corner: What We Misunderstood About Each Other for Years

    Sometimes the thing you keep misunderstanding about your partner is the very thing you have not fully understood about yourself. In this Couples Corner episode of Emotionally Wealthy, Karen and Jonathan Conlon talk about the emotional patterns they carried into their marriage, the ways they misunderstood each other for years, and how therapy helped them see what was really happening underneath the communication disconnects. This conversation explores marriage, emotional maturity, family influence, people-pleasing, emotional safety, and the difference between surface-level differences and deeper shared values. It is an honest look at what it means to keep choosing a relationship while both people are still learning how to speak more clearly, listen more fully, and grow together. Who This Episode Is ForCouples who feel close in many ways but stuck in one recurring patternAnyone who feels misunderstood even after trying to communicatePeople who grew up minimizing their own feelings or needsPartners navigating different emotional styles, family dynamics, or conflict responsesListeners interested in couples therapy, communication, marriage, and emotional maturity Key Themes and Topics DiscussedHow family dynamics shape adult relationshipsPeople-pleasing and emotional avoidance in marriageThe difference between being understood and hoping your partner “just gets it”Emotional safety as a foundation for repairWhy shared values matter more than surface-level compatibilityHow therapy can help couples see patterns without blaming each otherThe practical conversations couples need to have about family, finances, parenting, and long-term partnership Thoughtful TakeawaysSometimes communication breaks down because one person thinks they have said enough, while the other person has not fully understood what is being asked. Emotional safety does not mean every conversation feels easy. It means both people can bring difficult things into the room without the relationship becoming unsafe. People-pleasing can look generous, but it often makes honest connection harder. A relationship needs kindness, yes, but it also needs truth. Being different can work when the foundation is strong. But core values, emotional respect, and the willingness to have uncomfortable conversations need to align. Memorable Quotes“We’re actually a lot more similar in many ways.” “I felt a bit dismissed, if I’m gonna be honest.” “I think I expressed just enough.” “How does he make me feel?” “I was betting on you and I was betting on us.” “I felt safe to discuss with you.” “I felt misunderstood by you for a long time.” “We actually suffered from the same affliction.” Timestamps00:00 Welcome to Couples Corner 02:07 When differences become part of the attraction 05:59 Handling stress and emotion differently 08:25 Feeling dismissed, unheard, and misunderstood 14:07 The early conversation about commitment 17:58 Family roles, people-pleasing, and emotional expression 29:10 Engagement, therapy, and choosing partnership 33:40 The question that changed how Karen understood relationships 42:22 The communication disconnect that lasted for years 49:57 Learning to ask instead of avoid 57:24 What couples need beyond attraction and potential A Gentle InvitationAs you listen, notice where you may be hoping to be understood without fully saying what you mean, or where you may be avoiding a conversation because it feels easier to let it pass. Emotional wealth often begins in the ordinary moment when we ask, “How do I actually feel here?” and stay long enough to hear the answer. Resources & LinksWebsite https://karenconlon.com/ Stan Store https://stan.store/Karen_Conlon_Live_Fulfilled Emotionally Wealthy Podcast Book Karen as a Podcast Guest https://talks.co/karen-conlon-lcsw Apply to Be a Guest Expert or Live Coaching Guest https://karenconlon.com/become-a-podcast-guest Review the Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1814244500?action=write-review Free Guide 5 Steps to Powerful Self-Awareness and More Authentic Connections https://karenconlon.com/freebie Books & Workbooks The Teenager’s Guide to Adulting Skills and Life Hacks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQGHHT6L Manage Your Anxiety Workbook & Journal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5FW5Q2J Connect With KarenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/karen_conlon_lcsw/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559407463659 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenconlonlcsw/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@karen_conlon_lcsw Substack: https://karenconlon.substack.com/ Tune in to the Emotionally Wealthy Podcast Your Preferred Platform Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/emotionally-wealthy/id1814244500Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BxaZasAk68BD5mRkD59cI?si=b406d5735eae4304YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy-yaUREWiHBJNxwze7zI4

    51 min
  5. The Post Divorce Revival I Didn’t See Coming with Melie Williams

    May 19

    The Post Divorce Revival I Didn’t See Coming with Melie Williams

    Divorce can strip away more than a relationship. It can take the role, the routine, the future you imagined, and the version of yourself you learned to become inside that life. In this episode of Emotionally Wealthy, Karen speaks with Melie Williams about rebuilding after a 14-year marriage ended during COVID. Together, they explore identity, dating after divorce, faith, neuroscience, ADHD, emotional regulation, and the slow work of becoming honest with yourself again. This conversation is about grief, resilience, old patterns, and learning to make choices that no longer require you to disappear. Who This Episode Is ForAnyone navigating divorce, separation, dating after divorce, identity loss, emotional burnout, faith-based healing, ADHD in relationships, or rebuilding after a life no longer fits. Key Themes and Topics DiscussedReinvention after divorceLosing and rediscovering identity inside marriageUnspoken expectations in relationshipsFawning, conflict, and emotional dysregulationADHD, shame, and relationship patternsDating apps and chasing a feelingFaith, neuroscience, resilience, and radical acceptanceBoundaries, saying no, and emotional wealth Thoughtful TakeawaysReinvention is not always about becoming someone new. Sometimes it is about noticing which parts of you went quiet. Dating after divorce can become a mirror. It can show you what still feels familiar, what you are still trying to fix, and where intensity may be mistaken for safety. Resilience is not pretending something difficult is fine. It is accepting what is real and choosing your next step from there. Saying no is not a failure of kindness. It is often an honest choice after years of being agreeable enough to keep the peace. Memorable Quotes“I married the wrong person.” “You can’t do that forever.” “Hot mess.” “I am high on Hallmark.” “Am I chasing a feeling?” “Saying no is very important.” “Everything you say yes to, you are saying no to something else.” Timestamps00:00 Welcome to Emotionally Wealthy 00:32 Reinvention After Divorce 03:13 Early Messages About Love and Marriage 04:21 Blind Spots in Choosing a Partner 07:24 The Parts of Melie That Went Quiet 11:40 Unspoken Expectations Inside Marriage 15:47 Fawning, ADHD, and Conflict 24:52 Divorce During COVID 28:49 Rebuilding While Grieving 33:07 Resilience and Radical Acceptance 36:12 Dating After Divorce as a Mirror 46:31 Faith, Neuroscience, and Emotional Grounding 52:41 Boundaries, Saying No, and Self-Trust 54:46 Melie’s Courses, Apps, and Coaching A Gentle InvitationAs you listen, notice where you may have learned to quiet yourself to keep a relationship, role, or identity intact. Emotional wealth begins when your choices stop requiring you to disappear. Resources & LinksWebsite https://karenconlon.com/ Stan Store https://stan.store/Karen_Conlon_Live_Fulfilled Emotionally Wealthy Podcast Book Karen as a Podcast Guest https://talks.co/karen-conlon-lcsw Apply to Be a Guest Expert or Live Coaching Guest https://karenconlon.com/become-a-podcast-guest Review the Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1814244500?action=write-review Free Guide 5 Steps to Powerful Self-Awareness and More Authentic Connections https://karenconlon.com/freebie Books & Workbooks The Teenager’s Guide to Adulting Skills and Life Hacks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQGHHT6L Manage Your Anxiety Workbook & Journal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5FW5Q2J Mentioned in This Episode Melie Williams’ Website http://meliewilliams.com/ Melie Williams’ Blog https://www.meliewilliams.com/blog Diamonds in Dumpster Fires Podcast https://www.diamondsindumpsterfires.com/ Renewed Mind App: https://www.renewedmind.app/ Connect With KarenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/karen_conlon_lcsw/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559407463659 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenconlonlcsw/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@karen_conlon_lcsw Substack: https://karenconlon.substack.com/ Connect With Melie WilliamsWebsite: http://meliewilliams.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meliewilliams/ Blog: https://www.meliewilliams.com/blog Podcast: https://www.diamondsindumpsterfires.com/ Tune in to the Emotionally Wealthy Podcast Your Preferred Platform Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/emotionally-wealthy/id1814244500Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BxaZasAk68BD5mRkD59cI?si=b406d5735eae4304YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy-yaUREWiHBJNxwze7zI4w

    1h 1m
  6. Your Anxiety Isn’t a Character Flaw. It Is a Misinterpreted Safety

    May 19

    Your Anxiety Isn’t a Character Flaw. It Is a Misinterpreted Safety

    This episode reframes anxiety as a learned alarm system, not a personal defect. Anxiety can start to feel like part of your personality when you have lived with it for long enough. You may call yourself anxious, sensitive, or too much, when what may actually be happening is that your mind and body learned to stay alert. In this episode of Emotionally Wealthy, Karen Conlon explores anxiety as a physiological survival response shaped by biology, environment, early conditioning, and emotional stress. She looks at why everyday moments, like conflict, uncertainty, criticism, or a missed email, can activate the body as though something is wrong. This conversation is not about fighting anxiety or shaming yourself into calm. It is about understanding what your anxiety may be pointing toward, so you can respond to yourself with more awareness, compassion, and choice. Who This Episode Is ForAnyone who has wondered, “What’s wrong with me?” when anxiety shows upPeople who overthink, over-prepare, scan, anticipate, or people-pleaseAnyone who feels emotionally tired from always being “on”Listeners who want to understand anxiety with less shameAnyone learning to set boundaries or tolerate discomfort Key Themes and Topics DiscussedAnxiety as a survival responseThe three P’s of anxiety: predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factorsThe amygdala and the body’s alarm systemWhy feelings are real, but not always factsHow stress, overcommitment, and unmet needs keep anxiety activeBody awareness, boundaries, and intentional discomfortWhy relapse does not mean failure Thoughtful TakeawaysAnxiety becomes harder to manage when we turn it into identity. Understanding it as information can reduce the shame that often surrounds it. Your body may be responding to old learning, not current danger. That does not make the feeling fake. It simply means the signal may need curiosity before conclusion. Regulation is not only about calming down. It may also mean noticing what keeps asking too much of you. Relapse is part of being human. The goal is not to never feel anxious again. The goal is to recognize the signs earlier and respond with more care. Memorable Quotes“Anxiety is not a personality trait. Anxiety is a physiological survival response.” “Your nervous system adapts before you have the language for what’s happening.” “Feelings are feelings. They’re not facts.” “Your anxiety may not be telling you the truth, but it’s usually telling you where to look.” “You cannot heal in conditions that constantly reinforce survival mode.” “Emotional wealth, it’s not emotional perfection.” Timestamps00:00 Why anxiety is so often misunderstood 02:57 Anxiety as a survival response, not a flaw 06:10 The three P’s that shape anxiety 11:57 The brain’s alarm system 18:08 Feelings, facts, and anxiety signals 23:51 Awareness, understanding, and choice 30:06 What keeps anxiety active 36:51 Body awareness and boundaries 40:11 Intentional discomfort 47:51 Relapse does not mean failure 01:00:08 Anxiety as an indicator, not a broken engine A Gentle InvitationAs you listen, notice where anxiety has become part of the way you describe yourself. You do not have to judge it or push it away. You may simply begin by asking what it has been trying to tell you. Resources & LinksWebsite https://karenconlon.com/ Stan Store https://stan.store/Karen_Conlon_Live_Fulfilled Emotionally Wealthy Podcast Book Karen as a Podcast Guest https://talks.co/karen-conlon-lcsw Apply to Be a Guest Expert or Live Coaching Guest https://karenconlon.com/become-a-podcast-guest Review the Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1814244500?action=write-review Free Guide 5 Steps to Powerful Self-Awareness and More Authentic Connections https://karenconlon.com/freebie Books & Workbooks The Teenager’s Guide to Adulting Skills and Life Hacks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQGHHT6L Manage Your Anxiety Workbook & Journal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5FW5Q2J References Mentioned The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk The Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel The Emotional Brain: The Mysterious Underpinnings of Emotional Life by Joseph E. LeDoux The Polyvagal Theory by Stephen W. Porges Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers by Robert M. Sapolsky American Psychological Association National Institute of Mental Health Connect With KarenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/karen_conlon_lcsw/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559407463659 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenconlonlcsw/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@karen_conlon_lcsw Substack: https://karenconlon.substack.com/ Tune in to the Emotionally Wealthy Podcast Your Preferred Platform Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/emotionally-wealthy/id1814244500Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BxaZasAk68BD5mRkD59cI?si=b406d5735eae4304YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy-yaUREWiHBJNxwze7zI4w

    55 min
  7. The Gratitude Psychologist on Grief, Slowing Down, and Midlife Awakening with Dr. Peggy DeLong

    May 12

    The Gratitude Psychologist on Grief, Slowing Down, and Midlife Awakening with Dr. Peggy DeLong

    Midlife can look “fine” from the outside while something inside you quietly shifts. The goals you used to chase do not feel as motivating. The pace that once felt normal starts to feel expensive. In this conversation, Karen sits down with Dr. Peggy DeLong, known as the Gratitude Psychologist, to explore why midlife can be an awakening, not a crisis, especially for high-achieving women who have built a life around competence, responsibility, and momentum. Together, they unpack the emotional cost of constant striving, the fear that can surface when you finally slow down, and the relief that comes when you stop measuring your worth through outcomes. Dr. Peggy shares how gratitude can become a stabilizing force during transition, not as a bypass, but as a way to stay connected to what is still steady, meaningful, and real. This episode weaves in midlife awakening, emotional well-being, grief, self-compassion, purpose, and connection, with a grounded framework Dr. Peggy calls the Prioritized Peace method. If you have been craving a simpler way to feel better, and a truer definition of success, this conversation meets you there. Who This Episode Is ForHigh-achieving women who feel restless, depleted, or emotionally stretched in midlifeAnyone who is tired of pushing forward but unsure how to slow down without guiltWomen navigating grief, identity shifts, or the quiet losses that come with life transitionsListeners who want practical, research-informed emotional support without overcomplicationPeople who want more presence, purpose, and connection, not just more productivity Key Themes and Topics DiscussedMidlife awakening as a shift in values, not a personal failureWhy “work has to be hard” is a belief worth questioningThe high-achieving cycle and how it disconnects us from joyGratitude as a way of living, especially on hard daysThe role of grief, including the internal losses that accompany external onesRedefining purpose in a way that is simple, sustaining, and realCommunity, vulnerability, and why connection changes everythingSelf-compassion and reshaping the way you talk to yourself Thoughtful TakeawaysMidlife often asks for honesty. Not dramatic reinvention, just a clearer relationship with what matters now, and what no longer fits. Gratitude in this conversation is not forced positivity. It is steadiness. It is the practice of noticing what is still here, still meaningful, still supportive, even when life hurts. If you have built your identity on achievement, slowing down can feel like your worth is disappearing. The shift is learning that your value was never meant to be earned through constant output. Grief is not only about who or what you lost. It is also about the life you thought you would have, the version of you that existed before, and the dreams that changed shape. Purpose does not need to be lofty to be real. In midlife, purpose can become smaller, simpler, and more sustainable, and that is often where peace begins. Memorable Quotes“Work can be beautiful and uplifting.” “I celebrated every page that I wrote rather than the finish.” “It’s human connection and that matters.” “Our capacity to experience joy is in direct proportion to our capacity to experience pain.” “Gratitude went from being a practice to a habit to a way of life.” “Your purpose can be kindness.” Timestamps00:00 Introduction 02:06 Dr. Peggy DeLong’s journey into gratitude psychology 06:24 Reconnecting with joy and releasing the need to know how 09:34 Letting go of the belief that work has to be hard 15:17 The high-achieving cycle, presence, pleasure, and purpose 18:09 The Prioritized Peace method for midlife awakening 24:19 Fear, emotional pain, grief, and deeper joy 31:26 Gratitude as a lifeline during loss 35:27 Redefining purpose and releasing external validation 42:04 Community, vulnerability, and the Midlife Awakening Sisterhood 52:42 How to connect with Peggy A Gentle InvitationIf you have been measuring your life by what you produce, this episode offers a different question: what helps you feel more like yourself? Let this be a quiet place to begin again, with more presence, more self-compassion, and a definition of success that includes your well-being. Resources & LinksWebsite https://karenconlon.com/ Stan Store https://stan.store/Karen_Conlon_Live_Fulfilled Emotionally Wealthy Podcast Book Karen as a Podcast Guest https://talks.co/karen-conlon-lcsw Apply to Be a Guest Expert or Live Coaching Guest https://karenconlon.com/become-a-podcast-guest Review the Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1814244500?action=write-review Free Guide 5 Steps to Powerful Self-Awareness and More Authentic Connections https://karenconlon.com/freebie Books & Workbooks The Teenager’s Guide to Adulting Skills and Life Hacks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQGHHT6L Manage Your Anxiety Workbook & Journal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5FW5Q2J Connect With KarenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/karen_conlon_lcsw/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559407463659 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenconlonlcsw/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@karen_conlon_lcsw Substack: https://karenconlon.substack.com/ Connect With Peggy DeLongWebsite: https://drpeggydelong.com/ Free Resource: The Grateful Day https://drpeggydelong.com/thegratefulday/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.gratitude.psychologist/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drpeggydelongthegratitudepsychologist/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/midlifeawakeningsisterhood Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeThe Grateful Day https://drpeggydelong.com/thegratefulday/ The Success Principles by Jack Canfield https://www.amazon.com/dp/0060594896 The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos https://open.spotify.com/show/3i5TCKhc6GY42pOWkpWveG Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl https://www.amazon.com/dp/1846041244 Tune in to the Emotionally Wealthy Podcast Your Preferred PlatformApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/emotionally-wealthy/id1814244500 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BxaZasAk68BD5mRkD59cI?si=b406d5735eae4304 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy-yaUREWiHBJNxwze7zI4w

    54 min
  8. Too Strong for Too Long: How High Achievers Burn Out Their Nervous Systems by Ignoring Emotional Needs with Anette DeMattio

    May 5

    Too Strong for Too Long: How High Achievers Burn Out Their Nervous Systems by Ignoring Emotional Needs with Anette DeMattio

    In this episode of the Emotionally Wealthy Podcast, Karen Conlon sits down with Anette DeMattio, transformational coach, bestselling author, and six-time cancer survivor, for a grounded conversation about strength, burnout, trauma, self-awareness, and the cost of constantly being the one who can handle everything. Together, they explore how strength can begin as survival, but over time, become a pattern of self-abandonment. This conversation is an invitation to notice what your body has been trying to tell you. Not with judgment. Not with urgency. But with curiosity, compassion, and the willingness to ask what might become possible when you stop proving your worth and begin listening to yourself differently. Who This Episode Is ForAnyone who is tired of always being “the strong one”High-functioning adults who look capable but feel emotionally depletedPeople navigating burnout, chronic stress, or nervous system exhaustionThose who struggle to slow down without feeling guilty or unsafeAnyone learning to recognize the difference between resilience and self-abandonmentListeners who are beginning to understand that their body may be giving them important emotional information Key Themes and Topics DiscussedHow strength can become a survival strategyThe emotional and physical cost of always pushing throughBurnout as feedback from the body, not a personal failureToxic positivity and why people often struggle to witness painThe connection between trauma, hypervigilance, and over-functioningWhy sleep, slowing down, and self-care can feel difficult or unfamiliarLearning to trust body signals instead of overriding themThe importance of curiosity without judgmentHow managing relationships can become a form of control or over-responsibilityWhat changes when you stop carrying everyone and begin returning to yourself Thoughtful TakeawaysStrength is not the problem. The deeper question is how long you have had to stay in that role, and what it has cost you emotionally, physically, and relationally. Burnout often begins long before we name it. It can show up as poor sleep, anxiety, disconnection, resentment, overgiving, or the quiet sense that your life looks fine from the outside but feels misaligned inside. The body often tells the truth before the mind is ready to admit it. Tightness, heaviness, panic, exhaustion, or a sense of constriction can all become invitations to pause and listen more honestly. Self-care is not about finding the perfect routine. It is about learning what actually feels safe and supportive for your nervous system. For some people that may be stillness. For others, it may be walking, movement, nature, or small moments of connection. When you stop managing everyone else’s experience, you may feel like you are abandoning them. But often, what is really happening is that you are giving both yourself and others the chance to become more empowered. Awareness does not always require dramatic change. Sometimes one honest realization, one different question, or one moment of noticing can begin to shift an entire relationship. Memorable Quotes“I think that if I didn’t get cancer so many times that I would have just kept going.” “My body was not giving me any choice anymore.” “I have to turn that around and look at me and come back home.” “I thought everyone woke up panicky.” “I started being instead of judging.” “Every relationship starts with me.” Timestamps00:00 Introduction to emotional wealth and the cost of being strong 01:57 Redefining strength and introducing Anette’s book 02:59 Anette’s experience with cancer, survival, and finally turning inward 05:31 Childhood trauma, safety, and early survival patterns 10:16 Being praised for strength and learning to push through 12:32 Toxic positivity and the difficulty of witnessing pain 16:29 Performing strength and normalizing exhaustion 17:37 What over-functioning looked like in everyday life 19:22 Strength as a role, not the problem itself 21:36 Proving worth through overgiving 22:35 Alignment, body signals, and recognizing misalignment 24:20 Burnout as feedback from the body 24:48 Sleep, anxiety, and the signs people often normalize 25:50 Self-care as a lifelong process 26:38 Curiosity without judgment 27:31 Why slowing down can feel unsafe 27:48 Finding practices that support your nervous system 29:29 Why breathing exercises may help some people and trigger others 30:11 Gentle starts, micro steps, and trying something new 31:19 Giving yourself permission 35:01 Moving from managing relationships to being in them 36:35 The dark side of over-helping 37:35 Generational expectations and survival-based choices 39:12 What to put down first when strength has become survival 40:04 Asking your body before making a decision 43:44 Anette’s quiz and resources 44:56 Karen’s closing invitation A Gentle InvitationIf this conversation helped you recognize yourself, take a moment to listen to what your body may already be telling you. You do not have to change everything today. You can begin with one pause, one honest breath, one small act of returning to yourself. Share this episode with someone who may be tired of being strong in silence, and leave a review if the podcast has been supporting your own emotional clarity. Resources & LinksWebsite https://karenconlon.com/ Stan Store https://stan.store/Karen_Conlon_Live_Fulfilled Emotionally Wealthy Podcast Book Karen as a Podcast Guest https://talks.co/karen-conlon-lcsw Apply to Be a Guest Expert or Live Coaching Guest https://karenconlon.com/become-a-podcast-guest Review the Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1814244500?action=write-review Free Guide 5 Steps to Powerful Self-Awareness and More Authentic Connections https://karenconlon.com/freebie Books & Workbooks The Teenager’s Guide to Adulting Skills and Life Hacks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQGHHT6L Manage Your Anxiety Workbook & Journal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5FW5Q2J Connect With KarenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/karen_conlon_lcsw/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559407463659 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenconlonlcsw/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@karen_conlon_lcsw Substack: https://karenconlon.substack.com/ Connect With Anette DeMattioWebsite: https://www.anettedemattio.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anettedemattio/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anette-demattio-80580219/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnetteDeMattio Too Strong for Your Own Good Too Strong Quiz: https://TooStrongBook.com/quiz Website for book and quiz: https://TooStrongBook.com Tune in to the Emotionally Wealthy Podcast Your Preferred Platform Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/emotionally-wealthy/id1814244500Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BxaZasAk68BD5mRkD59cI?si=b406d5735eae4304YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy-yaUREWiHBJNxwze7zI4w

    47 min
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5
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10 Ratings

About

You look successful on the outside. You know how to get things done, stay productive, and keep it together. But inside, you may struggle to feel seen, valued, or emotionally safe in your closest relationships. You crave deeper, more authentic connection, and it’s not just about who you choose, it’s about how you show up. High achievement often comes at the cost of emotional connection. Hosted by Karen Conlon, coach, psychotherapist, and relationship expert, Emotionally Wealthy explores how childhood conditioning, emotional patterns, and unexamined beliefs quietly shape the way we show up in love, work, and life. If you have ever wondered: - Why you feel numb, lonely, or unfulfilled despite “doing everything right” - Why relationships feel harder than they should - Why you struggle to name your needs, trust your emotions, or set boundaries without guilt - Why insight alone hasn’t led to lasting change You are in the right place. Each episode blends emotional insight, relational neuroscience, and real-life conversations to help you master self-awareness, break old patterns, and build deeper, more authentic relationships. Topics include emotional intelligence, attachment, boundaries, people-pleasing, emotional resilience, self-trust, and what it actually takes to feel connected, grounded, and fulfilled. This is not surface-level motivation or quick-fix advice. It is honest, practical, and deeply human. Whether you are navigating relationships, questioning long-held patterns, or ready to stop performing and start living with clarity and intention, Emotionally Wealthy offers the insight and tools to help you move from emotional disconnection to clarity and direction.

Information

  • Creator
    Karen Conlon
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Karen Conlon
  • Show Website
    Emotionally Wealthy

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