High Strung with Kamie

Kamie
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Weekly

High Strung with Kamie is a solo podcast about messy human situations, emotional patterns, and the psychology behind why we do the things we do. Hosted by Kamie — a clinical social worker, chronic overthinker, and recovering people pleaser — each episode breaks down dating, anxiety, overthinking, identity, and relationships with humor, honesty, and real self-awareness. If you’ve ever thought “wait… why am I like this?” you’re probably in the right place. New episodes every week. Got a situation you want me to break down? highstrungwithkamie@gmail.com or DM on TikTok! I'm glad you're here.

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    The Easygoing Trap

    I thought I was easygoing. Turns out I was just terrified of being difficult. In this episode, I explore the difference between being genuinely flexible and constantly editing yourself to keep other people comfortable. We’ll talk about people-pleasing, self-abandonment, group decision-making, unwanted candles, and why trying to be likable can sometimes prevent real closeness. Because people can only connect with the version of you that you allow to exist. What's the most ridiculous thing you've ever agreed to because you didn't want to be difficult? I'd genuinely love to know. Send your story to highstrungwithkamie@gmail.com or DM on TikTik @Highstrungwithkamie, and it may end up featured in a future episode of High Strung.

    13 min

  2. May 27

    The 'Responsible One' Identity

    What happens when being “the responsible one” stops being a trait… and becomes your entire identity? In this episode, Kamie breaks down how being praised for being mature, helpful, and dependable at a young age can quietly turn into chronic overfunctioning in adulthood. From sibling caretaking to group project rage to feeling responsible for literally everything, we’re unpacking the psychology behind why some people can’t stop stepping in. If you’ve ever felt like: you automatically take charge in every situationrelaxing feels irresponsibleyour worth is tied to being usefulor you secretly resent carrying everything while also refusing help……this episode is probably going to hit a little too hard. Diagnosis: chronic overfunctioning.Treatment plan: updating the job description. If you have your own messy life or relationship situation you want me to break down, send it in. highstrungwithkamie@gmail.com or TikTok: @highstrungwithkamie

    11 min

  3. May 20

    When Healthy Love Feels Suspicious

    There is nothing quite like a bad relationship to humble you. After my “Garbage Bag Man” era ended, I didn’t think wow, I deserve better. I thought wow… clearly I cannot be trusted to pick people. So naturally, I moved an hour away for grad school. You know — for personal growth. And witness protection. In this episode, we talk about the identity crisis that hit when I realized I had never been single, the suspiciously small dating puddle of grad school, and the very confusing moment when I met someone who was… calm. Consistent. Easy. Communicative. He even remembered my exact Moe’s order (which, at the time, felt like witchcraft). But instead of instantly feeling safe, healthy love felt suspicious. We’re breaking down what happens when your nervous system is used to chaos, why calm relationships can feel disorienting, and how to stop believing you have to earn your place in love by doing the most. High-Strung Verdict:Diagnosis: Post-chaos nervous system confusion & relationship burnoutTreatment plan: Stop equating calm with boredom and effort with worthPrognosis: Excellent — because awareness is the turning point. If healthy love has ever felt weird, boring, or like you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop… this episode is for you. 💛 If you have a story of your own you want me to break down, send it in. DM me on TikTok @highstrungwithkamie or email highstrungwithkamie@gmail.com

    13 min

  4. May 13

    I Didn't Date Him - I Managed Him

    For a long time, I thought I was being a supportive partner. Looking back… I was the emotional coordinator, life organizer, conflict diffuser, and unpaid executive assistant in my relationships. In this episode, we’re talking about over-functioning in dating — the sneaky way you can end up managing a relationship instead of actually being in one. We get into:• Becoming the “project manager” of your partner’s life• The trap of dating potential• Confusing usefulness with love• And how you can slowly become responsible for things that were never yours to carry If you’ve ever felt like the relationship Google Calendar, this episode is for you. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow/subscribe, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a rating or review — it really helps the show grow 💛

    10 min

  5. May 6

    He Proposed to Me While I Was Trying to Breaking Up with Him

    There was a moment in my life when I realized something very important: my boyfriend thought we were heading toward marriage… while I was in a grocery store parking lot trying to figure out how to break up with him. Same relationship. Completely different movies playing in our heads. In this episode, we continue the Garbage Bag Man saga and talk about what happens when you stay in a relationship long after you know it isn’t right. We’re getting into constant conflict, “half breakups,” sunk cost fallacy, and the very real experience of not trusting yourself enough to leave. We also break down the psychology behind why chaos can feel like chemistry, why emotional intensity gets mistaken for connection, and how you can end up living in relationship limbo while one person is planning forever. If you’ve ever stayed too long, ignored your gut, or confused anxiety for attraction… this one’s for you. High Strung Verdict: Chronic incompatibility tolerance + chemistry misattribution disorder. New episodes every week. 💛 If you have your own High Strung situation you want me to break down, send it in. Because clearly...people are going through it. Email: highstrungwithkamie@gmail.com TikTok: @highstrungwithkamie

    9 min

  6. Apr 29

    Our Third Date was at a Strip Club

    On this episode of High Strung with Kamie, we continue the Garbage Bag Man saga… and this is the one where my third date somehow ended at a strip club. But the wildest part isn’t that we went — it’s that I said yes when I didn’t even want to go. Fresh out of a breakup and in the middle of a full identity spiral, I convinced myself that being “spontaneous” was the solution to my problems. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I wasn’t exploring who I was — I was performing a version of myself I thought would be easier to like. In this episode we talk about:• Post-breakup identity whiplash• The difference between self-exploration and self-abandonment• How approval can become addictive• Why saying “yes” can sometimes mean losing yourself If you’ve ever confused being adaptable with being lovable, this one will feel painfully familiar. If you relate to this or have any of your own crazy relationship stories, I want to hear about it. Because clearly…people are going through it. Find me on TikTok @HighStrungWithKamie Email: highstrungwithkamie@gmail.com

    13 min

  7. Apr 22

    I Let a Man Move in Because I Couldn't Say No

    Have you ever watched a friend move way too fast in a relationship and thought this is a terrible idea? Yeah… this time it was me. In this episode, I’m telling the story of the time a man showed up at my apartment with garbage bags and somehow just… never left. What started as a new relationship quickly turned into a crash course in people-pleasing, weak boundaries, fear of rejection, and confusing being wanted with being valued. We break down how vulnerability after a breakup can make you accept crumbs, how “being nice” can turn into self-abandonment, and why learning to say no later in life can completely change your relationships. If you’ve ever stayed too long, ignored your gut, or been afraid of being the bad guy, this one is for you.

    15 min

  8. Apr 15

    The Problem with Dating 'Potential'

    Have you ever dated someone for who they could become instead of who they actually are? This episode is all about the “potential trap” — the relationship dynamic that feels romantic, loyal, and hopeful… but often leaves you stuck, exhausted, and waiting for a future that never quite arrives. We’re talking about:• Why dating potential feels so good at first• How culture romanticizes waiting and “believing in someone”• The psychology behind staying too long• The sunk cost fallacy in relationships• The difference between growing with someone vs waiting for them to change• The question that completely changed how I chose my husband If you’ve ever said “once they’re ready… things will be amazing,” this episode is for you. Hope is beautiful — but hope is not evidence. And potential is not a relationship plan. Let’s talk about it. If you want, we can make a shorter Apple Podcasts version too (they perform better with slightly shorter blurbs).

    10 min

  9. Apr 8

    He Says He's "Bad at Texting"

    So… he says he’s “bad at texting.” But why does it feel like you’re the one doing all the work? In this episode of High Strung with Kamie, we break down the classic, borderline-infuriating dynamic of someone who’s charming in person… but ghost-like over text. Is it really just “bad texting skills,” or is it a clear sign of priorities and emotional availability? We dive into: Why inconsistent attention hooks your brain like a slot machine 🎰The difference between what he says and what he actually doesHow to tell if the texting struggle is a minor quirk or a full-blown priorities mismatchAnd the cold, honest truth about chasing clarity that isn’t being offered🚩 High Strung Verdict: Priorities mismatch — he’s not bad at texting, he’s just showing you where you rank. If you’ve ever found yourself obsessing over a “k” or an emoji… this episode is your reality check (and your permission to stop overthinking). Send your stories, follow the podcast, and get ready to decode relationship chaos—because clarity is everything.

    11 min

  10. Apr 1

    Boyfriend Lives Rent-Free…Then Wants Me to Buy Him a Car 🚩

    He lives with her. He doesn’t pay rent. He hasn’t had a job in six months. And the moment she finally gets some money to pay off debt and replace her car… he suggests they should both get new cars. Now he’s calling her selfish — and she’s wondering if she’s the problem. In this first episode of High Strung with Kamie, we break down how relationship support slowly turns into entitlement, how provider-and-dependent dynamics quietly form, and why people-pleasers feel guilty setting completely reasonable boundaries. This episode dives into: • When helping becomes enabling • Why imbalance can start to feel “normal” • The psychology behind guilt and people-pleasing • How resentment builds in one-sided relationships Because sometimes the issue isn’t the car — it’s the roles in the relationship. 👑 High Strung Verdict: Financial parasite energy. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re being selfish… or finally setting a healthy boundary — this episode is for you.

    8 min

  11. Apr 1

    He’s “Not Ready for a Relationship”… But Acts Like a Boyfriend

    If someone says they’re not ready for a relationship… but treats you like their partner, what does that actually mean? This week, Kamie breaks down the confusing dynamic of someone who gives attention, affection, and consistency—without commitment. We talk mixed signals, intermittent reinforcement, cognitive dissonance, and why situationships can feel so hard to walk away from. Is this patience… or is it misalignment? Because clarity isn’t something you should have to earn.

    8 min

  12. Apr 1

    We Broke Up… But We Still Talk Every Day

    What happens when a relationship ends… but the connection doesn’t? This week, Kamie breaks down the confusing space between breakup and moving on. Why do we keep talking to exes? Why does it feel comforting—and why can it make healing harder? We unpack emotional attachment, breakup “limbo,” and the illusion of moving on while staying emotionally connected. Are you healing… or just delaying the grief?

    8 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

High Strung with Kamie is a solo podcast about messy human situations, emotional patterns, and the psychology behind why we do the things we do. Hosted by Kamie — a clinical social worker, chronic overthinker, and recovering people pleaser — each episode breaks down dating, anxiety, overthinking, identity, and relationships with humor, honesty, and real self-awareness. If you’ve ever thought “wait… why am I like this?” you’re probably in the right place. New episodes every week. Got a situation you want me to break down? highstrungwithkamie@gmail.com or DM on TikTok! I'm glad you're here.

Information