In this deep and insightful conversation, Michael and Nikolas revisit the intertwined themes of anxiety and people pleasing — exploring how childhood patterns, guilt, and hyper-empathy shape adult behavior.

They discuss why so many of us unconsciously take responsibility for others’ emotions, how this limits authenticity, and what it truly means to differentiate between our own feelings and those we absorb from others. Along the way, they weave in concepts from Polyvagal Theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Nonviolent Communication, offering both psychological depth and practical pathways toward inner freedom.

Whether you identify as an empath, a recovering people pleaser, or someone navigating social anxiety, this episode provides a compassionate look at how to build emotional boundaries, practice forgiveness, and find peace in simply being yourself.

Timestamps

00:00 - Intro

00:41 – Welcome & revisiting the topics of anxiety and people pleasing

01:16 – Nikolas on authenticity vs. programming: realizing people-pleasing tendencies

02:48 – Michael’s experience as a “recovering people pleaser” and fear of rejection

04:36 – How childhood conditioning creates people-pleasing behavior

06:20 – The role of empathy and taking on others’ emotions

08:08 – Michael on emotional transference and childhood roots of empathy

11:54 – Guilt as the driving force and forgiveness as the antidote

13:12 – Michael on self-forgiveness and gratitude for old coping mechanisms

17:02 – Sensitivity, nervous system linkage, and emotional boundaries

19:40 – Setting intentions and emotional boundaries in social settings

22:14 – Connecting people pleasing and anxiety

24:06 – Nikolas’ theory: anxiety as “micro fear” and its biological purpose

25:52 – Michael on anxiety as a survival mechanism and faulty neuroception

31:38 – Group dynamics and why anxiety increases in larger settings

33:55 – Working on the root framework behind the behavior

34:59 – Internal Family Systems (IFS) as a tool for inner dialogue

36:22 – Michael on disowning vs. working with inner parts

38:43 – Rejecting vs. befriending anxiety and guilt

39:39 – Applying Nonviolent Communication to inner parts

43:26 – Nikolas on IFS as an accessible framework for everyone

44:22 – Exploring modalities and Michael’s 30-year journey with anxiety

46:42 – Nikolas on anxiety returning in cycles and self-understanding

49:00 – Acceptance, oscillation, and the role of suffering in growth

50:15 – Closing reflections and tools for inner healing

50:42 – Wrap-up