Episode 54

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Published on:

30th Sep 2026

The One About People-Pleasing 🫣

When someone asks what you want and your automatic response is ā€œI don’t care, whatever you wantā€ā€¦ even though you absolutely DO care… congrats, babe. We might need to talk about people pleasing. 😬

In this episode, we’re breaking down why so many of us are more comfortable disappointing ourselves than disappointing someone else. We talk about where people-pleasing behaviors come from, how they differ from simply being kind or considerate, and how to start tolerating the discomfort of having needs, saying no, and—gasp—letting someone be disappointed in you.

Because the goal isn’t to stop caring about other people. It’s to remember that you’re one of the people whose feelings matter, too.

What’s in the Episode:

  • 00:00 — Welcome + People Pleasing 101
  • 01:29 — Tea & Crumpets
  • 05:28 — The DSM: People Pleasing, Fawning + Boundaries
  • 37:15 — Now That’s What I Call— OKAYY!
  • 41:41 — Fire Dumpster Phoenix
  • 46:20 — Wrap-Up

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DISCLAIMER: But For Real Podcast is not a substitute for individualized mental health treatment or healthcare. This podcast is solely for entertainment and educational purposes. If you are in crisis, please utilize crisis support services, such as the Crisis Text Line (Text START to 741741 in the US) or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: (Call 988 in the US), or visit www.findahelpline.com for international resources.

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About the Podcast

But For Real
Welcome to But For Real: the podcast where all your swirling thoughts about mental health, pop culture, and how to human are blended into one delicious variety show, co-hosted by therapists Valerie Martin (resident elder millennial āœŒļø) and Emerson Ryder (resident Gen Z 🫶).

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Valerie Martin