In this episode of Roots of the Rise, we explore why feedback can feel so deeply personal — and why some people hear criticism even when constructive feedback is being offered. Sarah Hope dives into the connection between shame, perfectionism, defensiveness, trauma, and the nervous system, explaining how past experiences shape the way we receive correction, guidance, and emotional discomfort.

You’ll learn the difference between criticism vs feedback, why defensiveness is often a form of self-protection rather than ego, how perfectionism creates fear around mistakes, and why being corrected can sometimes feel like rejection. This episode also offers practical tools for receiving feedback with more curiosity, self-awareness, emotional regulation, and discernment — without collapsing into shame.

If you struggle with taking things personally, feeling overly sensitive to criticism, people pleasing, perfectionism, or emotional defensiveness, this conversation will help you better understand yourself and others with greater compassion.

Topics include:

• criticism vs feedback
• shame and the nervous system
• perfectionism and self-worth
• defensiveness and emotional triggers
• taking things personally
• emotional regulation
• healing shame
• self-awareness and growth
• trauma responses and feedback
• learning how to receive feedback in healthy ways

Related Episodes:

Episode 6 - Curiosity Required

Episode 55 - Breaking the Silence: How Shame Holds Us Back and How to Heal

139. Learn The Four Agreements And Start Living With More Peace and Clarity

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You know that moment when a single text or offhand comment sends your brain into a full replay marathon? We’ve been there, and we wanted a cleaner way out than spiraling, mind reading, and self-judgment. So we’re digging into Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements, a personal growth classic with four deceptively simple commitments that can reshape your communication, your relationships, and your inner peace.

We walk through Be Impeccable With Your Word and why integrity matters as much in your self-talk as it does in what you say out loud. Then we move into Don’t Make Assumptions, where so much unnecessary suffering starts, and share practical ways to trade “always/never” stories for clear questions, curiosity, and tools like nonviolent communication. If you’ve noticed people pleasing patterns or you catch yourself agreeing with things you know aren’t true just to keep things smooth, this part lands hard.

From there, we tackle Don’t Take Anything Personally, one of the toughest agreements, and unpack how criticism hurts most when a part of us already believes it. We also cover Always Do Your Best, a self-compassion practice that replaces perfectionism with an honest view of capacity that changes day to day. Along the way we mention Byron Katie’s The Work as a powerful way to question the stories that keep you reactive.

If you want more clarity, less conflict, and a calmer mind, listen now. Subscribe, share this with a friend who overthinks, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s the hardest agreement for you to live right now?

Questions or Comments? Message me!

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Interested in becoming a member and gaining access to notes, prompts, guided meditations and more? Listen to the membership episode to learn more, or Go here to check it out for one week free!

Stay connected by signing up for my newsletter or checking out all my offerings at www.risingwithsarah.com

What are your regrets trying to tell you?

In this episode, we explore a powerful reframe: regret isn’t something to avoid—it’s guidance. Inspired by the work of Daniel H. Pink, we break down the four core types of regret—connection, moral, boldness, and foundation—and how each one points to what matters most in your life.

Through personal stories and real-life examples, you’ll begin to see your regrets in a new light—not as mistakes to dwell on, but as insight into your values, your needs, and the direction your life is asking you to move.

If you’ve ever thought “I wish I had…,” this episode will help you understand why—and what to do next.

In this episode:

• The 4 types of regret and what they reveal
• Why regret is powerful feedback, not a problem
• How regret connects to core human needs
• Simple prompts to help you move forward with clarity

A guided contemplation is available for members who want to explore this more deeply.

Podcast: Armchair Expert with Daniel Pink

Book: The Power of Regret by Daniel Pink

Questions or Comments? Message me!

Support the show

Interested in becoming a member and gaining access to notes, prompts, guided meditations and more? Listen to the membership episode to learn more, or Go here to check it out for one week free!

Stay connected by signing up for my newsletter or checking out all my offerings at www.risingwithsarah.com