Episode 10: No Contact - A Therapist's F*cking Messy Personal Story
Home To Me
Episode Description Going no contact with a parent is one of the most misunderstood — and most judged — decisions someone can make. From the outside, it can look like rejection or punishment. On the inside, it’s usually about survival, boundaries, and self-preservation. In this episode, I’m unpacking what leads someone to make that decision, why it’s rarely a snap choice, and the complex mix of grief, relief, and guilt that can follow. Steph shares her person experience going no contact with a parent, sharing what led to the decision, and all the highs, lows, and eyerolls in between....
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Episode 9: I hate to break it to you, but you're a f*cking human
Home To Me
In this episode of Home to Me, Steph unpacks the loaded phrase “feel your feelings” — what it actually means, why so many of us avoid it, and how feeling isn’t the same as spiraling. Through a deeply honest story about disconnection, performance, and perfectionism, she explores the body’s quiet wisdom and how emotions aren’t problems to solve, but messages to hear. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I being too sensitive?” or “What if I fall apart and don’t come back?” — this one’s for you. We explore: What it actually means to feel your feelings (and what it...
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Episode 8: Therapists: They're Just Like You (Anxious and Comparing Themselves on Instagram)
Home To Me
In this week's vulnerable and heartfelt episode of 'Home to Me,' Steph gets vulnerable about her struggles with overcommitting and feeling overwhelmed. Navigating the pressures of starting a new podcast, working on a workbook for therapists in training, and maintaining a social media presence, she reveals her internal struggles and the tendency to fall into old patterns of anxiety and comparison. She shares her reality check with herself, recognizing the behaviors and leaning on her go to techniques of practicing gratitude, and making space for her feelings without judgment. In this...
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Episode 7: Borrow My Voice Vol.1
Home To Me
This week on Home to Me, Steph is sharing the exact words you can borrow as you try to throw out your Nice Girl script and start having difficult conversations. It can be so hard to find the words, so let her help you get started. Here are the topics with the timestamps. Of course listen to the whole thing, but use this as a cheat sheet if there is a specific one that works for you. 3:56 - I'm struggling and I don't know how to ask for help 7:24 - I am not ok with this dynamic anymore. Something has to change 21:03 - I've changed my mind 30:34 - I am not available for this...
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Episode 6: We're Not Going To Be F*cking "Nice" Anymore
Home To Me
This week on Home to Me, we're throwing out the Nice Girl script — you know the one. Always agreeable. Always apologizing. Never rocking the boat. Steph shares how growing up in patriarchal systems taught her that being “nice” would keep her safe, loved, and accepted — but instead, it left her stuck in patterns of self-abandonment and resentment. From wetsuit trauma to practicing pausing, she reflects on how “nice” became a trap, and how she's replacing it with something far more powerful: kindness rooted in integrity. You’ll learn: ...
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Episode 5: Holding Space, Not Holding f*cking Everything!
Home To Me
When we first start setting boundaries, it doesn’t feel good—it feels hard. It feels like guilt. Like fear. Like disappointing people you love. But that discomfort? It’s not a red flag. It’s a sign that you’re growing. In this episode of Home To Me, Steph shares her own messy, funny, deeply human journey through learning to say no, choosing herself (on purpose), and why the first few steps toward change feel super uncomfortable. We talk about cultural messaging around sacrifice, and the tender truth that loving people doesn't mean saving them from their own growth. And if...
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Episode 4: Exchanging Perfectionism for Personality. F*ck the Rules
Home To Me
Get ready to ditch childhood rulebooks and embrace your messy, glorious, totally imperfect self. In this episode of Home to Me, we'll uncover the invisible rules we learned to keep safe—and explore how they might be holding us back. Think always "being polite," or the curse of thinking achievement > effort. We’ll cheer each other on as we start saying: “Fuck the rules...unless they’re ours.” Expect stories, laughs, and permission to break free. Show Notes This Episode Covers: Reflection: What “rules” from childhood still run your life? Real-life examples: ...
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Episode 3: Hope, Humor & Healing: A Guide to Not Losing Your Sh*t
Home To Me
Welcome Home! In this week's episode, Steph explores the power of connection and how the current political climate is impacting our connections. Fear drives protection which drives a big wedge between you and everyone around you. It's not a political commentary piece, it's a human to human connection piece. She also shares a story that will share hope in a time where connecting accross politics and religion seems hopeless. We explore: What “positivity resonance” is and why your giggling newborn might be onto something. Why humor is not just a coping mechanism, it’s a literal...
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Episode 2: Feeling Uncomfortable Won’t Kill You (I Checked)
Home To Me
Alternative title: The Buffet Is Open (and Jeffrey’s Not Invited) In this episode of Home to Me, we go back to the why. Why does self-trust matter so deeply? Why do defensiveness, insecurity, and people-pleasing steal so much from us? Through a story of meetings, metaphors, and missed ETF lessons, therapist and host Steph unpacks what it really means to come home to yourself — and how being liked, or not, has shaped so much of what we do. You’ll walk away with a grounded sense of why self-trust is the foundation of inner freedom, plus a powerful exercise to uncover what’s really...
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Episode 1: Turns Out Confidence Isn’t Loud
Home To Me
"I used to think confidence meant being unshakable. Turns out, it just means being yourself — even when your voice shakes a little." - Steph Venter I used to look confident. Like, "Wow, she really has it together" confident. But inside? I was mentally proofreading every sentence I said out loud, apologizing for my own opinions, and trying to earn gold stars in emotional customer service. In this first episode of Home To Me, I’m sharing the moment I realized I’d built a life that looked good on the outside but felt like a slow leak on the inside. This isn’t a before-and-after story...
info_outlineAlternative title: The Buffet Is Open (and Jeffrey’s Not Invited)
In this episode of Home to Me, we go back to the why. Why does self-trust matter so deeply? Why do defensiveness, insecurity, and people-pleasing steal so much from us? Through a story of meetings, metaphors, and missed ETF lessons, therapist and host Steph unpacks what it really means to come home to yourself — and how being liked, or not, has shaped so much of what we do. You’ll walk away with a grounded sense of why self-trust is the foundation of inner freedom, plus a powerful exercise to uncover what’s really driving your discomfort. It’s tender, funny, and real. You’re in the right place. Welcome Home
SHOW NOTES
Episode 2 – The Cost of Being Liked (And Why Self-Trust Is Worth More)
In this episode, you’ll hear:
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A before-and-after story of meetings, self-doubt, and reclaiming your attention
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Why discomfort can feel like danger — and how to tell the difference
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A metaphorical buffet vs. a metaphorical spotlight: which one are you living under?
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A grounding practice to bring joy and self-connection into your day
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A powerful journaling/therapy-style prompt to uncover your core fear behind discomfort
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Why self-trust is the foundation of true belonging
- At least 3 "fucks" uttered
Takeaway quote:
“Self-trust is learning that you are liked, valued, and you belong — without needing anyone else to verify it for you.”
Action step for listeners:
Notice something small you did today that brought you comfort, joy, or choice — and celebrate it out loud like you’re parenting your inner child.